An Improvement: Healthy Publix Finds + Salt Lamp Sale Check Out Code

Okay so I will start off by saying that I am not trying to "knock" the beloved Publix supermarkets but finding organic food and more than just apples and oranges when it comes to produce at my local Publix store was a big challenge for a long time until more recently. I normally go to Whole Foods for my bigger shops, but for a last minute shop, I go to the much closer, Publix. 

(Now if Publix could start carrying organic popcorn...  

*since genetically modified corn is used otherwise and I'm not giving Mark a bag of GMO corn*

 I would be able to make Mark's (and Cooper our dog's) dreams come true. The man is in love with pickles and popcorn.) 

There is still very limited organic fresh produce (which is annoying) but there has been an increasing number of other organic foods on the shelves. I have seen a big increase and it is all because of consumer demand. Sometimes I hear people who do not shop organic saying, "the new fad is organic food..." 

Sorry, it is no fad, friends. It is called the power of social media and people spreading the word, learning what is really in their "food", and wanting better for what they are paying their hard earned money for. 

We are learning how pesticides, genetically modified foods, and toxic chemicals in our every day household items are harming our bodies and contributing to our illnesses. How long were we supposed to go since the early 90's when GMO foods really became the norm  in our grocery stores? Not too long apparently... 

Since GMOs and the increase in the amount of pesticides on our food have been added to our 

US food supply, things like allergies, asthma, cancer, infertility, diabetes, autism, alzheimer's, and many others have sky rocketed in this country. Even aspartame in our drinks (which they even tried to add to milk to make it sweeter and more addicting like your diet sodas) was created by the same people who created GMO corn, RoundUp Weed Killer, etc. YUM. They all contribute the same illnesses because it is all poison. Don't shoot the messenger! But are you really surprised ? What did you think would happen when we put these kinds of chemicals in our bodies? I mean when I drank diet coke in college, I knew aspartame wasn't good  for me but I had no clue to the extent of HOW BAD it was. 

These kinds of things are not created in nature and so our bodies don't know what do with that, try to fight it off...that's where our side effects and illnesses come in.

Aaaaanyways.....

Back to my local Publix finds: 

Bigger Kale bags! 

Bok Choy - not organic.
I'll be washing this in water and vinegar to take off as many of the pesticides that were  sprayed on it. Since it is a thin, leafy green I wish that it were organic as pesticide can penetrate it very easily as opposed to something like a banana with thick skin. 

The kind of pasta we buy...

 Quinoa pasta comes in all shapes. It is great. Even made my favorite blogger, Food Babe's, list: "What Are The Healthiest Pastas Available?" under the Ancient Grain Pastas section.

This....

This is my version of fast food. It is microwaveable in 90 seconds. I am trying to use the microwave less and less but in a crunch... I will probably throw this onto some lettuce, cilantro, non GMO corn tortilla chips -  and make some sort of quick taco salad.


Yay! My local Publix FINALLY started carrying ORGANIC TOMATOES! Even local from 30 min away,  Boynton Beach, FL! (Now I am waiting patiently for organic strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries...) 

Another quick dinner idea = Thai night means:

This:

Over this:

Makes this:

Mine is meatless and over a raw mushroom. This was for my " Meatless Monday " as I am cutting back on animal foods. Mark's version is made with grass fed ground beef that I spiced with cayenne, cumin, and Himalayan salt. 

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar. A kitchen staple for years and years. Probably in your grandparents home right now...

I read so many amazing things about organic apple cider vinegar that I thought it was finally time for a new Healthy Habit! Don't you worry... I'll be posting about the benefits and how I use the apple cider vinegar when it is time. 

Is your local Publix (or other grocery store) making room for more organic food? I am happy that mine is! It still has a long way to go but any improvement is appreciated! Thank you, Publix managers, for hearing out my requests and bringing in the better suppliers! 

If you would like to learn more, take 18 min and listen to this mom, the "Erin Brockovich" of food. She explains what happened to her family and what she learned afterwards. It is what jump started my interest in this way of eating. 

Also...

Himalayan Salt Lamp Coupon Code:

For those who read this post and want to purchase a Himalayan Salt Lamp for your own home or office, YourSaltLamps.com is having a Spring Kickoff Sale right now through March 31st. 

15% off all order totals when you enter Coupon Code: SPRING2014 at checkout. 

XO 

Christina 

Oh, we have a climber now... Lord help me. 

Healthy Habits: My new love: the Vitamix! + EASY smoothies

On Sunday, my mom and I bought tickets for the New Life Expo in Ft.Lauderdale. It is basically a day at the Broward Convention Center filled with all sorts of informative lectures and booths set up containing all sorts of holistic health and spiritual things/resources/services. We went last year and absolutely loved all that we learned while sitting in the lectures. The expo travels all across the US and Ft.Lauderdale, FL's turn is around March every year. 

This year, we came home with a lot of goodies! We each: received 3 free books, each bought a Vitamix, and acquired a bag full of brochures/samples/ect.

The Vitamix blender was a something that I've wanted for a while now... 

Also, now that I am working on a health coach certification starting this upcoming Monday, my husband thought it was an appropriate addition for my future endeavors :) ...aaand he also loved the fact that I can blend and heat homemade soup at the same time (My husband can eat soup all day, every day if that were an option.) 

Sunday:

As soon as I got home from the New Life Expo

Getting busy with our new Vitamix...

Yum!

Real men drink green smoothies too. 

I love him and his amazing support that he gives me even though I think sometimes he thinks I am a crazy hippie. :) 

I just remind him that good wives want to keep their husbands healthy so they can be around longer. He should worry when I start feeding him unhealthy foods... that won't ever happen though! 

Monday morning: handful of raw baby spinach, 1/2 peeled lemon, 6 strawberries, 1/2 banana, 1/2 mango, peeled kiwi, 1/2 cup of water, tbsp of chia seeds

blend. 

(FYI: chia seeds: more calcium than milk, more omega 3s than fish oil, and more antioxidants than blueberries!) I buy my Bob's Red Mill Chia Seeds at Whole Foods for about $10 and they last my foreverrrrrr since you only use about a tbsp at a time.

 Ava liked it too...

Monday night: 

I made Avocado Tortilla soup! It was thick and delicious. 

Avocado Tortilla Soup

adapted from the Vita-Mix Cookbook

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 5 Roma Tomatoes, quartered
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 avocado, pitted and peeled
• 1/2 lime, peeled
• 1/2 c. canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 c. canned non GMO corn
• 1/2 c. salsa
• non GMO/organic tortilla chips

Instuctions:

1. Place first 7 ingredients in the blender in the order listed.
2. Turn Vitamix on and blend on high for 7 minutes.
3. Reduce speed and add corn, salsa, and beans. Blend for 10 seconds
4. Garnish with tortilla chips, cilantro, or avocado, etc… the possibilities are endless!

(I added in all of the ingredients in at once because I didn't follow the directions properly. Oops. Still delicious just not chunky.) 

Yesterday: waiting at the Atlantic bridge on the way to a beach play date 

Breakfast Smoothie: whole banana, handful of raw spinach, 3 strawberries, 1/2 cup oats, cup of almond milk - blend. 

Today after Mommy&Me class: 

Not so green due to the blueberries, but sometimes your green smoothie isn't so green and that's okay!  (I like to use our mason jars for smoothies. Trying to eliminate as much plastic chemicals as I can in daily use.) 

As you can see, I've started adding some oraganic oatmeal to my breakfast smoothies along with almond milk. My friend, Jessica, gave me the idea and I am so happy that she did. It is perfect for mornings when you want something filling and really creamy. Plus, the oatmeal surprisingly gives it more of a "comfort food" taste and less of a fresh, green juice taste. Personally, I love all of my green smoothies with whatever ingredients I decide to use that day.  But it is a nice, tasty change to have the creamy, comforting addition of the almond milk and the raw oats. 

Jessica's breakfast smoothie recipe: DELICIOUS! 

-Whole, peeled banana

-a few strawberries (stems on top and all! You want that green chlorophyll - you won't taste it) 

-1/2 cup oats

-cup of almond milk 

Blend. 

(I sneak a handful of greens in because I always like the benefits of greens even though you don't taste them with the oatmeal)

Thanks, Jessica! Baby Christian is going to thank you when he's old enough to have some :) 

I recommend you try one for your on-the-go breakfast.

 A lot of people don't have time to make breakfast in the morning and so they either

 1. Don't eat and only have some coffee 

or 

2. Drive through/ pick up something not so healthy. 

These smoothies literally take 1-2 min for me to make (depending on if I am using any ingredients that needs to be peeled). 

It's grab, throw in the blender, blend on high for 15 sec, pour into your cup, and GO. 

Now, I do still think that eating your nutrient dense foods is always a better option since your saliva during your chewing starts the entire digestive process. We are meant to chew our calories to break them down properly.

But if it's between chewing an egg mc'muffin or swishing/"chewing" around healthy smoothie to get the saliva going in your mouth before swallowing... 

I'll take the 2nd choice any day! 

Even if you don't own a heavy duty: Vitamix or Ninja kitchen system, bust out the 'ole hand blender that I used (and loved) before having a Vitamix or any normal kitchen blender. Anything works!

Okay, I'll wrap this one up here...

Now, I need to decide what soup I'm going to whip up for part our dinner tonight! :-)

I also saw this easy dressing and want to try it out for our side salads:

(This dressing calls for honey. Remember, most mainstream/processed "honey" is not just raw honey but contains things like GMO corn sweetener. Make sure to buy some organic/ raw honey for your home. I never knew that about honey either but it doesn't surprise me.) 

Remember: anything you make at home from simple ingredients- even if they aren't all organic- you will still be cutting out A LOT of dangerous and unhealthy ingredients. 

I don't care what the FDA thinks... Some of these "approved" ingredients are not meant for human consumption!!! 

This is a "fun" little article that my friend, Kaylyn, posted: Mind blowing...

9 Disgusting Things You Didn't Know You've Been Eating Your Whole Life

Hope you all have a happy & healthy Wednesday! 

XO

Christina 

Healthy Habits: Castile Soap We Use & Love

Hi! Hope everyone is having a nice Wednesday! I recently came across a great website that taught me all of things that I can do with the Dr. Bronner's Castile Soup we already use and love. (It is at the end of this post.) 

I first learned about Dr. Bronner's soap when my mom gave me a bottle of the almond scented one. I just ran out and am embarrassed to even say how long I had it for. She would come over and see the bottle nearly full in our shower and ask, "Are you bathing? It looks like you barely use the soap." 

She was right about one thing, I use very little because that's all you need. It is oily so you feel it spreading across you very easily. Now that I am off to buy a new bottle, I think I will try the peppermint one! 

*Funny story: I bought the Lavender one for my mother in law as one of her Christmas gifts. When she unwrapped it she said, "Thank you! I can always use more floor cleaner!" 

I quickly responded, "NO! That's body wash! I would never give you floor cleaner for Christmas...That would make me the worst daughter in law ever." 

hahaha 

She wasn't totally wrong I suppose. The information below will show you how to use this castile soap in many different ways around your home and even for your dog! 

I buy mine at Bed Bath & Beyond because they have the best price so far and I can also use their 20% coupon on it.

 The LARGE bottle is about $10 I believe (so $8 with the BBB coupon) and the bottle I had before is the small one...so a large bottle will last you forever)

There are more scents than just these 4 above

These also come in bar soap options for my gentlemen friends that don't like "liquid body soap" (About $4 - Not sure if BBB carries the soap bars - I have seen them at Whole Foods though)

A little while after I started using Dr. Bronner's castile soap, I found it at Buy Buy Baby! I was so excited that I bought some for Ava and two more for baby shower gift bags that I was working on. (You can also use the 20% off coupon that Bed Bath & Beyond sends out via text, email, or mail at Buy Buy Baby since they are owned by the same company) 

I love using this non toxic wash on Ava. As a parent you already worry about what is going into your baby's body. After constantly reading about recalls and "improvements" on Johnson and Johnson baby products (removing formaldehyde for example!?!??!) I was SO over their products very quickly. At least with Dr. Bronner's being made with simple and organic oils, I don't have to worry about anything questionable going into our bodies or our daughter's. Remember, your body's largest and fastest growing organ is the epidermis - your skin.

What you put on it, goes in it (and into your body. Just because you're not eating it doesn't make it less important.) 

Castile soap, which originates from the Castile region of Spain, is a type of soap made from plant oils. It is a “true soap” and not simply a chemical detergent. It’s sensitive on skin, it’s bio-degradable and Earth-friendly making it a wonderful product to use when making your own household products.

Castile soap is incredibly versatile and can be used as a major ingredient to make all kinds of products from natural beauty items to natural cleaning supplies.

In this blog post, we will reveal how you can ditch many of the most toxic products in your home and replace with Castile soap, plus a few other natural ingredients, for a cheaper, more natural alternative.

Most of these homemade recipes call for the use of Unscented Baby Mild Liquid Castile Soap

Homemade Dish Soap

Simply replace your regular store bought dish soap with a squirt of Castile soap. It works better than any store bought alternative and it’s all natural!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Ingredients:

• 1 cup liquid Castile soap
• 1 cup baking soda
• 2 cups water
• 1/3 cup salt

Dissolve the baking soda and salt in the two cups of warm water. Pour into a gallon container, add the liquid Castile soap and fill to the top with water. Use 1/4 of a cup per load so this recipe is good for about 64 loads!

Homemade Dishwasher Soap

Mix 8 oz of Citrus Castile Soap with one cup of water and two teaspoons of lemon juice and shake gently.

To use add one tablespoon of the above mixture into the OPEN compartment of your dishwasher and add a cup of white vinegar to the CLOSED compartment. Add more vinegar if your water is hard.

Homemade All Purpose Cleaner

In a spray bottle, fill a quarter of the way up with white vinegar, add water to the top and then add a squirt of liquid Castile soap plus a few drops of tea tree essential oil.

Homemade Glass Cleaner

Mix half a cup of white vinegar, two teaspoons of liquid Castile soap and two cups of distilled warm water. Optionally, add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to the mixture. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, shake and spray onto your windows and clean with newspaper for a streak free finish.

Homemade Tub Scrub

Fill a spray bottle with one third Castile soap and two thirds water. Spread baking soda liberally around the bath and spray the Castile soap mixture on. Scrub with a scouring pad or scrub brush.

Homemade Face Wash

In a foaming dispenser, add one quarter cup of liquid Castile soap, fill to the top with distilled water (approx one cup) and add five drops of tea tree oil. The tea tree oil is a great antibacterial and is particularly useful for acne prone skin.

Homemade Shampoo

Making your own shampoo with Castile soap is incredibly easy, it uses only one extra natural ingredient and it lathers unlike many other homemade shampoo recipes.

Simply mix together 1 Tbsp Castile soap with one tsp coconut milk for a single serving of shampoo.  You can make this in larger batches by storing in the fridge. It will keep for at least a week.

Homemade Hand Soap

Fill a foaming hand soap dispenser with three quarters water (boiled or distilled) and one quarter unscented liquid Castile soap.

Optional: Add 1/8 of a teaspoon of essential oil – such as tea tree for its antibacterial properties, lemon for its odor killing properties or lavender for its fragrant scent.

Homemade Dog Shampoo

Make sure your dog is wet and then squeeze a couple of squirts of Peppermint Castile Soap and rub into your dogs fur until you have a nice lather. Then simply rinse off with warm water. Be sure to keep the soap out of their eyes and water out of their ears.

(Information above taken from Natural Living Ideas)

XO 

Christina 

Healthy Habits: Daily Cleanse

I thought I'd share a little habit that I have picked up because of my favorite blogger ever: The Food Babe!

Drinking warm lemon water mixed with some cayenne pepper first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (or whenever you can. I think that anytime is better than none at all.) 

To be honest, I was bit nervous about drinking pepper. I have done the whole lemon in my ice water before... who has't? Or lemon in hot water with honey when I am sick. 

But I decided to go for it and see what the big deal was. 

I loved it!!!

I am not big on spicy foods or anything like that but the cayenne pepper just gives the lemon water a nice touch. You only taste the lemon but the "zing" from the cayenne feels great on your throat. So don't worry about a weird taste...if anything it is pretty soothing believe it or not. 

So now when I am craving something hot in the afternoon, I warm up some water in my tea kettle and do this rather than making coffee. 

-Drink this mixture with a straw so your teeth aren't exposed to the acid 

(I doubt the guys are going to want to use a straw in public so try swishing around some plain water/ or brushing your teeth after this. But if you're home, who cares. No one can see you and, I promise, I won't tell on you.)

-Use the juice from 1/2 a lemon and a couple shakes of the cayenne pepper. Less then 1/4 tsp I'd say. 

This daily habit has amazing health benefits:

 "Getting sick less, feeling lighter, having regular eliminations, clearer skin, more energy and having a boost in your metabolism leading to weight loss over time…"

"Doing this ritual every morning provides a super stimulant to the liver, your main detoxing organ in the body. Your liver will release uric acid and create bile to safely eliminate environmental and lifestyle toxins that would otherwise be trapped in your digestive system longer. Remember keeping your liver and digestive system clean and in optimal condition will help your body prevent diseases like cancer in the future. 

Combining cayenne with lemon increases the detoxing effect and raises the temperature of your body increasing your metabolism.

Drinking this combination will cleanse your body every single day safely and naturally."

(You will want to use organic lemons due to the fact that the point is to cleanse your body rather than putting pesticides into your body. Organic lemons= no pesticides.

If you don't have organic lemons, then just squeeze the lemon juice into the mug and just leave the dirty lemon peel out of your mug.

***Important***

"Remember not to squeeze your lemon directly into boiling 

water, You will destroy

 the live enzymes in the lemon. This is why I use half of water

 at room temperature and half hot water".)

Ava making funny faces during her snack time {bananas}

Thanks, Food Babe! For those of you who do not know who she is... Look her up and follow along! 

Info taken from: FoodBabe


Hope you'll try this healthy habit and enjoy it as much as I do.

XO
Christina

Our New Himalayan Salt Lamp

Hello there. 

I just thought I'd share my favorite Christmas gift this year. My mom read my mind (as usual) and bought me a Himalayan Salt Lamp. We had read about these for a long time now and I finally am a proud owner of one. 

 


As you may already know, salt is very necessary for good health. The right kind of salt that is... not your average table salt that probably has more in it than what is intended. We have been told time and time again that it is important to have a "low sodium" diet...blah blah blah. Yes, stay away from bad salt - that is correct. 

Good salts, on the contrary, are important and necessary for our body. 

That is where Himalayan Salt comes in! We switched out our former, unhealthy salt for Himalayan salt a while back. It is nice to know that you are getting just salt and not other chemicals and bleaching agents in your food and environment. Any little change can make a big difference in your health after all! 

For those of you who would like to switch salts, it tastes the same if not better. I've read that chefs around the world use this kind of salt because it is the best tasting in their gourmet dishes. (Let me add that "Celtic Sea Salt" is amazing for you as well!)

 (I am kicking myself right now because I just lost the article I was reading about how just salt labels containing "sea salt" isn't a promise that it isn't highly processed salt. So look at the color/ingredients and read up to make sure your salt is just that, salt!)

But I am talking about Himalayan right now because that is the one I use and the one that comes in forms of the lamps as well.)

They sell them everywhere now and looks like this: This is the one we use

As for the Himalayan salt lamp it has benefits (for allergies, stress, headaches, "ADD", etc) as well when heated. So, you basically use your average night light lightbulb and screw it into your lamp and wa-laa! You now have ions going into the atmosphere to neutralize the EMFs that affect our health. 



Here is a very short video helping to explain the EMFs a little better. 

Just click below

How Salt Lamps Can Protect You From EMFs

or just copy and paste this link below into your browser: 

http://thegic.org/video/how-salt-lamps-can-help-protect-you-from-emfs


I have read countless articles about how the salt helps with so many different issues. It makes sense though. We (and everything else in this world) are all balls of energy - all just a bunch of matter in different "shapes". Why wouldn't something that we are already composed with have an effect when it is in contact with more of it in our atmosphere. I mean, that's just plain science.

It isn't some belief or religious practice, haha, it JUST IS that way it is. Don't you love science? 

Anyways here are some other articles below that I have posted if you are interested in learning more about Himalayan salt rocks/lamps and their benefits. I have also posted some sites as to where you can find them near by. My mom actually bought mine at Home Goods! Don't you love that store?! I do. 


Here is ours lit up in our home now :)  Picture from my Instagram: 

P.S. Let me know how you like yours if you already own one or decide to buy one! :) 



Websites for additional information: 

1. A Video on here as well : Dr. Mercola : Salt Lamp Benefits

2. Natural News: Why Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt is so much better for your health than processed table salt

3. 100 Days of Real Food: Not All Salt Is Created Equal

Websites to purchase a lamp: 

1. You can find them at Whole Foods in their "Whole Body" section that start at $20. Mine was at Home Goods for $40 because it is a larger one. 

2. Amazon: Himalayan Salt Lamps


3. Himalayan Salt Shop

XO 

Christina 

Healthy Habits: Bentonite Clay

Hello, hello! 

Tonight I decided to make a mask with the Bentonite Clay that my mom bought. She brought it over and I put a little bit into a mason jar to make later. 

Well, I over underestimated just how much a little clay I would need for a face mask! I basically made half a mason jar of it. You add equal parts of water to whatever amount of clay (in powder form) you have. 

This smile ^ was before it hardened and I could barely move my face. It felt great. 

In the past, I've put masks on with Lord knows what kind of ingredients that were probably harming my skin rather than making it better, but I have never (I don't think?) used 100% bentonite clay for my mask. 

 Just thought I'd share some fun facts about my new love for Bentonite clay...

Info that I took from one of my favorite websites called Wellness Mama found here : Bentonite Clay: Health Benefits and Uses

* Bentonite, also referred to as Montmorillonite, is one of the most effective and powerful healing clays."
* Bentonite Clay is composed of aged volcanic ash. The name comes from the largest known deposit of Bentonite Clay located in Fort Benton, Wyoming."

*Bentonite clay carries a strong negative charge which bonds to the positive charge in many toxins. When it comes in contact with a toxin, chemical, or heavy metal, the clay will absorb the toxin and release it’s minerals for the body to use. Bentonite also helps get oxygen to cells as it pulls excess hydrogen and allows the cells to replace it with oxygen instead.

*Bentonite clay is a common ingredient in detox and cleansing products. It has an alkalizing effect on the body and when taken correctly, it can help balance gut bacteria.

• Examples for common reasons of taking Bentonite Clay are:
• Digestive disturbances like acid reflux, constipation, bloating, gas, etc. (Kaolin clay was common ingredient in medicines like Maalox and Rolaids for years)
• Helping with skin and allergy issues
• To help provide minerals for the body
• To help speed recovery from vomiting and diarrhea
• Detoxification
• In oral health preperations
• Externally for all types of skin problems and to speed healing

Using for: 

• On the Skin: Externally, I apply a paste of bentonite clay and water on any skin irritation like blemishes, insect bites, cuts, skin itching, or burns. I leave it on until it dries and wash off. This is said to be especially calming to skin itching from eczema, psoriasis, chicken pox, etc.
• Skin Poultice for Bites/Burns/Cuts/Stings: For more severe issues, I create a poultice by putting a thick layer of clay on the skin and applying a wet gauze or cloth over it. I wrap the area and leave the poultice on, changing every 2 hours.
• Face Mask: For smooth and healthy skin, I make a paste of bentonite and water and apply to my face as a mask (a similar mask is used in many spas). I leave on for 20 minutes and wash off. I typically do this once or twice a week.
• Detox Bath: I sometimes add about 1/4 cup of Bentonite Clay to a bath for a relaxing detox bath that softens skin.
• For Oral Health: Because of it’s excellent ability to bind to heavy metals and toxins as well as to provide minerals, I use Bentonite Clay in my Remineralizing Tooth Powder Recipe. It can even be used alone for brushing and is tasteless and relatively textureless.
• Oral Rinse to whiten and remineralize teeth: Besides use the the tooth powder, I use Bentonite mixed with water as an alkalizing and toxin removing mouth rinse. I mix 1/2 teaspoon of clay in 1/4 cup water in a small jar with a plastic lid and shake well. Then, I rinse with the water for 1-2 minutes and repeat until I’ve used it all.
• For Mastitis: I’ve created a poultice or mask of Bentonite Clay and water and applied externally to the area. I repeat as needed every hour until the infection is gone. I also take internally during infection along with Vitamin C and fermented cod liver oil.
• For Baby Powder: Plain Bentonite Clay makes a very soothing baby powder for use when there is infection or redness. It can also be made into a clay “mask” to help speed recovery in this area.
• For Morning Sickness: I took 1/2 tsp of Bentonite Clay in water during early pregnancy to ward off morning sickness. It helped with the nausea and helped me feel better. I checked with my doc/midwife first and was told this was fine. Check with your doctor or medical professional before using during pregnancy.
• For Internal Cleansing: I drink 1/2 to 1 teaspoon most days in a cup of water. I combine in a glass jar with a plastic lid and shake until well incorporated. This has helped improve my digestion and also seems to give me more energy. Since adding this and getting gelatin in my diet or through Gelatin powder daily I also notice that my nails and hair grow more quickly.
• For Pets: For pets that are sick, vomiting or showing signs of illness, you can add Bentonite to their water or mix and give orally with a dropper or syringe without the needle. I have seen several cases where this helped pets recover quickly from what could otherwise have been serious illnesses.
• Though I have not needed to use for these reasons personally, I have read cases of Bentonite and other healing clays being used internally to help reduce radiation exposure, in alternative cancer treatments, and in MRSA infections. It is also said to greatly help in Parasite removal, though I have not tried this personally.

Eczema (Mark has this)


Mastitis (I got this while trying to learn how to breastfeed... ouch!)


Morning sickness (I didn't have any of this but know women who do)

Interesting stuff!

What you learn after the fact...
butttt it is never too late! Now I know, and hopefully I can help someone else too.

This is the one that came recommended and the one that my mother bought. It is about $7 and she probably bought it at Whole Foods. (Remember, a little goes a LONG way. You'll have this thing forever.)

And here I am after it hardened. I couldn't move my face so I decided to send scary pictures to my friends on SnapChat. 

Next time I will be taking a nice warm bath with the Bentonite clay to really allow for a good body detox. 

Do you all have any healthy rituals that you enjoy?  Comment if you do. As you can tell, I am always up for an all natural product to replace one I own that has harmful ingredients. 

XO

Christina