new hope blogger box

Health and Beauty Stocking Stuffers

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The New Hope Blogger Box of samples came just in time for the holidays, with plenty of little gift ideas to enhance health and beauty. These might just be something  you want on hand for your New Year’s resolutions as well, but I like the idea of gifting things that are healthy luxuries to make life better in some way.

CBD oil is still growing in popularity and if you are not quite sure if it’s going to get you high or not, it will not. (You can read more about CBD oil here.) It will instead do a lot of helpful things such as ease anxiety, help with aches, pains, insomnia, and more. I was actually already thinking of gifting some to people who have expressed interest in it but haven’t gotten any themselves (it’s still a tad hard to find) but you can find it at Charlotte’s Web, and as you can see below, they make other hemp products as well.

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This next grouping is ideal for anyone who lives in the modern world and has to use their brain at all (in other words, all of us) but especially students who really put in the hours studying and stressing, because really, being a student is hard work.

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We all suffer from stress and anxiety at times, and I do mean ALL of us. I’ve done some research into everything I write about here, and anxiety in all forms is far more rampant that I had any idea of originally. I can confidently say that if you feel like you are alone dealing with some form of anxiety, you are far from alone and there are things you can take that help. There are also things you can do, like exercise and meditate, but herbs and a couple of other natural supplements are quite good at taking anxiety down to where you are functioning better. Anxie-T by the company, Life Seasons, combines well-known anti-anxiety herbs with L-theanine and GABA, all of which help ease anxiety through different paths. (L-theanine is an amino acid I also wrote about here, and GABA is a neurotransmitter I wrote about here.) And just a reminder that the CBD oil above, and any good quality CBD oil, also helps with anxiety too. There really are a lot of things out there in the natural world that can help!

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Anxie-T by Life Seasons
Genius Juice by the herbal company, Wishgarden Herbs, is a combination of herbs that provide clarity and focus along with what they call “clean energy” which seems to mean energy which is high quality and not ultimately draining resources which leaves one tired. In other words, these energy boosters do not rob the future to energize the present. The adaptogens in the blend are certainly known to build true energy and bring sharpness to thinking powers as well as provide stamina and long-term mental health. As I mentioned before, perfect for students but also, who doesn’t need a brain boost every once in a while?!

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Genius Juice by Wishgarden Herbs
If you have not heard of Rescue Remedy, then get ready to add a new product to your first aid kit. I think I can safely say this is the most widely used flower essence product ever, with people using it regularly for stress and anxiety for themselves and their pets, as well as for traumatic events. It is one of the rare supplements out there that is specifically known to help a person mentally, emotionally, and physically during times of trauma. Its original form is a liquid which you add to water or take directly on the tongue, but now you can find it in pastilles, or lozenges as below, and more. What better thing to have in your mouth while taking a test or waiting for an interview or for a doctor’s appointment or any other time you are especially stressed out? It’s great for after a stressful event too (such as a trauma like a car accident, a broken bone, a romantic break-up, etc) which is why it’s a great thing to keep in a first aid kit.

Rescue Remedy Plus
With B5 and B12

For those that love all things beauty-enhancing or those that might be struggling with skin issues of any sort, here are a couple of skin focused treats.

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PURENEW Professional Skin Clear Advanced Skin Care is a mouthful to say, and it’s a mouthful of supplements too! Each packet has 6 capsules of skin-food super nutrition such as antioxidants, collagen, fish oil, and more. This product is from a company called Catalo with whom I’m not familiar, but this seems to be a well-thought out product and if your New Year’s Resolution involves caring more for you skin, this will certainly start you off in the right direction.

PURENEW Skin Clear
Supplements inside

The Marine Collagen is from Nordic Naturals which is a leader in healthy oils for all ages, stages, and even for pets. Collagen helps not only skin thrive, but also supports bone and joint health as well. This collagen is sourced from cod and enhanced with vitamin C, also crucial for skin health and antioxidant protection. If you are starting to notice fine lines, wrinkles, and skin losing it’s firmness, collagen can help with all those issues and is a lot less expensive than botox.

Nordic Naturals
Marine Collagen

For those that like to be active here are a couple of things that can support that lifestyle. Country Archer has certified gluten-free, hormone free, and antibiotic free Turkey Jerky. Jerky is one of the few ways to take lean protein along wherever you go, and finding a lean and clean version like this one is even rarer.

Country Archer Turkey Jerky
High protein

Also in support of an active lifestyle, though like with stress and brain help really we can all use an energy boost every once in while, these energy tablets from PepPods are packed with nutrients and a bit of caffeine to give energy with nutritional support for stamina so again, it’s not robbing the future to energize the present. These energy tablets are gluten and sugar free, vegetarian, and gmo free.

And lastly, some Numi tea for the conscious consumer tea lovers in your life who want to support a fair trade company which takes giving back very seriously. They have organic herbal, green, white, and black teas, so a sampler is a great way to try them all.

Numi Teas
Organic, Fair Trade

Whatever you choose to do this holiday season, I hope it involves health, happiness, friends, family, and lots of joy. Peace and health to all!

Good Mood Food and Supps

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Summer is singing its swan song, at least here in the Northern Hemisphere, and that unfortunately means moods that can dip as quickly as the sun on the horizon. (I’m not ready for sunsets that begin before dinnertime!) Luckily there are plenty of herbs to help with darker days and the accompanying Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and even foods that can help to brighten darker moods. I ran across this article from Delicious Living highlighting nine foods that give moods a boost, plus the New Hope Blogger Box had two supplements for help with mental and emotional health. I’ll share the foods after the supplements.

Gaia Herbs, one of my go-to herbal companies, has Mood Uplift. This formula has adaptogens, Gotu Kola and Schisandra berry, as well as nervines including St. John’s Wort, Oats, Passionflower, Vervain, and Rosemary. In other words, this is an excellent combination for long-term stabilizing and building with the adaptogens, and also immediate anxiety and stress relief coupled with brain wakefulness, focus, and memory benefits, thanks to the nervines. And remember how there were studies out a year or two ago about herbal products being adulterated or not what they claim to be on the box? This is not a company that you have to question. They have the real deal herbs and the quality is superb. You may have noticed that in all my blog posts and courses I link to Gaia Herbs often for their herbal pills and tinctures, and that’s because they are reputable, high quality, and well formulated. If you are going to add herbs into your health regime, please pick high quality products. You deserve it.

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The other mood supplement in the New Hope blogger box is Source Naturals’ Theanine Serene with Relora. As you can probably tell from the name, it includes L-Theanine which is an amino acid that helps with anxiety. You may have heard of it as a substance in tea that promotes calm feelings as it’s been a rather well studied natural anxiety reliever . This product also has GABA in it, Holy Basil, magnesium, and other ingredients to not only calm the mind but also the body. This seems like an excellent choice for someone who has a hard time calming down at night before bed, or someone who is fidgety and can’t quite get out of ‘amped up’ mode at any time of the day. I also enjoy Source Naturals’ GABA for quick anxiety relief. GABA was first recommended to me by my naturopath for times when I had to take my sons for blood testing~ both for the kids and for me. It did help with getting my kids through dreaded needle moments, and pulling up funny doggie videos on my phone also helped.

It’s actually fairly easy to make sure there are foods on your plate daily that support your mental and emotional well-being. Looking at the foods on this chart, they are not only common foods, they are also, not surprisingly, all whole foods. Here are some great options to help bolster moods and brain health:

Lentils Blood-sugar moderating fiber, energizing iron and calming magnesium

Use in a recipe: Nutty Lentil Burgers
Berries Promotes mental clarity

Use in a recipe: Berry Crisp
Beets Folate, which increases blood flow to the brain and relaxes blood vessels

Use in a recipe: Beet-Raspberry Lentil Bowl
Broth Provides hydration, which is important for mental clarity

Use in a recipe: Leek, Mushroom and Zucchini Noodle Soup
Mushrooms Provide a source of vitamin D, which is linked to a cheery mood

Use in a recipe: Kale-Stuffed Portobellos with Millet
Millet As a whole grain, millet provides mood-boosting protein, B vitamins, calcium, iron, potassium and zinc.

Use in a recipe: Warm Millet Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts
Walnuts Deliver healthy omega-3s, crucial for mood health.

Use in a recipe: Cherry-Walnut Bites
Salmon  Also provides healthy omega-3s, which are important for brain health.

Use in a recipe: Walnut-Crusted Salmon with Edamame Mash
Cabbage This cruciferous vegetable provides tryptophan and selenium, which relax your body and mind

Use in a recipe: Chinese 5-Spice Shrimp with Mango-Carrot Slaw

Don’t let the blues keep you down. There are so many options out there to help mitigate stress, anxiety, and even feelings of depression. Always seek help if you feel you are at a point where your life is negatively impacted by your moods, and know that there are plant allies at the ready to help. Please share this with anyone who might be looking for a little natural help with stress, depression, and/or anxiety, and subscribe for more posts like this one on a weekly basis. Take good care of your brain and body so your brain and body can take good care of you!

Lentil Soup and Supps on the Go

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I took a short trip to Portland and the Oregon coast for a few days this week. On the little getaway I was able to try a couple of the New Hope Blogger Box supplements because they were conveniently packaged for portability. F8F114EC-3821-4B1C-B3BA-28D6734E4E12[1]

I didn’t take a lot of supplements with me since it was such a quick trip, so these two products were perfect to take along. The Green Vibrance by Vibrant Health is chock full of superfoods, probiotics, and tastes delicious. The chocolate coconut flavor does not disappoint. I was really happy to be able to take such a nutrient-packed supplement which covered a lot of bases all in one convenient powder packet. I believe the actual product does not come in these little packets by the way, but instead in a more eco-friendly container which works better for everyday use.

This collagen booster below from Fusion Naturals is vegan, tastes naturally fruity, and is in attractive packaging which I always thoroughly appreciate. It is lovely from the outside and delicious tasting so definitely a quality product. I like using a jar to shake up the powder with the water, but on the trip I just put the powder in a glass of water and stirred with a spoon. Either way works. 9FE53C8F-171D-4B58-812E-68D55A51E6F4[1]

Inexplicably, I’ve been craving soup this hot, hot summer. Cooking it sounded like too much of a sweat session (we don’t have A/C) so I’ve just left the desire alone, marinating until crisper fall days. Until today that is. It’s only 68 degrees and since I’ve just come back from the Oregon coast where we had one warm day, one cool day, and one in-between, that cool day really got my thoughts revolving around soup until there was no chance of putting it off anymore. Lentil soup is one of my favorites, and each time I make it the recipe is a bit different. The things I always put in are garlic, onion, leeks, and potatoes, but sadly I didn’t remember the leek at the grocery store today. I added a sweet potato this time, just because I had one on hand, and carrots which are regular items. Lentils are one of the few legumes that don’t need to pre-soak before cooking, but a rinse does the dry beans good and it also gives the cook a chance to pick them over and toss out any that are discolored or any items that are not in fact legumes that might have gotten mixed in with them, especially if you buy them from a bulk bin. Here’s today’s recipe:

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Lentil Soup

About 1 Tablespoon of olive oil

1 Yellow Onion

2 or 3 garlic cloves

2 medium sized carrots

2 potatoes

1 sweet potato

1.5 Cups French Green Lentils

5 Cups of vegetable broth

About 1-2 teaspoon (to personal taste. I like a lot of herbs in there.) each of Thyme, Oregano, Basil, Black Pepper, Sea Salt and a Bay Leaf

Chop up all the veggies in small pieces, making them all around the same size. Coat the bottom of large pot with olive oil (or another oil of choice) and start sauteing the onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the other veggies and cook for another couple of minutes before adding the thyme, oregano, basil, and black pepper. Cook another couple of minutes, then add the broth, lentils, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil then turn it down to a low simmer until the lentils are soft which takes about 35-40 minutes, but it depends on a couple of factors, including the age of lentils. Once the lentils are soft, then add the salt to taste. Take the bay leaf out once the soup is finished. It’s always better the next day and just gets better over the next couple of days. This version is good but I miss the leek or two I usually have in it. It tastes great with either bread or rice and of course, if you like a thinner soup, add more broth or water. Also, you can always replace the teaspoons of herbs with a bouquet garni, preferable wrapped in the outer layer of a leek.

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Enjoy the second half of August! Late summer moving into early fall is my favorite time of year. More soup recipes will be coming shortly I’m sure, as well as some bread recipes for serving with them and I’d be forever grateful if you shared this with anyone who might be interested and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty. Best health to you and yours!

 

Allergy Friendly Picnic Foods

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In the latest box of samples from the New Hope Network, there are some new items that make great for great picnicking. Well, the cassava flour and smoothie mix in the picture above are not exactly picnic picks, although making a baked treat with the cassava flour would certainly be lovely and allergen-free, but I’ll blog about those items another time. It’s August and it already feels like prime picnicking weather is waning so let’s get to it!

Beet chips from Bare Snacks were a big hit with my oldest son. He didn’t remember eating beets before (although he has) so I thought the strong taste might be too much for him since beets are one of those foods you generally have to have a few times before really appreciating them. He loved them though and I was impressed with the nutritional value~ simply baked beets and salt, no oil, no frying, and the nutrition information even boasts iron. How often do you see iron in a chip? I liked them too but my youngest refused to try them~ not surprising.

What was surprising was both my sons agreed that this turkey bar from Country Archer Jerky Co. was delicious. Normally if one of them likes something the other one has to hate it, so this is truly a rare food moment when both agree. They said it’s delicious, slightly spicy, kind of hard on the outside but chewy on the inside reminiscent of a pepperoni log’s texture. I didn’t try it myself since I’m still fairly new to eating poultry and thought my boys would be better guinea pigs. What excites me most is that my youngest said that he would eat these if they were in his lunchbox because he is so hard to pack lunches for, especially when it comes to protein. Now they just need to make a broccoli bar that tastes like meat or candy and he’ll be set.

What I did try and really liked though are these Quinn Snacks Pretzels. I didn’t notice at first that they were gluten-free, so I was excited when I realized they are indeed gluten-free, soy free, dairy free, corn free, and made from ancient grains. They are crisp, delicious, and addictive, just as pretzels should be. So addictive in fact that I was the only one who got to try these. Yum!

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Now this is for the serious picnicker: Bellucci Organic Oil in individual squeeze packs. I imagine drizzling the oil on fresh bread, or adding it to a salad or sandwich once the picnic is underway so nothing gets soggy in the transport. (Miracle!) These seriously make me want to get a red checkered blanket, a classic wicker basket, and a bottle of wine and do it up in style. Their website has some lovely recipes too. By the way I’ve heard a lot about fake olive oil out there being surprisingly rampant. This company is the real deal and they even encourage you to trace your bottle to its beginnings in Italy. Fantastico!

My personal favorite and the family favorite of all these are the Laiki rice crackers from Grains of Health. They are surprisingly good and as a family with multiple food allergies over the years, we’ve had our fair share of rice crackers. These have an almost buttery taste but they are dairy-free, and the texture is thick and somewhat ‘puffed’ but not airy. You actually feel like you are eating something when you eat these, and they are good. Really good. We didn’t even try them with something on them because they have so much flavor they don’t need anything else, although I imagine they would be great as part of an hor d’oeuvre tray as well because they are nice and sturdy.

The can of Zero Sugar Mountain berry soda from Dry Soda Co. was an all around family pleaser as well. It isn’t very carbonated, has a natural taste, and stevia makes it a bit sweet without the calories. We also tried their other line of sodas which do have cane sugar in them and thought the Lavender was quite good. It has a subtle taste that would pair well in a cocktail, especially for a summer evening. These are so pretty too that they’d make a nice treat to bring to a dinner party, and they are versatile with being a stand-alone drink or mixing with liquor or champagne, or to make a mocktail for kids~ just add some orange juice to the vanilla one, and add a skewer of fresh fruits like pineapple and raspberries. This is a Seattle company by the way, so “Howdy Neighbor” to them.

The wraps from Angelic Bakehouse looked delicious but I had to give them to my wheat-eating friend for her family to try and am awaiting their thoughts. Even though sprouted wheat is easier to digest, I didn’t want to take the risk and thought regular wheat eaters would have better comparative opinions anyway. If you are looking for new ideas for wraps or other recipes, they have some great ideas on their website. I am especially drawn to this Guacamole Chipotle wrap and this Hummus and Veggie Sushi roll looks great for back to school lunches.

I’ll cover the supplements in the sample box in the next blog post, once I have a chance to give them some time to work. I’m especially excited about a new collagen product in the mix, and some essential oils from a brand I haven’t tried before. Be good to yourselves and do something you love today, and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article..

 

 

 

CBD Oil and Einkorn

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If you are wondering what CBD oil and Einkorn have in common, the answer is nothing at all other than they are both related to things I recently received in the New Hope Blogger Box, and also they are both part of the latest and greatest in the natural foods and supplements trends. I mentioned the CBD oil in a previous post but even then I was still a tad confused on why exactly it seemed to be such a hot supplement lately. Today I read an article from Delicious Living that explained the supplement in far more detail than I had previously found in my earlier research. The whole article is worth the read, but I thought I’d pull out the key parts that answered my questions best, and hope they answer any you may have as well.

CBD is short for cannabidiol and is an extract of the hemp portion of a Cannabis sativa plant. This is the same plant where THC, the active ingredient of marijuana, is found and indeed the CBD and THC do similar functions in the body. THC has a psychoactive component though that CBD does not have, therefore you cannot get high from CBD oil. Both CBD and THC work on the body’s innate endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system governs specific areas of your physiology, such as hunger, pain, stress and pleasure. On a molecular level, the endocannabinoid system works like a lock and key with receptors. The receptors are the lock, the cannabinoids are the keys. The benefits of pain and stress relief make CBD a potentially powerful medicine indeed, even without the pleasurable high.

Benefits: A type of CBD seems to benefit people suffering from childhood-onset epilepsy disorder. A panel of FDA experts in April unanimously declared a pharmaceutical-grade CBD should be approved to treat certain rare types of epilepsy. The FDA is expected to grant its approval later this year. A 2015 review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at 79 studies published since 1975. Researchers found various cannabinoids—THC, CBD and others—were useful medicine. They were most effective treating chronic pain and muscle spasticity; nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy; and weight gain associated with HIV, sleep disorders and Tourette syndrome. THC and CBD were also found to improve sleep and reduce anxiety.

So that is what I learned from the Delicious Living article by Todd Runestad and some of it was directly taken from it, and other bits were quite modified. The bold is all me. Please read the whole article if you are interested in learning more because there is actually a lot he covers that I left out.

Einkorn flour is an ancient wheat, meaning it hasn’t been genetically modified to produce higher amounts of gluten like other wheat flours that are used today. For those who are sensitive to gluten, this might be a digestible alternative, although it still contains gluten and is not to be eaten by celiacs, nor during a period of time when you want to completely abstain from wheat and gluten in order to stop the body’s negative reactions. Once you begin healing your digestive system from the intolerances, you might find that Einkorn is safe to eat, even if you had been found to be gluten intolerant before the healing process. It is kind of like spelt flour, which is a low gluten flour and easier on the digestive system, though it still contains gluten and is still a wheat. Jovial Foods has an informative page on Einkorn that you should check out if you are considering whether or not to start adding wheat back into your diet. Also, if you are a current wheat eater, switching to Einkorn could provide some overall nutritional benefits as well, such as easier digestibility, more protein and less starch . Another reason to visit Jovial Foods’ website is because they have great recipes with Einkorn flour or gluten free flour, and most of their recipes have directions for either one. I made these Einkorn cinnamon scones and not only were they incredibly delicious, they were also quite easy to make. I did not have the cream that it called for, but I was able to substitute with Elmhurst’s cashew milk that had come in the blogger box, and it worked perfectly.

I also made these peasant breads with the recipe I use to make gluten free peasant breads, and they turned out well also. The left one shows the top, while the right one shows the bottom.

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Now that gluten awareness seems to have moved a bit into digestive health awareness with probiotics leading the way in healing and overall wellness, I believe we’ll see more and more products using Einkorn flour and berries as a way to ease back into eating gluten, and just as a healthier alternative to the highly processed and hybridized wheat flours that we use today. I hope that is the case anyway, because I for one am ready to start seeing fresh Einkorn bread in grocery stores and restaurants, and farmers switching to ancient grain Einkorn instead of the hybridized wheat that has taken over.

Best health to you and yours through the changing seasons, and be sure to listen closely to your body when trying new supplements or reintroducing foods to your diet after a time of abstaining from them. When reintroducing a food that was previously a sensitivity, be careful and go slowly, staying aware that symptoms may be different than before. Good luck and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.

Noteworthy Natural Supplements

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Allergies seem like one of those things that are destined to be suffered through or managed with over the counter medicines which may have unwanted side effects. There actually are alternatives though, with herbs such as nettles often recommended for helping to ease the allergy misery. Redd Remedies Sinus support has a combination of nutrients such as vitamin C, quercetin, nettles, and more to support allergy sufferers all season long, working on the sinus cavities, respiratory system, and the immune system. They have an adult formula (below) and a children’s formula. My husband tried it and said it eased the pressure in his sinuses in a gentle way and broke up mucous after only one dose, though this does seem to be something that improves efficacy with longer term use.

This multivitamin from Naturewise has a focus on joint support as well as extra nutrients for a variety of women’s health issues. This seems like a great option for women who want their multivitamin to do more than just cover the basics, and instead address multiple concerns in one supplement. (Two capsules daily.)

Source Naturals has an energy supplement that focuses on going deep for cellular energy. EnerVital has a multitude of nutrients including B vitamins, adaptogenic herbs, amino acids, antioxidants,  blood sugar regulating chromium, and green tea which does contain a bit of caffeine. This seems to be another supplement that will give results right away, but the efficacy will build over time. This is a great option for those looking to build energy and stamina long-term, but also need an energetic boost right away.

Barlean’s has a CBD oil supplement that is ‘extra strength’ with a bit of mint added for flavor. The mint is really subtle, but it does cut down on the hemp-iness of the taste. CBD oil is one of those supplements that is a tad hard to define because it works to keep the body in a balanced, healthy state, known as homeostasis. It has the ability to help with a variety of processes including relaxation, cognition, sleeping, eating, recovery and repair. This is one supplement that is quickly gaining in popularity and you will definitely be hearing more about it. A liquid delivery that goes under the tongue is a great way to get the most out of a product without putting it through the questionable digestive system.

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This extra strength pain relief supplement called Curamin from Europharma has impressive testimonials and a plethora of awards. I’m almost looking forward to some kind of flare up to give it a try. Maybe I should try running hills again and see how long it takes before my knees protest….

That’s all the supplements from the New Hope Blogger Box this quarter. I’ll share some of the fun food items from the box here soon. There are avocado snacks and dried dragon fruit that I’m especially looking forward to my kids trying.

Best health to you and yours and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.

All Natural Snacks and Drinks

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The newest New Hope Blogger Box had some great options for gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, health-minded people. Whether you are Paleo or a prefer a house of carbs (like I do), there’s something here to suit your snacking needs.

Oats are one of those things that cause confusion in the gluten-free world. There are two issues to consider: 1.Oats do not have gluten in them, but they do have a protein that is similar to gluten and it can cause problems for those who are both gluten-intolerant or celiac. 2. Oats are mostly processed on the same equipment as wheat and therefore there is a high likelihood of cross-contamination unless they are certified gluten-free. This makes granola off limits for many, especially those that follow a grain-free Paleo diet, or at least it did until now. The #NewHopeBloggerBox had this delicious sample in it from Grandy Oats, and it really is a fantastic substitute for oat-based granola. I’ve happily never had a problem with oats so I eat granola pretty much everyday, and this one tastes just like any other I’ve munched on lately.

If you are gluten-free and soy-free, finding a protein bar is nearly impossible. These Hi-Health bars are both, and some are vegan as well, using pea protein, while other flavors contain hormone-free whey. I probably should have used something other than a soy candle to prop up the bar since they are soy-free, but hey, it was handy.

Turmeric is all the rage these days, and with very good reason. It helps with inflammation, has adaptogenic properties, and is probably the most rigorously tested herb out there. Gaia makes taking your Turmeric easy and enjoyable with this golden milk powder. Just add it to warmed milk or milk alternative, and reap the benefits.

The literature with Gaia’s golden milk encourages the drinker to add one of their tinctures to the golden milk for extra health benefits. They suggest Ginger for digestive support, or Holy Basil for easing stress. Raw and Root puts extra herbal support right into their golden milk powder, with Ashwagandha, Gotu Kola, and others. (Gaia’s actually has Ashwagandha in it too. Turmeric has reigned supreme for some time now, but I think Ashwagandha’s star is rising if this box of samples is any indication.)

This is the second time Jackson’s Honest has been part of the New Hope Blogger Box so my kids were eager to dig into this bag. They have a heartbreaking story behind their mission based brand that has directly resulted in clean, organic, simple ingredient lists. This chip has only three ingredients: Organic Yellow Corn, Organic Coconut Oil, and Salt, and that’s clearly all a chip needs because these are delicious. Love to Jackson’s family.

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Speaking of clean ingredients, have you looked at your mayo jar lately? Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Mayo is clean, soy-free, non-gmo, and made with cage free eggs. Real food.

Cascadian Farms has a new flavor of granola and it tastes like a lemon blueberry muffin. I’ve never had lemony granola before and was skeptical, but it actually really works. This granola is not made with certified gluten-free oats though, so if you are following a gluten-free diet then this won’t work for you. I tried it because I’ve been systematically working to get over my gluten-intolerance so I figured a little cross-contamination wouldn’t cause me harm, and it hasn’t.

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Have a great holiday weekend! Do something special and try something new. Please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share this with anyone who might be interested.

 

Cold and Flu Season

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A few posts back I wrote about some great immune boosters that had recently been sent my way in the new hope blogger box. Now that we are in the thick of cold and flu season, I thought I’d also post some other natural products that help us fight the good fight against those nasty viruses and bacteria that like to get social this time of year.

Essential Oils:

Essential oils are great germ fighters and immune helpers with some more potent than others in their anti-bacterial and/or anti-viral properties. If you just want to have one go-to blend for fighting all the winter sicknesses that get around, then Thieves oil is what you want. Thieves oil has a great story to it, though whether it is more history or mythology is anyone’s guess. I like to think the story had to start somewhere, so why not in an actual event? The story has several variations, but basically they all say something along the lines of this: During the Middle Ages there were four thieves in France who used to rob the graves (or the houses) of those who had died of the Plague and managed to not get ill themselves. When they were eventually caught, they were given a lighter punishment in return for telling how they did it. The four thieves admitted they used herbs (most likely soaked in vinegar at that time) to keep themselves from getting the disease. They knew how to do this because among them were perfumers and spice traders who at the time understood the anti-biotic and anti-viral properties of their goods. Their blend has passed down to us through all these centuries, though the actual recipes vary depending on who’s making it. Usually the blends include: clove, lemon, eucalyptus, cinnamon and rosemary, and then different makers add in their own special favorites. You can find it as Thieves Oil, Medieval Mix Oil, Bandits Oil, and I’m sure other names as well.

Thyme oil is another great anti-germ essential oil. You can make a room spray for wiping down surfaces or use it in an diffuser for infusing the air with its strong anti-viral properties. Thyme also repels insects and combines particularly well with Lavender and Eucalyptus essential oils to kill any bacteria or viruses around, which makes it a great blend to have along for classrooms, workplaces, and travel.

If you have congestion in your nose or chest, nothing beats Eucalyptus Oil for loosening it up and helping you breathe. Putting it in a diffuser or flicking some on the back of a shower before starting the water are great ways to get the Eucalyptus into the air. If needed, I’ll put a drop right on the front of a shirt or on a pillow if it’s bedtime.

Herbs:

There are plenty of immune boosting herbs to help you avoid getting sick that also help you get well faster if you do get sick since sometimes it is just unavoidable, but there are two that almost always get center stage in any immune blend~ Echinacea and Astragalus. Tinctures and teas are a great way to take immune boosting herbs if you are already sick, and you can also add Astragalus to soup and you might be lucky enough to find it fresh in your local produce section. (It’s a root.) Herb Pharm makes quite a few immune support blends in tincture form, from a daily builder to use before getting sick, to a rapid defense once you are sick, one specifically for viruses, and one for kids. Yogi Teas has an assortment of immune boosting teas such as this one and this one. I put the powdered root of Astragalus into my adaptogen blend during the winter for daily immune system support and because it also has adaptogenic properties.

Elderberry is another cold season herb that is a must have in your personal natural medicine cabinet. It is in a lot of cold formulas and syrups so it is an easy herb to add. Besides this kind of formula there are lozenges that one of my son sucks on all school year long, though it’s more about the yummy taste in his mind.

A few other herbs to aid the immune system are medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, Oregon Grape Root, Lomatium, and Garlic. Any time you can add any of these to your teas, daily supplement regime, and/or diet help keep your immune system in top form.

Homeopathy:

There are a couple of homeopathic medicines that can really help shorten a cold or flu and lessen the symptoms. As soon as you start to feel flu-type aches and pains, fever, and such, your best bet is to take Oscillococcinum as soon as possible. This means having it on hand at all times, just in case, because it really only works if you get it in you before the flu really takes hold. Follow the directions on the box for how much/often to take it.

Another homeopathic medicine that really should be taken at the first sign of a cold or flu is Umcka, but with this one even if you don’t get it going immediately, it’ll still lessen the duration and intensity of the cold or flu when you do start taking it. I keep a cold formula and a cold/flu formula on hand all winter long because it always seems to be nighttime when one of us starts to feel bad. There are many versions of this medicine from a hot drink to an over-the-counter-style liquid, and it’s tasty enough for kids. (Mine love it.)

Vitamins, Minerals, and Others:

Vitamin C is of course the go-to vitamin for helping the immune system fight little invaders. Be mindful that our bodies get used to the amount of vitamin C we normally take so a large, sudden increase can result in diarrhea. Vitamin D has become more well-known lately for its role in immune system support so it can be found in some wellness formulas such as this Emergen-C fizzy drink, and if you are lucky, in the sunshine. Zinc is also recognized as an important component in immune boosting and can be found in the Zand Elderberry lozenges above as well as other wellness formulas.

Probiotics are an integral part of the immune system. Taking them regularly helps keep you well, and if you go through a round of antibiotics, hit the probiotics hard afterwards, and even during the antibiotic treatment. Just make sure to take them at least two hours after taking the antibiotics.

One more thing I feel compelled to mention is drinking anywhere from a teaspoon to a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. The bottle must say “with the mother” in order for it to be actively healing. If you feel something coming on, then drinking this three times a day will help your immune system fight it. It is strong tasting at first so starting with as small of an amount that you can get down is fine. I promise it grows on you and you can increase the amount you put in water for greater health boosting. Apple cider vinegar does a host of  good and I drink it every morning all year long (1 tablespoon in a glass of water) to prepare my digestive system for the day.

Keep well everyone and please share this with anyone who needs some immune support this winter, and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty.

 

Cleansing for the New Year

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Is anyone else ready to put away the dairy and desserts and cleanse for the New Year? I personally love a good cleanse, though I’m partial to the low-suffering kind. I know people who think it’s not a real cleanse unless you take in nothing but fresh juice and water, but that never made sense to me. Our bodies like balance, and balance by extremes is not really balance at all at the human level. Just look at how bad yo-yo dieting is for people or how hard it is on the body when there are huge weight fluctuations. Gentle detox is a way to cleanse while giving the body support to adjust, instead of shocking the body and then reeling from its effects. Of course, there is a time and place for everything and if you know what you are doing and have the right support, then by all means juice away your days. If you prefer a cleansing reboot that doesn’t leave your blood sugar levels bouncing and your mood-o-meter permanently set to hangry, keep reading for some options.

Adding powdered greens to your daily routine is one way to activate detox mechanisms in your body. While cleansing you should be drinking extra glasses of water anyway, so adding a scoop or packet to one of your glasses or bottles of water is a great way to get extra goodness. It is worth noting that some green mixes, like Paradise Herbs, are formulated for energy~

while others, like the Food Science one below, are formulated more specifically for cleansing. Greens in general, whether in a powder or in a whole fresh or cooked form, are cleansing though so an energy greens mix will still work towards detoxing your system. Both these mixes came in my New Hope Blogger Box and they are tasty as well as healthy blends, but there are of course other reputable greens out there. Just be sure to read ingredients lists thoroughly.

Adding a cup or two of detoxifying herbal tea a day is another easy way to help your body cleanse. There are plenty of blends out there, such as detox teas by Yogi and Traditional Medicinals that are as easy as boiling water. Flora makes a tea concentrate that you just pour a bit out and add hot water to. They promote their cleanse every year on Facebook so you can actually join a group of others using their product to get tips and expand your knowledge a bit into the world of detox. (Plus if you join in you just might get a coupon or more, depending on if you are one of the firsts to sign up.) They do have a dry blend as well.

If you want to do something a little more involved than greens and teas, making up a batch of kitchari is what one of my herbal teachers drilled into us as the most healing, cleansing, tri-doshic thing you could do. Kitchari is a meal from the tradition of Ayurveda that is made up of mung beans and basmati rice (brown or white depending on your preference), spices, and ghee. You can eat it once a day to support a general cleanse, or you can eat kitchari three times a day and nothing else but herbal teas for 6 days straight for a more intense detox. As with all things herbal, kitchari is a traditional dish that you can find a thousand variations for so this recipe can be modified as you like. What follows is how my herbal teacher told us to make it and it has never failed me. It’s a calming meal, easy on the digestive system, and healing.

Kitchari Recipe:

1 C mung beans

1 C brown basmati rice (my herbal teacher actually used white basmati rice, so your choice really)

1 tbsp. ghee (vegans can use coconut oil)

1 tsp. each turmeric, cumin, and coriander

After soaking the mung beans overnight (or at least 6 hours), cook them in 4 C of water until they are thoroughly soft, about half an hour.

Cook rice according to its instructions, depending on white or brown, then mix together with beans.

Warm the ghee in a sauce or sauté pan and add the spices, cooking until fragrant, about 2 minutes or so.

Mix the spices and ghee with the rice and beans and you are finished. Eat as often as you like.

I’ve never been big on resolutions, but I do like the spirit of renewal that January sweeps in. A gentle cleanse sets a nice tone for the year~ a reminder to think better, feel better, act better, and be better. Best wishes for health, fulfillment, beauty, and peace to everyone for the New Year. Please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share this with anyone who might be interested.

 

Herbs and Supplements for Students

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Students have specific needs whether they are in middle school or pursuing their third Master’s Degree. Some of these suggestions meet the needs of all students, while some are just for the older set. Most of these herbs and products are focused on either brain function or stress management so people other than students can certainly benefit from them as well.

There are several herbs known for brain functioning enhancement, and interestingly enough, a few of them happen to be adaptogens too which help with overall stress management. Adaptogenic herbs Ashwagandha, Tulsi, and Gotu Kola have also been traditionally used for brain functioning as well as their adaptogenic over-all body balancing benefits. Ginkgo Biloba is another herb known to enhance brain functioning with benefits to clarity, mood, and memory also traditionally observed and is especially good for the aging brain.

Blends are a great option for getting several ingredients that work together in a synergistic way in one supplement. Gaia Herbs makes one that comes in capsules, while Herb Pharm has one in tincture form. Herb Pharm also has an alcohol free one for kids to help with concentration. There is another tincture option from Anima Mundi which is a newer line of herbal products that are well-formulated and well-made. The video below has a brain function supplement from Neurohacker Collective that actually came to me through the New Hope Blogger Box of which I am a member. The packaging of this supplement called Qualia is so beautiful that it is gift-worthy, and honestly, pictures didn’t do it justice so I made the video below. You should check out their website for more information because these supplements are packed with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, and surely other ingredients I didn’t even catch.

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Also in that video is Spice Pharm‘s Chocolate Elixir which is a great herbal drink that tastes like hot chocolate, has Ashwagandha and Turmeric in it, and helps reduce stress and hunger pangs. They also make a Golden Chai which is another delicious, healthy option for students and anyone else who is a chai lover.

Other herbs for stress management include herbs under the classification of adaptogens and nervines. Adaptogens are for long-term balancing and should be taken on a daily basis throughout a lifetime, while nervines are more for getting through specific events or tough times, unless there is a continual need to fight anxiety or depression, in which case the nervines can be taken long-term as well. I have rather lengthy posts already on adaptogens and nervines so click the links if you haven’t already read your fill about those. If I were to send a care package to a college student, I would definitely include a powdered mix of adaptogens that are also brain specific like the three mentioned above, and a tincture or two of an anxiety/stress-buster blend.

Other products that can help students, especially those living in dorms, are powdered greens. It’s hard to get all the fresh produce that a working-hard brain needs when living away from home, so a greens mix is a nice supplement to include to enhance daily nutrition. There are several good ones out there but this one by Food Science of Vermont which I received recently in that same New Hope Blogger Box is doctor formulated and enhanced with probiotics and enzymes. Just mix half a scoop in 8 oz. of water or juice.

Essential oils can also be used for students of all ages for stress reduction and also for clarity and memory enhancement. Rosemary essential oil is the best known scent for memory, and actually the fresh or dried herb can be used for cognitive functioning as well so it’s a great plant to have in study areas, although not the best for sleeping rooms since it is stimulating. Any essential oil can be used for studying though, and in fact it is best to change up the oils used according to the subject being studied. If you or your student is studying for a math test for example, you could diffuse the essential oil of orange in the room while working on it, then during or just before the test sniff that same scent. Then when it’s time to study for History, you would use a different scent, such as cinnamon, then again have the scent available to smell during or just before taking the test. In other words, it doesn’t matter what scent you use as long as it is a scent you can smell at the time of studying, and then again at the time of test-taking. You can take the scent along with you by putting it on a cotton ball, sticking it in a sealed plastic bag, then sniffing it before the test, or even better, you can make an oil with it and put it on your neck before the test. (Use 6 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of base oil.) Scent really helps with memory so it is a great tool to use for studies.

Students of all ages are working hard and handling stress to differing degrees. There is plenty of help for them in terms of nutrition, brain functioning, and stress management. Please share this with any student or parent of student that you know who might be looking for natural help with the hard work associated schoolwork. Please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share this with anyone who might be interested.