Saturday, June 29, 2013

Basil Garlic Pesto


Basil Garlic Pesto
Pan Seared Fillet mignon with grilled serrano peppers,
 Gluten Free Rice Pasta with Basil Garlic Pesto
 and Broccoli with DaBomb dressing

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup almonds
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • juice from half a lemon
  • salt & pepper to taste


Directions:

  • In a food processor, add basil, garlic, and almonds. Pulse several times until coarsely chopped.
  • With the processor running, pour in the lemon juice and slowly add the olive oil.
  • Once fully combined scrape all of the pesto into a separate bowl.
  • Mix in the parmesan cheese, and season to taste with salt &  pepper.

 Serve tossed with your favorite pasta!

You should only use essential oils that are are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates. That are subjected to rigorous mass spectrometry and gas chromatography testing to ensure extract composition and activity. 

If you are interested in purchasing oils or learning about essential oils and how to incorporate them into your quest for a healthy life let me know, I'll be glad to share.
jamietaina@gmail.com

**ask me how to save 20% or more on the best essential oils available**

Vinegar & Lemon Produce Soak

I use vinegar for many things other than cooking and salad dressings.


I use it regularly as a hair rinse, to unclog drains, as an all purpose surface cleaner, for removing mineral deposits from the coffee maker once a month, ... but lately I have been using it in the garden also.

A solution of vinegar and water and soap is perfect to kill weeds growing in the cracks of sidewalks and walkways.

Vinegar is also an excellent soak/ rinse for your produce whether you grow or buy it organic or not. 

Here's my method:

Vinegar & Lemon Produce Soak
Ingredients:

  • warm water
  • 1TBSP organic Apple Cider vinegar
  • 2 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Put enough warm water in a salad or serving bowl big enough to hold your produce. 
  2. Add the vinegar and lemon essential oil.
  3. Give your produce a quick shower with the faucet just to get most of the dirt off and then place in the vinegar solution you just made
  4. Swirl it around to make sure it gets into all the crevices.
  5. Let it soak for 15 minutes.
  6. Come back and admire all the uninvited guests swimming in the warm water.
  7. Rinse your produce in cold water and set on a kitchen towel to dry.
  8. Eat your food knowing that its pretty darn clean and good for you.  
Today's harvest was broccoli, lettuce and basil.  All the dino Kale was sacrificed right there in the garden due to too many aphids or what I affectionately call "chingaderos". I sure dislike those little buggers.

I think there will be gluten free pasta with pesto with a side of broccoli and a fresh salad in my near future...





You should only use essential oils that are are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates. That are subjected to rigorous mass spectrometry and gas chromatography testing to ensure extract composition and activity. 

If you are interested in purchasing oils or learning about essential oils and how to incorporate them into your quest for a healthy life let me know, I'll be glad to share.
jamietaina@gmail.com

**ask me how to save 20% or more on the best essential oils available** 

DIY Lip Balm

My Lip Balm Recipe


I like to know what I am putting on and in my body.  Lip balm is no exception.  After looking around the internet for a good recipe I adapted several and came up with my own. 

I used Organic Virgin Coconut oil for its many health benefits including sun protection and moisturizing properties.


The three essential oils that I chose blend well and they all have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic properties.  Together they cover all the bases with their antibiotic, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.  You can definitely use different ones.
  • Peppermint has cooling properties, plus it also has a calming effect for digestive issues and since lips are just the entrance to the whole digestive system, can't go wrong there.  Peppermint has also been used to treat cold sores

  •  Lavender is known for it's excellent skin care properties and soothing aroma.

  • Frankincense for it's cellular protection properties and immune system strengthening. 
I have a small kitchen scale I got from amazon so I weighed my beeswax and oils. And I used a mason jar over a hot pan of water as my double boiler. A disposable plastic pipette came in handy to transfer the oil into the small containers.

Ingredients (makes about 9-10 lip balm containers)

  • 10 grams Beeswax (about 5 tsp shaved wax or beads)
  • 30 grams Virgin Coconut Oil (about 1 Tablespoon)
  • 4 drops Soy Free Vitamin E oil (2 vitamin E oil capsules worth)
  • 1 drops Frankincense essential oil
  • 1 drop Lavender essential oil
  • 10 drops Peppermint essential oil
  • disposable pipette
  • pint mason jar
  • sauce pan with water
  • stove
  • metal spoon to stir
  • containers to store your lip balm in ( I used recycled chap stick tubes and 2 small glass jars I bought at the health food store)

Instructions


  1. Weigh or measure out all your ingredients except essential oils into pint mason jar
  2. Puncture the Vitamin E capsules with a sharp knife or cut end with sharp scissors and squeeze the contents into the jar.
  3. Now melt all the ingredients holding the mason jar in the hot water and stirring. The beeswax takes the longest to melt, but it all was melted in about 5 minutes.
  4. Turn off the heat and add your essential oils and mix it.
  5. Test it and make sure it has the right "tingling". Let a drop of it cool and then put it on your lips.  Add whatever you want to it, it's your lips :)
  6. Use a dropper or pipette to transfer the liquid goo while it is still warm to the containers you chose. (If it cools too quickly before you’re done  filling your containers just put the mason jar back in the hot water and stir)
  7. Let them cool and label them. 
  8. Share with a friend.  (Sending some your way Anna and Dalia!)

You should only use essential oils that are are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates. That are subjected to rigorous mass spectrometry and gas chromatography testing to ensure extract composition and activity. 

If you are interested in purchasing oils or learning about essential oils and how to incorporate them into your quest for a healthy life let me know, I'll be glad to share.
jamietaina@gmail.com

**ask me how to save 20% or more on the best essential oils available**

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

What do you reach for when your tummy is acting up?


What do you reach for when your tummy is acting up?  Any of these?

PEPTO BISMOL?

Active Ingredients: Magnesium, Sodium 8 mg, Salicylate 261 mg, Inactive Ingredients: benzoic acid, D&C Red No. 22, D&C Red No. 28, flavor, magnesium aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, saccharin sodium, salicylic acid, sodium salicylate, sorbic acid, water
Warning: “Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product. When using this product, if changes in behavior with nausea or vomiting occur, consult a doctor because these symptoms could be an early sign of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness.”


TUMS?

Ingredients: sucrose, calcium carbonate, corn starch, talc, mineral oil, natural and artificial flavors,
 adipic acid, sodium polyphosphate, red 40 lake, yellow 6 lake, yellow 5 (tartrazine) lake, blue 1 lake.Warnings: Some medical conditions may interact with Tums chewable tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding; if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances; if you have high blood phosphate levels or high calcium levels; if you have appendicitis, heart problems, parathyroid problems, hardening of the arteries, kidney problems, kidney stones, stomach or bowel problems (eg, blockage of your bowel, stomach bleeding), or inflammatory problems (eg, sarcoidosis); if you take digoxin or if you are dehydrated.  Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tums chewable tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines.

MAALOX?

magnesium hydroxide, 200 mg aluminum hydroxide dried gel (equivalent to 153 mg aluminum hydroxide) and 20 mg simethicone. Non-medicinal Ingredients: butylparaben, flavour, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, propylparaben, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium saccharin, sorbitol, water.
Warning: KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. Do not use for more than 2 weeks or if symptoms recur or if you have kidney disease except under the advice and supervision of a physician. Do not take within 2 hours of another medication because the effectiveness of the other medication may be altered.


ZOFRAN?

HC1 dihydrate equivalent to 8 mg of ondansetron. Each tablet also contains the inactive ingredients lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, triacetin, and iron oxide yellow Warnings: allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: blurred vision or temporary vision loss (lasting from only a few minutes to several hours); severe dizziness, feeling short of breath, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats; slow heart rate, trouble breathing; anxiety, agitation, shivering; feeling like you might pass out; or urinating less than usual or not at all. Less serious side effects may include: diarrhea or constipation; weakness or tired feeling; fever; headache; or dizziness, drowsiness.

May I suggest two more natural alternatives?


Peppermint essential oil

Peppermint is wonderful for so many things. Just a drop or two of Peppermint essential oil under the tongue can soothe a troubled stomach.  Peppermint oil in a diffuser can help with nausea.  A drop or two of peppermint oil in hot water can tame stomach troubles and provide respiratory support when the vapors are inhaled.  here are no scary warnings and its safe to use with children.  When applied topically I would suggest diluting the oil 1:100 particularly for babies and really young children since peppermint essential oil is strong can cause a tingly, cooling effect which is great if you have a fever.
 Its very effective very quickly when taken internally in a gel capsule or glass of water. For young kids and babies, just rub a drop or two on their bellies and over the liver area.




Digestive Blend





This last weekend we had a couple of friends over for dinner and one of them, who has chronic heartburn asked me if I had any Tums.  This was even before eating my delicious dinner, mind you.  I told him I didn't, but that I did have some natural oils that might help him if he was willing to try them.  He sniffed the Digestive blend said it smelled like licorice and agreed to try, so he put one drop of it and 2 drops of Peppermint in half a glass of water and drank it. About 20 minutes later when we were about to have dinner I asked him about his heartburn and he said it was gone.  About an hour after dinner and dessert, I asked him again, and he said he still didn't have any heartburn.  Yay for natural remedies! :)

P.S. If you have serious or frequent or ongoing issues, you might want to consider a diet change.   Are you eating plenty of raw healthy foods?  Avoiding high fat foods, especially at night?  Drinking plenty of water? Avoiding caffeine and processed foods?

You should only use essential oils that are are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates. That are subjected to rigorous mass spectrometry and gas chromatography testing to ensure extract composition and activity. 

If you are interested in purchasing oils or learning about essential oils and how to incorporate them into your quest for a healthy life let me know, I'll be glad to share.
jamietaina@gmail.com

**ask me how to save 20% or more on the best essential oils available**

Apple Pie Smoothie (Paleo Friendly, Gluten free, Dairy free)

Paleo Friendly, Gluten free, Dairy free - Apple Pie Smoothie


Ingredients:
1 apple cored and sliced
1 frozen banana
6 almonds
1 drop Cinnamon essential oil

1/2 Cup Coconut milk
1/2 tsp Gluten Free vanilla1/2 tsp cinnamon


Combine all the ingredients in a heavy duty blender and blend until smooth.  Pour and enjoy.  Makes approximately 16 oz.

You should only use essential oils that are are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates. That are subjected to rigorous mass spectrometry and gas chromatography testing to ensure extract composition and activity. 

If you are interested in purchasing oils or learning about essential oils and how to incorporate them into your quest for a healthy life let me know, I'll be glad to share.
jamietaina@gmail.com

**ask me how to save 20% or more on the best essential oils available**

Yummyfull Coconut Flour Zucchini brownies (Gluten free, dairy free, soy free, corn free, grain free, refined-sugar free)



1/2 Cup Organic Coconut oil (or butter)
1 Cup cocoa powder
10 eggs
1 1/2 Cups of local organic Honey
1 tsp Gluten Free Pure Vanilla extract
1 Cup grated and drained zucchini ( you can easily double this amonut and its still delicious)
1 Cup Organic coconut flour
1/2 tsp Gluten Free baking soda
1 Cup (Gluten Free) Chocolate Chips

Peel off skin from 2 small or 1 large zucchini. Hand grate or puree, set aside on a tea towel to drain excess moisture, squeeze as much moisture out as you can.

Melt coconut oil over medium heat in a saucepan, add honey, turn off the heat and blend in cocoa powder until smooth.  Let this cool slightly.
In a separate bowl mix the eggs and vanilla, then add the cooled cocoa mixture. Stir in the coconut flour and baking soda until no longer lumpy then add the pureed or shredded zucchini and chocolate chips.

Bake in a pre-greased 8x13 baking pan or two smaller ones for 30-40 minutes at 325 degrees. they are done when you insert a knife or toothpick and it comes our fairly clean (try not to poke a chocolate chip). Allow to cool before cutting into squares.  It makes 24-30 normal sized  brownies or less if you do monster sized portions!

I wish I had a photo of the finished brownies, but they did disappeared really fast! We ate them with fresh berries and ice cream. :-)

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Your wellness and personal responsibility

I have always believed that my personal health is mostly in my own hands. There are certain circumstances I cannot change but that should motivate me to really work on the ones that are under my control or influence.

We may not be able to change the genes we are born with, but in almost every other aspect of our daily lives we can make choices that will improve our emotional, physical and spiritual health.
Let's start by taking that responsibility seriously and making small changes that will eventually make a big difference.

Here are some of the areas that I believe we have control over:
Nutrition:
Healthy nutrition looks different for each person, but there are some guiding principles that are universal;
Eat real foods - unprocessed and free of chemicals, organic is best.
If you can't pronounce an ingredient you probably should not be eating it.
Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, natural fats and plant and animal proteins in moderation.
Think twice about eating anything that comes out of a box, a can or has to be reconstituted.
Minimize toxins:
In the air you breathe.
In the substances you put inside and on your body.
In the substances you clean with.
In the things you eat and drink.
Adequate physical activity:
Exercise is good, find an activity you enjoy and makes you sweat, and do it everyday.
Rest Say NO to too much busyness. Make the time to unwind and relax and have fun. Develop a hobby you enjoy. Be proactive about getting enough uninterrupted restful sleep, most of the time.
Stress Management:
Find your purpose in life and live it.
Realize that the world does not revolve around you.
Figure out what things are under your control, and work on those.
Prepare for the future, but don't obsess over it.
Be aware of your emotions, but don't let them control you.
Go out of your way to help other people.
Work hard at what you love.
Surround yourself with the things and people you love and enjoy your time with them.
Realize that there are people and situations that are not good for you and distance yourself from them.
Find beauty every day, connect with God and the natural world He created for your enjoyment.
Disease prevention and self care:
Read and educate yourself on how to take care of your one and only body.
Learn everything you can about what you can do to prevent disease.
Learn about and apply natural remedies to your ailments.
When you have a disease seek medical attention and care.
Proper medical care:
Seek immediate medical attention when necessary.
Chose qualified competent medical professionals.
Educate yourself on your disease process and available treatments.
Ask lots of questions.
Make well informed decisions about your health and the quality of life you want to have.
Realize that you will not live forever and make plans that take that into account.

I am sure you could add many more things to this list and make it your own ;)


To smell or not to smell... DIY non-toxic deodorant



So, most of us like to smell good, or at least not smell bad.  Have you read the ingredients of the commercial antiperspirants and deodorants out there?

If you have been looking for an alternative to the toxic ingredients in most deodorants, have a got a treat for you!

There's a better way.  First of all, we have to get over the notion that sweating is bad.  It is not bad.  Sweating is one of the ways that our bodies cool down and get rid of toxins. Healthy sweat is not normally stinky, things that we ingest and put on and in and our bodies can change the smells that come out of our bodies.  Furthermore, moist environments can provide a great environment for bacteria and fungus to grow, and they have their own not so pleasant smells.  

How about we allow ourselves to sweat and focus instead on keeping a dryer environment that the bacteria won't be so comfortable in? 


Non-toxic deodorant (Pit Paste)
Ingredients:
  • 1/2 Cup organic coconut oil
  • 2 TBSP baking soda  
  • 4 TBSP organic arrowroot powder (use cornstarch if you are not sensitive to corn)
  • 6 drops  Melaleuca essential oil* or Lemon Oil
  • 6 drops  Lavender essential oil*
  • 6 drops Frankincense essential oil
  • (optional 2 TBSP Azomite or Bentonite mineral powder)

Directions:
Start with liquid coconut oil, warm it in the sun or a sauce pan until liquid (over 76 degrees). Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix everything together with a fork, until well blended.
Store in a small glass jar, I was able to fill up two jelly sized mason jars. It will solidify at room temperature and get a bit runny when it's over 76 degrees, but it works either way.  Use your fingers to apply it to your underarm area and let it absorb and dry a bit before putting your clothes on.
This deodorant will not stop you from sweating, but the dry ingredients help absorb some moisture and all the oils used have antibacterial properties, that will prevent bacteria from growing and smelling up your beautifully soft pits.
Feel free to change up the essential oils used according to your personal preferences but I chose tea tree and lavender for their antiseptic, antibacterial properties and Frankincense for it's anti-inflammatory and immune boosting and anti-cancer properties. I have been using it for over a month now and keep getting compliments on how good I smell ;)

UPDATE:
I came across a very simple non-messy roll on deodorant recipe and I love it.
Non-toxic ROLL ON deodorant
  • 10 drops frankincense essential oil (anti-cancer properties…helpful when applied to an area of the body with so many lymph nodes)
  • 10 drops melaleuca or lemon essential oil (anti-fungal, anti-bacterial)
  • 10 drops lavender essential oil (eliminates waste, anti-inflammatory and calming)

Add the Essential Oils to a 10ml glass roller bottle and top it off with Fractionated Coconut Oil.
You can change which oils you use to your personal preference. Apply daily & that's it!!

You should only use essential oils that are are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates. That are subjected to rigorous mass spectrometry and gas chromatography testing to ensure extract composition and activity. 

If you are interested in purchasing oils or learning about essential oils and how to incorporate them into your quest for a healthy life let me know, I'll be glad to share.
jamietaina@gmail.com

**ask me how to save 20% or more on the best essential oils available**

Essential Oils History through the Ages




I ran across this great article from Silver Botanicals: Benefits of Essential Oils and Why We Use Them

I gives a great summary of the history and origins of humans discovery and use of plants and oils for health and healing.

You should only use essential oils that are are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates. That are subjected to rigorous mass spectrometry and gas chromatography testing to ensure extract composition and activity. 

If you are interested in purchasing oils or learning about essential oils and how to incorporate them into your quest for a healthy life let me know, I'll be glad to share.
jamietaina@gmail.com

**ask me how to save 20% or more on the best essential oils available**

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Honey Lavender Lemonade

This is how you know it is summer around here...




Our refrigerator is clearly ready for a hot day. Or for family and friends to come over. Or both!

Ingredients:

1 Cup Lemon or Lime Juice (fresh squeezed, organic is best)
1 Cup honey (all natural, organic and local)
6 Cups of water (filtered)
1 drop of food grade organic Lavender essential oil (or more to taste)
1 drop food grade organic Lemon essential oil (or more to taste)
(I use only pure food organic grade oils, the bottle will have a "Supplement Facts" box with serving sizes)

Directions:
Combine honey and 1 Cup of the water in a sauce pan over medium heat until a simple syrup is made.  Add everything else into a glass pitcher and chill.

I have been know to double or quadruple this recipe, it disappears fast.  You can also freeze some of it into ice cubes to keep it nice and cold and undiluted on a hot day.  You can also make some sun tea...

You can add more Pure Essential Oils to taste, maybe some peppermint or lime...

The particular combination of Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint along with local honey might be a great remedy for seasonal allergies.  Read more about that on Using Essential Oils to help with Allergies.




You should only use essential oils that are are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates. That are subjected to rigorous mass spectrometry and gas chromatography testing to ensure extract composition and activity. 

If you are interested in purchasing oils or learning about essential oils and how to incorporate them into your quest for a healthy life let me know, I'll be glad to share.
jamietaina@gmail.com

**ask me how to save 20% or more on the best essential oils available**

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Best Facial cream, eye cream, makeup remover, lip conditioner,... EVER!

Can you pronounce all the ingredients on the stuff you buy to put on your face???
I can't.  Some ingredients are just plain scary sounding, so when I ran across a "do it yourself" skin care cream with natural ingredients I could pronounce I was all over that!

Here's what you need:

  • a small clean glass jar with a tight lid ( I used a 1 ounce one)
  • Virgin Organic Coconut Oil
  • vitamin E capsules (I used the 400 U ones, without any soybean oil in the ingredients)
  • Lavender essential oil
  • Frankincense essential oil

That's it!

How to do it:


  • If your coconut oil is solid just warm it up in the sun or on the stove top
  • poke holes in the Vitamin E capsules and add the oil to the coconut
  • add 2 drops of lavender essential oil and 2 drops of frankincense
  • Mix it all with a toothpick, cover it with the lid and label the jar.
  • Put it in the fridge to become solid again.  All done!


You can keep this in your bathroom or makeup case.  It will stay solid at room temperature (76 degrees Fahrenheit or below). use it as a makeup remover, as eye cream, as face cream, as lip balm,...


Why are these particular ingredients are so good for you and your skin?

Coconut Oil
moisturizer, antibiotic, multivitamin, nutrient and and anti-oxidant, non-comedogenic.  Read more about it here and here.  Only use food grade, organic coconut oil, you can find it a supermarkets, health-food stores and here

Vitamin E
Antioxidant, Regulator for Vitamin A, Anti-Aging, Sun Protection and Sun Burn Treatment, Treatment of Skin Diseases, Treatment of Scars, helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks and appearance of age spots, helps maintain the skin’s oil balance during the cleansing process, reduces trans epidermal water loss from skin and strengthens the skin’s barrier function
Overall for skin care, more benefit is obtained from topical application of vitamin e through creams or lotions rather than taking vitamin e orally. Skin is able to absorb natural vitamin e effectively. However, taking vitamin e orally is important for the good health of other areas of the body.  Read more about it here.

Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
commonly used for its antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, disinfectant properties, for acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, and other skin conditions
Because of the gentle properties of Lavender it can be applied topically on even some of the most sensitive of skin.  Topical application to burns, minor cuts, and bruises almost always produces successful results.  At the same time the aroma is very soothing.  A benefit to applying the oil topically to a cut or burn it has a calming effect. 


Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia frereana)
commonly used for its analgesic, antifungal, antinflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, and cellular protection properties

This oil is also well suited to help with skin conditions.  It is a mild oil that in most cases can be applied directly, if necessary.  Help with acne to wrinkles, cuts and wounds to reducing scarring are all mentioned by those that have used this essential oil.  Most practical for skin application is to make a 1% to 2% dilution with a carrier oil or a similar dilution in an ointment.

You should only use essential oils that are are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates. That are subjected to rigorous mass spectrometry and gas chromatography testing to ensure extract composition and activity. 

If you are interested in purchasing oils or learning about essential oils and how to incorporate them into your quest for a healthy life let me know, I'll be glad to share.
jamietaina@gmail.com

**ask me how to save 20% or more on the best essential oils available**