SISTER WISDOM : build a better life

I like being naturally healthy. But first,

The Disclaimer:

I'm not a doctor or a medical professional or a certified herbalist or anything of the sort. None of the advice or information provided here is intended to be medical advice. Use common sense, talk to your doctor about illnesses or persistent symptoms.

There, now that's done, let's get on with it shall we? First a little primer: Read the rest of this entry »

After a sabbatical from menu planning, I'm back... and with a few changes in our family's food lifestyle. I am so ready to lose this baby weight and get back in shape. Joe's been wonderful; he's wanting to lose a few pounds too (though I don't see why. My husband is HOT) so we've been going on family walks in the evening when he gets home from work. And we've been going down to the Soulard Farmer's Market every week or so, stocking up on fruits and vegetables. All the fresh good produce helps me stick to one of our new food changes: a big green salad and fresh fruit or vegetables with dinner every night.

Deprive Yourself of Deprivation

See, I'm not good with deprivation. If I just focus on cutting out bad stuff (ice cream, say, or double stuff oreos, or pasta with cream sauce...) then I'll just feel deprived. I will last for about a week. I love food. I don't like feeling deprived of it. So instead of letting that be a weakness, I'm making it a strength: I love stuff that's bad for me, yes, but I also love stuff that's good for me. Fresh fruit: pineapple, raspberries, grapes, kiwi, apples, plums... (I'm addicted to frozen grapes right now. Amazing.) Fresh vegetables: mushrooms, spinach, crunchy carrots, artichokes, cauliflower.

Instead of focusing on cutting bad stuff out, I'm just focusing on getting more good stuff into what we eat. I don't feel deprived; quite the opposite, in fact. I love having a refrigerator full of good stuff to munch on or cook with. And if I want something that's "bad," well, I have some. Just some. I figure if the bulk of what I eat is fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other good stuff, then my body can handle that other stuff. Maybe that's simplistic, but I like simple.

The 16-Week No Soda Challenge

One exception: I'm joining my mother-in-law on a 16-week "NO SODA" pledge. Starts May 10... Ah, soda, goodbye... You've been no good for me. Anyone up for joining in the challenge? Pop in a comment below and we can start keeping each other accountable. I need it. I drink water, mostly, but I sure like a cold dr. pepper now and then... I'm thinking the first few weeks will be the most difficult.

In keeping with our new food/fitness goals, this is our week's menu:

Visit the host of Menu Plan Monday!

Monday: Ham, Mushroom, & Swiss Quiche; Salad; Green Beans; Kiwi & Grapes

Tuesday: Chicken Curry; Fresh Pineapple; Salad

Wednesday: (finger foods; we have a picnic-meal on Wednesday nights between work and church) Steak Sandwiches; Baked Corn Chips; Apples

Thursday: Citrus-Marinated Tilapia; Potato Salad; Fresh Spinach Salad

Friday: Chicken Caesar Salad; Lemon Garlic Pasta; whatever fruit we still have!

I don't have any recipes up yet; shoot me an email or leave a comment if there's one you want.

Image by Paolo Bertinetto

I've no experience with using herbs to detoxify your body from, say, drugs or alcohol. (See the Resource List below for some articles on that topic.)

I've made the list in no particular order. Some herbs are stronger than others, some are not appropriate for use for certain people (small children, those on other medications) or those with certain conditions (pregnancy, breastfeeding, chronic illness). Do additional research to find out more about each option. And as always, there's a disclaimer below... Just because.

Format

HERB: main properties: preferred method of use for cleansing/detoxifying. (Not all herbs will have a preferred method of use).

Body Cleansing Herbs (Primarily Internal Use)

Chamomile: cleansing, relaxing, soothes stomach and inflamed mucous membranes. Steam inhalation.

Skullcap: increases nervous system functioning, calming.

Red Clover: purifying for blood. Tea or infusion.

Hydrangea Root: cleansing for kidney and urinary tract.

Nettle: diuretic, cleanses urinary system.

Milk Thistle: cleansing for the liver.

Dandelion Root: cleansing, helps remove waste from liver and gallbladder. Use with burdock, below.

Burdock Root: diuretic, cleansing, helps remove heavy metal build-up.

Psyllium Seeds: promote healthy bowel movements, carries out toxins.

Black Walnut Hulls: help remove parasites and toxins from the intestinal system.

Garlic: cleansing for the blood, natural antibiotic. Take in capsules or mash and take raw garlic cloves.

Echinacea: cleansing for lymphs.

Skin Cleansing Herbs (Primarily Topical Use)

Chamomile: Skin soothing and toning. Apply infusion to face or use steam treatment to open and cleanse pores.

Calendula: Has antibiotic and antifungal properties, kills germs. Steam treatment, apply an infusion topically, or use an infused ointment or oil.

Chickweed: Can help pull out toxins and relieve itching. Topical application of infusion, oil, or ointment.

Peppermint: Opens the pores, can pull out toxins. Steam treatment or topical application.

Lavender: Analgesic (pain killer) and antiseptic properties, tones and revitalizes, reduces inflammation. Steam treatment or topical application.(If I could use only one herb on my skin, this would be it.)

Aloe: Astringent, skin softening, antibacterial, antioxidant, relieves burns and speeds healing of wounds. Apply straight aloe gel to the skin.

Basil: Skin toning, can help reduce acne, open and cleanse pores. Steam treatment and topical application.

Green Tea: powerful antioxidant action, as well as being astringent and anti-inflammatory. Topical application.

Disclaimer: The information presented herein and on additional posts and pages of this website is not intended to be medical advice, nor should it be construed as such. This site exists for informational purposes only. Thank you. Have a nice day. Don't believe everything you hear and do think for yourself.

Resources List

Primer for Using Medicinal Herbs.

Herbs for Detox by Meg McGowan.

Herbs Used in Detoxification from Aim4Health.

Natural Help for Drug Detox from AbbysGoodStuff.

Detox and Cleansing Information from About.com Alternative Medicine channel.

Using Herbs in Skincare by Glenbrook Farms.