Megan Rand

Category: Healthy Habits

Staying healthy is not just about food. Maintaining positive relationships, trying new things and feeling connected are all what we consider ‘primary food’.

  • Natural Lice Remedies

    Natural Lice Remedies

     

    Today we are talking about home remedies for lice since this went around our house a while ago! We went out and bought the store-bought lice removal kit right away because we wanted the nit brush that comes inside. But, unfortunately, the shampoo that comes in those kits to get rid of lice are extremely toxic. At the time of the lice outbreak I was pregnant.   I am also a lover of all holistic things, so I had to find some natural remedies to use at our house!

     

    The exciting news for me was that our natural nontoxic remedy actually worked better than the shampoo and we never had a reoccurrence.  Many other families using the shampoos were dealing with the lice a month later and came over to ask for some of my natural supplies!!

     

    So, let’s get to it.

     

    Supplies:

    Apple cider vinegar

    Delousing brush

    Coconut oil or olive oil

    Tea tree essential oil

    Lavender essential oil

    Peppermint essential oil (if not pregnant)

    Rosemary essential oil (if not pregnant)

     

    Apple Cider Vinegar

     

    The first thing I gathered was Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). You can use a diluted solution of half water and half ACV. We poured this over our heads the first night. This helps detach the nits (eggs) that stick to the hairs. Let the ACV dry and then comb it out with the special de-lousing brush. The combing is very important and must be down thoroughly. Go through the hair section by section clipping the rest back out of the way making sure the nits are gone completely. I watched a youTube video on how to do it! My daughter could not go back to school until the nits were completely gone and it took me three hours to comb through her hair!

     

    Coconut Oil Concoction

     

    At nighttime we slept with a coconut oil or olive oil concoction on our hair that will suffocate the lice.

     

    1 cup coconut oil (or more as needed depending on how much hair you have!)

    3-4 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

    3-4 drops Lavender Essential Oil

    3-4 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

    3-4 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

     

    Mix the coconut oil with tea tree, lavender, peppermint, and rosemary essential oils. (I left out the peppermint and rosemary oils since I was pregnant and it still worked for me.) Coat your hair with this starting at the roots since this is the most important area. Cover your hair with a shower cap and keep this on your head overnight at least for 8 hours.

     

    We continued this process every other day for a week and then again a week later. Make sure to follow up a week later since the eggs can live for a week and if you miss just 1 you might have to start the process all over again! In addition, we combed for nits every day for about a week.

     

    Lots of Laundry

     

    The other important step is to wash EVERYTHING in your home. I washed linens and pillowcases every morning for the first week. You can also put toys and stuffed animals in a sealed bag and put them away for two weeks. Lice cannot live away from the human host for this long.

     

    Preventative

     

    If you get a note from your child’s school that lice is going around, you can also help prevent your family from getting it. Put a few drops of tea tree oil in your shampoo to use on a daily basis. You can also use the coconut oil concoction occasionally to help prevent a recurrence. And as a bonus your hair will feel amazing!!

     

    So, I hope that this never happens to your family but if it does, now you know that there is a natural remedy that works!

     

     

  • How to Make Liquid Cod Liver Oil Palatable

    How to Make Liquid Cod Liver Oil Palatable

     

    Who takes liquid fish oil? How do you get it down? If you are the kind of person who just puts it on a spoon and swigs it, I am impressed with you! I switched over to Rosita Real Foods during pregnancy and had always taken capsules prior to that. I was told by a friend that Rosita Real Foods was so clean and smooth that I wouldn’t mind the taste at all….

     

    Not true for me!! My body immediately rejected the fish oil and it wasn’t a pretty sight! So, I had to come up with a way to trick myself into taking the fish oil and keeping it down.

     

    Here is the fishy-flavor cover-up concoction that I came up with that works great to get my Cod Liver down everyday:

     

    Liquid Cod Liver Oil Cover-Up Concoction

     

    1 tsp Rosita Real Foods Cod Liver Oil

    1 tsp Chlorofresh liquid chlorophyll

    1 tsp cranberry concentrate

    Juice of 1/4 lemon

     

    Wondering what the benefits of these ingredients are?

     

    Rosita Real Foods Cod Liver Oil (you can get it here) 

    This is a great source of fat soluble vitamins (namely A and D) in their most bioavailable form (retinol and cholecalciferol). It contains a complete range of fats including Omega-3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11. It is a rich source of Omega 3’s EPA and DHA which are essential fatty acids meaning that our body cannot make them and we must consume them from food. They are also great for a baby’s or child’s developing brain! I like this brand because it is unrefined, unprocessed, never heated or exposed to chemicals.

     

    Liquid Chlorophyll

    I like to add liquid chlorophyll because it is great for detox as well as helping to bind to and slowly get rid of heavy metals. It is known as an internal deodorizer so maybe if you stick to this habit long enough deodorant will be a thing of the past!

     

    Cranberry Concentrate

    Cranberry concentrate is a staple ingredient in the Detox Elixir that are a part of my seasonal detoxes. It is great to flushing the lymphatic system and therefore beneficial to detoxification and immune system support.

     

    Lemon

    Another ingredient that can help support your liver and detoxification. Not only is this a great way to support your digestion in the morning, it is also the key ingredient to covering up the fishy taste!

     

    So, for all of you pregnant mama’s out there trying to focus on nutrient density but struggling to keep anything down, give this little recipe a try to get some more nutrients in to support your baby’s developing brain!

     

    Periscope Video

    Want to watch an amusing video of my daughter making this drink and trying it for the first time on periscope?  Let’s just say she doesn’t find it quite as palatable as I do!! You can watch the replay of this video (and all of my periscopes!) at katch.me/Gnewtrition.

     

    [image url=”http://gingernewtrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Screen-Shot-2015-12-10-at-12.53.25-PM-300×240.png” raw=”true” alignment=”center” margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ link=”https://katch.me/GNewtrition/v/717c5cbf-7251-3661-bb11-0ff2490cba69″ target=”_parent” width=”300″ height=”240″]

     

  • 3 Tools from a Behavioral Analyst To Make Positive Changes in Your Life

    3 Tools from a Behavioral Analyst To Make Positive Changes in Your Life

     

     

    Ever found that you really want to change something in your life, but you just can’t seem to make it happen? Or when you do get around to making a change it just seems so hard that you give up?

     

    In a previous post  I asked a Behavioral Analyst, Courtney, how to overcome resistance to change and she walked us through 5 questions to ask yourself if you are really ready to change. Once you have confirmed you are ready, try out these 3 easy tools to set yourself up for success when trying to implement new habits.

    Enriching your Environment

     

    Enriching your environment is a process of setting your environment up to support you. What is your goal? Pick an aspect of that goal and start to mold your environment around it.

    For Example: Goal – Stop eating processed sugar

    Step 1) Take the ice cream out of the freezer and stop buying more

    In behavioral terms, this is called increasing the response effort.   By removing the ice cream from the house it takes much more effort to get a hit of sugar. Now instead of fighting with yourself the measly 7 steps to get to your freezer, there is much more involved. Is the ice cream worth getting dressed, getting in the car, driving to the ice cream stand, standing in line and ordering an ice cream?

    Step 2) Find a healthy alternative to keep on hand

    Getting used to each change you implement can take anywhere from a week to 3 months. I craved everything that I removed, or changed. So instead of creating an environment of deprivation, keep a healthier version of your favorite treat in the cupboard.

    Step 3) Surround yourself with people who like activities other than pie-eating contests

    Step 4) Read articles and watch documentaries about the effects of sugar to really remind yourself of why you wanted to stop eating it

    Step 5) Find an activity that gives you the same rush of dopamine to replace sugar consumption

    After practicing this for years, I have barely any foods in my house that have added sugar, I have healthy alternatives and I have greens in my fridge. But keep this in mind,

     

    Behavioral Momentum

    Big words, easy concept. You probably already do this many times a day without realizing it.

    What it boils down to: easy-easy-hard

    Start each task, by doing the easy item first and build up your momentum to complete the harder tasks. How often have you put off cleaning the basement because it’s huge and so unpleasant? These daunting tasks can be broken down into small steps in order to get our mind and body in motion without as much resistance.

    For example:

    I am going to clean the house

    First I eat (gotta get my fuel)

    Then I do the dishes (look at me doing chores already – woo!)

    Then I pick up a few things (because hey I’m up, and it will make it easier to vacuum and its easier than deep cleaning)

    Then I get out the mop and clean (go me!)

    Structure your time so that you don’t put the hard things first, that makes your hurdles higher, and it is not the most efficient way to get things done.

     

    Premack Principle

    Stupid name I know! This is also known as “grandma’s rule”.

    Get used to hearing the words “firstà then”

    Make a list of things that you like. This will help you roll through your days, and to make these life changes more tolerable.

    The things that you use don’t have to be “reinforcing” necessarily. When I was in grad school and I hadn’t been able to clean my house in 2 weeks I’d tell myself, “first finish your homework, then do the dishes” (no I’m not insane I hate dishes, but it was a better break from homework, and I was still getting all the things done that I needed to get done).

    You’re entire day can consist of this. My day looks something like this

    First get ready for work – then eat

    First get your stuff together – then get coffee

    First start with annoying emails- then do the behaviors assessment

    First finish your ISP paperwork- then eat lunch

    .. and I talk myself through this all day long.

     

    Now that we have discussed the three tools and you are ready to put them into action, I think this is a good time to talk about positive self-talk. I am in the therapy business, so I am pretty good at talking and I am a behavior analyst, so I know the importance of reinforcement (something that makes a behavior more likely to happen in the future) .

     

    I encourage you to embrace your inner dialogue. To notice the steps that you take, to praise yourself for these steps (Look court look at you! I’m so awesome, that recipe was awful- but I cooked – go me!)

     

    It helps you to create a positive spin on life, makes your good days better, and your bad days – hey I have bad days but I notice when I’m being negative, I allow myself to do so, and I try again tomorrow. Noticing helps a lot.

     

    Guest post by Courtney Buckley

     

  • How and When to Overcome Resistance to Change

    How and When to Overcome Resistance to Change

     

    Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you “know” that you need to make a change, but just can’t seem to make it happen? Intellectually you are 100% on board, but no matter how hard you try, the shiny, new habit does not make it to your inner circles of daily ease and comfort.

     

    This resistance is strong and real so don’t underestimate it!

     

    I am so fascinated by this resistance. It seems there is a certain point of success in any new program, whether it is a new way of eating or exercise plan, where self-sabotage often sets in. During my health coach training we were warned that often session number 4 is when this resistance hits clients. They won’t show up or they will have an excuse why they can’t move forward. This is usually following steady improvements in the first 3 sessions.

     

    Resistance can show up in many forms. It can mask itself as procrastination, fear, putting others first, feeling not worthy or “never having any time”.

     

    Where is this resistance coming from? Have you ever stopped to question if you feel you are worthy of true happiness? Were you taught that happy, healthy people with an abundance of money and resources are not to be trusted? Do you identify with a certain part of yourself that you are afraid to lose? Hiding behind extra weight because it “protects” you?

     

    The first step is to recognize these deep-seeded beliefs and patterns.

     

    How do we get beyond this pattern once we have recognized it? I turned to a behavioral analyst friend for real life tips to implement into our daily lives if we find ourselves stuck in these patterns.

     

    Meet Courtney. Behavioral analyst. She has shared an amazingly raw & transparent story of her personal journey and struggle. It wasn’t easy for her to maintain a healthy lifestyle that supports her personal views all while accommodating the dietary restrictions that she discovered were essential to here health. You can read her story here.

     

    Here is the question that I proposed to Courtney, from a behavioral analyst perspective, how can we overcome resistance to change?

     

    Here are Courtney’s tips to overcoming resistance to change:

     

    Let’s Analyze the Situation

     

    Start with these questions to find out more about yourself and your position.

     

    1. What is your goal?

    I mean YOUR GOAL. Not other people’s goals for you. Mine are:

    • To reduce waste (recycle please!)
    • To be outside often
    • To enjoy my life and my friends
    • To feel good

     

    1. What are other people’s goals? The people around you. 
      • My partner or doctor says I need to get healthy
      • My mom wants to be a grandmother

     

    3.  What is the environment in which you live?

    • I have a roommate and can’t always control my environment
    • My environment is kid’s toys, kid’s snacks & a hot-dog, pizza eating husband
    • My only me-time is 10 minutes alone in the shower
    • I have a lot of control over my choices
    • I surround myself with healthy things and healthy people

     

    1. What do you like? For real…
    • I like reading, being outside, exercising, coffee, chocolate, going out to meals with my friends and being alone.

    Be honest and make the longest list possible

     

    1. And the most important part- Do YOU, do YOU, do YOU really want to change? I mean YOU.
    • Check if your goal is in YOUR GOAL statement, or if it was only in the “other people’s goals” section

     

    If the answer is “Yes, I really want to change. Yes, this is MY goal” then let’s do this!!! Read 3 Tools from a Behavioral Analyst To Make Positive Changes in Your Life and take action immediately.

     

    For those of you that discovered you don’t want to make a change, but instead it is other people want you to make a change. This is a good discovery as well and will help you understand why there is so much resistance. Let it go, the time will come when you find a change that resonates with you, and you will be ready to make it on your own terms! And then you will give it 100%.

     

    Guest Blog Post by Courtney Buckley

     

  • Severe Stomach Pain and the Elimination Diet

    Severe Stomach Pain and the Elimination Diet

    I am so excited to share this guest post blog series with you!! Courtney Buckley is a Behavior Analyst with a great personal story to share here as well as 2 follow up blog posts:

     

    1) How and When to Overcome Resistance to Change

    2) 3 Tools from a Behavioral Analyst To Make Positive Changes in Your Life

     

    Let’s jump right in!!

     

    I am Courtney. In my day job I am a behavior analyst. I help people change their behavior through scientifically proven techniques, individually tailored to each person and their environment. In my personal life, I am just like you and many others out there. I struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle that supports the personal views I have as well as accommodating the dietary restrictions that I have discovered I need to practice.

     

    In 2008 I started having severe stomach pain. This was a curl up in a ball and cry after dinner kind of pain. A don’t walk or move unless it is towards the bathroom kind of pain. I went through many rounds of tests with my doctor, but what ended up helping me most was an elimination diet. Through systematically eliminating different foods, I found out that unnatural fats such as deep fried foods (not healthy fats from avocados or nuts) caused me all of this pain and that I could not digest fats.

     

    I embarked on a mostly fat free diet, uneducated, and unsupported. And then I turned into a bulimic.

     

    I didn’t realize that not having fat meant not being full. I didn’t realize that there were different types of fats, and my doctor didn’t really educate me about this fact. So I ate, and I ate, and I ate fat free foods and felt really horrible. I felt horrible about myself, about my situation, and about … almost everything. I had gained 10 lbs and had started running again. But while exercising I was even more insatiable. I was just a raging mess.

     

    With the bad fats removed the pain disappeared for a while, but when the pain came back it was different this time. It was kind of in the same place, but obviously not triggered by the same foods. And I was having MAJOR cravings.

     

    Back to my computer to research and the evidence pointed to sugar. It is an addictive substance, has withdrawal like symptoms, and could cause massive cravings. So I set out to eliminate sugar, which turns out to be much harder than eliminating fat (if you ask me).

     

    After removing sugar all of the pain was gone. I had peeled back another layer and was discovering how my body responds to different food. Although it took 2 years of misery and research I have found a happy balance.

     

    Conveniently, all through my food struggles I received my masters Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. I have been able to systematically apply some of the tools of my profession to my life. And I would like to share them with you.

     

    Continue reading the series below:

    1) How and When to Overcome Resistance to Change

    2) 3 Tools from a Behavioral Analyst To Make Positive Changes in Your Life

     

     

  • My Morning Routine

    My Morning Routine

     

    You do that every morning?!

    This is what I hear whenever I share my favorite daily detox tools and personal care products. It sounds like a lot to fit into a morning, but once it becomes a part of your routine it is really very easy! Being able to do two things at the same time such as oil pull while I am taking a shower definitely helps speed up the process. I am always perfecting and changing my routine, but I will share with you what I am currently doing!

    My Morning personal care routine & detox tools:

    Lemon Elixir

    Depending on my mood, I start the day with either warm lemon water (half of a lemon in a full mug of water) or room temperature water from my Berkey. When I drink room temperature water I add a half of lemon and 1 -2 tablespoons of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). This elixir will warm up your digestion to get you ready for your day and also aids in clearing any toxins that your liver has been working to eliminate throughout the night.

    Note: Because ACV is a ferment with live bacteria, do not heat the ACV or you may kill the live bacteria – be sure to add it to your room temperature water.

    Some people have an aversion to ACV because it makes them feel nauseous. This feeling may go away in a couple of days or it could be a sign that you have a candida or bacterial overgrowth. As always, test what works best for you! If that feeling doesn’t go away or you have a tightness in your chest, ditch the ACV and stick with lemon water. I recommend checking back in every so often to see if you are able to tolerate the ACV

    After my lemon elixir, I have some ME time. I try to wake up before my daughter so that I can do some stretching or writing. This is when I do my most creative work, so I avoid checking my email or social media until later in the day!!

    Tongue Scraper

    Next I head to the bathroom and start with my tongue scraper. I have a Dr. Tung’s Tongue Scraper which is such a good investment in your health at only around $7!

    All night long your body is repairing itself and getting rid of toxins. One of the exit routes for these toxins is on your tongue. If you notice that you have a thick yellow or white coating on your tongue, this is a sign that your body is working hard to try and get rid of extra waste. You can help your body out by scraping this film off instead of swallowing it again and having to get rid of it again the next night!

    Detoxification support is not the only benefit or tongue scraping. It is also great for oral health since you are removing a significant amount of bacteria that can lead to bad breath and dental issues. In addition, by removing this coating on your tongue you improve your ability to taste food, which makes it more satisfying. By reigniting your taste buds, you eliminate the need to add more sugar, salt and excessive spice to the food to make it more flavorful.

    Oil pulling

    Next I put one tablespoon of coconut oil in my mouth and literally pull it through my teeth. You can start with a few minutes and build up to the recommended 15 – 20 minutes. This is a long time to be oil pulling, so starting small and working up is better than nothing at all!

    The antibacterial properties of the oil will pull out bacteria and fungus, alleviating inflammation, congestion and even allergies. It helps with bad breath, bleeding gums, cavities, gingivitis, plaque, sensitive teeth and will make your teeth noticeably whiter. If you’ve ever had any dental work or root canals, this is something you should commit to for at least a month. Make sure you check with your dentist if you have crowns or loose fillings as this can pull them out.

    I leave the oil in my mouth and move on to…

    Dry Skin Brushing

    Dry skin brushing is an amazing detox tool. You can find watch my Periscope on dry skin brushing here  (as well as all my other Periscope broadcasts) or read a blog post about How to Dry Skin Brush. There is an in depth, how-to explanation of how to do this.

    In general, dry skin brushing is spectacular for losing weight, diminishing cellulite, flushing the lymphatic system and overall boost to your immunity.

    You can find a dry skin brush on Amazon or your local health food store.

    After I finishing dry brushing, I hop in the shower and continue to oil pull. When I’m done pulling, I spit the oil in the trash – not in the sink – so that I don’t clog the pipes with oil!

    Brush my Teeth -The Dirt

    I brush my teeth with The Dirt, which is a trace mineral tooth brushing powder. I love this toothpaste (or powder)! My daughter uses the MCT oil toothpaste from the same company which is another option if you can’t get into using powder on your teeth. Most toothpaste (even the “healthy” ones) contain glycerin, fluoride and other chemicals so this is a fabulous alternative. You can get 15% off with this link.

    Fatface Skincare

    Fatface offers clean skin care products that use healthy fats and organic ingredients. They are chemical and toxic free.

    Every day after my shower I use the Myrrhaculous Face Cream but while I am pregnant I use the one without myrrh (you can mark that on your order and they will send you one without myrrh!). After I give my face some love, I also rub Body Butta  all over your belly and body.  Last winter the Body Butta made all the difference in my skin since, because I HATE dry skin! Last winter was my first winter back East in almost 10 years, and happened to be the longest, driest winter in a while!!!  The Body Butta is also fabulous during pregnancy to help keep form getting stretch marks (if you are wondering about other tips for stretch marks, grab my free Holistic Pregnancy Guide) .

     

    Next it is time for my breakfast and my vitamins. That sums up my morning routine. Now I am off to workout with my trainer Jocelyn (well not really off to workout since she comes to me via Skype!). Don’t forget to keep your lymphatic system moving with some daily exercise!!

     

     

  • Christmas Gifts for your Holistic Friend

    Christmas Gifts for your Holistic Friend

     

    Do you have anyone in your life who embraces a holistic lifestyle? Someone who gets excited about a stainless steel stein that not only keeps your tea hot for 12 hours, but doesn’t leach ANY endocrine disrupting plastic into your drink?  For those of us who geek out over healthy gadgets and nontoxic goodies, this is an amazing list of ideas for Christmas presents.  

     

    Although my family members might be rolling their eyes when they open their presents, I can’t help but want to keep them around a long time – so nontoxic is what they are getting from me!!!

     

    Water Bottles, Tumblers and Pints oh my!

     

    If you have some family or friends who are the outdoorsy type, the Stainless Steel Vacuum insulated Steins from Healthy Human Life are awesome!!!  They come with a carabiner to hook onto your bag and are great for camping, hiking or the beach (for those of you lucky enough to be near one)!  The best feature, in my opinion, as we enter the freezing cold winter season is that it keeps hot beverages warm up to 12 hours!!  I had a tea in mine a few days ago and forgot about it for about 4 hours.  When I opened it up I was amazed that it was piping hot and I actually had to wait to drink it.

     

    Planning a party or camping trip? The Stainless Steel pints are a great upgrade to those red solo cups.  But they are not just for adults, I think this is a fabulous gift for children!  Since we are a Montessori loving family, we have embraced the idea that kids learn and gain self confidence from being able to independently perform tasks. Having unbreakable pints like these on a shelf or in a drawer that kids can reach to poor their own cup of water not only helps out mom and dad, but gives them great pride.  You might think this is a boring gift for a child, but watch them light up when they learn they can now get their own beverage!  

     

    Even better, Healthy Human Life is offering 10% off Amazon coupon code (valid until 12/31/15).  

    You can just use Discount Code: [highlight background_color=”00fff2″ text_color=”000000″]gingnw10 at checkout[/highlight].

     

    Stein link: http://hhl.life/gingnewsteins

    20 oz Tumbler link: http://hhl.life/gingnewtums

    Pint link: http://hhl.life/gingnewpints

     

    Spiralizer

     

    Have any health conscious, paleo or gluten-free friends in your life?  Making zoodles is all the rage right now.  Zoodles a.k.a zucchini noodles, are a great substitution in all your favorite pasta dishes without the wheat or gluten.  We have zoodles with meat sauce in our house about once a week. I don’t know what I would do without my spiralizer!!

    I have the GEFU which works very well and is really sturdy –  but at the time of writing this this one was on sale for half the price and looked pretty similar (although I have never personally used it!)

    Vitamix – find it here

     

    This would be an amazing gift for someone you REALLY love 🙂  This is definitely not the cheapest item on the list, but I love having an amazing blender on hand for making veggie smoothies (aka: a blended salad), pureed soups, homemade nut butters and nut milks.  Something like this is an investment but when you get a good quality blender it will last for years, which ends up being great for your pocketbook as well as the environment.  How many times have you bought the cheaper version of something just to throw it away the next year?!

     

    Himalayan Salt Lamp – find it here

     

    By now, most of us natural lifestyle junkies have heard that blue light exposure will hinder melatonin production at night, making it harder for us to fall asleep as well as stay in deep sleep.  Upgrading your children’s nightlights or having these around your home for ambience not only supports better sleep and mood but can help you clean up your environment at the same time!  My daughter loves hers and so do I! 

     

    Berkey Water Filter (for drinking)

     

    If you haven’t heard me talk about how much I love my Berkey than you probably haven’t been around me often, because I LOVE my Berkey.  This countertop system has a carbon filters that (according to the Berkey webiste) “remove viruses to purification standards, pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites to non-detectable levels, and harmful or unwanted chemicals to below detectable levels”.  That is a great benefit of course but a bonus is that the water tastes amazing and quenches my thirst.  Since I personally struggled with severe adrenal dysfunction, I am always looking for water that still has it’s natural minerals intact.  Restoring my minerals has been very important in recovering my energy and hormone balance.  If you have someone in your life who has been trying to make upgrades in their personal and cleaning products, but hasn’t splurged on they water filter, this would be an amazing present for them.

    Diffuser & Essential Oils

     

    Who doesn’t like yummy smelling things? There are lots of scented candles and air fresheners that might smell good, but at the same time are sending chemicals and endocrine disruptors into the air. Get the best of both worlds by sending a friend a diffuser and some essential oils. Not only will the essential oils make the room smell amazing but at the same time can help clear the air of fungus and bacteria with a blend like On Guard.  

     

    Beeswax Candles

     

    If you are going to give candles as a gift, go for beeswax.    Why not use a candle that helps clean the air while your friends or family are using it? Look for 100% pure beeswax on candles, otherwise just “pure” can mean 51%. Beeswax candles release negative ions when it burns which helps neutralize positive ions that suspend pollen, dust, dirt and pollutant in the air. This can help to reduce indoor pollutants and can therefore help reduce asthma, allergies & hay fever

     

    Nontoxic Skincare – Fatface

     

    How many times have you ended up getting a friend or family some random smelly lotion from the mall just because you needed a gift?  Well, those are the days of the past for me. If I wouldn’t use it on my own body, I don’t give it as a gift!  I personally love Fatface Skincare for all of my nontoxic skincare items.  They only use real ingredients that you could actually eat (although maybe you shouldn’t do that!) .  They follow a nose to tail philosophy meaning that they believe if you are going to kill an animal to eat the meat, than you should make sure to use every single part of it, including the fat!

    I have always gotten great feedback when I have given the Facial Skincare Kit as a present. I cannot get over the change in the way my skin looks and feels since adding Myrrhaculous Face Cream, Body Butta and my favorite, the Fat Stick, into my life. Check out the Fatface Skincare website for all of their amazing products as well as the holiday boxes! These are not only nontoxic, they also smell great and work extremely well unlike some other natural products that I have tried.  Your friends will be thanking you!!!  

     

     

    Want more information about nontoxic products that we love?  Want more tips and tricks about how to clean up your home environment to be supportive of vibrant health?

     

    Grab the Toxic Home Makeover to give yourself the best Christmas gift of all  – the gift of a nontoxic home environment!!!

     

    [image url=”http://gingernewtrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Toxic-Home-Makeover-Cover-238×300.png” raw=”true” alignment=”center” margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”0″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ link=”http://healthyhormonesgroup.com/toxichome” target=”_parent” width=”238″ height=”300″]

  • Homemade Almond Milk

    Homemade Almond Milk

     

    Going to the grocery store for milk can be an overwhelming experience nowadays. We are bombarded with different types of milk, percentages, and brands. How can we be sure of what we are getting? Is it pasteurized? Is it organic? Are there additives?  What type of milk is best for you and your family?

     

    In our house we love coconut and almond milk.  With 2 Native Americans in the house (and one on the way) finding a lactose-free milk was a must!!!  For those of you who live with people who are lactose-intolerant, you know what I am talking about.

     

    First off, almond milk is dairy-free so it is great for those with a dairy allergy, sensitivity, or who just plain don’t like the taste of regular cow’s milk. It also acts as a complete substitute for cow’s milk because you are getting just as much protein and calcium but with less hormones, preservatives and additives.

     

    Some other benefits include:

    • It is a great source of healthy fats.
    • Strengthens bones with its calcium and vitamin D content.
    • Contains 50% of your daily value of vitamin E to help keep your skin glowing and healthy.
    • Has little effect on your blood sugar because almond milk is low in carbs.
    • Helps with digestion through fiber content.
    • Lactose-free!
    • It doesn’t require refrigeration so you can take it literally everywhere since it is still great at room temperature.
    • Helps with weight management. One cup of almond milk contains 60 calories, compared to milk that contains 146 calories in whole milk, 122 calories for 2%, 102 calories for 1%, and 86 calories for skim milk. I’m not the biggest fan of calorie counting, but if you are a calorie counter, this will give you some insight.
    • It is super easy to make yourself!

     

    What’s really great is that you can easily make almond milk yourself!

     

    Here is an excellent, easy recipe to help you make your own almond milk!

    Makes 4 cups

     

    Need:

    • 1 cup raw almonds, soaked for 8 hours
    • 4 cups water
    • Liquid sweetener to taste (optional)

     

    1) Remove almonds from the water and place in a blender. Add the 4 cups of fresh water and blend for 2 minutes or until the almonds are ground down.

     

    2) Pour the almond milk into a nut milk bag over a large bowl. Squeeze the bag to allow the milk to run through and leave the pulp inside the bag.

     

    3) Sweeten your milk if you desire, place it in a container and refrigerate. The milk should be good for 2-3 days before spoiling.

     

    Enjoy!

  • How to Dry Skin Brush

    How to Dry Skin Brush

     

    This is one of the first and easiest additions that I have my clients and detoxers add to their daily routine. This also turns out to be one of their favorites!

     

    What is the largest organ in the human body and releases over a third of toxins in our body? That’s right! It is our skin. Dry skin brushing is an effective daily practice to help the body detox and remove these harmful toxins, not to mention it opens and unclogs our pores.

     

    Unlike our blood which gets pumped around the body by your heart, the lymphatic system counts on our movement to stay moving.  And guess what?  Many of us aren’t moving as much as we used to.  Who else is tied to a chair at a desk for the majority of the day? When we dry skin brush, we are massaging and helping our lymphatic system cleanse itself. We pull waste from the body as well as remove any lingering toxins from soap, environmental factors, lotions, deodorant, and other things to help improve skin health.

     

    The best part is that skin brushing should only take about 5 minutes per day, so it is easily fit into a busy lifestyle and has great benefits! I personally was able to completely remove the bumpy skin that lived on my thighs and the back of my arms after a month of consistently dry skin brushing. Some of the benefits include:

    • Exfoliation
    • Lymphatic system stimulation
    • Reduce or eliminate cellulite
    • Unclog pores
    • Invigorating; you may feel more energized after brushing

     

    Here are ten simple steps and tips for you to follow to help you get started with dry skin brushing:

    1. Get a long-handled, non-synthetic bristle brush.
    2. Remove your clothes and stand in the bathtub or on a tiled surface. You will want to do this because you are scraping off dead skin, so you don’t want that to get on your carpet or your rugs.
    3. All of your brushing motions should be heart-centered, meaning you will want to have all the motions be moving towards your heart.
    4. Start at your feet and use long flowing motions, again, towards your heart.
    5. You will want to brush several times in the same area, overlapping your strokes as you continue.
    6. For sensitive skin areas, you will want to go easy. Your skin in those areas should become less sensitive with time.
    7. Once you have your whole body brushed, hop into the tub or shower. I find that the benefits of an Epsom salt bath are heightened after dry brushing.
    8. Alternating cold and hot temperatures help bring the blood back to the top of the skin.
    9. Continue this practice daily, but for best results, consider dry brushing twice a day; once in the morning and once before bed.
    10. Remember to clean your brush at least once per week with soap and water.

     

    Although this seems like a very simple daily detox tools, some detoxers report having detox reactions such as headaches just from dry skin brushing.  If you know that your liver and lymphatic system are burdened than start slowly.

     

    Watch this periscope replay if you want more of a visual!

    Screen Shot 2015-10-02 at 9.36.44 AM

    Want to learn more of my favorite tips and have a group for support?  Join our next seasonal detox here!!

     

    What is your favorite daily detox tool?  Leave us a comment below!!

     

  • Why Adrenal Fatigue is not just about the Adrenals

    Why Adrenal Fatigue is not just about the Adrenals

     

    When Hayley of Primal Palate recently posted a picture of her Adrenal Cocktail on Instagram a flurry of requests came to my inbox. What is this drink? Should I try this? What else can I do for adrenal fatigue? The popularity of such a post magnifies how real the struggle and how far reaching. I created this blog post as a guest post on Primal Palate but wanted to share here as well!

     

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    I know the struggle is real from first hand experience. I have been there. When I first tested my adrenal function, I was in was in the worst phase of adrenal dysfunction. My daily cortisol output had tanked to nearly nothing and my sex hormones were depleted as well. I know what it is like to have a 1 year old and feel like you don’t think you can muster up enough energy to brush your teeth!

     

    Let’s talk a little bit about the term adrenal fatigue.

     

    I was taught to use the term adrenal or hormonal dysfunction, since the idea of adrenal fatigue makes it sound like the adrenal glands are actually tired. In most cases the adrenal glands are not tired at all, but they just might not be receiving the correct message. Here is an analogy. The adrenal gland is a teenager sitting on the couch watching TV. The reason that the teenager is sedentary could possibly be because he is fatigued, but more likely than not, that is not the case at all. He just hasn’t received the message “ Hey, get up and get outside it is beautiful out there!”

     

    This is also what happens in our body, we have many complex systems, one of them being the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The hypothalamus (in the brain) is supposed to tell the pituitary to alert the adrenals that it is time to make cortisol (or other stress mediators). It is like they are a bunch of 6 year olds playing telephone and sometimes there is s a breakdown in the chain. The adrenals may not end up getting the message or get the wrong message. You want a hot cross bun? No, I said I want to go for a RUN!

     

    Seems crazy that a game of telephone in the body could be regulating all the crucial tasks of digestion, energy, sex drive and immune function, but it is true. In our high stress world the inputs are coming into the hypothalamus at rapid speed, all while environmental toxics and endocrine disruptors and pumping through the body just to add a few more obstacles. It is not surprising that the signals get crossed.

     

    So what happens when the signals get crossed? Well, a whole slew of symptoms can occur. You can read the list of signs & symptoms here.

     

    Why I was excited to find out that I had severe adrenal dysfunction?

     

    Seeing my functional lab work that showed I was barely producing any cortisol, very little estrogen, progesterone and melatonin was the first time that my results on paper lined up with my symptoms. Up until this point, I had been to multiple doctors complaining of my vague but annoying symptoms. I was tired all the time, lightheaded, constantly sick and just basically miserable.

     

    My first relief upon seeing my lab work was soon followed by more questions.   I realized that although I had found an imbalance and yes it was causing these symptoms, I still didn’t know why I had imbalances.

     

    Maybe you suspect adrenal dysfunction, or even better if you have done a salivary cortisol and hormone test and know that you are either producing way too much cortisol (tired and wired) or have ended up in a state of low cortisol (downright exhausted). Or maybe your test showed that you have an inappropriate level (high or low) of hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. What’s next?

     

    What to do if you suspect Adrenal Dysfunction

     

    • Check the numbers – I am a girl who likes to see my progress on paper and have the data and numbers to work with. The Biohealth 205 Adrenal/Cortisol panel is going to be a part of the Group Adrenal Program that Alex of Dig Primal and I will be offering in the Fall. This is an opportunity to see your hormone levels and then learn how to correct any imbalances found. Otherwise you can visit a Functional Medicine Doctor, Naturopath or Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner to get a salivary cortisol and hormone panel or another good option is a urine test (DUTCH). Choose a lab that includes cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, estradiol, estriol, testosterone and melatonin.

     

    • Start with the basics – I think we often (myself included) really want to find that one genetic defect that is the root of all of our misery. We look around and see the neighbors chowing down on McDonalds and they seem to feel great. We work hard to stay away from toxins, follow a strict paleo diet and eat 3 cups of greens a day. It just doesn’t seem fair that we still have health problems, so there must be ONE THING that we are missing. Although genetics of course play a role, don’t bother going down that rabbit hole until you have covered all of the basics.

     

    Do you have good Stress Management techniques? Are you getting adequate sleep, ideally going to bed a couple of hours before midnight? Are you hydrated and is your water from a good source (void of the metals, bacteria & fluoride but still has the minerals that your body is craving?) Are you exercising enough or are you over training?

     

    • Don’t stop at the adrenals – yes adaptogenic herbs and licorice root tea might be helpful, but use these tools to get some relief and then you can dig deeper to really correct and restore the imbalance from the root cause. You can read more about the steps I take with my clients in this

     

     Find your food sensitivities – Undiagnosed food allergies or sensitivities can raise cortisol histamine levels in the body, thereby taxing the endocrine system. Be a detective and make sure you are aware of your allergies and intolerances. Join the group detox program if you need help following an elimination program.

    Gut dysfunction – Just as Hippocrates said “all disease begins in the gut”. Whether you have traditional digestive symptoms or not, this is still an area of utmost importance to explore on your journey to balanced hormones. Just think about the dysfunction that will occur in the body if you are not able to absorb or assimilate the food that you are eating and therefore cannot turn those building blocks into hormones?

    Liver health – Often we need to cleanse the liver in order to get hormones working again. The liver has over 500 jobs, and keeping the hormones happy is one of them.

    Thyroid health – This is a great place to start with your physician and another important piece of the puzzle.

    Heavy metals – Do you have a mouthful of metal fillings? Heavy metals toxicity is one of the known causes of intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and also puts a burden on the liver.

    Parasite, bacteria, fungus – Make sure to look for possible pathogenic infections that may be depleting your nutrients, taxing you liver or raising your cortisol.

     

    So What Can I Do?

     

    I love to use food as medicine as much as possible to help balance hormones. While we make an effort to minimize the stress in our life, we can also help support our body with the best nutrients available.

     

    5 Tips for Healthy Hormones

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    • Eat lots of good fat – We need dietary fats in order to make hormones! Make sure each meal has a healthy fat such as avocado, fish, nuts, coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, grass-fed butter (if you tolerate dairy), ghee (clarified butter), duck fat and tallow for ex.

     

    • Add some salt; Pink Himalayan Sea Salt – I put this on everything. Himalayan pink salt has 84 essential minerals that the adrenals need to function properly (very different from iodized table salt which can be harmful). You can even try sprinkling some in your water to see if it tastes better!

     

    • Don’t forget your Vitamin C – Healthy adrenal function requires vitamin C. Tissues in the body use more vitamin C during times of stress. Vitamin C is found naturally in a lot of foods such as citrus fruits, leafy greens, tomatoes, sprouts, kiwi, papaya, red pepper, and cauliflower. One teaspoon of Camu Camu powder added to a smoothie has the same amount of vitamin C as eating 6 oranges, so this is a good option for those of us who really need a boost!

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    • Daily Bone broth – You knew this on was coming right? Bone broth made from organic raw chicken or beef bones (all of the bones!) that is cooked over a 24-hour period helps with gut repair, has highly absorbable forms of calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sulfur and is an easily digestible protein. I add a Tbsp. of coconut oil, Tbsp. of collagen and pink salt to my mug and this becomes the perfect food for someone with adrenal dysfunction to maximize the nutrients with minimum effort.

     

    • Be aware of magnesium deficiency – Magnesium deficiency is incredibly common, some studies estimate 75% of Americans are deficient. Magnesium is important for stable energy, so this small change alone can have a big impact on those who are deficient. One way to increase your magnesium intake is by adding 2-4 ounces of Magnesium oil or 1 cup Epsom salts to a bath and soak before bed. The same thing can be accomplished with a foot bath while you read a book or watch TV. It is a great way to help your body relax while you are also absorbing your way to feeling better!

     

    • Adrenal Cocktail – This Orange Juice creamsicle offers a boost in energy and helps regulate blood sugar. This is great for those of you who are feeling pretty depleted and have low cortisol levels.

     

     The most important change that I see clients make in order to restore hormonal balance is a mindset change. When you discover that your fast-paced lifestyle is depleting your vital reserve it is time to reconsider your priorities. What activities or people are recharging you and which of those are stealing all of your energy? Can anything be re-arranged in your schedule or life to minimize the things that are depleting you?

     

    I hope this helps!! I would love any feedback on what else has worked for you.

     

    NEXT GROUP PROGRAM STARTING SEPTEMBER !

     

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    Want to look at your hormone and neurotransmitter labs and have a group for support? Alex of Dig Primal and I are going to be offering a 3 month group program starting September 15th. You will have receive a customized protocol but all of the coaching will be done in group. Put your name on the Adrenal Fatigue Group Program update list for more information.