This topic is something I feel very strongly about. I'm pretty sure that we all having an opinion on chiropractors - Whether positive or negative. And unless you already have a great chiropractor, my hope is that this post will encourage you to find one soon. But before I put the cart before the horse, let me get into what exactly a chiropractor is and does. A chiropractor is a health care professional who is largely concerned with "the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mechanical disorders of the neuro-musculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health". Many chiropractors are considered a type of doctor, as they have gone to school specifically for a "Doctor of Chiropractic" [D.C.] degree. In short, chiropractors are concerned with helping people move the way we were designed to. When most people think of chiropractors, however, they think generally of back or neck pain. While chiropractors do specialize largely in back and neck issues, this is only a fraction of what they can do. Did you know that chiropractors concern themselves also with digestion, sports injuries, heart conditions, vision problems, gastrointestinal issues, breathing issues, and arthritis? I bet a number of you reading would never think to go to a chiropractor for vision problems or asthma. But a good chiropractor will make it their goal to find out what your "dysfunction" is and work towards the goal of improving, if not entirely eradicating, that issue. Let me tell you my story. When Scott and I were first married, I was having Carpal Tunnel symptoms. My right hand would go numb constantly, and sleeping was a nightmare. You know that terrible feeling you get when you wake up having slept on your arm? Yeah, well, I was having that all the time. Blowdrying my hair was a hardship, as well as typing at the computer and driving a car. Anytime my right hand was above my heart, it would reliably fall asleep. No pain, but just persistent, nagging numbness - Enough to drive someone nuts. We finally went to an orthopedist who did some tests only to confirm what I knew to be true. [Thanks, $40 co-pay] But anyway.. He said that surgery would be my best bet, and that they'd have to cut my hand open and fix it. He said people got "Carpal Tunnel surgery all the time", and that it would be no big deal. A few months of occupational therapy afterwards, and I'd be good as new. But oh, except for that pesky little "30% success rate" thing. What?! Some people would have to go back under the knife and get it done a second time. Here I was, 24, facing surgery for numbness. NUMBNESS. So I headed to the place where they made me a sleeping brace for nighttime, and booked a surgery date. I met the OT folks, and thought to myself, "There's GOT to be another way." Scott had been seeing a chiropractor for many years, and I assumed I didn't need to join him. After all, I didn't have any lower back pain or constant neck-aches like he did. Surely, I was above chiropractic care. But guess what? One day, I asked Scott's chiropractor to examine me, and he said, I quote, "You have one of the top 10% worst necks I have ever seen." What?! I was horrified. But I wasn't having any pain.. How could that be true? Turns out the numbness in my right hand was from pinched nerves in my neck. Really, it was that simple. So I started going to his chiropractor, and the numbness was no longer a nagging issue for me. Surgery avoided. Praise God! Fast forward a few years, and I'm 6 months pregnant. We had moved across country, so I no longer had a chiropractor. But as my belly grew bigger, I started to have hideous back spasms that I couldn't get away from. I remember one distinct night where I lay sobbing on the floor because my back hurt so bad. If I didn't have a baby in my belly, I would've begged Scott to jump up and down on my back. I was desperate, and needed a chiropractor. How could I have been so silly to think I shouldn't have looked for a chiropractor much sooner? I found an awesome [I mean AWESOME] chiropractor and started going to him regularly. My back spasms stopped almost immediately, and I was a new woman. Pregnancy is hard on a woman's body, so ladies especially need to make sure they're properly aligned at this critical time of life. He explained to me that proper chiropractic care can actually help avoid long labors, back labor, c-sections, et cetera. The thing is, if a woman's back and hips are out of line, sometimes the baby can't fit through the pelvis easily, which results in stalled labors and medical interventions. Makes total sense. My chiropractor adjusted me from that day to this very day. In the beginning I saw him regularly - Once or twice a week, depending on what I needed. Now, I see him only once or twice a month. It takes many years to form a dysfunction of the back, neck, etc., so solving it won't happen overnight. It may not even happen inside of a month. But if you've got a good chiropractor, and you're committed to health and proper alignment, it will happen for you. Remember when I mentioned earlier about chiropractors helping with all those medical issues? The thing is, the spine is the control center of the entire body. Each part of the spine correlates to some part of the body, and is responsible for it. Properly adjusting a particular part of the spine will increase blood flow to that part of the body, and bring down the inflammation caused by improper alignment. For example, People who suffer from IBS issues may have an issue with their L-1 through L-5, or people who have issues with heart problems may need proper maintenance of their T-1 through T-11. I had an issue with numbness in my right hand, and it turns out I had an issue with my neck, which is in the "C's", to put it simplistically. Women who suffer from menstrual issues can be adjusted in their sacral area, or very low portion of their back. Nerves are responsible for so many things in our bodies, and so it only makes sense that proper adjustment of the spine would make for healthier, well-adjusted bodies. It's even true that women who suffer from low milk-supply while breastfeeding can often get a boost from chiropractic care on their spine! But adults aren't the only ones who benefit from good chiropractors. Babies, toddlers, and teenagers should also be adjusted regularly. Growing bodies are in serious need of staying aligned so that all of the bodily processes can go smoothly. Think of how often toddlers bump around and hit the floor while learning to walk, run, etc. Being "put back in place" is awesome for a child's growth and development. Newborns who suffer from colic sometimes experience instant relief with an adjustment of their spine. Digestion is largely dictated by the spine, and colic issues are thought to be in direct link with digestion. Our toddler attends the chiropractor about once every month and a half. Elderly folk can also benefit greatly from chiropractic care, because it keeps their bodies well-oiled, which staves off stiffness. Stiffness is often the result of inflammation, but inflammation can be eradicated by proper movement and alignment. When someone spine isn't constantly reminded how to be healthy and straight, dysfunction happens. The bones in our spine, neck, etc. can actually fuse together and become terribly arthritic. Bone rubs on bone, and terrible pain occurs. It's a vicious cycle that needs to be avoided well before it happens. Getting adjusted regularly can actually help you prevent sickness, too. Removing inflammation from the body gets toxins out, and can help prevent colds and flus. Studies have been done wherein people who are adjusted regularly have a lower likelihood of sickness. And who doesn't want to be sick less? Pretty awesome. I see my chiropractor about twice a month because I do heavy lifting and lots of high-impact exercising. Weighlifting with a misaligned back is a sure-fire way to slip a disc or get an injury. It also largely alleviates the numbness in my hands that has been plaguing me for years. I control it with regular adjustments, a wrist brace during working out, and my amazing Peppermint essential oil. All for much less trouble and pain than a surgery with a "30% success rate".. Wouldn't you say? My husband gets adjusted regularly because he has a sports injury from high school that will always be a latent issue for him. His line of work also requires top shape and a properly aligned body - Which makes a strong body. My toddler gets adjusted regularly to help his bones and joints stay strong, his fussiness to a minimum, and sickness at bay. Since we all have spines, we all need good chiropractic care. If it hasn't worked for you in the past, maybe you didn't have a good chiropractor.. Or maybe you didn't stick with it long enough. Chiropractic care is considered "alternative medicine", by some, but I don't see anything lesser quality about it. I actually find it far-superior to much of the "conventional" care I've received in my life. Chiropractic care allowed me to avoid an unnecessary, potentially ineffective surgery, and the confidence to have a natural, drug-free birth outside of a hospital. My chiropractor was even amazing enough to be on call during my birth, in case I felt I needed him. Two last things I feel the need to mention: 1) Chiropractic care is a smart choice for avoiding injury and pain. Don't wait until you have constant headaches or chronic back pain before finding one. Chiropractors help you never get to that point of desperation or constant discomfort. I tell all of my fellow CrossFitters that they need to find a good chiropractor in order to safely work out with confidence. A properly aligned back will actually make you stronger! How does that sound, co-WOD'ers? Chiropractic care is preventative care. And two: 2) Pain is actually the last symptom of dysfunction. I'll quote a neat website here for this important point: "A patient’s back is often restricted or unstable for months or years before it presents as a problem and they show up in a chiropractor’s office. In addition, the absence of pain is not health. While medication may be needed, if you take a pill and the pain goes away, the dysfunction that caused it still persists. Muscle, ligament and joint injuries often occur as a result of long-term biomechanical dysfunction, sometimes from past injuries, making the area more susceptible to future injury. In short - Just because you don't feel pain doesn't mean there's nothing wrong. Case in point, my neck being in the top 10% of worst necks a chiropractor had ever seen. It was causing other issues [numbness in my hand] that I never would have attributed to my spine! Don't wait for pain to take care of yourself. See what an awesome chiropractor can do for you and your family. It's a preventative cost that will keep you healthy and moving for many years. Convinced, but think you can't afford it? Our chiropractor has a cash plan with is considerably cheaper than paying through our insurance. Go figure. $25 an adjustment is absolutely worth the osts. Ask if your chiropractor has a cash plan! This post is dedicated to my awesome chiropractor, Dr. Planck from Estramonte Chiropractic. :) To health, happiness, and good stewardship! The title says it all - This week marks 6 weeks for me without conventional shampoos and conditioners!
I wanted to give an update on how things have been going for me in the past month and a half, in regards to the baking soda/apple cider vinegar movement. Some things that I'll be sharing in this blog are trial and error, and I'll be sure to share what has worked, and what has not worked, on my journey to health. I'm honestly amazed at the response I had gotten from sharing a post on baking soda and apple cider vinegar. I expected some people to find it pretty interesting, but I did not expect so many people to get on board with it. I've actually received text messages at 11 o'clock at night saying, "It's amazing! This stuff really works!" I've also had people approach me after church and say, "My whole family has sworn off shampoo." I can't take the credit, as it was never an original idea of mine, but I'm grateful to be used in peoples' lives as they're sojourning on this road to health and good stewardship. Thanks for all the feedback! Keep it coming. :) So what do I think of baking soda/apple cider vinegar replacing shampoo and conditioner? Well, I can honestly say that it's a change I've committed to, and have been greatly pleased with the outcome. Has it solved all my problems in life? No. Has it been an awesome shift in terms of health and beauty? Yes. Without a doubt. The first time I used the BS/ACV mixture, my hair had never felt softer. [This is usually when people fall in love with it.] It was instant gratification. I was using it one for one, in place of shampoo and conditioner. Since I used to shampoo and condition my hair roughly 6 days a week, I started off with the BS/ACV roughly 5-6x a week for the first two weeks. I did this, because I refused to have greasy hair - I knew it would discourage me from staying committed. The first week, the texture of my hair noticeably changed. I went through somewhat of a "waxy" stage for a week or so, where my hair felt much stronger, and slightly waxy. I don't know how else to explain it. I didn't love it, but I liked it more than all those cursed xenoestrogens I was getting in my Herbal Essences. Although the waxiness has largely gone away, the texture of my hair has remained changed. I think that's the way it's supposed to be, when we don't strip our hair of all its oils.. As such, I've been challenged to do more things with my hair. I've started curling it a lot more, because the curls stay in longer. My "bang quiff" now stays put, in addition to any twists or braids I make. The texture of my hair used to be so fine that no amount of bobby pins or hairspray could make it do what it didn't want to do. It was SO frustrating. Even hairstylists had a hard time working with it. [This was one of the main reasons I started the BS/ACV movement, because I was tired of my hair only doing one thing. ] But last week, something strange happened. It was the fifth week of using BS/ACV, roughly 3 days a week at this point, and my hair just. looked. terrible. I had gotten out of the shower, blowdryed my hair straight [as I often do], and the frizziness was just awful. You know those Garnier Fructis commercials? The "before" shots? Yeah, that was me. There was nothing I could do. I even straightened my whole head of hair, which I've only done three other times since day one, and I had flyaways everywhere. I was really discouraged, and I thought, "What in the world?" I hadn't changed a single thing, so why such an outcome? Why was my hair such a frizzy mess? And then it dawned on me: My hair had had enough. It was literally telling me that it no longer needed so much baking soda so often. And I wasn't even using it that often! I was drying it out, and I needed to scale it back. I guess the pH in my hair had finally righted itself after making a clean break from years and years of conventional shampoo, and my hair was ready to do its own thing now without so much intervention. So you know what I did? I backed off, cut down on the baking soda, and gave my hair a break. This was last Thursday. Thursday was real real turning point for me. Friday I took a shower and washed my hair with water. Yes, just water. Saturday I used a very small amount of baking soda and apple cider vinegar, Sunday I used only water, Monday I used only water, and today I used a bar of goat's milk soap. That's it. If you had told me a year ago that I'd be able to wash, blowdry, and style my hair using only a bar of soap, I'd laugh like a maniac. There just wasn't any possibility of that. And you know what? A year ago, that would have been absolutely true - No amount of yanking or detangling would have gotten a comb through my hair with just a bar of soap. But these days, my hair is different. The texture of my hair has changed, and I'm better off. I've cut my flat-iron use by 90%, it takes me less time to shower and get ready, and my hair does what I want it to do, most of the time. Has BS/ACV given me perfect hair? No. But it has made my life easier, given me more confidence in my appearance, and kept me safe from all the chemicals in conventional shampoo and conditioner. If you've tried the BS/ACV and it just didn't work like you expected it to, try again. Was your hair too greasy? Use more baking soda. Was it frizzy? Try less. It isn't a perfect science, and everyone is different. But just like with any habit, you must give it a month before you can say it doesn't work. Two weeks in I was content to commit, but now that I'm 6 weeks in, I'm starting to see that the perks are only growing in number. I've only "washed" my hair twice this week, and I still look like a normal person. :) I've always wanted freedom from the exhausting [monotonous]task of shampooing, conditioning, blowdrying, and straightening daily - And now that freedom is mine to behold. Finally. And I have no intentions of ever going back. To health, happiness, and good stewardship! "Beware of the Plastics." - Mean Girls
This post on plastic is a big one for me for two reasons. 1) I don't actually want to dive head long into such a largely controversial topic, and 2) I've been feeling convicted about making this change and I know it won't be easy. Writing about the dangers of plastic will undoubtedly start a chain of events that eventuate in me ridding my home of said plastic. Remember that as you're [perhaps skeptically] reading this post, I, too, am reluctant to make these changes. But, "The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it." - Robert H. Schuller With that said.. Why am I writing a post on plastic? Plastic is a normal part of life, and it's all around us. It was designed to significantly decrease the amount of waste that we humans produce every day, and it truly has. It gives us a life of convenience, it can be recycled, and it's very inexpensive. Twelve combs from the dollar store for a buck? Hollaaaaa. But what if this plastic is making us sick? When I say sick, I don't mean, "maybe, someday, one day far off, could-be never, it ain't gonna happen to me", kind of sick. I'm actually telling you, with some level of educated confidence, that the collective amount of plastic in your life is making you sick. Quietly, covertly, but undoubtedly, doing something to your body that shouldn't be happening. You know that whole thing about BPA? I'm sure you've heard plenty about it. BPA stands for Bisphenol A, and it's a chemical that is used to harden and line the inside of many plastic [and yes, also metal] containers, such as water bottles, food containers, etc. BPA is an unstable compound, and will easily "leech" into food or other types of material, especially when heated. Think: dishwasher and microwave. The awful thing about BPA is that it's a known endocrine disruptor, and here's why that's a problem, according to motherearthnews.com: "Many of these chemicals cause problems because they can mimic the action of natural estrogen. These foreign estrogens (also known as xenoestrogens) can upset normal hormonal balance, stimulate the growth and development of reproductive tumors (breast, uterine, prostate), impair fertility, and disrupt pregnancy. Worse, many can cross the placenta to affect the fetus and get into breast milk. Chemicals such as phthalates have an antiandrogenic effect, meaning they interfere with testosterone and other hormones responsible for male sex characteristics. Exposure to these agents during fetal life and early childhood can derail normal sexual development and heighten the risk for diseases that don’t become apparent until adulthood, such as cancer." Remember all that talk about hormonal imbalances and cysts, tumors, etc. in my previous posts? Well, plastics [including BPA-laden plastics] wreak havoc on our bodies and can cause these things to occur. Simply by using them. Due to the pressure of us consumers to terminate the usage of BPA in plasticware, manufacturers were forced to stop producing BPA-laden products that are made for daily use. Smartly, the average consumer was boycotting this BPA stuff, and the companies listened! But it wasn't until then that the FDA recanted their previous statement about BPA being safe in "small quantities". [Whatever that means.] I find it largely concerning that the Food and Drug Administration would change their mind about something after, first, the public, and secondly, manufacturers deciding it was unsafe. It should absolutely be the other way around. But moving on. So that's why you see water bottles and sippy cups boasting "BPA Free!" Many American consumers then took a huge sigh of relief and thought to themselves, "Well, we've dodged that bullet. Now we can go back to our lives and quit worrying." And, we have. Many of us, at least. But guess what? Turns out that BPA-free plastic is just as bad as the former. Boom. I said it. Studies have been done wherein BPA-plastics, such as toddlers' sippy cups, have been sent away to labs for chemical testing, and the results have been frightening. All such plastics, even BPA -free ones, still contain estrogen-mimicking hormones. Why is this a problem? Well, as mentioned above, "xenoestrogens" are responsible for causing issues such as breast cancer, diabetes, obesity and heart disease, all because of how they affect the cells in our body. In one study, a xenoestrogen [Atrazine] administered in laboratory to a male frog resulted in a female frog. Seriously. Some of the BPA-free plastics have even rated higher on the toxin scale than their villainized BPA counterparts! What?! Yes, the truth is that while companies have bowed to the demands of American consumers to stop producing items with BPA in them, they've found loopholes to produce mass quantities of inexpensive items with chemicals just as harmful. Why? Because it's cheap, fast, and easy money. Think: Big Tobacco. Money, money, money. Am I a conspiracy theorist? No. Am I am realist? Absolutely. With all of these chemicals that we're exposed to on a daily basis, is there any wonder that our cancer rates have skyrocketed? According to the World Health Organization [WHO], cancer rates are estimated to increase by 70% in the next two decades. 70%!! As it currently stands, one in three people will get cancer in their lifetime. You and two other people you love are standing in a room - One of you will likely die from cancer. As a child whose lost a parent due to cancer, I can tell you without a doubt that you do NOT want cancer. It's a horrible, horrible disease. But truthfully, cancer does happen. It's a natural occurrence that results from abnormal cells who don't die when they should. Cancer even sometimes happens to animals in nature - It's just a fact of life. But it's an indisputable fact that cancer is something we are now bringing upon ourselves as a society at an alarming rate. Is it true that everyone who has cancer has made themselves sick? No, but certainly the reason for cancer rates skyrocketing in the 21st century is due to poor lifestyle choices, and exposure to harmful chemicals. The days of glass milk bottles and making bread from scratch are over. Everything is now in plastic containers and plastic bags. Just look around you. As I've been compiling thoughts in my head this week for this post, I've staggered at the realization of how much plastic is actually in my life. It starts first thing with my toothbrush in the morning, and ends with my bottle of lotion at night. It's everywhere. Danger hidden in plain sight. And what's worse is we take this plastic, limited in its ability to perform, and we expose it to high heats, expecting it to be safe. When was the last time you threw a plastic cup in the dishwasher that you thought the better of once the wash cycle had already started? Or when was the last time you microwaved that take-out, and thought.. "I hope this isn't an awful decision." And I know we're all guilty of this one - You get back in your car after a hot day, and that blasted bottle of water is still in your console. Dang it. But oh well, it's just a swig - No big deal. But you know what? I think it is a big deal. I think we need to start being a whole lot more skeptical about what we're doing on a day to day basis with our precious bodies. So here's the thing. I know my lifestyle needs a change in this regard. I know I need to start using more glass and stoneware, and I have to stop microwaving plastic. But there's a LOT of work to be done, and I'm honestly a bit overwhelmed. I've got 20 sippy cups in my cupboards, a plastic water bottle for the gym, and a fridge full of Tupperware. This is going to be an uphill battle, and, realistically, a comprehensive change may take years. But you know what? My family is worth it. And so is yours. To health, happiness, and good stewardship! Since my most recent post on coconut oil, I've actually had three people ask if I've ever heard of oil-pulling. The answer is yes, and I actually forgot to mention it in my last post! Oil-pulling is something I do every single day.
This post explains what oil-pulling is, and what its benefits are. Ok, so what is oil-pulling? And how exactly does one pull oil? According to wellnessmama.com, here's a rough definition: "Oil pulling is an ancient Indian [practice] that uses natural substances to clean and detoxify teeth and gums. It has the added effect of whitening teeth naturally and evidence even shows that it is beneficial in improving gums and removing harmful bacteria." The concept behind oil-pulling is to first choose a good quality oil like organic coconut oil, sunflower, or sesame oil. Each morning, before you rinse your mouth out, swish a tablespoon of the oil around in your mouth as you would with mouthwash. When first starting off with oil-pulling, you may only be able to tolerate this for 3-5 minutes at a time. Its optimal benefits come from extended oil pulling, however, lasting roughly from 10-20 minutes a day. In order to successfully oil-pull, you will want to suck it through your teeth and keep the oil moving as much as possible. You can oil-pull while showering first thing in the morning, or while checking your email for the day. Afterward, spit the oil into the trash or an allotted container. It isn't ideal to spit the oil into the toilet or sink, because oil can be very hard to clean up. Ok, so now that you know how to oil-pull, the question remains - Why would someone want to oil-pull? The science behind oil-pulling is interesting and empirical. Oil is viscous, and it sticks to things. As such, when the oil is distributed throughout the mouth, it will cling to bacteria and toxins, pulling, or releasing them from the mouth and into the oil, itself. The key is to pull for the optimal amount of time so that the oil can do its job - 15 to 20 minutes. The oil will get into places between teeth that toothbrushes cannot go, as well as down into the gums to pull out bacteria. Oil-pulling is starting to gain an interest from some of the medical community, because dentists have seen successes with their patients following this practice. Check here and here. These two medical articles address the successes of oil-pulling as related to halitosis [chronic bad breath], and Streptococcus. Both were shown to decrease with the practice of oil-pulling, versus the traditional [and highly less-effective] practice of conventional mouthwash. Still not convinced that oil-pulling might be worth your time? Here's a list of what oil-pulling might do for you: Strengthens tooth enamel Fortifies gums Effectively cleans gums leading to reduction of Gingivitis Prevents dry mouth and throat Natural treatment for TMJ [Lock Jaw] Can reduce acne by removing toxins from body Reduces cavities Absorption of oil can lead to healthier skin, nails, and hair Removes bacteria and eliminates Halitosis Reduces tooth sensitivity I started oil-pulling last summer, and I can say with confidence that it's worked for me. Prior to oil-pulling, I had a cavity at every dentist appointment, suffered from Gingivitis [bleeding gums], and needed to use Sensodyne for severe tooth sensitivity. Since I've continued with oil-pulling, I've stopped using Sensodyne, and had zero cavities at my last appointment! That was huge for me. I would no longer say that I am someone who suffers from tooth sensitivity, or have an issue with hot and cold foods. If you choose to start oil-pulling, you must be made aware of the detoxifying stage at the very beginning. As with every regimen that removes bacteria and toxins from the system, your body may respond strangely as it gets accustomed to its "new normal". Ironically, for me, my tooth sensitivity got worse the first week of oil-pulling, and I actually considered stopping it altogether. I assumed something was wrong, but the opposite was actually true. Once I pushed through the first week, my tooth sensitivity started disappearing, and I really started to reap the benefits of this practice. The first thing I noticed after the reduction in issues with hot and cold was much fresher breath. My mouth felt a lot cleaner than it used to, which is obviously a great thing. Some people can experience headaches, or other such detox symptoms, but none of them are intolerable. It's certainly worth pushing through the first week to see what oil-pulling will do for you, personally. A few important things to remember about oil-pulling: 1) Remember to get good-quality oil. It's recommended to get cold-pressed oils, in contrast to canola or vegetable, which are processed with very high heats, breaking them down into unhealthy chemicals. 2) Never swallow the oil that you have pulled with - Once the toxins leave your mouth and enter the oil, the oil itself is riddled with bacteria, and should stay far away from the digestive tract. Simply spit the oil out after you've finished with it, and rinse with warm water before moving on with your daily routine. Remove as much of the oil as possible from your mouth. 3) Oil-pulling will get MUCH easier. I used to set an alarm for 5 minutes, and it felt like eternity. I remember thinking, "I'll never get used to this." But now I can pull for 15 minutes without much of an interruption to my morning. Just let your family know what you're doing, and get ready to do your best charades if communication is necessary. :) And lastly, 4) Stick with it! Don't give up inside of a week's time. Push through it, and see what oil-pulling will change for you. Isn't it worth avoiding those awful cavities, or having to be self-conscious about your bad breath all the time? If I had given up at the first sign of worsening tooth sensitivity, I never would have reaped the benefits of continued fresher breath and the avoidance of my pesky cavities. And I'd still have discomfort with very hot and very cold foods. I know oil-pulling sounds odd, but mouth-washing is the same concept, just much less effective. Mouthwash, in my humble opinion, is a waste of time and money, and can actually be hazardous to your health. The alcohol in mouthwash can worsen dry mouth, and the dyes and flavors added are simply bad for your body. So, do you oil-pull? Would you consider trying it? To health, happiness, and good stewardship! Maybe you've heard about coconut oil, and maybe you haven't.
Prior to my exposure to coconut oil, I really only knew about olive oil and vegetable oil. I assumed that oil could come from many things, but coconut oil was never something I used or knew anything about. It wasn't until I did the Whole30 and the Paleo Diet last year that I came to understand this crown jewel. I almost cannot believe that something can be good at so many things.. Coconut oil is an edible oil, extracted from the meat of matured coconuts that have been harvested from the coconut palm. Just like with olive oil and other oils, quality is of utmost importance. My family uses only organic, extra-virgin coconut oil, namely - Nutiva. This awesome oil is a solid below 76 degrees Fahrenheit, and turns to a clear liquid at 76 degrees and warmer. Unfortunately, coconut oil has gotten a bad rap in some medical communities, because it contains the notorious "saturated fats" that people have been told to run screaming from. Not all saturated fats are created equal. Recently I've heard it said like this, "Nature doesn't make bad fats. Factories do." If a saturated fat is a naturally-occurring substance, such as in high quality olive oil and coconut oil, it's actually VERY good for one's heart, specifically when it comes to lowering cholesterol and bodily inflammation. Typically, the fats that we should, undoubtedly, stay away from are the artificially-created UNsaturated fats that are manipulated and produced in factories. The problem is with the hydrogenation, according to Mercola.com - "Hydrogenation manipulates vegetable and seed oils by adding hydrogen atoms while heating the oil, producing a rancid, thickened oil that really only benefits processed food shelf life and corporate profits." You know that gallon-sized jug of vegetable oil you have from Costco? Toss it. It's slowly killing you. There's a reason why it only cost you ten bucks. And still worried about coconut oil and cholesterol issues? According to Dr. Oz, himself, "Coconut oil has a saturated fat called lauric acid, a type of MCT. It has been shown that lauric acid increases the good HDL cholesterol in the blood to help improve cholesterol ratio levels. Coconut oil lowers cholesterol by promoting its conversion to pregnenolone, a molecule that is a precursor to many of the hormones our bodies need. Coconut can help restore normal thyroid function." I've seen it with my own eyes where people ingested have large quantities of coconut oil and their cholesterol and inflammation levels were improved. I'm one of those people. In addition to high-quality coconut oil improving heart health, it's great for diabetics and those who suffer from thyroid issues. Coconut oil increases the activity of the thyroid, thus helping with weight loss and metabolism. I guess back in the 1940's, farmers tried to fatten up their livestock with coconut oil, thinking it'd be a quick fix and fast money. But apparently the exact opposite happened! The coconut oil made the animals lean and active. As such, coconut oil is amazing for athletes. Fat is a great source of energy, and coconut oil can be used in many ways. When I first started eating coconut oil, I admittedly had a hard time adjusting to it. I was using butter and rancid olive oil [more in another post] on everything. I was used to what I was used to. Plain and simple. But once I started seeing the difference and hearing about all its praiseworthy attributes, I gave coconut oil its proper place in my home. I now use coconut oil for 99% of my cooking and baking, which is great since both my husband and my son are dairy-free by necessity. Coconut oil has a distinct flavor, assuming it's of good quality. Your extra-virgin coconut oil should smell just like the fruit, and have a creamy, coconut-y taste. It can be melted and used for liquid fats in baking, and is a great substitute for butter and ..... margarine. My son has a gluten-free waffle each morning with coconut oil and he absolutely loves it. Most of my baked goods now contain coconut oil, and they're moister than with any other oils I've used. Coconut oil is also awesome in recipes that can benefit from its flavor, such as curry dishes or coconut baked goods. Coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-aging, an immunostimulant, a lubricant, a moisturizer, an appetite-suppressant, an astringent, anti-inflammatory, and promotes healing. Who knew an awesome tropical fruit could do so much? The secret lies in the fats of the fruit - MCFA's, or Medium-Chain Fatty Acids. These MCFA's are highly anti-microbial, and make up about 50% of the fats in the fruit. So besides weight loss and being heart-healthy, what else does coconut oil boast in? Here goes: Body lotion Moisturizes chapped lips Flavors foods Hair mask Removes makeup - Even waterproof mascara! Homemade diaper ointment Prevent stretch marks during pregnancy Lighten age spots Natural SPF 4 Sunscreen Massage Oil Sooth dermatitis - Psoriasis & Eczema Improve insulin levels Shave gel Personal lubricant that is healthy and safe Clears up cold sores Resolves Candida and other yeast infections Aids with Alzheimer's Boosts energy You can see a more comprehensive list here: http://wellnessmama.com/5734/101-uses-for-coconut-oil/ I use coconut oil every single day - Starting in the morning with my eggs, and ending at night to remove my makeup and moisturize my face. Can you eat your makeup remover? :) I can't imagine not using it as often as I do, and I've really enjoyed getting my family acquainted with this "Jack of All Trades". But like all things of value, coconut oil can be somewhat expensive. The most economical way of purchasing it that we've found is buying large 54oz. jars of it on Amazon, and having it shipped 2-day free shipping with Amazon Prime. 54 ounces runs us about $30, whereas just 24 ounces at health food stores was running us $20. Quite a savings! Here's a link to a 54oz. jar with free shipping for under $30. I do hope the link works for you: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GAT6NG/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 So I'm wondering - Do you use coconut oil? If not, give it a whirl. Anything that can do so much with so little effort is worth the consideration. To health, happiness, and good stewardship! Ever since I was diagnosed with this annoying [albeit, eye-opening] cyst, I've been making a lot of changes to my beauty routine.
I'm a sucker for things that smell good and make me look like I've just done a Covergirl commercial. I have many fond memories of Herbal Essences and creamy, raspberry shave gels.. But I'm starting to realize how little they're actually doing for me. Or rather, how much harm they're actually causing me. My latest challenge is to see how many things I can change in my beauty routine to give my body the best chance at health. Here's what my beauty routine looks like in a typical day. Morning Oil-pulling with coconut oil [which I've delve into in another post] Nature's Gate fluoride-free toothpaste *Equate contact solution Afternoon Shampoo - Baking soda / Conditioner - Apple cider vinegar Soap & Shave - Locally-produced goat's milk soap with lavender oil Deodorant - Homemade coconut oil deodorant w/added essential oils for scent [more in another post] Foundation - Physician's Formula Blush - Ava Anderson plant-based powder Eyeshadow - *MAC Mascara - *Maybelline Perfume - Choice essential oil Hair product - Pure Moroccan Oil, if necessary Bedtime Make-up Remover - Coconut oil [it takes off waterproof mascara!] Toner - Apple Cider Vinegar *Equate contact solution I'm pleased that it's been so easy to make such a huge change. I thought it'd be a LOT harder to make such a thorough transition from Herbal Essences, Proactiv, and Skintimate shave gel. But the clincher for me was a few weeks ago, I found "Propane" as an ingredient listed in my shaving cream. Propane?! Hello. I understand that the propane is what gets the gel out of the bottle, but what a ridiculous ingredient. There has got to be a smarter way. That day I tossed the can in the trash and started shaving with high-quality, artisan soap. It's a lot cheaper, and a lot healthier for my body. Each bottle of shave gel was three bucks, and I was going through one a week. No thanks. I do still have a number of changes I'd like to make, and they lie mostly in my makeup routine. I'm open to any and all suggestions to giving my makeup routine a thorough makeover. It's been the lowest priority for me, as I generally wear makeup only about 3 days a week. What thing do you think needs a makeover in your beauty routine? To health, happiness, and good stewardship! Many of you know that I went gluten-free during the summer of 2008. It's not because I didn't think gluten was great, or because I thought life without it would be easy - It's because it made my body sick.
And it very well may be making yours sick, too. First off - What's gluten? It's the new buzzword that's been going around for a year or two now, and it seems to have taken on a life of its own. Simply, gluten is a substance that is present in grains, mainly wheat, that is comprised of two proteins, and is responsible for the elastic texture of dough. Gluten [From the Latin word for glue] makes things chewy, soft, and pliable - Think Wonder Bread. If you take gluten out of something [and are not careful to add in necessary components], the result will be either be a gummy or crumby outcome. Gluten is the king of all things baked and breaded. It's what makes New York pizza so insanely good, and why people flock to Krispy Kreme, despite their better judgment. When people refer to gluten, they are often referring to wheat flour. But there are other things that contain the Gliadin/Glutenin proteins that also cause issues for people. In addition to wheat flour, these extend to: rye, triticale, spelt, semolina, kamut, and *sometimes* oats. Unfortunately, gluten isn't what it used to be. There is truth to peoples' protestations when they say, "Oh, but come on - Nobody had issue with gluten a hundred years ago." Reason being is that gluten, like most of the other foods being grown and distributed these days, is highly processed and mechanically harvested. Why? "Because humans have continued the process chemically in the last century, and especially during the last 50 years - In order to increase yields, resist fungal diseases and pest attacks, improve ease of mechanical harvesting and meet rigorous demands of industrial milling and mechanized baking methods." What used to be a naturally-occurring grain in the fields of farmers is now being mass-produced to keep up with the demands of society. The bread you eat these days is NOT what our prairie ancestors baked and enjoyed. The fact that your loaf of potato bread can last 3 weeks on top on your fridge should tip you off. Food is simply not supposed to last that long - Especially when it contains dairy and/or eggs, like most breads do. If you were to bake a fresh loaf of bread withOUT preservatives and genetically-modified wheat flour, it'd probably last three to four days. Tops. It's a good thing to make fresh food each day for that day. That concept has become so lost on us as a society. I refer to Downton Abbey quite a bit, because I'm a real fan of the show. But do you see those cooks in the kitchen cooking every day from morning to night? That's because food has a shelf life, and is healthiest in its freshest state. But going on. Ok, so I went gluten-free almost 5 years ago, and it was extremely difficult. But mind you, this was before the gluten-free craze hit the Western world, and I was not privy to all the information and GF food options like I am today. It was also difficult because I had been raised in America, and in America we eat a LOT of gluten. Here's a day in the life of the old Christina: Breakfast: A bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats Lunch: A sandwich with wheat bread and whatever else Dinner: Pasta with meatballs [made with bread crumbs] Snacks: Wheat Thins Every.single.meal. of mine contained wheat. I was making myself sick, and I had no idea. I had bathroom issues [ask if you're interested], acne, horrible fatigue, sleeplessness, weight issues, Keratosis Pilaris, cholesterol and triglyceride issues, and brain fog. Never in a million years did I think it was because of wheat.. Especially when I made healthy choices like low-fat Wheat Thins, and "whole wheat" pasta. Ugh. It gives me anxiety just thinking about what I was doing to myself.. In short, I met a great Functional Medicine doctor who tipped me in to gluten issues, and she was 100% right. I went on the Elimination Diet, and sho'nuff - Gluten was a problem for me. Within weeks of being gluten-free, I had better sleep, I no longer had to run [I mean RUN] to the restroom, and my Keratosis Pilaris was clearing up for the first time in my life. My inflammation level [CRP] was at a 21 before I was gluten-free. To give you an idea, that number should be under 1. The inflammation level was 21x higher than it ever should have been for a human. That means my body was sick and trying desperately to fight something off. I have recently been able to tolerate gluten for the first time in almost 5 years. I no longer have awful fatigue and IBS issues when I eat it, which has a real answer to prayer. From August of this past year to just last month, I've added gluten back in to my diet, albeit minimally. But let me tell you something - I went home to New York for Christmas and ate whatever the heck I wanted. I could be seen at the local Italian bakery ordering one of everything, and driving home eating a slice of New York pizza. And I loved it. But you know what? My body didn't. After a week or two, I started getting headaches, which I had never had before. It was a predictable headache, about thirty minutes after eating. And then, most annoyingly, I noticed a wave of nausea each time I ate a lot of wheat, too. When I say nausea, I mean the type of nausea that makes you miserable. For those of you who've had morning sickness, this is the way it made me felt. And lastly.. My Keratosis Pilaris came back with a vengeance. Dang it. The truth is, gluten is a drug. I say drug loosely, because it's legal and I don't think people will go to prison over it. But wheat is so chemically-laden these days, that's it's doing crazy things to us. Let me list for you some of the things that gluten is responsible for causing or exacerbating. Ready? Acne Bloating IBS Constipation Heartburn Indigestion Weight Issues ADD ADHD Cancer Joint Pain Eczema Depression Alzheimer's Anxiety Autoimmune Disorders Diabetes Inflammation Celiac Disease Heart Disease These things listed range from physical to emotional to psychological effects. I think the reason why we're seeing so much Diabetes and Cancer these days is because our bodies are losing the battle against the chemicals we're putting into them. As an example, heart disease is rampant, largely because of high-inflammatory foods. Did you know that having cholesterol is actually a really good thing? Cholesterol is not the culprit of heart disease. Inflammation is the cause of heart disease. Inflammation is a response to invaders in our body, and our body is responding by raising our cholesterol levels in orders to fight the good fight. Doctors see high cholesterol levels and think they need to fix the cholesterol levels. It's not the cholesterol that's the problem! The cholesterol is just doing its job. Think of it this way - If you were to see a high white blood cell count in someone's body, what would you think? Would you think "Let's get rid of the white blood cells?" No way! The white blood cells are there doing their job because they're fighting off a disease or an illness. That's the SAME EXACT things that happens with gluten. Gluten is the most inflammatory food out there - Most doctors worth their salt will admit to that. Gluten is inflaming our systems and wreaking havoc on our beautifully-designed bodies. Rant over. Phew. I think gluten is changing us biochemically, and making us tired, hyperactive, forgetful, lethargic people. People have had tremendous successes with eliminating gluten from their diet, and I'm one of them. Am I saying I will never again enjoy a slice of New York pizza? No. But I'm making the wise choice to abstain from it as a daily way of life. My husband and my son are also largely gluten-free, and I'm confident it's improved our quality of life. I will never be able to look at it the same. Did you know that the supplements I'm taking to [hopefully] cure my cyst is rendered mostly ineffective because of the way gluten is genetically modified? I now have to abstain from it in order for my body to have a fighting chance to heal itself. So, what's the solution? Well, you're a lucky duck! These days you can eat lots of fantastic alternatives to wheat products. You can also cut out a lot of things from your diet, which you're better off doing, anyway. You know those Chips Ahoy that you love? Yeah, they're doing nothing for you, whether or not they contain gluten. [Which they do] Oh, and have you ever had my gluten-free baked goods? They're pretty fantastic.. Which says that you can eat smart AND eat well. My challenge to you is to consider going gluten-free - Even for just two weeks of your life.. See if it does anything for you. Consider being a wise steward and not turning a deaf ear to what's been shared. But don't take it from me - Start researching. You research everything from the car you drive to the computer you use. Why not research what you eat? To health, happiness, and good stewardship! Ok, hold up - Before you never speak to me again, let me give you a little background.
When I was in my second trimester, Scott and I started attending Bradley classes, which are otherwise known as "Husband-Coached Childbirth" classes. The premise of these classes is to encourage all-natural childbirths wherein both parents know what to expect, and how to handle everything that comes about. I was taught to really understand what was going on in my body during labor and delivery, and Scott was educated well on how to be an active and necessary support system for me. During Bennett's birth, I also had my midwife and doula present - All of whom were integral to the success of Bennett's birth. But back to the Bradley classes. Once a week for twelve weeks, we spent two hours with a Bradley coach and a number of other couples who were also at the same point in their expectancy. We learned all about how to eat right during pregnancy [protein is crucial!!], what to expect during the labor and delivery, and how to care for a newborn. We also chatted about breastfeeding and the benefits of breastmilk. One fateful evening the instructor dropped a bomb about "placenta ingestion" [placentophagy], and we all shrieked collectively. I mean, I was down with the all-natural thing, but I wasn't crazy. She said that it was worth looking in to, shared a number of its benefits with us, and segued into the next topic. I don't even remember what the next topic was, because I was completely distracted by the thought of eating my own placenta. And did she say "Placenta Chili?!?!" Wow, I thought I had heard it all. But guess what? It turns out that ingesting one's own placenta is actually an amazing thing. I can tell you that with confidence, because I did it. It's common for a midwife to package up your placenta post-birth, and make it accessible for you to bring home. I drove home with mine in a Ziploc bag at 2am. Haha. Yes, it's a crazy concept - But only because we haven't been educated properly about it. Here's why placentophagy is such a good thing: "The placenta is a baby’s in-utero power pack, providing the fetus with all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients - not to mention oxygen - to grow from just a few cells to a full-fledged tiny person. The placenta is also loaded with iron and vitamins B6 and B12, as well as estrogen and progesterone, both important postpartum hormones. A few studies have connected placenta-eating with increased breast-milk supply and pain relief. Fans of the practice say that eating the placenta can protect against Postpartum Depression (PPD)." Did you know that this extended quote comes from whattoexpect.com? Not some weirdo back-woods personal blog that's been written, but actually by the "What to Expect" giant, itself. There are thousands of resources online about the benefits of ingesting a healthy placenta, and what it has done for women postpartum. We women lose so many vitamins and minerals during delivery, that it only makes sense to take back in what we've lost. Sure, it can be done with store-bought pills and capsules, but why reinvent the wheel? I got involved with placentophagy for two reasons, 1) Because I was experiencing postpartum anxiety, and 2) It is known to help boost milk supply. I was open to anything and everything that would help me to feel better [in a time where I had a newborn, and was mourning my mother's very recent death], and that would give me enough milk to supply Bennett's needs. Turns out I never made enough breastmilk, but not from the placenta's inability to help.. Rather, from IGT - On which I'll write a post at another point. But I can definitely attest to it stabilizing my moods and causing me to be less weepy and sad. Placentophagy can also boost a woman's energy and keep her going in a time where she's needed around the clock. Ok, so the obvious question is, "How?" How does a woman go about eating her own placenta? Well, it depends on who you ask. I took the route of "placenta encapsulation", which was the only way I could conceive of eating it. My sweet husband committed to preparing the placenta for me, because I couldn't handle the thought of seeing it done. You can ask Scott to tell you about it himself, but in short form - He dried it like jerky [it's meat!], ground it up to fine powder, and put it all into capsules for me to take once or twice a day. The placenta, being LOADED with Iron [a crucial nutrient], has a very bitter, metallic taste. As such, I found it to be too difficult to swallow outside of a pill. But I know some ladies have dried it like jerky and eaten it that way. And as our Bradley coach had mentioned, some people use it for Placenta Chili.. But even that goes beyond what I could handle. :) There are companies out there who will encapsulate your placenta for you. I don't know the details on this, but it's certainly worth the cost if you're unable to do it yourself. The placenta should be a healthy one - And treated with understanding, as it can go bad just like any other meat. For those of you having hospital births, you can also take your placenta home. I recently assisted with a friend's natural birth in a hospital, and all that was needed was a form to be filled out. The hospital staff was reluctant to give it to me, and insisted it go in a bio-hazard bag, but the end result of taking it home was a success. And oh, it also makes soil extremely nutrient-rich, so it's great for gardening, or planting underneath a new bush or tree. Animals eat their own placentas postpartum, because they have the innate understanding that it's good for them. Ever seen a cat with postpartum depression? Kidding. But seriously - Let's take a cue from nature. Sometimes the best things for us are right under our noses. To health, happiness, and good stewardship! |