Tag Archives: halcyon

Doomsday Prepping: Winter Is Coming

By Halcyon

Prepping: Winter is Coming: Home, Car and Wilderness Prep

I’ll be honest, I did get a chuckle coming up with the title. But I figured, “How perfect!” I know there are some die-hard Game of Thrones fans out there who will get the reference. Heck, unless you are living under a rock, most people understand the reference even if they haven’t seen the series or read the books!

I am hoping this will help some of you prepare for winter. The information that follows is stuff everyone should know, for the most part. It’s not difficult to implement and it continues in the vein of my previous thoughts, in that prepping is not just about having some thousand square foot storage unit with hundreds of supplies. Prepping is all about being prepared, and a little forethought might save you the terror of being stranded somewhere on a cold winter night without proper supplies.

Here we go!

Home and Kitchen Checklist

These are some items which I think are very important for anyone who lives in a cold weather climate, where there is the potential for severe winter storms that might cause power outages in freezing temperatures. I grew up in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York, and weathered some pretty frightening storms. One particular storm I recall was in a cabin in Monticello where we only had the fireplace.

You can adapt this for your family as you like, but here are the basics:

* Flashlight
* Batteries
* Battery operated radio/crank
* First aid kit
* Extra Blankets
* Basic toiletries
* Seven-day supply of medications
* Copies of personal documents [in a weather proof safe if possible]
* Space heater [please take care and do not leave it on overnight, or have a watch during the night to make sure it is safe]
* Backup power generator
* Three-day of nonperishable food [per person]
* Three-day supply of water [per person – you can stock up and keep jugs of water in the garage or cellar. It’s okay if they freeze because you can warm them up.]
* Non-electric can opener
* Matches
* Cooler filled with ice
* Pet food & supplies
* Baby food and supplies
* Solar charger for phone

Auto Emergency Kit

It amazes me how few people actually have some kind of emergency kit in their vehicle. I recall the look on my daughter’s face when we bought out the Rubbermaid container to assemble her kit, though it was a little different given the area we live in is more prone to monsoon rains rather than snow storm. Still, the idea is the same, so here are some of the essentials:

* Rubbermaid container or large duffle bag
* Flashlight
* Batteries
* Water bottles
* G.O.R.P./Snack bars
* Flares or Glow stick
* Whistle
* Cat litter [traction/slippy situations]
* First aid kit
* Booster cables/Cordless jump starter
* Compass
* Tool kit
* Ice scraper
* Folding shovel
* Insta-hand warmers
* Heavy duty trash bag

Stuff for Kids

If you have wee ones in diapers, make sure to have those stashed. The same goes for pull-ups and wipes.

Medications: Inhaler, allergies, and fever reducers. Stash them in the container, but be certain they can handle cold temperatures.

Toss in a few colors and crayons in case they kids get bored.

One more thing: Make sure to schedule a reminder to check all your supplies around December 31st. This includes ensuring your batteries are still good, as well as reviewing anything that might have expired.

Wilderness Survival

Okay, this sounds more daunting than it really is. It’s not like you are going to be Bear Grylls or some of the other crazy survivalists out there, but here are a few tips just in case shit hits the fan.

The most important thing, in my opinion, is making sure you have dry footwear. If there is any possiblity of being stranded or stuck and having to trudge through wet snow or even heavy winter rains, this is important.

* Back pack with an extra pair of boots (winter/water proof)
* Three pairs of socks sealed in a ziplock bag
* Foot powder – sprinkle feet to keep dry
* Carry a poncho (military issue if you can) and five bungee cords to construct a makeshift shelter. You will need four corners, grommets and bungees stretched to four trees, and the hood tied off and bungeed to an overhanging branch.
* Any rations or trail mix type of food – make sure you protect it from moisture and damage

There you go! I hope some of this information will help you out and keep you safe over the long winter. It just takes a few moments to be prepared and save you from panicking during an emergency. Good luck!

Healing Yourself Naturally: Poultices, Salves, and Tinctures

By Halcyon

As with Whole Beauty, this column discusses practices that may not be appropriate for everyone. In addition, the advice given here is not intended to replace a visit to your doctor – much of the modern research into the efficacy of natural remedies is still in its early stages, and not all results seen in the laboratory translate to the real world. Remember that no matter what changes you’re considering, it’s always best to discuss them with your doctor or other health care provider, as he or she will be in the best position to address not only your personal needs and special concerns, but also the safety of alternative treatments, as herbs and supplements may interact both with medications and each other – however, if you’re interested in natural healing, we hope this article will provide you with some opening discussion points!

Healing Naturally: Poultices, Salves and Tinctures

Poultice:

* A poultice is nothing more than a direct way to apply herbs to the skin.

How to make a poultice:

* Herbs are usually crushed into a pulp or made into a paste that is spread directly onto the surface of the skin (up to an inch thick). The area is then wrapped in gauze or muslin, preventing the poultice from rubbing off.

There are different types of poultices:

* A warm or hot poultice will help increase circulation to the skin area.
* A cold poultice can help soothe a variety of inflammation.
* Skin-tingling ginger can be added to help increase circulation.

The Advantage:

* Poultices use fresh herbs, which have the greatest amount of the herb’s beneficial characteristics.

The Disadvantages:

* Poultices take time to make and time to do their thing, and are messier than a salve or cream.
* It’s best to use them at night so they can work while you sleep.

Some herbs you can use for poultices are:

* Yarrow
* Goldenrod
* Plantain
* Comfrey
* Calendula

General All-Purpose Wound Healing Poultice:

* Calendula: skin healing antimicrobial
* Comfrey Leaf: tissue healer and excellent to coat and seal broken skin
* Yarrow: Wonderful for healing, cracked skin, cuts and bruises. It can help staunch bleeding, too.

Salves:

* Medicinal herbs mixed with oil and thickened with beeswax.
* Salves create an easy vehicle by which the skin can absorb the healing properties of the ingredients.

Before you can make a salve, you need to make an oil infusion. There are quicker ways to do this, but I generally believe quick work can result in shoddy work, and you don’t want shoddy salve:

The Slow Way to Make an Oil Infusion

You’ll need:

* 2 cups of dried herb (loosely packed)
* Up to 2 cups of olive oil (see note)
* Sunny windowsill
* Pint-sized mason jar

Instructions:

Add the dried herb to a sterilized mason jar. Add olive oil until all the herb is covered. Use a skewer to stir and release air bubbles. Cap the jar tightly. Set the jar in a sunny window for 4 weeks, shaking gently every day or so.

When the time is up, separate the oil from the plant matter by straining it through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Be sure to squeeze the cheesecloth to release the last bit of oil.

* Be selective when choosing olive oil. Many brands cut their olive oil with canola oil which can make your infusion go rancid far sooner. The general shelf life for this type of infusion is twelve months.

Making the Salve

You’ll need:

* 1 1/4 cups infused oil (if you followed the instructions above, you should have about 1 1/4 cups oil)
* 1.5 oz (about 1/3 cup) beeswax pastilles
* Heavy-bottomed pot
* 10-20 drops of essential oil (optional)
* Whisk
* Glass measuring cup
* 5 4-ounce mason jars/jelly jars
* Spatula

Instructions:

* Add the beeswax to a heavy bottomed pot on the stove, and heat on low (you don’t want to burn it). Use the lowest temperature possible, as this will ensure that the beeswax retains some of its healing properties. Beeswax melts at 140 degrees.
* Once the beeswax melts, then whisk in the herbal oil.
* The cooler temperature of the oil will resolidify some of the beeswax, so continue whisking until the beeswax is completely melted and the two are mixed well.
* Add the essential oil, if you’re using it. Start by adding one or two drops at a time until you’ve reached your desired strength of fragrance.
* Resume whisking until all ingredients are completely melted and mixed together.
* Quickly pour the mixture into a glass measuring cup, then fill the jelly jars or tins. I reused a few sanitized, store-bought tins.

Note: The beeswax-oil mixture will solidify quickly in the measuring cup, sometimes before you’ve even finished filling the jars. If this happens, simply use the spatula to put the mixture back in the pot on the stove and melt it again.

* Let the jars cool for up to 24 hours, then cap them tightly and label.

Soothing Salve with Lemon Balm and Calendula:

* 1 1/4 cup calendula infused oil
* 1 1/4 cup lemon balm infused oil
* 3 oz beeswax pastilles (about 2/3 cup)
* Follow directions as outlined above. You’re doubling the recipe, so you’ll need approximately 10 jelly jars, rather than 5.

Calendula and lemon balm both have anti-bacterial properties. Together, they are also anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. This salve will help soothe insect bites and rashes, and help repair cuts and scrapes. In addition, lemon balm is effective at healing cold sores, while calendula is effective at soothing eczema.

Note: You may want to get a pot that you only use for making herbal preparations in case there’s any residue leftover, though I didn’t have any trouble washing my pot and utensils as I would my other dishes.

Tincture:

* A concentrated liquid extract of herbs, taken by the drop because it is so potent.
* Most tinctures are made by using alcohol as the extracant. Some prefer to use apple cider vinegar or vegetable glycerin (diluted with an equal amount of water) instead. These alternative won’t be as strong, but they will work.

Nettle Tincture

* Supports joint health and is accessible in many places across the United States.

Ingredients:

* Nettle, fresh or dried
* Brandy or vodka

Materials:

* Gloves
* Mason jar
* Muslin or cheese cloth
* Labels
* Amber Dosage Bottles
* Small funnel
* Large bowl
* Liquid measuring cup

The first step in this process is harvesting the nettles. Nettles are often found growing abundantly in the wild, but if you do decide to do some wild harvesting, I would suggest that you get a Peterson’s Field Guide or find an herbalist to help you identify the plant. If you prefer, you can purchase nettles in bulk on Mountain Rose Herbs. They are a great site for a variety of loose leaf herbs, teas, and other supplies.

If you are working with fresh nettles, it is recommended using gloves and wearing clothing to cover your skin to avoid a sting that may itch and tingle for a few hours. Chop the nettles as small as possible – the more herb chopped, the more surface area covered during the maceration (or extraction) process.

Fill your Mason jar about 1/4 full of freshly chopped herb, and cover all the way to the top with alcohol. If using dried nettles, fill jar halfway instead, then cover as before with alcohol.

Put the cap on the jar, sit it upright, and label it. Here’s a suggestion:

1. What kind of alcohol you used, and the percent of alcohol by volume.
2. Whether you used fresh or dried herb.
3. The common name and the binomial/scientific name of the plant used (nettle’s scientific name is Urtica dioica).
4. The date you made the tincture.

Let the mixture macerate. Shake the jar every day and store it in a cool dark cabinet. Make sure the herbs stay covered with alcohol – add more if needed. This is a great time to put good energy into your herbal creation and visualize all the ways it’s going to help you once it’s finally ready.

After 4-6 weeks have passed, you can then press out your tincture. Don’t worry too much about the time. Some folks wait as little as three weeks and some wait much longer.

To start the pressing process, unscrew your Mason jar, put your muslin or cheese cloth over the top, and flip the jar over above a large bowl to drain the liquid while separating the herb. Once all the liquid has gone into the bowl, you can then use both hands to squeeze any remaining liquid out of the herb.

Lastly, make a new label that replicates the first one for each dosage bottle filled. Store in a cool dark place and enjoy! It is suggested taking one-half to one teaspoon of nettle tincture two to three times a day when you feel like you need some joint support or an herbal tonic.

The Awakening: Coping With Chronic Illness

By Halcyon

Life is hard. From the moment we open our infant eyes to the blinding white of a delivery room until we follow that light to places unknown, it seems there’s always something trying to stand in our way. There are days when all you want to do is give in, let it take over, and be swept away to anywhere but here. In her new series The Awakening, Halcyon hopes that giving us a lifeline will help us find our way back.

The Awakening Series: Coping with Chronic Illness

Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation. It means understanding that something is what it is and there’s got to be a way through it. (Michael J. Fox)

In this installment of my Awakening series, we are going to search for ways of being present in the face of adversity, whether it is chronic or terminal illness, or just the struggles we encounter in our day to day lives. Being present in life is not easy, and most of us coast through it without truly being there and without truly being aware of what a gift it is to have this life at all.

During the first part of this series, I was struggling without a clear diagnosis. Though I knew it lay in part to structural issues resulting from many years of wear and tear from competitive gymnastics and running, after eighteen months with no definitive answers and many treatment attempts, for the most, it just became long-term, chronic pain.

In the time in-between diagnoses, you flounder. There is an enormity of emotional suffering compounded by shame. People do not understand the nature of chronic illness – regardless if it is one that has more scientific data behind it, like multiple sclerosis, or something like fibromyalgia, that seems to be shrouded in mystery and confusion. I think I am lucky because one thing that has helped me to be an advocate for myself and others has been my inherent curiosity and scientific mind. When I got my diagnosis of fibromyalgia (along with a pending diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis) I researched everything (and still do) and connected with various fibromyalgia communities.

What I found is a vast sea of helplessness and hopelessness, and one not limited to this community. Across the board of chronic illness, for which many of us do not look as though we are ill, there seems to be a questioning of whether or not we are genuinely ill, or are just lazy hypochondriacs seeking attention. It is also not a sentiment solely regarded by the average citizen, friend or colleague, but one rampant in the medical community, as well. My own experiences until finding my current doctor were along the lines of, “Fibromyalgia is a bullshit diagnosis,” or, “Just exercise and lose some weight and you will feel better,” and a pain management doctor who treated me like I was a drug seeker, humiliating me in front of the daughter who had come with me.

I think it’s very easy to become sucked into the vortex of self-pity, with equal helpings of self-loathing and shame, and a sprinkling of lamentation for the situation you find yourself in on top. Even before a solid diagnosis, you know your life has changed in a very un-alterable way. In the beginning, you cling to the hope that treatment will help, and that these people who have devoted themselves to school and study about the human body and diseases, will be able to come up with a plan that works for you. But after months of exhausting every option, while trying to remain positive, you are suddenly confronted with a grim sort of reckoning about the situation, and the reality sets in at last. We settle for management of our pain and hope that it will afford us some vague recollection of our pre-diagnosis self, when in fact we inherently understand, and perhaps even accept on some molecular level, that who we once were is gone.

Though I have never faced terminal illness myself, I have friends who have, and there is a similar path. In the end, you need to come to some sort of acceptance. From there, you can begin a process of self-healing and being present in your life for whatever amount you have left. This is where I believe self-compassion and mindfulness come into play.

Mindfulness is a practice that helps you to stay in the present moment. It is often described as becoming aware of that present moment experience in a way that is free from judgmental thoughts and personal preferences. There is a clear difference between the quality of awareness brought forth by mindfulness and the awareness one might otherwise have in day-to-day life. Sadly, we are not often very mindful in our everyday lives, and our awareness becomes reactive to those thoughts and preferences, which takes away from the present moment.

The best way to stay in the moment is to re-engage with the body:

* It is your body, not your thoughts, judgments, or beliefs, that stays in the present moment.
* Re-engaging with the body also includes enaging the senses: Touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell. Through this re-engaging, you learn you have a choice where you place your attention, and it should bring with it a measure of peace and stability.
* While acknowledged, those questioning thoughts, feelings of self-loathing, or berating yourself, are understood not to be reality.
* You learn to create a buffer between those thoughts and your mind, keeping them at a distance.
* Those thoughts and ideas no longer absorb your attention.

The practice of self-compassion is a way of being in which you maintain a balanced, non-judgmental awareness of difficult experiences and maintain a desire to alleviate those difficulties, while recognizing it is a perfectly normal part of being human to experience difficulties in life. This requires a deep understanding of mindfulness, the ability to balance mindfulness with self-kindness (rather than self-judgment), and effort put into refraining from isolation.

Self-kindness is a practice that can seem strange at first. It is literally relating to oneself with an attitude of kindness and regarding oneself with gentleness, patience, and reassurance. An effort is made to change the tone of your inner voice to something soft and embracing.

* Use phrases like, “It’s ok,” and, “Don’t worry.” It is often recognized through this practice that there is an obvious lack of self-kindness and that when it is offered, it is conditional. Many times, it is only offered when you are able to achieve certain tasks that you feel are important. (Example: “I’ll lay down and rest or take a nap once I get X amount of chores done today,” or, “I’ll feel really good about myself when I get that project done by a certain time.”) When you do this, what you are actually doing is saying that you do not deserve kindness without conditions, and when you do not meet the goal set it propagates feelings of worthlessness.
* Offer yourself unconditional kindness. You will be more relaxed, your head will be clearer, and you will find you are kinder to others as well.
* Regular practice will make it easier. You cannot undo a lifetime of behavior in a few sessions. Do not be discouraged. Try using this mantra often, especially when you get discouraged: “Don’t worry, this is hard, but you’ll be okay.” You may still self-blame and criticize, but it will get better, and eventually, will be replaced by better habits.

Self-isolation happens when you devalue yourself and self-criticize so often that you forget you are not alone in the universe. Through these practices, there will be an eventual awakening of your spirit. It will bring with it an understanding that no matter how alone you feel, going through whatever situation or illness has presented itself, that everyone, everywhere, is going through something. Life is often a battle filled with hardships that are not written across our flesh for others to see. but instead written in our soul. By engaging with people, listening to others, and empathizing, you begin to see that although everyone’s battle is different, we are all faced with difficult emotions, we all judge ourselves, and we all experience feelings like shame, anxiety, anger, and depression.

The action of being present and mindful in our lives and those we care about is a lifetime process. You don’t exercise these ideas and tips for one week and then call it done, believing that somehow you are now mindful and present and don’t have to work on it. It is a state of being that requires work, and that you will sometimes fail at, but keep trying. The benefits of being mindful and present are known to have effects on all aspects of our lives, even our health. When you look inward and re-engage with the body, and simply honor the fact that you are in pain, without any self-judgment or self-loathing for it, the body relaxes.

The National Institute of Health [NIH] has many articles on mindfulness-based stress reduction as a way to help those who are chronically ill, but you certainly don’t need to be chronically ill to begin practicing it.

Whole Beauty: DIY Edition

By Halcyon

In this issue, Halcyon shows us how to make our own beauty products at home! While the majority of these recipes should be safe for anyone without allergies to their ingredients, some do include essential oils. Remember that essential oils should never be applied to the skin without being diluted first, and that some, such as citrus oils, can cause photosensitivity when exposed to sunlight. Always do your research first, and if you have questions or concerns, be sure to bring them up with your doctor or other health care provider!

DIY: Lotions and Potions and Scrubs, oh my!

This installment of Whole Beauty is all about Doing-It Yourself. Get in your kitchen, take out those mixing bowls, and get cracking! It really is very easy and a lot of fun. If you have kids, get them in on the action. You may want to do a test-run before you let them join in, or just read over the recipes and decide what your child can do.

These are not my own creations, though I have tweaked them a bit for what works for me. Pinterest is a treasure trove of ideas for DIYs. A lot of the time it is trial and error, but don’t give up. You will save a lot of cash by doing this at home, and most of all, you will know exactly what is going into your product. As someone who has very sensitive skin, I’ve had to learn to do it myself because I’ve had reactions to some very expensive products – even those said to cater to allergy-sensitive skin. But no more.

For those who need to budget like me, you may not be able to do this tomorrow. Plan it out, investigate the prices on items you may need, and just parcel it out. Sometimes you can strategise it for sales on Amazon (or wherever you may shop) and get great deals on all your DIY needs.

Here we go:

Lavender Lemonade for Migraine and Headaches

Ingredients

* 1 drop of lavender essential oil
* 6 lemons
* 1 cup of honey
* 12 cups of water
* 1 tbsp of raw honey for sweetness

Directions

1. Peel the lemons, and then squeeze them in a pitcher.
2. Add water, honey and one or two drops of lavender essential oil. Mix all the ingredients.
3. Store the drink in the fridge.

This is really very refreshing, and you will be amazed at how it seems to alleviate headaches. I am not sure of the reasons why, aside from lavender always having been a calming herb, but anything to help a migraine is awesome in my book!

Impurity Removing Face Mask

Ingredients:

* 2 tablespoons bentonite clay
* 3 capsules activated charcoal
* 3-4 teaspoons aloe vera
* 1-2 teaspoons shea butter
* 1.5 oz camomile tea
* 1 drop peppermint essential oil (optional)
* 1 drop eucalyptus essential oil (optional)

Directions:

* Start by brewing the tea
* Melt the shea butter in a double boiler
* When the tea is ready and the shea butter is completely melted, mix them together
* Mix the bentonite clay and the activated charcoal in a seperate container
* Add the clay and charcoal mix to the shea and tea mix and stir
* Add the aloe vera and essential oils and continue to mix well
* Store in an air-tight container

* To use: Apply all over face and keep on for about fifteen minutes. Wash off well and admire your soft skin!

Homemade Hydrating Lotion

Ingredients:

* A food processor
* A double broiler
* 1 cup room temp. herbal tea (I like the chamomile variety for this)
* 1/2 cup coconut oil
* 1/4 cup shea butter
* 3/8 cup sweet almond oil
* 1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil
* 4 tbsp beeswax pastilles
* 1-2 tsp total of essential oils of your choice. I used the following Doterra oils: Lavender Oil, Helichrysum Flower Oil, and Rose Flower Oil.

Three Easy Steps:

Step One: Brew

* Brew the tea. Boil the water, steep the tea, and bring to room temperature.

Step Two: Melt

* In the double boiler, melt the butters, oils, and beeswax together. Do not add the essential oils yet.

Step Three: Emulsify

* Pour the melted oils into the food processor and lock the lid. Turn the food processor on, and slowly pour 1 cup of herbal tea into the mixture. It should begin to emulsify. Leave it running for another thirty seconds after you’ve poured in all the tea. You may need to stop the food processor and scrape the sides to blend completely. Add the essential oils of your choice and blend for another thirty seconds.

Storage and expiration:

* This recipe will make 2-3 cups of lotion. If you don’t want this much lotion, cut the recipe in half. The lotion should keep pretty much indefinitely in the fridge without added preservatives. You can put it into a couple of small containers holding a few ounces and then just refill. I suggest if you live in a hot climate like I do, you keep a larger jar in the fridge and refill from there. You may have to let it come to room temp. If it gets too hot, it might lose its consistency.

* The lotion goes on cool and smooth and absorbs quickly, leaving your skin nourished and hydrated. It smells amazing and does not leave a greasy residue or shine on your skin. It is completely safe to use on your kids. (Heck, you can even eat it, but I don’t think it would taste very good!)

Facial Moisturizer

* 1 cup aloe vera gel (This bit is important. In the comments, a few people have tried to substitute plain Aloe juice, or home-made gel, but it doesn’t have the stabilizing properties needed. It has to be a gel.)
* 3/4 ounce (by weight) beeswax – I buy mine in a bar and grate it. You can buy it in pellets, too – make sure you get the kind for cosmetics, not candles. Some of the latter come scented. The beeswax is in there as another stabilizer. When you make an emulsion like this, you are essentially mixing water and oil – two things that don’t mix. Instead, they will sit next to each other. Tiny blob of oil, then tiny blob of water, tiny blob of oil, etc. When the lotion separates, it is because those tiny blobs touch others of the same type and create a bigger blob of oil or a bigger blob of water. This causes a chain reaction and the mixture separates. I’ve added the wax because it will blend with the oils and make them less fluid (since it is solid at room temp). Hopefully less fluidity will mean less separation.
* 1/4 cup almond oil
* 1/4 cut coconut oil
* 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (Please note that essential oils are serious business. Always take into account the oil you are using and its affects. I like grapefruit, but it can increase sun sensitivity. Also, be sure to test the oil on your skin ahead of time to note any allergic reactions, as well as researching whether they may react with your medications or medical conditions.)
* Chocolate/soap melter or double boiler
* Blender

Directions:

This moisturizer has been one of the most popular posts on the site for over a year! In that time, I’ve made this recipe several more times, and I’ve talked to many of you about your tips and tricks. I’ve assembled the most common into a FAQ at the bottom of the page. Check it out!

1. Start by melting the beeswax and coconut oil in the almond oil

2. Pour the melted oils into your blender and walk away. It is super-duper essential that this stuff gets cool before you start to blend. There is no getting around this. For me it took about an hour and fifteen minutes. If you don’t let it cool, it separates later, which is gross. Trust me.
(Note: Some readers have had better experiences in blending if the oils are just-barely-warm, and the blender/aloe mixture is also just-barely-warm. Try it and let me know what happens!

3. Mix the essential oil into your cup of Aloe Vera Gel.

4. Fire up the blender. Slowly pour the aloe vera gel into the blender as it whips. It will transform from a thick oil to a light and fluffy, more lotion-like texture. The first time I did this, I had to call my husband into the room to look – it’s for-real lotion!

5. That’s it! You’ve made your own facial moisturizer! Store some in a small container for your vanity and put the extra in the fridge. Keep in mind that lotion has a shelf life. Don’t use anything that looks/smells/feels wrong.

DIY Lotion Frequently Asked Questions:

If the lotion fails to mix correctly, try these approaches:

* Be sure to scrape the bottom of your blender several times during the blending step. Sometimes oils and wax sink down there and it will cause a watery consistency in the lotion.
* Add the aloe to the oils ever so slowly. We are creating an emulsion, mixing two items that can’t be mixed. We have to do it slowly for even distribution.
* Some have suggested making sure the oils and the aloe mixture are at the same temperature and a little above room temperature for optimum mixing. Perhaps wait until the oils are just warm to the touch, and heat the aloe gel to the same (probably about ten seconds in the microwave) before blending. Avoid cold aloe gel or blending in a cold blender.

If after all this, the lotion comes out slimy or separating, transfer into a bowl with a hand mixer or a stand mixer and whip the ever-loving daylights out of that bad boy! Additionally, you can use it as-is. It’s still a great moisturizer; it just doesn’t look as pretty. This is the price we pay for avoiding chemical stabilizers and preservatives

Whipped Magnesium Lotion

Ready-made magnesium lotion is not cheap. Prices on Amazon range from $9 to $20 for a small 8oz bottle. This is why I chose to make my own magnesium lotion, and have loved the results with this recipe.

Magnesium Lotion Supplies:

* 1/2 cup magnesium flakes
* 3 tbsp boiling water
* 1/4 cup cocunut oil
* 2 tbsp beeswax pastilles
* 3 tbsp shea butter
* 1 quart mason jar
* 2 coffee mugs
* Immersion blender
* Essential oils for scent (optional – I like lavender and rosemary together)

Magnesium Lotion Directions:

1. Measure the magnesium flakes into a mug. Fill another mug halfway with water and microwave on high until it is boiling, abut two to three minutes. (Alternatively, you can bring water to boil on the stove.)

2. Measure 3 tbsp of boiling water into the mug with the flakes. Stir until the flakes are dissolved and set aside.

3. In the quart mason jar, measure coconut oil, beeswax and shea butter. Place the jar in a small pan filled with one inch of water. Place it on the stove and turn the heat to medium high.

4. Allow the solids to melt, swirling the jar occasionally if necessary. (Be sure to wear an oven mitt.)

5. When everything inside the jar is melted, remove it from the pan and let it cool for about five minutes.

6. Pour the dissolved magnesium into the quarter mason jar. If it solidifies upon contact, that’s ok. Add essential oils (if using). Place the immersion blender at the bottom of the jar and blend everything together well, moving the blender up and down along the sides of the jar as necessary to incorporate the ingredients.

This makes about eight ounces of lotion. Store at room temperature for up to two months.

Home Made Healing Salve With Five Ingredients

Ingredients:

2 tbsp beeswax pellets
2 tbsp shea butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
15-20 drops therapeutic grade essential oils (I used lavender essential oil)
4 oz. tin containers

Directions:

1. Combine beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil in a glass measuring jar.

2. Place the measuring jar in a small pot on the stove. Fill the pot about one-quarter of the way with water.

3. Bring your water to a boil over medium heat.

4. Stir occasionally until the contents of the jar melt (about fifteen minutes), then add your essential oil.

5. Carefully pour hot salve into small tin containers.
Warning: Use caution – the homemade healing salve mixture will be very hot!

6. Let your salve set overnight.

7. Enjoy!

DIY Cellulite Scrub

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coffee grounds
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup olive oil

Directions:

* Mix ingredients together in large bowl
* Apply in a circular motion to targeted areas on the body for approximately five minutes
* Rinse off with warm water
* Pat dry with a towel

The caffeine and antioxidants in the coffee grounds stimulate and dilate your blood vessels, which tones and tightens the tissue. The sugar further helps exfoliate, while the olive oil gives a big dose of hydration and plumping.

Now, you finally have something to do with the grounds after you brew yourself a cup of fresh coffee!

Homemade Tiger Balm

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp beeswax
1.5 tbsp menthol crystals
30 drops camphor essential oil
20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops cajuput essential oil
10 drops cassia essential oil
5 drops clove essential oil

Directions:

1. Fill a medium sized pot half way full with water.

2. Place a glass purex bowl in the water.

3. Add olive oil, menthol crystals and beeswax.

4. Turn stove top to medium heat.

5. Once the beeswax is melted, remove from heat.

6. Add essential oils.

7. Pour into 4 ounce jar.

I use Mountain Rose Herbs for everything. I also use Amazon for beeswax unless I stock up at the Rennaissance Festival for some good stuff there.

DIY Homemade Makeup Remover Pads

Ingredients:

* 1 quart wide mouth jar
* 2 tbsp of coconut oil
* 2 squirts of tear-free baby wash
* 2 cups of purified water
* 2 packages of cotton pads
* Optional: Tea tree essential oil (will help with acne, but should not be used on the eyes) or frankincense essential oil (will help rejuvenate the skin and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles)
* Microwaveable bowl

Instructions:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 2 squirts of tear-free baby wash, and 2 cups of purified water.

2. Microwave in ten to twenty second increments until melted and well blended.

3. Place about fifty cotton pads in you quart jar.

4. Pour the liquid mixture over the pads in the jar. Press the pads down to help soak up the liquid. Add more pads to fit, again pressing down.

5. Secure lid tight and keep in a dry, cool place.

6. Use the pads to remove your makeup daily.

Honey Sugar Scrub

Honey is a humectant. It also contains anti-bacterial properties tat help get rid of bacteria on your skin that can cause acne and other skin imperfections.

Sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that penetrates the skin and breaks down the bonds of dead skin cells, encouraging cell turnover and generating fresh skin layer.

Ingredients:

* 1 tbsp raw honey
* 1 tbsp white/brown sugar
* 1 tbsp of olive oil (optional)
* Your favorite essential oil (optional)

Black Head Clearing Scrub Using Salt

Benefits:

* Salt helps to reduce excess oil on the skin. It is also a great natural scrub to get rid of blackheads thanks to its exfoliating properties.
* Rice flour, just like salt, exfoliates the upper layer of skin, exposing blackheads and making them easy to remove with scrubbing.
* Lemon juice is a natural astringent and loosens the blackheads.
* Lemon juice also has anti-microbial and skin cleansing properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria in pores while cleansing the skin.
* This scrub helps control oil/sebum secretions, thanks to the lemon, which balances the sebaceous glands.
* The exfoliating properties of this scrub can, with regular usage, eliminate not just blackheads, but whiteheads, too!
* The scrub can be used under the lips, on the nose and anywhere else to where you get blackheads.

Ingredients:

* 1 tsp salt (table salt, pink salt or black salt)
* 1-2 teaspoons of rice flour
* The juice of half a lemon.

Directions:

1. Place 1 teaspoon of salt in a small bowl.

2. Add 1-2 teaspoons of rice flour and mix the dry ingredients well.

3. Add in juice of half a lemon.

4. If using essential oil, add and mix well. My favourite is tea tree oil, as it helps me to get rid of acne on my face and some ingrown hair bumps on legs. You can add lemon essential oil (as it has the skin lightening ability and controls sebum production), or lavender essential oil to get relief from dry skin.

If you feel the scrub is too dry, you can add more lemon (or, if you have sensitive skin, you can add in water to achieve the desired consistency). Mix everything well and apply on your nose or any area that is prone to blackheads. You can first wash your face with warm water to open the pores and soften the blackheads. Let it stay on for a few minutes, then scrub thoroughly yet gently for another three to four minutes. Rinse it off and moisturize.

Store any remaining scrub in an airtight container. You can adjust the proportion according to your need of use.

Alright! That’s it for now. I hope you might find some uses for these DIYs, and that it will get you experimenting and having fun while saving money, along with the knowledge you are using good stuff on your skin.

Doomsday Prepping: The Bug-Out Bag

By Halcyon

The current state of affairs both at home and abroad – no matter where home is – has given many cause for concern about the future. Others have long believed the end is nigh. Whether you fear nuclear annihilation, a mysterious uprising, or are just curious about the phenomenon known as “prepping”, Halcyon is here to get you started! Even if you decide the full prepper lifestyle isn’t for you, it’s always a good idea to have plans in place for a variety of emergencies – don’t wait until it’s too late!

Prepping: The Doomsday, Apocalypse, Zombie Guide

The 72-Hour Survival Kit (AKA The Bug-Out Bag or B.O.B.)

Here in my city of Houston, Texas, we’re kicking off Hurricane Preparedness Week – although we certainly don’t need a hurricane to cause a lot of damage, as some of you have probably seen in the news recently, with horrible tornadoes that blew through Canton. Still, hurricanes are the mother of all storms and have the potential to cause not only damage but death if you are not prepared.

I mentioned hurricane Katrina in the first installment of this series. Although I had begun prepping on a smaller scale and read about it at length, Katrina was the first time I truly saw why prepping had the potential to save lives. We were lucky enough to be able to shelter at my husband’s work for both Katrina and Ike, but we’ve since decided that if another bad one hits, we will shelter in place. Our main reason for this is that despite some of the improvements made for evacuation on the freeways, with as many people living in our happy little city as there are, it’s almost guaranteed to be gridlocked – and being stuck in traffic for twelve or more hours when you possibly have a monster storm on the way is not how you want to spend your afternoon. I remember thinking, as I was watching the news footage of everything from the jammed freeways to the aftermath of Katrina, that nearly everyone in this situation, without exception, could have used the 72-Hour Survival Kit, otherwise known as the Bug-Out Bag.

What is a Bug-Out Bag? I’m about to enlighten you!

The Bug-Out Bag: A Definition

The term “bug-out bag” might be related to or derived from the “bail-out bag” emergency kit many military aviators carry. It seems it may have began with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, designating alternative defense positions in the event that units had to displace. The directive was to literally “bug out” if being overrun was imminent. Their kits carried the essentials in terms of equipment, food, and weapons that they might need to escape, as far and as fast as they could, in seventy-two hours. This was a brilliant idea, and it does not differ much from the concept of the survival kit.

Here is what you need for your very own bug-out bag:

Water and Purification

Remember that this is a seventy-two hour survival kit. It’s going to be heavy, so you need to think about cutting corners where you can. Here are a few suggestions.

• Three liters of water are needed for one person for seventy-two hours.
• Use a water purification canteen. It makes life lots easier.
• A collapsible water bottle/bladder
• Condoms. Yes, you heard me. Unlubricated, though. Trust me.
• Iodine tablets (X3)

Shelter

Don’t overlook the need for portable shelter, as exposure to the elements can kill you in minutes. You have to remember you will be carrying this around, so being light-weight and compact is a must.

• Tarp/plastic sheet
• A lightweight plastic sheet
• Sleeping bag
• Ground pad

Fire Starting

Fire is essential. There’s a reason why it is considered one of man’s greatest accomplishments. It provides you with a way to boil water and make it safe, cook food, and give you warmth.

• Lighter (at the very minimum)
• Magnesium rod and steel striker
• Cotton balls (Vaseline coated)
• Steel wool
• Emergency signal flare

Food Essentials

What you carry in your bug-out bag is inherently different from what you might be storing in your cupboards as a prepper. The reason for this is basic. This survival bag is only meant for seventy-two hours – time for you to get to a point of safety and shelter – and since you are the one who will have to carry it, you want to pack light and pack essential.

• G.O.R.P. – If you don’t know what this stands for, it’s Good Old Raisins and Peanuts. It has been a hiking staple since I was hiking the woods in my home state of Connecticut way back when. G.O.R.P. is calorie-rich and simple to make, and unless you toss chocolate chips in there, it won’t melt in the heat. My advice from experience: Don’t try to save money by purchasing a big ol’ bag from Costco, because you can only eat so much so fast even with several people eating from the bag, and whoever is the lucky person to carry it is going to be very grouchy.

• Peanut Butter – 170 calories per ounce is what makes this food an essential (if you aren’t allergic, of course.) If you are familiar with emergency food ration packets (also known as MREs), this is definitely a staple. If you know someone in the military or who has access to MRE items, you could probably even buy individual peanut butter packets.

• Mainstay Emergency Food Rations (MRE) – 3600 calories per packet. Please remember these are for situations that are dire and where you are needing calories. They are not gourmet and not especially tasty, but they are sealed in waterproof packaging and will keep you alive. I suggest that if you do invest in these, you sit down with the family or alone and taste them. We actually just did this again recently because the kids forgot and it ended up being pretty hilarious.

• Drink Mixes – Gatorade, tea, or coffee. You can buy these in small packets that make for light and easy carrying, and they’ll offer at least a little comfort if you are ever out there roughing it and find yourself dehydrated, needing some electrolytes that water alone cannot replenish – or even just really need some coffee.

• Snickers – No, it’s not the healthiest, but a King Size Snickers weighs less than four ounces and packs 510 glorious calories that you might need in a crunch – and, let’s face it, chocolate is a great moral booster. (Again, not a good choice for peanut allergies, but there are some amazing organic, peanut-free, and even vegan power bars that would also be a great choice.)

First Aid

My little tidbit of wisdom here is Always Be Prepared. Your risk of injury increases during crises, so it is best to not only be prepared, but do so individually. What I mean is make or purchase small, individual first aid kits to keep in each bag, not one large kit that one person carries. You never know if you may be separated, and if you are not the one carrying the medical kit, you are in big trouble. The list below gives the essentials. You can buy a pre-made kit and then divvy it up between the people of your home, but if you have small children I would advise only band-aids.

• Antibiotic ointment
• Sterile gauze
• Painkillers such as Aleve, Tylenol, or Motrin
• Antihistamine
• Cotton balls
• Surgical tubing
• Medical tape
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Tampons
• Safety pins
• Suture kit
• Insect repellent
• Razor blades
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Instant heat/cold pack

Clothing

Choose clothing that is practical for both your climate and the terrain you live in. Allow for seasonal temperature fluctuations and possibly dress in layers. Remember, the goal is to maintain optimum body temperature. Keep two sets of clothing, and try to always keep one set dry.

• Pants: Choose the best for your climate. If possible, they should be convertible and easy to zip off.
• Underwear
• Socks: Go for wool if you are in a cold climate; carry three pairs, regardless.
• Jacket: Lightweight or fleece, dependent upon your climate.
• A rain poncho
• Gloves, hat, and scarf, dependent on climate
• Boots: Try to be practical with this and find some type of combat boot that will protect you for whatever your climate might be, rain or snow.

Personal Hygiene

It seems that when people begin to organise their B.O.B. lists, it’s personal hygiene products that are often forgotten. I suppose I can understand that, but again from experience, you don’t want to end up in the chaos that was Katrina and be among the thousands of people who needed those very basic items. As someone who has studied disease and outbreaks, let me say that cleanliness is no joke when it comes to preventing disease and infection. Many of these items can be found in the bins at your local Target or Walmart – or even thrift stores – at very inexpensive prices. Remember, you want to be inventive in how you create and assemble everything, because each member of your household will have to carry their own supplies.

• Toothbrush
• Hand sanitizer
• Disinfecting wipes
• Baby wipes, if you have little ones
• Toilet paper and/or the Cottonelle Wet Wipes
• Mirror
• Sunblock
• Soap (liquid or bar)
• Hand towel

Tools And Self-Defense

I can’t stress enough that while this list offers many ideas about what you should have and what you should think about bringing, you need to be able to sit down and tailor it both to your own needs and the needs of family members who might not be able to design their own bag. You’ll have to scrutinise and weed out the wants from the needs, and while each bag will essentially be the same, they’ll have small modifications that are specific to individual needs. The tools and weapons you choose to carry will serve both practical use and as self-defense. You will want to take care with what small children are permitted to carry.

• Survival knife: Fixed blade with sheath
• Multi-tool/Swiss Army knife
• Paracord (AKA 550 cord)
• Handgun
• Rifle (.22 caliber)
• Ammunition
• Cleaning kit
• Pepper spray
• Hatchet
• Binocular/monocular
• Zip ties

Illumination

Let there be light! Light is nearly as important as food and clean water. You need to make sure you have multiple sources of good light to help you find your way and work in the dark. Disasters often mean loss of power, as well as possibly navigating in unfamiliar terrain at night, which can be very dangerous.

• Headlamp
• Glowstick
• Candles
• Steel LED flashlight
• Extra batteries

Communication

This is incredibly important during a crisis. Relying on your cell phone is not safe, as we have seen during many natural disasters and other crises. Cell towers get jammed with calls and it’s impossible to get through. I would strongly advise getting together with all your the family members who live near you to come up with a plan in case there’s ever a disaster. Also, remember you will need some way to listen to what might be happening in your city, as well as warnings and information that may be critical to your survival.

• Cell phone
• Solar or crank charger
• Emergency crank radio
• Walkie-talkie – You can pick up some great walkie-talkies for as little as $30 (set of two) that work long range (10km+), and even sets of 20 for about $200 with the same distance. Choose what is best for you and make the investment. Crises and disasters often times separate people, and having this among your survival gear can bring peace of mind should your group need to split up or is forced to seperate.
• HAM radio – This is also something I would suggest strongly. They are not difficult to operate and they are reliable. There is an old saying, “When all else fails, HAM radio gets through.” HAM radio is unique in the radio communications field. All other communications are confined to specific channels in one specific frequency band, low power limits, and one mode (except for CB, which is confined to two modes). Chances are your community has organisations of HAM operators from whom you can learn. I was lucky enough to have someone I know who could teach me.

Navigation and Traveling

A few things that might make traveling easier whether you are on the road or on foot.

• Map – Local and country
• Compass – You can make one if you need to, but purchasing is easier.
• $100-500 in assorted cash – This can vary depending on the number in your household, but is only meant for emergency funds.
• Waterproof paper and pen – Rite in the Rain has field notebooks and pens that are waterproof. If you have access to a military base or even a military surplus store, they should also carry these.
• Emergency whistle

Pets and Children

There are a great deal of considerations to take into account if you think you might be traveling with small children or pets. I am not going to go into that as I have given you a substantial amount of information already, and with it, you will be able to make the best decisions for your children and pets. Just remember the cardinal rule: Pack small, pack light, and pack efficiently.

Good luck!

The Awakening: Being Here

By Halcyon

Life is hard. From the moment we open our infant eyes to the blinding white of a delivery room until we follow that light to places unknown, it seems there’s always something trying to stand in our way. There are days when all you want to do is give in, let it take over, and be swept away to anywhere but here. In her new series The Awakening, Halcyon hopes that giving us a lifeline will help us find our way back.

The Awakening: Being Here (Part II)

If we move too fast, we’ll break things. If we move too slow, we’ll miss things. And if we don’t move at all, we won’t see things for how beautiful they truly are. (R.M. Drake)

There are a lot of things I think about when I hear the expressions of “Being Here” or “Being Present.” We live in a society that is always on the go. We are bombarded with information 24/7. Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter, plus countless other social media platforms, have made it uniquely possible to keep in touch with friends and family. They also suck us into a vortex where we’re at once both intimately personal and impersonal with the people who we follow or who we allow to follow us.

On any given day that I choose to visit one of these platforms, I can be assured of three things. The first: I will probably laugh at some funny meme one of my friends has posted. We all have, right? There’s some pretty hysterical stuff out there. The second: Someone will probably post something that will make me emotional. It’s not hard to do, really. I am an emotional sort of person, and a Folgers Christmas commercial could make me reach for Kleenex. The third: Unavoidably, someone will post something that will get me hopping mad. Emotional, remember? And not just the sappy type of emotion. And despite this roller coaster of emotion, we go back to it. Not just back, either – we fully immerse ourselves, until we could be sitting at the dinner table with our family while scrolling through Facebook. And even if you aren’t doing it, chances are someone else in the family is. I’ve been out to dinner and witnessed entire families sitting in a restaurant, scrolling through their phone. Maybe it’s not Facebook, but something else – mail, Pinterest, whatever.

These sites are not inherently wrong either. I am always on Tumblr or Pinterest, getting absorbed. But I think it is important to know when to say when.

Being here is nothing new. I think Oprah used to talk about “being present” when she had her show. I never watched it much, but I could hear a few episodes where “being present” was discussed, and I just shrugged it off, thinking, “I am here every day!” But the reality is that as we progress, and as we are being continually bombarded with news, media, and different facets of technology, we never truly are present in our lives. I can say from experience that our family of six only truly enjoyed dinner together as a family when the kids were growing up, and then gaming during the weekends (we play D&D.) But it started that dinner shifted to the living room, where everyone would bring their plates in order to watch television or play video games. I would be online, floating through Pinterest or Tumblr, and we rarely said a word. When someone was talking, an hour or two later my husband would ask about things that were already discussed, and I’d get irritated because he hadn’t heard. I won’t and can’t blame on just him – we were all at fault in our own ways, courtesy of our own distractions.

I’ve managed to change some things, but not everything. I think in time I will be able to – hopefully before the kids finally get out on their own. I am hoping that some of these ideas might help you and your family to be present, too.

Tips to Reconnect

• Disconnect to Reconnect: You don’t have to make any sweeping changes. If you have kids, you are painfully aware at how important the online world is to kids (and even ourselves). Talk with the family. Have a meeting about your desire to reconnect with them, or maybe start off with just dinner, like we did. While you are seated and eating, there are no phones. That means they are not visible or even on the person. You can tailor this to the needs of your family. If a spouse has to be on call but is there for dinner, just have them put it nearby, so they can still hear it. Thirty minutes to an hour is all you need. Talk to one another, find out about the day’s events. You will really be surprised at what kids will divulge over a plate of spaghetti.

• Redefine Multitasking: It may seem that this tip is one that will only serve to make things more difficult for you, but trust me, it’s not. We live in a world where multitasking is a skill that is encouraged and honed, but it is one that will only serve to distract us from what is really important, and that is being present. Instead of thinking of how to accomplish four things at once, stop and think about this single moment. There are situations that make not multitasking difficult, given expectations of work or school, but you need to step back and assess. Scheduling your day is a great way to figure out exactly when you will no longer have to be multitasking. If you limit the time that you multitask to only when working, when you get home, your brain will naturally start to relax. And then in reverse, when you go to work, your body will know it’s time to get things done.

• Be Conscious: When you set out to do anything you have planned, be it work, errands and chores, or relaxing at home, make an effort to focus wholly on what it is you are doing. Not only will this make completing these tasks easier, but you’ll also be more efficient. Being present is about slowing down and being deliberate and focused. It’s not easy, especially when you are accustomed to doing fifteen things at once. I often joke that my brain is like having five thousand tabs open. Twenty-five are not responding, three radio stations are going on in the background, and there’s a hamster doing back flips on YouTube that has me entranced. But you can do it! Maybe not all the time, maybe imperfectly, but the benefit is slowing down and making an effort to see what is going on around you.

Don’t get discouraged! I’m a huge advocate of slow and steady wins the race! Start small, take a pause in your daily life, and listen to what is going on around you. I’ll be giving you more tips as we continue, and also giving you some of the benefits of being present.

Whole Beauty: The Holistic Body

By Halcyon

Whole Beauty took a break while we introduced you to new features, but it’s back in force now! In this issue, Halcyon delves deeper into the nuances of holistic care. Please remember that it’s always advised to discuss changes in your regimen with your doctor or other health care provider, as he or she will be in the best position to address not only your personal needs and special concerns, but also the safety of alternative treatments, as herbs and supplements may interact not only with medications, but also each other – however, if you’re interested in holistic care, we hope this article will provide you with some opening discussion points!

The Holistic Body

In this edition, we’ll look at ways in which the entire body can be treated naturally. These methods are also known as alternative healing or alternative body treatment, and may include:

• Eating Whole Foods
• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy
• Cupping
• Juicing
• Vitamin Therapy

Allopathic vs Holistic

Allopathic (traditional) medicine focuses on attacking one particular symptom. For example, if you have an allergy, the allopathic approach would be to suppress your body’s immune system to stop the sneezing (ex. giving an antihistamine). The problem with this is that sneezing is your body’s defense mechanism, ridding your body of harmful toxins. Suppress that sneezing and the toxins will go deeper, causing greater harm to your body in the long run. However, the holistic method treats the person as a whole by trying to combat symptoms without suppressing the immune system (source: www.joyfulhomesteading.com).

Let me give you a brief glimpse into why some of these holistic methods are advantageous to your health and why you may want to give it a try.

Whole Foods

I could write an entire series of articles on the benefits of whole foods and why we should be eating them, but for the purpose of this article, we’re just going to cover Powerful Food Combos (source: www.lauraconrad.com).

10 Powerful Food Combos

• Tomato + Avocado = Fights Cancer
• Sweet Potato + Coconut Oil = Healthy Skin
• Oatmeal + Peanut butter = All Day Energy
• Black Beans + Lime = Healthy Lungs
• Apples + Dark Chocolate = Heart Health
• Almonds = Yogurt = Bone Strength
• Hard Boiled Eggs + Banana = Energy Boost
• Lemon + Kale = Muscle Strength
• Kombucha + Cashews = Immunity Boost
• Garlic + Salmon = Anti-inflammatory

Acupuncture: Five Reasons To Give It A Try

• Head: 20 sessions of electroacupuncture (where a small electronic current is applied to the needle) can reduce the number of monthly migraines.
• Immune System: Well placed needles can boost immune activity and cells and destroy infections.
• Sleep: Acupuncture can rev up the production of neurotransmitters associated with relaxation and sleep, helping with those with insomnia.
• Weight: Acupuncture helped obese adults shed up to 9lbs over a span of 2 weeks to 4 months.
• Back: About 10 sessions of needling was found to retrieve lower back discomfort for 6 months.

Aromatherapy

This is a type of holistic treatment aimed at the physical body and soul. It includes healing with both scent (aroma) and touch (body massage).

Scent triggers an area in the brain called the limbic system. When stimulated, the limbic system releases endorphins and other “feel-good” chemicals. You can achieve this effect through either direct inhalation or diffusion.

Aromatherapy also works through the absorption of essential oils by the skin and into the blood stream. The best way to experience this is through massage therapy, which sometimes combines carrier oils with specific essential oils.

Five Ways Aromatherapy Can Help You

• Relaxation and stress relief
• Create balance and well-being
• Boost immune system, respiratory and circulation system
• Enhance mood
• Aid cardiovascular system and digestive system.

Five Ways To Utilize Aromatherapy

• Bath
• Compress
• Massage
• Inhalation
• Diffusion

Three Of My Favorite Oils

• Lavender: Improves cognitive performance as well as mood. It has also long been known for its mild sedative and calming effects.
• Lemon Oil: Has some anti-depressant type effects, making it a good choice for stress relief and elevating mood. Some also say it can help improve focus.
• Rosemary: With its distinctively woody fragrance, rosemary has been used for centuries for a variety of health and beauty benefits from mental clarity to skin care. My favorite use for rosemary is for migraine. Apply directly to the temples and forehead, or cup oiled hands to your face and breathe in.

Editor’s Note: Essential oils are highly concentrated, packing many compounds into small doses. Even those originating from edible sources may become toxic at the levels found in pure oils, resulting in anything from skin irritation to acute poisoning. Because of this, nearly all essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oil as mentioned above. Please do your research to be sure you’re using essential oils safely!

Cupping – What Exactly Is It?

Cupping is essentially a form of body therapy that uses suction from the cups to achieve the desired result. This stimulates blood flow and provides many other health benefits. There are two methods of cupping:

• In a single area (static cupping).
• By moving the cup around to several places (similar to massage, but with the addition of suction).

Does It Work?

In the theoretical sense of what cupping does and how it is performed, it makes sense that cupping can reduce pain and support healing. However, when it comes to clinical evidence, things are inconclusive. There have been few quality, large-scale trials, and it is difficult to use information from trials because the focus on a collective group may ignore individual differences. This means that while cupping may work for someone with tight back muscles or a herniated disc, it may not be as effective for someone with sciatica or joint problems, but the trials do not look at those specific differences.

A Few Of The Benefits Of Cupping

• Release illness-causing stagnation: Allergies and colds are often said to be a result of stagnation of the lungs. The darker the color of the cupping mark, the more stagnation is released.
• Pain and inflammation: As massage techniques manipulate blood flow to muscles to release trigger points and flush out inflammation, cupping therapy can do the same for areas of the body with less fatty tissue, like the back and shoulders.
• Increase circulation and speed healing: Cupping can sometimes stimulate blood and lymph flow to areas of stagnant injury.

Juicing

Experts recommend at least six to eight servings of fruist and vegetables a day. Sadly, most of us don’t get that amount regularly. It’s not necessarily because we don’t like it, but because busy schedules often mean we’re eating on the run. There is also, in some cases, an inability to wolf down that amount of fruit and greens in one sitting. Juicing to the rescue!

• Juicing allows more nutrients to be absorbed without throwing a huge monkey wrench of fiber into the works for you to digest. If you struggle with IBS or IBS-D, then you understand what I am talking about.
• Similarly, juicing helps to lower blood sugar by allowing you to consume more fruits and vegetables without overloading your digestive system.
• You may be able to consume a wider range of vegetables, which allows your body to get more nutrients.
• Juicing helps fight cancer. Okay, I’m in no way saying it cures cancer, but it can only help your overall health and definitely boosts your intake of the antioxidants known to be cancer fighters. Besides, prevention is better than a cure!
• Juicing is great for lowering cholesterol. There’s much more involved to lowering cholesterol than juicing alone, but if you include it in a diet of no saturated fat, no beef, and no pork, while adding more fruits, oats, seafood, and chicken, it can provide further assistance.

Vitamin Therapy (AKA Vitamin Drips)

This delivers vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly to the body for maximum absorption at a cellular level that would not be tolerated orally. Some benefits include:

• Increases energy
• Aids weight loss
• Improves mood
• Decreases anxiety
• Improves chronic pain and migraine
• Boosts the immune system
• May help PMS

I hope some of these ideas and methods for treating your body holistically have helped, and if so, that it gives you a start to setting you on a path for a healthier and happier life!

Doomsday Prepping: A Primer

By Halcyon

The current state of affairs both at home and abroad – no matter where home is – has given many cause for concern about the future. Others have long believed the end is nigh. Whether you fear nuclear annihilation, a mysterious uprising, or are just curious about the phenomenon known as “prepping”, Halcyon is here to get you started! Even if you decide the full prepper lifestyle isn’t for you, it’s always a good idea to have plans in place for a variety of emergencies – don’t wait until it’s too late!

Prepping: The Doomsday, Apocalypse, Zombie Guide:
Don’t Get Caught Unprepared!

Even if the world didn’t already seem like it’s on the verge of Armageddon some days, prepping – whether for catastrophes or as a way of being ready for any unforeseen event – is still a very good skill to learn, and one that you can modify for you and your family.

While prepping is by no means mainstream and generally still thought of as unconventional, there’s a lot more information out there than when I started – so much so, in fact, that it can be overwhelming. While I always advocate doing your own research, I’m hoping that my years of it can be of use. At the very least, I can give you a place to start.

De-clutter and Organise

This is vital before you start. I can’t stress it enough. As many tips and tricks as I might give, I don’t think any are quite as important as this. Once you take inventory, you will be surprised at how much you already have, and it will save you money.

Hand in hand with de-cluttering and organisation is taking stock of how much space you can devote to your prepping, as well as figuring out your own personal reasons for wanting to prep. If you are living in a smaller space – like an apartment or even a tiny home – you can still prep. You may simply have to make a place in a closet or spare room, or devote part of your garage to it.

Every scenario for prepping brings with it different needs. Someone who fears an economic downfall is not going to prep the same way as someone who fears the resurgence of a previously contained disease. There might be general similarities, but priorities are likely to be different.

Here’s a checklist to help you get started:

• Make an inventory of what you already have. Everything from pantry to cleaning supplies – and don’t forget the outside freezer if you have one!
• Toss out expired items, from food to cleaning supplies and medication. Think of it as streamlining.
• Organise what you have. Label bins and boxes and prepare the space you are going to use.
• Create a Master List. Use a computer program, if it helps, and update it regularly.
• Whatever space you use, utilise it effectively. Trust me when I say that once you start, you will be surprised at just how much you will pack away, and without a good method of organisation you will run out of room fast.

Efficiency is the cardinal rule of prepping. There are great sites that can walk you through making the best use of whatever size space you have. Even Pinterest has great ideas on utilising space.

Each segment of this series will tackle a different step toward prepping. If you decide to go on this adventure, it’s important to know that it does not come without bias or criticism. While prepping has come a long way, many still fail to see the value prepping might have. You’re going to have thick skin, because chances are that everyone – from friends to family to strangers – will have an opinion and many of those opinions will not be nice. You’ll need to take judgmental comments in stride. Prepping is about taking responsibility for your survival and the survival of those dependent on you. The sooner you accept that, the safer you will be in the future. It’s human nature to get comfortable in your home and life and think that nothing bad is going to happen until it does. Many people leave it to first responders and the government to help, but as was seen with Hurricane Katrina, that is not always a reliable plan. I think prepping helps us take the first step toward being responsible for ourselves and our family.

The Awakening: Being Here

By Halcyon

Life is hard. From the moment we open our infant eyes to the blinding white of a delivery room until we follow that light to places unknown, it seems there’s always something trying to stand in our way. There are days when all you want to do is give in, let it take over, and be swept away to anywhere but here. In her new series The Awakening, Halcyon hopes that giving us a lifeline will help us find our way back.

The Awakening: Being Here

One small crack doesn’t mean that you are broken. It means that you were put to the test and you did not fall apart. (Linda Poindexter)

This new series was originally intended to be something else entirely – and while I may incorporate some of what I’d planned to, it will only be those thoughts that I think pertain to this.

So what is “this” about, you might be wondering? What exactly does “Being Here” mean? Before I reveal that, let me tell you a little about how I got here and why the sudden shift to a different article. Simply enough, I got sick. Not a cold or flu, and not anything life threatening like cancer. In fact, as I write this, I am still not certain what is going on. For lack of a concrete diagnosis I am going to use “chronic pain”, as it’s been three years now. I’ve steadily worked my way up the narcotic ladder with no real change in how I feel. I am no longer working at a physical job, but doing mainly freelance as I try to ascertain my situation and how I might be able to earn money writing.

With that in mind, let me explain this series. “The Awakening” is a journey toward “Being Here,” which essentially means, being present. I’ve been lucky enough to have known, and still know, some pretty amazing people who have been confronted with major illness and obstacles, who still manage to be present in their life and walk through the difficulties with joy, a smile, and a capacity to view these obstacles as an adventure. This series will be as much a learning process for me as it will be for you, because I have struggled with this “chronic pain”, and I am not ashamed to say that I have felt a healthy amount of self-pity and anger over it. My life has changed dramatically in the last three years, and it’s a struggle trying to see the positive and maintain a joyful outlook on life when I am weighed down by pain so much of the time.

I believe that positive thinking can help in many aspects of our lives. As someone who also struggles with mental illness, and who’s chosen to be off meds for about three years, I work hard on keeping perspective and balance in my life, but I have found that chronic pain cuts through my defenses and my perspective in ways that I was not prepared for. It’s even left me thinking that I might have to reconsider my choice on being medication free, but I truly feel that the cessation of my medication was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

My epiphany about this article came as I scrolling through Facebook and a former co-worker tagged me in a meme about JOY. My co-worker, Lisa, is a cancer survivor. I say that in a less definite way than some, because Lisa is still going through chemotherapy – she was diagnosed with cancer, for the fifth time, fifteen months ago. It had started as breast cancer, but spread and has now progressed to bones and liver – but she is still here. I got her a bangle bracelet that says “F#ck Cancer” because that is her mantra. In working with her for five years, I watched her battle cancer twice, with such ferocity and force of spirit that you would not know her struggle if you did not know her well yourself.

We worked in customer service. She still works there, as an assistant manager for the store, and is beloved by all the customers. Prior to my changing jobs, she had been told that there was no more they could do. Her oncologist said quit working, spend time with your husband and your family (she has no children), and live whatever time you have left. That lasted three weeks before her husband found a different doctor and she decided “F#ck Cancer!” She will never be in remission or “cancer-free” like some people. She has had cancer so many times, and her body is so ravaged by it, that she will always have cancer cells in her body. What her treatment does is maintain those very low numbers so she can live. But Lisa doesn’t just live, she LIVES! She told me on a regular basis that once you are faced with your mortality and you realise that you are on borrowed time, your perspective changes drastically, and she wishes it hadn’t taken cancer to change that perspective for her.

We’ve all heard that, right? Live like today is your last day. But do we really do it? No. We always think we have time, but we don’t – and so I decided maybe, we can learn together how to LIVE, and not just live, even when we’re faced with hardship. There’s definitely a time to cry, to rail against the hand you were dealt in life, but I think it’s how we face it at the end that becomes most telling of who we are inside and exposes what we’re really made of. I think that giving ourselves the motivation and skills to deal with things gracefully and humbly can only benefit us, helping us progress toward that state of Being Here and Being Present, especially during those times when it is most important.

Healing Yourself Naturally

By Halcyon

Whole Beauty is taking a break, but don’t worry – Halcyon’s launching a series of new series, all designed to keep you at your best!

Please note that, as with Whole Beauty, this column explores practices that may not be appropriate for everyone. In addition, the advice given here is not intended to replace a visit to your doctor – much of the modern research into the efficacy of natural remedies is still in its early stages, and not all results seen in the laboratory translate to the real world. Remember that no matter what changes you’re considering, it’s always best to discuss them with your doctor or other health care provider, as he or she will be in the best position to address not only your personal needs and special concerns, but also the safety of alternative treatments, as herbs and supplements may interact both with medications and each other – however, if you’re interested in natural healing, we hope this article will provide you with some opening discussion points!

Healing Yourself Naturally:
An introduction into alternative medicine

In a day where the rising cost of medical insurance is making it difficult for many people to visit a doctor or clinic and pharmaceutical companies are hijacking their wallets, the area of alternative medicine is capturing the attention of a much wider audience. Holistic care is no longer being viewed as a relic from the past – a hobby to dabble in or something our great-grandparents practiced because their health care resources were limited. Even science is backing up the benefits of alternative medicine as something that can be used use in conjunction with modern medical treatment.

In this progressive series, I’m going to give you a tour of the Modern Herbalist Apothecary – common herbs you may find nearby to use for the treatment of minor illnesses and injury, and even some that, in conjunction with a physician’s treatment plan, can help you feel better, faster. I will be giving a broad overview of some of the common approaches of alternative medicine and how they differ from one another, and what you could label as more popular. We will take a look at the science behind what makes these herbs so special and how you can use it. I hope this information enlightens you and encourages you to investigate the fascinating realm of alternative medicine.

Stocking a Modern Apothecary

There are quite possibly thousands of herbs that you could use stock to a modern apothecary, if you had access to them all. I am going to pick my favorites and give the highlights of that herb, what it is, why it works and how to use it.

Nature’s 11 Most Powerful Antibiotics

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Horse Radish Root
• Onion
• Habanero Peppers
• Oregano Oil
• Tumeric
• Echinacea (Herb)
• Raw Honey
• Colloidal Silver

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

• A known super food with incredible healing properties.
• Vinegar has been used for centuries as a natural remedy to fight infections.
• ACV is also used for its benefit in beauty, from hair to sun burns.
• Some even use ACV as a cleaning product.
• It’s loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. However, not all apple cider is created equal.
• This is what you need to know: Don’t reach for the clear, amber vinegar. You want the one that looks murky and has “sediment” floating in it.
• That murky substance in the vinegar is actually called the “mother,” which means it still contains the beneficial compounds (including antibiotics).

5 Important Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

• Lowers blood pressure: Studies show ACV may lower blood pressure and promote heart health.
• Balances Blood Sugar: The acetic acid found in ACV can help balance blood sugar levels and improve diabetes.
• Aids Weight Loss: Studies show ACV to promote fat loss and reduce sugar cravings.
• Fights Colds: ACV is loaded with immune boosting vitamins and antioxidants that keep you healthy.
• Promotes Good Gut Bacteria: ACV contains probiotics [“good” gut bacteria] and a type of acid that promotes the growth of probiotics.

How to use it:

• 6 ounces water
• 1 tablespoon ACV Organic/with the mother
• 2 ounces cranberry juice
• Splash of lime juice

Garlic: Antiviral, Antibacterial and Antifungal

The magic of these three properties make garlic an excellent combatant against a variety of colds, flus, and illnesses. It contains vitamins such as B1, B6, C and A, which are excellent for keeping your immune system rocking.

Garlic (Allium sativum)

• Has been used for medicinal and culinary purposes in countless cultures for thousands of years. It is known to have treated and prevented a wide range of conditions and diseases.
• Allium sativum, aka garlic, is a species in the onion genus, sometimes called “King of the vegetable kingdom”.

How to use it:

Optimum Use: In order to get the maximum benefit of garlic – its antibiotic effect – crush garlic at room temperature and allow to sit 15 minutes. This gives the enzymes time to react. Never cook garlic at high heat – try consuming it raw or cooked very lightly.

Ginger: The Amazing Underground Root

Actually, ginger is a rhizome (an underground stem). It can be dried into a powder or consumed fresh, both with similar benefits.

The Science Behind the Benefits:

Ginger root contains a number of compounds such as gingerols that are able to prevent or reduce immune cell synthesis of cytokines that cause inflammation. (Source: Dr. David Hoskin, Phd.)

Dr. Hoskins is currently investigating how ginger can help people who have diseases caused by chronic inflammation, and how those properties might also protect against cancer.

How to use it:

Add grated ginger into sauces and marinades. Toss a one-inch chunk into smoothies. Infuse in water for tea.