8 months later...

This will be my first post in 8 months... I got really busy but really there is no excuse!

I have been making my life better and making a lot of life changes. I am currently a vegetarian. I haven't eaten meat in 3 months and have no regrets! I just recently stopped eating dairy with the idea of going full vegan. It's been a couple days and I can feel the effects of it, there is a withdrawal period with dairy that you go through.

Here are a few reasons to stop drinking milk and eating dairy in general.

1. Cow’s milk is intended for baby cows. We’re the only species (other than those we are domesticating) that drinks milk after infancy. And, we’re definitely the only ones drinking the milk of a different species.

2. Hormones. Not only are the naturally-present hormones in cow’s milk stronger than human hormones, the animals are routinely given steroids and other hormones to plump them up and increase milk production. These hormones can negatively impact humans’ delicate hormonal balance.

3. Most cows are fed inappropriate food. Commercial feed for cows contains all sorts of ingredients that include: genetically-modified (GM) corn, GM soy, animal products, chicken manure, cottonseed, pesticides, and antibiotics.

4. Dairy products, when metabolized, are acid-forming. Our bodies are constantly striving for biochemical balance to keep our blood at 7.365 pH. Eating excessive acid-forming products can cause our bodies to overuse some of its acid-balancing mechanisms, one of which is the bones. Alkaline calcium is stored in the bones and released to combat excessive acidity in the body. Over time, bones can become fragile.

5. Research shows that the countries whose citizens consume the most dairy products have the HIGHEST incidence of osteoporosis.

6. Most dairy cows live in confined, inhumane conditions, never seeing the pastures of green grass they were intended to eat.

7. Most dairy products are pasteurized to kill potentially-harmful bacteria. During the pasteurization process, vitamins, proteins, and enzymes are destroyed. Enzymes assist with the digestion process. When they are destroyed through pasteurization, milk becomes harder to digest, therefore putting a strain on our bodies’ enzyme systems.

8. Dairy products are mucous-forming. They can contribute to respiratory disorders.

9. Research links dairy products with arthritis. In one study on rabbits, scientist Richard Panush was able to PRODUCE inflamed joints in the animals by switching their water to milk. In another study, scientists observed more than a 50% reduction in the pain and swelling of arthritis when participants eliminated milk and dairy products from their diet.

10 Most milk is homogenized, which denatures the milk’s proteins, making it harder to digest. Many peoples’ bodies react to these proteins as though they are “foreign invaders” causing their immune systems to overreact. Research also links homogenized milk to heart disease.

11. Pesticides in cow feed find their way into milk and dairy products that we consume

Read more:  http://www.care2.com/greenliving/11-reasons-to-stop-eating-dairy.html#ixzz3IxjRTLJY

I understand people will have different views on this and every state/province/country is different but overall as humans milk and dairy was just not ment to be consumed.

I will let you know how the following days go!

-N

Essential Oils

I have come to love and live by essential oils.

You can you use them to calm yourself, to energize yourself and to also help with healing.

An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetherolea, or simply as the "oil of" the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. An oil is "essential" in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. Essential oils do not form a distinctive category for any medical, pharmacological, or culinary purpose. They are not essential for health.

Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam. Other processes include expression or solvent extraction. They are used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and other products, for flavoring food and drink, and for adding scents to incense and household cleaning products.

Essential oils have been used medicinally in history. Medical applications proposed by those who sell medicinal oils range from skin treatments to remedies for cancer and often are based solely on historical accounts of use of essential oils for these purposes. Claims for the efficacy of medical treatments, and treatment of cancers in particular, are now subject to regulation in most countries.

I believe in the properties of essential oils and have used it in my own healing with success.

Story: A few years ago my dog was attached to one of those heavy duty plastic with metal inside leashes that are used for outside this one was about 25 feet long. As he was attached to the leash so he wouldn’t run away I decided to throw his ball and after realizing the leash was around my ankle… you guessed it he went charging after the ball and I didn’t move quick enough and the leash caught my ankle and put a gash in it about half an inch thick.

Blood everywhere so I went on to clean it up and once healed knowing there will be a scar I used lavender oil diluted with grapeseed oil and rubbed it on to reduce scaring. Within a month the scar was completely gone.

There are always warnings with essential oils. You should not use them while pregnant and some people who have allergies need to be careful since this is such a concentrated dose of oil that you need to be aware. Most oils need to be diluted with a different type of oil such as almond oil, grapeseed oil or even olive oil. Make sure you know the warnings and use oils appropriately.

I will provide a list of essential oils and what they can do for you!

Chakra Stones

Since starting yoga about 3 months ago I have found a sense of calmness within myself. I have been doing a lot of reading on how I can better my practice and my self.

I can slowly feel myself being sucked into the whole yoga life and I am pretty excited!

I have come across various posts and articles on Chakra

In Hindu metaphysical and tantric/yogic traditions and other belief systems chakras are points or knots, in the subtle body. They are located at the physical counterparts of the major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. Chakras are part of the subtle body, not the physical body, and as such are the meeting points of the subtle (non-physical) energy channels, called nadiis.                                                      

What really has me interested is the idea of chakra stones. Different types of stones that give off certain energy, either through everyday wear like a bracelet, necklace or even having different stones at meditation.

Of course there will be arguments on both sides that is it real or not but I feel whatever you want to believe and whatever makes you a positive person with a new outlook on life go with it. Stones or no stones if something can change your perspective on life in a positive way why not?

I will keep you posted on my progress with Chakra Stones! If you are interested in buying any there should be local places that sell them, I just recently bought a few bracelets off of www.etsy.com for a decent price.

Good Luck!

Paleo

Paleo is a new concept to me. I have been slowly switching all my meals and food to comply with the paleo diet.

It is not so much a diet then a way of eating and living and just being aware of what you are eating.

The paleolithic diet is a modern nutritional plan based on the presumed diet of Paleolithic humans. It is based on the premise that human genetics have scarcely changed since the dawn of agriculture, which marked the end of the Paleolithic era, around 15,000 years ago, and that modern humans are adapted to the diet of the Paleolithic period.

The Paleolithic diet consists mainly of fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots, and nuts, and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, potatoes, refined salt, refined sugar, and processed oils. Certain portions should be established for balance of nutrients to maintain homeostasis. ^[1][2]

Proponents argue that modern human populations subsisting on traditional diets, allegedly similar to those of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers, are largely free of diseases of affluence^[3][4] and that Paleolithic diets in humans have shown improved health outcomes relative to other widely-recommended diets.

For myself I have slowly been cutting out dairy, anything processed, and breads and pasta. Of course it is very difficult and some days you just want to eat whatever you want. I usually make a meal plan on Sundays for the week and try to follow it as much as possible. I find when I can plan and meal prep ahead of time I am able to eat at least 90% paleo for the week.

Of course I have my down falls, I do drink coffee everyday with milk and sugar and there are days when I just crave junk food. You deal with it and move on.

Along with a lifestyle like this working out and being healthy just comes hand in hand.

You will have so much more energy and want to go out and be fit and do things.

There are lots of meal plans online and meal ideas for paelo but I will be posting my meal plan I follow it does change some weeks but for the most part it is the same.

My only advice is do not let food control you, you always have a choice to eat good or bad just because its cheaper or more convenient is not an excuse.

Good Luck!

Natural Toothpaste

Homemade Natural Toothpaste!

Think of all the chemicals you are putting in your mouth! Do you think they are all good? There is an easy and simple recipe for all natural toothpaste!

Baking soda
Water
Peppermint essential oil. (optional)

You will mix this together each time you brush your teeth.

It is best to keep a little container with baking soda in the bathroom and add in drops of peppermint essential oil and each time you brush your teeth grab some on your brush and mix with a few drops of water. You are looking for a paste like occurrence to happen.

The peppermint essential oil is optional it gives you that fresh feeling afterwards. You can buy essential oils at your local health food store, or online. I usually purchase a bunch of different kinds all at once and order online through http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/ . They are based out of Mississauga and shipping is very reasonable and I am in love with their products!

Good luck!

All Natural Shampoo

So lets think about this for a minute... Why make your own shampoo? Do you think shampoo companies have your best interest at heart?

You want to live a clean healthy lifestyle free of chemicals and here is how you make your own shampoo... and conditioner!

Shampoo:

First off a lot of people are use to having shampoo build up a lather in their hair... this will not do that. Chemicals make the shampoo do that.

This is very simple. You will need baking soda, water, and an empty bottle with a lid.

Mix 1 Tbsp baking soda with 1 cup water in the empty bottle.

Done!

Simply shake the bottle before each use, make more or less as you like.

Conditioner:

You will need Apple cider vinegar, water and an empty bottle.

Mix 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar and 1 cup water in the empty bottle.

and you guessed it... done!

Shake the bottle before each use.

Side Effects: Switching from normal shampoo to natural shampoo takes time. You will notice a change in your hair at the beginning. You will be stripping the hair of all the chemicals over the past years.

You should be washing your hair every other day at the most. The conditioner should be used once or twice a week.

You can find all these products in your local grocery store. Any type of water will work.

Good Luck!