Epsom Salt and all its many uses:

Epsom Salt and all its many uses:
I. Add to olive oil to exfoliate skin and add to shampoo for rejuvenating the scalp. Let the mixture absorb for a few minutes and then rinse.
II. For blackheads, boil ½ cup of water, 3 drops of iodine, and 1 tsp. of Epsom salt. Let the solution cool enough to touch and bottle; use with a cotton ball and apply to blackheads. Reheat and cool if solution separates.
III. Increase Magnesium levels in your body by soaking three times a week; Magnesium is difficult to get through diet, but it readily absorbs through the skin (consult practitioner if you have kidney issues). Mg is useful in treating migraine and tension headaches, fatigue, kidney stones, COPD, asthma, fibromyalgia, ADD/ADHD, complications during pregnancy and premenstrual syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. It also assists the body's use of serotonin which aids in well-being and relaxation.
IV. A 20 minute soak once a week with a handful of Epsom Salt, 10 drops of lavender essential oil, and half a cup of baking soda will draw out toxins, lower stress hormones, and balance pH levels.
V. Soak feet in warm water and Epsom Salt to soften and smooth.
VI. Add 2 tbsp. of Epsom salt to a gallon of water and spray for a lush, green lawn.
VII. For healthier roses, tomatoes, and peppers, mix 1 tsp. with 4 cups of warm water and spray plants every couple of weeks. This will strengthen plant cell walls, aid seed germination, photosynthesis, and formation of fruits.
VIII. Sprinkle Epsom Salt on the garbage cans to keep raccoons away.
IX. Use Epsom Salt in liquid dish detergent to whiten floor tiles and dissolve dirt.

Homemade Veggie Dip!

This veggie dip has a nice kick from the cayenne pepper and minced garlic. I do not use mayonnaise or sour cream either... the base is Greek yogurt! The empty spot will be filled with celery tomorrow which I let chill in water overnight so that they are crispier.

- 1 17.6 oz. containers of plain Greek yogurt

- 2 tbsp. minced fresh parsley

- 2 tbsp. minced onion (I used fresh but dried can be substituted as well)

- 1 tsp. garlic salt

- 2 tsp. dill weed (fresh or dry)

- 1 tsp. paprika

- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

- 1 clove minced fresh garlic

Mix together and chill for at least an hour to let the flavors settle. And of course, everything is more fun with a glass of wine. Enjoy!

Why I love Lemons

 

LEMONS, why I love them:


Our body runs on electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium, chloride, and magnesium. These elements conduct electricity in our body, and to maintain balance of our body systems we need to also consume a healthy balance of these mineral salts. High sodium and low potassium in the diet can disrupt this balance and cause high blood pressure as well as increase the risk of cancer in the body. Lemon juice can be used to flavor foods in place of salt.

Lemons are readily available, inexpensive, and the benefits are endless! They are a powerful antioxidant, antibacterial, astringent, diuretic, laxative, AND packed full of Vitamin C, A, B1, B6, and P, magnesium, potassium, and folic acid.

Homemade Tomato Sauce !

You will need:

• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 celery hearts, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 1 tsp. crushed rosemary
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1 tsp. thyme
• salt, to taste
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp. basil leaves ( fresh if you have them)
• 2 32oz. cans of crushed tomatoes

Healthy Winter Chicken Soup!

You will need:
- 1 lb. marinated chicken breasts, cubed
- 5 (organic) carrots, diced diagonally
- 5 (organic) celery stalks, diced diagonally
- 1 medium sweet onion, sliced
- 1 11 oz. can low sodium cream of (mushroom, chicken, celery; use what you have or like)
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 or 3 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 pinch of rosemary, crushed
- 1 tsp. thyme
- 1 bunch of kale, washed and deveined
- Egg noodles

Make your own Blueberry Smoothie !

You will need:- about 1 cup of ice (5 or 6 cubes)
- about 3/4 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 4 oz. pomegranate juice

I like to blend my ice and juice first (especially if you add protein), to keep from getting frothy. If you add protein it is best to do it last and only for 10 to 15 sec.

Then add the blueberries and yogurt. Blend and enjoy!

My First Taste of Freedom – Part 2

The vagus nerve, the tenth cranial nerve, is really fascinating when you understand everything within the body that it is involved in. It runs from your brainstem down the whole length of the spine to the abdominal organs and innervates every organ along the way. It plays a major role in lowering the heart rate, breathing patterns, intestinal movement, sweating, and speech. It is your bodies off switch when feeling anxious and dealing with an overwhelming amount of stress, and the counterbalance to the fight or flight response. In another post I will talk about its connection to the enteric nervous system, our bodies "second brain", where our serotonin is secreted, packaged, and sent up to the brain via the vagus nerve.