Spirulina! What it is, and why you need it.

What on earth is spirulina? It is a cyanobacteria (kinda like an herb, but not) basically it is a kind of algae that is gathered from non-contaminated ponds. Spirulina has amazing nutritional benefits. It is mostly made up of protein and essential amino acids. It is full of natural iron and B-12. 

It does takes pretty much like what you would imagine powdered algae would taste like. However, it is VERY good for the human body.

Thanks to Wellness Mama for this handy little chart.

• Spirulina is 65% protein and amino acids including the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which has gotten a lot of attention for its anti-inflammatory properties,   It contains all essential amino acids.
• Spirulina contains Omega 3-,6 and 9s and is especially high in Omega-3s.
• Spirulina is extremely high in Chlorophyll, which helps remove toxins from the blood and boost the immune system.
• Spirulina has a very high concentration of bio-available iron and is excellent during pregnancy and for those with anemia and will not cause constipation.
•  Spirulina is a great source of other nutrients including (according to Wikipedia): “Spirulina contains vitamins B-1(thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3(nicotinamide), B-6 (pyridoxine), B-9 (folic acid), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin E. It is also a source of potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium,  manganese, phosphorus,  selenium, sodium and zinc. Spirulina contains many pigments which may be beneficial and bioavailable”.
• This Spirulina (from Mountain Rose Herbs) was tested be an independent laboratory and found to have an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) of over 24,000 which is 4x the ORAC score of blueberries. The ORAC score is generally used to measure antioxidant ability and concentration in different foods.
• Spirulina is also incredibly high in calcium with over 26 times the calcium in milk, making it excellent for children, the elderly and during pregnancy.
• Some research has suggested that Spirulina may be helpful in allergies and allergic reactions.
• Spirulina’s phosphorus content makes it helpful as part of a tooth remineralization regimen.
• Emerging evidence suggests that it binds with radioactive isotopes and may be useful for radioactivity exposure or radiation therapy.
• The protein in Spirulina is highly usable and has a net protein utilization rate of between 50-61%
• Spirulina can bind with heavy metals in the body and help remove them.
• Spirulina can increase fat burning during exercise.

Basically, you should have spirulina as a part of your life. You can buy it in tablets, capsules, powdered and such. I like to get the powdered from Mountain Rose Herbs, because I can control just how much I'm taking of it, and I can mix it into smoothies for my toddler. 

DISCLAIMER: This is for information purposes only. Please do your own research and know the benefits and risks of each ingredient before taking or giving this to someone.  The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent anything. 

Homemade Hair Gel

Hair Gel

This recipe came from Mommypotamus. She deserves the credit for this, I just adapted it a bit for my needs. 

Hair Gel

What to use:

• 1 teaspoon gelatin (if you want less "hold" then use 1/2 teaspoon gelatin)
• 1 cup very warm purified water
• 5-10 drops essential oil (optional)
• 8 oz mason jar

How to make:

1. Dissolve gelatin into warm water.

2.. Add essential oils if desired. Store in mason jar in the fridge.

What I do with it:

Apply to hair like regular hair gel. Store in fridge.

*Mommypotamus came up with this info. I am just passing on what her blog says about the essential oils.*

A Few Essential Oil Options

• Lime essential oils smells amazing, and is helpful for balancing oily hair. In a more concentrated form it may also lighten hair.
• Peppermint and rosemary essential oils stimulate hair growth and add shine. Great for normal hair. 
• Basil, thyme, patchouli, tea tree and lemongrass have astringent properties which are beneficial for oily hair
• Chamomile, lavender, sandalwood and rosemary are helpful for dry hair.
• Clary sage, tea tree, eucalyptus, and patchouli are helpful for dandruff

Need some doTerra essential oils? Check out my site... CLICK HERE

My (mostly) chemical-free home.

A while ago I decided once we finally moved into our new home (it was a 4 month long buying process) that I was going to make it "chemical-free". Considering my limited, but growing knowledge of the ingredients I need and how to use them, on what, I am sure this will be fun experience for everyone.  :)

The things I make thus far are:

• General household cleaner and sanitizer - my recipe here
• Kitchen/bathroom cleaner and sanitizer - my recipe here
• Laundry detergent - my recipie here
• Floor cleaner - Mop with a bucket of hot water, 10 drops of lemon essential oil, 10 drops of pine or cedar essential oil, 2 cups of white vinegar.
• Glass cleaner - Spray window/mirror with 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water, wipe with wet (with water) microfiber cloth.
• Fabric softener - my recipie here
• Rinse-aid for the dishwasher - I just use white vinegar.
• Fabric/room freshener - Still perfecting it, will post when I am happy with the results.
• Fruit/Veggie wash - I fill sink/bowl with water, then add about a cup of white vinegar.
• Wood oil - 1 cup olive oil, 10 drops cedar oil, 10 drops lemon oil.
• Mouth wash- my recipe here
• Hand/Body Soap - my recipes here
• Teeth Whitener - 1 part hydrogen peroxide (pre diluted to 3%), 1 part water. Swish, Spit, let bubbles work for a bit, then swish with mouth wash.
• Toothpaste - I get my recipes for this from here (for now until I come up with my own)
• Hair Gel - here
• Solid Loton - here
• Healing Salve - here
• Face scrub - coming soon
• Body butter - here (This is someone else's recipe that I have used. I will post my own version soon)
• Shaving Cream - same as body butter (above)

The things I still buy (but get the least chemical filled brands/types I can find) are:

• Hand/Body Soap - from here
• Shampoo/Conditioner - also from here
• Deodorant - Buy from here or I make the recipe posted here 
• Bubble bath - from here
• Sunscreen - same as bubble bath
• Automatic dishwasher detergent - from here
• Dish soap - same as dishwasher detergent

Just as a side note; I do not have any affilation with the above companies. They are simply the ones that work for me, and have less "bad stuff" in them then most.

A majority of the things on the "buy" list I have tried to make, I just haven't found a recipe that I really like yet. As far as makeup and other beauty products I have not converted over 100% yet. Mostly because I almost never wear makeup (as in once every couple of months) so I don't feel that is a big concern at this time. I also still buy regular chemical-filled mousse. I just haven't found anything that makes me happy that is natural yet. When it comes to chapstick and things of that nature I use a variety of natural brands. Coconut oil, and almond oil are about the only things I use as moisturizer, lotion, or face creams.

Want to get good quality essential oils? Click here.

My Homemade Flu/Cold/Allergy Remedy and Preventive.

My Homemade Flu/Cold/Allergy Remedy and Preventive. 

Elderberry Syrup

What you need:

2-4oz Elderberry Concentrate
2-4oz Raw local honey
Tea ball full of dried echinacea 
Fresh ginger root
Pint size mason jar



How to make:

Fill the jar half way with boiling water, and steep the echinacea while you work on the other ingredients. In a small pan pour in your elderberry and honey, heat the pan on low and stir slowly until the honey has dissolved. Pour your mixture into your mason jar. Grate your ginger root into the jar, about an inch or so. Shake and store in the fridge. 

What we do with it: 

For immunity: Take 1 tbs daily. 

When sick: Take 1 tbs every 4-6 hours as needed. 

For children: Take 1 tsp daily, or every 4-6 hours as needed.

This is for information purposes only. Please do your own research and know the benefits and risks of each ingredient before taking or giving this to someone. 

NEVER GIVE INFANTS UNDER 1 YEARS HONEY!

Need some doTerra essential oils? Check out my site... CLICK HERE

Avocado Egg Boat

I've been seeing this idea going around the internet of frying a egg inside an avocado. I decided to try it out. To save you from the trial and error I experienced I thought I would post more details then the Facebook photo that is going around (it has no actual words to help guide you to succeed).

(Yes, this is a different pan then the other photos, it took a couple tries to figure out the best way.)

I took a cast iron skillet and coconut oil and heated it. While that was warming up I sliced in half and de-seeded an avocado. I scooped out the avocado with a spoon and placed the side that had the seen in it up. Then I carefully cracked the egg over the avocado. One didn't stay in the little dip so I just flipped it over on top of the egg. To avoid this you can simply scoop more avocado out of the seed ed, or just do like I did in the photo. Fry until the egg is as firm as you like, don't be afraid to flip it. Once cooked I sprinkled a little cheese on top and seasoned the whole thing whole it was cooking with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. It was delicious! My 20 month old loved it as well. 

Need some doTerra essential oils? Check out my site... CLICK HERE

Snow Cream

We have a nice thick layer of ice, and about 5 inches of powdery white snow. So of course after playing in the snow we had to come in the house and make snow cream (out of the "clean" snow, not the part we were playing in). I have to say it turned out to be pretty darn good, and it was VERY easy to make. It took me longer to find the vanilla (it fell back behind my other spices) then it did to whip everything together. Okay, enough about my experience. Try this recipe and let me know what you think.


Ingredients:

4 cups (a little more or less is fine) "clean" snow (do NOT use yellow snow)
1 cup almond milk (or coconut milk, or cream, or whatever you use as milk)
1/4 cup (or so..depending on taste) honey (or maple syrup, or sugar or whatever you use to sweeten)  
1 tsp real vanilla extract

Put the ingredients in a bowl and stir. Thats all. You can add more or less of anything depending on your taste, and if you want it thicker just add more snow.

Need some doTerra essential oils? Check out my site... CLICK HERE

Homemade Solid Lotion

I have been hesitant to make solid lotion. I'm not sure why, it just seem silly to me because I usually just use coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil. However, there is one issue with that...it is hard to carry olive oil in your pocket. Sometimes I just need something that I can pull out of a purse or coat pocket and put on my hands because they get really dry in cold weather. I cannot and will not use lotion from the store. Mostly because ALL of it makes me itch. I don't mean just the stuff that isn't natural, or just the stuff from big box stores, I mean ALL lotion that I purchase makes me itch! Even from someone that makes it in small batches and uses "natural" ingredients. So here I am with dry, itchy, flaky, rough hands trying to remember to carrying around a little tub of coconut oil, and I run across a recipe for solid lotion. Just so happens that I have all of the necessary ingredients, so with a little tweaking to the found recipe I make something that does NOT make me itch! I repeat this does not make me itch!! Its amazing! I can carry it around in a pocket, purse, my hand, stuff it in the top of my boot, or even just sit it in the car and I have lotion whenever I need it. It doesn't cost an arm and a leg to make because all of the ingredients I already had at the house because I use them for other things, and it is easy and quick to make. Freaking love this stuff. I can't believe it took me so long to decide to make it. Anyway, enough about me, time to tell you how you can make your own homemade solid lotion.

 

Ingredients: 

• 2/3 cup beeswax
• 1/2 cup  coconut oil
• 1/2 cup shea butter 
• 15-20 drops of doTerra essential oil (I used peppermint and wild orange)

(Optional: 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil, next time I'm going to try this with almond oil)

Measure everything (except essential oils) out and put them in a large glass jar/cup. I used a pyrex measuring cup. Place the glass jar in a saucepan of boiling water. The water should be about an inch high on the jar. Stir until combined. Once everything is melted and combined then remove from heat and let cool for about 2-3 minuets, then add the essential oils. Stir and pour into silicone mold, or mini muffin tin. Let the bars cool for 2-3 hours then pop them out, wrap in plastic wrap and store in a pretty container until you are ready to use. 

For an exfoliating lotion bar just add a pinch of oatmeal to the bottom of the mold before you pour in the mixture.

Simply rub bar on skin to moisturize.

This stuff not only smells nice, it moisturizes. It doesn't have any chemicals, and it doesn't make me itch! It is very cheap to make, especially if like me, you already have these ingredients on hand for other projects. Not counting the cooling time, this didn't even take 10 minuets to make. That included chasing after my 18 month old (whom was diaperless at the time and kept coming up to me telling me he "pee" and taking me to it so I could clean it up, then of course he "poop, sh-ew" and I had to clean that up as well in the middle of the measuring). Let me know if you make it, and how it turned out. What essential oils did you put in yours? 

Pretty sure I'm going to be making a batch of this for Christmas gifts! 

Need some doTerra essential oils? Check out my site... CLICK HERE