Natural deoderant that Works?!!!

My Pick for natural deodorant that works consistently: Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal.  http://www.naturallyfreshdeodorantcrystal.com/naturally-fresh-deodorant-crystal-roll-on-3-floz-90-ml

The active ingredient is Potassium Alum, which I've found is the only ingredient that actually matters.  Baking soda just doesn't last.  I like that it's liquid (no wetting the stick) and that it's hypoallergenic.  It's gentle enough for a pubescent child, and strong enough for an adult woman.  I buy the unscented for my son, and the Lavender for me. Check out their website for more information.

If you've never used natural deodorants before. it's important to know that your body may take time to adjust; especially if you were using an anti perspirent.  You will probably sweat more as your underarms adapt to being free to act as they should.  It will level off.  Remember to drink lots of water and your system will clear out before you know it.

Let me know if you've found this helpful!

Living With Migraine

I've had migraines since I was little.  I can remember lying in the bathtub with a cloth over my eyes, baby aspirin,  and throwing up in the bleachers at an Expo's Baseball game.  They have evolved as I've gotten older; going from episodic attacks triggered by changes in schedule and stress, to Chronic  migraines that keep me in pain for over half the month, triggered by almost Any change including weather changes and hormones. I've seen several neurologists, tried different therapies and many different medications.

Migraines have become a prominent feature in my life. They affect how I parent, my ability to be a good wife and to take care of the things for which I'm responsible. For my family, it's like living with someone with a chronic illness. It saddens me that my boys are overly familiar with my husband hushing them because Mommy's head hurts, that they get veggie dogs more often then home-cooked meals and are not surprised to see Grandma's or Auntie's face when they're being picked up at school.

It's my hope that if any of the challenges or victories that I have experienced can encourage or help someone else, then maybe this painful journey can be used for the good.

"You're doing what?!" My response to the FAQs I get when people find out I'm doing therapeutic Botox for chronic migraine

To Begin:

Chronic migraine = >15 days a month with migraine. For me it's 15-25 days.
Days the laundry doesn't get done.
Days you need to find someone else to get the kids.
Days you spend in bed.

1. Haven't you tried any other treatments?

Yep. I've taken pills, suppositories, injections and nasal sprays; I've tried every class of medication for migraine including and some that weren't. Most of them are heavy duty with nasty side effects and in my case didn't get rid of the migraine, just doped me up.

I've done Autogenics, physiotherapy, therapeutic massage, yoga and osteopathy.

I regularly take magnesium, vitamin B2 and feverfew for prevention.  Prayer and relaxation excercises are part of my daily routine.

If they've suggested it for migraine I've tried it.

2. Aren't you worried about putting something so unnatural and toxic into your body?

Frankly, when you're in a constant state of pain, you'll try almost anything to make it stop. I remember reading about a guy who took a drill to his head, trying to make the pain go away.  It worked.

Have you ever read the list of side effects from major migraine medications? even ibuprofen can cause ulcers taken in high amounts.
When you have chronic migraine you're taking medicine every day just to cope. When I think about all the toxins from the medicine that I am taking daily, it concerns me much more than one injected every three months.

So I'm giving it a try, hoping for some relief, so I can be there for my husband, kids and friends. So I can stop missing things. So I a load of laundry is just the beginning of what I can accomplish.

The Award for Best Frozen Pizza goes to...

 I have been searching for a healthy alternative to replace the frozen pizza that comes out on those nights we need a quick supper. I decided to try Life Choice Sprouted Grain Three Cheese Pizza, which I found in the Health Food section of Loblaws.  I was sceptical, as I have tried several frozen vegetarian pizzas before and the crust usually tastes like cardboard. Well, it has turned out to be one of the tastiest pizzas I've had - including delivery.   My kids like it better that McCain or Delissio.  I just wish it came in the standard family size of 12' rather than 10"; it's not enough for a family of four, even with a side salad, and frankly I don't want to share.
http://www.lifechoicesfoods.com/sprouted-grain-three-cheese-pizza/

They also have whole grain macaroni and cheese.  I just can't understand why Annie's would go to all the trouble to make an organic, vegetarian version, without making at least one kind with whole grains.  Life Choice's has flax and my kids love it.
http://www.lifechoicesfoods.com/whole-wheat-shells-with-flax-white-cheddar/

Let me know what you think!

The Need to Hibernate

I don't know what it is about this late fall, but I am fighting a strong urge to hibernate.  All I want to do is stuff myself with carbs and then curl up in bed.  I imagine it has something to do with the lack of sun, SAD does start this time of year, after all.  It's been unusually dreary since we've been having rain instead of snow, which reflects the light.

I am well aware of light therapy, and treatment for depression, the latter being a staple in my life.  I've read up on the science.  But honestly, When you think you're going to die without a doughnut, you don't care about what some article says.

So what to do?  Take my D, Bs, EFAs and Chromium, move everyday, make my super-filling-oatmeal-cookies for the cravings and get outside in the sun whenever possible.  Be with people; My family is coming down for Christmas (Yay!). I know I need to make ways to see my friends more often. Other than that, I pray and keep an eye out for those little love notes God sends me on the rough days.  My husband is wonderfully supportive, so I can ask for nothing more.

Do you have a hard time in the darkest season of the year?  What are your strategies?

My favourite Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe; Healthy and Yummy!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie with Agave Nectar

1/2 c almond milk
1 Tbs ground chia or flax meal

 

2 cups organic rolled oats
2 cups oat, spelt or whole wheat flour

2 cups almond four
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cocoa nibs
1/2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 C* agave nectar (or pure maple syrup)

3/4 cup* canola or grapeseed oil
1⁄2 tsp. vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1.    Add chia/flax to milk in a small bowl. this will thicken and act as a binder

2.    Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

3.    Mix the wet ingredients together in their own bowl, adding the chia/milk misture last.  Then stir into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon.

4.    Form balls and place on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Press the balls down with your fingers.

5.     Bake for 12 minutes or until crispy.

*You can up the Agave and oil up to 1 Cup each if needed.

'Vegg Nogg' Recipe

I have been looking for a good vegan egg nog, or 'vegnog' recipe for Christmas.  I don't like using eggs, let alone raw eggs and I thought it would be worth while finding something that wasn't pumped full of sugar.  Anyhow I found this one and think I'll give it a try.  I'll be using store bought almond milk as I haven't quite gotten  to the 'making my own milk' phase of life.

here's the one I'll be giving a try:

½ cup raw almonds + 1 ½ cups filtered water OR 1 ½ cups homemade raw almond milk

2 frozen ripe bananas

1 pitted date soaked for about an hour

¼ tsp natural pure vanilla extract

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

pinch ground cloves

pinch of Celtic sea salt

1. Place all ingredients in your blender and puree until smooth and creamy. Add more water to achieve desired consistency.
   **I just blended whole almonds with 2 cups of water as I liked the rustic consistency. But you could use homemade strained almond milk.
2. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve immediately.

http://healthyblenderrecipes.com/recipes/raw_vegan_eggnog_recipe/