Simple Health Hacks for a Cold-Free Winter

January 23, 2017 livehealthy

Staying Healthy This Winter – Simple?

Winter has shown up in Central Oregon! So much so, in fact, that I joked with my friend the other day that “it’s hard to tell Bend from Mt. Bachelor.” It’s snowed so much in the past month that I’ve been forgetting what everything looked like without a colossal blanket of white over it. However, if you think that a little snow is stopping locals from getting outdoors, you’re wrong. The residents of Bend are as active as ever, because they’re getting creative. How? Just look outside –Bendites these days are getting their errands done by snowboarding and skiing around town!

While you may be one of these winter go-getters, playing in the snow does have its drawbacks if the correct measures aren’t taken first. During the cold weather season, bodies become more susceptible to catching bugs like the cold, the flu and pneumonia. In fact, as you expose yourself to cold weather, your air passages and skin dry out. This means that you become dehydrated faster which makes it all the easier for viruses to sneak in. Now, I know that I’m not the type of person that likes to spend hours mixing up cocktails of vitamins and supplements to find the perfect cold cure. So instead, I’ve found two quick, and ridiculously simple immune fixes that are easy to administer daily at your own home in under a minute.

This first winter health remedy is one that I’ve been loving for external protection –an incredibly handy organic balm by T’s Tonics. It’s called “Grab Salve” and it works on pretty much everything you want to grab it for.

Grab this salve for dry cracked skin and lips

Enthusiastically built for cuts and burns and infections, this salve has proved itself the perfect winter friendly pocket accessory for chapped lips, noses and hands as well. In fact, I’ve successfully used it in place of chapstick probably more times than I’d like to admit! It’s great for cracked heels too. It can be found in Bend at the Patagonia store.

My other favorite winter hack is easily green tea. Loaded with vitamins and nutrients, I’ve made it a point to drink at least one cup per day since fall began. Did you know that one cup of green tea has up to 10% of your vitamin C for the day? To further the healing properties, I’ve been loving adding in a special Jamaican flower called hibiscus. In addition to boasting beautiful pink petals, this flower is wonderful for helping the body with its naturally high vitamin C and antioxidant content. Besides being warming to the soul, green tea with hibiscus is also the perfect way to give your immune system that vital boost! T’s tonics has made a deliciously health-conscious tea that includes both of these goodies, PLUS orange peel, lemon peel, rosehips and more boosters and you can find the link here: Citrus Hibiscus

It’s easy to stay healthy for all the winter fun, all it really takes is a little know how and a couple quick tricks –like tea and a pocket-sized multi-use balm. If you have any stories or quick natural fixes that work for you, feel free to share them in the comments below. After all, exchanging experiences is what helps us grow and stay healthy for the stuff that matters –like skiing, sledding and snowball fights!

contributed by Isabella Moseley

A Tea That Can Help the Memory?

December 8, 2016 livehealthy

Herbs for the Brain

What they are and how they work:

Jasmine Green Tea-Rich in polyphenols which are powerful anti-oxidants that strengthen immune systems and rejuvenates our bodies. They are shown to inhibit and help kill cancer cells! Also helpful in fighting infection. Supports the cardiovascular system and helps lower cholesterol. Other positives are increased metabolism, energy, and help with rheumatoid arthritis.

Peppermint leaf is also a powerful anti-oxidant and combined with the green tea works overtime to support the heart, digestive and nervous systems. It is also good for strengthening the immune system and is good for the skin. Stimulating to the brain yet calming to the emotions enables this herb to help with concentration and focus.

Lemon Peel -has many positive benefits that work dynamically in combination with green tea and peppermint. It is wonderful for digestion and metabolism. It balances the pH and increases energy, circulation and mood levels. It is rich in vitamin C which supports the immune system.

Ginkgo leaf – antioxidant, stimulates circulatory system, reduces inflammation, improves memory and brain function, anti-aging benefits. High in iron, calcium and vitamin C.

Sage leaf– antibiotic, antioxidant, immune building, helps memory retention and concentration, drying to mucus membranes, dries milk in nursing moms, helps balance hormones for menopause, decreases inflammation, good for skin and bones, eczema, acne.

Rosemary leaf– sister herb to sage with similar benefits: helpful to digestion, brain stimulation, immune system, and healthy hair growth. Together, they are shown to equal the benefits of some Alzheimer medications.

Gota kola– Known as the herb of “enlightenment”, gota kola has many benefits including increased cognitive abilities, circulation, oxygenation, treats gastric ulcers, helps regulate blood pressure, decrease anxiety, stress, and mental fatigue, increases libido, a mild diuretic, it can help pass toxins out of the body, helps wrinkles and aging of the skin.

Infused with therapeutic essential oils of peppermint & sage.

Thinker’s Tea

Bonus: This tea also makes a great hair rinse for darkening graying hair and increasing shine!

Recipe: Herbed Chicken

Combine 2 Tbsp Thinkers Tea with 1 tsp sea salt and ¼ tsp black pepper and 1 Tbsp olive oil. Use as a rub on 2-4 chicken breasts and grill until done. Enjoy!

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” Prov. 1;7

Mo-Tea-To Recipe with Lemon Refresh-Mint Tea

March 13, 2016 livehealthy

Refreshing Mo-Tea-To

This “Mo-Tea-To” green tea version of a Motito was well liked when it made it’s appearance at the Bend Art Walk.

It is a flavorful, sparkly and refreshing drink with a feel-good peppermint finish. The green tea gives the traditional summer time recipe more depth and interest, I think. People were asking for the Mo-Tea-To recipe, so here it is:

Mo-Tea-Tos

4 oz T’s Tonics Lemon Refresh-Mint Tea, prepared, (follow directions on back).

mo-tea-to Ingredients

2 Tbs Raw Honey Simple Syrup

2 oz. Spritzer or Sprite

2 slices lime

10 pc. Mint leaves (optional)

2 oz light Rum (optional)

It was very easy to make as the T’s Tonics Refresh-Mint Tea itself has the 3 main ingredients of Green Tea, Peppermint and Lemon.

Prepare a cold infusion of lemon Refresh-mint tea.

You can do this by steeping a tea strainer of the tea in 16 oz. (or 1/2 cup for a gallon) of hot water for 4 minutes and then cool it down in fridge with a ziplock bag of ice submerged in it for speed.

You can also make a sun tea by putting 1/8 c lemon Refresh-Mint in a glass jar, activating the leaves with a covering of warm water, then filling the rest of the jar with cool water and placing covered in a sunny window or warm spot for a couple hours until ready.

Make a simple syrup. I made a honey mint simple syrup for my recipe.

Here’s how: A simple syrup is simply made by heating 1 part sugar to 5 parts water.

I used raw local honey instead and steeped a few sprigs of fresh peppermint leaves in it as it was heating. I then strained it into a glass measuring cup and put it in the fridge to cool.

Slice lemons and limes. I juiced 1 lime and 1/2 lemon to add to my gallon of tea.

tea art.

Blend the cold tea, spritzer or sprite, some lime juice, the simple syrup and light rum, if desired, together. Add ice cubes, slices of lemon and lime and fresh mint sprigs to garnish.

Serve and enjoy!

Angelinas Organic Skincare art walk

What’s the Perfect Cup for Tea?

January 20, 2016 livehealthy Leave a Comment

The Perfect Cup For Tea

If you like to drink your tea in BIG cups, you’re our kind of people.

No delicate little cups for me.

A nice sized pottery mug full of steaming tea in your hands has a warm, heavy, real feel to it. I always run my hands over it, feeling all the textures of the clay.

Why I think Big pottery mugs make the perfect tea cups:

I haven’t found a to-go cup that equals it. Metal, plastic, or paper against the lips just doesn’t taste as good.

China cups are for tea parties, they have their place and time. They are fun for practicing lady-like sipping with upturned pinky finger and crossed knees.

And I serve coffee and cider in small everyday cups.

But when I am steeping some good tea, I go BIG.

For one thing, a tea infuser of loose leaf tea can nicely infuse a BIG cup with tasty flavor several times over.

A BIG mug doesn’t have to be re-filled as fast. And yet it holds heat well, while being carried around doing various tasks.

Some of our favorites:

If the handle is comfortable and the mug is easy to palm, it is used daily.

I also like ones with a variety of color.

Some sentimentality goes far too; if the cup has a story, was a gift or was made by a favorite potter, it warms the heart as well as the hands.

5 Simple Ways to Speed Sports Recovery

January 4, 2016 livehealthy Leave a Comment

5 Ways to Speed Sports Recovery

nature works

Whether you are training for an event, just exercising, or doing school sports, when you work your body hard, recovery is needed.

Here are some easy, proven ways to help speed your rebound time and get you back on your feet faster.

Replace fluids: Drinking water after exercising is important for recovery but even better is adding Vitamin C into that water. Vitamin C helps repair tissues and replenish your cells.
- You can do this with lemon, lime or orange squeezed in water or use an electrolyte recovery drink like Emergen-C.
- Drinking green tea also helps, being high in anti-oxidants, inflammation reducing properties and tannins which help healing
Compression Clothing: Lycra is your friend. It doesn’t have to be special or expensive, leggings or under-armor clothing will work to support recovering muscles and joints.
Shower stretching: Or a bath, even better; with Epsom salts or dry mustard added to the water to pull toxins and lactic acid build up out of your muscles. Gently stretch sore muscles under water. Rotating from hot to cold water speeds recovery even faster.
Inflammation reducers: Arnica Spray helps reduce swelling and speed healing.

T’s Tonics Arnica Spray has peppermint oil added which also helps relieve pain and re-energizes muscles!
Taking ginger and turmeric internally or on food can help reduce inflammation also.

Eat Protein: Before exercising and after, it is important to eat the right foods. Protein helps to build muscle and endurance and is important for sustainable energy.

You will be back on your feet in no time with a little rest, recovery and following these tips.

“In times of Stress, be Bold and Valiant!” -Wallace

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.

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!

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.”