Skin Oil Cleansing

Cleaning your face with natural oils is great skin care, at any age.  Since I have been cleansing with oil my skin is softer, has less redness, and fewer blemishes.  In addition to the cosmetic benefits, it simply feels good knowing that I am nourishing my skin with natural oils. I have tried many products over the years and nothing has worked as well as oil cleansing. 

TRADITIONAL CLEANSING

Marketing over the decades has programmed us to wash our delicate faces with harmful chemically laden products in an effort to bust that pimple causing oil, or to moisturize that dry flakey or aging skin.  Many of the ingredients in these products actually strip the natural oils causing our skin's processes to go into overdrive and produce even more oil... leading to more clogged pores, blackheads and irritation.  I know that was true for me.  Even at my age (53) there can be clogged pores, blackheads and especially redness.  When cleansing and moisturizing our skin with oil it helps to understand an expression used by chemists, "oil dissolves oil."  I personally recommend that you give it a try for at least a month or two and determine for yourself if this is a better way to treat your skin.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.  Keep in mind, that it may take a few weeks for your skin to adjust to the new treatment.  Be patient, experiment with different oils (more on this below), and enjoy the results.

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HOW DO I CHOOSE AN OIL?

The type of oil that you use depends primarily on your skin type and skin condition.  I personally use a mixture of Castor Oil, and Wise Oils Face Serum which is a mixture of Argan Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, and Essential Oils. You can start with one oil or find a blend that you like and works for your skin.  Below is a list of oils that are commonly used with descriptions of the benefits, considerations, and the Comedogenic rating of each.  

Comedogenic rating of each oil reflects the likelihood of the oil clogging pores and causing breakouts for most skin types.   If you are acne-prone, you will want to begin with products/ingredients that are rated 0's, 1's and 2's.

0 -Will Not Clog Pores

1 - Low probability

2 - Moderately Low

3 - Moderate

4 - Fairly High

5 - High probability it will clog pores

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TYPES OF OILS

Castor Oil - is a thick, sticky liquid known for its powerful purging and detoxing properties and has so many other amazing benefits in addition to skin care, but for oil cleansing properties the Undecylenic Acid that is naturally found in the castor oil seed has germicidal and disinfectant powers. This oil is a wonderful oil for treating skin irritations from mild to severe acne and can also clear up eczema and other chronic inflammation issues.  When a member of my family develops any kind of skin eruption, we apply castor oil, and let it work it's magic. For those with dry skin, I recommend staring with a very small amount and mix with a more nourishing oil that is better for dry skin. I personally use 1/4 Castor Oil to 3/4 Wise Oils Face Serum.  Comedogenic Rating: 1

Argan Oil has a high composition of essential fatty acids and plant sterols without clogging pores and has the ability to repair skin damage like acne scarring, stretch marks, and dry skin. The Vitamin E in Argan oil improves elasticity and assists in the healing process of tissue scarring. Comedogenic Rating: 0

Hemp Seed Oil is unique in that it has a very similar composition of fats and amino acids as our own natural skin oils and this is why it's very popular for the oil cleansing method. Comedogenic Rating: 0

Jojoba Oil- Jojoba oil is an emollient which means that it is a great moisturizer as well as prevents irritations and rough patches. Personal note: I have found that Jojoba Oil feels great on my skin, but it seems to irritate my eyes if I use it as a makeup remover.  Comedogenic Rating: 2

Avocado Oil- Avocado Oil has amazing moisturizing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, healing and nourishing properties. Great for oil cleansing.  Comedogenic Rating: 2

Sesame Oil-  Sesame oil can act as both moisturizer and emollient for full-body skin. Besides vitamin E, sesame oil also contains linoleic acids, stearic acids, and palmitic acids. It is even safe to use this oil regularly every day for optimum results and contains natural sunscreen (one of my favorites)  Comedogenic Rating: 3

Rose Oil-  One of the most expensive oils. Rose oils has antiseptic and astringent properties which makes it great for acne and other skin infections. Rose oil also contains eugenol a very potent antioxidant for aging skin. Comedogenic Rating: 3

Sunflower Seed Oil is a gentle antioxidant oil that works well for beginners. It is light and is easily absorbed by the skin without clogging pores.  Comedogenic Rating: 0

Olive Oil is great for dry, combination and aging skin and has been known to help in the healing of eczema, psoriasis, dry skin acne and rosacea. Comedogenic Rating: 2

Rosehip Seed Oil  made from one of the richest plant sources of Vitamin C. I make Rosehip jelly and rose hip syrup as a natural vitamin C supplement for my family. Vitamin C has been proven to stimulate collagen production, reduce redness, increase cell turnover, reduce fine lines, and increase the skin’s permeability  Comedogenic Rating: 1

Grapeseed Oil- Grapeseed Oil is very mild and a wonderful light moisturizer (another one of my favorites). Comedogenic Rating: 2

Borage Seed Oil - Borage Oil is known for it's anti-inflammatory properties, is great for treating skin breakouts. Comedogenic Rating: 2

Neem Oil contains fatty acids and vitamin E found making it easily absorbed into the skin without leaving the skin greasy. Great for aging skin. Comedogenic Rating: 1

Sea Buckthorn Oil- Sea buckthorn oil is commonly used to prevent and to reduce the negative results of acne, dermatitis, dry skin, eczema, skin ulcers and stretch marks.   Comedogenic Rating: 1

Tananu Oil contains moisturizing omega fatty acids and it's know for it's ability to promote new cell growth.  Its antimicrobial properties have been compared to the power of antibiotics and the antioxidant properties are known to prevent sun damage and wrinkles. Comedogenic Rating: 2

Coconut Oil  is a very popular oil due to the fact that it is packed with antioxidants and vitamins.  Coconut oil  has powerful antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties proven to successfully fight bacteria and other skin infections such as acne. Many with dry skin love Coconut Oil as a cleanser, but those with sensitive or oily skin may find that it clogs pores and causes breakouts.  Comedogenic Rating 4

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HOW TO CLEANSE THE FACE WITH NATURAL OILS:

The great thing about cleansing with oil is that all you really need is oil, cotton (either rags, circle pads) and warm water.  

INSTRUCTIONS

Gently place a warm wet cotton wash cloth to your face

Pour oil mixture into the palm of your hands or take a cotton pad that has already been imersed in oil

Gently massage oil onto your face in circular motions.  I gently massage for approximately 1 minute

Gently remove oil with a warm wet wash cloth

Enjoy the softness of your skin

I would love to hear about your skin oil cleansing experience!

Gigi

To view Wise Oil Products click here

The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition

My Choice For Clean Drinking Water

Water is crucial to human life. Water maintains hydration and detoxification systems and plays a huge role in our psychological and emotional states. Our body is composed of approximately 60% water. The heart and brain alone are composed of over 70% water.  

WHAT IS IN OUR TAP WATER?

DISINFECTANT BY-PRODUCTS

It's no secret that our water can be full of undesirable by-products used by municipality treatment centers for disinfection purposes. Some of these by-products are: Bromate, Chlorite, Trihalomethanes, and Haloacetic acids.  Exposure to such disinfection products, at high levels over many years, has been associated with a number of health outcomes by epidemiological studies.  

FLUORIDE

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies fluoride as a drug when used to prevent or mitigate disease (FDA 2000). In my opinion, adding fluoride to water for the sole purpose of preventing tooth decay (a non-waterborne disease) is a form of medical treatment and is therefore unethical as informed consent is standard practice for all medical treatment and one of the key reasons why most of Western Europe has ruled against fluoridation. No disease, not even tooth decay is caused by a fluoride deficiency ("NRC 1993: Institute of Medicine 1997, NRC 2006). There is extensive evidence that fluoride can interfere with many important biological processes. 

OTHER CONTAMINANTS:

In addition to products used for disinfection and fluoridation, our water supplies can contain significant amounts of Pathogens, Arsenic, Barium, Selenium, Chrominum, Cyanide, Nitrate, Atrazine, Radioactive Contaminants and Pesticides. Although some of these can be a result eroding natural deposits, many are a result of run off or discharge from drilling waste, metal & petroleum refineries, electronics production factories, fertilizer factories, as well as farm pesticide, and herbicide usage.

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FILTERED WATER OPTIONS

BOTTLED WATER - There are many reasons why I choose not to use bottled water as our main source of drinking water.  A few of them are:

Most bottled water is the same as tap water

Bottled water is more costly

Chemicals from the plastic bottles can leach into the water

Plastic bottles are a major source of consumer waste.

PITCHER, FAUCET & REFRIGERATOR FILTERS: These filters commonly use "granulated" activated charcoal and although they can remove some contaminants and make the water taste better, they do not remove many toxins. 

DISTILLED WATER:  The distillation process heats the water to boiling turns it to vapor, leaving inorganic contaminants, including healthful minerals, behind. Chemicals evaporate along with the water and then recondenses into a liquid state in the distilled water. This process is great at removing many contaminants, including fluoride. However, due to the fact that endocrine disruptors vaporize at equal or even lower temps than water they can rise with the steam to the cooling chamber. 

REVERSE OSMOSIS:  Reverse Osmosis (RO) devices effectively reduce certain heavy metals, salts, and inorganic material, including healthful, naturally-occurring minerals. Contaminants extracted through the Reverse Osmosis process are returned to the water supply. The process is slow and wastes about 3 to 4 gallons for every one gallon of water produced. RO water was our choice several years ago. We would purchase RO water and store in 3 gallon jugs, this was not the most convenient.  Because the RO process also depletes trace minerals, I would simply add minerals back into the water before drinking.  We considered adding an in-home RO system, but because I later learned that RO systems do not reduce endocrine disruptors and wastes about 3-4 gallons for every one gallon of filtered water produced we decided to research further.

SOLID BLOCK CARBON FILTERS:  Sold block carbon filters are the best simply because of their ability to remove impurities (including endocrine disruptors) without also removing the natural healthy minerals and nutrients.  Compacted solid carbon block filters have a large surface area for chemical/physical adsorption to take place. With a solid carbon block, the water contact time is longer and provides for greater adsorption of many different chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and certain heavy metals. In addition, the densely compacted carbon block mechanically filters particles down to 0.5 micron. There are many types (gravity fed, under counter, etc.) of solid block carbon filters on the market and with a little research you can find the one that is best for you.  

FOR ME & MY FAMILY:

Deciding which Solid Block Carbon Filter was best for our family took some time and consideration, but we finally decided that the best type of solid block carbon filter product would be the (Berkey) gravity-fed drip water filter. These solid block carbon gravity-fed filters are excellent at removing chlorine, chlorination by-products, fluoride, VOCs, pesticides, particulates and pharmaceuticals. They require no electricity to operate and the water is filtered as it drips from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. Because the water is filtered slowly, the filtration is much more effective than a faucet-mounted filter. Generally, slow filtration methods tend to be best.  It has been almost 2 years since Big Berkey joined our family and we are very pleased with the functionality and convenience of this product.  Did I mention that it is portable so we can take it on long road trips, if we choose to.  

The Big Berkey (2 gallon model) costs about $250, which may seem like a lot of money for a water filter, but: The two Black Berkey filters inside will purify 6,000 gallons before needing replacement. If you drink 10 gallons of water a week, it will last you about 11 years at a cost of less than 2 cents per gallon. Most water filters need replacing after 3-6 months!

As with all products that you are considering investing in, we always recommend that you do your due diligence and research to determine what is best for you and your family.

Links to the Berkey and other Solid Carbon Block Filter options:

Berkey

Multipure

Filtrex

Propur

Cheers to clean water,

GIGI

The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition

Salt...Are You Getting Enough Or Too Much?

The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition

According to recent studies there is no substantial benefit to substantial sodium reduction when it comes to preventing heart disease or death, and too little sodium can cause real harm such as increased LDL & Triglycerides, insulin resistance, low thyroid function, low blood pressure, adrenal insufficiency, etc.  So how much do we need?

WHAT IS SALT

Salt is a chemical compound formed when a mineral, also called an element, bonds with chloride, another mineral. Sodium chloride, the most common salt, occurs naturally and is found in sea water and underground salt deposits. Salt forms as tiny crystals. Salt contains 40 percent sodium and 60 percent chloride. 

THE PURPOSE OF SALT TO THE HUMAN BODY

Sodium is both an electrolyte and mineral that helps keep the water (the amount of fluid inside and outside the body's cells) and electrolyte balance of the body. The amount of sodium in the blood has a close relationship to the amount of water in the body.  Too little water and sodium levels increase. Too much water and sodium levels decrease. Both conditions cause complications. Hydration is needed in order to maintain cell function, blood pressure, filter the kidneys and cells of acid waste, maintain serotonin and the happy brain transmitters, maintain normal blood pressure, produce cellular energy, clear the lungs of mucus, prevent osteoporosis, etc. 

OTHER FUNCTIONS OF SALT TO THE BODY  (Your Body's Many Cries for Water - F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.)

Salt is a strong antihistamine.  Place on tongue after drinking 2 glasses of water

Salt is vital for extracting excess acidity from inside the cell, particularly brain cells.

Salt is vital for the kidneys to clear excess acidity and to pass the acidity into the urine

Salt is essential in the treatment of emotional and affective disorders.  Lithium is a salt substitute that is used in the treatment of depression

Salt is essential for preserving the serotonin and melatonin levels in the brain.

Many believe that salt is vital for the prevention and treatment of cancer.  Cancer cells are killed by oxygen.  When the body is well hydrated, and salt expand the volume of blood circulation to reach all parts of the body.

Salt is vital for maintaining muscle tone and strength.

Salt is effective in stabilizing irregular heartbeats and contrary to the belief that it causes high blood pressure, it is actually essential for the regulation of blood pressure- in conjunction with water.

Salt is vital for sleep regulation.  Its a natural hypnotic.

Salt is a vitally needed element in the treatment of diabetics.  It helps balance the sugar levels in the blood and reduces the need for insulin.

Salt is vital for the generation of hydroelectric energy in all the cells in the body

Salt is vital to the communication and information processing of nerve cells the entire time the brain cells work.

Salt is vital for the absorption of food particles through the intestinal tract.

Salt is vital for clearing the lungs of mucus plugs and sticky phlegm

Salt on the tongue will stop persistent dry coughs.

Salt is vital for clearing up sinus congestion.

Salt is vital for the prevention of gout and gouty arthritis.

Salt is essential for the prevention of muscle cramps.

Salt is absolutely vital to making the structure of bones firm.

Salt is vital for maintaining sexuality and libido.

Salt is vital for preventing varicose veins and spider veins on the legs and thighs

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

One of the most common reasons for recommending a low salt diet is the diagnosis of High Blood Pressure also know as Hypertension. Allopathic medicine believes that eating salt raises the amount of sodium in your bloodstream and wrecks the delicate balance, reducing the ability of your kidneys to remove the water. The result is a higher blood pressure due to the extra fluid and extra strain on the delicate blood vessels leading to the kidneys.  However, since the majority of blood volume consists of water (92%) and if we don't drink sufficient water, the only other way the body has to secure water is through the mechanism of keeping sodium in the body, and only when sodium is retained will water remain in the extracellular fluid compartment. 

HOW MUCH SALT DO WE NEED?

Since salt is a most essential ingredient of the body, one should be considerate of how much they are consuming to insure that they are getting enough, or not too much. Oxygen, water, salt and potassium (click here to read my post on how to get more potassium in your diet) rank as the primary elements for the survival of the human body. As potassium is pulled into and sodium is pumped out of our cells, the two elements work together to keep our bodies balanced.  I believe we should be monitoring from time to time what our intake of these elements are. Of course, if there are specific health factors to consider they should be discussed with your doctor. 

SALT AS SODIUM - RDA RECOMMENDATIONS

United States: The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2300 milligrams of sodium per day and an ideal limit of 1500 milligrams per day of sodium for most adults.  Reportedly, the average American consumes about 3300 milligrams per day. 

United Kingdom: The recommended daily limit is 2400 milligrams of sodium.  "Eating less than three grams of salt a day could lead to serious health problems in the future.  The average sodium consumption per day in the United Kingdom is approximately 3200 milligrams per day.

Germany: RDA =  2400 milligrams of sodium. The average adult in Germany consumes approximately 3600 grams of sodium per day.

Japan: RDA =  2400 milligrams of sodium.  The average adult in Japan reportedly consumes approximately 3600-4400 milligrams of sodium.

My personal recommendations: My recommendation is to get adequate amounts of water, salt and potassium.  1/4 teaspoon per quart of water for healthy adults,  4700 milligrams of potassium, and one half your body weight (in ounces) of filtered water, per day.  It's important to consider all three. So for example: if you drink approximately 4 quarts of water per day you will need 1/4 teaspoon per quart of water for a total of 1 teaspoon (2000 milligrams) spread out through the day. This does not mean that you have to add salt to your water, but it does mean that you should be aware of the balance of your water and salt intake. If you exercise and sweat a substantial amount you will no doubt need more water, more salt and adequate amounts of potassium.

TYPES OF SALT

Processed Salt (Table Salt) = Major salt producing companies mine impure rock salt from the earth, then dry it in huge kilns with temperatures reaching 1200 degrees F. This changes the salt’s chemical structure into pure sodium chloride, which is very different from natural salt which contains lots of trace minerals. After this process that strips the trace nutrients, they then put in additives like fluoride, synthetic iodine, as well as anti-caking agents.  These anti-caking agents cause discoloration so then bleaching agents are then used to restore the desirable white color. No thank you!

Any Natural, Unrefined “Whole” Salt:  is always better than processed salt.  The following are a few popular natural salts:

Pink Salt - Mined from the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and many claim it to be the purest form of salt around. The colors of this salt can range from sheer white, to pink and even deep red based on the mineral and iron content found. 80+ trace minerals.

Grey Salt - Commonly comes from France's Atlantic coast. Its light grey color comes from the minerals that are absorbed in the clay of the salt ponds. Grey salt retains all the minerals found in the sea and is full of magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and iodine. 80+ trace minerals

Black lava salt -  From Hawaii and is a blend of sea salt and purified volcanic charcoal. Ample trace minerals.

Real Salt - which is mined from an ancient salt deposit in Utah. Reportedly has approximately 60 natural trace minerals. 

CONCLUSION

Too much sodium is unhealthy and too little sodium is unhealthy. Much of the salt consumption in our culture is coming from packaged and prepared (restaurant) foods that already contain salt, thus the average American is likely consuming too much salt, inadequate amounts of water, and too little potassium.  However, if you are eating a traditional type diet full of homemade meals from organic whole foods then you may need to consider adding some salt to your diet. I highly recommend tracking your salt consumption (and your potassium) for a period of time to ensure that your intake is adequate.

Some Published articles that contributed to the content of this blog post:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/21/eating-half-the-recommended-amount-of-salt-per-day-could-increas/

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2897%2909092-2/fulltext

http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/899663

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21735439

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12535503

http://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(10)00329-X/abstract

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/34/3/703.full

Disclaimer: This blog post is based solely on my personal opinion derived from my own research and study.  I encourage everyone to do their own research/study and come to their own best conclusions.

A Little Piece of My Heart is Moving and I Choose Joy!

One week from today a little piece of my heart is moving to Colorado...

Life is full of many surprises and recently we received another surprise!  My daughter and son in law announced that they are moving their family to Colorado.  Oh my heart…

The news brought shock, many tears, and even anger.  I had to process all these emotions while doing my best to be supportive and excited for them. After all, that’s what Gigi's do, right? I had envisioned my life to be full of them on a daily basis; playing with my granddaughter, sharing meals, running past their house everyday, and enjoying the last two years of my youngest daughter's high school activities, together.  What would my days be like now? 

I know I’m not the first parent who has had to watch their children and grandchildren move away.  My own mother had to watch her children and grandchildren move out of state and I really had no idea how hard this must have been on her; now I do.  Having a grandchild changes you in ways I will never be able to explain. I think all the grandparents out there would especially agree that having a grandchild move away can really pull on your heart strings. 

So with a heavy heart I knew that I needed to pray and offer this up to the Lord.  Honestly, I wanted to pray for their house not to sell or for them to change their minds, but I knew that my simple prayer had to be, "Lord, help me to find peace in this situation and change my heart where it needs to be changed. Bless Kristin & Sam as they embark on this new adventure, and whatever happens... let it bring glory to you."

I continued to struggle and pray.  It wasn’t long before I heard in my heart, “be more open.”  I knew exactly what this meant and I knew that the Lord was reminding me of my own mantra that I have been working so hard on this past year, “be more open and be present.”  Ugh...really?  That's the answer to my prayer?  I didn't want to be open about my precious family moving away.

In obedience I began asking myself, over and over again, how I could “be more open” about this?  Along with the tears, the answers came… I soon realized that the close proximity that I have had with them has been a true blessing full of memories that I should cherish and be nothing but grateful for. I realized that this is an opportunity for their family and our family to make more memories here in Texas and in Colorado.  I realized that they are following their dreams and embarking on a new adventure and I get to have a part in it by cheering them on and praying for them.  I realized that the time we will now spend together will be more meaningful.  I realized that the anticipation of seeing them again will be full of joy and surprise.  I realized that when they visit us, I get to go to sleep and wake up with them in my home, cook for them, and plan wonderful things to do. I realized that I get to take several trips to Colorado every year and explore and experience new things.  Finally, I realized that the little piece of my heart that is moving to Colorado belongs to Him and I am here to simply pray for and love on them, wherever He leads them. 

It has all happened so fast.  The real estate market in Texas has been good and we knew that their house would sell quickly, and it did. Everything is lined up, things have seamlessly fallen into place, and in one week I will kiss them goodbye and watch them pull away in a moving truck.  Yes, I will miss seeing them daily, borrowing coffee beans, showing up whenever I wanted to,  but I can guarantee you that when I do get to see them, I will be present, more open, and appreciative of the time we do have. 

You never know what twists and turns that life will bring,  but if we allow ourselves to "be more open," it can be quite an adventure.  

Oh my heart...

Love, Gigi

Stinging Nettle Infusion - Mineral Load

What are Stinging Nettles?

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is an herb that has a long medicinal history. Stinging Nettle has fine hairs on the leaves and stems that contain very irritating (stinging) chemicals which are released when it comes in contact with the skin.  I remember hiking to the river as a young girl and getting stung by these powerful plants.  Although this plant has stinging hairs, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate.  It is also used for urinary tract infections, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or in compresses or creams for treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis, and insect bites.

What are the benefits of stinging nettle?

A surprisingly nutrient dense herb, nettles provide an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, chlorophyll, beta carotene, phosphorous, zinc, chromium, B vitamins, chlorophyll and other trace minerals including selenium, silicon and manganese. The high concentration of minerals supports the building of strong bones, muscles, teeth, nervous system; as well as hormones, kidney, adrenal and immune systems. The anecdotal testimonies of improved health and well-being from adding herbal infusions to a healing protocol or a healthy lifestyle, are numerous. 

How do I consume Stinging Nettle?

Many harvesters of stinging nettle consume nettle just like spinach and add the leaves into a stir fry. You will have to take caution (wear gloves) when harvesting and preparing them, but once cooked the ability to sting is gone and you have a delicious and nutrient dense powerhouse to add to your meal plan.  Stinging nettle is also available as dried leaf, freeze-dried leaf, extract, capsules, tablets, and as root tincture (a solution of the herb in alcohol), juice, or tea.  I prefer to consume this powerhouse weed, as some call it, by making an infusion.  An infusion is simply a process of soaking the leaves in filtered water.  

Here's how:

• Boil 1 quart of filtered water

• Place 1 ounce of dried organic stinging nettle in the bottom of a glass quart sized jar.  See below for where to purchase dried stinging nettle.

• Pour boiling water over the stinging nettle until the jar is full.  You can place a butter knife across the top of the jar to help diffuse the heat and avoid breaking the jar.

• Let steep for 4-8 hours. Some prefer to let it sit overnight.

• Strain the nettle from the infusion and enjoy.  

• Place your used nettles in your compost bin!

• I prefer to drink my nettle infusion cold so I store in the refrigerator immediately.  

• You can store the infusion for up to 72 hours, if refrigerated.  What you are unable to consume you can use to water your house plants.  They will love the minerals, too!

• I consume approximately 3-4 six ounce glasses per nettle infusions, per week.

Are there any considerations or precautions?

The use of herbs has been around for thousands of years and has been a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and fighting disease.  However, just like prescription medication and supplements, herbs can trigger side effects, and also may negatively interact with other herbs, supplements or medications.  You should always take herbs, supplements and medications with care and discuss your herb, supplement and medication routine with your health care provider. 

Resources:

Where to buy Stinging Nettle

Rose Mountain Herbs

Star West Organic Botanicals

Additional Reading on the benefits of Stinging Nettles

http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/stinging-nettle

http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=107&pid=33&gid=000275

Are you getting enough Potassium?

Potassium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body. This mineral has an extensive affect on the functioning of our cells, muscle contraction, nerves, energy metabolism, to name a few. Potassium is known as an electrolyte, and this helps to maintain a healthy balance of fluids in the body. This amazing mineral also helps regulate waste removal, and helps reduce blood pressure in hypertension lowering the risk of stroke.  

Signs of Potassium Deficiency

Potassium deficiency is not uncommon, but is under diagnosed. Potassium deficiency can lead to the following conditions: Excessive Thirst, Irregular Heartbeat, Insomnia, Fatigue, Depression, Dry Skin, Salt Retention, Muscle Weakness, Dizziness, Constipation, Arrhythmia's, Aches & Pains, Mental Illness,  Low Energy, Skin Disorders, Elevated Cholesterol.

Can I get to much Potassium?

Typically, if too much potassium is consumed, healthy kidneys will filter it out and it will be excreted in the urine, stool or sweat. If the kidneys are not as effective at filtering, the excess levels of potassium can accumulate in the body. This condition is known as "Hyperkalemia" Early symptoms of hyperkalemia are abdominal cramps, muscle weakness and more advanced symptoms may include the inhibition of muscle regulation, and in particular heart problems.

How Can I Get More Potassium?

The recommended daily allowance is 4700 milligrams. Most people in our culture are most likely getting about 1/4 to 1/2 of that amount per day.  The best way to get more Potassium is by increasing Potassium rich foods into your diet. I highly recommend adding many of these foods/beverages from the list below and tracking your milligrams to ensure you are getting enough.

Potassium Rich Foods - aim for 4700 Milligrams per day!

Coconut Water  500-700 milligrams per serving

Lima Beans 950 milligrams per cup cooked

Banana - 400 milligrams medium

Potatoes White -  900 milligrams per cup

Potatoes Sweet- 450 milligrams per cup

Nettle Infusions - 1000 milligrams per quart (see my blog post on how to make)

Avocado- 975 milligrams per large avocado

White Beans - 700 milligrams per cup

Organic Blackstrap Molasses- 730 per Tablespoon

Beet Greens- 1300 Milligrams per cup (cooked)

Sun Dried Tomatoes - 800 milligrams per cup

Acorn Squash - 850 milligrams per cup

Spinach Greens - 830 milligrams per cup

Swiss Chard - 1000 milligrams per cup

Wild Salmon - 775 milligrams per cup

Dried Apricots and other fruits - 600 milligrams per 1/2 cup

Yogurt- 380-500 milligrams per cup

Magnesium Therapy... Why this mineral is so crucial, how to restore it, and retain it.

The mighty mineral "magnesium" has been on the front line of my mineral arsenal for about 5 years now.  I think I have learned more about this mineral than any other mineral, and I have studied most of them, in depth.  

My search for better nutrition has lead me through many different paths and I love to examine and take apart every single rock, pebble and weed along those paths.  I have listed many magnesium research references below that have helped me along the way.  I encourage you to do your own research and take charge of your own health. 

Why is magnesium so important?  

If you belong to any social media groups you have probably seen countless postings/articles on the importance of magnesium. Magnesium plays a role in all metabolic systems, and is therefore a contributing factor to nearly all major health issues. Magnesium deficiency can be blamed for conditions from heart disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, osteoporosis, to name a few.  A few signs of magnesium deficiency are calcification of arteries, high blood pressure, muscle cramps, hormone disruption, low energy...

Do you need to supplement Magnesium?  

According to statistics, you probably do.  Latest research indicates that at least 80% of western population is magnesium deficient. Considering how fast we burn through magnesium with our stressful lifestyles, prescription medications, and not so superb nutrition; it would make sense to add magnesium to your diet. My professional advice is to get tested to see how magnesium deficient you really are.  There are two types of testing that I recommend.  One is the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) and the other is a Red Blood Cell Test (RBC).  See references below for more information on these testing options. 

I know I need magnesium.  How do I know which supplementation is best? 

My first recommendation is to plan your daily nutrition to include more magnesium rich foods. See my blog post on how to get more magnesium into your daily diet.  Magnesium rich foods usually come with the co-factors needed for your body to assimilate, if your digestion is in good working order.  Many experts believe that our soils have been depleted of many rich minerals so it is difficult to obtain Magnesium from our foods.

Secondly, I personally recommend beginning a transdermal magnesium routine, daily.  Our skin loves to absorb magnesium and this is a great way to supplement and to avoid the many interruptions of the digestive system.  Magnesium Oil is made from Magnesium Chloride which is a great source of magnesium for replenishing and restoring.  I personally make my own magnesium oil spray and will teach you how in a future blog post, or for those of you who prefer to purchase it, you can visit our Wise Oils Body Care store here on this site. We also have magnesium cream for those who like an additional boost.  I use the cream over the transdermal oil.  Many of our products have magnesium as an ingredient, we do that on purpose.  

Thirdly, I recommend taking magnesium chloride (great for transdermal absorption) baths two (2x) per week and an Epsom (Magnesium Sulfate) bath one time per week.  Magnesium bath recipe: 1 cup of magnesium chloride or 1 ounce of magnesium oil, 1/2 cup of baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon of boron (borax).  The baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and boron are co-factors that will aid in absorption. Water temperature should be hot as you can manage and try to stay in for at least 20 minutes.  Make sure you hydrate before and after these baths.  Coconut water (potassium) would be a great choice. Enjoy those baths! 

Lastly, if an oral supplementation is needed, I recommend magnesium malate SRT from Jigsaw. This supplement has the needed co-factors needed for optimal absorption and assimilation, and many of my clients have had great success with it.  Below is a list of various types of magnesium and their reported "best" uses according to the research of one of my Magnesium Research Mentors, Morley Robbins.

Good all around Mg: Malate, Glycinate, Chloride & Epsom Salts. 
Brain: most forms will cross the blood brain barrier, but Orotate is especially good for Multiple Sclerosis based on Hans Nieper, MD’s research
Heart: Malate, Taurate
Stomach: Milk of Magnesia is great for upset stomachs, and works far better than the popular ant-acids or Rx meds, most of whom have “Black Box” warnings re severe Magnesium loss… hmmmm.
Intestine: Citrate & Lactate have great affinity for the bowel, but you can get too much of a good thing…
Joints: again, general Mg works great, but MgCl oil & MgMSM are fantastic for spot issues, as well as overall Mg restoring…

Are there any considerations to beginning Magnesium Therapy?

I personally would not hesitate to increase my magnesium through magnesium rich foods and transdermal oils, but Magnesium is an electrolyte and it's important that we keep electrolytes in balance.  So many people embark on a singular magnesium protocol without consideration for the electrolyte sisters: calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphate and chloride.  These electrolytes work in unison and taking magnesium without paying attention to the other electrolytes can lead to other problems. I have known many to feel worse after supplementing with magnesium, given the fact that the abundance of magnesium can deplete potassium and sodium chloride.  Although calcium is an electrolyte, it is very ample in our western diets and I have found it rarely to be a problem when supplementing with Magnesium.  I do recommend paying special attention to potassium and some attention to sodium chloride, however.  Potassium deficiency, in my experience, can mimic magnesium deficiency with symptoms such as: nausea, muscle cramps, dizziness, fatigue, etc.  The simplest way to ensure that you are getting enough potassium is to shoot for the recommended daily allowance of 4700 milligrams per day!  Have you ever monitored your potassium intake?   4700 milligrams is not easy to get with our western diets and even with a healthy diet, it can be difficult.  See my blog post for ideas on how to get more potassium in your diet.  As for sodium and chloride, I would recommend adding ample amounts of healthy salts to your diets. Healthy salts such as celtic salt, sea salt and well-sourced himalayan salts.   Try to avoid the unhealthy table salts, if at all possible.

What is your magnesium therapy routine?

When I embarked on the magnesium protocol I was using magnesium transdermal spray for 4 months and when I was tested my levels,  my HTMA showed a great balance of magnesium to calcium; yet my RBC tested a little below optimum so I began supplementing with Jigsaw magnesium malate for about 6 months. I am now on a maintenance therapy of: eating plenty of magnesium rich foods (I make a point of it), using transdermal magnesium oil 1X per day (about 25 pumps), using magnesium cream before bed, taking two (2) magnesium chloride baths, with co-factors, per week.  With this protocol I have been able to maintain optimal levels.  If I have added stress in my life, I simply up the transdermal spray to 2x per day for a short period of time. To ensure that I am getting enough potassium and sodium, I track my daily potassium intake by milligrams, I am generous with healthy salts in my food and I include a pinch of healthy salt in 8 ounces of water, 1x per day.  I also use mineral drops in the family water jug to get additional minerals in my diet. 

Here's to Mighty Minerals!

Magnesium References:

http://www.gotmag.org    

http://drcarolyndean.com/magnesium_miracle/

HTMA testing: 

RBC Magnesium testing:  

Jigsaw Magnesium Malate Supplement

Rose Hip Vinaigrette

Like many of you, I look into my pantry on a daily basis and I wonder what I can make with all these wonderful ingredients that will give me great nutrition and flavor.  Today when I peered into my pantry I saw the Rose Hips starring at me, begging me to create something.  I have made Rose Hip Spread many times and wondered what else these SUPERFOOD seeds could create.  My first thought was, "what do I need?"  Vinaigrette popped into my head and I began a simple creation. It turned out so flavorful and this recipe leaves so much room for creativity based upon flavor preference. The best part...it's so nutritious!

Benefits of Rose Hip Seeds

A Rose Hip is the fruit  or seed pod of the rose plant.  Some reports claim that wild varieties have the highest concentration of Vitamin C, with some estimates reporting 30-50 times the Vitamin C of oranges.  Rose Hip, also known as Rose Hep is so packed with nutrients that I consider it a SUPER FOOD!  Known for it's Vitamin C content, Rose Hip also contain vitamins A, B-3, D and E as well as bioflavonoids, citric acid, flavonoids, fructose, malic acid, tannins and zinc.  Because Rose Hips contain a variety of antioxidant; carotenoids, flavonoids, polphenols, leucanthocyanins and catechins, Rose Hips are considered to be a good cancer preventative and the natural pectin found in Rose Hips is beneficial for gut health.

Rose Hip Vinaigrette Ingredients

1/4 Cup of Seedless Rose Hip Seeds (you can find online.  I buy mine at Natural Grocers)

1 Cup of Filtered Water (I use the Berkey Filter)

1/4 -1/2 Cup of Raw Coconut Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar (I Coconut Secret Raw Coconut Vinegar and Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar).  The benefits of Raw Coconut Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar deserve a separate post!

Fresh grown Rosemary (or any other herb of your choice- I grow my own)

Fresh grown Thyme (or any other herb of your choice - I grow my own))

Juice of 1 fresh organic lemon

Options

For those of you who like and Oil & Vinegar dressing...you can add Olive Oil to this recipe

Be creative with your herbs and flavoring - try dill, basil, cilantro...)

Instructions:

Simmer Rose Hip Seeds and Water (with lid) for approximately 30 minutes.  Set aside to cool.

Drain Rose Hip Water into a large class bowl or measuring cup and mush as much juice out of the Rose Hip Seeds are you can.  You can use a fine mesh stainless steel strainer or cheesecloth to get the most out of those simmered seeds.  (Put the seeds aside and make some Rose Hip Spread!)

Pour Rose Hip juice and remaining ingredients into a quart size mason jar (or jar of your choice). Shake well and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks!  

Enjoy!

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