Is WiFi Safe? Simple Steps to Reduce The Negative Effects

Technology has allowed us to go wireless and avoid the hassle of cables. We can now remotely turn the TVs on, start a coffee machine, and monitor babies using wireless technology. At the same time, we are exposed to unprecedented levels of electromagnetic radiation from wireless signals 24/7.

Have you wondered “Is WiFi Safe?” at this levels?

Is WiFi Safe?

Hang on tight… this may get controversial. There seem to be two rather extreme opinions when it comes to WiFi. One side says that it is completely safe and like the idea of “smart” houses with everything run off Wifi. The other side is ready to build a Faraday Cage around themselves at all time.

The truth is likely somewhere in the middle.

Understand the Effects of WiFi

WiFi does not immediately cause diagnosable illness. For this reason, many of us choose to ignore that it can have any affect at all. However, it can interfere with our bodily functions which may eventually progresses into diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative diseases after long term exposure.

Because these are complex diseases that develop over decades, it is difficult to conclusively show that the increase in wireless signal exposures directly cause the diseases. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers wireless radiation as a class 2B possible carcinogen due to limited evidence. These small number of studies are leaning towards showing that electromagnetic radiations, including WiFi, are not safe.

In the Lancet article outlining their considerations, that IARC states that epidemiological studies that follow humans who use WiFi and cell phones for a few years are not conclusive. However, rodent studies that follow the animals throughout their lifetime find that wireless radiation does cause cancer or worsen cancer prognosis. The same animal studies also observed other changes in the brain and blood brain barrier in animals that are exposed to the radiation.

The limited evidences in humans may be why regulators are claiming that this type of radiation is safe. However, some anecdotal evidences, such as how Canadian families in Ontario are noticing headaches and brain fogs in their children, suggest that WiFi may not be healthy and it is better to err on the side of caution.

It is even more important to protect children and developing fetuses from radiation as their smaller and growing bodies are more vulnerable to radiation than adults. Many products on the market aim to help protect babies in utero from WiFi radiation (like this belly armor blanket and even this belly-shielding band for pregnant moms).

How to Reduce WiFi Exposure

First, it is important to reduce use as much as possible, especially until we know more about the long-term effects of WiFi. The pro-WiFi crowd may scoff at the idea that anything could be potentially harmful about it, but we once thought smoking was perfectly fine too!

While it may not be possible to get the entire family on board, there are many options to reduce exposure while keeping everyone happy, including:

Turn Off WiFi Before Going to Bed (Good)

Everyone should be sleeping at bed time, and WiFi signal may interferes with the brain during sleep, so it is a good idea to turn it off before going to bed. This allows the body to rest more deeply. By turning it off at night, you are effectively cutting down exposure by 33%. (Aside from the WiFi reduction, many security experts also recommend turning off your internet when not using it).

In addition, because many people browse the internet mindlessly at night, some may also find that having a WiFi curfew improves their marriage because they become more present with their partners.

Many router models will have features that make it possible to automatically shut off WiFi connection and turn it back on at the same time every day, which will be useful for this purpose.

Turn On WiFi Router Only When in Use (Better)

If you and your family members are up for giving up WiFi for the most part, but still insist on connecting some devices from time to time, then having an option to switch on the router when in use is a better option as this reduces WiFi exposure only to a few hours a day.

Give Up Wireless and Hardwire All Your Connections (Best)

Giving up WiFi altogether is the healthiest option. It may sound daunting but it is possible and may mitigate several health issues down the line. In addition, you will enjoy more consistent and faster internet on cable. It is certainly more work and not doable for everyone, but something we are attempting.

You’ll need to pick up some affordable tools, including:

• Ethernet hub – if the one you have doesn’t have enough ports for every device and everyone to use. They can be plugged into an existing hub that you already have in order to expand the number of ports.
• Long ethernet cables – to allow everyone to connect from anywhere in your home.
• Ethernet adaptors – makes it possible to connect devices that don’t have ethernet ports, including tablets, smart phones, and some computers.

It is also a good idea to use wired peripherals like keyboards, mice, and headphones instead of wireless ones to reduce exposures to electromagnetic radiation.

If that all seems complicated to set up, I’d recommend asking someone to help. My tech-savvy brother was the lucky recepient of my questions.

Hold Up on Adding Gadgets or Upgrading to Smart Homes, Offices, and Cars

With new wireless technology, wireless-enabled devices with bells and whistles are on sale every single day. Smart home thermostats, bluetooth-controlled cookers, wireless baby monitoring system, and smart beds might make life easier, but they may not be safe.

Such technologies are still very new. These devices use many forms of wireless technologies, for which we don’t fully understand the long term health consequences. For these, less is more.

Turn Devices on Airplane Mode

Cell phones and tablets emit electromagnetic frequency when the receivers are turned on. Because we typically use these devices very close to our bodies for extended periods of time, exposure levels can be very high. Therefore, important to keep them on airplane mode, especially when they are around children.

Remember, also, to teach children and caregivers to turn these devices on airplane mode to reduce WiFi and electromagnetic exposures.

How to Mitigate the Harmful Effects of WiFi Exposure

It may be difficult to completely eliminate exposure, especially if you live or work in an urban area. In addition to taking steps above to reduce WiFi exposures, there are many ways to mitigate the harmful effects of WiFi signals, including:

Use a Dirty Electricity Filter to Reduce Electromagnetic Radiation

Dirty electricity occurs when electronic devices need to manipulate the electric currents into the format and voltage that the devices need. This can create electrical surges throughout the wiring system.

Electronic devices, including WiFi Routers, phone chargers, and computers all produce dirty electricity, which can be a significant source of harmful electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) in the building.

In order to mitigate this effect, consider installing dirty electricity filters on outlets throughout the home and work environment.

Earthing

Wireless devices emit unhealthy positive ions and also interfere with the waves in our own bodies, such as our brain waves and the electrical system that runs our cells. By earthing, the positive ions in our bodies can be equalized with negative ions from earth, which can mitigate the harmful effects of EMFs.

In addition, earthing allows our bodies to synch with the Schumann resonance (7.83 Hz), which is earth’s own electromagnetic frequency that we are naturally built to be exposed to. A Japanese study in 2005 showed that the Schumann resonance can reduce blood pressure and produce some positive health outcomes. By synching with earth’s natural frequency, we reduce the risks of WiFi waves interfering with our bodily functions.

You can earth simply by standing barefoot on the ground for 20 minutes daily. Alternatively, you can also use a grounding shoes with an earthing metal piece, or bed sheets that connects to the grounding port of your home electrical outlets.

Adding Negative Ions

Exposure to WiFi can result in a buildup of positive ions in your body, which can promote inflammation. Therefore, if you are regularly exposed to WiFi and EMF, it is even more important to regularly expose yourself to negative ions to to neutralize the positive ions.

You can find naturally occurring negative ions near moving water, such as at the beach or moving streams of water.

In addition, you can use a Himalayan salt lamp or negative ion generator in your home to increase your exposure to healthful negative ions and mitigate the negative effects from WiFi exposure.

Are you concerned about WiFi exposure and new wireless technologies? Weigh in in the comments below.

 

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How to Make Intensive Shea Butter Eye Cream (Recipe)

Are you tired of your eyes looking, well…tired? You’ll find plenty of conventional eye creams that promise more youthful looking skin. However, this shea butter eye cream delivers, without a hefty dose of harmful chemicals on the side. Perking up tired eyes is just one of the many benefits of shea butter.

Unlike other formulas, this eye cream doesn’t contain any water. While water based creams make your skin feel moisturized at first, they end up drying out the delicate under eye area. A waterless eye cream also has a much longer shelf life (and is easier to make!).

The Problem with Most Eye Creams

Skipping harmful ingredients is just one benefit of choosing a homemade eye cream over store bought. Conventional eye creams work by temporarily constricting blood vessels or coating the skin in a film to artificially tone it. And if you’re using an antioxidant eye cream, then I’ve got some bad news for you (source).

“None of these antioxidants has been approved as a treatment for age-related skin conditions. Most of these products contain very low concentrations of antioxidants. In addition, the antioxidants are not well absorbed by the skin and have only a short-term effect.”

Natural wrinkle prevention

This recipe features shea butter, which stimulates collagen production to increase skin firmness, and improve the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes. Even better, it helps reduce inflammation to combat puffiness. You’re also getting a nourishing dose of vitamins A, E and F for healthier skin.

Coconut oil is also fabulous for skin since it’s rich in lauric acid and essential fats. Not only does it boost circulation to clear up under eye circles, but it keeps connective tissue strong and supple. This means less fine lines and wrinkles. (source)

The beeswax in this recipe prevents moisture loss that can cause wrinkles. Rosehip seed oil is very nourishing for aging skin, but since it’s a dry oil, it helps to reduce the overall greasy feel of this eye cream. And to finish it off, we’re using geranium essential oil for its ability to help diminish wrinkles and inflammation, and clear up dark circles.

Eye Cream Ingredients

• 2 T shea butter
• 1 T coconut oil
• 1 tsp beeswax
• 1.5 tsp rosehip oil
• 4 drops geranium essential oil
• Pot
• Mason jar
• 2 oz glass jar or steel tin

How to Make Eye Cream

1. Combine all of the ingredients together, except for the geranium essential oil and rosehip seed oil, into a wide mouth, glass mason jar. Fill a pot on the stove halfway with water, and place the mason jar into the water.
2. Turn the stove onto medium heat, and melt the contents of the jar on the stove for about 6 minutes. You want the water to be at a gentle simmer, not boiling, so lower the temperature if needed. Swirl the contents of the jar every so often to help everything combine.
3. As soon as everything is melted and combined, remove the jar from the water bath.
4. Pour the mixture in a small mixing bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes before stirring in the essential oil.
5. Scoop the mixture into a glass jar and use a tiny amount under the eyebrow and under eye area at night.

Eye cream tips

• As with anything that’s not specifically for the eyeball, do NOT get this into your eye!
• This recipe also works great as a nourishing and moisturizing eye makeup remover.
• If you want more of a soft salve consistency, then you can skip the whipping process and just pour the eye cream into your glass jar.

Have you ever made an eye cream? What are your favorite ingredients to use? Share below!

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The GAPS Diet: Help for Food Allergies and Gut Issues?

The GAPS diet (also known as the “Gut and Psychology Syndrome” diet) is a temporary, intensive, intestinal-healing diet, that soothes the gut lining in order to help a variety of conditions. Those who have tried it report it helping autism, A.D.D., A.D.H.D, dyspraxia, depression, schizophrenia, and, as was the case with my son, food allergies.

If you’ve heard of the GAPS diet before, you might be wondering what the GAPS diet really is. If you’ve browsed GAPS diet food lists at any point, you may have felt overwhelmed at the thought of how restrictive it is. That’s understandable.

The GAPS diet is, indeed, restrictive. But it’s also restorative, healing, and definitely worth doing.

What is the GAPS diet, really?

The diet consists of two phases: the intro portion and the full GAPS diet.

During intro, you will go through six stages, beginning with only slow-cooked meats, vegetables, meat stock, and homemade probiotic foods like sauerkraut juice and cultured dairy. As each stage progresses, you add in more foods, including eggs, ghee, fresh-pressed juices, casseroles, roasted meats, soaked nuts and seeds, raw vegetables, and, eventually, cooked fruit.

Once you have progressed through this intro portion, and symptoms are relieved, you may enjoy full GAPS diet foods, which include grain-free flours, cultured dairy products, and fresh and dried fruits. It is suggested that following intro, one adheres to the full GAPS diet for another six months- two years, depending on the severity of the symptoms.

What symptoms are we talking about?

Personally, I think everyone could benefit from the GAPS diet. While there are some fun foods you can enjoy by being creative on GAPS, the staples of the diet consist of meats, vegetables, eggs, and probiotic-rich foods. For the most part, these are nutrient dense foods that we should consume anyway.

However, there are particular symptoms that sources claim can be helped by the GAPS diet. Those include:

• food allergies or intolerances
• behavioral or emotional conditions such as autism, A.D.H.D., depression, and anxiety
• skin disorders such as eczema
• autoimmune conditions such fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma.

My son suffered from a dairy allergy and eczema, which began to reverse after just a few weeks on the diet.

How does fixing the gut help all of these conditions?

The gut is closely connected to all other systems of the body through intricate communication systems. When the gut is compromised, all aspects of our health suffer. It starts with leaky gut syndrome.

Leaky gut syndrome

Unfortunately, our modern lifestyles have contributed to leaky gut syndrome in several ways (read more about a leaky gut diet here):

• Our diets are high in starches and sugars, which contribute to intestinal permeability because they are not easily digested. Instead, those types of foods sit in the gut and essentially decompose, which, in turn, can harm the gut lining.
• Many of us are routinely take antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals.
• We encounter a number of chemicals on a daily basis, such as fluoride, chlorine, and glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup).

Each of these insults to the gut lining stresses its integrity.

Think of it this way: the gut lining is a barrier which keeps food particles from entering other body systems. When that lining is continuously assaulted with poor foods, antibiotics, and other toxins, it begins to break down.

When the gut lining breaks down, food particles can then pass through the gut, undigested, and land in other areas of the body. This results in the body becoming confused and attacking itself and the food particles. Leaky gut results in conditions like food allergies, arthritis, chronic pain, and malnourishment.

Problematic proteins

When food rots in the gut, something else happens as well: the gut bacteria become imbalanced. Our bodies and guts are designed with a perfect balance of healthful and opportunistic bacteria. When an imbalance occurs, opportunistic bacteria and fungus begin to take over, and gut dysbiosis occurs.

Gut dysbiosis is simply the overgrowth of pathogenic species of gut bacteria, and lack of good bacteria.

Dysbiosis reduces stomach acid and digestive enzymes and can lead to digestive problems. When we are unable to properly break down and digest food proteins, they can leak through tiny holes in the lining of the gut. Some proteins are even able to pass through the blood-brain barrier. This is the barrier which is supposed to protect the brain from such intruders.

The proteins from dairy and wheat, in particular, are problematic. Casein, and gluten, respectively, are difficult for many people’s guts to break down.

For those with severely damaged guts, these proteins do not get digested properly, and, consequently, turn into morphine-like substances, similar in structure to opiates. These undigested peptides are called gluteomorphins and casomorphins, and have been found in the urine of those with autism, A.D.H.D., schizophrenia, epilepsy, Downs syndrome, depression, and some autoimmune conditions.

Gluteomorphins and casomorphins inhibit the same areas of brain function as opiate drugs. This may explain why some children with autism are described as being “in their own world,” as well as the brain fog experienced by those with other chronic conditions.

GAPS for the gut win

Reading about the above underlying causes of so many health issues is a little disheartening. The truth is, most of us probably have some level of leaky gut and dysbiosis. That’s why the GAPS diet is so beneficial for everyone.

The GAPS diet eliminates those foods which contribute to leaky gut, like sugar, starches, and grains. Instead, it replaces them with gut-healing foods that promote good bacterial growth in the gut. This includes foods like sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables, those that actually rebuild the gut lining like gelatin-rich meat stock and bone broth, and those that restore depleted nutritional stores like fresh-pressed juice and copious amounts of raw egg yolks.

Is GAPS really that hard?

The GAPS diet really can be intimidating, but it is completely doable! It helps to focus on all of the nourishing foods you can still have. Not only that, but keep in mind that GAPS is temporary. Once you reverse symptoms and food allergies are gone, you may be able to eat properly prepared grains and starchy foods again.

That’s great news for anyone currently suffering from food allergies, particularly if those food allergies keep you from eating foods you love.

In our own family, we’ve seen firsthand the benefits of GAPS. The GAPS diet gives many families their lives back. Stories abound of children who have recovered from autism and other developmental disorders. Many adults report relief from depression and anxiety in order to better care for their families. The whole family experiences better overall health and energy from adding such nutrient rich foods to their diets.

The Fine Print…  on GAPS, you cannot eat:

• grains (even gluten-free grains and psuedo-grains like buckwheat and quinoa)
• potatoes (both white and sweet)
• sugars of all kinds, including artificial sweeteners (except honey)
• okra or parsnips
• pasteurized or unfermented milk (only cultured dairy is allowed)
• beans (except white navy and lima beans)
• soft cheeses
• starches like tapioca and arrowroot

However, you may eat so many wonderful foods! With a little creativity, you can even recreate many foods you once loved.

What to do about special occasions

If you’re on the GAPS diet, or considering it, you may be worried about the upcoming holiday season. Since GAPS is so restrictive, you may be tempted to put it off until after the holidays, or make compromises, impeding healing.

You don’t have to put off the healing GAPS brings, and you don’t have to abandon GAPS diet ideals just because the holidays are approaching!

I recently found a great resource for you that will help you get through the holidays without compromising your dietary needs, or feeling deprived as you watch others celebrate with delicious foods. You can have delicious holiday foods on the GAPS diet too!

It is called Nourishing Holiday features recipes like pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, honey ham, turkey gravy, dinner rolls, carrot cake, and more, all while adhering to the strict standards of the GAPS diet.

 

You can buy Nourishing Holiday for just $12.49 -50% off the full price- only until Friday the 28th, so go grab it now! Grab a copy here.

Are you ready?

Are you ready to try the GAPS diet? With all these benefits, it’s hard to find a reason not to. It’s like ripping off a bandaid: just do it and you’ll be amazed at how much you’re capable of and just how much healing can take place.

Don’t take my word for it. Grab a copy of the GAPS diet book by Dr. Natasha, get to reading and planning, and give the GAPS diet a try.

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Nutella Recipe: How to Make Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

Why Nutella Shouldn’t Be In Your Pantry (+ A Better Option)

More years ago than I’d like to admit, my husband and I spent a few weeks in Europe. We hiked and explored beautiful towns in different parts of Europe, tried local foods, and also indulged in way too much of an Italian favorite: Nutella. However, once I found out more about the ingredients in Nutella, I was determined to find a healthier, organic lower sugar version of this hazelnut spread. Luckily I found Nutiva Organic Hazelnut Spread (and you can grab a free jar here).

The History of Nutella

Some form of chocolate hazelnut spread has been popular since the early 1800s when Napoleon tried to stop British commerce during the Napoleonic Wars. Without the ability to import many common foods, the price of many foods drastically increased. The cost of chocolate was one of the most affected, so chocolatiers started adding hazelnuts, which they had an abundance of, to stretch the chocolate. They called the resulting chocolate hazelnut goodness gianduia, and it maintained popularity though the years.

During WWII, the price of chocolate skyrocketed again due to rationing, and Italian chocolatier Pietro Ferrero revived the idea of stretching the precious chocolate supply by adding hazelnuts. Thus Nutella was born. These days, the chocolate spread is still very popular in both Europe and the US.

Unfortunately, the US version contains a LOT of sugar and some questionable ingredients. While it is marketed as a healthy breakfast food, I’d lump it in with donuts and pastries due to its high sugar content.

Is Nutella Healthy?

Based on the commercials, you may think Nutella is a health food, worthy of a place on your breakfast (and lunch and dinner) table. Unfortunately, there are some problems hidden within those apparently simple ingredients:

Nutella Ingredients: sugar, modified palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, skimmed milk powder, whey powder, soy lecithin, and vanillin

Seems like simple and relatively healthy ingredients, right? At least we can pronounce them all! Heck, even my 5 year old could probably pronounce all of those ingredients. Unfortunately, the problem with the ingredients that may not be so obvious…like the artificial flavor vanillin.

Nutella Ingredients

There are several red flags in these ingredients that disqualify Nutella from health food status:

Sugar

The first ingredient in Nutella is refined sugar… and not a small amount of it. In fact, two tablespoons of this chocolaty spread contains 21 grams of sugar, or 5 cubes of sugar! That’s more than most candy bars and donuts!

On top of that, the sugar is not-organic, and likely comes from sugar beets, resulting in a highly refined sugar that often contains large amounts of pesticides! Hardly a health food. If you wouldn’t eat a candy bar for breakfast or feed one to your child, then skipping the Nutella is probably a good idea too.

There is definitely a time and a place for sugar consumption (in moderation, of course), but it’s important to choose organic and non-GMO sugar.

Palm Oil

This is the biggest problem with Nutella’s ingredients, and the reason that France’s ecology minister, Ségolène Royal, has called for a boycott on this popular dessert.

Why? Because this conflict palm oil is harmful to the planet!

Palm oil is an ingredient in many commercial foods, and most of the world’s supply is harvested in Southeast Asia and contributes to deforestation, habitat destruction, water pollution, and human rights offenses.

Thankfully, not all Palm Oil harvesting is harmful to the environment, and properly sourced Palm Oil can be a very nutritious ingredient. A recent campaign called Palm Done Right works to raise awareness about properly sourced palm  oil and encourages consumers to choose ethical and healthier options.

Soy Lethicin

Soy is a controversial ingredient on its own, but unless it comes from an organic source, soy is a highly sprayed crop and is processed with hexane, a harsh solvent and byproduct of gasoline. There are healthier alternatives from foods like sunflower seeds, which don’t carry the same problems.

I often hear the claim that soy must be healthy because Asian cultures consume it and don’t struggle with many of the health problems we do.

I’d venture that in many of these cultures, they have a variety of healthier habits that may account for this difference. Additionally, the soy used in the US is usually highly sprayed, and much of the soy in other cultures is not. We used to live near a field that was commercially farmed. The farmer would rotate corn, wheat, and soybeans. I saw first hand the amount of pesticides and herbicides sprayed on these crops. They would spray multiple times in a growing season with tractors and planes (and the guys spraying wore HazMat suits!).

Soyalso contains xenoestrogens, which are potent endocrine disruptors. In fact, many experts think that these xenoestrogens may be partially to blame for rising rates of reproductive issues!

Commercial Dairy

Nutella also contains non-organic “skimmed milk powder.” Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with ethically sourced dairy, but that isn’t what you’ll find in Nutella.

Commercially sourced dairy comes from cows raised in terrible conditions and fed GMO grains and antibiotics. On top of that, it is pasteurized and homogenized. By the time it becomes “milk powder,” it is also full of oxidized cholesterol, which is one of the most harmful types of cholesterol.

Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are a wonderful and nutritious food that originated near the black sea. Unfortunately, many modern hazelnuts grown in the US and Canada are sprayed with commercial pesticides. Always choose organic hazelnuts to avoid pesticide contamination.

Cocoa Powder

Another nutritious food that does have a place in a healthy diet is cocoa. Unfortunately, much of the world’s supply is harvested in unethical ways including slave labor and child labor. As I explained in an earlier post:

Most of us don’t realize while we are boosting our PMSing serotonin levels with chocolate that we are also contributing to child slave labor.

It is ironic and sad that the treats that are loved and consumed by women and children in the United States are produced with forced child labor and child slavery:

According to an investigative report by the BBC, hundreds of thousands of children are being purchased from their parents or outright stolen and then shipped to Ivory Coast, where they are enslaved on cocoa farms. Destitute parents in these poverty-stricken lands sell their children to traffickers believing that they will find honest work in Ivory Coast and send some of their earnings home. The terrible reality is that these children, 11-to-16-years-old but sometimes younger, are forced to do hard manual labor 80 to 100 hours a week. They are paid nothing, receive no education, are under fed, and are often viciously beaten if they try to escape. Most will never see their families again. (source)

All health pros and cons aside, I refused to buy or consume any product that came from the work of children forced into slavery and inhumane conditions. An estimated 1.8 million children work in the cocoa fields in Ghana and the Ivory Coast and while the chocolate industry is a 70 Billion dollar industry, this problem hasn’t been corrected.

Bottom line: chocolate is great, but choose ethical and fair trade varieties.

Vanillin

It would be easy to glance over this ingredient and assume it was just a technical name for real vanilla… it isn’t. Real vanilla is essentially a tincture made from vanilla beans (here’s how to make it at home). It has wonderful flavor and even contains some B-vitamins!

Vanillin isn’t so wholesome. It is artificial vanilla flavor combined with sugar or corn syrup. In stores, it is sometimes called “Imitation Vanilla.” The artificial vanilla flavor is sometimes derived from things like wood pulp- hardly what I want in my food!

Health Washing?

A 2012 lawsuit convicted Nutella’s parent company Fererro USA of making misleading health claims in its advertising and packaging. The 3 million dollar settlement reimbursed consumers who had bought Nutella thinking it was healthy. The settlement also required Fererro USA to change their packaging, website and marketing to reflect the high sugar content.

The Good News: A Better Alternative

I have put off publishing this post for a long time, because I knew the comments it would get…

The “Oh my gosh, so everything is bad for you and we should just live on water,” and the “Can’t we just enjoy things in moderation?”

And normally, I’d say yes… we can enjoy things in moderation, but when it comes to a blend of refined, highly processed ingredients that are also harming the environment, I just can’t get on board with that. But, thanks to the good folks at Thrive Market, I recently found a much better alternative and have been letting my kids enjoy this nostalgic treat in moderation (see, I told you I could get on board with things in moderation 😉 ).

An Organic Hazelnut Spread

I recently found an organic, non-GMO verified, dairy-free, gluten-free hazelnut spread from Nutiva and it has all the deliciousness of Nutella without the harmful junk!

Our family loves Nutiva Organic Hazelnut Spread because it is:

• Much lower in sugar: It contains 40% less sugar than other options. In fact, the name brand contains 21 grams of sugar per 2 TBSP serving size, while Nutiva has only 12 grams.
• Ethically Sourced: Most hazelnut spreads contain palm oil, which can be problematic if not ethically sourced. All of the ingredients in the Nutiva brand, including the Palm Oil and Cocoa, are ethically sourced (rainforest and animal friendly).
• More Nutritious: Unlike other brands, this one contains 450 mg of Omega-3s per serving! (That’s more than Sardines and Tuna contain per serving and my kids certainly prefer the chocolate option!)
• Organic, Non-GMO Verified and Certified Gluten Free: Other brands are not organic, or contain ingredients that may be genetically modified.
• Dairy Free and Vegan: We aren’t typically worried about finding vegan alternatives to foods, but when the dairy source is commercial dairy, I’d much prefer a vegan alternative!

This Organic Hazelnut Spread comes in a Classic flavor (most similar to Nutella) and a richer Dark Chocolate version (a richer flavor and my personal favorite). I also love that it comes in two sizes: a jar and smaller packets that are great for packing for school lunches or on the go.

Want A Free Jar?

Thrive Market, a company I love and order from often, is offering a free jar of Nutiva Organic Hazelnut Spread to Wellness Mama readers! What’s better than chocolate? Free chocolate! Click here to grab it now.

I love Thrive Market because they carry many of the natural products I can’t find locally and often at 25-50% off retail price. Their membership model is similar to Costco, but due to their ability to direct buy at wholesale prices, you don’t have to buy a whole case of everything (and they carry a LOT more organic foods!)

Delicious Ways to Eat Hazelnut Spread

Whether you make your own imitation Nutella or save the time and money and buy the organic pre-made Nutiva, there are so many delicious ways to eat hazelnut spread:

• On Banana Chips: My kids love dipping banana chips into it.
• In a Smoothie: They’ve also found some creative ways to use hazelnut spread in smoothies. Their current favorites are hazelnut butter and jelly smoothie and Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Smoothie
• Pancake Topping: My oldest likes to make pancakes for the family on Saturday, and drizzle them with hazelnut spread and sliced strawberries.
• Mocha Coffee: Try blending a teaspoon of chocolate hazelnut spread into coffee for a natural creamer.
• Peanut Butter Substitute: Can’t have or don’t love peanut butter? Use delicious chocolate hazelnut spread in any recipe that calls for peanut butter.
• Hot Chocolate: Combine 1 cup of milk of choice (almond, coconut or pecan all work too) with 2 Tablespoons of this chocolate hazelnut spread in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and serve immediately.

Are you a Nutella fan? Will you switch to a healthier alternative?

This post was sponsored by Nutiva and Thrive Market. All opinions are my own.

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Why SIBO Leads to Major Health Problems (And How to Fix It)

Most of us now understand that there are thousands of bacteria living in our digestive systems. Beneficial and pathogenic bacteria co-exist in our digestive tract, and problems can occur when these get out of balance.

Research has linked many conditions like IBS, bloating, leaky gut syndrome, and even Crohn’s disease to imbalances in the gut. New evidence suggests that another, though less well-known, may contribute to these disorders: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).

What is SIBO?

SIBO stands for “Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.” Anatomically, the small intestine connects the stomach with the colon.

So bacteria in the digestive tract are normal, right?

Yes and no…

The old saying that there is a time and a place for everything applies here.

Bacteria is normal in the digestive tract, but, with this infection, it isn’t the presence of bacteria which is the problem. The problem is that there is too much bacteria and/or the wrong type of bacteria. By the “wrong type of bacteria,” it doesn’t necessarily mean some weird strain of bacteria is wreaking havoc on your gut. Most often, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth occurs because bacteria which should be in your large intestine (colon) gets into your small intestine. (source)

The small intestine works to digest food and absorb nutrients into the body. If you want to get technical, it has three parts: the duodenum (food ends up here from the stomach), the jejunum and the ileum (which moves partially digested food into the colon or large intestine).

How Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Occurs

The gastrointestinal system does contain bacteria, but these should be in the highest amount in the colon. Comparatively, there should be relatively little bacteria in the small intestine. The small intestine houses different kinds of bacteria than the colon or rest of the digestive system. In fact, you’ll find only about 10,000 bacteria per milliliter of fluid in the small intestine.  The colon houses at least 1,000,000,000 bacteria per milliliter of fluid!

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (also known as small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SBBOS)) occurs when large numbers of the bacteria from the colon migrate to the small intestine and disrupt its balance.

SIBO harms the structure and function of the small bowel. Damage in the small intestine can lead to leaky gut, which occurs when the intestinal barrier is permeable and proteins from food can enter the bloodstream. This may lead to complications like immune reactions, food allergies or sensitivities, generalized inflammation, and  even contribute to autoimmune diseases.

Is SIBO Contagious?

Thankfully, no.

Though it is a nasty infection, it is not contagious so you don’t have to worry about it spreading to anyone else.

SIBO Symptoms: Understanding the Problem

The small intestine is the longest part of the digestive system and handles much of the nutrient absorption from food. Problems in the small intestine can quickly lead to nutrient deficiencies and food absorption issues.

Perhaps most problematic: these bacteria living in the small intestine can “eat” B vitamins, such as vitamin B12, before the body can absorb these important nutrients. These same bacteria, when present in the small bowel, consume vital amino acids, causing protein deficiency and an increase in ammonia production. It may also lead to fat soluble vitamin absorption issues.

Main SIBO Symptoms:

• Flatulence and/or belching
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Cramps
• Diarrhea and/or constipation (source)

Risk Factors for SIBO:

Certain groups of people are at higher risk for SIBO, including those with an existing gastrointestinal disorder. Those with autoimmune disease, especially Celiac disease, are also at higher risk.

Other risk factors:

• Medications: Especially those that affect the immune system or digestive tract
• Celiac Disease: A study from the American Journal of Gastroenterology showed that 66% of people with celiac disease had SIBO (even when eating completely gluten free!). (source)
• Diabetes: Another study found this overgrowth in 43% of diabetes patients
• Other Autoimmune Disease: Any condition that compromises the immune system may lead to a higher rate of SIBO
• Aging: Another fun part of aging- those over age 60 have a higher risk than those under 60
• Rosacea: An Italian study found a strong correlation between those with SIBO and symptoms of Rosacea. The study also showed a recovery from Rosacea when the bacterial overgrowth was eliminated (source)

There may also be a connection between oral contraceptive use and SIBO.

Research has identified an association between oral contraceptive pills and bowel disease like IBS and Crohn’s. Of course, correlation doesn’t prove causation, but the association is strong, according to this study.

And alcohol consumption and SIBO:

There is also a clear association with heavy alcohol consumption and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

From Chris Kresser:

Heavy alcohol use has long been recognized in association with SIBO (source). This study also found an association between SIBO and moderate alcohol consumption, defined as up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Alcohol appears to have effects on several of the normal protective mechanisms, including causing injury to the small bowel mucosal cells, contributing to leaky gut, and decreasing the muscular contractions. Additionally, alcohol may “feed” a few specific types of bacteria contributing to overgrowth (source)

Personal Experience With SIBO

Years ago, my husband’s appendix ruptured, leading to a nasty secondary infection and a lot of really potent antibiotics that saved his life. Obviously, I’m forever grateful to those doctors and those antibiotics, but they did leave behind some gastrointestinal symptoms that were later identified as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.

This began my research on this tricky condition and I found that many people seem to struggle with it, even after cleaning up their diets. In fact, my friend Sylvie was diagnosed with it, even after years of clean eating. In her words:

When I first cleaned up my diet a few years ago from the typical standard American diet to a real foods based one, I was astonished at how many health conditions seemed to just disappear week after week. I was feeling more energetic, losing weight with very little effort and even managed to get rid of a couple medications.

Unfortunately, the switch to real food didn’t solve every health issue I had… I was still dealing with histamine intolerance, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), which I later found out were both caused by SIBO, which sent me down a rabbit hole of research. The good news is that by treating SIBO I was able to eliminate the symptoms of histamine intolerance and IBS.

Unfortunately, SIBO isn’t as well-known as many other digestive conditions. It’s taken a little while for the medical community to get on board with recognizing this condition, and learning how to treat it effectively.

How do I know if I have SIBO?

This was the first question we set out to answer for my husband.

The only way to know for sure, is to get tested.

Unfortunately, you can’t order the tests yourself. You need to see a doctor or qualified practitioner to order them for you.  We saw a naturopath and a clinician who specializes in gut health.

Best Test for SIBO

The BEST test you can take is a 3 hour lactulose breath test that you can take in the comfort of your home and send back to the lab in the mail. Essentially, you consume lactulose as directed and breathe into a tube every 20 minutes for 3 hours. There’s a 24 hour diet that you have to follow the day before your test to ensure accuracy in the results.

If you have IBS, it’s a good idea to get tested for SIBO, since treating it is what will eliminate your IBS symptoms, not the other way around.

It can sometimes take more than one round of treatment to eliminate it, so the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll get relief.

How Do I Get Rid of SIBO?

SIBO can be tricky to treat and sometimes takes more than 1 round of treatment or a combination of different treatments. Choosing the right treatment for you depends on:

• What type of SIBO it is (methane dominant or hydrogen dominant)
• How severe the SIBO is (determined by your breath test)
• How determined the person is to eliminate it

Seriously, that third one is important to note because some treatments, like the elemental diet (below), are more difficult and severe than others but when you’ve had enough of SIBO and are ready to eliminate it, you might just be willing to endure two miserable weeks in order to achieve it sooner.

Other treatments include traditional antibiotics, herbal antibiotics, and following a specialized diet which incorporates principles from both the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and the low FODMAP diet as well as some additional gut healing recommendations.

The best solution is likely a combination of most of these methods. Antibiotics are the most common treatment for SIBO sufferers, but studies show that about half of people will relapse within a year! (source)

The Elemental Diet for SIBO

The elemental diet is one of the most statistically effective treatments for SIBO, but perhaps the most difficult too. And the name is misleading, because it actually requires eating no food for a couple of weeks.

Essentially, the elemental diet is a protocol of no solid food and a very specialized supplement program. This protocol starves out the bacteria in the small intestine. This diet is complicated and requires specialized supplements, so it is important to work with a knowledgeable practitioner. I also found this digital guide very helpful for understanding and preparing for the elemental diet.

Long-Term Diet to Stop SIBO

SIBO’s high recurrence rate makes it difficult to stop without long-term changes. The elemental diet is typically only done for a few weeks, but some dietary changes may help keep it from coming back:

Eating Smaller Portions

When a person overeats, it takes the body longer to digest food and it sits in the stomach. This can make SIBO worse. Eating small portions that can be quickly digested and waiting a few hours between meals is a long-term way to help guard against SIBO. This is probably a good practice for most people, even those without SIBO.

Low FODMAPs

Certain types of foods are more likely to contribute to gut issues. FODMAPs are some of the most likely offenders. If you aren’t familiar with them, FODMAP stands for:

• Fermentable: the process through which gut bacteria break down undigested carbohydrate to produce gases (hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide).
• Oligo-saccharides: a) fructo-oligosaccarides found in wheat, rye, onions and garlic etc. b) galacto-oligosaccharides found in legumes/pulses.
• Disaccharides: lactose found in milk, soft cheese, yoghurts etc
• Mono-saccharide: fructose (in excess of glucose) found in honey, many fruits and vegetables, high fructose corn syrups etc.
• And
• Polyols: sugar polyols (eg. sorbitol, mannitol) found in some fruit and vegetables and used as artificial sweeteners.

My husband claims that these can be easily remembered in the general category of “everything that tastes good.”

Avoiding these foods, at least for a period of time, may help the body battle SIBO.

GAPS or SCD Diet

A long term diet like GAPS or SCD may help the body stop SIBO from coming back. These diets are less restrictive than the two listed above and more sustainable in the long term. These diets may also help eliminate SIBO but can take much longer than an elemental diet combined with natural or conventional antibiotics.

I talk about my experience with them here.

Sylvie’s Experience Getting Rid of SIBO

Sylvie McCracken, author of The SIBO Solution, was able to eliminate her SIBO using a combination of these methods:

Believe it or not, I’ve tried every single one of those protocols, since my case of SIBO was severe to say the least.

If I had to do it again I would have gone straight to the homemade elemental diet plus herbal antibiotics. It still might have taken 2 rounds of that for my severe case but that would have saved me many months of suffering and hundreds of dollars.

The rabbit hole of research became so deep that I decided to chronicle the journey, research, recipes, and recommendations into one resource guide, so that if you’re struggling with this condition you don’t have to go through all the trial and error that I did.

Stopping SIBO Recurrence

One of the biggest (often neglected) problems with SIBO is the high recurrence rate. A person goes through all this trouble, and often expense, in treating it only to have it come back (sometimes with a vengeance) a few months later.

The biggest mistake people make when treating SIBO is not following the 3 keys to post treatment:

• Retesting (the same SIBO breath test you did prior to treatment)
• Prokinetics (as directed by your doctor)
• Following a SIBO diet for at least a few months

Anyone willing to go through the trouble of fighting SIBO should also focus on preventing recurrence for those few months post treatment.

A Helpful Resource for SIBO

The SIBO Solution is your comprehensive guide to eliminating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and most importantly, keeping it at bay for good. It has been an invaluable resource in our battle with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.

If you have a nagging case of IBS or have been diagnosed with SIBO already, this guide will help you navigate this journey from diagnosis to treatment to post treatment prevention as well as provide you with the recipes you need to navigate the somewhat restrictive diet.

Get your copy of The SIBO Solution for 30% off for a limited time with code WELLNESSMAMA at this link.

This post was co-written by Wellness Mama and Sylvie McCracken, author of The SIBO Solution.

Have you struggled with SIBO? Think you may have it? Share what has worked with you below and share this post with a friend or family member.

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Diatomaceous Earth: 9 Amazing Uses for this Helpful Remedy

What if I told you there is a fossilized powder of phytoplankton that it is useful for removing household pests like fleas and bed bugs, and on top of that, it has a handful of beauty uses and digestive benefits.

What is that remedy you ask? Diatomaceous Earth!

I always keep diatomaceous earth readily available in our home as we use it often. Unfortunately, it has gotten a bad rap lately, largely due to a misunderstanding about the two types of diatomaceous earth and their major differences.

Today, I’m clearing up the confusion and sharing the many ways I’ve used this natural remedy over the years.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous Earth (or DE for short) is a fine powder formed from the fossilized remains of diatoms (a type of hard shelled algae).

It is unique in a couple of ways:

• Silica Content: These fossilized diatoms have a very high silica content (which is used to build hair, skin and nails)
• Hard as Nails… or Diamonds: It is very hard (only two points lower than diamonds on the hardness scale). It looks like a tiny tube with holes in it when viewed through a microscope.
• Always so negative: DE has a very strong negative charge, which makes it beneficial in several ways.

The FDA classifies Diatomaceous Earth (food grade) as “Generally Recognized As Safe.” DE is commonly used in things like toothpaste, as an anti-caking aid, for clarifying beer or wine, and to eliminate pests naturally. In fact, you’ve likely consumed products that contain traces of DE without even knowing it!

Unique Properties of DE

The strong negative charge of diatomaceous earth means that it naturally attaches to and removes positively charged substances. It’s sharp/strong structure allows it to puncture the exoskeleton of insects on a microscopic level, causing them to dehydrate and die (while humans and animals are left completely unharmed).

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is recognized as safe for human and animal use, and food grade DE is considered safe for human consumption, even during pregnancy and nursing.

In this article, I’m referencing Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth and NOT the industrial grade type used in pool cleaning. Much of the misunderstanding about the benefits of DE stems from the difference in these two types. The industrial grade is toxic to humans and should be avoided. It is also toxic to workers who collect it.

Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth’s has a unique structure that makes it beneficial in several important ways. DE has not been extensively studied, but is generally regarded as safe when used moderately and correctly. There are studies on silica and other compounds found in DE.

Some sources claim that DE is a cure-all for everything from parasites to viruses and everything in between. They claim it eliminates free radicals, remineralizes bones, and halts aging in its tracks.

I haven’t found any research to back up these claims, but I have seen many other benefits first hand:

1. Natural Way to Stop  Household Pests

DE is a great natural way to kill insects and pests (including intestinal parasites) gently and effectively. It acts mechanically, not chemically. This means that unlike pesticides, insects can’t develop a resistance to it and that it works on almost all pests.

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act classifies DE as safe for household use. The Environmental Working group classifies it as safe for household and beauty use as well.

How it Works:

Most pesticides and insecticides work by poisoning the pest. Unfortunately, chemicals that are harmful to small pests can also be harmful to humans and carry risks. DE works mechanically, meaning that it bonds to and absorbs parts of the waxy coating on the exoskeleton of insects, causing them to dehydrate and die. It is incredibly tiny but sharp, and it can scratch the exoskeleton of small insects and pests while leaving human tissue unharmed.

I use DE in our home to stop infestations from fleas, bed bugs, cockroaches and ants.

2. Stops Fleas Quickly

I will be forever grateful for its help several years ago when we had a horrible flea infestation. We adopted a rescue kitten and she brought along a few thousand close friends (fleas). The fleas quickly infested the entire apartment we were living in at the time and with a new baby and toddlers, it was a HUGE problem. I didn’t want to use any type of harmful pesticide, since my kids were crawling around on the floor.

To stop the flea outbreak, I sprinkled DE all over our carpet and soft surfaces several times a day. The only potential concern with DE is irritation from inhalation, so I wore a dust mask and sprinkled the whole house with it. I let the powder sit for about an hour then I vacuumed up the powder. I repeated this a few times a day for 4 days until the fleas were gone.

3. Fights Bed Bugs

DE is well documented for its ability to eliminate bed bugs. Even pest control companies sometimes use DE for removing bed bugs safely:

Both silica gel and diatomaceous earth kill insects by removing a portion of the razor-thin, waxy outer coating that helps them conserve moisture. As a result, they desiccate and die from dehydration. Like super-fine sandpaper, DE acts principally by abrading the protective outer layer of wax as the insect crawls over or through the particles.(source)

I sprinkle DE on mattresses each time I change the sheets to help ward off bed bugs and other pests.

4. Source of Silica

DE’s high silica content makes it helpful for hair, skin and nail growth. DE is 84-90% silica with over 20 trace minerals that are difficult to obtain in today’s world. This study from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Pharmacy showed that silica may help increase hair growth and thickness when taken regularly. The skin also uses silica and deficiency may lead to dry or brittle skin.

Studies show that dietary silicon is beneficial to bone and connective tissue, though the specific form in DE is not well studied. Evidence shows a positive association between dietary silicon intake and better bone mineral density, though the exact reason is unclear.

One theory is that silicon helps the body synthesize collagen (which the body uses in joints, connective tissue, bones, and skin).

Silica is less well known for its ability to counteract heavy metals, but emerging research shows promise. One study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that silica may help remove heavy metals from the body. The study particularly looked at its high-aluminum-affinity and found that it may reduce aluminum absorption in humans. (source)

We need more research on the direct effects of DE on silica levels, but its rich concentration of silica may make it an inexpensive way to increase silica levels.

5. Detoxification

This is where claims start to get murky. On the one hand, there are thousands of products that claim to remove “toxins,” without clearly defining what “toxins” are. Since “toxins” is a term that could apply to a wide range of substances, these claims are difficult or impossible to measure.

On the other hand, there is evidence that diatomaceous earth may have a measurable affect on several substances that harm the body.

I already mentioned its potential ability to reduce aluminum availability. This alone is a benefit to the body.

DE’s high silica concentration may also contribute to the detoxification claims. Some evidence suggests that silica may help fight free radical damage in a similar way to antioxidants. This may be due to its ability to remain stable and carry a negative electrical charge, attracting positively charged free radicals. Though largely unproven by actual research, this mechanism is likely the basis of the claims that it reduces oxidative damage and has anti-aging effects.

6. Fights Parasites and Bacterial Overgrowth

When my husband was battling SIBO (more on that soon), his practitioner had him drink DE daily to help bring his gut bacteria back into balance. There isn’t much research on DE’s ability to remove parasites in humans, but it is well documented in animal studies.

The most commonly cited study is form the Oxford Journal of Poultry Science. It examined DE’s role in reducing parasites and improving egg quality in organic and free-range chickens. The study essentially concluded that:

Hens fed the diet containing DE were significantly heavier, laid more eggs, and consumed more feed than hens fed the control diet, but feed efficiency did not differ between the 2 dietary treatments. Additionally, BB hens consuming the DE diet laid larger eggs containing more albumen and yolk than hens consuming the control diet. In a subsequent experiment, the effectiveness of DE to treat a Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) infestation was tested. Relative to controls, both breeds of hens that were dusted with DE had reduced number of mites. The results of this study indicate the DE has the potential to be an effective treatment to help control parasites and improve production of organically raised, free-range layer hens. (source)

If you happen to be a chicken struggling with a mite problem, DE is a great remedy. The method in humans is less clear, but many people have used DE internally to fight other types of intestinal parasites. Anecdotal reports abound of DE’s benefits in human parasites as well, but more research is needed.

7. Cholesterol Help

Amazingly, the most well-researched benefit of DE for humans is not often mentioned. In fact, the only study I found that looked at DE as a dietary supplement examined its role in improving cholesterol levels. The results are fascinating:

• Participants all had a history of high cholesterol.
• They took diatomaceous earth multiple times a day for 8 weeks.
• At the end of the study, the subjects total cholesterol had got down by 13.2%
• LDL (“bad”) cholesterol decreased the most
• HDL (“good” cholesterol increased slightly

The researchers concluded that while the results were promising, further studies are needed with larger groups and a control group. Anecdotal reports abound of people who used DE to help with cholesterol levels. A family member saw a 30 point reduction in blood pressure numbers from using DE.

8. Sensitive Skin Deodorant

I’ve been making my own natural deodorant for years now (using this recipe) and love it. Some people react to the baking soda in the recipe, likely because it is so alkaline and may irritate certain skin types. This recipe is a great sensitive skin alternative using diatomaceous earth in place of the baking soda.

9. Fungus

DE is naturally drying and may reduce moisture. I couldn’t find any studies to back it up, but a friend claimed that sprinkling it in her socks daily helped her beat a decade long battle with toenail fungus.

Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade vs. Industrial

It is VERY IMPORTANT to only use food grade diatomaceous earth for consumption. Other forms of DE are not considered safe and can be harmful to the lungs if inhaled. Many of the misconceptions about diatomaceous earth comes from confusing these types. Food grade DE is recognized as safe by both the FDA and the EWG. Industrial grade has many uses but is not safe for human use or to inhale!

Avoid Inhaling Diatomaceous Earth

Studies have shown that long term exposure to industrial DE can be dangerous. While it isn’t a good idea to inhale any form of powder, the same level of caution isn’t necessary with food grade DE, as this explains:

After inhalation of amorphous diatomaceous earth, it is rapidly eliminated from lung tissue. However, crystalline diatomaceous earth is much smaller, and it may accumulate in lung tissue and lymph nodes. Very low levels of crystalline diatomaceous earth may be found in pesticide products.

Additionally:

“I received an email from Larry Smith, the President of Earthworks, who wanted to clear up the misconception about any dangers of inhaling food grade diatomaceous earth – here’s what he wrote:  ‘This is a misunderstanding about food grade DE.  There are 2 kinds of DE—food grade and filter grade (used in swimming pool and other filters)   Only the filter grade is dangerous to breathe.  The “dangerous” part of DE is the amount of crystalline silica that is in it.  Filter grade is 65% crystalline silica while food grade is less than 1/10 of 1%!  The world health org. has said that diatomaceous earth is safe to breathe as long as the crystalline content is under 2%.  Food grade is 20X lower than even that level!!’

So no need to be concerned about any danger associated with using DE for pets, bedding, consumption or anything else – as long as it’s FOOD GRADE! “ (source)

“Detox” Reactions

DE may cause die-off symptoms, so it is important to work up slowly. Some people don’t respond well to DE, and I always suggest working with a knowledgeable health professional for any kind of acute problem or when doing any kind of detox.

At our house, adults take 1 tablespoon per day on an empty stomach (we worked up to this from a teaspoon) and kids take a teaspoon per day (they started with 1/4 – 1/2 tsp).

How to Find Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

We use this brand since I was able to verify that it is food grade, though many local co-ops and feed stores carry food grade DE as well. It has a chalky/silky consistency and tastes like a very mild mixture of dirt and chalk, but we are able to just mix in water to take it daily. It can also be mixed in to juice or coconut milk.

Disclaimer:

I am not a doctor and I don’t play one on the internet. Diatomaceous Earth has been recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration, but it is not intended to treat, prevent, cure or diagnose any disease, so use at your on risk.

Have you ever use Diatomaceous Earth? What did you use it for? How did it work? Share below!

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Natural Stain Removal Guide (No Harsh Chemicals Needed!)

If your house is anything like mine, laundry stains are a daily fact of life.

For many of us, laundry tops the list of household jobs we’d rather not do. In fact, its often voted the one job we’d gladly hire someone to help with if we could. Especially with small children, stains make laundry even tougher.

Even my most crunchy of friends will turn to Shout spray for laundry stains to save clothes from being ruined. Even friends who make their own deodorant, toothpaste and laundry soap still use conventional stain removal methods.

Why Use Natural Stain Removal Methods?

When you switch to natural cleaning, you can’t just spray it all with “Shout” and call it a day… so what to do?

Conventional laundry stain treatment solutions are some of the most toxic cleaning products available. They contain harsh detergents, solvents, chemicals like sulfates and parabens as well as a host of artificial colors and scents.

Borrowing some wisdom from my grandma’s era and the help of my professional stain creation experts (aka: my children), I compiled a helpful list of effective stain treatments for various types of stains. I keep this list handy for reference when I’m doing laundry. I’ve included a printable version (at the bottom of this post) in case it will be helpful to you too.

Natural Stain Removal Guide

Removing stains naturally takes a little more know-how and work than using a one-size fits all spray. When used correctly, these methods are highly effective (and you won’t have to keep the poison control number on hand!).

TIP: Always treat stains from the back, rather than the front, to avoid rubbing the stain in more.

How to Treat Different Types of Stains:

• Ink or Paint Stains: Soak in rubbing alcohol for 30 minutes or (ink only) spray with hair spray and wash out.
• Tea or Coffee Stains: Immediately pour boiling water over the stain until it is gone, or if it is already set, scrub with a paste of borax and water and wash immediately.
• Grass stains: Scrub with liquid dish soap or treat with a 50/50 Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) and water mix
• Mud stains: Let dry and brush off what you can, then scrub with a borax/water paste and wash immediately
• Tomato Based Stains: Treat with white vinegar directly on the stain and wash immediately.
• Dingy Whites or Underarm Deodorant Stains: Soak the stain directly in a mix of 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and water for 30 minutes and then add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to the wash water. For really tough yellow stains, make a paste of 3% hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and rub into the stain. Leave on for 5 minutes before laundering.
• Other Food Stains: Treat with a mix of 50/50 Hydrogen Peroxide and water and soak.
• Grease and Oil Stains: Sprinkle the stain with dry baking soda to remove any loose oil or grease and brush off. Then, soak in undiluted white vinegar for 15 minutes, rinse and scrub with liquid dish soap before washing
• Vomit, Urine, Poop, Blood, Egg, Gelatin, Glue or other protein based stains: DO NOT WASH IN WARM WATER!!!!! This will set in the smell. Soak in cool water and then wash with an added mixture of 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 cup baking soda in the washing machine.

How to Handle Really Tough Stains:

When I encounter stains that don’t respond to the methods above, I’ll use stronger products that still contain natural ingredients. My favorite is Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds, which gets an “A” from the Environmental Working Group, and which is an amazing all-purpose natural cleaner.

It can be used directly on really tough stains in a pinch, though I prefer to make a natural stain spray:

How to Make a Natural Stain Spray:

The closest non-toxic alternative I’ve found to stain removal sprays is this homemade version. It takes under two minutes to make, and can be kept by the washing machine for easy use.

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup Dr. Bronners Sal Suds (regular Dr. Bronners Liquid Castille Soap will not work the same way in this recipe)
• A 16-ounce glass spray bottle 

Instructions:

1. Put the water into the spray bottle.
2. Add the Sal Suds.
3. Place lid on bottle and swirl gently to combine.
4. Spray on stains before laundering to help remove even tough stains.

Other Natural Laundry Tips:

On the go stain removal:

My Homemade Baby Wipes can be kept in a small Ziplock bag and make a great pre-treat spot remover on the go.

Laundry Booster:

Add 1 Tablespoon Sal Suds to a load of laundry as a natural stain removing booster.

Stop Dryer Static Naturally:

Make your own natural dryer sheets or use wool dryer balls to remove static without the need for disposable dryer sheets. (Tutorials for both here)

DIY Laundry Soap:

Making your own laundry soap is a great way to save money and avoid artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals. Try these homemade laundry soap recipes, or use this modified version if you have an HE washer.

Here is a printable version of the infographic above: Click to download.

What’s your best natural stain treating trick? Please share below! My kids could put it to the test….

 

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27 Great Halloween Treats to Give Out (Besides Candy)

I’ll admit, when my kids were all really young, I just pretended Halloween didn’t exist. We didn’t do the trick or treating thing, or the costume thing. In fact, we usually just turned out the lights and went to bed early on trick-or-treating night.

I just didn’t like the idea of letting already-grumpy toddlers stay up late to go to strangers houses and ask for candy packed with food dyes.

As my kids get older and want to dress up, and the idea of trick-or-treating is more of a struggle. On the one hand, I completely understand them wanting to have the fun of wearing a costume and spending time with friends. On the other, I don’t love the idea of them getting bags upon bags of candy.

Reasons to Choose Non-Candy Halloween Treats

In the past, handing out a treat besides name brand candy was a sure way to get your house rolled. In recent years, the trend is shifting and there are several big reasons to considering non-candy options:

1. Food Allergies– Food allergies are on the rise and many popular types of candy contain peanuts and other allergens. I know quite a few moms who can’t let their kids trick or treat because of potential peanut exposure.
2. Too Much Sugar– With the rising rates of obesity and other health problems, especially among youth, I can’t in good conscience hand out sugar. The 80/20 rule is great and there is a time and a place for treats. The problem is that that time seems to be all the time. And that place seems to be everywhere. Kids get candy at the bank, the doctor, school, and almost everywhere they go. Do they really need a whole bag of it?
3. Dye Sensitivities– Many kids are sensitive to food dyes and it is tough to avoid them in most types of candy.
4. Orthodontics– Candy and  sugary snacks aren’t good for teeth and can stick to braces and other mouth pieces.
5. Easier on Parents– When you give out non-candy halloween treats, you save parents the trouble of checking for anything harmful in the candy.

This year, I’m opting to hand out some healthier alternatives to sugary treats. (I’m also crossing my fingers that our house won’t get rolled if we don’t give out candy!)

Candy-Free Alternatives to Halloween Treats

Sure, handing out something besides candy may not make you the most popular house in the neighborhood. At the same time, there are some really fun alternatives to candy that are definitely kid-approved. All the other families who are tying to limit sugar or who are sensitive to food dyes will thank you!

These are the top alternatives I’ve thought of and will be stocking up on:

1.Glider Airplanes

Mini airplanes are inexpensive and great alternative to candy. My brother loved these when we were little and would have taken one of these over candy any day!

2. Organic Juice Boxes

A consumable halloween treat that is practical. After walking around the neighborhood, kids may be thirsty. It still has sugar and isn’t an everyday thing for us, but makes a great treat.

3. Nutiva Snacks

Another consumable treat. Nutiva snacks are about the same size as a piece of candy, slightly sweet and much healthier. They are more pricey though, so not a great option if you need a lot of treats to hand out.

4. Bouncy Balls

My kids love bouncy balls and we don’t usually have them around the house because of all. the. bouncing. Grab a pack of 100 for cheaper than a big bag of candy and call it a day!

5. Local Honey Sticks

My oldest son, the beekeeper, brought home a bunch of these from a meeting one time and they were an instant hit with his siblings. Ideally find some from a local beekeeper, or order online. These are still a sweet treat, but the beneficial properties in honey make it a better alternative to candy.

6. Stamps

My littles spend hours stamping pictures on paper and they gave me the idea for this candy alternative. Stamps are also cheaper than candy when you get them in bulk.

7. Apple Cider Packets

I’m hoping it will cool down by Halloween, and if it does, kids will love something to warm them up after walking around. Apple cider packets are a great consumable alternative to candy.

8. Carabiners

A novel and practical kid favorite! Carabiners top the list of practical gifts that can be reused, and as a bonus… they are plastic free!

9. Mini-Flashlights

A practical idea for kids walking around after dark! Keychain flashlights are fun for kids and a good candy alternative if you don’t live in a busy neighborhood and order a few dozen in bulk.

10. Water Bottles

I’m not a fan of plastic by any means, but if I had to choose between water in recyclable plastic bottles and candy in plastic wrappers, the water wins. Kids get thirsty after trick or treating (and consuming sugar!) and water is a practical option.

11. Toothbrushes

Perhaps the most practical idea to give out, though certainly not the most popular. Talk to local dentists, as some may be willing to donate some free toothbrushes to kids with candy teeth! (Though fair warning, kids don’t love getting toothbrushes!)

12. Pumpkin Oranges

Feeling crafty? Get some organic oranges and use a natural marker to draw some pumpkin faces on them.

13. Organic Candy

If you just can’t fathom the idea of giving out something besides candy, opt for a better kind of candy. This brand of organic lollipops is dye-free and contains Vitamin C.

14. Fake Mustaches

Kids love these hilarious fake mustaches. At a recent family event, I brought a few packs of fake mustaches for the adults who were having a costume party. The next morning, we woke up and found all of the kids in mustaches too! For a holiday that requires costume, these are fun to give out!

15. Natural Fruit Leather

An edible candy alternative. Buy a big box of organic fruit leather in bulk for the most inexpensive option.

16. Stickers

I really don’t like stickers. At least not since my two year old created the great sticker vs. bunk bed face off last year. There is still sticker residue on their bed! My kids, on the other hand, love stickers. And you can order 1000 of them really inexpensively for treats to give out.

17. Bubbles

18. Mini Notebooks

My little kids keep these mini notebooks in their mini purses so they can draw and take notes.

19. Slingshot Bats

Great alternative to candy, especially if you like getting shot in the eye with small rubber slingshot bats!

20. Skeleton Bone Pens

Possibly the coolest item on this list! These bone-shaped pens are really cool and practical too!

21. WikiSticks

A great inexpensive halloween treat to give out that stimulates creativity. Wikisticks are made from yarn and natural wax and are a mess-free creative way for kids to draw and build pictures.

22. Lego People

Want to be the coolest house on the block? Give out little Lego compatible figures!

23. Glow Bracelets

I don’t usually get glow sticks because of the plastic, but I’ll pull them out as a special treat or candy alternative. Glow bracelets are a kid favorite! The most practical option because they also make kids easier to see in the dark while out trick or treating!

24. Puzzle Balls

The downside? They are plastic. The upside? Puzzle balls are a reusable treat that encourages critical thinking.

25. Fancy Crayon Pens

Practical but still cool. These crayon pens have multiple tips and encourage creativity.

26. Slap Bracelets

Slap bracelets were all the rage when I was a kid. Maybe they are outdated, or maybe, like many poor fashion trends of decades past, they are coming back!

27. Mini Play Dough

We prefer to make our own play dough, but even pre-made mini play dough containers are a good alternative to candy!

Your turn- What would you give out besides candy? Share with a friend to encourage less candy consumption this year!

Continue Reading...27 Great Halloween Treats to Give Out (Besides Candy)

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