12 Favorite Health Books

May 11, 2015 livehealthy Leave a Comment

12 Favorite Health Books & Resources

We have google to thank for quick resources and information at our fingertips. But I like having some old fashioned books on hand to look up. Here are some of my favorite references:

Quick ailment look-ups

Essential Oils Desk Reference

Herbally Yours by Penny C. Royal

Heal Your Body by Louise L. Hay

Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible

Favorite Cookbooks

Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon

Healing Tonics by Jeanine Pollak

Rodale’s Basic Natural Foods Cookbook

Mighty Spice cookbook by John Gregory-Smith

The Flavor Bible

Fun Reads

Feelings Buried Alive Never Die

Oddball Ointments, Powerful Potions & Fabulous Folk Remedies

Mary Jane’s Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook by Mary Jane Butters

Things That Give Back More Than Required

April 20, 2015 livehealthy Leave a Comment

What Gives More than Required?

laughter

There are some things in life that naturally give back more than you put into them. I was thinking about some of those things the other day while feeding the chickens. You can probably add to this list yourself:

Chickens – they don’t require much yet eat your table scraps, give an egg nearly every day, and make excellent manure.
Regular exercise– pays dividends far greater than just staying in shape; the mental, emotional and inspirational pluses are great too. My running consistency over the last 10 years has had a ripple effect beyond the personal need that started it. It has helped inspire my kids, friends and husband far more than I realized.
Praying – The hope, faith, confidence, and spiritual strength can’t be measured here.
Laughing – Not only physically and chemically boost all systems but is contagious too!
Hugging – Doesn’t require much effort for the rewards of good feelings.
Plugging for other people – Sharing what you like about someone or someone’s business/product can have big ripple effects in many directions.
Being in nature – refreshing in every way!

So I was realizing it is important to me to have things in my life that contribute a lot. I like products that benefit in more than just one way. I like things to be multi-purpose.

And I realized T’s Tonics has that. All of our products benefit health in several ways and can be used for different situations. It is important to us that they give a lot more than required!

Here’s a few:

Sun & Skin Soother– Protects from sun damage, repairs skin tissues, moisturizes everyday, heals burns, good on diaper rash, keeps bugs away, good for rashes, break outs and sensitive skin.

Traveler’s Spray – I listed alternative uses for this here. Multi-purpose companion for travels near and far.

Grab Salve – loved by climbers, this is also used by moms on babies butts, on lips (not at the same time), on burns and post- surgery injuries, helps prevent scarring, on rashes and skin issues. It is a multi–purpose healing aid.

Sore Muscle Soother – Decreases inflammation, aches and pains, also helps circulation, is warming, increases feeling in numb feet and ankles, in runner’s fingers, helps prevent bruising, speeds healing of injuries.

Hair Tea – Used to condition, strengthen and encourage hair growth, increase shine and manageability, but also is naturally uplifting to the emotions and can be a refreshing spray for the face.

We want our company to be that way too. Our company supports the world it believes in:

We give back to Ocean Conservancy because having clean, safe water is important to us.
We also support student travel organizations to third world countries and outdoor programs because gaining a bigger vision of the world’s needs is important for the future.
We seek to partner with organizations doing good for the underprivileged.

Share with us in making the world a healthier & safer place to live, travel and play.

6 Actions to Energize your Brain!

February 10, 2015 livehealthy Leave a Comment

6 Actions to Energize Your Brain!

Some fun and quick ways to stay energized and stimulate your brain! I hope you enjoy some of these as I do. The world is an amazing place and there is so much to learn I want to keep my brain stimulated and working. Good thoughts to you.

Quick scalp scratch: Donna Eden, in her book Energy Medicine, calls this the crown pull. It’s a simple technique you can use sitting in your office or at home for releasing mental congestion and refreshing the mind. Start with your fingers on your forehead in the middle with your thumbs at your temples and pull your fingers along your forehead away from each other towards your ears, continue this on the top of your head, finger tips lightly scratching/massaging as they work down towards your ears, then start at the top again further back until you have done your whole head. This helps reset your energy and mental clarity.

Stand on your head: A 90 year old man still going strong told me to do this every day. He said he stands on his head first thing every morning and it gets the blood rushing to his brain. He believes this has helped keep him healthy and alert. I have started to do a handstand against the wall instead and love the feeling it gives my whole body and the rosy flush to my cheeks.

Sleep: There is a great TED talk online about the reason we need sleep. It shows new brain research pictures that are amazing. Deep sleep is the only time that our brain flushes the waste toxins built up from the day. So set yourself up for good sleep! Not sleeping well or long enough creates that foggy feeling in our brains (toxin build-up).

Trigger Talk: Negative thoughts shut down the creative/intuitive center of our brains. When you are feeling down, discouraged or just “off”, and your mind starts spiraling into the negative zone, here’s what you do: have a quote, saying, affirmation or just positive words READY that you can chant to yourself, to jump your mind back out of the gutter. It is proven that your mind can’t stay negative if chanting positive words, especially if done with a smile on your face. Find some that work for you to have when you need them. It’s powerful! Here are some from the Bible, the most read self-help manual in the world:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1;7.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Phil. 4;13
“Do not fear for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you.” Isaiah 41;10.

Exercise: Most people know that aerobic exercise releases serotonin (our feel good hormone) in our bodies. Research is now showing that movement is the #1 best thing for keeping our brains healthy and alert as we age! Moving our bodies in an active way helps our brain feel good and stay young. Yay! “Just do it” -Nike

Eat Brainy Foods: Our brains are made up of 90% fat and need fat to feed them! That is, the right kinds of fats and oils. Listed are some good foods and herbs to feed the brain and the body. Enjoy!

Walnuts – They look like little brains and they are excellent food for our brains. Walnuts contain good fats that are perfect food for the brain.
Avocados – again, great fats to feed the brain.
Safflower, flax and coconut oils – great oils for the brain, along with omega rich, mercury free fish oils.
Herbs – Rosemary, Sage and Gingko Biloba have been used for many years to stimulate the brain and prevent memory loss. They are most effective when taken together and are lovely in our Thinker’s Tea.
Peppermint Therapeutic Essential Oil – shown to stimulate the brain 28% on some studies of test takers. Very quick to relieve headaches, clear stuffed up sinuses, and recharge thinking; one drop of peppermint oil placed in hand then carefully rubbed on temples, up back of the neck, on nose or breathed in enough. Caution: do not get in eyes or inner ears.

Burdock Root uses

January 20, 2015 livehealthy Leave a Comment

7 Healing Uses for Burdock Root

Burdock Root is quickly becoming one of my favorite herbs. We used it initially for skin problems and I saw it working equally well helping clear up our older teenagers’ pimples as it did on helping my younger daughter’s extremely dry skin (to the point of eczema and dry scalp problems.) I then was requested to put it in a kidney tonic for some therapists and noticed how good it seemed to work for pain. That led to more research on it’s inflammation reducing properies. The more I find out about it and use it, the more I like this root for multiple uses. Here are over 7 uses for this amazing herb:

Burdock Root is claimed to be one of (1) nature’s best blood cleansers and is helpful in not only ridding the body of dangerous toxins, but is a binder and expeller of heavy metals in the body. The root contains trace amounts of natural mercury, which makes it useful in mercury detoxification programs.

It is an excellent (2) liver and kidney cleanser as well as helpful for the whole glandular system. Because it increases the flow of urine and promotes sweating, it is used today as a (3) diuretic. It will help rid the body of excess water weight.

Burdock is also used in (4) reducing swelling and deposits in the joints. Therefore, it is commonly used to ease arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica, and lumbago (backaches).

It is helpful for most (5) skin conditions and is a major treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and even canker sores. It is used externally and internally for skin solutions. Because of its (6) high mineral and calcium content, people have also found it helpful for hair and nail growth.

Some people have also found it helpful for (7+) fatigue, nervous disorders and soothing hemorrhoids.

How to take: Although it can be found in some external skin ointments the most common way to take this herb is internally in capsule form, available at your health food store (or buy bulk burdock powder and make your own). You can also find this root fresh in some stores, generally in the fall, (it grows wild in most parts of the country, and is an adaptagen and ammender of the soil) to prepare and add it to your own recipes. Here are a few ideas:

To Process: Chop the root fine in a food processor and add it into soups and stews. It has a strong, not very pleasant taste, but can be disguised in good sauces or vinegars. Any left over can be dried or placed chopped in a jar and covered with vinegar to keep for months in the refrigerator. It can also be added to tea or made into it’s own decoction. I generally like it better in combination with other herbs.

Recipe for Internal cleansing and Skin: (Made into capsules)

1 part Burdock root powder

1 part Pau D’ Arco powder

1 part Black Walnut powder

1 part Slippery Elm Bark

1 part Chaparral powder

Found in: At T’s Tonics, this herb can be found in our Pain in the Joint Tea, Pain Support Tonic, Burly Bone Tea and Kidney Tincture.

What’s your dream?

January 13, 2015 livehealthy Leave a Comment

What’s your dream?

I just read an inspiring book worth sharing; it’s called the Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly.

www.booksamilli…

It’s a quick read about corporate America but applies to everyone in the way that it states that everyone has dreams and it is our dreams that motivate us, more than money. Great leaders recognize this and encourage their people to work towards their dreams.

It’s a great time to dream. And it’s an important question when we are looking at renewing ourselves this month. Renewing our purpose and our goals and looking at what we want out of life, starts with our dreams.

Helping the people we have relationships with to pursue their dreams, brings out the best in all of us; our kids, spouses, relatives, friends, and co-workers.

So I want to challenge you to look at your dreams.

I have been writing down and creating plans to accomplish some of mine. A few of those that are happening this year are:

• A family scuba trip on Blackbeard’s dive boat in February now that all 3 kids have gotten certified. One of my dreams is to swim with dolphins. If that doesn’t happen, the sharks will have to do. We have dreamed of diving with all of the kids since they were born!

• I have also signed up to run a half marathon in May. Do I like running? Not really, so this is a stretch for me. One way to make things happen is to sign up and pay good money so you have to do them, right?

Help people be healthier and feel more alive this year! I have purposed to be consistant with educating through this blog, newsletter, classes, and more to weekly give tips and techniques for greater health.

What are your top 10 dreams?

Which one/s are you going to pursue and make a reality this year? I would love to hear from you and what yours are.

Flexibility & Strength Cordial Recipe

January 8, 2015 livehealthy Leave a Comment

flexibility and strength

Flexibility & Strength Recipe

Flexibility and strength are 2 characteristics that take consistant work to gain and keep as we get older. And they are important building blocks to great health because they help keep movement flowing in our lives.

Here’s 11 of my favorite herbs for increasing strength, flexibility, stamina, circulation, cleansing the blood and recharging energy!

You can choose some or all of them for this recipe.

Infuse the herbs into a tea or follow the recipe below for a cordial/elixir. It is yummy and satisfying anytime of year but I like it particularly in winter and spring when I feel the need for extra help with flexibility and energy.

I have given the use and purpose of each herb to help you pick and choose as well as the parts to whole that you would use of each.

Herbs:

2 parts -Siberian ginseng can help the body respond better to stress. Good for both male and female hormones and is used to treat many conditions including fatigue, insomnia, lethargy, memory, endurance, and immune system.

2 parts- Pau D’ Arco is high in calcium, a blood purifier and antifungal, helpful in fighting yeast infections and skin problems.

2 parts- Red clover is high in minerals and is an excellent blood purifier.

3 parts- Nettle is a blood purifier high in vitamin C and minerals, strengthens liver and kidney function. Helpful for allergies.

3 parts- Olive Leaf is a natural antibiotic, antioxidant, anti-parasitic and anti-fungal shown to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, help respiratory response and heart and skin health.

1 part- Chickweed is high in vitamin C and helps dissolve fat and mucous in the body. Good for skin problems.

¼ part- Juniper berries act as a diuretic and disinfectant, strengthen the adrenal glands, blood and kidneys. Good for diabetes.

1 part- Gingko Biloba is exceptional for circulation, energy, brain function and flexibility of ligaments, nerves and tendons.

2 parts- Oatstraw is high in minerals and vitamins particularly calcium good for muscle and joint strength.

1 part- Hawthorne Berries strengthen the heart muscles and increase circulation throughout the system.

1 part -Horsetail herb is high in silica which builds collagen and connective tissues helping the flexibility and growth of joints, ligaments, bones, hair, skin and nails.

Note that if you want a great combination already blended for you, try our Renewal Tea or Outback Tea which have many of these included.

Cordial Recipe:

Blend your choice of above dried herbs,

add ¼ again as much of your choice of fresh or dried organic fruit (My favorites are berries, rosehips, and oranges).

Place all in a wide mouthed glass jar. Cover with 3 times as much vodka or brandy. (You can use vegetable glycerin as an alcohol free alternative if desired, but alcohol is the original median for cordials and has the added benefit of going directly into the blood and liver). Cover the jar and store in a dark place at room temperature, shaking daily for 2-4 weeks.

Strain well, squeezing all liquid out of the steeped herbs. Compost the herbs and rebottle the cordial, lightly sweetening with ¼-1/2 cup honey or maple syrup to preferred taste. This will keep well for months. Enjoy!

Travel Healthy with Travelers Spray

December 3, 2014 livehealthy 1 Comment

7 More Healthy Uses for Travelers Spray

Traveler’s Spray is a great way to ensure you travel healthy both near and far. But it’s more than just another hand sanitizer. Here’s the specs:

Great for use on surfaces, cars, bathrooms, beds, luggage, skin, air, clothes, and pets
and anywhere else germs and odors may be.
Skin, kid, animal and earth friendly.
Filled with natural oils that are proven to kill 99.96% of surface and air-borne bacteria.
Wonderful smelling with natural cinnamon, clove, orange and more.
no GMOs, 100% organic

So we’ve been using this for a while, the kids taking it to school, on trips, in the bathroom and the cars and we noticed it has some other good uses. We wanted to share them with you and we would love to hear any you have found too!

Bonus uses:

Athletic wear: After a lot of use it seems like odor just stays in some clothes even after they are washed. The essential oils in the Traveler’s Spray kill germs and can help to neutralize the odor of sweaty gear.
Stinky Shoes: That goes for shoes too. Shoes and sandals that are worn without socks can become down right scary in the odor department. Liberally spray the insides with the Traveler’s Spray for added health, protection and odor control!
Wrinkly clothes: While you are traveling or just on the go, you can use the Traveler’s spray to help get the wrinkles and static cling out of clothes: just mist lightly over clothes and smooth down!
Bed Bugs: Spray pillows and sheets in hotel rooms with Traveler’s spray just in case!
Mold: The essential oil blend in Traveler’s Spray helps kill molds naturally.
Deodorant: A great way to beat smells without clogging your pores with aluminum antiperspirants.
Car air freshener: we keep one in the car to spray in the air or on ourselves to freshen up when needed.

If you have any other ways YOU love to use the Traveler’s Spray, we would love to hear it! In fact, we want to hear so much that we will send you a FREE goodie bag of some of our products just for sharing!

Ingredients: pure water, organic aloe vera, organic witch hazel, organic rosemary extract, organic therapeutic grade essential oils of cinnamon, orange, lemon, eucalyptus lemon, clove, rosemary, cedarwood & pine.

5% of the profits from this spray go to help international student travel and natural resource protection.

Mulled Cider and Wine Recipes

November 18, 2014 livehealthy Leave a Comment

Mulling Cider, Wine and the Air!

Spice up the air or mull cider or drinks with this delicious all natural blend of Spices that warm the season and transform our spirits.

T’s Tonics mulling spices

Mulling Spices

Use Organic fresh or dried:

1 c. All Spice,

1 c. Cinnamon Chips or 3-4 sticks

1 c. Orange Peel or 5-6 slices of fresh Orange

1/2 c. Lemon Peel or 5-6 slices of fresh lemon

1/4 c. Cloves,

1/4 c. Ginger Root.

The dried spices mixed together will keep well for many pots of spiced cider or wine. If using fresh ingredients, use immediately. If you don’t want to mix your own, we have organic mulling spices already blended for you, found locally. Available here soon.

There is something so comforting about the aroma of warm spices filling the air. It makes us feel like delicious treats are baking and good things are happening. I have been in love with my kitchen all over again lately because we have been mixing and mulling cinnamon, orange and cloves into chai spice drinks.

I never get tired of those scents. Actually, all of the spices used for mulling are not only warming for the circulation and help ward off colds, they are aphrodisiacs (encourage love feelings). Yay! Great for cold winter days and holiday fun!

Spiced Cider

Simmer 2-3 Tablespoons of the spice blend above in 1 gallon of cider in a large pot on the stove or in a crock pot until warm. Ladle into festive mugs as needed leaving the spices behind. Enjoy!

Mulled Wine Recipe

1 bottle of dry red or white wine (a Merlot is good)

2-3 Tbsp. T’s Tonics Organic Mulling Spices

2/3 c sugar

½ c. brandy

Mulled or spiced wine has been a European holiday tradition for thousands of years. It is easy to make and a warming and flavorful way to create holiday cheer. Pour wine into non-aluminum saucepan and simmer on low, add spices, sugar and brandy and steep, stirring occasionally, until hot. Serve into festive mugs as needed leaving spices behind. Enjoy!

8 Herbs for Anxiety

November 13, 2014 livehealthy Leave a Comment

8 Herbs to Help with Anxiety

Anxiety is becoming a leading problem in America. However, herbs and diet can help us immensely, and it’s towards this effort that I have made this list. There are many contributing factors to this rise. We can look to outside causes for anxiety and there are many: environment, the faster pace of life, expectations, diet, chemicals etc.

We must also look internally if we are honest. Our own racing thoughts and self-judgements may play a big factor. They are also a part that we can choose to control. We have included some affirmations at the end that may help calm this inner chatter.

Some anxiety is serious and needs professional attention. However, for everyday nerves, stress, and anxiety, these herbs can be a good help and starting place. They are not intended as the only solution:

Lemon balm, Excellent for soothing the nerves and “lifting the spirits”, strengthens the digestive system and helps stress related digestive problems.

Lemon peel, helps build immune system, good for circulation, digestion and lifting depression. Note: The smell of citrus and citrus oils is used to lift depression and bad moods.It is especially good in the winter when there is less sunlight.

lemons uplift

linden flowers, popular in Europe as a calming tea for the stomach and digestion, it is also widely used to ease anxiety and calm the mind. It is used for insomnia and promotes restfulness. Also helps to boost the immune system because it is high in vitamins and anti-oxidants. Good for sore throats and fevers. The linden tree is known as the love tree and is aromatic as an aphrodisiac.

passionflower, one of the best herbs for chronic insomnia, a mild sedative, used to treat pain and imbalances in the nervous system.

Chamomile is good for the digestive and the nervous system. It helps settle the stomach and calm the body. Good for children.

lemon verbena, used to help ease muscle and stomach spasms, mild sedative and stress reducer.

lavender, has a relaxing effect on mind and body. Good for anxiety, nervousness and stress related symptoms, promotes sleep.

St. John’s wort flowers. Used to lift depression as well as menopausal triggered anxiety, has a sedative and pain-reducing effect, helpful for calming muscle spasms and nerve injuries. Used for centuries as help for the mind.

Mellow Yellow Blend

A combination of some or all of these herbs together taken as a tea several times a day as needed or before bedtime has been found to be helpful.

Possible Mental cause of anxiety: Not trusting the flow and the process of life.

Affirmation: “I love and approve of myself and I trust the process of life. I am safe.” *

*affirmations are taken directly out of Louise Hay’s book, Heal Your Body. www.LouiseHay.com

Allergies, 10 Herbs to Help

November 3, 2014 livehealthy Leave a Comment

10 Simple Herbal Allergy Helpers

Herbs can help with allergies. When symptoms flare we want to go for quick results, but allergy symptoms will increase over time unless we reprogram our bodies reaction to the offending allergen.

There are many different causes and reasons for allergies, but most result in the body over-triggering our immune systems. Our bodies go on alert against the offending weed, dust or food and then stay on defense longer and longer, becoming more sensitive with time, as they attempt to ward off the perceived danger.

chamomile

Different remedies work best for different allergies but there are some common ones that work in general. The area affected as well as time and environment conditions can clue us in to the right cause and remedy.

I have compiled a very simple list of helpful time proven natural remedies to speed relief and build your body’s defenses based on allergy symptoms. These are just a place to start.

Allergy Runny Nose: Onions and garlic, eat lots! (The homeopathic remedy of this is allium cepa if you can’t stand eating onions.) Homeopathic is easy, inexpensive and fast, available in your health store, but has to be very specific. (There are no side effects, but you should start seeing results within a few applications if it is the one you need.)

Skin Conditions: If you have skin problems that are due to allergies, many times taking a natural form of sulfur (MSM) can help immensely. (It also helps with stiff joints) Studies are showing a lack of sulfur in our soil, especially in dry areas, and also in our bodies.

Burdock and Chaparral are helpful for allergies, excellent for skin issues and cleansers of the blood.

Silica as an herbal supplement or in tea can help too. Silica is naturally found in horsetail herb (also known as shavegrass). It helps build collegen which helps our connective tissues for stronger hair, nails, bones and skin.

Allergy Sinus Congestion: Nettles, peppermint and gingko, Gingko increases circulation in the brain and has natural antihistamines which makes it a great allergy helper. Nettle strengthens the whole system’s defense against environmental allergies.

Oils for quick, temporary relief: Peppermint oil and/or lavender oil. Make sure it is therapeutic quality to use medicinally. One drop placed in hand and then rubbed gently on nose, temples and/or back of neck. Breathe in deeply to clear the sinuses for a couple hours. These can work as a face steam too. Place 1-2 drop in non-aluminum or plastic bowl, add boiling water and hold head over bowl under a towel until water cools or effects slow.

Tea and Honey: Much publicity has been given to the benefits of local raw honey, and it’s true. I am a walking testament to how well they work for allergies to outside sources, such as hay, grasses, trees and pollens. The bees pick up pollen from all of the irritants in bloom and so the honey they produce helps your body build up resistance to those allergens; very much like a vaccine works. That’s why the more local the honey the better.

Teas made out of the local herbs work the same way; your body is taking in small, diluted amounts and builds a tolerance to those herbs. Take your tea and honey together for a pleasant way to help allergies. Our Outback tea is based on this principle.

Environment: Look around your environment for any conditions or pollutants that may be weakening your immune system even if not directly related to your allergy. Help your body be stronger by getting rid of them, if possible. For example, formaldehyde in carpets, chemical cleaners, dust, mold, weed-killers, sunflowers, etc. can compromise your living area.

Affirmation: “The world is a friendly place. I am at peace with life.”