n a t u r a l l o g i c

Of the Earth

2012-02-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

We come from the Earth,

We return to the Earth,

And in between

We garden.

Finding Meaning on Christmas

2011-12-25T10:33:00.000-08:00

For man years now, I have searched for meaning in my life. From the time I was very small, I looked for god in even the smallest, seemingly insignificant things. I always find it. I can hear it speak to me in my heart with feeling I can rarely put into words.

But, when Christmas arrives each year, I find myself wanting. The meaning of Christmas is so clear to me, but when I look around at friends and family, I wonder if they know, or have searched for, what it truly symbolizes. It's not just a time of giving and receiving gifts, nor merely a time when most people forget about their fears and angers and begin to be nicer to friends, family and strangers. It's so much deeper than that.

I do wish you happy moments with family, friends and strangers. I do wish you moments of utter peace, without anger or resentment. And today, I do wish you gifts! But my greatest, most excellent wish can be summed up in the words of Merry C. Battles.

The Christ is not just one person. The Christ is an "office" or "position" we ALL attain to. The word Christ means, "the anointed one." Jesus came to show us the way to be a vessel for the Love of God to manifest.

When the Christ Spirit entered Jesus he had perfected His soul in many lifetimes to be a worthy temple for Love incarnate. Edgar Cayce said that Jesus was Adam. In the "fall" was the promise of full redemption.

The Christ Consciousness is part of the Trinity, known by different names in many religions. The Father is the Will and Power of God, the Son or Daughter, the Christ, is the Love of God, and Holy Spirit Mother is the Thought, Wisdom, Understanding, Truth, Faith and Wisdom of God Goddess.

When did the concept of the Christ come to mean just one person? Was it a matter of control?

The Christ of our time was Jesus.

In every age the Christ Spirit enters an advanced soul to bring higher learning to the people of that time. Moses, Abraham, Buddha, Krishna, and Muhammud, have all come to teach their people a more advanced connection to the Great Spirit. There is always a great teacher who comes toshow us the way and the great possibilities of us as Human/Divine beings. The biggest secret is that God is within each one of us, and also in every atom of space and in every form we see.

This Christmas, let us pray to truly forgive anyone who we may be angry with, including forgiving self. Let the power of Love heal all wounds. Enjoy Christmas and observe the 12 Holy Days December 26-January 6, as a dedication to the 12 months ahead. Let this devotion bring you ever closer to the possibility of the Christ of Love being born within. Let this sacred season bring us joy, peace and healing of all conditions. Let the Christ Consciousness of Love be born within each one of us so that we may usher in the 1,000 years of peace!

Merry Christmas
See you next year:)

Much Love
from Toni

Hot Hazelnut Chocolate

2011-10-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

I'm a summer girl. I love sunshine, walking around barefoot, warm breezes, sandy beaches, and generally anything warm, comfortable and inviting. With Winter fast approaching, as it starts to get colder day by day, I find myself reaching more often for things that evoke the comfiness and warmth that I so desperately love.

Nothing says warm and snuggly like a big old mug of hot chocolate on a crisp evening. So, put on your slippers, grab your comfiest lounge around clothes, and snuggle up to a yummy cup. Here's a recipe for my favorite Hot Chocolate, Enjoy!!!

Hot Hazelnut Chocolate
Servings: 2

Ingredients:

3 cups Hazelnut Milk
4 Heaping tbsp Raw Cacao Powder (or Unsweetened Cocoa Powder)
3 tbsp Raw Evaporated Cane Juice (or Sugar)
1/2 tsp Salt

In a medium sauce pan, add 2 3/4 cups hazelnut milk and cook over low-medium heat. While that heats, grab a small bowl or cup and stir cacao powder in the remaining hazelnut milk until smooth. Add to sauce pan, with evaporated cane juice and salt, stirring occasionally until at the desired drinking temperature. Pour into mugs and share with a friend.

I'm going to go make a cup...
Feel free to share this recipe!

xoxo
Toni

My new favorite

2011-08-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

This rich, silky facial moisturizer is a storehouse of the most potent, viable, nutritive and bioavailable ingredients offered by nature. A deeply moisturizing and nourishing facial cream, OMNI absorbs easily, infusing skin with a veritable cornucopia of fruit, vegetable, botanical and herbal elements to nutrify, hydrate, enhance, replenish, moisturize, revive & strengthen.

OMNI Nutrient Moisture Creme

Skin tissue restoring and cell regenerating Sea Buckthorn, Olive Squalane, MSM, Tamanu, Helichrysum, Rosewood, Manuka, and Carrot Seed, join forces with Black Cumin Seed, Rosehips, and Camellia Seed, rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and reduce the impact of free radical damage while improving skin tone and elasticity.

"Great stuff. Very soothing and nourishing -- though not too heavy for my combination / sensitive skin. A little bit goes a long way for me, which is very nice for a girl who's on a budget (ha ha.)."

"Toni, this cream is AWESOME. Omigods, seriously it is amazing. It smells so clean, it feels so smooth, it's so fun to apply, I don't even have really good words to describe how fantastic your Omni Nutrient Moisture Cream is. All I know is that I adore how it makes my skin feel, and it is the most perfect cream I could ask for because it has so many of the ingredients I want and love. So, yay!"

That's soooo great to hear, mamas. I hope they continue to work their love on your skin!

Much Love
Toni

Checking in

2011-05-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

"Ok - never used a glycolic peel before, not even sure what it's supposed to do - all I know is that my skin feels AMAZING after using it!"

Mission accomplished:)

Thanks for checking in, Holly, and enjoy the peel!

To Bee or not To Bee

2011-05-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

Borage

Bumblebee

... Beautiful :)

And the Winner is......

2011-05-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

WOO HOO!!! for Heather Bennett, lucky winner of our give-away! She gets to spend a complimentary $25 on any NATURALLOGIC goodies of her choice.

Heather is the scentual siren behind the After Dark Apothecary on Etsy. Soapmaker and custom scent formulator, legend has it her inspirations arrive in the wee hours, when she brews up sinfully delectable concoctions for those who love the finer smells in life. Go on over and check out her shop for the most innovative scent combinations and affordable soap bars I've ever seen.

Winners were chosen by random.org. from all entries we received here and on Facebook. Sign up for our mailing list to find out about future give-aways, get advanced notice about sales & discounts! EMAIL US for details on how to sign up.

Garden Envy

2011-05-20T17:50:00.000-07:00

What a great way to repurpose an old chest of drawers or book shelf.... and love the guitar.

$25 Gift Cert - FREE to a good home

2011-05-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

Enter to Win a

$25 Gift Certificate!!!

Tell your mom, your neighbor, your cousin, that girl at the supermarket, or heck, keep it a secret if you want. But seriously, why not give it a shot - it's 25 bucks worth of fresh, organic loveliness :)

Enter anytime, from now until Sunday - the rules are simple.

Here's how to enter:

1 - Sign up for my mailing list by sending an email to resources@naturallogicskincare.com, with your name and the email address where you would like to receive shop news & sale info. And no worries, I'll only ever send you shop and product related info, and I'll never give to anyone else - promise:)

2 - Visit my Etsy Shop and have a look around. Find your favorite NATURALLOGIC product, or one that really resonates with you, and contact me through that product page. Tell me a little bit about why it's your fav or why you would love to try it.

3 - Before you click send on that Etsy convo, I'd love to know if there are any types of products you would like to see in my shop. Bath, body, hair treatments... don't be afraid to branch out! I've got so many ideas floating around in my head, and even more prototypes sitting around my workshop. You're helping me narrow down my list of products to launch next - thanks!

The winner will be cosmically selected by random.org

Good Luck!!!

Contest ends Sunday, May 23rd

Winner announced Monday, May 24th
www.naturallogic.etsy.com

Nobody is Smarter Than You Are

2011-01-03T16:57:00.000-08:00

Updates, New Products & Holiday Sales

2010-11-25T22:23:00.000-08:00

I may be getting some coal in my stocking this year... I know I've been a bad girl - this newsletter is long over due. I’ve been busy, busy, busy in the workshop creating a bevy of new products. Some of them are just in time for winter skin!

During this time of hiatus from the newsletter, it's been so great to hear from some of you on a regular basis, and thanks so much for keeping in touch, for keeping me up to date on what’s going on with you, and most of all for your patience and support as NATURALLOGIC continues to grow.

We’re now making larger batches every week to guarantee quicker shipping, and ordering containers and packing in larger bulk to prevent back orders. Thanks for hanging in there with me, as we evolve:) You really are the best customers, EVER!

Thank you, thank you, thank you

……………………………………………………………………..................................................

YAY!!! NEW Coupon Codes on Etsy!

It's finally happened. Etsy has added a coupon code feature to checkout. Which brings me to...

the Holiday Sale Schedule!

If you're anything like me, the need for a last minute gift or two always comes up. So I decided to have 2 holiday sales!

Black Friday thru Cyber Monday 15% off

Use Code: HOLIDAY15

Dec 7 – Dec 11 10% off

Use Code: HOLIDAY10

See New Products, below, for gift ideas, stocking stuffers, and gift-ready sets.

Need some last minute stocking stuffers?

Check out these great palm sized gifts

Consider getting holiday orders in by December 11 to ensure delivery by the holiday. If from outside the US, consider ordering by the first week of December. I want to make sure you get your goodies on time:)

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New-ish Products

Fruit Enzyme Cleansing Gel

Sea Plant Complex Cleansing Gel

Steam Cleanse Pore Therapy

Fruit Enzyme Refining Masque

Chocolate Petals Solid Lip Butter

Chocolate Petals Lip Scrub

The products above have all been in the shop for over a month, so to some of you they may not seem so new:)

...................................................................................................................

REALLY NEW New Products

Bamboo Rice Exfoliating Body Bar

Ancient Earth Micro-Polish

Rose Milk Moisture Body Bar

Botanical Cleansing Oil

RevitalEYES Under Eye Serum

Quench Nourishing Lip Conditioner

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Holiday Ready Gift Sets & Kits

Lip Luxe Organic Lip Spa


Organic Bath & Body Gift Set

These gift sets include some of our most popular products and make great gifts for any age and skin type. They also save you money and offer the convenience of a healthy, eco-friendly gift, ethically wrapped and ready for giving.

.........................................................................................................................................................

Wow! That was a lot to digest... speaking of which, if you celebrated Thanksgiving today, hope it was yummy, relaxing, and fun:)

Thank you so much for an incredible year, so far. I'm grateful beyond words.

Much Love & Many Blessings,

Toni

Day of Thanks

2010-11-25T17:31:00.000-08:00

"Cup Runneth Over" - EJCairns

Many Blessings:)

Ritual Spa

2010-11-24T23:54:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for the holidays... these days I'm cherishing my longs baths whenever I can get them. Tonight I'll be here, in my mind, relaxing in the smoldering, mineral rich waters, the aroma of sandalwood and rose petal in the air, and the delicate voice of Gotye in my ears...

The Story of Stuff

2010-09-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

The Story of Cosmetics (2010)

2010-09-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

Hump Day Blog Give-away at the InkSpot Workshop!

2010-07-21T01:33:00.000-07:00

Superfruit Daily Face Care Regimen

Hi Kids! Stacy Altiery, the owner, creative force, and energetic whirlwind behind the InkSpot Workshop is hosting an awesome blog give-away... and the gift set is from yours truly! Stop by and enter for your chance to win the Superfruit Daily Face Care Regimen today!!

http://inkspotworkshopblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/hump-day-giveaway-naturallogic-skincare.html

And next time you have an event, are attending a special occasion, or have something to say that needs just the right touch, InkSpot Workshop has hand crafted paper goodies that make you smile! http://inkspotworkshop.com/

The winner will be chosen Friday, by random.org.

Good Luck!

The Secret to Clear Healthy Skin ~ it's good for more than just your mojo

2010-07-19T01:21:00.000-07:00

Clear, beautiful skin seems to be effortless for some people, yet there are those of us who, no matter what products we try, experience everything from little nagging blemishes to chronic hormonal acne. Not to mention skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis & dermatitis. You may have even tried the same products as your friends with clear skin or tried well reviewed remedies you've heard about on TV or in magazines, in an attempt to finally find the thing that works consistently... forever. Ever wondered what the difference is between you and those with clear, smooth complexions?

All skin annoyances have a root cause that very rarely start with or are limited to the skin. They begin somewhere else in the body. The human body uses 5 organs to filter & expel unwanted or unused materials from the body ~ the lungs, intestines (colon), kidneys, liver, and skin. It uses several more to digest and separate anything we consume and send it to these eliminatory organs for processing. These undesirables & un-necessaries are everything from what's left after we digest the food we eat, to the chemicals, synthetic preservatives, gmo's, pesticides & bacteria in it, to environmental pollution we inhale and absorb through our skin, to excess unbalanced hormones, to stress chemicals, to the by-products of an unhealthy bacteria or parasite population somewhere in the body.

The health and smooth running of these organs and systems (particularly the liver & colon) is at the core of not only the condition of our skin, but of our overall health. Conversely, a lack of health in these areas lays the foundation for disease occurring as a result from malnutrition, lowered immunity, and toxemia of the body through reabsorbing these toxins into the bloodstream daily, or all three.

Of all of these organs, the skin is the largest and is the most obvious indicator of our internal environment. If the skin shows irritation in any way, it's clear sign that one or a few of the other organs in the filtering process is congested or not functioning up to par, and the skin is taking on a large part of the responsibility of getting them out.

The best, most reliable, and healthiest way to keep these organs doing their job at optimal level is to eat a clean, healthy diet, drink lots of pure water, exercise daily, do periodic cleansing/detoxing, and use natural, non-toxic beauty, hygiene, and household products. Making the transition to this type of lifestyle can take time for some, so here's a list of things you can start doing today to cleanse and support your body processes for healthier body & skin.

Digestive Enzymes

Food digestion starts with your diet and goes from top (mouth) to bottom (anus). But before any nutrition can be absorbed, your digestive system has to do its job. You can track your food digestion by using the digestive system diagram below.

If you start with a healthy diet and everything goes right, your digestive system turns good food into good nutrition. Healthy protein, carbohydrates and fats become healthy amino acids, simple sugars and fatty acids.   But poor food digestion causes problems. The symptoms include gas, belching, heartburn, bloating, bad breath, diarrhea, constipation, rapid aging, & various skin conditions.

For in-depth information on digestive enzymes and how they effect skin & health, click here:

http://www.yourbodycanheal.com/enzymes.html

Daily Morning Detox Drink

This is my favorite way to start the day. Maybe it'll become yours, too! It's packed with 4 health promoting ingredients in a combination that provides numerous noticeable benefits.

You will need:

16 oz pure, warm water (add ingredients when water is warm, not hot)
Juice of 1/2 fresh squeezed lemon
1 fresh crushed garlic clove (in a press is best)
A pinch of cayenne pepper
Combine ingredients and strain off the garlic chunks. Drink, freshly made, upon rising ~ 30minutes before eating.

Key Benefits, by ingredient:

Lemons
Effective in curing many digestion problems when mixed with hot water, including biliousness, nausea, heartburn, disorders of the lower intestines like constipation and worm infestations. It is even known to relieve hiccups. Water plus a few lemons becomes lemon juice. Lemon juice, when taken regularly in the morning, acts as a tonic to the liver and stimulates it to produce bile making it ready to digest the day's food. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones. Because of its high vitamin C content, it is thought to help prevent and treat many infections, hasten wound healing and temper down high fever. Lemon juice also relieves symptoms of asthma, tonsillitis and sore throat. Lemon is also a diuretic. This means it is good for people with urinary tract infections and high uric acid problems, such as those with arthritis or rheumatism because it helps flush out all the toxins and bad bacteria.

Garlic
Garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic, albeit broad-spectrum rather than targeted. The body does not appear to build up resistance to the garlic, so its positive health benefits continue over time. Studies have shown that garlic - especially aged garlic - can have a powerful antioxidant effect. Antioxidants can help to protect the body against damaging "free radicals". While garlic is gathering a reputation for helping to maintain a healthy heart, regular amounts of garlic seems to also help the body fight off infections. However, you don't need to suffer with a fever to benefit from garlic's health enhancing properties. Just one clove a day will top up your body's supplies of vitamins A, B and C, as well as a vast array of minerals including selenium, iodine, potassium, iron, calcium, zinc and magnesium.

Cayenne
Cayenne is a medicinal and nutritional herb. It is a very high source of Vitamins A and C, has the complete B complexes, and is very rich in organic calcium and potassium. It aids elimination and assimilation, and helps the body to create hydrochloric acid, which is so necessary for good digestion and assimilation, especially of proteins. Cayenne can rebuild the tissue in the stomach and the peristaltic action in the intestines. All this becomes very significant when we realize that the digestive system plays the most important role in mental, emotional and physical health, as it is through the digestive system that the brain, glands, muscles and every other part of the body are fed. It acts as a catalyst and increases the effectiveness of other herbs when used with them. Cayenne has been known to provide relief of headaches, arthritis, digestive troubles, heart attacks, poor circulation, and skin conditions such as eczema & psoriasis. Studies show that treatment with capsicum (the active component in cayenne) reduced feelings of itching, scaling and erythema (redness of the skin caused by capillary congestion).

Quick recipe substitutions or additions, in a pinch or to change it up:

*a simple concoction of pure water and fresh squeezed lemon will suffice

*why not toss in a few fresh cut slices of ginger?

*add 1-2 tbsp raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar for extra alkalinity and detoxification
*Stir in a tbsp of extra virgin olive oil one day a week to stimulate healthy bile flow

*any combination of 2 or 3 of the ingredients in the Daily Morning Detox Drink would be a-ok

Milk Thistle

While other herbs such as St. John’s wort and echinacea may appear in the news more often, Milk Thistle is actually the most researched and best understood of all the medicinal herbs. In fact, study after study has confirmed the most significant property of Milk Thistle: namely, the ability to protect and actually rejuvenate the liver. Secondly, the silymarin in Milk Thistle protects the liver from harmful toxins, and, while we don’t necessarily think of medications as “toxins,” many over-thecounter drugs and prescription medications can hurt the liver if taken in large enough doses or for long periods of time. Researchers have found that Milk Thistle can actually prevent or reduce medication induced liver damage. Finally, the liver has the remarkable capacity to completely regenerate after it has been injured. The liver is the only organ (besides blood and skin) that has this ability. Milk Thistle’s silymarin actually helps the liver regenerate itself by stimulating the growth of liver cells to replace the parts of the liver that are damaged.

Because our livers are so vital to our health, many of us could benefit by taking Milk Thistle even in the absence of liver disease. However, Milk Thistle is especially helpful if you:

• Eat fatty foods
• Smoke or live or work with a smoker
• Drink alcohol
• Are overweight
• Are dieting
• Live in a large or polluted city
• Drive a car a lot
• Have your clothes dry cleaned
• Live or work in a building that has been freshly painted
• Use pesticides in your home or garden
• Take an over the counter medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen, or aspirin
• Take a prescription medication for anxiety, gout, pain, inflammation, cancer, HIV, TB, high cholesterol, depression, seizures, psychosis, infections, or to prevent pregnancy
• Have problems with digestion

For more in-depth information on liver processes, liver health, and the benefits of Milk Thistle, click here: http://heartspring.net/detoxification_liver_health.html

Rebounding

The human body needs to move. The lymph system bathes every cell, carrying nutrients to the cell and waste products away. Contrary to blood which is pumped by the heart, the lymph is totally dependent on physical exercise to move. Without adequate movement, the cells are left stewing in their own waste products and starving for nutrients, a situation which contributes to arthritis, cancer and other degenerative diseases as well as aging. Vigorous exercise such as rebounding is reported to increase lymph flow by 15 to 30 times. There are several main benefits of rebounding. First of all, it is one of the most oxygen efficient forms of exercise, allowing you to exercise vigorously, without feeling out of breath - but you will still get the same benefits that you would get from other types of exercise. It also is a low impact exercise, so you'll avoid shin splints and damage to your knees and ankles. There are other benefits that you'll want to be on the lookout for when it comes to rebounding.

Rebounding has been shown to improve circulation of oxygen to the tissues, combat depression, normalize blood pressure, help prevent cardiovascular disease, aid lymphatic circulation as well as blood flow in the veins of the circulatory system, lower elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, stimulate the metabolism, tone up the glandular system, promote increased muscle fiber tone, enhance digestion and elimination processes, promote relaxation and sleep, relieve fatigue and menstrual discomfort for women, minimize colds, allergies, digestive disturbances, and abdominal problems, and slow the aging process.

For more in-depth info about the benefits of rebounding, click here:

http://www.healingdaily.com/exercise/rebounding-for-detoxification-and-health.htm

Dry Brushing

The skin is the largest elimination organ, it is known to be responsible for 10 to 15% of total body elimination, and is sometimes referred to as the third kidney.

Dry skin brushing is a swift and powerful way to enhance the detoxification process . It’s easy, pleasant and yields tremendous benefits! Not only does it improve the appearance of your skin by eliminating dead cells and helping new skin to regenerate, it also stimulates blood circulation, the lymphatic system, and greatly enhances toxin elimination.

The lymphatic system is composed of lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and organs. Part of the body’s defense system, the lymph nodes remove microorganisms and other foreign substances. They act as a filtration system that keeps particulate matter, such as bacteria, from entering the bloodstream.

Stimulating the lymphatic system through skin brushing will activate all of the above functions as well as encourage blood circulation and cell regeneration. Both actions promote detoxification, weight loss and cellulite reduction, as well as improve body tone and skin radiance.

For more in-depth information about the benefits of rebounding, click here:

http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/healingtechniques/dry_brushing_technique.htm

Psyllium & Bentonite Shakes

This is a really exciting and satisfying way to cleanse the internal organs. Most people will see results almost immediately!

A good cleansing program should always begin by with colon, the last portion of your food processing chain. If you attempt to clean your liver, blood, or lymph system without first addressing a waste filled bowel, the excreted toxins will only get recycled back into your body.

Once the bowel is clean you will be able to absorb nutrients again! Many people experience more energy and a sense of general well-being after cleaning their bowel out. Apparently 90% of the body's supply of Seratonin (happiness chemical) is synthesized in the Gastrointestinal Tract....

You will need:

1 tbsp liquid Bentonite Clay (I prefer Great Plains brand - it's prehydrated)
1 tbsp Whole Psyllium Husk (I use Organic India brand,but any organic whole husk psyllium would be fine)

Then add a bit of cold water, (pure or filtered water) to make a paste. Fill glass up with water, stir. Drink quickly before it turns into oatmeal. Chase with another glass of water.

For Indepth info on the benefits of Psyllium & Bentonite Shakes, click here:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/bentonite-clay-side-effects.html

One must drink lots of warm water while doing the B&P bowel cleanse - to ensure that you don't get constipated. Remember that warm water stimulates peristalsis (the movement of the bowels) and cold water doesn't. Drink at least 2 liters of warm water a day...or half your body weight in ounces per day.

For more in depth information on these body processes and how their condition effects our health, check out this insightful article: http://www.detox.net.au/articles/detoxification.html

Happy cleansing and I wish you abundant health & a natural beauty you can FEEL!

Toni

Footnotes~

Any vitamin, mineral or health supplement I mention in my articles can be easily found(and for an amazing price with flat rate shipping!) at www.iherb.com

If you would like to be coached on a detox/cleansing program or are interested in nutritional advice, I can help you with that! Contact me at: toni@naturallogicskincare.com for more info. For further information on my nutrition services, please see the Holistic Services section listed at the top of this page.

Happy Summer Solstice

2010-06-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

Food from the gods, designed for man

2010-06-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

Coconut... there are so many conflicting views in the media about coconut oil, milk... but people are getting more into health and taking an interest in learning more about their bodies, so I thought I'd share some info you may not have considered. Oil has a hand in most things in our daily lives, from the food we eat to the skin care we use. It's in practically everything (along with wheat, soy and corn, but that's another blog entry).So, it's important to make sure the ones you are ingesting are healthy and that you know what they do for you. Here are some facts about coconut, followed by some quick tidbits about some other yummy natural treats.

Coconut oil used to be a common food staple in every household (along with real butter) until Crisco hit the market in the late 20's (right around the stock market crash). People could no longer afford butter and coconut oil, and the real stuff was being sent to the boys in the military, so all that was left was Crisco (the first hydrogenated oil on the market). So, people bought that and started eating it. What happened next? Diabetes and Heart Disease (which also are effected by other by-products of the industrial revolution, such as flour and sugar).

Another interesting little factoid about coconut is it's likeness to human blood. It's identical. In fact, it has been used in wars and third world countries in place of blood plasma for transfusions!

Here's a cool link: http://www.living-foods.com/articles/coconutwater.html

You'll notice in the article a comment about the coconut looking like a monkeys face. This is particularly important. It has been long believed by indigenous peoples that foods resemble certain human body parts or certain animals. This is nature's way of showing us what they are good for. Coconut is so close to our own body chemistry, and it gave us a clue on it's health benefits for us by looking like us. When you look at a coconut, you'll notice 3 circular knots, in a triangle. If you hold the coconut with the 2 knots on top and the third knot on the bottom, it looks like the 2 eyes and mouth of a man. IMO, clearly a sign from nature that says "Put your mouth here and drink:)".

To easily open a young coconut without anything but a knife or sharp object, poke at these holes - one is soft and can be scooped away, making enough room to drink the water from inside.

More food for thought:

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and science now shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere,upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Eggplant, Avocadoes and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? .... It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic
chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the motility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.

Grapefruits, Oranges, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like body cells. Today's research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eye

So, in short, the coconut contains life for us. You can take a bath in coconut milk or use straight virgin coconut oil on your skin and see many benefits. Just make sure, as with anything, you cleanse properly and keep hydrated. Steam facials are great for clogged pores. I had a customer ask me about coconut's comedogenic level. Now, depending on the current state of your skin, ANY oil can clog pores if you are dehydrated, don't sweat enough, or have hormonal imbalance that causes dehydration. This prevents the natural flow of oils out of the pores (they do this to expel toxins). They harden and become blackheads or the like.

As for eating and drinking? An apple and a coconut a day... you know the rest.

Nourishing & Detoxifying Spa Therapies at home...

2010-05-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I ever survived before bringing the spa experience into my own bathroom. I mean, I got by, but I didn't realize all of the amazing benefits of personal spa rituals until I finally broke down and treated myself to my first home spa facial. In a word... transforming. Well, that was many moons ago, and I feel it's time to start imparting some of the knowledge I've gathered along the way.

For those of you who haven't done home spa or don't do some type of body or skin ritual for yourself regularly, here is the first in a series of blurbs I'll be doing over the next few weeks on easy ways to reap the rewards of the most healthful, skin loving spa treatments in the comfort of your own surroundings.

Hyperthermal Treatment

Hyperthermal Treatment, or Hyperthermia, is a fancy way of saying raised body heat or fever. Now you may be thinking, well why would I want to raise my body temperature or have a fever?

"Heat draws out toxins, helps clean clogged pores, kills harmful bacteria and viruses, increases circulation and enhances the immune system. Hyperthermia stimulates cellular activity and increases metabolism. Circulation, tissue rebuilding and healing are also increased. Injuries heal faster with heat. Have you ever used a heating pad to help heal muscle aches and pains? In short, hyperthermia stimulates all body functions. Although we do not think of our skin as an organ, it can be thought of as one of the biggest elimination organs in our bodies. It has the ability to eliminate toxins and waste through its pores.

The basic goal of hyperthermia or heat therapy is to increase the body’s temperature over a short duration to cause your body to sweat profusely, thus cleansing toxins out of your pores. Additionally, the increased body temperature will help your body heal itself from many ailments."

The secret is in the sweat. Sweating can be a miracle worker for dull skin & clogged pores. So, rinse down the tub and settle into a steamy hot puddle of loveliness for a detoxifying pore treatment. Rule number one: always test the water before getting in to make sure you don't scald yourself. To relax into a hotter-than-usual bath, try sitting in the water as the tub fills. You'll get used to the heat gradually, instead of the drastic shock of going from room temp skin to hot, hot, hot. Use this method with caution!

To read an in-depth, highly informative article on the benefits of Hyperthermia, and some great how-to's for home experimentation

click here. Enjoy!!!

Stay tuned for the next article in this series: How to create a portable sauna in your own bathroom.

My daily inspiration...

2010-05-24T00:27:00.000-07:00

Well, the move was a little over a month ago and we've finally settled into our new surroundings. Its been an amazing journey, yet somehow I feel there is so much more to come in the very near future. Every day brings greater opportunity to manifest my place in this world. And look where I get to spend each day... If you had asked me a year ago, I would never have thought I'd be living on a... what is it? Is it a farm? I don't know what it is; I can't fit it into a category, but what I CAN tell you is that the goal here is to be completely self-sustainable.

So far, we grow a good deal of produce, including artichokes, leeks, scallions, swiss chard, celery, red leaf lettuce, mustard greens, sweet peas, strawberries, as well as an array of herbs like peppermint, spearmint, yarrow, sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley & dill. It's planting season, so more is on the way. And, oh yeah, we have a chicken. Her name is Sonia:)