Making my own things...full detox and cleanse...

I'm making all of holiday gifts this year. I've always liked to do that, but now that I'm knee-deep in a Master Herbalist certification study, I actually have the ability to come up with some pretty cool ideas. I like giving gifts that A) don't cost a ton of money I don't have, B) are actually creative and tuned in to the gift recipient, and C) will actually help the recipient and not burden them with more stuff. Now, don't get me wrong- I like stuff. I like stuff a little too much, so while I'm happy to accept any tidings of stuff I may receive this year, I won't be giving it out.

Unfortunately, most of the people on my Extreme Gift Giving Holiday Extravaganza List are readers of this blog, so pictures or methods will have to wait. In the meantime, I'm going to share with you a completed project I took on a few weeks ago: creating my own whole body cleanse.

I love doing detox cleanses. I feel that they are absolutely essential, not just for "sick people" but for EVERYONE. On the planet. Your poor body just can't keep up, even if you've got the purest diet in the world. I mean no offense when I say this, but it's a simple fact: American women who breastfeed have jet fuel in their milk. Why? Because planes fly over us all day long, and if you've ever seen one fly low enough, you know exactly what the trail of smog behind it really means for all of us. This is just one example of the complete inability to compete with a ravaged planet. But that doesn't mean give up. It means taking control. Just because you have less say over what accidentally gets into your body doesn't mean you have to let it linger there. Get it out! Do a full cleanse.

Good cleanses are hard to come by. I happen to like the full body cleanse at Trader Joe's and I sometimes recommend it as a starting point for people who have never cleansed before and aren't sure they're gonna like it or don't think they need it (ha). The price is right, there aren't any dietary restrictions, it targets all the body's main venues of waste removal, and it's just plain easy to use. For those who have never cleansed or just don't understand the process, this one will get you started and possibly hooked. It's good to do this at least once a year, and WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! Hang on...the UPS guy just dropped off my new box of supplements from Vitacost!!!!!

Ok. Back to the story. I made my very first full body cleanse right in my kitchen. How? The magic of encapsulation!

A lot of herbs are nasty. They're amazing for your body and your mind, but they taste really, really gross. The particular herbs used to target liver cleansing are, in my opinion, super yucky. I decided to start encapsulating powdered herbs instead, which is when I came up with my genius plan to just make an entire cleansing system. I keep a LOT of herbs in stock, and I had most of what I needed to make a series of supplements that would target my liver and my colon, assisting them to get any lingering gunk out of my body.

I also wanted to keep things simple so I decided to start with a series of 9 herbs and three supplements: one to target my liver and assist with blood purification, one to both soothe the inner lining of my intestines and to remove build up, and a final supplement to seek and destroy any nasty critters that might have taken up residence somewhere down there (Lemmywinks). Each herbal blend had three herbs chosen to work in synergy with one another. I purposely chose to use no laxative herbs because I do cleanses often. First time cleansers almost always need them.

Grind, grind!



powdered herbs...



Grinding herbs is no problem. I keep a grinder on hand to zap them into powder within seconds, and any tough roots get the mortar and pestle treatment. Encapsulation, however, is a whole other set of problems. It isn't difficult, but it's very tedious and I've already decided to invest in an encapsulation tool, which I'll be needing since I really prefer to take certain herbs whole. It's also necessary if you need to take a particular herb or blend several times a day but can't stand around waiting for an infusion to finish steeping. I picked up these veggie caps at my local health food store, where they are sold in bulk bins.



Show of hands for how many people recognize that plate set.

Remember, if you're going to powder herbs, do it on demand. It's best not to buy powdered herbs unless you're going to encapsulate them or use them right away, since powdered herbs begin to lose their effectiveness much faster than whole, dried plant parts. The best way to ensure the powdered herbs are used immediately and aren't spending too much time on the shelf is to powder them yourself.

Now, once all your powdered herbs are mixed well, it's time to start encapsulating! Having a small, thin, flat tool, like the handle of a small spoon, helps here if you don't have a machine. Fill 'er up!



Once it's full, snap the top on. You'll hear it click into place. These are the smaller size capsules, called 0 size which hold around 500 mg, but it really depends on how much you shove in there and how powdered your herbs are. The 00 size capsules are much bigger and can hold over 1 gram of whatever. They're also huge and hard to swallow. I use them for colon pills because slippery elm is tough to powder, but for everything else, I use 0 size.



All done. Now just do that 59 more times, and you'll have enough for one part of a 30 day cleanse. This is understandably boring, and I only had enough patience and spare time to make myself a 2 week cleanse, but it tested very well, being very gentle yet effective. More importantly, it really gave me a much needed confidence boost. There a lot of pressure in our society to just "leave it up to the experts" and pay out the nose through things that can easily be created in your own home.

However, if you don't plan on making enough pills to encapsulate often, buying a detoxification system prepackaged is your best bet. I know of one in particular that will effectively reformat your entire hard drive, so to speak. Dr. Natura's line of products are extremely well formulated and safe, and you won't believe some of the horrors lurking in your tum tum that these products will remove from you. It's definitely worth a go. They even have a great cleansing system for children. Check out some of the pictures that people have sent in :) WARNING! Do not click if you are eating or at work.

Exercise, Beachbody, and Insanity...

It's no secret around here that I like to work out. Mommy Time at my house is between the hours of 2-4 pm, and it's usually during this block of time I can be found in front of my computer with the chair pushed over to the other side of the living room. I love working out at home. Gyms suck. They're expensive and filled with a whole bunch of gadgets that you don't need (and are all taken anyway).

Workout equipment can be fun and can spice things up a bit, but I'm amazed at the number of people who think that they are necessary. "I can't work out today because my (treadmill, elliptical, tube, ball, etc.) is (broken, missing, malfunctioning, etc.)" Excuses, excuses. Now, I'm just as susceptible to marketing as anyone else, perhaps even more so, but my exercise fanaticism isn't centered around gadgets. I'm all about infomercial workout programs. I seriously am die hard addicted to infomercials. I can't help it, I was born this way. My Dad, a plant loving cherry orchard growing outdoorsman, couldn't stand it when I'd spend an entire Sunday on the couch at 14 years old, watching repeats of Ronco Showtime rotisseries, George Foreman grills, and Oxyclean. Back then, exercise programs were few and far between, and to my recollection only the Tony Little machines and the Bowflex gyms really stand out. But now, in the future, we have something I like to call...Beachbody.

Me and Beachbody are like this (I'm hooking fingers together). Oh my god, I love Beachbody. I swear to you, I'm not on Team Beachbody or anything like that, I just have had genuine success with their programs. I haven't tried every single one, and a lot of them I only borrowed from friends so I wasn't able to continue them, but the ones I have tried, I liked. Some of them I even loved. Slim in Six is the one my sister likes, and through her I was able to give it a shot. Great for beginners and people who haven't worked out in quite some time. It required equipment, which it came with, but I'm a minimalist so the more equipment you need, the less likely I am to follow through. Why? Because equipment is EXPENSIVE. One hand weight at Walmart is 10$. ONE! You don't even get two! And with Beachbody, you get strong moderately fast and need to keep increasing resistance. Which means, yes, more equipment. Slippery slope, that one is.

Hop Hop Abs is another fun and variety adding series that I also borrowed short term and liked. It's especially appealing if you can't stand classic workouts or really, really like dancing. I'm not a dancer unless none of you are around, so I was halfway with this one. Effective for the whole body and fun, but if you lack confidence on the dance floor and can't let loose when no one's watching, you'll feel too retarded to give this one a chance.

Turbo Jam. At one point, the phrase "Turbo Jam" leaving my mouth was heralded with trumpets and singing Angels. This was my go-to program for YEARS. My incredible results with this program in particular led my sister and her SO to purchase it as well, and to date I've also collected many of the extra DVDs that came out after the initial program was sold to supplement the workout for TJ veterans. After my first pregnancy, which was before I studied nutrition, became a vegan or leaned what real health truly was...I was bummed. Yes, the awesomeness that is Kombucha Diva was not even conceived at that time, and I found myself very bummed, indeed. Still watching infomercials (which I still do to this day), I sort of took a liking to the instructor of Turbo Jam and decided to give it a shot. I lost 70 pounds, no joke. All on Turbo Jam. I was so hooked.

Since then, I've done all of the aforementioned workout routines interspersed with yoga, walking, and various other DVDs on Netflix, until I came across something that completely challenged me. Well, punished me, I should say, for ever even imagining that I was, in any way, fit. That workout is Shaun T's Insanity. I can tell you with confidence that I know why it's named Insanity. Because in the middle of the very first workout, I collapsed on the floor, in a mid-winter puddle of sweat, and screamed "THIS S#!T IS F*&#%@G INSANE!" I imagine the volunteers who tested this program before unleashing it's unholy fury upon the innocent public exclaimed something similar in test runs. Regardless, in that moment, I knew I was in love. I knew that this program was different, and it was going to be so awesome.

Insanity is everything I could ever want in a workout. There is not a single shred of equipment necessary besides shoes. No weights, no bars, no tubes, no balance crap...nothing. I suppose you'll need to actually want to be fit, but that's on you. No excuses, baby...you either want it or you don't. The instructor, Shaun T, is incredibly motivating, not silly or annoying, easy to take cues from, and familiar, since we already know him from Hip Hop Abs. More importantly, this workout means business. I have never in my life, in any workout I've ever tried (and I'm a flaky Gemini) been pushed this far or felt this good. It's not that I wasn't capable of delivering, it's that no workout has ever ASKED this much of me. So many programs are targeted at fat Americans sitting up late on the couch watching infomercials, and while there's a market for that, there's also a market for those who actually got up off the couch and are looking for the next step in total body fitness.

I have successfully completed Week One, after passing the fit test, and I am already feeling much more powerful, especially in my legs. This is the first workout that has targeted my calves so well that they're actually sore. Or as I like to call it, on fire and run through a meat grinder. This thing will whip you into shape no matter what's soft, loose, or fat on you. IF (and that's a big if, hence the big letters) you can pass the fit test, which is brutal in itself. If you don't pass, don't even try, because while I did pass, the test alone was one of the hardest things I've ever physically done in a workout, and it's really just there to see if you can handle the actual fitness program. Sometimes, I feel that the program itself is saying to me, in not so many words, "You're not fit at all. And now, I'm going to make you pay..." There's some maniacal laughter that usually follows.

I'm definitely not trying to scare you away from Insanity. But for those of you who are ready, my personal experience has led me to believe that it's definitely one of the many positive and effective ways out there to get results. Now, let's see if I can keep my attention span trained on the series long enough to complete the 60 day program. Hopefully this thing will whip me into enough shape so I can finally bust out some P90X! (if I can ever stand to own that much equipment, that is).

Seasonal eating and magnet therapy...

It's about this time of year that I start to slow down. The days become noticeably shorter, leaves begin to fall, and I find myself sleeping in a little more each day. Foods become warmer, and I begin to turn inward and become less active, embracing the peaceful energy of the coming winter, as opposed to the vibrant energy of summer. Watching the leaves fall from the trees inspires me to look at my life and consider shedding the parts of myself that I no longer need, as well.

I firmly believe in eating seasonally. While I definitely enjoy the benefits of modern farming and the ability to enjoy a watermelon in November, I follow my natural instincts which lead me to eating less sweet fruits, such as apples, persimmons, lemons, and the abundance of winter squashes and dark greens that are so iconic in these steady months. The ripe cherries, sweet melons, and peaches are gone, leaving behind seeds that will lie dormant until the sun begins it's journey again next year. It gives me a feeling of security, knowing that no matter what madness is going on in my life, the dependable march of the seasons remains unchanged. Growing up on a house with acres devoted to seasonal foods such as cherries, plums, apples, oranges and tangerines has instilled within me a true sense of alignment with seasonal life.

No matter how far we remove ourselves from those natural rhythms, they are inescapable, because they come from within as well as from without. Even in the giant metropolis, the trees will shed their leaves, the sun will rise later and later, and we as humans will celebrate the feasting winter holidays, no matter what names we give them.

The magnetic pull of the earth contributes greatly to our health. This magnetic force, measured on the Gauss scale, is weakening as time goes by, diminishing from over 2.0 hundreds of thousands of years ago, to a mere 0.5 in recent times, and is ever dwindling. As this force decreases we are seeing an increase in a wide array of disease, including the introduction of diseases never before recorded in human history. You may have seen certain magnetic products for sale in holistic and health food shops. There are magnetic bracelets, water treatments, joint wraps and even mattress pads which have helped to heal or provide relief for numerous ailments that were otherwise "untreatable". If you suffer from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, or other illness where the source of your aches and pains are a mystery, magnetic therapy may be an option for you to investigate.

By the way, how was your Thanksgiving? If you're anything like me, you took full advantage of the holiday and went nuts, eating everything in sight. However, I'm back to my happy little self today, thanks to a few tricks that helped to get my digestive system back on track while completely avoiding over the counter drugs.

First things first: plan ahead! The morning of Thanksgiving, hours before eating anything, I primed myself by taking a good probiotic supplement AND drinking a few ounces of Kombucha. It's not an excuse to go nuts, it's just plain smart. Now, if you really tank the food and make yourself sick, here's a few more things that I do around this time of year to keep everything running smoothly.

For that morning after tummy ache or nausea, drink a full glass of water with one tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to eliminate discomfort and correct pH levels.

On an empty stomach in the morning (I do this every morning without fail), drink one liter of purified water with fresh squeezed lemon juice. This makes for a very happy liver.

Herbs to have on hand are ginger, peppermint, and fennel, all of which will soothe the digestive system and taste wonderful as a hot infusion. Enteric coated peppermint oil capsules are something to try for hardcore stomach aches.

Fruit, baby. It's my go-to healer and the perfect food for humans. Eating a fruit-only breakfast will give you tons of energy and drag those fiber-less Thanksgiving foods right out of your colon.

Here is my after Thanksgiving breakfast



Persimmons, the greatest fruit in the world. Best morning EVAR!

Farmer's market and "organic" produce...

I actually live a few city blocks away from a very nice Farmer's Market. For those of you in Sacramento, it's in the back parking lot of Country Club Plaza, which is the lamest mall in the city. It's not even really a mall, but they keep switching stores out and billing it as one so more shoppers and less elderly mall walkers will show up. It's not working.

Every Saturday morning, however, farmers from all over the valley come and sell local produce at awesome prices, which is more than worth the 30 minute walk from our apartment, which is the same walk we take several times a week, so it's not any extra effort on our part. There's a local lavender farm that sells little blue bottles of 100% lavender essential oil for only 5$! The people from Apple Hill are also there this time of year.

I go to Farmer's Markets to get great produce, to support local farmers and to reduce the amount of wasted resources we become responsible for by inadvertently paying for food to be shipped worldwide. All those reasons are enough on their own, but more than anything I shop there because I serisouly hate buying produce from grocery stores. Why? Because it's freaky. It's genetically modified, filled with pesticides, covered in MSG laced wax, picked too early, and shipped from other countries where they use sprays that are illegal to use here. And with all that going on, you'd think it would be cheaper. But it isn't. It's insanely more expensive to buy produce in grocery stores, and don't even think about buying organic there. It's much better, of course, but you're gonna pay for that organic label.

So, what's the difference between grocery store organic and local produce? In short, money. In order for a farm to sell food that's certified organic, they have to go through a very costly and time consuming process that consists of much more than just growing good produce. There are annual fees and certification fees that some small time farmer's just can't keep up with, but that doesn't mean they don't grow organic produce. It simply means that they don't have the resources to apply and maintain a USDA label, which still doesn't guarantee that your food is 100% organic, anyway. At a local farmer's market, you can actually meet with the people who are growing your food and ask them about their farming practices. You'll find a ton of stands that sell "pesticide-free" fruits and vegetables that just can't afford an organic label. Generally, farms that are able to comply with certification standards are big, make lots of money, and can afford to hire people to deal with the paperwork.

The USDA Organic label itself isn't 100% reassuring, either. In order for a product to sell under the organic label (and the price), it must be 95% organic. Yeah. Products that state "made with organic ingredients" are only 75% organic. So, how much is that label worth? It depends on what you're looking for, and how much you're willing to spend. I think that buying produce at a grocery store is the last resort, organic or not. I'm the only person I know without a porch, a patio or a window to grow food, and I'm the only one mourning the loss, yet from all around I hear complaints about the price of organic food. There is so much that can come from a simple patio pot or a small backyard vegetable plot, and it's free. You can decide what organic means. If you don't have a place to grow food, go and find someone who does. A farmer's market is a great place to start, as well as neighbors, friends, and family who have trees filled with food that go neglected every year. Co-ops, where available, are also helpful.

While we're on the subject of organic food, I'm hearing a lot of people whining about how organic food isn't worth the price because it isn't any more nutritious than conventional food. In this situation, the bottom line isn't what's in organic food, it's what ISN'T in organic food that makes all the difference. If you're that concerned, go back to the soil. Follow that apple/zucchini/persimmon or whatever it is back to it's roots, and you'll get a good idea of how nutritious it's going to be. Now, that's going to be pretty hard to do if you buy tomatoes from Mexico, unless someone you know is going to have a bachelor party. I'd prefer to eat something a little closer to home. In addition, food todau has, at best, 1/5 of the nutrition of the food your grandparents ate. So, you can either eat 5 more plates, or you can supplement and juice.

I walked out of that market today with a lot of produce, and I spent 8$. I got 3 huge daikons with the greens still on (can't get that anywhere else), a big bundle of 7-8 baby bok choy, 2 salad cucumbers, 5 eggplants, 1 pound of shady lady tomatoes, 1 pound of onions, and the biggest head of cabbage I have ever seen. I'm not kidding, it weighs as much as a pumpkin and is nearly as big, and it's was only 1.50$. I might have got more, but all that was getting kind of heavy. Another farmer had huge bags of apples for 3$, and I really wanted one. The Almighty Persimmon, my favorite thing in the world to eat, was also incredibly cheap, averaging 75 cents a pound for big, beautiful Fuyus. Or, I can get tiny, sad looking ones at Savemart for 1$ apiece from who knows where. But I got some from a local tree :)

My Mom calls me a Food Nazi because I tell her these sorts of things, but I'm of the mindset where I'd rather know exactly what I'm eating than just leave it up to someone else and hope that they got it right. I don't think it's possible for everyone who reads this to just cast off decades of habit and start frantically digging in the backyard, but I do think it's possible to eat mindfully. It's important to understand what your options are, but it's equally important to realize that there are other options that you aren't aware of, and it's your responsibility to seek them out. Awesomeness isn't going to knock on your door.

Greens...and smoothies...

Every time I try to buy dandelion greens from the supermarket, it's a challenge. First of all, they rarely have them in. It's not because of seasonal issues, because the other chain grocer in my area has them 100% of the time, but it's a much longer walk and more often than not I don't feel like tacking an extra mile to my walk to buy 2$ worth of greens, however awesome they might be. But let's say a miracle has occurred, and Save Mart has a bundle of dandelion greens. In this case, when I take it up to the checkout, it has no barcode on the tie and no code to key in. I have to wait until the self check girl notices my plight and shuffles lazily through a reference sheet of about a million codes, searching for something she's never heard of. It takes forever.

All whining aside, I do wish that it was a little easier to buy dandelion greens, or kale for that matter. If you have easy access to these amazing super special awesome foods, take advantage. The easiest way is to throw a quick green drink into your day. I can't think of a better way to make a fast and dramatic change to your mood, your energy levels, your mental clarity, and your overall health. Despite the nuclear color, this super shake tastes fruity and sweet and I'm gonna show you how to make it.



The magic of the green smoothie is that it changes with the seasons, with the time of day, and with your own needs. It doesn't take much to make it, you don't have to have any extra powders or expensive ingredients, it's fast and filling and can be eaten for any meal of the day or just added in to your current menu.

Some basic ingredients:

Bananas! These energy powerhouses are insanely cheap and make a perfect foundation for a good smoothie. If you're aiming for a meal in a glass, use 5. If it's just a snack, try 3.

Raw greens. This is where the good feelings hide :) I cram handfuls into my blender, but if you're new to green smoothies, start out with 1 cup of spinach, romaine, green leaf, or whatever you're used to. Avoid white or pale greens. You want dark, mineral rich leaves.

Apples. They're in season, they're sweet, and they blend well. Slice up 1-2 small ones and throw them in. Pears will have a similar effect, but make sure they're ripe. Crunchy pears are not good.

Berries. The more, the merrier. Berries blend right up and add great flavor and loads of nutrition. Make sure they're organic because berries are one of the most dangerous foods to eat non-organic. Try strawberries, blueberries, or if you really want to feel good try goji berries (which I am so addicted too, haha).

Celery. You absolutely gotta have some celery. This is a majorly hydrating food and should be eaten daily, hopefully in lieu of table salt (gasp!). It does have a bit of a salty taste, so add sparingly once you've found a smoothie blend you like.

Water. Don't even try to add juices or milks to this. Add lots of purified water to make sure everything blends easily and goes down smoothly.

Here's a list of some extras that I either use daily or have used in the past:

Hemp powder (for me, it's a must)
Maca
raw cacao powder
spirulina or other algae
any whole food powders or liquid vitamin supplement
soy or rice powder
powdered herbs

Green smoothies are pretty individual, and everyone has their own favorite mix. My favorite at the moment is bananas, spinach, kale, hemp, maca, and my whole food powder. Change your smoothies as the seasons change to keep things fun. Summertime makes for fun tropical drinks filled with mango, pineapple, kiwi or watermelon, while winter drinks can be filled with apples, pears, soft persimmons, and dark winter greens.

There's nothing more energizing and refreshing in the morning than a superfood smoothie filled with more nutrients than you'd get from an entire days worth of food. Skip the coffee and actually wake up.

I met the Vitamin Lady today...

...and she gave me free stuff! I came home with this nice promotional package with a serving of both adult and children's multivitamins from Nature's Plus Source of Life line of products.



I also tried a serving of their liquid version and wasn't terribly grossed out by the taste. Nature's Plus awesomely uses spirulina, which is an amazing algae that provides unbelievable amounts of harder to find nutrients. It is not, however, in any way palatable (in my trials, anyway) so I was surprised that there was very little of that telltale pondscum aftertaste.

After reading the ingredients on the label of the pill version of multivitamins I brought home, I couldn't really find any horrific ingredients to nitpick over, but there are a few things I will share here. Firstly, see all those tablets in the picture? That's one serving. You have to take about a million of these things a day (six). I completely understand that it's impossible to fit optimal levels of nutrients in a single pill (take note, Centrum users) but if you hate pill swallowing I'd steer clear of these and pick up the liquid version instead, which only requires you to drink 2 tablespoons if I understood the Vitamin Lady correctly.

The Vitamin Lady...oh, where to begin. She was nice and helpful, but first and foremost she is a saleswoman so I took the liberty of not sharing my occupation until the end of the conversation, wanting to see what she was willing to say in order to sell vitamins to people. I told her that I was currently taking a powder form of multivitamin. My reasons for doing so are because of the higher level of nutrient absorption and, like I mentioned earlier, it's impossible to get any sane amount of nutrition from a single pill. I didn't tell her these reasons, I just told her what sort of vitamins I took. She proceeded to tell me that powder vitamins don't work because they don't survive the "acidity of the stomach", and that I needed to take liquid vitamins. Okay, granted, liquid vitamins are a little better than reconstituted powder, but her idea of powder supplements being destroyed by the stomach environment is seriously strange. Whole food powder is just that: whole fruits, vegetables and other foods that have been turned into powder, so if nutrients from whole foods can't survive the stomach environment, then we're all dead and this blog isn't happening. Secondly, powder vitamins are mixed with liquid and reconstituted into LIQUID VITAMINS. It's an extra step to the same, albeit slightly less nutritious, end, but the end result is a liquid supplement, so if mine won't survive, hers won't either.

Here's where the serious no-no happened. The label advertises the product as "vegetarian". Well, that's all well and good, but things that are labeled vegetarian more often than not have a whole host of animal products lurking inside. I asked her, point blank, if the vitamins were vegan, and she assured me they were. Upon inspection of the label, I see that their multivitamins include bee pollen, which is not vegan. It is an animal product and there are strict vegetarians who do use bee products (often called "beegans") but the label "vegan" is only to be used on items that have no animal products. None whatsoever. That is a serious offense and a lot of vegans would be absolutely horrified at ingesting a product they were told was vegan and wasn't. After being a vegan for years, I've come to the conclusion that it happens, and it will probably happen again, so stressing out over it is pointless. But I definitely don't think that people should be lied to in order to sell a product.

I actually like Nature's Plus, and I have used several of their products with great results. They have been around for a long time and are one of the better choices in the holistic health industry. But watch out for Vitamin Lady, haha, cause she really wants you to buy.

Nature's Plus Source of Life multivitamin includes real herbs and whole food sources of nutrients, which your body is actually able to use, unlike synthetic versions. They include all of the key ingredients I normally look for in a supplement, including some form of algae like Blue Green or Spirulina, a seed complex for EFAs (this one has Sunflower), DNA and RNA, antioxidants, and several digestive enzymes. You'll need to take additional Vitamin C powder, a multimineral and a B complex, but I've never actually seen a single multivitamin supplement that was so comprehensive you wouldn't need to take anything else. I dare anyone to find one for me. As far as multivitamins go, this one is a keeper...if you're not a vegan.

CLEANSING TIME!!!

So, I always have to be doing something mad scientist-like, so I've come up with a new project to test on myself. I picked up some empty veggie capsules today, and I'm going to create my own cleanse system. I already have loads of the right herbs and supplements in my massive dried plant collection, so my trusty herb grinder is coming out of the closet (faaabulous!) and will be powdering some nasty tasting plants for encapsulation! I'm planning on making one set of pills for liver/blood cleansing, so basically just some good alterative herbs, another one for the colon with lots of gooey, intestine scrubbing plants, and then another one for candida/parasites. I should have bought an ounce of black walnut hull powder but I didn't. All of this plus a bottle of probiotics and I'll be ready to go. I've taken full cleanses from several different companies but I'm coming to the realization that I have the education, the interest, and the spare time to actually invent my own. Such fun!

So, hopefully, in the next blog, I'll be showing you some of the herbal adventures I'll be undertaking :)

Colds, Flus, and Sunlight...

The dreaded "flu season" has once again descended on the fearful population, and for the last month or so I've been witnessing some horrific sights. My local Walgreens has a big sign out front, advertising their large stock of flu vaccines. At Walmart you can find endcap after endcap stacked with over the counter cold and flu drugs. Drug companies are cashing in big time, this year more so than ever as their own lab created swine flu sweeps across America and...well...does absolutely nothing different than any other flu.

If you think the modern Valentine's Day was created by Hallmark and Sees, you're absolutely correct. The same goes for cold and flu season. Unfortunately, you and I and whoever else you decide to tell are pretty much the only people who know this, and some dummy who doesn't believe in multivitamins is probably going to get you sick pretty soon, if it hasn't happened already. Quadruple that statement if you have 2 or more children. So, until the entirety of humanity awakens from the sleep that the media has put them under (natural=BAD Drugs=GOOD), let's you and I keep our livers in top shape and practice some toxin free health.

SUNLIGHT! I use caps when I yell, so try to imagine me when I scream

SUNLIGHTSUNLIGHTSUNLIGHT!

three times fast. The sun is your first line of defense against illness. Both sunlight and moonlight are necessary nutrients, and these ones can't be bottled. Sunlight creates natural Vitamin D3, a steroid hormone, in your skin, and don't be swayed by "science" which says that you need "natural" Vitamin D from cow's milk, which is added and absolutely not the natural form of Vitamin D3 that you need. 30 minutes in direct sunlight on your face and arms alone will produce way more Vitamin D than anyone's recommended amount. However, this process involves your liver, which is why it's crucial for you to treat it well. If you're doing full body cleanses twice a year or more and not excessively using OTC medications or alcohol, you should be fine.

However, don't just pop a supplement and call it a day, because the awesomeness of sunlight goes far beyond vitamins. Regular sun exposure can help to heal you from depression, insomnia, and boost your immune system. Take off your sunglasses because light therapy is very calming and healing to both mind and body, but don't stare directly into the sun. Also, abstain from using sunblocks, lotions, and other unnatural chemicals that absorb into the skin. The media has played a critical role in convincing you that the sun causes cancer, but think about that for a minute and you'll notice just how ridiculous that sounds. The sun. Our only source of light and heat. Is dangerous. Of course, these are the same people who want to put you in a microwave when you're sick and inject you with mercury when you're well. Applying toxins on the skin and then heating them, such as when you put on sunblock or lotion and go out for a day of outdoor fun, is what you should be careful about. On the flip side, don't bake yourself hours a day, either. Try the middle path, moderation. Take a walk for 30 minutes in short sleeves or a tank top, or open your windows when the sun is at the right angle and soak up the rays on your couch or bed.

If you want to read more about Vitamin D and sunlight, check out this link:
Sunlight and Vitamin D pdf


You diet is VITALLY important when it comes to preventing illness. Nutritional deficiencies lead to disease, and if you think you're getting enough nutrients from food, I hope you're living several hundred years in the past. Our modern produce, organic or not, is severely deficient in nutrients, and processed food has none. Synthetic vitamins don't count. Give away your Centrums, get some whole food based supplements which will provide you with natural nutrients, start JUICING, and start eliminating toxin filled, man made foods which can act as anti nutrients and actually destroy the good stuff you are getting. Cleanse your colon, because you can take all the supplements you want but if your digestive system is compromised you can't actually absorb and assimilate them properly.

Refined sugar will decimate your immune system, as will all the man made foods and chemicals that make up the standard American diet. I know what you're saying now, and I'm already laughing. "But I eat pretty well!" No, you don't. I say that pretty confidently, unless you happen to be a raw foodist who found my blog through a raw food forum. You probably eat pretty well. The rest of you can take a hint from that: eat more raw foods, eat less cooked and eat minimal to no packaged or processed foods. It sounds easy when I say it like that, but it's infinitely harder in practice because we are not simply cars that need fuel. We are complex, unique individuals who all need different levels of nutrients and have emotions which affect our food choices. Learning new information and unlearning the MISinformation we've all been fed is key, and guidance (such as through dietary counseling) can make all the difference.


My herbal flu blend of the day...

There are hundreds of substances, which grow naturally all over the earth, that can help to boost your immune system and fight off colds and flus. What works for one may not work for another, since we are all biochemically unique. I'll mention just a few of the most popular to get you started on your learning path.

Garlic. Oh, baby, I know you love it. You cook with it, but it can literally save you from some pretty bad infections. Allicin is the important compound found in garlic which is antibiotic and antiviral, but it will be destroyed by heat as with all nutrients. The best way to use this is to take a clove of garlic and crush that thing up, mince it, or do whatever you do until its in tiny little bits and eat it. I dump mine in a glass of water if I'm in a hurry or add it to lettuce wraps or other raw dish and eat it. I suggest doing this with food or on a full tummy, as garlic is very powerful and can be irritating and ever cause an allergic reaction when taken on an empty stomach. However, before I learned that I took it on an empty stomach all the time and only suffered occasional heartburn. You decide. Garlic is also a potent blood thinner, which is great for your heart and actually recommended for people in place of aspirin, which can cause death even in small doses. If you're taking medications for your heart or blood, ask your chosen health professional before taking tons of raw garlic.

Oregano Oil. I personally like this stuff, and have used it in combination with other methods to successfuly heal a severe piercing infection. However, because this herb in it's oil form is gaining popularity, it's also starting to be taken incorrectly. Oregano oil is a powerful antibiotic that can be used topically or internally to treat fungal infections, viruses and bacteria, and even Candida overgrowth. As such, it should not be taken long term and only used when an infection is present. In high doses it can become toxic to the human body. It should be used for a period of 2-3 weeks, and then discontinued for 2 weeks. Do not assume that because something is natural it can be abused with no side effects. Antibiotic abuse, both natural and pharmaceutical, can result very quickly in Candida overgrowth, which is a very serious condition that can be fatal if not treated properly. For this powerful oil, treat it respectfully and use it often, but not in excess.

Tea Tree Oil. As one of my favorite oils of all time, Tea Tree gets a lot of screen time on this blog. However, it is, in my opinion, a must in every household. For colds and flus, Tea Tree is the foundation of any good herbal routine. Dilute 20-30 drops in a full sized spray bottle filled with water and spray it everywhere in your home, especially where the sickies are. This will disinfect surfaces and bedding without the incredibly harmful chemicals found in regular household bacterial sprays. Mix a few drops into Coconut Oil and you've got a natural, homemade Vicks that won't harm you or your children and can be used safely on the chest, under the nose or around the frontal sinus. Mix 1-3 drops in a glass of water and gargle several times daily to destroy throat infections.

Elderberry. Isreal got something right. There, elder is used as a potent flu remedy, and health stores across America are catching on. Both the flowers and the berries can be used in several different ways to effectively heal the flu. Personally, I keep elderberry tincture on hand at all times, and I always have a jar aging as a back up, because it takes a few months to make and goes very quickly. Elderberry syrup is also very popular, but it tends to be loaded with sugar and I avoid it. The flowers can be infused with hot water for 20 minutes and then drunk as a tea. Amish people use elderberries to make pies and jams, so it's a very safe way to heal a flu naturally.

Finally, I'll just plug Vitamin C once more. I know you think that Vitamin C just gets peed out, and that because someone told you it did. And you believed them. When vitamins are found in urine, that simple means they're water soluble. The vast majority of vitamins are. When traces of vitamins show up in your urine, that is simply an indication that you have the vitamin in your bloodstream. No trace in the urine means no trace in the bloodstream, and then guess what? You're in trouble. Take your vitamins. So next time someone tells you they don't take vitamins because you pee them out, ask them why they bother drinking water.

Vitamin C is not only safe in large doses, it's highly suggested. A good level to shoot for in a normal day is 2-3 grams. I like to use it in a powder form, and simply mix it in a glass of water after every meal. Make sure you take this while eating, since large amounts of Vitamin C can cause diarrhea if taken on an empty stomach or you're simply not used to having nutrients in your body. Increase the amount you take gradually, and don't forget that not only does Vitamin C boost your immune system, it also helps to heal artery damage and plays a role in keeping your skin soft and wrinkly free. Straight IVs right into the bloodstream have even helped people heal from broken bones in staggeringly short amounts of time.

There are literally thousands of online articles about natural cold and flu remedies, and there are as many combinations of herbs and supplements as there are herbalists. You may have success with a completely different combination of methods and herbs, but no herbal formula or pill can substitute for a good diet and plenty of natural rest, air, activity and sunlight. Free yourself from cubicle syndrome and come outside :)