What Is Your Sanctuary?

What heals you? Ask yourself this and be sure to apply it in your life when you know you need it. Some examples of a healing escape may be nature, hiking, fishing, music, exercise, meditation, watching your favorite movie or show, being with friends or family, drinking a warm cup of tea and reading, writing, art, working on projects, cleaning…

It is important to reach for healthy outlets and caution yourself when it comes to things like drinking. Many like to reach for a drink when they are stressed, had a long day, had a bad day, etc. to calm them down when it only masks the issue like a bandaid. The issue can actually become enhanced when intoxicated making you feel even worse, which in turn will want you to keep drinking.

The great thing about nature being a healing tool is that it is…well, natural. It provides no bad side effects, it only speaks calmly to us, it always supports us and is there for us, and it does not judge. Not only that, it is the best demonstration of how things go on despite turbulence. Plants keep growing, birds keep chirping, the oceans keep rolling, the sun keeps shining, the earth keeps moving and shifting, the world keeps spinning. In reality we have to keep in mind that we are a small spec in the grand scheme of life. Being in nature will remind us this. We are a part of it all. Each and every person, animal, plant, rock, and molecule is interrelated and feed off of each other. 

Life is one big chemical reaction, so to speak. YOU help the cataclysmic event that is life. What you put into it is what will be received and reciprocated everywhere else. Pay attention to how one’s energy can affect another’s energy. It is extremely powerful and can easily be underestimated.

It may be hard at first to quiet the mind and just listen to nature’s voice and message, but you will eventually realize that it is on your side and only good will come out of just letting go and giving in to nature. Soon your thoughts will dissipate and waves of bliss will wash over you. It’s as if the universe just removed your worries for you.

Do what you need to do to take care of yourself in a healthy manner. Don’t just shrug things off or let it build up. Find a source of healing that will be your go-to when you need a pick-me-up. Have a couple of plans to allow yourself to escape and always let loved ones know you need a little bit of time for yourself to regenerate. They will understand.

transferred- original post date 04/13/2015

Get A Clear & Healthy Complexion The Natural Way

Ever since I hit puberty I struggled with acne. It honestly has gone down a lot in my adult years, but I still have mild breakouts as well as combo to oily skin which also gets very dry in the winter. I’ve tried the over-the-counter products such as Noxzema, Oxy pads, Neutrogena and Clean & Clear. And, yes, I’ve even tried Proactiv. At that time when I was young, I thought that the more the product irritated my skin the better. All of those ingredients would literally burn and kill away the acne. Well, all they did was, of course, irritate my skin. I have sensitive skin anyhow, so I finally began to learn that harsh chemicals were not my friends.

In my late 20′s I became intrigued by natural products, especially essential oils. In doing my research, I found that numerous oils provided proven beneficial results with skin conditions. Among those, the most commonly used is Tea Tree. We see this oil used in many hair and skin products we see in the store. It can be used as a topical antiseptic, antiviral and anti-fungal treatment. Besides Acne, the oil can treat such conditions as Eczema, Psoriasis, Athlete’s Foot, Yeast Infection, Congestion, Dandruff and Head Lice. Luckily Tea Tree oil is very inexpensive- average cost for a 2 oz. bottle is about $9.00. Be sure to purchase a high quality brand such as Samara Botane or Mountain Rose Herbs. As long as the label states the Latin name Melaleuca alternifolia (originates from Australia or Wales) and that it is 100% pure grade, you should be good to go. And a little goes a long way, so a 2 oz. bottle should last you quite a while. I probably go through mine in about 45 days or so, using mainly for preventing breakouts or decreasing the size and longevity of pimples when I do get them.

My daily regimen goes as follows:

-Wash face with 100% natural Castile soap. I use Dr. Bronner’s (which comes in different scents including Tea Tree) for just about everything- body wash, face wash, and even as a cleaning product around the house. Others I would recommend are Burt’s Bees and Yardley.

- If I have eye makeup on, I remove with coconut oil. It's a great alternative to buying makeup remover. Then I’ll use a baby wipe (unscented, moisturized) to remover excess dirt and oils around the eyes and exfoliate the skin on the face.

- I apply Witch Hazel and add a couple dabs/drops of Tea Tree oil to a cotton round and gently rub all over the face, not missing a spot, but being sure to avoid contact with eyes. You should notice that even after washing your face that this will get even more dirt and oil. That’s why just washing your face isn’t enough. (*If I have an apparent pimple, I will also dab a q-tip in the Tea Tree oil and vigorously rub it in a circular motion over the pimple. This will keep the redness down and dry it out. Usually my pimples will go down at least half the size by the next day.) 

- Next I apply a base oil to the face to moisturize. Different base oils have different qualities- I use coconut oil mixed with just a little grape seed oil (for firming/toning) and Jojoba oil (great for acne/redness/dryness). Just a couple of drops is needed- put in palm of hand and rub palms together gently then apply evenly and thoroughly all over the face and even neck.

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Once a week I do a natural facial scrub and mask. It is so easy to create using products in your own kitchen! I switch it up often using different ingredients such as a base oil, honey, brown sugar, white sugar, fine sea salt, essential oils, and avocado. I suggest looking up recipes that would complement your face and give you the best results.

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I don’t wear foundation, only concealer around the eyes and maybe to hide any blemishes I may have. I like my skin to breathe and in doing so, I have less breakouts. It’s best to only do this once a day- washing it more than once will surely dry it out. I’m very happy with my complexion and will never change my regimen as it has been the most successful one I’ve ever had. 

**Do not take Tea Tree oil orally or get in eyes

**There is no set dosage, but as stated, a little goes a long way.

**If for some reason you see more irritation after a few days of use, please stop using tea tree oil.

**The more severe the acne or skin condition, the longer it will take to clear up. Be patient, stick to the regimen, and also be sure to stay away from sugars. What you eat can also affect your skin.

transferred- original post date 03/28/2015

The Pros & Cons of Milk Alternatives

Whether it be a choice or needed change of diet, knowing which milk alternative would be the best choice for you can make a very beneficial impact on your overall health. What are the benefits of almond, soy, rice, hemp or coconut? Which one is right for you?  The taste of some of these may not be appealing, but at least there are different brands as well as flavors/versions of each and you may have to go for the process of elimination in order to find what pleases your taste buds as well. Here are the facts, both good and bad, about each:

Almond Milk:

- Almonds are a great source of protein. While this option is a great alternative, however; keep in mind that almond milk contains less protein as well as calcium than cow’s milk. Be sure to consume the appropriate daily amount for you.

- Weight loss has been noted as a worthy benefit of this milk. It only has approximately 60 calories vs. cow’s milk which ranges from 86-146 calories.

- No cholesterol or saturated fat

- Contains healthy Omega 3 essential fatty acids which help the heart and blood pressure

- Low in sodium

- Still a great source of Vitamin D which helps strengthen your bones, aiding in relief of Osteoporosis and Arthritis

- Contains Vit E which is great for the skin

- No additives

- Low in carbs, doesn’t affect your blood sugar

- Great source of fiber which helps in digestion

- lactose-free

-It doesn’t spoil like cow’s milk. You can actually leave it out and it won’t go bad!

- It comes in regular, unsweetened, or vanilla flavor. There is also a coconut-almond blend available.

*This is the type of milk I drink. In testing out the different brands, I went with either Almond Breeze or Simple Truth. I noticed that Silk gets filmy on the top when heated/warmed and is on the thicker side.

Hemp Milk:

- It is simply a blend of hemp seeds and water. Easy to make!

- In an 8-oz serving, you get all of these nutrients: 900mg of Omega 3 fatty acids, 2800mg of Omega 6 fatty acids, 10 essential amino acids, 4 grams of digestible protein, 1/2 the daily recommended amount of calcium….along with Potassium, Phosphorus, Vits A/B12/D/E, Riboflavin, Iron, Folic Acid, Magnesium and Zinc.

- No cholesterol

- Good for the heart

- Has anti-inflammatory properties (great for arthritis)

- Helps with mental clarity and function

-Wonderful for the hair, skin and nails

*This is my 2nd choice. Very mild flavor like almond milk.

Rice Milk:

- Rice is known for its carbs, so it does contain more than cow’s milk

- No cholesterol or lactose which helps the above issue some

- Low in protein. You’ll need to get an adequate amount from other sources

- Fortified with calcium, Vit A, Vit D, B12, Niacin and Iron.

- It can be pretty high in calories: A cup of rice milk contains 140 calories

- Contains about 3 grams of fat per cup which is less than whole cow’s milk but more than skim cow’s milk

- Easy and inexpensive to make

Soy Milk:


- Aids in relief of Osteoporosis for postmenopausal women
- Helps relieve PMS symptoms

- Contains anti-carcinogenic properties, especially great to lower the risk for prostate and breast cancer

-  Contains isoflavons which help control or decrease obesity, especially in those over 50

- The above also helps in lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol

- Most soybeans are genetically modified which are Monsanto-controlled

- It contains less protein than cow’s milk

Coconut Milk:

- Nutritious in fiber, Iron, Selenium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Vit’s B1, B3, B5, B6, C, and E.

- Contains MCFA (Medium Chain Fatty Acids) which include Lauric Acid, a great antibacterial and antibiotic substance.

- Coconut milk is still considered a fat but the MCFA’s metabolize a lot faster than other fats and can lessen the chances of fat storage. Still be careful as to the quantity consumed.

- 1 oz of coconut milk contains the following: 154 calories, 1.4 grams of protein, 15 grams of fat, and 3.4 grams of carbohydrates (compare this to other milks)

- Tends to be on the sweeter side naturally

- Promotes good digestion including symptoms of ulcers and acid reflux

- Great source of iron and antioxidants

- May help with inflammation and muscle/nerve issues

- Beneficial for hair, skin and nails

In conclusion, all milk alternatives have their pros and cons. Be sure to not only decipher what’s best for you, but read the labels of each milk to determine for yourself. Test taste a few until you find the perfect fit!

transferred- original post date 02/24/2015