WON Tips
Get the latest health & wellness and DIY tips from the friendly and knowledgeable staff at WON.
Escentuals for Kids: Have you tried everything to get your kids to fall asleep? The long bright days of summer in Idaho can make it difficult for children to sleep when it is still light outside. Research shows that the scent of lavender eases anxiety and insomnia. Try diffusing lavender essential oil in your child's room the next time they are fighting their bedtime.
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101 Uses for Coconut Oil: There is no disputing the amazing benefits of coconut oil. It truly is the duct tape for your life! From beauty & skin, to food, household and medicinal uses, this is a must have for every home. Keep a jar in your kitchen and one in your bathroom. Frizzy hair? Coconut Oil. No shaving cream? Coconut Oil. Dry skin? Coconut Oil. Bad credit? Coconut Oil. Boyfriend acting up? Coconut Oil. How Hugging Makes You Healthier & Happier: Studies show we need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth. And did you know that, on average, people spend one hour a month hugging? That doesn't sound like much, but when you consider that the average hug is under 10 seconds long… that's a lot of hugs! Here are 10 Reasons to Hug Everyday:
Juice Like a Boss: Summer Juices: Now that we have officially entered the summer season, it is time to get your juicer ready so you can take in all of the wonderful health benefits of the beautiful berries of summer! Blue and purple fruits and veggies make for some funky colored juices. But that's not the only reason to include these in your juicing routine - blue and purple fruits and veggies contain a plethora of disease-fighting, health-boosting phytochemicals like anthocyanins and phenolics. Other nutrients found in blue and purple fruits and veggies include lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, flavonoids, ellagic acid, quercetin, and even resveratrol - the darling of the anti-aging industry! Try some of these blue and purple fruits and veggies in your next juice recipe: Acai, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Eggplant, Elderberries, Figs, Purple Grapes, Plums, Purple Potatoes, Purple Asparagus, Purple Cabbage, Purple Carrots, Turnips. Give this refreshing juice, full of fresh berries and seasonal vegetables a try this summer. Allison's Berry Basil Mint Juice:*Makes 16-20oz juice (depending on juicer and produce used)
Herbal Tinctures: When the staff at WON needs immediate stress relief or a brain boost, we reach for our tinctures! Here's why: Herbal tinctures capture and preserve all active constituents making them one of the most therapeutically beneficial forms of supplementation. They are highly concentrated, anywhere between a 1:1 or 1:10 herb to alcohol ratio. Because they are most often carried in alcohol, they enter the blood stream quickly and can provide immediate benefits. Tea-ol-ogy: Sun Teas Nothing is more refreshing than iced tea on a hot summer day! For this week's WON tip, try making this delicious and refreshing Summer Goddess Sun Tea with Chamomile Syrup. Summer Goddess Sun Tea with Chamomile Syrup:Tea Ingredients:
Chamomile Syrup Ingredients:
Road trips are a fun way to see the beautiful sites our country has to offer, both natural and man-made. Driving is more economical than flying and is sure to create memories. Our family’s road trip to the Oregon Coast is one of our favorite vactions. We took the scenic route, otherwise known to the kids as “the LONG way”. With highway 101’s breathtaking views along Oregon’s rivers, thick green forest and winding roads, it makes the perfect backdrop for a unforgettable road trip. However, those windy roads can cause motion or car sickness. This happens as a result of disturbances to the inner ear due to repeated motion and mixed signals being sent to the brain. On our trip, I will admit that I was not prepared, and all three of my children ending up vomiting from being carsick within the first three hours. My son’s pillow still remains somewhere on the side of an Oregon Highway (sorry Oregon, I now bring garbage bags with us!) so trust me when I tell you that is not a memory you want to create on your road trip! Motion sickness usually begins with a feeling of uneasiness and nausea and can be accompanied by dizziness and headache. A person can also become pale and experience an increase of saliva. Vomiting will occur after these initial symptoms. Anyone can develop motion sickness, but people vary in their sensitivity to motion. Motion sickness most commonly affects children from 2 to 12 years old, pregnant women, and people who are prone to migraines and anxiety. The good news is that you can decrease, and even eliminate, the symptoms of motion sickness naturally with herbs, essential oils, teas and some good traveling tips. Sometimes, the most simple remedies are best. As tempting as it is to have kids play games/watch movies on their devices, watching the road can be the best way to avoid motion sickness symptoms. I have found that making a “travel binder” for each child can be a great bordem buster and help them keep their eyes on the road. Games such as liscence plate/road sign bingo and “Hey Cow” can be fun for all ages! (These games and more travel tips can be found by following the links at the end of this article.) One of my daughters usually ends up sitting the front seat, as it is the best place for a person who is especially sensitive. Having cold water on hand to sip on and avoiding greasy food/surgary treats can make a big difference. Try packing some healthy fruits, vegetables, nuts, and bars for snacking. If someone does start to show signs of car sickness, simply begin by having them lay their head back and roll the window down or turn some cool air on. Encourage them to sip on some water and relax by taking long, deep slow breaths. This will help reduce eye strain, boost blood oxygen levels, and shift their focus from feeling sick to concentrating on their breathing. Some people are more sensitive and need a little extra to help them enjoy their trip. Ginger has been used for ages to combat nausea and motion sickness. At WON, we are happy to offer many forms of ginger to have on hand for your road trip. Taking ginger in capsule form 20 minutes before hitting the road, as well as throughout the trip can be effective at keeping the worst symptoms of car sickness at bay. Organic crystalized ginger bites have a spicy bite to them, but can instantly soothe an upset stomach. Ginger ale is a well-known, carbonated beverage that can be used to combat nausea. Be sure to check ingredients when grabbing a ginger ale and watch out for GMO sugar, high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors. You can also juice ginger and add it to carbonated water to make your own potent motion sickness drink. One of my personal favorites for calming an upset stomach on the road is Dr. King’s Nausea and Motion Sickness homeopathic remedy. A few sprays in the mouth whenever I feel queezy is all that I need to cut the nausea and ensure an enjoyable trip! Another homeopathic product that has great feedback for motion sickness is Vertifx capsules, which also treats symptoms of vertigo. Take prior to the trip to prevent and keep car sickness side effects at a minimum. Aromatherapy is a centuries-old practice that uses naturally distilled botanical essential oils to treat a variety of physical, mental and emotional health conditions, including motion sickness. Ginger, peppermint, menthol and chamomile work incredibly well when a drop or two, diluted in a carrier oil, is placed behind the ears. The WON Breathe Blend combines camphor, peppermint, pine needle and eucalyptus and is effective for opening air passages to help you take deeper breaths. You can also diffuse these essential oils in your car with a specialized diffuser that plugs into the vehicles lighter receptor. Simply inhaling these oils from the bottle 30-60 minutes before your departure and every 15-30 minutes while on your trip can make a world of difference! Medicinal teas, both hot and iced can be incredibly helpful when nausea strikes. Hot tea can be made at a gas station/truck stop by adding their hot water to a tea bag brought from home. Iced teas can be made before you leave in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Either store in a cooler or add ice to your container when you make a pit stop. (Always double the amount of tea bags for iced tea, since the ice will water it down.) At WON, you will find a large variety of teas, both single herb and blended. Choose teas that contain herbs that help soothe an upset stomach like ginger, peppermint, fennel, chamomile, cardamom, coriander and licorice. Traveling can be stressful and cause anxiety which can contribute to, or exasterbate, motion sickness. Thankfully, there a few simple remedies to help relax the body and alleviate stress. Stress ReLeaf by Herbs Etc. comes in tincture form, and can be placed in a small amount of water to provide immediate relief from stress and anxiety. StressCare by Himalaya is a blend of Ayurvedic herbs that will help combat and prevent stress and anxiety symptoms as well. The WON staff also love Holy Basil and Ashwaghanda, herbs that act as adaptogens to help you body effectively manage stress and reduce cortisol. Remember to always be prepared just in case the nausea isn’t caught in time! Have towels, grocery/garbage bags (for soiled clothes) and a Digestive Waste Emission Bowl (DWEB) such as an old tupperware container or metal bowl. I have to give my now 15 year old son credit for the DWEB name he created years ago! The WON staff wishes you and yours happy, healthy, and memorable trips this summer! Links for travel games and binder ideas! Message us on Facebook with your favorite travel tips and ideas! http://www.ourbestbites.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Kids-Road-Trip-Survival-Guide.pdf http://myktis.com/2013/07/the-best-road-trip-game-ever-hey-cow/ http://discoverykids.com/parents/36-fun-free-printable-travel-games-to-entertain-the-kids-on-your-next-road-trip/ http://www.minitime.com/trip-tips/10-Best-Car-Games-for-Kids-article Conventional food color dyes are created from an unrefined fuel-petroleum. Red #40 and Yellow #5 and #6 contain the chemical benzene, which is a known carcinogen, that most of the world has banned. These food dyes have been linked to long-term health problems such as brain tumors, bladder and thyroid cancer, and allergic reactions. Numerous studies have shown they increase hyperactivity in children and have a negative impact on children’s ability to learn, contributing to ADHD. Yellow #5 and #6 have also been shown to behave like estrogen in the body, disrupting hormones and contributing to breast cancer, low testosterone and increases the risk of developing metabolic disease. For most of us the terms food coloring, artificial food dye, synthetic food dye, etc. did not have a negative connotation as we were enjoying coloring our Easter Eggs, or making birthday cupcakes. Fast-forward to today and it is becoming more well known just how dangerous, and unnecessary, these dyes can be. The good news is that there are safe, fun, and creative options for making your own food colors. Coloring Easter Eggs is a fun tradition for all ages! When I began my journey to remove artificial dyes from my family’s diet, I was saddened to think that I would either need to sacrifice our beliefs or not partake in this activity. Thanks to the many resources that the Internet has to offer, I realized I had many options to naturally color Easter Eggs. From simple, bright colored eggs to pastels, to professionally looking eggs that are imprinted with flower and leaf designs, you are sure to find a beautiful, safe alterative to using harmful kits and dyes. Naturally Colored Easter Eggs At World of Nutrition we are happy to offer convenient, vibrant botanical color powders from Color Kitchen in Bright Blue, Beet Red and Yellow. These can be used to create frostings, icings, dye Easter Eggs and much more. These three primary colors can be mixed to create the following hues:
Dyes from Plants & Herbs Nature has provided us with countless plants and herbs that make beautiful Easter Eggs! Look around your kitchen; you probably have a handful of items already! Purple cabbage, spinach, turmeric, onion skins, and rosemary to list just a handful. Fresher ingredients will yield the richest colors. What I love about natural Easter egg coloring is you never know what colors you are going to get. A beautiful natural mystery! Red: Boil 1 to 2 beets (about 3/4 pound) roughly chopped, or a few teaspoons of red beet powder (can be found on the bulk wall at WON) in 1-quart water, 1-tablespoon vinegar, and 1-tablespoon salt, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain, reserving the liquid for dyeing. Yellow-Orange: Heat 1-quart water, 1-tablespoon vinegar, and 1-tablespoon salt in a saucepan. Add 6-tablespoon ground turmeric (can be found on the bulk wall at WON) and stir well. Simmer for just a few minutes until the turmeric dissolves. Faint yellow: Simmer the peels of 6 oranges in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. vinegar. Mustard-yellow: Stir 2 Tbsp. turmeric into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Blue: Boil 1 large shredded red cabbage (about 1 pound), 1-quart water, 1-tablespoon vinegar, and 1-tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 30 minutes. Strain, reserving the liquid for dyeing. To achieve a truly rich blue, the eggs need to soak for a few hours. Bluish-Gray: Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries. Green: Frozen spinach works best for green eggs. Boil 10 oz. pkg. frozen spinach, 1 t. Baking Soda, and 2 cups of Water. Boil for 5 minutes, and then simmer for 60 minutes. Mush up spinach to release the color. Make sure water doesn’t simmer away! Tips:
First, begin with days that are at least 3 days old. Using white eggs will result in a brighter hue, while brown eggs will have a more neutral look. Place eggs in a large saucepan. Cover them with cool water by 1 inch. Slowly bring water to a boil over medium heat; when the water has reached a boil, cover and remove from heat. Let sit 12 minutes. Transfer eggs to a colander; place under cool running water to stop the cooking. Let cool completely before coloring. More Intricate Easter Eggs A WON staff favorite is using flowers, plants, leaves and herbs to creative designs on eggs. Taking a nature walk can be a fun way to find treasures to add to your eggs. The smaller the item, the better pattern it will create. Even herbs such as, rosemary and dill can be used. Simple place the plant on the hard boiled egg, hold tightly and place in a small piece of cheesecloth or pantyhose that have been cut up. Then proceed as usual with your choice of dying method. Let the egg dry for about 15 minutes before removing the cheesecloth or pantyhose. The options are limitless! Using yellow onion peels is another fun way to dye eggs. How to Dye Eater Eggs with Onion Skins: Ingredients
Yellow onion skins will dye the eggs a light tan, while red onion skins will yield a richer brown color. A mix of onions, as well as a selection of white and brown eggs will give you a pretty, varied palette of shades. Another fun way to use the Color Kitchen color packets this Easter is to make colored coconut to use as grass in Easter treats! Instructions Mix color with ¼ tsp. water in a small cup to dissolve Mix blended color with coconut and add another ¼ cup water in a food processor, or blend in a plastic bag with your hands Once mixed, put on a baking tray and set out to dry To speed up drying process, put tray in oven on warm and check every 5 minutes to make sure coconut is not turning brown and color does not fade. At WON, we encourage your family to try these exciting, natural methods this Easter. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or wish to use any of the herbs or coloring kits that we have. Happy Easter! |
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