Lavender is one of the most popular scents and has been around since antiquity. It has been used throughout history for various medicinal ailments. It is a gentle aroma that seems to bring a sense of comfort and calm to the majority of people who come into contact with it; for this reason alone, lavender is ideal to use with baby. There are a couple of ways that you can use lavender as a natural remedy to help calm baby – and get a good night’s sleep!

About Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula spp.) belongs to the Lamiaceae botanical family. It is important to know that there are many varieties of lavender and each species of lavender may have a slightly different aroma, a different appearance or a different use. Some of the most common varieties of lavender are true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) and lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia). However, lavender can also be described as French lavender (Lavandula dentata) and Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas).

Depending on the purpose for the use of your lavender, check which species of lavender you are actually choosing before deciding how you are going to use it; in general, true lavender is the preferred species of lavender to use with baby in aromatherapy.

The Connection Between Scent, Mom and Baby

One of the first smells that a baby recognizes is that of its mother; the bond between mother and baby is vital in the early days. You can introduce the smell of lavender (or any other familiar scent for that matter) to baby even before baby is born. Studies have shown that the smells “inhaled” by baby via the amniotic fluid pre-natal are also the smells preferred by baby post-birth (source: Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Shirley Price, Len Price).

Therefore, if mom surrounds herself with the scent of lavender prior to baby’s birth, baby will be familiar with that particular fragrance once baby is born. Lavender is also a useful oil to have around during mom’s labor; it can help with pain relief and to relax mom. However, do not use lavender essential oil in labor without the expert guidance and advice of a midwife who has training in the use of aromatherapy.

Using Lavender Sachets

Lavender sachets are perhaps one of the easiest ways in which to introduce baby to the use of lavender in “aromatherapy” once baby is born. You can purchase or make all sorts of lavender aromatherapy sachets; some sachets are designed to slip beneath baby’s pillow, others are designed to sit by baby’s crib or cot. Lavender sachets contain fragrant lavender buds that have been extracted and dried from the lavender plant. It is important to make sure that baby does not have access in any way to ingest these buds, so make sure the sachet is secure.

Using Lavender as an Oil or Lotion in Aromatherapy

True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil is the best type of lavender oil to use with baby for aromatherapy. True lavender essential oil primarily contains the gentle chemical components of alcohols and esters, making it suitable to use with baby. However, only use in minute quantities with baby.

Baby’s skin is usually more receptive to lotion than massage oils at a very young age, so try using lavender oil in a lotion to start with, rather than a vegetable oil. Lotion is also less slippery than vegetable oil. You can massage baby lightly with a lavender lotion to help baby to sleep. Consult a qualified and experienced aromatherapist on how much to use, if you are unfamiliar with the use of essential oils. At a young age, quantity is usually established by the weight of the child; in general one drop of lavender oil is enough for babies.

Cautions for Using Lavender Aromatherapy for Baby

In general, lavender is a safe plant and oil to use in aromatherapy for baby. However, if you are using lavender essential oil, always remember to dilute the oil in a carrier such as a lotion or a vegetable oil; never apply an essential oil undiluted to baby’s skin. In addition, do not allow baby to ingest either lavender oil or lavender buds.

Lavender is a therapeutic aroma that will help both mom and baby get a better night’s sleep if used in the right way!

References:

• Price, Shirley, Price, Len, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals
• International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy (2005), Pediatric Care Volume 2, Issue 2: Australia
• Author’s own experience and training

Photo by cmccorkle2005

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Compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel of the forearm causes carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a space in the wrist surrounded by bones and ligaments that hold the bones together. Running up this tunnel is the median nerve and the tendons responsible for flexing the fingers. Often caused by lifestyle habits, carpal tunnel syndrome can manifest itself in different ways. However, the treatment measures for this debilitating condition are the same, no matter what the cause.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Numbness of the thumb and three fingers that worsens at night
• Pain in the wrist or hand
• Weakness or loss of strength in the hand

Who Is at Risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The median nerve may be compressed by a subluxation of the bones, scar tissue, enlargement of the tendons, or fluid retention. Most often, these anomalies are caused by repetitive movements and strain from them. Occupations that require repetitive hand movements or awkward hand positions, excessive or prolonged gripping, or frequent vibrations put one at greater risk. Hairdressers or barbers, typists or computer operators, cashiers, meat processors that de-bone or cut meat assembly-line fashion, farmers that milk by hand or bakers kneading bread are all at risk for CTS.

Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Prevention is the key to CTS whether you are at risk from your occupation or a hobby like knitting. Here are some things to consider:

• Take a break a few minutes every hour from the task that puts you at risk
• Do strengthening exercises three times a day
• Perform a few stretching exercises prior to engaging in repetitive activities
• Check your posture making sure to sit up straight, keep wrists straight, and elbows bent

Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you already suffer from the signs of CTS, there are a few ways to manage the pain and numbness and prevent it from worsening.

• Wear wrist splints, especially when sleeping. Most people sleep with their wrists in a flexed position and wearing the splints will keep them straight. Wearing the splints when performing repetitive activity will also help.
• Take the following supplements on a daily basis: B-complex, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
• Include anti-inflammatory herbs in your diet. Bromelain with quercitin works wonders on inflammation; as well as butcher’s broom, and capsicum.
• Use a topical agent like CT Cream or Penetrex to reduce inflammation.

There is one last thing to consider before succumbing to drastic, surgical procedures. Carpal tunnel syndrome has become a catch-all diagnosis for a collection of maladies involving the hand and wrist. Unless exact testing of the nerves is done, one would benefit from evaluation of various trigger points in the shoulder and forearm muscles. Consultation with a member of the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Body Workers, who specializes in CTS, is highly recommended.

References:

Balch, James F., and Phyllis A. Prescription for Nutritional Healing a Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements. New York, NY: Avery Group, 2000. Print.

Chaitow, Leon, and Judith W. Delany. Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques, V.1: The Upper Body. Great Britain: Churchill Livingstone, UK, 2000. Print.

“OSH Answers: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.” CCOHS: Canada’s National Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Information. Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, 15 Oct. 2008. Web. 31 Dec. 2011.

Photo by Mysterious Photographer

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During the winter months, do you find that your mood is lower, you are tired more often and you start craving “comfort” foods more? If you do, you might be suffering from a mental health disorder called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a condition that is now taken more seriously by the medical profession than it used to be. However, if you are worried that a diagnosis of SAD means a recipe of prescription drugs to cope with the condition, you might be interested to learn that there are more natural remedies at hand, such as light therapy.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Put simply, seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression; it usually affects people in the Fall and winter months, when the days grow shorter, and the nights grow longer. Suddenly, our daily dose of sunshine and natural light is no longer as readily available as it was in the summer and our bodies go into “close down” mode.

However, some people are more sensitive to seasonal changes than others and as a consequence their bodies have a period of adjustment when the seasons change; therefore, some people also suffer from seasonal affective disorder during the summer months. Seasonal affective disorder affects more women than men, and many women are diagnosed with the illness in their twenties (source: NAMI).

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder

These are some of the symptoms that you might experience if you suffer from seasonal affective disorder:

• fatigue during the day
• sleeping longer hours
• craving for comfort foods that contain carbohydrates
• weight gain
• lethargy
• lack of interest in sex
• difficulty concentrating
• lack of interest in social activities with friends and family
• suicidal thoughts.

(source)

Light Therapy

Light therapy is a common natural health remedy for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder and is a proven effective treatment for the condition (source). You can use light therapy in a variety of formats; you can simply increase your exposure to sunlight, if you have access to it. However, one of the most popular ways to use light therapy is through the purchase of a light box.

Light boxes emit a certain level of light from lamps that are contained inside a box with a diffusing lens which filters out ultraviolet radiation. There are a wide variety of light boxes available, so do your homework before purchasing one. Light boxes that expose the lower half of the retina to the light are thought to be more effective than those that don’t because this part of the eye helps to reduce the depressive responses (source: NAMI).

The light intensity emitted by the light box, the duration of time in which to use the light box and when to use the light box are all interchangeable variables, depending on the patient. Consult your medical practitioner for specific advice relating to your own diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder.

When to See a Doctor

If you think that you might have seasonal affective disorder, and that light therapy might work for you, consult a medical practitioner first. Light therapy in general is not a risky solution but some people (such as people with bipolar disorder, those with an increased sensitivity to light, taking certain medications or a history of skin cancer) might be advised against light therapy as a solution (source).

Using Light Therapy for SAD

You don’t need to have a prescription to buy a light box, but knowing what to buy for your condition is key to finding success with the use of light therapy for seasonal affective disorder. Between 50% and 80% of light therapy users have found that there has been a reduction in symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (source). However, you need to continue using light therapy to control these symptoms. In general, light therapy is a safe, easy way in which to deal with the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder – and a natural one too.

Photo by arquez

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This is a video from a few years ago by Dr. Mercola, but it is still a good and friendly reminder about how important getting sun exposure is!

Enjoy!

[tentblogger-youtube vpifXPOmjis]

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The day before Thanksgiving I harvested the last of the broccoli I planted this year. It was beautiful. The heads were so tight and green and there was not a single worm. I love fall gardening much better than the hot summertime. But you’re probably wondering what I can grow in the cooler temperatures.

Well, right now I still have cabbages, beets, and Swiss chard in the garden. And I aim to plant a few more things this week—even though a cold front is moving in as I type. Let me explain.

Several years ago, my boys made me some wire hoops to put over the garden rows. They are cut and shaped from the thick, high-tensile fencing that you use to brace corner posts in the field. In the summer I use them to suspend my floating row covers that provide shade and insect protection. When we were hit with a snow storm in early October, I used them to cover my rows with plastic sheeting. I kept this make-shift tunnel up for a few weeks because the clear plastic allowed the sun to shine through, warming the plants; and it protected them at night from frost. And that leads me to the first way to extend your growing season.

Tunnels

Cathy Heidenreich, Berry Extension Support Specialist of Cornell University’s Department of Horticulture, says that tunnels lengthen your growing season more economically than using greenhouses. Andy McAllister of Fortiter Farms in Pennsylvania produces vegetables 11 months out of the year by using low tunnels. At the Mother Earth News Fair this summer, McAllister shared his economical design for creating low tunnels.

Cut 10-12 inch lengths of 1 ½ inch PVC pipe. Drive them in the ground on either side of your row about 3 feet apart. How many you will need depends on how long your row is. Then insert full lengths of 1-inch PVC into the pieces in the ground to form an arch. Once you have your ribs erected, cover them with 3-6 mil plastic sheeting. You can purchase this from the concrete department of your local home-improvement superstore.

Tunnels made this way will be about waist high—depending on how wide your row is and how long your ribs are. Of course using tunnels requires you to monitor the temperature and moisture in the tunnel and to vent and water accordingly.

Cold Frames

Historically, cold frames were small, unheated additions to greenhouses. Currently, any serious gardener will have at least one cold frame on their place to serve a variety of needs—from growing greens in the cold weather to hardening off seedlings that were started indoors. But building a cold frame need not be a huge expense. Here are a few ideas to get you going on the cheap.

Save old windows—If you have a source, save any old window that you can use for the top of the frame. If not, you can use heavy plastic temporarily; although you will lose more heat at night with the plastic.

Scrap lumber—You do not need to go purchase expensive lumber to build your cold frame. Since any size frame will do, you can use scrap lumber from a local construction site or that acquired from your friend the building contractor.

Straw bales—If you cannot locate any scrap lumber, you can use straw bales. Place your straw bales in a square or rectangle, lay your discarded window sash on top, and you have a cold frame for less. At the change of seasons, remove the glass and use the straw bale bin for your compost.

Be creative—My son salvaged a couple sets of shower doors from a remodeling job. Using the height and slant dimensions from The 12-Month Gardener by Jeff Ashton, I asked my husband and another son to build a cold frame using the shower door as the glass top. When trying to save money in the garden, it is always a good idea to ask yourself, “What do I have in my hand?”

Cloches

Another way to protect your plants from frost is to cover them individually, rather than as a row. Operating like a tiny greenhouse, the cloche is a bell shaped cover that sits over each plant to keep it warm. According to Ashton, the first glass cloches were used in Italy in 1623. You can spend a lot of money on some handsome-looking cloches for your garden. Or you can use an overturned gallon milk jug, a lamp shade frame or tomato cage covered in plastic, or for tiny plants, an overturned glass bowl.

This is December and we are still having very mild temperatures in the mid-east coast region of the country. If you implement one of these methods, there is still time to get out there and start a patch of greens.

Photo by JanneM

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Arsenic in apple juice—the breaking news of the past week. Started by Dr. Mehmet Oz, on his popular television program, this controversy has either raised fear and doubt in the minds of parents that regularly give apple juice to their children, or fueled the fire of scoffers who do not really care. When I was asked to look into this matter and write a post on it, I have to admit that I was leaning toward the scoffer camp. But after serious investigation, I find myself taking a totally different stance—that of, “take it seriously, but don’t let it be your burden.” Let me explain.

I first thought it silly. I thought I knew that apple seeds naturally contain arsenic. My oldest son has eaten his apples, core and all, his entire life and he’s still kicking. “What’s the big deal?” I asked. Then after a little reading, I discovered that apples do not have arsenic in them, they have cyanide—an entirely different chemical. So, I kept digging; and here are the facts as I discovered them.

• Arsenic is a semi-metal element that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust.  You can neither taste nor smell it. It is used as a wood preservative, and in the manufacture of paints, dyes, certain drugs, soaps, and some electronic parts. In these manufacturing processes, and in the mining industry, it is released into the environment. Also, as pertinent to this discussion, it has been used extensively as a pesticide from the 1860s. Found to be effective against the codling moth on apple trees, orchards continued its use in the United States until 1988.
• The EPA limit for concentrations of arsenic in drinking water is 10 parts per billion.
• In September, The Dr. Oz Show reported test results of 36 samples from 5 different brands of apple juice purchased in 3 different locations across the country. The independent lab testing these samples found that 10 had higher arsenic levels than allowed in drinking water—up to 23 parts per billion. Dr. Oz also disclosed that 60% of the apple concentrate used in the production of apple juice comes from China—a country that has not yet banned the use of lead-arsenic insecticides.
• The FDA currently allows 23 parts per billion of arsenic in apple juice. However, the agency has never seized apple juice that exceeded that level.
• The FDA criticized Dr. Oz’s lab results because they only report the total arsenic levels, not inorganic arsenic versus organic arsenic. Most scientists agree that inorganic arsenic is toxic and a known carcinogen while organic arsenic is “less toxic.” However, in an appearance on Good Morning America Dr. Oz stated, “(There is) a lot of debate over the safety of organic arsenic; and the body converts organic to some types of inorganic that are very toxic. It is misleading to claim that all organic arsenic is safe.”
• This past Wednesday National Public Radio reported that Consumers Union, publishers of Consumer Reports, tested 88 samples of popular juice brands purchased in grocery stores. Ten percent of the samples contained more than 10 ppb (the legal limit for drinking water). As a result of these tests, Consumers Union asks the FDA to adjust their current standard of 23 ppb to 3 ppb.

And that is where we, the consumers, are left. Waiting, wondering, “What is our government going to decide is best for us?” However, as I reported after watching the movie Food, Inc., our government is not the one I want making these decisions for my family. What does Dr. Oz recommend? He said that he would not quit giving his 4 children apple juice. He said that drinking a box of apple juice is not going to cause irreparable damage to a child. He is concerned with long-term effects. He is concerned for the children that drink large quantities of apple juice. He said, bottom line, “The FDA should not allow more arsenic in our apple juice than they allow in our drinking water.”

That leads me to my “totally different stance.” Even if apple juice had no harmful arsenic, should children be drinking large quantities of it? One mom commented on Dr. Oz’s website that her child drinks “vast amounts of the stuff.” But nutritionists recommend that babies under the age of 6 months have nothing but breast milk, and that older children have no more than 6 ounces of fruit juice a day. Why limit something that seems to be healthy? Fruit juices are high in sugar. In fact, both apple juice and Mountain Dew are 13% sugar. And in a country that predicts that one-third of the next generation will suffer with Type-2 diabetes, why would we want our children drinking 13% sugar all day long?

The decision is up to you. Trust the FDA, continue to allow your children to drink fruit juice all day long and not worry about cancer in their future. Or, as Dr. Oz and most nutritionists recommend, everything in moderation.

References:

• http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/arsenic-apple-juice
• http://soils.tfrec.wsu.edu/leadhistory.htm
• http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011/09/15/dr-besser-vs-dr-oz-apple-juice-showdown-on-gma/
• http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/11/30/142961997/tainted-nectar-consumer-group-warns-of-arsenic-in-fruit-juice
• http://fight4yourhealth.com/answers/organic-vs-inorganic-arsenic

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Today, a lot of manufactured soaps contain a range of ingredients that often cause your skin to dry out or can irritate your skin. However, if you look at the ingredients of natural soaps, mostly handmade by independent businesses, you will realize that soap doesn’t have to be like this. One such type of soap is Castile soap. Castile soap is made with vegetable oil and not animal fat. It has a variety of different uses and a number of benefits.

History of Castile Soap

The history of Castile soap is sketchy, depending on which resource you read, but most sources tend to agree that Castile soap is the name of a soap that originated in the Castile region of Spain. If you go back further in time, you will find that Castile soap has its roots in Aleppo soap. Aleppo soap originates from the region of Syria, from where it made its way to Europe through the Crusades (1095-1291) (source). Aleppo soap dates back thousands of years.

Ingredients of Castile Soap

Aleppo soap is a hard soap that is made from olive oil, laurel bay oil, sodium hydroxide and water; other ingredients such as essential oils are often added to it (source). The ingredients of Castile soap are based on those of Aleppo soap. Today, Castile soap is made from a variety of vegetable oil ingredients but originally it was made from olive oil, with the exclusion of laurel bay oil, because early European soap makers didn’t have easy access to laurel bay oil, the other main ingredient of Aleppo soap from which Castile soap originated from. However, the term “Castile soap” is often used to describe a wide range of vegetable oil based soaps today so it is important to check the actual ingredients of Castile soap before buying it. Castile soap is available as either liquid or hard soap.

Uses of Castile Soap

Castile soap has a wide variety of uses, depending on the type of product that you choose. You can use Castile soap:

• as an all purpose general cleaner in your home

• to wash laundry

• wash your car

• to bath your pet

• for your baby

• for personal skincare.

(source)

Benefits of Castile Soap

Castile soap has a number of benefits over regular soap, due to its natural ingredients; its benefits are more or less the same as Aleppo soap, as both soaps contain similar ingredients. Castile soap is:

• kinder to the environment as it is non-toxic, unlike regular cleaning detergents

• is beneficial for a wide variety of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis

• is an excellent skin toner as it is nourishing to the skin

• gentle enough to use with your pet or with baby

• is relatively cheap, particularly if you dilute the product for use with pets and children

• is easy to clean with as it doesn’t cause skin irritation like a lot of regular household cleaners.

(source)

Quality of Castile Soap

Castile soap is made from natural ingredients, including olive oil which is rich in antiseptic, astringent and emollient properties (source: Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage, Len Price). However, just as you should check the actual ingredients of the type of Castile soap that you intend to purchase, you should also check the quality of the ingredients. Olive oil is available in a variety of grades too, so the quality of the type of olive oil used in the making of a particular Castile soap will affect the benefits of the soap. Overall, Castile soap is one of the best natural choices for soap and has a number of uses and benefits over regular soap. Vegetable oil based soaps contain many natural ingredients that are both kinder to the environment – and to you!

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Candida. Yeast infection. Jock itch. Athlete’s foot. Thrush. Ringworm. Different words for the same beast—fungus. We’ve all been affected. But what do we do about it? A quick search through that big superstore we all love to avoid shows products up to $18 a tube. But do they really work? And what are the possible side effects of using them? Not to worry. There are some herbal alternatives.

Garlic

Studies have shown that the chemical constituent ajoene found in garlic (Allium sativum) is effective against several strains of fungi. Not only does it work to take garlic orally to treat systemic yeast infections such as Candida albicans, but it is even more effective when applied topically to skin and nail fungus.

I would suggest caution here and advice you to use the oil from a garlic capsule (which is diluted) rather than a garlic clove. Many years ago, as a young mother studying herbal medicine, I sent my babies to bed with smashed garlic cloves taped to the soles of their feet. It was supposed to be absorbed into their blood streams and fight their colds. It only caused blisters to form which made shoes impossible and walking painful—for days.

Teatree Oil

Teatree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has been shown to inhibit the growth of over 50 fungus strains. Applying a few drops of the oil, mixed with an equal amount of vegetable oil, directly to the affected area two to three times a day, has shown to eradicate infections better than some over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Taking Teatree oil internally can be fatal.

Black Walnut

Unripe hulls of the black walnut (Juglans nigra) have been used as a folk remedy for topical fungal infections, especially ringworm, for centuries. The active constituent in the hull that contains the antifungal properties is juglone. According to one study, juglone has “moderate antifungal activity” and is as effective as some commercially prepared products.

Black walnut hulls can be powdered and added to an antifungal powder mix. You can add them to your infused oils when making salves and ointments or you can make a black walnut tincture. To reap the antifungal properties, however, it is recommended for topical use.

Pau-d’arco

The bark from a tree found in the Amazon rainforest, Pau-d’arco (Tabebuia ssp.) contains three anti-yeast compounds and is effective in treating Candida albicans and other fungi. You can purchase Pau’d-arco in capsules or loose. It makes a mild and tasty infusion so herbalists frequently recommend drinking several cups of the tea each day.

Of course, herbs working synergistically together in a formula are more effective than those used singly.  When I used to make a salve for diaper rash, I would add several of the anti-fungal herbs to the mix. James A. Duke, PhD supports this in his book The Green Pharmacy, “In one test of ten plant species whose oils were antifungal, researchers noted that ‘combinations of the antifungal essential oils increased their activity remarkably.’”
 

Resources:

Duke, J. A.  (2000). The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook. Rodale Books.

S Yoshida, S Kasuga, N Hayashi, T Ushiroguchi, H Matsuura and S Nakagawa, Antifungal activity of ajoene derived from garlic. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. March 1987 vol. 53 no. 3 615-617

Nenoff P, Haustein U-F, Brandt W:
Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil) against Pathogenic Fungi in vitro.
Skin Pharmacol 1996;9:388-394 (DOI: 10.1159/000211450)

Clark, A. M., Jurgens, T. M. and Hufford, C. D. (1990), Antimicrobial activity of juglone. Phytotherapy Research, 4: 11–14. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2650040104

Photo by LensAlive

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I haven’t always eaten a healthy, organic, fanatically local diet. In fact, I don’t now. I do what I can, when I can; and I try not to feel guilty about the rest. But the one obstacle I hear regularly when I counsel someone to make dietary changes is that they cannot afford it. I empathize; really I do. But I disagree.

Last week I reviewed the movie Food, Inc. It was a great movie and I believe everyone should watch it. However, I have issue with the portrayal of the family that does not have time to cook because they leave their house at 6 a.m. and do not return until 9-10 p.m. They also said that they could not afford fresh vegetables, so opt for drive-through dollar menu food at Burger King. Sure, on the surface, junk food looks cheap. But they also shared their struggle with diabetes (a disease directly related to diet) and having to afford medications to treat it. This is what I would advise them to do.

Change Your Lifestyle

Why are you gone from home for 14 hours a day? That is not healthy. Families need rest and play time together. Please don’t tell me you’re running your kids to sports, drama, debate, etc. Please don’t tell me you work 14 hours a day and still cannot afford to eat properly. Something has to give, and at this point, it is your health.

Eating healthy is a lifestyle choice. To make whole wheat bread from freshly ground flour, one must be home to grind the wheat and make the bread. Healthy food requires preparation time. If eating healthy and changing your diet is important to you, you will change your habits to include the time.

Change Your Vision

The mistake a lot of folks make is to compare the price of “bad” manufactured foods with that of organic manufactured foods. You need to get past that. Become a shopper of ingredients and learn to cook. Purchasing raw ingredients (like grains, salt, sugar, and oil) in bulk and making your food from scratch is much cheaper than buying manufactured food. Give up the factory foods—even the organic ones.

Change Your Choices

Can you not afford locally grown produce because you spend $10 a week on Mountain Dew? Do you stop on your way to the office every day for a $3 cup of coffee, or join the guys for unhealthy $10 lunches several days a week? Perhaps your 120-pound Rottweiler eats $50 worth of dog food a month? These are all things you are free to do; but are these choices helping you in your goal to change your diet?

Grow Your Food

I realize that everyone doesn’t have a couple of acres to work with. But many, many people have urban homesteads. Gardens can be grown in back yards and even on patios. Do what you can; rather than complaining and doing nothing.

Check with your city. Many municipalities now allow a couple backyard chickens. Some even allow goats.  Subscribe to a helpful magazine like Urban Farm to learn all you can. Read All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew for more helpful advice.

However, if you do live in a rural area, what are you waiting for? Find a farmer friend and learn all you can about gardening and keeping animals for eggs, milk, and meat. Do what you can.

Buy Locally

If you cannot produce enough for your family, or if you are physically unable to garden, visit your local farmers’ market. Purchase what you can from local organic farms. If you still cannot afford it, barter something. Many Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms accept work hours in exchange for food.

Start Slow and Small

Whatever you do, do it slowly. For one thing, this transition takes time. For another, you will need to adjust your budget to allow for monthly shopping of bulk products. I started 25 years ago with baking my own bread. It was several years later before I was introduced to a produce co-op that provided all the produce my family needed. Rather than cutting out boxed foods entirely, start reading labels. First, quit buying anything with MSG and replace them with what you make from scratch. Second, eliminate high fructose corn syrup. Third, axe the artificial coloring. By this time I’m betting there’s nothing in a box left that you can purchase.

One step at a time, and over 25 years, we’ve gone from eating manufactured food for every meal to eating it only on occasion. And I still spend less than $400 a month to feed a family of six. If I can do it, you can too.

 Photo by Downing Street

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Although many people are familiar with sea salts, not so many people are as familiar with crystal salts, such as Himalayan pink salt. Furthermore, if you are familiar with Himalayan crystal salt, you might be most familiar with Himalayan crystal lamps, which are a popular use for Himalayan salts. However, crystal salts such as Himalayan salts also have other uses, in addition to many health benefits.

Origin of Himalayan Salts

As the name suggests, Himalayan crystal salts originate from the Himalayan mountains. The Himalayan mountain range is located over several countries, including India, China, Kashmir, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Himalayan salts are mined from ancient ocean beds that were crystallized over 200 million years ago; in addition, the salts are hand mined, ensuring a pure, natural product with many health benefits (source).

If you love the color pink, you’ll love the visual appeal of Himalayan salts – pink is their natural color! Himalayan salts retain this color due to the trace elements that make up the crystal salts – including iron.

Difference Between Sea Salts and Crystal Salts

Although sea salts are noted for their many health benefits, crystal salts are said to be one of the cleanest natural salts available and are made up of all the elements that are found in our bodies (source). Himalayan crystal salt contains 84 of the 92 known trace elements. Sea salt isolates and disconnects the crystals from vital elements in its structure whereas crystal salt does not; this means that crystal salt is more balanced and more easily absorbed by the body (a photographic comparison of sea salt and crystal salt can be found here, which shows this statement in detail).

Benefits of Himalayan Salts

Himalayan salts have a number of health benefits; these include:

• the ability to replenish the body’s electrolytes

• the ability to balance the body’s pH

• help cells to absorb minerals

• benefits to the respiratory system

• the ability to lower blood pressure

• the ability to improve circulation in the body

• detoxify the body of unwanted metals and re-mineralize the body with beneficial minerals.

(sources: Natural Therapy Pages: Himalayan Crystal Rock Salt and Saltworks: Himalayan Pink Salt)

Uses of Himalayan Salts

You can use Himalayan salts in several ways; these include:

• as a crystal lamp – one of the most popular and familiar ways to use Himalayan salts. Himalayan salt lamps emit negative ions (when switched on and warmed up) which enables them to both neutralize positive ions and generate additional negative ions into the air. This process purifies the air and leads to a healthier living environment (source)

• as a bath salt – although not as familiar as the use of sea salts, Himalayan salts can also be used in the bath. Because Himalayan salts contain many natural minerals, they are extremely beneficial to the skin and the body when bathing. Combined with water, the overall experience is also soothing to the mind!

• as a culinary addition – Himalayan salts can also be taken internally. Add Himalayan salts to dishes such as fish and chicken, as an alternative to more traditional salts. Just make sure that the salt is graded for food use before using it this way (source).

Crystal Salts and Sea Salts

Both sea salts and crystal salts have health benefits and can be used in a variety of ways. However, crystal salts contain more minerals and are more balanced that sea salts. Whatever way you choose to use sea salts and crystal salts, you can be sure that your body will be benefiting from a natural source of minerals and elements that our bodies need.

Photo by Your Salt Lamps

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