NATURE IS MY MEDICINE .
-sara moss wolfe

Herb info.

WITCH HAZEL
( hamamelis )
witch hazel is one of my favorite herbs . it has soothing and healing properties , is an anti -
inflammatory , antioxidant , and radiation protective .
externally , it helps heal insect bites , burns , bleeding wounds , hemorrhoids
varicose veins , bruises , sprains , and acne .
internally it helps stop bleeding , treats bronchitis , flu ,
cough and stomach ulcers . you can use it as a mouth wash for conditions of
the mouth and throat and bleeding gums .
caution - when taking internally it may reduce the absorption
of drugs .

tincture :

scrape off bark , then soak it in twice it's weight of dilute grain alcohol
( ethyl ) thats 50 % distilled water . store in jar for about 2 weeks.
shake 1 or 2 times a day . then strain , bottle , and store .
before use dilute with at least 2 parts distilled water .

witch hazel water :

soak bark in water for 1/2 hr , bring to a boil , then reduce to
a simmer and cover for 10 min . remove from heat , steep
for 10 min . and strain when cool and bottle .
dab some on a cotton ball and apply .
this will probably stay potent for a few days .

quiz

want to get a basic idea on how many chemicals you and your family are exposed to ?
take this simple quiz http://extras.insidebayarea.com/bodyburden/bodyburden.html

random quote -

GOD WRITES THE GOSPEL NOT IN THE BIBLE ALONE , BUT ON TREES AND FLOWERS AND CLOUDS AND STARS .
- MARTIN LUTHER

stop junk mail !

gets tons of junk mail ? did you know that junk mail sent to americans accounts for 100 million trees and produces as much global warming emissions as 3.7 million cars . well i found this cool site http://www.greendimes.com/
they help stop junk mail and will plant trees in your name ! it's pretty cool , go have a look .

more info on plastic

this is part of a post written by Katy Farber from http://www.non-toxickids.net/

**BPA is a chemical found in polycarbonate plastics and the linings of food and beverage containers. It leeches into the food and beverages it comes into contact with, and is linked to breast and prostate cancer, as well as problems with the neurological development of fetuses, and babies. It makes sense to AVOID BPA.

**Avoid polycarbonate bottles. They can be labeled #7. Also, avoid drinking from old, scratched bottles.

**Don't refill bottle water bottles, labeled #1. They can leech chemicals as well and harbor bacteria. #2 is safer to use.

** Many aluminum bottles are lined with a potential BPA containing Epoxy. Sigg bottles have been tested and seem to not leech any significant amounts of BPA. Kleen Kanteen is made from stainless steel so there is no risk of BPA exposure there.

** BPA is in the lining of canned foods, except some of Eden's products (such as beans). This exposure is likely to be very high. Try to buy glass containers for pasta sauce, etc., instead.

**According to EWG, "In 2006, the industry group American Chemistry Council reported that phthalates are no longer used in any US plastic wraps." Still, since there is no regulation, it makes sense to not microwave plastic wrap.

** Use glass or BPA free bottles, and buy pacifiers made from silcone nipples.

** And, the EU isn't perfect in the area of environmental health (EWG explains they ignored some important studies about BPA), it's just that they are light years ahead of us.

go here for safe drinking bottles made from aluminum http://www.onlinefitness.com/productlist
click on water bottles .

in case you missed it !

scrapstars !

are you a scrap booking rock star ?! well me either , but my very best bud shaunna kicks major @$$ in the scrap booking world . her and a few other cool chicks have set up shop here - http://scrapstars.net/
go check em out !

wheatgrass

wheatgrass is something i've been studying for the last few months . it is one of our most abundant and very easy to grow super foods and i cant wait to try my hand at growing my own . it has been estimated that 2oz of wheatgrass juice = 3 lbs of organic vegetables in vitamins and minerals and 2 cups of coffee .

wheatgrass benefits blood cells , bones , glands , liver , kidneys , hair , muscles , spleen , teeth ,and other body parts.

it protects lungs and blood from air and water pollution , cigarette smoke , toxins and heavy metals.

aids in weight loss by stimulating metabolism and cirrculation ,and suppresses appetite .

reduces blood pressure.

improves blood sugar disorders .

neutralises toxins and carcinogens , great antioxident .

helps improve digestion .

counteracts effects of athritis , stomach ulcers , sore throats , etc .

assists in liver cleansing , promotes intestinal flora , and nurishes blood .

you're suppose to take 1 oz a day an hour before you eat .

well , thats mostly what i've learned about it so far . right now i take dr . kims greens , which has wheat grass in it , you can check that out here - http://drbenkim.com/greens.html
i've just started taking it about a week ago and so far i've defiantly noticed i have more energy through out the day . soon i'm going to order my own wheatgrass kit - http://www.wheatgrasskits.com/wheatgrasskit+juicer.htm
so i can get a little more wheat grass in my diet and i'm not a fan of the powdered kind , but my cat loves it , i mix it with her wet food every other day .

support our toops -

check this out , i think its a very good way to support our troops !
http://www.thecampaignstore.com/store/default.asp?parentid=290

raspberry honey mask

1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup raw honey
1/2 cup plain organic yogurt

mix everything in your blender , then put on face for 20 - 30 min .

slightly bleaches dull skin , and is just all around awesome for your skin .

check this

http://www.skinsationalbodyshoppe.com/category_s/31.htm

random quote

There are angels round my bed tonight
some are there for
comfort ;
some are there
to fight .

- kevin max smith

my hair tonic

1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar
2 cups distilled water infused with rosemary
add a few drops of lavender ( optional )

heat 2 cups of water to boiling , remove from heat and steep with 2 tbls of ( dried ) rosemary for about 20 - 30 mins , strain .
combine in container and leave in your shower , use a few times a week . good for dark hair because rosemary will darken lighter hair . just pour some over your head after conditioner and rinse . shake before each use .
the vinegar will help balance ph of scalp and help control dandruff . rosemary helps promote hair growth .

body brushing

ok , so body brushing or also called dry brushing , is something i just heard of a few months ago .
i'm very glad i did , because i'm now a big fan of this practice and i encourage everyone to at least try it because i'm sure you'll get hooked as i did . besides it's very good for you too . and this is why.

- it stimulates blood and lymph flow .
- encourages new cell growth .
-helps with cellulite and stretch marks .
- exfoliates skin
-encourages natural moisturizing of skin .
-removes top layer of dead skin cells .
-aids in natural detoxification .

so , it only takes about 5 min . before your shower . start with your feet , sweep up always moving towards your heart , brush entire body but face and upper chest , brush abs in circular motion and don't brush to hard or you will irritate your skin .

since brushing increases blood flow it will wake you up in the morning and it makes your skin so soft . use a natural bristle body brush , they cost 10 bucks or less . make sure to wash it about 2 times a week .

yogurt mask

one of my favorite skin treatments is plain yogurt . just apply to face and leave for 20 - 30 min .
it slightly bleaches and evens skin tone , with repeated use . you can add ground oatmeal and use as a scrub ( or mask ) which also has a bleaching effect . just get some old fashioned oatmeal from the store and grind it up in your blender , then mix with your yogurt . really simple and works great !

random quote -

and in the end , it's not the years in your life that count .
it's the life in your years .

- abraham lincoln

friend or foe ?

well , it's about that time of year to start bustin out the lawn mowers and weed killer . but this year instead of trying to eradicate your field of dandelions with buckets of toxic weed killer , eat them ! why would i do that , you might ask ? well here's a few reasons -

every part of the dandelion are good for you , this herb is a rich source of potassium and contains more vitamin A than a carrot . it helps clear skin , benefits liver function , helps reduce cholesterol ,and uric acid , promotes healthy circulation , detoxifies poisons that gather in the liver , gall bladder and spleen . people like to use it as a summer tonic to clean all the winter sludge from the body .

try this recipe by kimberly gallagher -

dandelion fritters

-pick some dandelions while the sun is up and the flower is open
-mix together one egg and one cup of milk , then stir in a cup of flour .
-warm a pan with olive oil , medium heat .
-hold flower by the green at the base and dip into batter , twirl till flower is covered .
-drop into skillet , flower side down , keep dipping and dropping flowers . keep checking to see if they are brown , when they are flip .
- when done , put onto paper towel to drain excess oil.
- you can drizzle with honey , syrup , jam or powdered sugar and enjoy !

you could also pull off the flowers and add to pancake batter or muffin mix .

also add some of the greens into your next salad , on your burger , in your pasta , or egg salad , etc .
so the next time you're looking over your yard and see all those little yellow faces don't get irritated , get hungry !

mood

rain , rain go away ! thought this pic was suitable for the day and probably the rest of the month .
it's marin in her rain gear .

no excuses !

products like arm and hammer baking soda , vinegar , and borax that are natural and chemical free have been around for years , and they're so versatile . just these 3 alone can replace all that toxic junk under you sink .

here are some of their many uses -

-Borax , located in the laundry detergent isle . it is a natural occuring alkaline mineral , it has no toxic fumes and is safe for the environment .

windows & mirrors - dissolve 2 tbls of borax in 3 cups of water , dip in clean sponge and wash .

toilet - cleans and disinfects , use 1/2 cup borax and your toilet brush .

eliminate urine odor on mattress - dampen area , rub in borax , let dry and vacuum .

keeps away bugs - sprinkle borax around the foundation of your home , but be careful it is toxic to plants so there for use it where you've seen weeds pop up before , it will kill them before they have a chance to take root .

sprinkle some in your bath water if you have hard water .

it can help kill fleas in the home . sprinkle on carpet , let set for an hour or more then vacuum .

clean walls and floor - 1 gal . water 1/3 cup borax , 1 tsp castile soap , sprinkle of baking soda .

mix in with cat litter to help control odor , baking soda is good for this too .

Arm & Hammer baking soda -natural , chemical free , safe for environment and your home.

sprinkle some on a sponge and scrub....anything ! add white vinegar for foaming action , add salt and you have a natural bleach for mildew and stains . (don't use on marble and granite . )

soothe poison ivy rash or bug bites - make a paste with water and apply .

add 1/2 cup to bath water for softer skin .

flush 1 cup down the toilet once a week to maintain proper ph , alkalinity , and to control sulfide odors .

stainless steel - removes rust stains .

drain cleaner - 1/2 cup baking soda ,1 cup white vinegar , 1 gal boiling water . pour baking soda down drain , followed by vinegar . allow it to foam for a few minutes , then flush with water .
add few drops lemon juice or oil to freshen .

carpet freshener - 4 cups corn starch or baking soda , 25 drops rosewood oil , 35 eucalyptus oil , 30 drops lavender oil . sprinkle , leave for 15 min before vacuum . ( you can use about any oils you like for this )

use it to raise ph in your swimming pool .

weed killer - 1 cup vinegar , 1/2 cup dish soap ( so it sticks to weed ) . put into spray bottle and have at it . best when used on sunny , hot days .

shower head - metal - combine 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 quart water . submerge and boil for about 15 min . plastic - 1 pint white vinegar , 1 pint hot water , soak for an hour .

good luck and happy cleaning !

Quick Tip -

what is loaded with germs , resides in your kitchen , and if you're like me , you handle it at least 15 times a day ? your sponge . the best way to kill all those nasty germs and bacteria ? not bleach .
pop it into the microwave for 1 minute , (make sure it's wet first ) . that's it . i do this a couple times a week . this also keeps it from getting that funky smell that sponges seem to get after so many uses , so you can keep it around longer and get your moneys worth out of it .