What to Pack for a Natural Hospital Birth

Packing a hospital bag for birth can actually be super fun because it makes you realized that THIS IS HAPPENING. Even if you're planning a home birth it's good to have one of these on the ready. My bag is super no-frills because I know if there's anything extra I need or if something goes awry, someone will be able to pop over to my house and pick it up. The joys of living five minutes from my city's birthing hospital.

If you already know that you'll be in hospital for an extended stay, throw in more clothes, any hair and makeup stuff you might need, and a few sanitary pads.

1. Stuff for mama

I already know I'll have my phone on me no matter where we are. Just a given. Heck, I bring my phone in the bathroom with me when I shower. (You know, just in case there's a break in and I need to call 9-1-1 from the locked room!) This means I have insta-access to anyone I want to text, and some music. I suppose headphones would be a good idea, but hey - if you don't want to listen to my house, get out of my birthing room. I pack a tank top because I want to be comfortable but covered up enough that I can share my photos with my male friends. I choose one that can get a little wet if I don't pull it up high enough in the tub. I also pack shorts for if I decide to go for a little walk, or for if my dad decides to come say hi in the birthing room and I don't want to be butt-naked. The new undies, tights and sweater are for after, once I've showered and am ready to go home.

2. Stuff for babe

I'll have to go through the things I've saved of Oliver's and pick a suitable newborn outfit to bring along. Sorry babe - you'll be wearing a lot of hand-me-downs. I will also pack a hat. We'll need a thin blanket for swaddling and a thick warm one for placing over baby in the car seat between the hospital and the warm car. And of course a little pouch of newborn diapers and wipes.

3. Practical items

First and foremost, the only item that you will require if you want to take your baby home: a newborn car seat. I arrived at the hospital, for Oliver's birth, without it installed, so my dad and Cal's dad had the daunting task of doing that and they still laugh about it. Of course the most important item of all: your health insurance card! I have my number memorized in case I ever forget at appointments but likely in the moment my memory will be playing second fiddle to my birth-focus. I'll also bring a copy of my birth wish list - it's not too extensive this time but worth having around. Iphone photos are great but I'm definitely going to pack my digital camera for higher quality images and some video. Now I just need to make sure I charge it! Lastly, a stash of easy snacks and drinks.
I recommend:

• a tetra pack of coconut water (or a glass jar of homemade Labourade, see recipe)
• whole grain granola/ trail mix bars
• a pouch of all-natural fruit snacks (like the ones at Starbucks)
• brown rice crackers
• fruit leather
• kale chips
• unsweetened applesauce
• homemade all-natural sports "gel" (blend a few dates with agave nectar, sea salt and lemon zest!)
  
   

And that's that! Throw it all in a bag and let your partner or doula know where to find it when the time comes.

4 dates (I used dried dates, soaked for a few hours)
1/2 cup raw agave nectar
1 Tbsp lime zest
2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp dulse (I skipped this, since I didn’t have it)
Sea salt to taste
- See more at: http://www.nomeatathlete.com/thrive-energy-gel-recipe/#sthash.HRafLo6b.dpuf

Natural Deoderant: GUEST POST from Jenn Daniel

Hello to all of Amy’s lovely readers! One of my favorite subjects to talk about while working at LUSH and a subject not many want to talk about is our armpits. Ok, maybe not armpits but rather what we slap on them. There has been an interesting misconception about us that deodorant brands and commercials would like us to believe: that we shouldn’t sweat. So they give us antiperspirant that will apparently give us the armpits of runners and nervous speakers that are dryer than the sands of a desert. I hate to break it to you all but we are meant to sweat!! Our bodies have an amazing ability to keep what we need to survive and get rid of all the bad we don’t need. One of these amazing ways is by sweating out through our pores, which include the pores in our armpits. One of the worst parts about antiperspirants is that when we stop our sweat the pores start to clog and when the pores are clogged our bodies think something is wrong. The reaction is our bodies begin to overproduce and then the very common body odor begins to also overproduce.

Bit of a side trail here but it is another misconception about us that I would love to see stop…call me a hippy but our natural body odor is not some sort of terrible stench that will cause everyone to run from us! Body odor (the untainted-by-perfumes body odor) has been linked to knowing each other, recognizing mothers and fathers as babies, and attracting the opposite sex! In our culture we get so obsessed with changing and covering our smell that we end up doing the very opposite. Granted diet and exercise has a lot to do with our body odor but starting with deodorant (or adding it on to a life style change) will add to making us more naturally healthy.

Switching from antiperspirant to a more natural alternative may seem tricky but it really is not hard at all. What I always suggest is first find the deodorant that best fits you and your lifestyle. Then give yourself around a week to allow your body to make the switch. I don’t mean take a week off work, lock yourself in a room where no one can smell you, and eventually you can merge as a good smelling person…I mean your body can take around a week to detoxify and get all those antiperspirants out of your armpits. The way I helped this smelly time was by keeping my deodorant with me and, half way through the day, threw some more on my armpits! Some of the days I went to the bathroom and straight up washed my armpits after washing my hands. (I also had the opportunity to tell people what I was doing. Interesting conversations can start by washing your armpits!) It took about 5 days when I noticed I didn’t smell but every person and situation is different so it can take more or less time. Oh! And yes you did read that last part correctly…I didn’t smell! Once again every person is different but you will notice a huge change in your armpits! Wearing deodorant once or twice a week is amazing so I really urge you to try this out!

Now that we have that part done the smelly part begins! The good smelling part! Picking your natural deodorant is also not hard (Sorry I’m about to name drop) and LUSH it a great option for figuring out which one is best. (I want to add a little disclaimer at this point. I have been using LUSH deodorant for a very long time, long before I worked there so no, this is not me selling hahahaha) Many people see LUSH as the soap shop, which we have, but among so much else there is an amazing selection of more natural deodorants. LUSH deodorants have no antiperspirants, no aluminum (which is linked to Alzheimer’s and brain disorders), a few are packaging free, all are either vegetarian or vegan, and all animal testing free!

There are five different types of deodorants:

“Aromaco” came from the idea of a roll on deodorant, which you can definitely feel with how soft and gentle it is! With witch hazel to naturally cleanse of bacteria and chamomile oil for soothing you won’t miss your old deodorant. They also threw in patchouli oil for a great smell and even more soothing properties!



“T’eo” is a strong working deodorant for any and all strong jobs. Full of antibacterial oil’s like tea tree and juniper berry and with a kick of lemongrass for a natural deodorizer you can see why it kicks butt!


“Coconut” gives away its greatness with the name alone. Coconut is in four different forms in here and lots of cornstarch to absorb sweaty moments. You wont be afraid to lift your arms and show off your music video armpits!


“The Greeench” (yes it does have three E’s in it) has every smell-busting herb in it! The use of thyme and rosemary to power through any bad smell and tea tree that will kill any bad bacteria lingering in your pits. Using baking soda to suck anything up this deodorant makes you smell like a forest Nymph in from the garden…. yes please!


“The Guv’ner” to combat any smelly guys worst, well, smell! LUSH filled it up with sweat absorbing charcoal, sage to clear out bad odor, and the earthiest scent to make freshness top priority! The idea behind The Guv’ner was for the gents but ladies if you love earthy scents (like myself) make sure you give this one a try!

Go out, ask questions, and find the deodorant that is awesome for you! Any LUSH shop employee will be happy to help you in your search and answer questions you have. Don’t be afraid to branch out from chain stores and see what can work for you. If you are anything like myself and other converts, you will be the better for it! Swing by the LUSH shop in London’s White Oaks Mall and tell me how your deodorant journey is going!   


Jenn Daniel is a sweet smelling natural beauty, guitar genius, and photographer extraordinaire.

All-Natural Twig Toothbrush

I have blogged in the past about an eco-friendly toothbrush.

But this next development is on a whole new level.

I got to thinking about how we brush our teeth. Clearly, thousands of years ago they didn't have little plastic sticks with fancy bristles that cleaned their teeth, so how did they do it? 

If you read my blog much you'll know I am obsessed with doing things the way they used to be done in times long ago.

Well, what people did was use teeth-cleaning twigs. This simple device is the root of any number of plans (potentially tea tree, neem, cinnamon or sassafras, but the most common is from the Araak tree in the Middle East), with the end chewed up a bit to make a bristle-like effect. 

It is an incredible money-saver and planet-saver and guess what - it works better than a toothbrush - all you have to do is gently chew on it.

The studies show: it is more effective than conventional brushing at reducing plaque and gingivitis provided it is used with proper instructions. (Oral Health and Preventative Dentistry, 2003.) It is now considered the best tool to promote good oral hygiene. It prevents the formation of cavities and plaque and makes teeth whiter and enamel stronger. If used regularly it can even remove stains from smoking, tea, coffee and red wine.

It also:

• doesn't require toothpaste
• fights bacteria naturally
• freshens breath naturally
• costs almost nothing
• is environmentally-friendly (no packaging, no plastic, biodegradable)
• requires almost no upkeep (moisten if dry, replace every few weeks)
• is part of a self-sufficient lifestyle

Well, recently I got my own all-natural twig toothbrush from http://www.naturaltoothbrush.com/ and here is a list of why you should buy one, taken straight from their website:

1.) Only $1.95 per brush and only $0.95 shipping. Get FREE Shipping if you order 7+ brushes!
2.) Scientific study proves that its better than a conventional toothbrush.
3.) A natural, easy way to help smokers quit smoking.
4.) Great for travel, outdoors, and camping - no toothpaste required.
5.) Contains nutrients and minerals that are essential to good oral hygiene.
 -- These are: fluorine, silicon, vitamin C, sulphur, salvadorine, trimethylamine, potassium, sodium, chloride, sodium bicarbonate, calcium oxide.
6.) A natural way to whiten stains, remove stains, prevent plaque, and cavities.
7.) 100% natural, eco-friendly, vegan-friendly, and biodegradable.

In Middle Eastern culture the twig toothbrush is called Miswak and has thousands of years of proven effectiveness.  Check out these awesome testimonials from major magazines and professionals:
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You will love using the twig toothbrush. The little "brushes" massage your teeth and gums and to use more just peel back another layer and start again. 

Here's mine:

I seriously suggest you order one today! If you do, let them know My Idea of Happiness sent you. If I get enough interest I'll consider doing a bulk order for you guys!

How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally

I wrote a while back about making eco-friendly playdough with natural dyes. With Easter on its way, I thought I'd share about how to do the same with Easter Eggs.

This is not my picture! But it's cute, ain't it? kombuchakamp.com

Start with a boiled egg. Some people will also use the emptying method where you poke a needle hole in the top and bottom and blow the innards out. That works too, just make sure you wash the egg shell!

Then, the idea is to boil natural vegetables, etc. in a vinegar-water solution to create a natural dye.

First, choose what you'll use. Here's the awesome list from kombuchakamp.com (who inspired me to write this post!) -

Lavender

Small Amount of Purple Grape Juice + water Violet Flowers + 2 tsp Lemon Juice Hibiscus (~10-15 min only)

Violet Blue

Violet Flowers (no lemon juice) Red Onion Skins (B) Red Wine

Blue

Canned Blueberries Large Amount of Purple Grape Juice (~10 min) Red Cabbage Leaves (B)

Green

Large Amount of Spinach Leaves (B ~1hr) Fresh Basil (B)

Greenish Yellow

Yellow Delicious Apple Peels (B) Fresh Parsley (B)

Yellow

Chamomile (~10-20 min) Orange or Lemon Peels (B) Celery Seed (B) Ground Cumin (B) Ground Turmeric (B) Carrot Tops (B)

Golden Brown

Dill Seeds Jasmine Green Tea (~10-15 min)

Brown

Strong or Instant Coffee Black Walnut Shells (B) Darjeeling Black Tea (~10 min)

Orange

Yellow Onion Skins (B) Carrots (B ~1 hr) Paprika (~10 min) Chili Powder

Pink

Red Grape Juice Fresh Cranberries / Cranberry Juice Raspberries Beets/Juice from jar of Pickled Beets (~10-15min)

Red

Lots of Red Onions Skins (B ~30-45min) Canned Cherries with Juice Pomegranate Juice Raspberries

Place the item(s) you choose in a pot of water (2-3 cups) and boil. Some of the items give a recommended time, but in general about 20 minutes will do. You will see the colour leeching into the water.

Then strain it into a jar and add 2-3 Tablespoons of vinegar. 

There you have it! Natural dye!

To use, just dip the washed, rinsed and cooled egg in with a spoon. Soak it until it takes on the amount of colour you want (anywhere from a few seconds to overnight). 

Then take a photo and show me your skills!

The Green Moms' Medicine Cabinet

The Natural Mama does not have the conventional fever reducers, Polysporin, and antibiotics to go to when problems arise. I've compiled this list of things that I keep on hand to show you that there are tons of all-natural alternatives to keep your family healthy!


The first thing I always keep with me is Alcohol-free Sanitizer by Cleanwell. This is perfect to spray or wipe on cuts and scraps so that they don't get infected. Also a great way to prevent illness is the first place is to use these products before eating when you're out of the house. It's a quick alternative to hand washing and we all know that's a great method to ward off colds and flues. I have a pump at home by Oliver's change table, a spray bottle in my purse, and individually-wrapped wipes in various places around the house and car. They use oil of oregano & thyme to kill germs naturally with no toxic chemicals, no alcohol, no chlorine, and is gentle on skin. They don't test on animals - love it. (If you're looking for an excellent alternative to traditional alcohol sanitizer in your child's school, in a hospital setting, a day care, a church, whatever, CleanWell offers Business systems too.)

My next Medicine Cabinet secret is Tea Tree Oil (by Now). It's main function is antimicrobial, specifically against fungus. Many foot related issues are easily treated by tea tree oil. It's also great as a lice treatment. I keep a 4oz bottle inside my bandaid container and I dab a drop onto every bandaid that I use to prevent whatever wound I'm bandaging from getting infected.

The St. Francis Herb Farm is an incredible family-run operation in Ontario that has gotten very popular. They make a product called Ear Oil that treats ear infections and I keep a bottle around just in case. I would recommend anything they produce - everything is freshly-used, organically-grown and wild-crafted. They also make a killer coconut oil-butter ghee combo AND an amazing goat milk mineral powder.

I also keep pretty much most of the Homeocan 0-9 Kids homepathic line. At all times their Fever/Pain Reducer, their Cold/Cough formula, their Flu remedy, and the Teething one.

Lastly, I have one of those funny snot suckers on hand (which got more use when Oliver was an infant) and a kid-friendly Netti Pot which he probably doesn't love. We use a room-humidifier if needed as well.

What do you use?

Bethany's Amazing HOME BIRTH Story

A major theme I'm starting to see on My Idea of Happiness is natural birth. How couldn't it be? I'm obsessed. (You can read my story here.)

I want to share the incredible story of how one of my very best friends gave birth, at home in a tub, to her precious daughter.

 

Here is Bethany's story.


Read more »

MAKEUP CHALLENGE VIDEO (All Natural)

Enjoy!

Eco Friendly Play Dough

Oliver likes to play with play dough. No, that's not accurate. Olives likes to reenact terrible animal slaughters and brutal war zones, using play dough. My mom tells me that my sisters and I used to make cats and dogs with it - so she crafted up a few for Oliver to play with. He grabbed each of them and squeezed them to their death, then walked the misshapen blobs up the staircase and threw them down to a second death. So, he's a boy.

If you want to buy a great all-natural play dough we love this one. Clementine also makes awesome natural crayons. They're our go to craft supply-supplier.

But if you'd like to make your own and avoid the artificial dyes that usually come along with the recipe, you should try this tutorial that was posted by awesome Mommy-blogger Mommypotamus:

Basic Play Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 teaspoons cream of tarter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup of naturally colored water (see below) OR 1 cup water and natural food coloring

Instructions: 

1. Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar in a medium-sized pot
2. Add oil and colored water and stir until ingredients are well blended.
3. Place pot on the stove over low/medium heat. Cook the dough – stirring often – until begins to pull away from the sides of the pot (about 3-5 minutes)
4. Allow the dough to cool a little and then knead for a minute or so.
5. Store in an airtight container

Or, try this gluten free version:
 
Gluten-Free Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1/2 cup non-GMO cornstarch or arrowroot powder
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 teaspoons cream of tarter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup of naturally colored water (see below) OR 1 cup water and natural food coloring

Instructions: 

1. Mix flour, cornstarch/arrowroot, salt and cream of tartar in a medium-sized pot
2. Add oil and colored water and stir until ingredients are well blended.
3. Place pot on the stove over low/medium heat. Cook the dough – stirring often – until begins to pull away from the sides of the pot (about 3-5 minutes)
4. Allow the dough to cool a little and then knead for a minute or so.
5. Store in an airtight container

And the recipes for the natural colours:

Pink

I used: 2 cups water +1 cup shredded beets for the intense pink
3 cups water, 1 cup tightly packed purple cabbage simmered for 20 minutes for the light pink
Other possibilities: cranberries/ cranberry juice, raspberries, strawberries, red grape juice or beet kvass

Yellow

I used: 2 cups water + 1 cup packed onion skins
Other possibilities: grapefruit, orange or lemon peels, carrots, chamomile tea, celery seed, green tea, saffron

Yellow/Orange

I used: 1 cup water + 3/4 tsp turmeric for the bright yellow
1 cup water + 1 ½ cups shredded carrots for the orange
Other possibilities: carrots and paprika

Blue

I used: 3 cups water + 1 cup tightly packed purple cabbage + baking soda*
Other possibilities: blueberries
* To make the cabbage water blue rather than purple, simply add small amounts of baking soda until you get a color you like!

Green

I used: 1/2 cup of spinach + 1 ½ cups of water.
Other possibilities: kale, asparagus

Purple

I think blackberries would work. You could also try mixing red and blue.

Whole foods!

There are a million, bazillion ideas out there about how to eat right. How to eat to lose weight, how to eat to clear acne, how to eat to better the planet. Everyone has their opinion and who knows whether they practice what they preach.

But ultimately, isn't the best and simplest way to chose how you'll eat is to focus on whole foods? With no emphasis on calories, food groups, serving sizes or micronutrients - just a tendency to reach for things that have been minimally processed. It's so easy.

Whole, or natural foods, come from the Earth. They were put here for us to enjoy. Their nutrients are in perfect combination, not altered like processed foods. They often come perfectly packaged (a banana in a peel), at the perfect temperature (mother's breastmilk for an infant) and perfectly filling (you'll have trouble eating a full bowl of higher-calorie ground beef, but try eating a bowl of low-calorie watermelon and you won't have much trouble!)

Eating this way is cost effective because you can purchase most whole foods at a farmers' market. I also recommend purchasing large orders of meat from a farmer so that you can become familiar with all the different cuts (Head to Tail Eating).

Whole foods are also great for the environment. They don't use the plastic packaging, factory production, and long transportation that, let's say, a Twinkie would.

If you want a fresh new look on whole foods with interesting facts about their history and biology, and with delicious tips about how to enjoy them, check out my Whole Foods series on Pinterest. I've been "borrowing" gorgeous photos, like the one above, for each whole food. Please stop by and leave a comment, or click the Ask link to post your question to me.

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New Things to Try

I've been trying so many new and wonderful things lately I just had to write a post updating you on each and every one of them! Keep in mind I am doing this under the supervision of a highly active, almost Mogli-style 8-month old that gets annoyed if I so much as glance at something other than him, so I am going to much effort to tell you about these things! (And he just smirked as he pulled a shredded hardcover Douglas Coupland novel from his mouth... cute.)

Wild Sweets Sesame-Wakame Chocolate  



The first is my Easter chocolate! My mom popped down to the health food store and had a staff member, Andy, point out whatever he thought I'd like. He hit the nail on the head: a natural chocolate bar with added sesame seeds, sea salt and wakame seaweed. So delicious! I have been savouring every square of it, attempting to combat the temptation of eating the whole bar at once, and I still have about 10% of it left so I'd say I've succeeded. Nothing beats chocolate and salt together! Good job Andy! You can find this at Quarter Master Natural Foods if you live in London, Ontario.




Boscia BB Cream
So I said that there isn't really a natural form of BB cream? I was wrong! A helpful Sephora employee kindly pointed out that Boscia mades an SPF 27 BB Cream but that I might not know about it because it is constantly sold out! She was able to slip me a sample and I'm absolutely in love with what I've tried. I can't wait to get my hands on a full size.

I will be writing more on this product in the future. For now, ask a Sephora employee if it's available in your store.

See the original post here.
See the UPDATE here.


Camino Hot Chocolate

Camino has quickly become everyone's favourite Canadian, Fair Trade, organic chocolate purveyor, fervently producing chocolate products with the highest quality ingredients and supporting family farming in South America along the way. (Okay, I can't say all that without mentioning my friend Dave's new business - Habitual Chocolate. This stuff goes beyond what you can find in a grocery store. It is artisan quality products made with ingredients that aren't just sourced ethically but personally, by Dave's many trips to producing countries. A real treat!) Camino's dark hot chocolate powder is rich and full of flavour. I like to warm milk to the perfect temperature then pseudo-froth it using a French press, for those days when starting up the espresso machine just seems like a lot for one mug of hot chocolate.

Lush BB Seaweed Fresh Face Mask

Lush never ceases to amaze me with their willingness to give out samples. Recently while killing time in a mall while other people had shopping to do (I hate shopping) I spoke with an employee long enough that she wanted me to take home some seaweed face mask. The stuff is fresh enough that you actually need to get it in the fridge within 4 hours. It smells like a basement (love it) and feels great on the skin. I can't speak for the ethics of this company, as they've come into question within the past few months, but I do know they use some nice ingredients and are hand-crafted.

Sircuit Skin Savant Vitamin-A Alternative Serum 

I've always known how great vitamin A, or retinol, can be for your skin but it's not always an option for everyone. Particularly pregnant women really need to watch how much vitamin A they are taking in, even if its not through food or internal supplements - facial products are very readily absorbed in the blood stream. Sircuit Skin Cosmeuticals has come out with an alternative serum that is formulated with botancials that act like retinol called Vita-a-like. It hydrates and smoothes but doesn't cause irritation like retinols can. It is an amazing anti-aging serum because it treats fine lines, wrinkles, photo-damage and hyper pigmentation, and it can be used for any skin type.

Sircuit Skin Cosmeceuticals

Company: Sircuit Skin Cosmeceuticals, American (California)
Product: The 7 Essentials Collection
Claims: Natural; "Chirally Correct"*; free of chemical parabens, added fillers, artificial colours and artificial fragrances; no animal testing

* Chirality is the duality of each molecule - having 2 sides - and Sircuit Skin uses this technology to ensure each ingredient is in its correct, most-active form. Attention to this detail is pretty rare in the cosmetics industry. It is a very cool feature of their products.

Ingredients: (click each product for a page listing more information, including ingredients):

• X-Trap™ | daily gentle face wash
• Molecular Mist™ | hydrating moisture care
• White Out™ | daily under eye care
• Day Care™ | protective day moisturizer
• SIRCUIT® Addict™ | firming anti-aging serum
• Cloud 9™ | intensely protective moisture creme
• Sir Activ™ | zeolite invigorating scrub. Great for all skin types

Certifications: Cruelty-free, Safe Cosmetics, Recyclable
Price: $68 for the entire collection

My review: 

The first thing I noticed about my Sircuit Skin collection was: awesome packaging! They've done a great job at branding this line with catchy names, cute boxes and practical containers. I get a good vibe from a company when I see that their products are stored in containers that don't promote bacterial growth (if you have to stick your fingers in a pot and then apply it near your eyes, it's risky - choose products with sprays or other application methods). The relative sizing was just right too: who wants a skin care regime that features a teeny tiny day cream and a giant bottle of toner when you know you'll go through the cream quicker? Considering these facts, their pronounceable ingredients and the science behind their website's information, this is a company I can trust.

Sircuit Skin uses ingredients that practically make the formulas look homemade. They are real life, wholesome ingredients that do a good job and aren't toxic. 

X-Trap is a super gentle face wash. I often come across cleansers that I consider "shower-only" which means they're so sloppy or foamy or sticky, or just won't wash off easily without residue left behind, that you need to use it only in the shower when you can really give your face a solid rinse. That's not the case with this one: I just apply a small amount to my face, give it a rub, and rinse it off easily, and the feeling after is pure refreshment. I was really excited to find a product that smells not only good, but natural. Some products smell great, but they smell fake - like a pineapple breeze hair treatment - something about it makes you leery that it's full of chemicals.

Molecular Mist is a genius product. I've had fun showing this to friends that have come over to my place. It is literally a moisturizer that sprays onto your face in a light mist. It smells great, contains natural products and it's just what my face needs. Imagine just the lightest little drink that your skin is calling for - not a heavy lotion that makes you look greasy. This I love, I want to take it with me everywhere. Day Care is somewhat of a more intense moisturizer but still very lightweight and Cloud 9 is the night-time version.

Addict is a pre-moisturizer serum that comes in a super apothecary-chic dropper bottle, almost tincture-style. You can feel it working and my skin looks amazing after a drop or two. Sir Activ is another one that makes me feel good about the look of my skin - it's a scrub that has the perfect amount of grit to remove dead skin but keep the live stuff intact. It contains zeolites which are like little minerals from volcanoes that act as cages to pull pollutants and toxins from your skin. Probably the easiest detox I've ever done!

Lastly, my favourite, White Out: an under eye lightening treatment. There truly are so many brilliant things in natural to help with under eye darkness and puffiness, but we so quickly go to super-chemical-laden solutions because it is such an annoying problem. White Out uses certain nutrients to reduce inflammation (very logical!), others that disperse light (high-tech!), detoxify and protect against future toxins (so smart!), heal and firm the skin (why didn't I think of that!), and boost collagen production to yield that smooth, young look (outright brilliant!). As a girl who deals with the problem of dark under eye circles, who doesn't want to resort to icky drugstore products - I'm so happy White Out is around.

One of their very helpful reps also sent me this lip balm - Mangilla - to check out. Though good natural lip balms are pretty easy to find these days, I'm always on the look out for one with the right consistency. So many of them are too hard (during cold weather especially) and nearly the rest of them are too soft (requiring you to constantly ask friends if you have anything on your lips), but this one delivers that smooth, not-too-soft, not-too-hard texture that I'm always hunting for. Thank you Sircuit Skin Cosmeceuticals - you make amazing natural products!

Wellness Wednesday: How to Fight the Flu ... Naturally!

Let's get down to it right away. The flu is out there and you don't want to catch it. Here's what you can do, naturally, to fight it:

• Vitamin C - research is inconsistent regarding the effectiveness of vitamin C to shorten the duration of a cold, but most of the studies are in agreement when it comes to its ability to prevent catching a cold in groups under stress (the actual study I'm referring to was done on marathon runners). I love the dissolvable packets of Emergen-C that taste great and contain 1000mg of vitamin C.
• Vitamin D - a study by Nature Immunology discovered that T-cells (white blood cells involved with immune response) will extend a receptor, looking for vitamin D, when they encounter a pathogen, and it isn't until the T-cell receives vitamin D that it can be activated and fight the pathogen. You can find it in fish, eggs and fortified products (like milk) or simply bare some skin and get sun exposure. I take Now Vitamin D 1000 IU chewables and I give Oliver the liquid Baby D Drops, 400 IU.
• Probiotics - there's nothing like good bacteria to fight off bad bacteria. If you're the type that is constantly sick you may be in a state of good bacteria deficiency. I recommend a probiotic that is enteric-coated, refrigerated, and contains multiple strains of bacteria. Renew Life makes a great one with 50 billion CFU (colony forming units - a way to measure bacteria).
• Oil of oregano - a great little liquid extract to have in the house, it is anti-microbial so beyond fighting infection, it can sanitize your toothbrush, clean out a yucky wound, and add fighting power to your homemade countertop cleaner. Place 3 drops under your tongue (really, on your tongue is not going to taste pretty), allow to absorb for 30 seconds, then wash down with a glass of water.
• Netti pot - Many bugs going around have incubation periods, meaning they enter your body and then take a bit of time to actually infect you and begin producing symptoms. Flushing your nasal passages may rid you of a bug before it sets in. Do it every few days for best results. Each model is different in its instructions but you basically flush a saline solution up each nostril and allow to drain out. See below for my saline solution recipe.
• Echinacea - a prominent researcher, analyzing years of studies, concluded that taking echinacea cuts your risk of catching a cold by more than half, and reduces its duration by 1.4 days on average. Try an alcohol-based tincture or look for immune products that contain it. Because it is a product thats effectiveness is very much based on its quality, make sure to buy a reputable brand. I recommend A. Vogel: one of the single greatest supplement companies in the world.
• Zinc - a zinc-deficiency is probably the leading cause of immune dysfunction. T-cells cannot function without this mineral. You can find zinc in a variety of lozenges.
• Homeopathic "Influenzium" - this preparation is available as a liquid that can be taken (away from food and drink) to essentially immunize you from current flu viruses. Make sure the product you purchase is current or else it will contain ingredients not specific to this year's flus.

What might be causing you to be prone to illness? Here are some things that depress your immune system or promote the spread of illness, that you may want to consider addressing:

• Lack of sleep and high caffeine intake can cause adrenal fatigue
• Poor sanitation skills
• Over-sanitation (using chemical cleaners, alcohol hand sprays and constant antibiotics creates an overly "clean" environment which is just as risky)

And what about when it's already hit? Here are some nice remedies:

• Slippery elm is excellent for a sore throat, pick up a pack of the lozenges for instant relief
• "Oscillococcinum" is a homeopathic flu remedy that wows me every time I hear of its miraculous effectiveness
• Elderberry syrup is a delicious remedy that actually severs the flu molecule's ability to attach onto healthy cells
• Umcka Coldcare - anything from this line is pure magic and I have no idea how to explain the mechanism by which it works - just trust me

How to make your own saline solution for a netti pot:

Boil water in a kettle, then measure out 8 oz. Stir in 1/4 tsp salt (table will work, Himalaya is better) and 1/4 tsp baking soda. Allow to dissolve, then cool. Slightly warm water is most pleasant for using a netti pot.

How to Take Homeopathic Medicine

1. Choose the right remedy and the right potency. A low potency (30c) is recommended when you're starting out - it is effective on a wider range of symptoms. Higher potencies are more specific and you'll need to be sure you have the exact one, which requires the help of a homeopath.

Check out this comprehensive list of remedies by symptom.

2. Transport them home, and store them, safely. Keep your remedies away from electromagnetic fields (laptops, cell phones). When you take them, pop them directly from the package to your mouth, don't touch them.

3. Dissolve 3 pellets under your tongue, at least half an hour after eating or drinking (other than water). Wait another half hour til eating/drinking again. The worst things for decreasing a remedy's effectiveness are strong flavours - think coffee, peppermint, etc. Some toothpastes are available mint-free for this very reason.

4. You can take this dose every hour for an acute case. On a regular basis 3 times a day is enough.

5. Stop taking the remedy when you feel better.

The Mighty, Mighty Diva Cup

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that a good portion of my readers are female. Of those female readers, we must have a few menstruaters out there. Well, this post's for you!


I recently read on Alicia Silverstone's vegan blog that: “According to waste consultant Franklin Associates, 6.5 billion tampons and 13.5 billion sanitary pads, plus their packaging, ended up in landfills or sewer systems in 1998. And according to the Center for Marine Conservation, over 170,000 tampon applicators were collected along U.S. coastal areas between 1998 and 1999.”  


It seems a little bit unavoidable, right? Like what are we supposed to do, spend our fertile years constantly pregnant? Or live bare-bottomed in a lake for 5 to 7 days every month? I mean - we need a solution.

Enter the menstrual cup: a latex or silicone based "cup" that you insert to "collect" and then discard anything that may be leaking from you during your "moon cycles". It's not a new idea. They started producing these in the 30's, some say as a research method of collecting... well, anyways you get the picture. They've recently become a lot more popular with the increased awareness of environmental issues, as well as new research showing that the chlorine contained in conventional pads and tampons is potentially toxic. There are a number of brands of this menstrual cup idea, but the one I'm familiar with is the Diva Cup. It comes in 2 sizes (before childbirth and after, basically) and can last up to ten years. It costs about $30. Think of the savings!


They are simple to use. Fold the cup in half and insert, then allow to unfold. This should create a seal inside of you and can stay in there indefinitely as toxic shock syndrome is not an issue. When it's full or the next time you check it (every few hours is a good idea) you simply discard the contents in the toilet and reinsert. It's something you want to keep very clean for obvious reasons but a little hot, soapy water will do the trick. And you only need one - no more carrying around pads and tampons, packing practically a second suitcase for any period-ridden vacations. And if you're not sure if mother nature will strike today, just keep it in your purse in the handy cloth carrying case provided when you buy it.


The benefits of this system are great and I could go on all day about what a great solution is, but I imagine at least a percentage of my readers are male and by this point I've just about lost them so I will end this girly chat with Go Leafs Go!

Herbs! How to use 'em!

When  you transition further into natural health you notice (and are overjoyed to find) that there is practically an herb for every ailment. Herbs not only treat a variety of health problems, they are also a great addition to the healthy person's medicine cabinet as they promote general wellness. Most contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals and have been used for generations. Keep in mind that not all herbs are safe in all potencies and preparations. Do your research.

So how do you use herbs? There truly are a long list of ways. And here the list is, for your viewing pleasure:

Water-based herbal preparations (best made with dried herbs)
- Teas or, more accurately if true tea leaves are not being used, tisanes
Use about 1 tsp dried herb per cup of boiled water and steep for 20 minutes, then drain and drink. You can drink herbal tea hot or chilled.
- Infusions
This is like a longer-steeped tea. For roots or barks, let 1 oz of your plant soak in a 1-pint jar full of water for 8 hours. For leaves, 1 oz in 1 quart of water for 4 hours. Flowers, the same proportion as leaves but only 2 hours. And seeds, 1 oz in a pint for only 30 minutes. Remember to strain. If you are using a combination (chamomile flowers with ginger root for example) choose the shortest time. You can drink 2 cups a day for a 130 lb person. Increase by a cup/day for every 60 lbs more, or decrease by a cup/day for every 60 lbs less of body weight.
Infusions can also be used for other purposes: baths/soaks, enemas, eye washes or douches.
- Decoctions
Strain your infusion (using the instructions above) and simmer over a stove until it has reduced in volume by 1/2. Take 2 Tablespoons per day instead of 2 cups.
- Syrups
This is the same as an infusion only sugar or honey is added. Use 8 oz sugar or 4 oz honey per 8 oz fluid infusion (pre-reduction). Then boil and if you'd like add 1 oz of brandy, then strain. You can take 1 tsp per day and it should keep for 3 - 6 months.
- Fomentations
This is a piece of cloth that has been soaked in a warm infusion and applied to the body.
- Poultice
This is the actual wet herb that has been strained from any of the above preparation methods. When covered in cloth and applied to the body it is called a compress.

Spirit-based herbal preparations (best made with fresh herbs, or roots/barks)
- Tinctures
This is easily made by filling a jar with any fresh herb, then filling the dead space with pure vodka. Label and let sit for 6 weeks, then strain and use. One dose is 20 drops. Infused vodka is also a delicious treat and a fun, homemade gift. Try peppermint or cinnamon.
- Liniments
A liniment uses the same method but with rubbing alcohol and can only be used externally. (Some people use infused witch hazel, cider vinegar or a carrier oil and still call it a liniment. I'm not sure why.)
- Vinegars
Us the same instructions as making a tincture only with pure, boiling vinegar. A dose is 1 tsp per 100 lb of body weight. For a yummy salad dressing addition try making a rosemary or oregano infused vinegar.

Lastly, oil-based herbal tinctures (must be made with fresh herbs)
- Essential oils
These are not easily made at home but are widely available and can be used for many purposes.
- Infused oils
Fill a jar with fresh, unwashed herbs and fill the dead space with oil. Label and strain after sitting for 6 weeks. Think beyond medicinal use - there are many delicious culinary applications for infused oils. Keep in mind proper canning techniques if you're going to store an oil - if any water remains it will spoil quickly.
- Ointments/Salves/Balms/Butters
Prepare an herb-infused oil then heat 1 oz of it with 1 Tablespoon of hard, grated beeswax. It should cool to an appliable consistency. This is considered a salve. Decrease the amount of beeswax to yield a softer product and it's now an ointment. Add an essential oil to a carrier oil, instead of hand-infusing, and it's a balm. If you use a hard butter (cocoa, etc.) in the recipe it is considered a body butter.
- Lotions
This is the same as any of the above products only with a high content of water which needs to be incorporated using an emsulifying agent. It's usually made this way for convenience in prepared store products, so it's best to just make a salve at home.

Using these methods you can start using herbs at home for a variety of purposes!

Pregnancy Series: Natural Induction Methods

Whether you're already overdue or you're coming up to full term and want to prepare, there are some non-invasive ways of speeding baby along - or, more accurately, getting your body ready. As far as I know none of these methods will actually bring on early, unsafe labour, it will simply get you prepared for nature's right time, but to be safe make sure you tell your doctor or midwife of your plans and get their approval.

Don't try any of this before 36 weeks.

Red raspberry leaf tea: Drink 1 - 2 cups of the brew, made from about 1 tsp of loose herb, every day. You can have it hot or chilled. It is a uterine tonic and tells the womb: let's get going!

Homeopathic ez birth: Take 3 pellets at least twice a day, away from food and strong flavours (coffee, peppermint toothpaste). This works on many levels and even helps with post-birth bruising and pain.

Evening primrose oil: Swallow one 1000mg capsule per day, or insert it vaginally before you go to sleep to ripen the cervix. If you're well over-due I think you can up the dosage.

Sex: The oxytocin released from the pleasure and the prostagladins from the sperm are two of the greatest natural induction chemicals. It's also important to relax rather than stress about baby, so this might help.

Other methods include: acupuncture, eating spicy food, going for long walks and keeping upright. Ultimately staying stress-free will be your biggest asset. Baby will come and everything will be perfect so relax and enjoy the ride!