More on Coconut Oil

Follow up to this post. YES oil pulling is good, works. No side affects, natural. Even talked to my dentist about it. They have been reading up on it as well and have found no negative results. I haven't been consistent enough to see what I want to fully accomplish (because I'm lazy and tired in the morning), but I'm going to make a better effort. I like the way it makes me feel and I have noticed slight positive changes when I'm actually doing it. I typically oil pull when I'm taking a shower or making beds and running around in the morning.

via

I do, however, use coconut oil daily to clean my face and get my makeup off in the evenings. It's wonderful! I love the way it smells, my skin feels amazing and I don't have blemishes. It's not clogging my pores. It makes me feel brighter.  Not sure it makes me look younger, but it definitely makes for a safe alternative to cleansers and works perfect!

We also still use it to moisturize my daughter's legs in the shower. She has eczema and it helps keep her from breaking out if we are consistent.

Overall, I will forever use it. It's great! HUGE benefit to me and my family so why stop? I started using this brand and I really like it. Buy in bulk. Will last awhile! (Try shaving with it... amazing!)

   cheers

Yogi Up

Got back on my mat last week. Felt great, now to stick it in my routine. Been doing yoga off and on for years. Love the benefits. Love the time spent working on myself. The teacher makes a difference though. For me anyway. I had a good class! Thanks teach!

Chris Carter

As far as yoga gear goes, I have some, not top notch, but decent and not terribly old. I realized though, my mat is not thick enough and my knees hurt. So, I'm on the search. When did yoga mats get so expensive? Hmmm... or maybe I'm just cheap?

Top 5 according to Outside:
Jade Saffron
Prana Henna E.C.O.
Lululemon's Unmat
PurEarth 2 Eco
Magic Carpet

Also found Tomuno on Amazon. Great reviews. Anybody have a favorite?  I really super need to upgrade on some pants too. These are nice. (And off subject, but absolutely LOVING those shoes. Similar pair at J.Crew).

via Lululemon

or maybe colorblock? Cute!

via Anthropologie

  





















Perhaps some poppyness??

Via Anthropologie

Some Monday meddling for ya.

   cheers

Love Day

Love yourself too! Found a post about DIY Rose Water while coconut oil obsessing researching. Natural beauty benefits keep on coming....

Love thy self. Happy V-day to you! Take those love petals and make something out of em!

Use as a perfume, face toner, hair rinse or bath soak! Fun! This is now added to my "make your own stuff" list. Maybe I should have a party. I will let ya know. xo

  cheers

Ah Naturel

I'm organic with most things but the most unusual natural thing I've done to date is oil pulling. Strangely, I learned about it twice in one week this month so I felt the need to give it a whirl. Rids toxins, strengthens gums and even whitens teeth. Thanks Design Mom for doing your research first. And now I'm obsessed with coconut oil. I've used Trader Joe's Organic Coconut Oil for cooking for several years now, but I have not really looked into the many benefits of it. Google it up; you will be surprised. (Try popping popcorn with it! You will die.)

I'm NOT a morning person so I do this when I can, but at least 3 times a week. Swirling oil in my mouth for 10 minutes here 20 minutes there. Then spit it in the trash or toilet. I need to build up my gums because I've recently discovered receding issues. I'm also trying baking soda to help whiten my teeth, but I do love my Toms of Maine toothpaste minty flavor and do not go without brushing with that just yet. I will keep you posted on my discoveries, but so far...I really like the way it makes my mouth and teeth feel. (Oil pulling was recently on Dr. Oz as well, but with Sesame Oil).

In the exact same week my daughter started getting eczema. Our first experience with this. My mom told me to use coconut oil on it. So we did, nothing major happened and I just kept using lotion as well. Then I started reading more. If you lather up with coconut oil, then shower (hot water so your drain does not clog) it completely moisturizes your skin. I've been doing this once a week or so with myself and my daughter. Her rash has totally disappeared within a few days. Amazing. I also started shaving with it while showering. Holy smooth legs!

Also, as of late, I started noticing more wrinkles on my face and I've been reading up a ton on beauty products. I discovered this website. It tells you what is in your products and how harmful they might be. I've been quite conscious in the past about products, but now I'm paranoid as all get out. So what can I use that's good and not harmful, etc. etc...??? Not sure yet. In the meantime, I started to use coconut oil to wash my face/rid makeup. Result = Awesome!

So now my husband thinks I'm crazy, but I don't care. I'm totally obsessing.... he walked into the bathroom and said, "It looks like a damn kitchen in here!" I have a jar of oil, some apple cider vinegar (that I'm trying as a face toner) and a large box of baking soda (which can be used as a shampoo too). Yep, I'm nutso, but I'm liking the benefits.

I'm now on the search for a good face moisturizer and makeup. I'm not fully convinced that the coconut oil will not clog my pores used as a night cream.  I will keep you posted on my findings! I think foodbabe has opened my eyes more too. Love her site and reference it often. Check her out.

To a healthier year... and sticking to my resolution! and to my inner hippie ;) 

     cheers

p.s. After researching, I feel like EVERYONE is searching for good safe alternatives lately. Another good source is A Blog About Love.

2014, A Year of Good

Resolutions:

I have many, but most important...stay healthy. I'm sort of a food fanatic. I love food. But I also hate what is done to it. I'm already extremely cautious, but I could do better with my buying habits. I read more labels than I do magazines or books. Too many additives, too many preservatives, too much crap in our food. Makes me sad. I'd love to own a garden, but my space is limited. I'd love to have chickens, but we live in town. One day, until then, we buy mostly organic and I try to feed us good whole food. BUT.we.must.limit.snacks! We all rely on them with littles. Hard NOT to. And all of the sudden I now have picky eaters. They will overcome this! They must!

A new App I just discovered, Dirty Dozen, lists heavy pesticides in food. Clean eating + exercise = a year and beyond of good health! Doing good for the body. Side note, found out my teeth need braces. AGAIN! (Thanks to my former incompetent orthodontist). So I guess a year of good for my body = expensive year! This has made me so angry and so sad. 2 years of braces as a teenager didn't do the job! No control, just need to suck it up and get it over at the age of 35. 35!!! When did that happen?

Trying not to focus on the negative or my age signs and the fact that I almost threw my back out doing burpees for christ sake; then I click on my new App and find apples and grapes have more pesticides than most fruit and those are the two fruits my kids love and eat often. UGH! Figures. AND I read this the other night as I was apparently sipping on my contaminated Yogi tea! GRRRRrrrr!!! Why do I even read? Focus on the good. Focus on the good. Just keep drinking my delightful coffee that puts me in a happy place. Keep drinking coffee. (w my husband's homemade Kahlua of course!) And wine too. More wine. Lots of that.

To a clean and healthy New Year! Happy Thursday!

    cheers