Aloe Based Hand Sanitizer

    Anyone that knows me knows that I am strange.  With that said, I like germs.  Not that I like being sick, or seeing other people sick, but that germs help our immune systems to develop.  Currently, in modern America, everywhere you go you see antibacterial this and antibacterial that.  I think all of these antibacterial products are contributing to the prevalence of certain diseases such as resistant strains of bacteria.  There are actually quite a few of scientific studies that back up my beliefs in this, check out this article from Scientific American for a good introduction to the concept.  There is a lot more information out there about this rising problem, I encourage you to check it out.

    That little rant being said, we need to be mindful of cleanliness as well.  It’s no secret that many diseases are spread through contact with a sick person or animal.  You can still protect yourself from these without all the added issues that come with overpopulating the world with harsh antibacterial chemicals.  Many plants are naturally antibacterial and products made with these are not as harsh on both your body and the environment.  Homemade, natural hand sanitizer is a great way to protect yourself from the spread of contagions.  I don’t necessarily think that you should carry it around and use it after washing your hands or touching everything, but I always take some with me camping or on road trips in case I end up having nature call in a less than sanitary environment (think about those yucky convenience store bathrooms you always encounter on road trips). 

A Quick Word on Ingredients

Aloe Vera gel is a great base for hand sanitizers because it is gentle on the skin and naturally both antifungal and antibacterial. 

Vitamin E Oil is a great moisturizer for your skin and acts as a preservative which can prolong the shelf life of your sanitizer.

Witch Hazel is a great astringent (meaning that it tightens the tissues) which helps it to get rid of excess oils from the skin and shrink down pores.  

Rubbing alcohol is a great disinfectant and cleaning agent.

All essential oils are also antibacterial, so to an extent you can feel free to vary the essential oils in my recipes, but tea tree and lavender essential oils are typically considered the best antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal oils.  Essential oils are really strong medicine and should be treated with respect.  Rosemary, eucalyptus, camphor and certain kinds of lavender essential oils have been known to trigger seizures in epileptic patients, please use caution when using these oils.

Moisturizing and Gentle Hand Sanitizer

Ingredients:

¼ cup 100% Aloe Vera Gel

20 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

10 drops Lavender Essential Oil

5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

5 drops Lemon Essential Oil

¼ teaspoon Vitamin E Oil

*optional 1 teaspoon either Witch Hazel or Rubbing Alcohol

Instructions:

Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix.  Pour the mixture into the bottle/container you want to use (Specialty Bottles has a great selection ).  The Vitamin E Oil will act as a preservative (as well as softening your hands) so that the gel will be good for several months.

    Like all of my recipes (both edible and non-edible), you can feel free to play around with it.  I rarely use the exact same recipe twice for my own purposes.  You can even turn this into a spray by making a strong antibacterial tea (some good herbs for this would include lemongrass and green tea) to add to this recipe.  I hope you enjoy making your own hand sanitizers and let me know what you think in the comments below!

Resources:

DIY Natural: http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-hand-sanitizer/

Everyday Roots: http://everydayroots.com/diy-hand-sanitizer

Live Strong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/191247-common-uses-for-rubbing-alcohol/

Natural Living Ideas: http://www.naturallivingideas.com/14-reasons-why-witch-hazel-should-be-in-every-home/

Scientific American: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/strange-but-true-antibacterial-products-may-do-more-harm-than-good/

Specialty Bottles: http://www.specialtybottle.com/plastic-bottles/natural-hdpe

We Love Aloe: http://www.aloeplant.info/the-antibacterial-qualities-of-aloe-vera/

Wellness Mama: http://wellnessmama.com/281/homemade-hand-sanitizer/

Avoiding Heat Illness

     Living in Central Florida has its perks, but this time of year brings one exceptionally large problem as well.  Heat illness.  We are now beginning the hottest part of the year and temperatures have already, consistently, been over 100° F.  In an arid climate, this would not be quite as bad because our bodies have a natural cooling system called perspiration.  However, in the high humidity of Florida, perspiration does not evaporate as easily and therefore does not cool us off quite so well.  This means we must take extra care of ourselves when we are out in the elements. 

     Heat illness is basically the body’s inability to cool itself down.  This seems simple, but can actually be quite devastating and possibly even fatal.  Our bodies run at a fairly high temperature thanks to our metabolism, which is the process that converts nutrients into energy inside our bodies.  With the conversion of energy, a lot of heat is produced.  Heat is also produced by our muscles when we use that energy during exercise.  When our bodies generate all that heat, we begin to sweat.  If the sweat is not enough to cool down our bodies, then perspiration stops and we begin to suffer from different degrees of heat stress which cause illness. 

Heat Cramps

    Heat cramps are the first stage of heat illness.  They usually occur a few hours after exposure to hot conditions.  Symptoms include involuntary muscle spasms (cramps) in the arms, legs, or abdomen.  These are usually accompanied by profuse sweating, normal pulse, normal breathing, and possibly dizziness. 

     Treatment: Sit in a cool place!  Massage muscles, with ice and/or ice water.  Stretch.  Drink plenty of fluids, diluted electrolyte drinks or plain water are preferred.    

Heat Exhaustion

    Heat exhaustion is the second stage of heat illness.  This is what happens when our bodies no longer can cool itself and, as such, usually occurs after several hours of intense sweating without replacing the body’s fluids and electrolytes.  When this happens, the skin becomes cool and clammy.  Other symptoms include dizziness, disorientation, rapid and shallow breathing, and a weak pulse.

    Treatment: Remove wet clothing and/or equipment.  Use external means to cool the body down (ice water on the skin, ice bath, or cold shower).  Replace fluids by drinking if possible, but IV fluid replacement may be necessary at this stage.  This is the stage where seeing a physician may become necessary.

Heat Stroke

     Heat stroke is the third stage of heat illness, and the most dangerous one.  This stage is the one where our bodies no longer produce sweat because we have lost too much water and salt.  This is also a life-threatening stage so 911 should be called.  Symptoms include high body temperatures without perspiration, vomiting, nausea, increased irritability (usually followed by apathy), disorientation, and a strong and rapid pulse.  During this stage, the blood pressure may drop fast enough to cause convulsions and possibly even a coma. 

     Treatment: Call 911!  Cool rapidly with ice or an ice bath.  The emergency crew will also treat for shock and transfer to a trauma unit.

Hail Hydra(tion)! And other forms of Prevention

     -Though I started this off with heat cramps as the first stage of heat illness, don’t forget dehydration plays a big part as well.  If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.  This is the biggest part of prevention you can do.  Hydration isn’t just about drinking enough water, it’s about replacing the water and the electrolytes you lose through perspiration.  If you keep a weight chart (weigh yourself before and after exercising) remember, you need to replace 8oz of water for every pound of weight lost. 

     -Allow your body to acclimate to the warmer climate.  Don’t immediately rush into physical activity when you emerge from the A/C in your home or car, allow a few minutes to get used to the heat and you’ll be better prepared for it.

     -Wear loose, comfortable clothing.  Some synthetic materials are great for wicking the sweat from your skin, but natural materials allow for better air flow.  Avoid polyester if at all possible as it does not absorb sweat and it does not breathe at all. 

     -Plan your heaviest activities for the coolest parts of the day.

     -Listen to your body.  When you feel overheated, rest in a cool place and drink plenty of fluids. 

     Each of the stages of heat illness do include various degrees, and heat stroke can easily be mistaken for heat exhaustion.  Also, these stages build on each other, heat stroke can include all the symptoms from the previous two stages as well as its own set of symptoms.  Heat illness is very preventable, just be aware of your body and your surroundings.  Hydration is key and listening to your body is a must. 

Resources:

About Kids Health: http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/en/HealthAZ/SafetyandtheEnvironment/OutdoorSafety/Pages/Summer-safety-Preventing-heat-related-illness.aspx

Active: http://www.active.com/fitness/articles/5-tips-to-prevent-heat-illness

Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/features/extremeheat/

Missouri Families: http://www.missourifamilies.org/FEATURES/healtharticles/health111.htm

5 Great Herbs for Smoothies

     A lot of people are always on the lookout for something life changing for their diets, something that will be tasty, nutritious, and easy to incorporate into a busy American lifestyle.  For me and many others, smoothies fit this description.  Smoothies are a great way to add an amazing amount of nutrients into a convenient, and often refreshing, snack.  One of my favorite things to do with smoothies is add in healthy herbs.  Herbs are full of great health benefits and they can also be a greatly flavorful edition to any food, including smoothies. 

    One of the things I do to incorporate herbs into my smoothies is herbal ice.  There are two main ways to make herbal ice, the first is very simple.  You just put the herbs in ice cube trays and add water before freezing.  You can chop the herbs, or just put them in whole.  Chopping the herbs will provide a greater amount of flavor than just using the whole herb so keep that in mind when you're experimenting.  The second is my preferred method and is also pretty simple, especially if you want to use a blend of herbs.  Make an herbal tea and freeze it.  How strong you make your tea will determine how intense the flavor of the ice will be.  A good ratio to begin with is 1 tablespoon of dried herb for each cup of water.  Just boil the water and pour it over the herbs, let sit for 30 or more minutes.  For ice I usually let my tea sit over night to extract all the wonderful goodness that those herbs can bring to my nutritional table.  It also will bring a greater intensity of flavor to my smoothies. 

    You can also just throw some herbs into your smoothie to blend, but I prefer to add the herbal ice because many nutrients will be more easily absorbed by our bodies that way, however I am not above adding a handful of herbs just for fun.

Basil

    This herb is infamous in the kitchen, but it also makes a great medicinal herb.  Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is packed full of nutrients, including vitamin K and manganese.  Basil is also a great herb for helping ease stomach problems including stomach cramps, gas, and improving the appetite.  It also helps to reduce inflammation, ease headaches, and ease the symptoms of the common cold.  There is an Indian basil called Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) which is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine for heart disease, stress, insect repellant, and malaria.  Tulsi tea is actually one of my favorite herbal teas for relaxing at the end of the day. 

    Basil's flavor goes well with all kinds of berries, citrus fruit, and other herbs in the lamiaceae family (mint, rosemary, thyme, etc).  I also like it with stone fruit, such as peaches, and with watermelon. 

Basil Blackberry Watermelon Smoothie

3 cups cubed watermelon (seeded and frozen)

2 cups blackberries

¼ cup pomegranate juice

2 ½ cups basil flavored ice

Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.  Taste and adjust sweetness if desired (some good sweeteners to consider are honey, stevia, and turbanado sugar).

Chamomile

    The popularity of herbal teas has grown over the past few decades, and with it has grown the awareness of certain herbs.  Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) has become one of the go-to herbs for most people’s tea drinking habits.  And why not?  It’s naturally sweet smelling, pleasant tasting, and calming to the senses.  It’s so calming in fact that some people can’t drink it or they will fall asleep.  This herb has been popular since the days of Egypt, Greece, and Rome.  Even in the Middle Ages, people looked to chamomile to help cure many of the health conditions of the day.  Today it is still used as a sleep aid, a treatment for fevers, colds, stomach upset, and as an anti-inflammatory.  It’s used to help with teething babies, as a wash to lighten hair, to help with morning sickness during pregnancy, and to help hasten the healing of wounds.  The uses for chamomile are many and varied, which make it a great addition to a daily routine.  It does come with two major cautions though.  First, be aware that chamomile affects certain people more strongly than others and don’t plan on operating any heavy machinery after consuming it.  Second, it is related to ragweed and a few people with ragweed allergies might have a histamine response to chamomile as well.

    Chamomile is fairly sweet so it goes well with just about every fruit, though it is particularly tasty with the tangy citrus fruits.  It also pairs well with other herbs such as lavender, mint, and lemongrass. 

Strawberry Chamomile Smoothie

5 cups strawberries

¼ cup orange juice

2 ½ cups chamomile flavored ice

Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.  Taste and adjust sweetness if desired (some good sweeteners to consider are honey, stevia, and turbanado sugar).

Ginger

    The past handful of years I have seen several friends go through pregnancy and deal with things like morning sickness.  Almost universally, they all seem to reach for one thing when they feel sick and that is ginger.  Whether it is ginger candy or ginger tea, it’s very well known for easing the stomach and being gentle enough for use during pregnancy.  Ginger (Zingiber officinale) isn’t just useful for your stomach though.  Throughout the years it has been used in many situations.  Its warmth is well known and useful for boosting circulation, lowering blood pressure, as an anti-viral, and as an anti-inflammatory.  This makes it one of the best things for colds and flus and has been researched extensively for use in dealing with arthritis, fever, headache, toothache, and preventing blood clots.  This brings to mind one warning that comes with ginger, if you are preparing to go in for a surgery please don’t consume any ginger beforehand as it may cause problems with blood flow during the surgery. 

    Ginger’s warmth goes great with creamy textures like yogurt and bananas, also with other warming spices such as cinnamon.  It also goes really well with citrus, apples, pumpkin, and many other fruits. 

 

Orange Ginger Smoothie

4 cups orange slices

1 cup avocado

2 teaspoons orange zest

¼ cup coconut water

2 ½ cups ginger flavored ice

Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.  Taste and adjust sweetness if desired (some good sweeteners to consider are honey, stevia, and turbanado sugar).

Green Tea

    Green tea has always been a staple in my home and is one of my favorite comfort drinks.  It is also packed full of amazing nutrients like antioxidants.  Antioxidants have been getting a lot of publicity in recent years, they have been found to have major health benefits, the least of which include preventing cancers.  Green tea (Camellia sinesis) is also known to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, combat fatigue, regulate blood sugar levels, and increase metabolism.  This makes it great for losing weight and a wonderful tea for diabetics. 

    Green tea goes well with vanilla, mint, rosemary, lavender, tropical fruits, citrus, and quite a few other fruits as well.

Tropical Green Tea Smoothie

2 cups pineapple

1 ½ cups papaya

1 ½ cups mango

¼ cup coconut Milk

2 ½ cups green tea flavored ice

Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.  Taste and adjust sweetness if desired (some good sweeteners to consider are honey, stevia, and turbanado sugar).

Lemon Balm

    As its common name suggests, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has a lemony flavor and is soothing to the nerves.  It comes from the same family as mint, rosemary, lavender, and basil.  This amazing herb is used for quite a few things including soothing the nerves, sleeping problems, and menstrual cramps.  It also helps to relax stomach, uterine, and bladder muscles which make it ideal to relieve gas, cramps, and nausea.  It has also been shown to help increase mental clarity by reducing stress and insomnia.  Lemon balm is a great herb for almost everyone.  The one caution I have about this herb is concerning hypoactive thyroid conditions.  Lemon balm reduces production of the thyroid hormones, aggravating these conditions. 

    With its lemony flavor, lemon balm goes great with just about every fruit out there.

Peachy Lemon Balm Smoothie

3 cups peaches

2 cups banana

¼ cup lemon juice

2 ½ cups lemon balm flavored ice

Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.  Taste and adjust sweetness if desired (some good sweeteners to consider are honey, stevia, and turbanado sugar).

    In trying these recipes, I found a good basic ratio that works.  Feel free to play around with it and have fun.  Smoothies are really easy to adjust to your own tastes.  My ratio is 5 cups of fruit, ¼ cups liquid, and 2 ½ cups of ice.  You can add in all kinds of powders, seeds, nuts, and dried fruits to your smoothies and I encourage you to do so.  Nouveau Raw has posted a good flavor pairing list that may help with flavor combinations.  Have fun and feel free to post any favorite recipes you come up with in the comments below!

Resources:

Annies Remedies: http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail4.php

Herb Wisdom: http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-chamomile.html

                              http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-ginger-root.html

                              http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-green-tea.html

                              http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-lemon-balm.html

My Heart Beets: http://myheartbeets.com/10-herbs-for-smoothies/

Nouveau Raw: https://nouveauraw.com/raw-recipe-templates-and-development/flavor-prfiles-that-pair-well-in-recipes/

Bitter is Better

     I am a huge fan of foraging, wildcrafting, and ethnobotany. As a result, I have been on many “wild weed walks.” Some of these have been strictly about food, some about medicinal properties. There is one plant that I have encountered a few times, on both kinds of walks, but until this summer I never had the pleasure of having it grow in my own back yard. Bitter Melon Momordica charantia is strikingly attractive, but terribly stinky (smells like old gym shoes). This vine has attractive green leaves, yellow flowers, and fruit that starts off green, but as it matures it turns a bright orange. When it’s finally ripe, it splits open in three parts, showing off the red arils (a fleshy coating around a seed). In Florida, it is considered a class II invasive, which means it is spreading in the wild but hasn’t done any significant habitat damage. It is, however, a major problem for citrus growers. Which means it’s great for those of us who like to harvest wild plants for food and/or herbal uses!

    Bitter melon, also called bitter gourd or wild balsam apple, is commonly used in the traditional dishes of many cultures, but it is only edible when it is green. It is toxic when ingested raw and has been attributed to several accidental pet deaths, dogs are particularly susceptible. The young leaves are also edible when cooked and drained. Bitter melon is packed full of wonderful nutrients, if you can get past the bitterness.

    A side note on the bitter flavor profile. In the USA, our diets are full of things that are not very good for us. This is causing most health professionals to see a major increase in digestive upset and disorders. One of the things we are lacking in our diets that could help with these issues is the bitter taste profile. Americans only really have one bitter flavor that they consume, and that’s coffee. Those of us that drink beer have another bitter flavor to add, but we even breed the “bitter” out of our greens now, mildly flavored greens are way more popular. The bitter flavor activates our bile production in our digestive tract. Bile helps us to digest fats and absorb more nutrients. If you consume something bitter at the beginning of (or even before) the meal, your digestion will improve greatly. Bitter flavors also helps with addictions, especially for those of us who are addicted to sugar because it helps to curb our cravings for sweets. If we would just add in a little bitter to our diets, we’d be much healthier as a nation.

    So, after that rant let’s get back to this wonderful plant. Bitter melon might be used as an edible, but it is best known for its medicinal properties. In recent years, I have seen a number of advertisements for various nutritional supplements that include bitter melon. These adds are targeting diabetics and people who want to lose weight and look young. Well, they’re not all wrong. Bitter melon is high in a number of vitamins and minerals, but it is particularly high in those that are considered antioxidants. Recently, there has also been lots of scientific research done on this plant. Most scientific studies have shown that the fruit has lots of promise in treating diabetes. Some doctors even recommend that diabetic patients eat the green fruit, or drink the juice of the same, on a daily basis. However, alcohol extracts (tinctures or bitters), while still working wonders on digestion, do not have an effect on diabetes. This is probably due to the alcohol part of the extract, as alcohol can have a detrimental effect on insulin levels.

    Traditional uses of this amazing plant abound. It detoxifies the blood and colon. It has been used, in other countries, to combat HIV/AIDS as well as certain types of cancers (including leukemia). Some cultures even believe that it can cure leprosy. The Amazonian natives use the leaf tea internally for diabetes and as a carminative (relieves flatulence), and topically for wound care, sores, and infections. It is also used, both internally and externally, to get rid of worms and parasites. In the traditional medicines of both Asia and Africa, it is used for digestive complaints, as a laxative, to enhance metabolism, and to increase both blood circulation and immunity. It is used in Ayurveda (the traditional Indian medical system) to help control fever, purify the blood, and reduce jaundice. Ayurveda also lists the gourd as beneficial to the liver, skin, and to help with “windy complaints.” Asians, Panamanians, and Columbians also use bitter melon to treat malaria. The list of benefits from this plant can go on, and on. It really is amazingly useful.

    I know that I already covered the fact that this plant can be toxic. However I wanted to stress caution with this plant as the nature of its toxicity is tied to its medicinal uses. Bitter melon toxicity causes “violent loss of fluids from both ends.” Pregnant women should avoid using this plant as it can cause spontaneous abortions. Also exercise caution with this plant if you are hypoglycemic because it can lower your insulin level to a dangerous level.

Resources:

Eat the Weeds: http://www.eattheweeds.com/bitter-gourd-balsam-pear-pharmacy-on-a-fence/

Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council: http://www.fleppc.org/

International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences: http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnfs.20150401.21.pdf

Prodifact: http://www.prodifact.com/1momordica-charantia.html

Wild South Florida: http://www.wildsouthflorida.com/bitter.melon-balsam.apple.html#.V3wob_krLIU

Summer Sunburn Relief

    If living in Florida has taught me one thing, it’s how to care for sunburns.  Florida’s reputation as the “sunshine state” is well earned.  Even in the middle of a rainstorm, the sun can be out in full force.  With my pale skin, it doesn’t talk long for me to burn to a crisp.  Of course, the best thing to do is to protect yourself and prevent sunburn by applying sunblock, staying in the shade, and wearing protective clothing.  If you get caught out in the sun too long, however, here are some natural ways to help heal and relieve the pain of sunburn.

Aloe

    One of the best things for sunburns is aloe.  Aloe naturally relieves pain, reduces inflammation, repairs damaged skin cells, strengthens the immune system, accelerates the healing process, and fights off bacteria that can cause infection.  It also forms a protective layer over the skin which helps hold in moisture while adding extra hydration.  This basically means that aloe is a powerhouse for healing any burn.  The easiest way to use aloe is to cut a leaf and squeeze the gel onto the burn, or cut the leaf and scoop out the gel.  Apply the gel to the burn and leave it until it dries.  If it starts to get sticky wash it off.  However, this method can be difficult for sunburns that cover a large area, so I recommend harvesting the gel ahead of time and keeping it in your fridge.  You can also freeze it in icecube trays to have an extra bit of relief from the cold.  You can also add other things to your aloe gel, such as cucumbers which also help soothe the inflamed skin.  Just cut the aloe leaf, scoop out the gel, peel and dice the cucumber, put them into a blender and blend until smooth.  Leave this mixture on the burn for 30 min. 

Sunburn Tea

    Oddly enough, one of the best things you can use for sunburn is one of the staples in almost every southern home.  Iced tea.  Black tea has quite a few amazing qualities that help heal and soothe skin after a sunburn.  Adding in a mixture of other healing herbs can make for an amazing sunburn relief tea that you can then apply (either by blotting with a cloth or by spraying on) as often as you need.  My favorite mixture is black tea, lavender, rose petals, peppermint, yarrow, and apple cider vinegar. 

Black Tea- Earl grey tea seems to work best on sunburns, I suspect this is due to the bergamot that gives earl grey its distinctive taste.  Black tea is packed full of antioxidants which help to block the harmful effects of the sun, even after sun exposure.  It also is full of tannins which help to reduce post-sun inflammation.  Earl gray is black tea and bergamot oil.  Bergamot is full of more antioxidants.  But it is also from a citrus fruit and all citrus helps boost immune function, but bergamot is also a pain reliever. 

Lavender- Lavender is calming, and soothing to the nerves.  It also helps to tone the skin.  Essential oil of lavender is also a great topical pain reliever. 

Rose Petals- Rose petals are high in vitamin C which helps boost immune function.  They also have a great cooling effect on the skin. 

Peppermint- Peppermint has an amazing cooling effect and it helps to reduce inflammation. 

Yarrow- Yarrow speeds up the healing process for wounds and reduces inflammation.  It also prevents blistering and peeling.

Apple Cider Vinegar- Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is great for taking the sting out of burns.  It also is full of amazing nutrients that help to fight infection and heal the skin. 

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup water

2 bags of good quality Earl Grey

1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers

1 teaspoon dried rose petals

1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves

1`teaspoon dried yarrow leaves and/or flowers

½ cup raw apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

Bring the water to a boil.  Remove from the heat and add in the tea and the herbs.  Let it steep for 30+ minutes.  Strain into a glass container.  Add in the apple cider vinegar.  If you want, you can add 5 drops of lavender essential oil for added relief.  Storing this is the refrigerator not only adds to the shelf life, but it also adds a bit more cooling relief upon application.

Sunburn Cream

    Creams are good to have premade.  This one is good to keep around for any kind of burn, it also works well for sores and razor burn. 

Witch Hazel- Witch hazel is great to heal all kinds of skin issues.  It will help prevent blisters and peeling as well as reduce inflammation.

Coconut Oil- Coconut oil is a great moisturizer and it helps to reduce the pain of sunburns. 

Cornstarch- Cornstarch helps relieve the pain of the sunburn and has a cooling effect.

Ingredients:

½ cup witch hazel

1 cup water

3 tablespoons aloe gel (fresh is best, but don’t use the green or blue stuff from the store)

About ½ cup cornstarch

3 teaspoons coconut oil

10 drops peppermint essential oil

10 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

Put the water, witch hazel and aloe gel in a glass container.  Mix these together, cover, and let sit for 2 hours.  After the two hours, add the remaining ingredients and mix together (you can use a blender or food processor if you want) until creamy.  You can add more cornstarch if it’s too watery or more water if it’s too thick.  The texture you are looking for is similar to a lotion.  Let it sit for 24 hours before use.  Store in a tightly lidded jar, in the fridge.  Will keep for several weeks.

Potato Paste

    Yes, this next recipe is essentially mashed, raw potatoes, but it really works.  Just like cornstarch, potato starch works wonders on sunburns.  It draws out the heat and toxins from the burn and alleviates the pain and has a cooling effect.  Some people slice raw potatoes and just apply them to the burns, but this paste is a little more effective and has better skin coverage for those pesky sunburns. 

Instructions:

Wash some potatoes, leave the skins on, and put them in the food processor.  Add a little water to moisten the paste.  Apply to your sunburn, but don’t rub it in, dab it on.  Keep it there for 30 minutes.  Discard the potato paste afterwards.

    I hope these tips and recipes help you with your sunburns, but don’t forget to protect your skin before you go out into the summer sun!

Resources:

DIY & Crafts: http://www.diyncrafts.com/6768/health/5-natural-sunburn-remedies-instantly-stop-pain-prevent-peeling

Home Remedies for Life: http://homeremediesforlife.com/aloe-vera-for-sunburn/

Love to Know: http://skincare.lovetoknow.com/Severe_Sunburn_Old-Fashioned_Remedy

Organic Facts: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-bergamot-essential-oil.html

Today in Dietzville: http://todayindietzville.com/2016/05/sunburn-tea-natural-sunburn-remedies/

Top 10 Grocery Secrets: http://www.top10grocerysecrets.com/2015-09-28-top-10-medicinal-plants-natural-sunburn-relief

Back to Bare(foot)

    I grew up in the Panhandle of Florida, on a canal that leads to one of the bigger lakes in Northwest Florida.  I was a 20 min drive away from the nearest gas station, 30 min away from a grocery store, and 45 min from the most beautiful beaches in the world.  My dad still lives there, in the house I grew up in.  Last I checked, the road was still not paved and the Google street view team hadn’t actually ventured down it.  There were lots of places to explore, the woods (well really it was mainly scrub), the canal, the lake, etc.  As a kid, I was always going outside.  My parents always knew they could find me either reading a good book in my favorite climbing tree, or listening to my favorite music out on the dock while pretending to fish.  And through all of these activities, unless I was venturing out past the mailbox, I was barefoot.  This is a trait I got straight from my mother, and even now I kick my shoes off as often as I possibly can. 

    Whether you believe that we were created by a higher being, or that we evolved into what we are today, you cannot deny that we have a connection to the Earth.  Our sustenance comes from the earth and our bodies nourish the earth once we die.  We are all part of that great cycle of life that takes place on this wonderful Earth.  Our ancestors spent most of their lives, if not all of them, in direct contact with earth.  In our current era of advanced technology, we spend most of our time indoors and when we do venture outside, we wear rubber soled shoes.  The only time most people go barefoot is when they are at the beach, a lake, or a spring.  I don’t know what caused people to stop going barefoot in their own back yards, but I do know that there are many, many benefits to going barefoot and I think we should bring barefoot back! 

Balance Electrons

    The Earth has a natural magnetic field.  This field is how we are able to use compasses to navigate.  It also can help keep the electrons in our bodies balanced.  I’m sure many of you have heard of the negative effects of positive ions on the human body, though you might only recognize that you have once I let you know that positive ions are also called free radicals.  (Does that ring more of a bell?)  Free radicals are ultimately what causes inflammation and they are being traced to quite a few health issues including cancer and even aging.  When we come into direct contact with earth, our bodies naturally discharge a number of these positive ions.  At the same time, we pick up negative ions which can help to negate any remaining positive ions in our bodies.  So now we know one way to combat positive ions, but how do we keep getting more of them?  Electronics and electro-magnetic frequencies are a big source of these.  Anything with a power source that emits a signal will also be emitting positive ions.  Things like cell phones, computers, tablets, e-readers, televisions, phone towers, and the list goes on and on.  We are constantly being bombarded by these positive ions and putting ourselves in direct contact with the earth can help to counter the effects they have on our bodies.  

Improve Sleep

    One of the effects of positive ions on our bodies is that of poor sleep quality.  Have you ever spent a day outside, at the beach or maybe on the lake, and had the best sleep of your life afterwards?  Part of this is just the physical activities of the day, or the relaxing atmosphere.  But part of this has to do with discharging so many positive ions and flooding your body with negative ions.  Negative ions are super relaxing and help us to get the best out of our night of sleep.

Improve Brain Function

     Our bodies are around 60% water with our brain heart being up to 73%.  The more negative ions we have in our bodies, the more conductive the water in our bodies is.  This increases the speed at which the neurons can move between our nerve endings and our brains.  Which can increase brain functionality.  This also means that positive ions reduce that same speed, so our brain function is impaired when we are not spending at least 5 minutes a day in direct contact with the earth.  Doing this can also help to increase emotional functionality which can help improve and stabilize our moods as well as maintain mental stability. 

Develop and Improve your Senses

        Walking barefoot outside means that we will come into contact with a lot of different surfaces.  Things like grass, wood, leaves, sticks, rocks, and sand.  Each one of these surfaces has a different sensation.  When we are walking barefoot, we are exposing our bodies to all of these sensations.  The nerve endings in our feet transmit all this information to other parts of our bodies.  When we wear shoes, we are missing out on these senses because our feet are not transmitting the information.  It also makes us much more aware of our surroundings and forces us to be more present.  If we are not aware and present, we may hit a particularly sharp rock, step in the excrement left by a neighbor’s dog, or even step on a wonderful little herb called stinging nettle.  It’s called stinging nettle because it literally stings you if you touch it without protection, and it’s pretty common in this part of the United States.  The chemical that causes the sting is the same chemical that causes the “fire” in fire ant bites, just to give you a little hint of how that feels. 

Improve Posture and Balance

    Our foot muscles have become dependent on our footwear over the years.  This weakens them which puts more stress on other muscles in our bodies.  When our feet muscles are unable to perform their duties, other muscles have to step in and fix the problems created this way.  Some of the muscles and joints that can become strained when we do this include the lower back, neck, and knees.  Walking barefoot helps to strengthen our foot muscles and ankles which can often lead to a decrease in pain in those previously mentioned areas.  One of the more important factors in this is toe strength.  Most people take these tiny digits for granted.  I mean what are toes really used for?  Balance and posture.  When we wear shoes, our toes are squished together which has a negative impact on our balance and posture.  Letting those tootsies free allows our toes to move and spread, like they are supposed to do, to help us maintain our balance and improve our posture.  One other thing that has negatively effected our posture is a learned habit from a lifetime of wearing shoes, a pronounced pelvic-tilt.  Typical walking and running shoes have about a 1 (or more) inch heel on them, though it is cushioned as opposed to the ever popular stiletto.  To maintain our balance in this situation, we have to compensate by bending lightly forward at the waist, which strains our hamstrings, lower back, upper back, shoulders, and neck.  Going barefoot helps to correct this tilt and bring us back into our natural posture which reduces all of that strain. 

Improve Circulatory Health

    When we are being flooded by positive ions, we are actually changing the electric currents in our whole body.  This can easily effect our blood cells.  Studies have been done that show that when we walk barefoot, we can actually change the surface charge of our red blood cells.  This can reduce the clumping and change the viscosity of our blood.  Viscosity is one of the major factors in heart disease and is why doctors recommend that people take asprin, or other blood thinners, on a daily basis.  Also, the nerve endings in your feet, when stimulated, can decrease blood pressure as well as the fight or flight response. 

Reduce Inflammation

    Back to those pesky little positive ions.  Not only have they been connected to cancer and aging, but they are a major cause of inflammation in our bodies.  Inflammation has been linked to quite a few diseases today.  Diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, allergies, autoimmune conditions, asthma, anemia, cardiovascular disease, autism, and even Alzheimers.  Discharging these ions helps to reduce the inflammation in our bodies thus reducing our likelihood to develop these issues and/or even reducing the extent of them. 

Reflexology

    Our bodies are intricately connected.  We can acutely feel this when we are in pain.  Have you ever injured a specific muscle or joint, yet felt a connecting, or even traveling, pain on a completely different part of your body?  This is called radiating.  Our nerves connect our bodies in ways we don’t always understand.  Using the radiating effect of these nerves to our advantage, we can improve function, reduce pain, and “massage” other parts of our bodies.  Reflexology does this by working with different reflex points on our bodies.  Our feet are a major hub of these points.  When we walk barefoot, we stimulate the nerve endings on the bottom of our feet which works as a natural reflexology, stimulating every point on our body, giving us a natural and gentle massage as we walk. 

    So the next time you wander out into your back yard, or decide to go for a walk in the park (or even go hunting for Pokémon) consider shedding your shoes and getting back to barefoot. 

Resources:

Harvard University: http://barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/

Mind Body Green: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9099/the-surprising-health-benefits-of-going-barefoot.html

PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18047442

Run Bare: http://www.runbare.com/barefoot-benefits

Wild Healthy and Free: http://healthywildandfree.com/the-effects-of-walking-barefoot-5-minutes-daily-are-astonishing/

WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/20100127/barefoot-running-laced-with-health-benefits

Wellness Mama: http://wellnessmama.com/5600/earthing-sleep/

                            http://wellnessmama.com/4918/benefits-of-barefoot/

Fermented Lemons

     One of my favorite comfort food snacks has always been pickles.  When I first began learning how to cook, pickles were something I wanted to learn how to make.  Of course I learned the basics of refrigerator pickles, then typical pickles made in a vinegar bath.  It wasn’t until I learned about fermenting a few years ago that I really came across the idea of fermented pickles.  This opened up a HUGE new topic in my search for pickle recipes.  I had known that cucumber pickles were not the only pickles for several years, but it wasn’t until I started experimenting with ferments that I really began to appreciate more of the non-cucumber types out there.  Shortly after taking a class on fermenting (taught by my friend Caitlin), I decided to try fermenting everything in my refrigerator.  This led to some crazy experiments and wonderful discoveries.  One of my favorites is fermented lemons. 

     After I fermented my first batch of lemons, I found out that fermented lemons are a tradition in both Italy and Morocco (all three recipes will be included in this post).  However mine were slightly different.  First, I sliced my lemons into circles before adding the brine.  Secondly, my brine was just simple salt water.  The lemons ended up being absolutely amazing (the rind being particularly buttery and delicious) and they can last up to 2 years in the refrigerator! 

     The method of fermentation that is used for these recipes is lacto-fermentation.  When you first read the name “lacto-fermentation,” you may assume this has something to do with dairy.  Well, good news for all of your lactose intolerant people out there, it doesn’t.  Lacto-fermentation is actually in reference to lactic acid.  All fruits and vegetables have a measure of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, on their surface.  When you place these fruits and vegetables in an oxygen free environment (anaerobic), like submerging them in water, the bacteria will begin a process that consumes sugars and produces lactic acid.  Lactic acid prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and preserves the fruits and vegetables.  Since it is an acid, lactic acid is also the source of the characteristic sour flavor found in fermented foods.  This also greatly helps the human digestive system by repopulating the beneficial bacteria that lives in our guts while fighting the harmful bacteria that occasionally gets ingested and attempts to take over.

     Many of you will already be familiar with the health benefits of lemons, or even ferments.  However this dish combines both in a delicious way.  Lemons are high in vitamin C as well as many other vitamins and minerals.  One of the main ones to note is potassium.  In modern America, our diets are sorely lacking in potassium.  This is leading to a great number of health issues that are being attributed in an excess of sodium.  Potassium and sodium work hand-in-hand in our bodies.  For our bodies to function properly, our sodium and potassium levels need to be balanced.  While yes, too much sodium is going to cause issues (too much of anything will cause issues), a lack of potassium will only make matters that much worse.  Lemons can help to combat the growing potassium deficiency problem.  Lemons are also great to help boost the immune system and to cleanse the stomach.  Add in the amazing digestive power of the probiotics you get with any ferment, and this recipe is great powerhouse to help improve your digestive system.  As an added bonus, you can even drink the brine after the lemons are all gone.  It is full of electrolytes to help you recover from the intense summer heat (particularly helpful if you live in Florida like I do).  Just think of it like an all-natural, DIY version of Gatorade! 

Basic Lacto-Fermented Lemons

1 glass quart jar (mason jars work great)

2 cups water

1 ½ tablespoons natural salt (I usually use sea salt)

Sliced lemons (however many you can cram into the jar while leaving ¼ inch space at the top)

Add salt to water and stir until it is dissolved.  Add lemons to jar, leaving a ¼ inch space at the top.  Pour salt water brine over lemons.  If the brine does not completely cover lemons, make another batch to add in.  Make sure the lemons are covered, but don’t let the brine reach the very top, you need that space for the ferment to “breathe” while it is working.  Put the lid on the jar, label it (your label should have the name of your ferment as well as the date) and forget it for at least 2 weeks.  I let mine sit for 3 weeks before opening it, however it may be ready sooner.  The thing you want to look for are bubbles.  If the ferment is still working, it will be making bubbles.  I wait until the bubbles are minimal or gone before opening mine, though being a bit hasty won’t hurt a thing.

     If you really want to get fancy, you can add herbs to your lemons to change the flavor up a bit.  Some of my favorite herbs to add to lemons include garlic, ginger, rosemary, or basil.  Get creative!  Lavender might make for a nice, relaxing treat.  Parsley might be good to add for a refreshing palate cleanser between courses at dinner.  Remember, you can use these lemons slices in any recipe that calls for lemons.  Feel free to play around with flavors to make your recipes more exciting!

The following recipes are ones that I found on the more traditional fermented lemons.

Italian Lacto-Fermented Lemons

7-8 organic lemons

7 lemons freshly juiced

¾ cup sea salt (any grain will be fine, the amount of salt can vary, it is not an exact science)

Wash lemons and trim off the tips, making sure not to cut into the flesh.  Cut lemons into quarters, stopping ¼ inch from the bottom to keep the quarters connected.  Stuff 2 teaspoons of salt into each lemon, gently compacting it into each segment.  Pack lemons into 1 ½ liter container.  Mix remaining salt with lemon juice.  Pour this brine over the lemons.  Lemons should be  ½ inch below the level of the brine, if not add filtered water to raise the level.  Secure the lid onto the jar and sit in a dark corner for 30 days. 

Moroccan Lacto-Fermented Lemons

Use the Italian recipe, but add in the following herbs/spices.

Bay Leaf (4 leaves)

Cinnamon Stick (2-3 inch)

Allspice (1 teaspoon)

Coriander Seed (1 teaspoon)

Resources:

Kitchn: http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-lactofermented-mixed-pickles-recipes-from-the-kitchn-194011

Nourished Kitchen: http://nourishedkitchen.com/morrocan-preserved-lemons/

Nourishing Meals: http://www.nourishingmeals.com/2012/02/how-to-make-lacto-fermented-vegetables.html

Organic Facts: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-lemon.html

Pickle It: http://www.pickl-it.com/blog/364/italian-moroccan-spiced-lacto-fermented-lemon/

The Power of Purslane

     One of the most amazing things about living in Florida is the absolute abundance of plants and wildlife. Even living in the city (Orlando), I can still look around me and find plants, animals, and insects. This place is just overflowing with life. Everywhere you go you can find weeds (I hate the term “weed”) poking up through the cracks in the pavement, or in between sections of the sidewalk. One of the more common weeds we see this time of year is purslane.

     Purslane Portulaca oleracea is a succulent, which means that one or more of its parts is swollen to allow for the accumulation of fluids. The plump part of purslane though is the leaf. Along with plump leaves, purslane has tiny yellow flowers and a strong stem. One of the major varieties I see around here even has red stems. Almost every place on Earth has a variety of purslane, and with its great taste and a high amount of nutrients, it has been eaten all over the world. The taste is mildly sour and it has a slightly chewy and crunchy texture. This plant is most commonly used as a raw green in salads or as a pot herb (meaning you cook it in a pot like Southern greens). The flowers and stems are edible as well as the leaves. This tiny plant is jam packed with nutrients. Even some nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, that are not typically found in the plant kingdom. It also has more beta carotene than spinach, as well as an incredible amounts of vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and potassium.

     Though it is easy to find nutritional and culinary information on purslane, its uses as a medicinal herb are not quite as well known. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), purslane is used to improve both respiratory and circulatory function. In traditional European herbalism, it has been used to treat arthritis and other inflammation. It is known to be helpful in cases of scurvy, cataracts, heart disease, asthma, gingivitis, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis. It is also a great immune booster. It has been suggested as a daily tonic for the reduction/prevention of headaches. Purslane contains at least two kinds of antioxidants that have been known to prevent cell mutation, so it can prove to be helpful in the prevention of cancers. Purslane is believed to help balance the body’s insulin. It can also counter the negative effects of consuming too much caffeine, such as jitters and sleeplessness. It also contains antidepressant substances such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, phenylalanine, and tryptophan that have been known to help counter depression by moderating the chemicals that cause depression.

     There is one major warning that comes with this herb though. If you are prone to kidney stones, you want to avoid high doses of purslane as it contains oxalates which can cause stones to form in the kidneys.

Resources:

Websites

Herbal Legacy: http://www.herballegacy.com/Griffiths_Medicinal.html

Modern Herbal: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/prugol77.html

Mother Earth News: http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/power-packed-purslane-zmaz05amzsel.aspx

Nourishing Gourmet: http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/09/purslane-a-mighty-weed.html

Organic Authority: http://www.organicauthority.com/eco-chic-table/dont-pull-the-purslane.html

Organic Lifestyle Magazine: http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/purslane-recipes

PCSA: http://www.prairielandcsa.org/recipes/purslane.html

Susan Weed: http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Joy-of-Purslane.htm

Books:

Edible Wild Plants of Eastern/Central North America by Lee Allen Peterson

Herbal Inspired Drinks for a Happy 4th of July!

     Summer is a great time of year for Barbecues and getting together with family and friends.  One of the traditional days for all of this is the 4^th of July!  So in the spirit of getting together to celebrate our nation’s independence, I have compiled a list of great drink recipes to share! 

For the whole family:

Cucumber Nasturtium Lemonade

2 large cucumbers, peeled and diced

The juice of 4 large lemons

The juice of 3 limes

½ teaspoon fresh dill

4 young nasturtium leaves, chopped fine

½ cup agave syrup

1 ½ cups chilled club soda

Fresh nasturtium flowers for garnishing

Ice

Add cucumbers, lemon and lime juices, dill, and nasturtium leaves in food processor or blender and blend until mostly liquid.  Add in the agave syrup and blend well.  Mix in (don’t blend) flowers and ice, then add the club soda.  Makes 6 servings.

Watermelon Berry Punch

3 teaspoons dried basil or tulsi (holy basil) leaves

¼ cup water

¼ cup honey

8 cups (1 lb) watermelon, diced and all the seeds removed

¼ cup cranberry juice

¼ cup fresh basil or tulsi leaves

1 cup blueberries

1 cup strawberries

1 ¼ cups chilled club soda

Ice

In a saucepan, combine dried basil leaves and water.  Simmer and stir, over low heat, about 10 minutes.  Strain and honey.  Simmer and stir again, this time for about 5 minutes.  Set aside to cool.  While waiting for syrup to cool, blend the watermelon until smooth.  Strain out the liquid, pressing firmly on the pulp to get as much juice out as possible.  Discard the pulp.  In a large pitcher, combine the syrup, fresh basil leaves, berries, and cranberry juice.  Using a wooden spoon, lightly muddle (smash) the berries and basil.  Add the watermelon juice and club soda.  Pour over ice and refrigerate for 2 hours.  Makes 8 servings.

Honeydew Palmer

1 medium sized honeydew melon, seeded and diced

2 cups fresh mint leaves

1 ½ cups fresh lemon juice

½ cup agave nectar

1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder

In a food processor or blender, combine the melon and mint leaves.  Blend until chunky.  Add all other ingredients.  Blend until smooth.  Serve over ice.  Makes 2 ½ quarts.

Lavender Iced Tea

8 ¼ cups water

8 teaspoons good quality, loose leaf, black tea (Darjeeling is my favorite)

1 teaspoon dried lavender

¼ cup sugar

Bring 8 cups water to a boil and remove from heat.  Add in tea and lavender and let steep, covered, for 10 minutes.  Strain and let cool.  Meanwhile, combine sugar and ¼ cup water in saucepan and heat until sugar is dissolved.  Combine with tea and serve over ice.  Makes 6-8 servings.

For just the adults:

Cucumber Mint Rickey

6 ounces good quality gin (Hendricks or Magellan are my preference)

2 limes, cut in quarters

1 cucumber, peeled and sliced

3 teaspoons agave nectar

¼ cup fresh mint leaves

1 ½ cups chilled club soda

In a pitcher, add the cucumber, mint, agave, and limes.  Muddle together using a wooden spoon.  Add the gin, ice, and club soda.  Stir well.  Makes about 4 servings.

Grilled Pineapple and Starfruit Sangria

3 cups pineapple pieces

2 starfruits sliced

2 750-milliliter bottles of red wine

8 ounces agave nectar

8 ounces brandy

Ice

Grill the fruit over high heat on a hardwood charcoal fire.  The pineapple pieces can be grilled using a perforated grill sheet or a grill basket.  Periodically toss/flip the fruit while cooking for 6 minutes.  Transfer to a plate to cool.  In a large pitcher, combine the brandy, wine, grilled fruit, and agave nectar.  Chill for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight (8 hours).  Serve over ice.  Makes 6-8 servings.