Month: July 2014

Benefits of Omega-3

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Did you know we are unable to make omega-3 fatty acids in our bodies? We need omega-3 fatty acids for normal body functions such as blood clotting and building cell membranes in the brain. They have also been found to decrease the risk of arrhythmias, decrease triglyceride levels, and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of stroke and heart attacks.

Omega-3’s are abundant in flax and hemp oil, but fish oil is the best source. Some are also hidden in spices such as basil, oregano, mint, and cloves. Afraid of eating fish due to mercury poisoning? Stick to the smaller fish for mercury is found in the bigger fish such as Albacore. Or simply start on a supplement of 1000 mg a day. Read the labels. There are 3 different kinds. EPA and DHA are from fish oils and ALA is from plant oils. ALA has less potent health effects as our bodies have to convert them to the types of omega-3’s found in fish oils and they don’t do so rapidly. If you find omega-3’s cause an unpleasant aftertaste, try keeping them in the freezer. Nature-Made brand has come out with omega-3’s that reduce the odor.

So what are you waiting for? Support the brain so it functions best.

All Natural Insect Repellant

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Keep those pesky bugs away with this recipe. Smells great and you won’t get the toxic effects like commercial chemical repellants.

Ingredients: 

  • 8 oz. catnip hydrosol
  • 20 drops cedar essential oil
  • 20 drops lavender essential oil
  • 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
  • 10 drops lemon essential oil

Find a spray bottle or a roll-on container. Add the hydrosol first, then the next ingredients. Close the container and shake the contents around. Apply as often as needed.

Sweet N Spicy Mustard

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Ever wanted to make your own mustard, but you didn’t have a recipe? Here’s a fairly simple one to try. Gather these ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1/2 cup yellow mustard seed
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 Tablespoons of honey
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon thyme, dried

In a small saucepan, add the wine and cook for about 8 minutes. In a medium- sized bowl, pour in the wine and the other ingredients. Cover and allow to sit for twenty four hours. Mustard seeds will soften. The next day, place your mixture in a blender and blend until its at your desired consistency.Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.

Oatmeal Bath Bombs

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If you have dry, itchy skin, try an oatmeal bath bomb. They are easy to make. Here are the ingredients:

  •  1 1/4 cup of baking soda
  • 1/2 cup of citric acid
  • 1/2 cup instant oatmeal
  • 1 Tablespoon of water
  • 3 Tablespoons of almond oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon of essential oil, optional for fragrance

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle in the oils and water. Stir until moistened. Add more water if needed to form a ball. Roll dough into six individual balls. Place the bath bombs on a sheet of wax paper and allow them to dry over night. The next day, store them in an airtight container. One bomb per bath.

 

Is Your Make-up Poisoning You?

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Many common products in the cosmetic world contain harmful chemicals. I was surprised to learn that one of those ingredients was formaldehyde! Yikes! Others include such things as parabens and phthalates. Beauty products are not strictly regulated as food and drugs. The word fragrance on labels can disguise many other ingredients, including hormone disrupters. What’s a girl to do? A new app is available called, ThinkDirtyApp.com. This app helps consumers sift through cosmetic products and find the culprits. Simply scan bar codes on the product and the dirty meter will rate the product from 1 to 10. The app also suggests cleaner options. If you don’t have a smart phone, the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database can give you information on more than 68,000 personal-care products. Contact EWG.org/SkinDeep.

Dry Doggy Shampoo Recipe

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Do you have one of those dogs that hates bathes and will do everything in his power to get away from one? Does he sulk when he hears water running? I have a solution- a dry shampoo.

  • Ingredients: 
  • 1 cup of cornstarch
  • 7 drops of lavender essential oil
  • a jar with a tight lid
  • an ice pick

Using the ice pick, poke holes in the top of the jar lid. Place the cornstarch and the lavender oil inside the jar. Attach the lid. Shake the contents together until mixed well. Take your dog outside and sprinkle the dry shampoo over his fur. Work it in with your fingers. Stand back and allow your dog to shake some of the dust off. After approximately five minutes, brush his coat. The lavender repels fleas and the cornstarch will absorb stinky smells. That’s it.

 

Easy Iced Coffee Recipe

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Instead of pouring out your leftover coffee, freeze it in the ice tray. Frozen coffee cubes are perfect for iced coffee because they don’t dilute your drink when they melt. Add them to chocolate milk or hot chocolate for an iced mocha. A great treat on a summer day for coffee signcoffee drinkers.