I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
-Maya Angelou
Turmeric Ice Tea
Turmeric tea is a fabulous treat on a hot day. Forget the ibuprofen and sip some tea! Turmeric is a natural anti inflammatory and pain reliever. The root looks similar to ginger root, but when peeled is vibrant orange.
Tumeric Tea
1 tsp finely grated turmeric
1 pitcher of water
Combine. Let come to boil in a saucepan. Then, simmmer 10 minutes. Cool completely. Strain into a jar with a lid to keep in fridge up to 3 days. Serve hot or over ice. I sweeten with honey and a dash of cinnamon. Enjoy!
Barefoot
Children seem to naturally feel a sense of joy and calm in nature. The minerals in soil actually help increase our serotonin levels…naturally!
Take your shoes off and try putting your bare feet in the dirt while hiking or gardening. Pay attention and notice the little things in nature all around you…from the colors in the sky to the foliage on your path. Take your child out with you in nature every day. …Breathe…
New life found on my walk today with my daughter
Fresh Air and an Easel
The arts give your child a chance to shine and express themselves. Sadly, the arts are being cut from our schools, so we need to supplement this opportunity even more so for our children. As a former public elementary teacher, I can confirm that kids who are involved in the arts–music, dance, drama, art, do better academically across the board. It also gives them a chance to play and learn through play! These students go on to become more active and engaged citizens.
Outdoor Art
One quick trick to inspire your young artist, or even the artist in you, is to sit outside with paper, a brush and some paints in primary colors for mixing. Enjoy the process!
Chemical Free Foamy Soap
I use chemical free foods when I cook, and that goes for my skin products too! Our skin absorbs what we slather on it, so try using ingredients from your kitchen on your skin. I love using olive oil and coconut oil. Instead of purchasing expensive soaps that might be full of parabens, chemicals, and hormone modifiers, make your own with this SIMPLE recipe. It takes less than a minute!
Tangerine Foamy Soap
- 5 oz water
- 5 oz Liquid Castille Soap (I buy it at Trader Joes)
- 7 drops of your favorite essential oil (I love the fresh, energizing fragrance of Tangerine)
Mix the ingredients in a soap bottle with a foaming pump, and you are good to rub a dub dub!
Breathe In…Breathe Out
4-7-8 Breathing
During a life season of grief, I attended a Grief Group where we began each session by doing 4,7,8 breathing in order to calm our minds and relax our bodies. I found this tool helped me to focus and relax and feel less anxious. I still use this tool DAILY, and wanted to share it with you. Dr. Andrew Weil created this method and suggests to try using 4-7-8 breathing, whenever anything upsetting happens-before you respond.
Here is a quick video link of Dr. Weil teaching 4-7-8 Breathing, and is well worth a look to train yourself on this method:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/VDR00112/The-4-7-8-Breath-Benefits-and-Demonstration.html
Rays of Healing
Releases stress, anxiety and promotes a calm state. This also is a great tool to use if you wake up at night and want to get back to sleep fast. Doing 4-7-8 breathing on a daily basis can help internal systems to also create a more calm state. Give it a try, you will love the feeling! Breathe in, breathe out and let your spirit fly!
Beach Popcorn
Need a simple, healthy snack to take to the beach? Skip the unhealthy bags of microwave popcorn. Instead use that air popper in the back of your cupboard, to make a batch of Beach Popcorn, seasoned with Sea Salt and Coconut Oil. A touch of sweet and savory make the perfect bite!
Beach Popcorn
- One batch of freshly air popped popcorn, white or yellow
- 2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil (heat to melt to liquid if necessary)
- Sea Salt to taste
In a large bowl, toss the warm popcorn while drizzling the coconut oil and shaking the sea salt. Store in re-useable container and enjoy while at the beach…or on your couch for movie night would do too!
Rays of Healing
Popcorn contains whole grains, loads of healthy anti-oxidants, and fiber–about 4 grams of fiber for every 4 cups of popped corn.
Coconut Oil is a healthy fat. It is heart healthy and can assist in maintaining cholesterol levels.
Simple Grilled Artichokes
Living in California, where lovely, large organic artichokes thrive, I wanted to grill up some local flavor. Try this recipe along with some Dijon mustard or garlic butter for dipping on your next warm summer eve.
Simple Grilled Garlic Lemon Artichokes
- 4 large organic artichokes
- 8 cloves of garlic
- 1 lemon for squeezing
- Coconut and Olive oil to drizzle on tops prior to grilling
First use a large knife to trim the stem and cut about 1/2 inch off the top of the artichoke, getting rid of the prickly edges of the leaves. Wash the artichokes and place each one on a piece of tin foil. Stuff 2 garlic cloves between the leaves of each artichoke, squeeze lemon juice on the top. Lastly, drizzle olive oil and coconut oil over the tops, and between the leaves. Wrap each one tightly in foil and place on your outdoor grill for 10 minutes at high heat, then 30 minutes at medium heat/until tender. Let rest in foil for 10 minutes, serve with your sauce of choice!
Rays of Healing
Artichokes are one of the healthiest foods in the world, and the leaves are the richest and most nourishing part to eat. They rank higher in antioxidants than an any other vegetable!
Coconut Oil adds a sweet taste and is great for your hair and overall health.
Blackberry Peachy Smoothie
I started making smoothies in order to pump up my vitamin and protein levels in my diet. I found that smoothies were a quick and easy way to do that. For your own energy boost, try blending up a smoothie first thing in the morning. I tend to make mine full of enough vitamins and protein to last me until a mid morning snack. Try adding seeds to your smoothie for extra valuable minerals, that tend to be depleted from our typical diets.
Blackberry Peachy Smoothie
- 1 handful blackberries
- 1 sliced peach or a cup of frozen sliced peaches
- 1 cup coconut milk, hemp milk, almond milk, or soy milk (depending on your preference)
- 1 T Flaxseed
- 1 T Raw/Unsalted Sunflower Seeds
- 1 Scoop Protein Powder of your choice
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 handful of ice
Place all ingredients in your high powered blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy the lasting energy and health benefits you will feel from your morning Blackberry Peach Smoothies! Feel free to vary the fruit ingredients with what you enjoy and have on hand. I buy bags of frozen organic fruit at Costco and use those each morning in our smoothies. Sip with a straw and enjoy!
Rays of Healing
Blackberries have a royal purple color, which is the source of the rich antioxidants that fight free radicals. They also help with memory function.
Peaches and other “stone fruits” contain compounds that have anti-diabetic, anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties.
Flaxseed is easier to absorb when ground, so blending it up takes care of that! Flax provides fiber, omega 3s, minerals and vitamin E.
Greek Yogurt contains high amounts of protein and calcium for bone health, as when as immune boosting probiotics.
Sunflower Seeds are amazing for the tiny little seeds they are! They contain a powerhouse of magnesium which keeps our nerves relaxed as well as our blood vessels and muscles. They also have anti cancer fighting selenium. Studies have shown a link between low selenium and cancer incidence.
So drink up your daily morning smoothies, and reap the health you sow with these rays of healing!
” I go to natur…
” I go to nature to be soothed and healed,
and to have my senses put in order.”-John Burroughs
The Culdesac 