Thursday, 12 September 2013

Natural Remedies: Homemade Toothpaste

 
I make my own skin care creams and many of the personal & home care products I use at home. 

As this blog is all about living the simple life in the most natural way, I wanted to share with you some wonderful formulas I've either put together myself or have been given from friends & colleagues. 

Some I've found on the internet, particularly on Facebook.  Other formulas are tried & true from instructors who I've studied with over the years; instructors who are practitioners of natural health, skin care, massage and holistic therapies. 

I'll start with personal care products. 

HOMEMADE TOOTH PASTE

Here are the ingredients & how to make it:
 
3 tablespoons Coconut Oil
3 tablespoons Baking Soda
2 teaspoons Glycerin
20 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
1 teaspoon Stevia powder
 
The essential oil must be an actual essential oil not a derivative of it as you may ingest some of it. 
 
Mix the baking soda and coconut oil until you get a fine paste. 
 
Add in the remaining ingredients.  Hand mix until you have a 'toothpaste' like paste.  To use it, dip your toothbrush into the jar and brush your teeth.  Easy, healthy & very inexpensive. 
 
This paste will not only clean your teeth, it will freshen your breath and is safe to use on the enamel of your teeth.
 
Overtime you should find your teeth lightening as stains from coffee, wine & juices will be removed.
 
Store in a jar and in the fridge to extend it's use.

Nature Walks




The benefits of walking & exercising in nature are many.

Fresh air has more oxygen.  

Oxygen is one of 4 main things that make our body's cells & tissue function properly. 

Without enough oxygen our cells die in 3 minutes.  The other 3 are water, nutrition & our cell's ability to expel waste.  

Serotonin levels are increased.  Balanced levels of serotonin leads to an ability to enjoy life & feel happy.

Being in nature stimulates & heightens our five senses of touch, smell, sight, hearing & taste. 

The primal regions of our brain are triggered allowing for higher levels of creativity to flow.

Being in nature increases our access to sunshine which then increases the Vitamin D levels within the body. 

Balanced states of Vitamin D in the body decreases symptoms of depression.

If you don't live in the country, try to find a park nearby to enjoy daily walks.  You'll benefit immensely from it.

Nature Sounds

 
Dr. Joe Dispenza, a chiropractic doctor is one of the scientists, researchers and doctors featured in the award winning film, "What the BLEEP Do We Know!?".  
 
He's also lectured around the world educating people about the role and function of the human brain.

His approach, taught in a very simple method, creates a bridge between true human potential and the latest scientific theories of neuroplasticity.
 
He explains how thinking in new ways, as well as changing beliefs, can literally rewire one's brain.
 
The premise of his work is founded in his total conviction that every person on this planet has within them, the latent potential of greatness and true unlimited abilities.

His new book, "Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind" connects the subjects of thought and consciousness with the brain, the mind, and the body.
 
In his writings he makes an interesting connection between the sounds found in nature and how they affect one's health.
 
He suggests that clinical studies have proven that 2 hours of hearing nature sounds everyday 'significantly' reduces the release of the stress hormone, cortisol, into the body.  
 
When the body is overwhelmed by cortisol it breaks down the body tissue resulting in disease & ultimately death.
 
The reduction of this stress hormone is upwards of 800% and activates 500-600 DNA segments known to be responsible for healing and repairing the body.

Apartment Gardens



This garden is inside your home. 

If you're limited in the green space your home has, this is ideal.  It doesn't take up as much room as it is vertical and is not wide.

Another idea is to grow herbs also onto a wooden structure like this.  Ideal for a kitchen.

How To Build Raised Garden Beds



I hope you can read this! 

If you live in an apartment or small house or townhouse, you may have little to no access to green space to have a garden.

A solution is to rent green space, preferably somewhere close so you can visit it often and nurture your garden.

Building a raised garden bed like this is ideal as it separates what is yours from what is your neighbours' gardens.

City living can be ideal for many yet the lack of garden space can be something many of us are unwilling to live without. 

This is a great solution.  Try it!

Tuesday, 10 September 2013

Why Do People Gain Weight?




Genetics.
 
Clogged liver – Caused by prescription/non-prescription drugs, trans fats, Candida, hydrogenated oils. 
 
Candida yeast overgrowth – usually caused when good bacteria is low supply in intestines.  Candida clogs colon/large intestine which makes metabolism slow, creates gas, large stomach/bloating, food cravings for white foods.  Over time Candida turns into a fungus & spreads through whole body.   
 
Clogged colon – one should have 3 bowel movements a day.   
 
Lack of enzymes – processed foods (cans, jars) is pasteurized/heated over 180 degrees/30+ minutes killing all enzymes in food.  Commercially grown fruits/vegetables are soaked in chlorinated water and given irradiation – also killing enzymes. 
 
Underactive thyroid – results in underactive thyroid. 
 
Inefficient Pancreas – insulin tolerance imbalance. 
 
Hormonal imbalance – hormones regulate metabolism.   
 
Artificial sweeteners – all man made sweeteners lower metabolism i.e aspartame, nutrasweet, splenda. 
 
MSG – excitotoxin.  Man made chemical.  Listed on food labels as ‘spices’, ‘flavours’.  Does not always have to be listed. 
 
Lack of water – a person doesn’t always know if they are dehydrated.   
 
Diet & carbonated drinks – block calcium absorption and nutritional deficiencies. 
 
Lack of sleep – leads to obesity if one gets less than 7 hours a night. 
 
Cold water drinks – slows metabolism. 
 
Lack of sun – sun stimulates metabolism.  Alleviates stress & depression. 
 
Nutritional deficiencies – body needs proper nutrition to have normal metabolism.  Most common deficiencies are calcium, zinc, magnesium, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, amino acids, cofactors, CLA, chromium. 
 
Heavy metal toxicity – most people have lots of metal in them clogging liver, colon and affects circulation. 
 
Poor circulation – caused by trans fats, chlorine in water, nutritional deficiencies, lack of walking and exercise. 
 
Lack of oxygen – most people have lower oxygen levels in their blood & cells than they need.  Caused by poor breathing, lack of exercise, poor nutrition. 
 
Allergies – caused by Candida overgrowth, clogged liver/colon, poor circulation and parasites.
 
Parasites – all overweight people have parasites.  Candida, clogged liver/colon are main causes. 
 
Yoyo dieting – every time a person goes on a diet, loses weight, they reset their body’s thermostat and internal body weight set point.  Metabolism is also lowered. 
 
Lack of sweating – lack of sweating leads to clogged lymphatic system and poor metabolism. 
 
Low muscle mass – body needs normal amount of muscle or metabolism will be low.  Increasing muscle mass leads to higher metabolism. Air conditioning – lowers metabolism. 
 
Breakfast – skipping breakfast lowers metabolism. 
 
EMS – electromagnetic frequencies are generated from wireless devices – phones, laptops; TV’s and computer screens.  They have an adverse effect on every cell in the body also lowering metabolism. 
 
Eating before bed – eating especially white food before bed lowers metabolism. 
 
GMO food – North American has mostly if not all been genetically modified.  This is guaranteed to make a person fat. 
 
Food additives – foods today have strong amounts of herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics and over 15k man made chemicals.  Guaranteed to make a person fat. 
 
Lack of walking – body is designed to walk.  Lack of physical movement results in low metabolism.

Sunday, 8 September 2013

The Country Drive

 
Don't underestimate the healing powers of a country drive.
 
Fresh hair increases the oxygen flow in our bodies. 
 
The scenic & colourful landscape are comforting & welcoming to our eyes evoking a calming reaction in our nervous systems.
 
 
With our A+ lifestyles, our nervous systems tend to stay on high alert.  Not unlike an air conditioner that never stops.  Eventually it breaks down.
 
As do our nervous system.  We wear them out. 
 
But the occasional trip out to the country brings a much needed injection of calm into us.
 
 
It's Autumn and it's that time of year when driving through the countryside can be so becoming.