This Mama Has Gone Primal

Hello my friends, it's been a while!
So I'm here to catch you up on all that's been happening in our lives, and one of our biggest changes is that we, have gone primal.
Now with a 2 year old things don't get much more primal than that, she likes to drag dolls around by their hair, eat food foraged from under the couch, and hit things repeatedly with anything that resembles a club; but actually I'm talking about the Primal diet, also known as Paleo, Ancestral or even Caveman diet.

The decision to start eating this way really came after my darling hubby's dr. appt, and we decided some of our dietary habits needed to change now.
I did the research - I looked into GAPS, Atkins, Clean Eating, G.I. - you name it.
But then I came to Paleo, and read "The Paleo Diet Solution" by Robb Wolf, and my first thought was: Yeah, right!!!

However, I was intrigued by the 'no wheat' aspect, as I had just finished reading "Wheat Belly" by William Davis and dug a little deeper.
After talking it over with Hubs we decided: Weeellll, why don't we try it? Just until your next Dr. appt...
Doc had been strict about impressing how weight needed to be lost, blood pressure needed to go down and activity needed to be increased.
The follow-up appointment was further coercing....err...incentive to make some changes ASAP.

So without further ado, we waved goodbye to wheat, sugar, most dairy, bad fats, legumes, tubers and said hello to high-protein meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, nuts and eggs.

It was quite a rough two weeks, mostly going through the wheat-withdrawal, it caused some seriously grumpiness.
But we were able to get through it, and Hubby especially noticed immediate results. He was telling me he felt he had more energy, wasn't bloated, his gut felt better and his fatigue was much less.

By the time he had his second follow-up appointment, he had lost 15lbs! The doctor made him step on a scale in his office just to confirm this!
I'm not interested in weight-loss, and throughout this entire new regime I have stayed completely steady at my weight of 120lbs. Barely a fluctuation more or less.

And we have not been suffering!
Here's just a couple of meals I've made:

Good 'ol roast chicken with broccoli and cauliflower (potatoes are in the no-no list) which also left me with a wonderful carcass to make bone broth.

Zucchini lasagna (no noodles! and this pic is of it uncooked, there wasn't enough time to take a picture after it came out of the oven, it was AMAZING! Better than regular lasagna!)

Whole30 Chicken in a pot with cabbage:

Even Paleo Pancakes, totally gluten and sugar free, they were delicious and eeeaaaasy!

And here's a little example of what we would have for lunch on any given day:

It really is working out so well for us, and I'm seeing such wonderful results that we're sticking with it!

I'll try to post some more recipes that I've tried and enjoyed later on.

Peace,

What's The Deal With Oil Pulling?

I am a bit of a Pintrest addict. It's become my favourite resource when it comes to recipes, handicrafts and alternative health.
I kept seeing pins about the health benefits of "Oil Pulling." I had no idea what this was (or even the fact that it was for oral/overall health) and curiosity got the best of me.
I learned that oil pulling is taking about a tablespoon of organic, cold-pressed, unrefined oil and swishing it around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes.
The oil, I read, could be Sunflower, Sesame or Coconut. At least these were the most popular options.
What really sold me on it was the benefits of oil-pulling daily
Oilpulling.com lists these following conditions as most frequently responding to by Oil Pulling:

• Acne
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Back and Neck Pain
• Bad Breath
• Bronchitis
• Chronic Fatigue
• Colitis
• Crohn’s Disease
• Constipation
• Dental Cavities
• Dermatitis
• Diabetes
• Eczema
• Hemorrhoids
• Hypertension
• Insomnia
• Migraine Headaches
• Mucous Congestion
• Peptic Ulcers
• PMS
• Periodontal Disease
• Bleeding Gums
• Sinusitis
• Tooth Abscess

Now I'm most excited about it's oral benefits like reducing plaque and gingivitis, reducing cavities, reduces harmful bacteria in the mouth, and oil pulling with Coconut oil reduces mouth bacteria.
It's also well known for naturally whitening and brightening teeth.

So I will be doing a 2 week experiment of oil pulling daily to see if it makes any noticeable difference to my oral or general health.
I decided to use Coconut oil as that's what I had on hand, and I don't mind the taste of Coconut.
Truth be told the swishing and sucking it back and forth between my teeth did make my cheeks a little sore, but you don't have to be swishing vigorously for the whole 15-20 minutes. 
After I spat (NEVER SWALLOW - the oil will now contain bacteria and toxins you've lifted from inside your mouth, the last thing you'd want to do is ingest it.)  I simply rinsed with water. 
My teeth immediately felt cleaner and smooth. They felt like I had just had a cleaning at the dentist, and I noticed my breath did not smell at all.

Some people recommend you do it first thing in the morning (or in the shower) I can try, but the best time I've found it when my little one naps in the afternoon. It's beneficial no matter when in the day you Oil Pull, and is great to do just before bed.

I will post an update in 2 weeks about any differences I've noticed, until then, keep smiling!

Peace,

Homemade Oil Of Oregano

I had gotten introduced to Oil of Oregano a few years ago and have been using it as a go-to method when I feel a cold or flu coming on.
The one thing I wasn't impressed with however, was the price.
Thankfully I found this recipe online and decided to whip myself up a batch!
Here are a few of the benefits of Oil of Oregano:

• Destroying organisms that contribute to skin infections and digestive problems.
• Strengthening the immune system.
• Increasing joint and muscle flexibility.
• Improving respiratory health.

Skin Infections

Oil of Oregano can be applied directly onto the skin to treat itches, skin infections, and irritated gums, but only if it has been diluted. Always follow the instructions on your particular bottle before applying topically onto the skin, since highly concentrated oils may first need to be mixed with Olive Oil or Coconut Oil before application (usually one teaspoon of Olive Oil or Coconut Oil per one drop of Oil of Oregano). 

Digestive Problems

The high concentrations of thymol and carvacrol in Oil of Oregano have been shown to calm upset stomachs and aid digestion. Therefore, a quick home remedy for mild indigestion is to drink a glass of milk or juice that is mixed with 2 or 3 drops of the oil. 

Sinus Congestion

Oil of Oregano is a wonderful natural remedy for sinus congestion. A common solution is to add 3 drops of the oil into a glass of juice and drink this mixture daily for 3 to 5 days.

Colds and Sore Throats

Oil of Oregano is an excellent early defense mechanism when you feel a cold or sore throat coming on. Simply take 3 drops of the oil once per day (you can mix it into a glass of orange juice) and you should notice results within a few hours. Repeat this once per day for up to 5 days until the symptoms are gone. 

http://www.homeremediesweb.com/oil_of_oregano_health_benefits.php

DIY Oil Of Oregano
You need a ratio of 1:1 with fresh Oregano and Olive Oil.
I used 1/2 cup of Oregano to 1/2 cup Oil, but you can reduce the amount of oil if you'd like a stronger batch.

• Wash and dry your Oregano
• Place Oregano in a ziplock bag, cover with a tea towel and hammer at the leaves using a meat tenderizer or something similar. This will bruise the leaves causing them to release their oils.
• Heat up a small amount of Olive Oil (in the microwave is fine) until warm than add to ziplock baggy of crushed leaves. Close the bag and squish and smush the oil and leaves around for a minute or two. (This ensures that you pick up the released oil.)
• Now pour the leaves and remaining Olive oil into a clean, dry glass container with a fitted lid, and place in a cool, dry place for 2 weeks.
• After 2 weeks strain the leaves from the oil and bottle. 

Please keep in mind that there are side effects to taking Oregano oil continuously, and should be avoided if pregnant. 

Voila! You've just made your own Oil of Oregano!

Peace,

Homemade Vapour Rub

I came across this recipe for homemade vapour rub from CrunchyBetty's website.
As a Mum to a little one, I didn't feel comfortable even using the baby brand vapour rub on her little chest when she got the coughs or sniffles.
This recipe seemed straight forward enough and true enough I soon had a natural vapour rub that seemed identical in texture and smell.

Homemade Vapour Rub

• 2 tsp beeswax (grated)
• 1/4 cup EVOO
• 35 drops peppermint essential oil
• 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 15 drops rosemary essential oil

Melt the beeswax and olive oil together until smooth (I used a glass bowl in the microwave, stopping and stirring a couple of times until it was completely melted). Stir well with a whisk. Continue whisking while adding the essential oils drop by drop. Transfer to a small lidded container. Store in a cool, dry place for up to  a year (or more).

Both baby and hubs loved it, not to mention it left the skin on the bottom of my feet nice and soft!

Enjoy!

Peace,

Cloth Diapers

I remember when my sister went crazy for her cloth diapers.
All she wanted to do was show me her new diapers, covers, laundry detergent and wet bags.
Of course, at the time I couldn't understand why anyone would be so excited to use and clean what her baby was doing all his smelly business in.

This is no longer the case. When Eloise turned four months I tried some of my sisters cloth diapers, I found they soaked too much, and were a pain to take on and off.
I was discouraged enough by the whole thing that I decided it just 'wasn't for me.'

This went on for a few more months until I saw a friend using "Flip" diapers with pre-fold inserts.
It looked easy and clean enough, I like that you could re-use the cover, plus, was it just me, or did they get cuter looking??

So I went to a local cloth diaper store and excitedly took a "sample" of a bunch of different types of diapers. I found out what didn't work (fitted motherease) what kinda worked (pocket diapers) and what I LOVED. My flip diapers with inserts.
Now I was the one spouting off words like "pre-folds", "AIO's" and "Stripping liners" without so much as batting an eye.
My sister grinned at me as I told her: "I've never been so excited about something Ella poops in."

I can't say I'm a complete convert, as I only cloth diaper during the day, but I love being able to wash and re-use them. Not having to buy box after box of non-deteriorating diapers, and well, there's all the pretty covers too!

I haven't had any issues yet with bum rash; Eloise seems just as comfortable in them as any disposable, and I just do a simple cold-water rinse with a hot-water wash, using Nellie's detergent.

Now it's my husband who keeps looking at me oddly every time I go off about how cute my diapers are are and "don't you just love them?!?"

Bar Shampoo Soap and the Oil Cleansing Method

In my quest to eat more natural and healthy foods, I've also desired using less processed products on my person.
You can absorb just as many chemicals by rubbing it on your skin, brushing you teeth or washing your hair, as you can by eating it.
I started researching other alternatives to store bought products and came across more natural beauty choices.
A strangely popular "no-poo" method for washing hair has gotten a fairly large following; women and men who have given up shampoo and conditioner all together, and have started using baking soda, and apple cider vinegar   as replacements.
I was tempted, but call me a wuss, I wanted to ease into tossing shampoo, especially since I have naturally greasy hair, and cannot go more than a day without washing.
So, I found an alternative:
This is the "Soap Works Shampoo and Conditioner" bar. The soap works is a Canadian based company, nothing they make contain phosphates or lauryl sulphates. 
I found it at my local organic store for a mere $1.45.

 I figured if I was game enough to be tempted by just baking soda alone, surely I could try this! I've been using it for a week now, as is Jeremie and we both quite like it. It smells lovely, has a nice lather and my hair feels clean and fluffy. If I had to knit-pick one thing, I would say my hair is slightly drier. However, being a naturally greasy person, this hasn't really been a problem. 

I've been able to go three days without washing my hair, and still not get to that frighteningly-stringy greasy look. 

During my little cruise for natural beauty products, I came across this: "The Oil Cleansing Method". 

I know it sounds crazy, cleaning your face with oil?? But it seemed just crazy enough to work. 

"The basic concept of this skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. The steam will open your pores, allowing the oil to be easily removed. Should you need it, the smallest drop of the same oil formula patted over damp skin will provide the necessary lubrication to keep your skin from over-compensating in oil production. "

Well, okay then. I'll give it a shot.  

I already had the Olive oil at home, and after a quick jaunt found my castor oil. The little bottle I conveniently found at the dollar store. You can apparently buy little bottles and the like in their "travel-sized" section. 

Because I think I have fairly normal skin, (sometimes dry, sometimes greasy) I used a 1 to 1 ratio of castor oil and olive oil. I made only 2 tsp castor / 2 tsp. olive, as I'm still in the 'testing' stage. 

" Castor Oil has potent anti-inflammatory properties, but is also healing and cleansing, which is why we're focusing on this oil as our primary oil."  

The olive oil is simply used as a carrier oil, and can be replaced by grape seed or sunflower seed oil. I just used what I had on hand. 

The rest was very simple. Throw it in a bottle and give it a shake!

The best time to cleanse is at night, to get the day's grime off, and this cleanser is also a wonderful makeup remover too! 

Take a quarter sized amount in your hands, rub them together to warm the oil. 

Massage into your face for approximately a minute making sure to work into your problem areas. 

Take a face cloth and soak in water warm enough to steam the oil off your face - lay it on your face for another minute. 

Your face should immediately feel softer. If you're using the right ratio of oils, you shouldn't need to moisturize. If your skin feels dry, add more olive oil to your mix, if your skin feels greasy, cut back on your olive oil amount or adjust the ratio to a greater amount of castor oil.

I've just started using this, so I will update you all in a week or so when I have some real results. However, after just a few uses, my skin already feels softer and more moisturized. 

I'll also try to take a picture of my hair after 3 days of no washing, and then again after using my soap. 

So that's what I've been doing lately! 

Peace,