This is such an easy recipe to make with only three ingredients - and you probably have all the ingredients stocked in your kitchen - ginger root, lemons, and raw honey.

Ginger promotes healthy sweating, aiding detoxification of the body. This is extremely helpful for a cold or the flu. If you have any of the following symptoms: dizziness, nausea, upset stomachs, vomiting, or cold sweats, ginger is a vital option in getting you on the healing track.

High in vitamin C, lemon is an antioxidant crucial to building a strong immune system in the body to neutralize free radicals that may cause inflammation and swelling.

Honey is wonderful as a natural cough suppressant and for soothing sore throats. It helps boost your body’s immune system by aiding in the production of white blood cells. which, in turn, effectively strengthens your ability to fight infection and fevers. 

When you blend the lemon tartness, along with the spiciness of ginger, and the natural sweetness of honey, you have a winning combination for a gentle, soothing remedy to bring your body back into the pink!

Ingredients
lemons
ginger root
raw honey

Instructions
The size of your jar will dictate the quantity of the ingredients.

For a 12-oz jar, use 2 lemons and a thick 3-inch piece of ginger root (or more if desired). Thinly slice the lemons. Chop or grate the ginger into fine pieces. Layer the lemon and ginger into your jar and cover with raw honey. Make sure the honey sinks all the way down and around the lemon and ginger. Fill the jar to the top with honey.

Refrigerate and allow the mixture to marinate for at least 4 weeks, turning the jar periodically. This gives the lemon and ginger time to infuse into the honey for a more effective syrup.

To use: Take a couple spoonfuls straight or you may add some to hot water for a tea. I like to include some of the lemon slices - and the bits of ginger - when I make the tea.

My 89-year-old dad was recently admitted to the hospital, then a rehab center after a mini stroke. Unfortunately, he developed an upper respiratory infection in rehab. The doctor put him on antibiotics and an expectorant and I brought him my trusty Ginger Lemon Syrup. I had removed all the lemons to make it easier for him to take. Within a couple days, he should a marked improvement. I was approached by several staff members asking me for the recipe, because, they all said, they had never seen a patient recover so quickly from this type of infection! It was a big hit!

Do you have an effective cold and flu homemade remedy? If so, please share!

There are tons of recipes online for various yogurts. This is the EASIEST and YUMMIEST one I've made.

Coconut Cream Yogurt 
(vegan, gluten free, soy free, dairy free)

Makes 2-4 servings

Ingredients
2 (14 oz each) cans coconut cream (coconut cream is different than cream of coconut which is sweetened)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon probiotic powder, OR 2 probiotic capsules, contents emptied, OR 1/4 cup coconut kefir
dash of sea salt
1 tablespoon maple syrup or coconut nectar (or to taste)

Instructions
Chill the coconut cream overnight. In the morning, scoop contents of both cans into a food processor or blender. Add remaining ingredients and blend until yogurt is smooth. You may wish to add a little water to thin, if desired. Top with fresh berries, granola, or other toppings of choice.

Isn't that just the easiest yogurt recipe possible?

Do you detest the toxic chemicals of the commercial cleaners on the market? Have you switched to green cleaning products? Or perhaps you're thinking about making the switch, but you're confused and don't know where to start.

Green cleaning DIY to the rescue! It's not complicated either. All you need are a few basic ingredients for all your household cleaning to transform your cleaning supplies.

The basic supplies you need are:
• Baking Soda
• White Vinegar
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Essential oils, like tea tree oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, or lemongrass oil
• Castile Soap (like Dr. Bronner's)
• Fresh Herbs, citrus, or citrus peels
• Vegetable Oil
• Salt

These are inexpensive, easy-to-use, and environmentally safe alternatives, which can safely be used in place of commercial household products. They can be used alone or in combination for a wealth of household applications.

Here's what you can do with these products.
Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
Hydrogen Peroxide - removes laundry stains, whitens clothes, cleans fruits and veggies, sanitizes, de-germs.
Essential Oils - effective against most household bacteria.
Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
Fresh Herbs, Citrus, or Citrus Peels - cleans, deodorizes, effective against bacteria.
Vegetable Oil - polishes wood
Salt - abrasive

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc. 

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 2 cups water, 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Store and keep. You can use this cleaner for everything from streak-free mirrors to wiping out the cat litter box.

You'll find a list of simple green cleaning recipes at Earth Easy. 

What's are your favorite natural cleaning alternatives?

A couple days ago while trimming trees and bushes encroaching on the driveway, I inadvertently brushed against some poison oak. Oddly enough, I'm not reactive to poison ivy, but poison oak is a different story.

If I had known the poison oak had touched my skin, I would have immediately washed the area, an effective deterrent within 15 minutes of contact. I wasn't so lucky this time, but fortunately there were only a couple spots.

Initially, I ignored them, but, of course, they itched, so I finally pulled out my simple DIY calamine lotion recipe. It worked like a charm! Instant relief and the spots healed overnight.

Silly me for waiting so long!

I snapped a quick shot of what the mixture looks like - no fancy photo here, but you'll get the idea of the proper consistency.

Now, here's the formula:
1 part sea salt
1 part baking soda
1 part bentonite clay
1 1/2% essential oils (use one or a combination of lavender, geranium, chamomile, yarrow, peppermint, and/or tea tree)
enough distilled water to make a paste

Be sure to add the water a few drops at a time or you may make it too thin and will have to increase the dry ingredients and essential oils to get the right consistency.

If you only need a tiny bit, for each part, use 1/2 teaspoon each for the dry ingredients and about 5 drops of essential oil.

Be sure to use up your calamine lotion within 10 days and keep it refrigerated.

Best advice . . . leaves of 3, leave them be . . . but if you do get a rash, give this recipe a try. You'll be glad you did!

Do you have a favorite calamine lotion recipe? If so, please share!

Medicated protecting powders are popular with all ages. Used for the treatment of diaper rash, to help prevent and heal chafed skin, and to help protect and heal irritated skin.

In this formula we have utilized the natural healing starch, arrowroot. The use of arrowroot powder has a long and storied past. It was used by North American Indians as a traditional medicine to treat wounds from poisoned arrows, hence its name. This natural starch  is used in many culinary products, and is increasingly found in many high end and natural body and after bath powders.

Zinc oxide works as a mild astringent and has some antiseptic properties and is commonly used to prevent or to treat diaper rash by forming a protective barrier between the skin and the diaper.

Combine 2 cups of arrowroot powder with 1/4 cup of zinc oxide. That's it! 

If you wish to add a few optional ingredients suitable for all ages, here are some suggestions: ground chamomile, ground lavender, ground oats, rice powder, and/or kaolin clay. These are all gentle enough for baby, but great for children and adults as well.

Ground chamomile and lavender can be used for their healing and calming properties. They have antiseptic and antibacterial components, as well as anti-inflammatory and sedative capabilities to soothe irritation.

Ground-grain oatmeal contains large amounts of silica, which benefits problem skin when used externally. Its anti-inflammatory properties helps soothe itching, dryness and irritation, such as diaper rash.

Rice powder has been used for centuries by Asian women for its healing and soothing of skin conditions. It contains anti-inflammatory and antipruritic (anti-itch) properties.

Kaolin clay will gently draw impurities from the skin without removing natural oils and helps keep sweat at bay.

Do NOT use cornstarch, as it grows yeast and can make a rash worse.

There are lots of variations that may be used, but these basics should get you started.

Do you have a favorite powder blend? If so, do share!

I've always been a fan of the “hands and knees” floor cleaning method over the dirty, messy mop and bucket. Can’t get into crooks and crannies with the mop; however, I have an 800 square-foot open laminate floor area, since moving out to the country some years ago. Getting on my hands and knees for that amount of space is a bit daunting. Thankfully most of the areas don’t get heavy traffic. Being of the DIY mindset for skin care and cleaning products, I found the perfect solution to my cleaning problem . . . and it’s SO easy! Oh, and be sure to read all the way to the end for a BIG surprise!!

Make Homemade Laminate Floor Cleaner

Here’s all you need. Use a measuring cup or jar and add equal parts:
1)       Water
2)       White Vinegar
3)       70% Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol
To this mixture, add:
4)       Few drops of liquid dish detergent * (Make your own dish soap! See instructions below.)

Mix all these ingredients together and pour into a fine mist spray bottle.

To Use:
a)    Sweep or vacuum floors first
b)    Spray floor cleaner in a fine mist over the area to be cleaned
c)    Allow to set for a few minutes. Then use a microfiber mop or towel to wipe it up. (I use a Swiffer with a cloth or reusable cover.) ** (Check out the homemade Swiffer covers below.)

You'll notice immediately that this cleans easily and effectively, quickly dries and is so simple to use. NO BUCKET REQUIRED! The only step I take after this is to hand-wipe the flooring around the baseboards and to get into all the corners. Easy peasy!

When you have finished mopping, just toss the microfiber mop head or towel into the laundry until next time. Don’t use fabric softener or dryer sheets when laundering cleaning towels or else they will lose the ability to absorb liquids effectively. (Just use vinegar as your fabric softener.)

TIPS

* Make Your Own Dish Soap
Instead of using commercial dish soap, make your own.

·         1 cup liquid castile soap
·         3 tablespoons water
·         a few drops essential oil (optional)

Combine in a bottle of your choice, mix well, and use. (Yes, it’s that easy!) I like Dr. Bronner’s baby-mild castile soap, but any castile soap will work.

** Make Your Own Swiffer Covers

 Reversible Swiffer sock instructions.

If you don't want to make your own, you can buy handcrafted readymade reusable Swiffer covers.

What’s the big surprise I promised?  After testing this on my laminate flooring and loving the results, I tried it on my windows . . . whoa, it worked GREAT! Then I tried it on mirrors . . . no more streaks!  It even works on stainless steel appliances, so it has become my SUPER ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER. Really, this cleaner is fantastic!

What great cleaning tips have you discovered?

Above is a video I came across on the Beauty Food Tips site for an easy wine mask. Here are the instructions:

Directions:
Always start by cleaning your face using a cotton pad with your usual cleansing milk.
Mix all the ingredients together well until completely blended. The consistency will be a little jelly-like (the smell and appearance is really yummy, remember you DON’T have to eat it  . Apply a thick layer to your face with your clean makeup brush, avoiding the lips and the eye area. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. Finish with a moisturizer.

It’s a luxurious mask for your skin with luxurious results!

The antioxidant properties of wine help in getting the toxins out of the skin and giving an instant wrinkle-free effect. Honey hydrates and tones the skin. Yoghurt, which is rich in zinc, helps clearing the skin and improves the overall skin texture, besides adding a healthy glow to your skin. Least but not last, the cocoa powder is amazing for our skin: fit helps firm and renew skin cells.

And not only: Cocoa is a mood enhancer and it helps stabilize your mood by initiating serotonin release. The lavender essential oil enhances the relaxation, making you feel rejuvenating and at peace.

A true homemade vinotherapy at the cheapest cost possible therefore what are you waiting for to show your skin some love? 

Remember to always make an allergic test on a small angle of your face before applying the mask.

Enjoy! Do you have a favorite homemade mask? If so, please share!

You never know what kind of pesticides, insects or dirt may be lurking on the surface of your favorite fruits and vegetables. That's why it's always a good idea to thoroughly wash all your produce before eating it. Although washing with plain water can accomplish a lot, adding some natural sources of acid (namely lemon and vinegar) to the wash can provide a bit of additional, natural disinfecting power. Follow these easy steps to find out how to make a fruit and vegetable wash that is both inexpensive and completely organic.

You may choose from an selection of kitchen ingredients to make your homemade fruit and vegetable wash, including purified water, vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar), baking soda, lemon, salt, and essential oils.

You can simply fill your sink with water, add a cup of vinegar and a couple tablespoons of salt. Place the fruit and/or veggies in a colander and place in the water mixture. Allow to soak for a few minutes.

Another option is to create a spray with:
2 cups purified water
1 cup vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar)
1 Tbsp baking soda
juice of 1 lemon
10 drops lemon or orange essential oil (optional)

Put all ingredients into a spray bottle (be careful as it will foam up) shake gently to mix, then spray on produce. Allow to sit for about 2 to 5 minutes. If it's a fruit or veggie that can be gently scrubbed, use a scrub brush specified for produce washing only. Rinse thoroughly and enjoy your freshly washed and cleaned produce!

Be sure to store your wash in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks before having to make another batch. You can always cut recipe in half to make a smaller batch.

Research suggests to use the spray for hard-skinned fruits and vegetables and soaking for soft-skinned produce.

These are not hard and fast recipes, so feel free to experiment with the ingredients to find the perfect formula for you!

Why This Works
The acetic acid in vinegar cleans, kills bacteria and helps to dissolve the wax and pesticide residues. The salt draws out any little bugs, dirt, other small unwanted things and will remove some of the wax.

Why pay for the expensive wash at the store when you can make your own?

Check out the EWG's 2012 list of Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen to help know the produce that you need to buy organically and the produce that is safe to buy conventionally, but that needs to be washed thoroughly.

Click here for a free printable of the guidelines that's great to take shopping.

Do you believe it's important to wash your produce? What do you use to wash your fruits and veggies?

Who doesn't want white teeth?  Unfortunately most of us have been taken in by the need to use commercial toothpaste which may contain chemical fillers and ingredients such as glycerin and fluoride. Did you know that fluoride is a toxic waste by-product of the phosphate fertilizer industry or the aluminum or steel industry? We are beginning to understand the harmful effects of fluoride on our bodies. Glycerin coats the enamel on your teeth and prevents re-mineralization from saliva.

We can prevent and even heal cavities by the food we eat. It's best to eliminate processed foods and eat more free range eggs, raw milk and butter, fish and good vegetables.

With a good diet and using tooth powder, you will greatly improve and strengthen your teeth.

Try this simple tooth powder recipe:
4 Tablespoons aluminum-free baking soda
2 teaspoons fine sea salt

Baking Soda helps whiten teeth. In saliva, baking soda buffers & neutralizes plaque acids,  helps clean your teeth and counteract acidity in the mouth. It's slightly abrasive consistency works as a cleanser of teeth and gums, so brushing your teeth with baking soda, with its high pH and disinfectant and antiseptic properties, will reduce harmful oral microbial flora by killing off acid-loving bacteria.

Sea salt whitens your teeth and is good for firming the gums and keeping them healthy.

Add essential oil: clove helps heal gums; tea tree is a great all around antiseptic; peppermint is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and astringent; spearmint is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and astringent; clary sage helps tighten and whiten teeth and they have astringent/antibacterial properties.

Optional: montmorillonite ore bentonite clay is great for polishing teeth and clearing up stains.
Optional: stevia powder for sweetness
Optional: myrrh gum powder for its excellent antiseptic properties and overall oral health capabilities

There are many other options, but this will get you started if you haven't made your own tooth powder before.

Do you have a favorite tooth powder recipe?  If so, do share with us!

People are always talking about how great broccoli is for you - well kale kicks broccoli’s butt when it comes to good health comparison. Yes, broccoli IS great for you, yet kale is leaps and bounds better, packed with the vitamins like A, K, B6, as well as niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, calcium, iron, protein, magnesium, and more. 

Many people include kale into their diet to help lower cholesterol and decrease the chance of getting cancers, such as breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, or prostate cancer. This might vegetable is also a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, naturally detoxifying the body, keeping it healthy and full of energy. Raw kale creates enzymes to cleanse the liver, which helps detoxify cancer causing issues in the body.

Besides eating kale raw or steamed, let's open our options to a wonderful, tasty treat - kale chips! It's become quite the rage recently, so if you search online, you'll find an assortment for kale chip recipes.  

One of the best recipes I've found is from Erika at A Little Insanity Blog.  As a wife and mother of 3 boys, she strives to make healthy, raw foods for her family. Here's Erika's recipe:

Raw Maui Kale Chips in the VitaMix & Dehydrator

Soak Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Macadamia Nuts (this gives it the creamy, dreamy taste!)
• 1/2 Cup Sunflower Seeds
• 1/4 Cup Cashews
• 1/4 Cup Sesame Seeds (optional)
• 5 Sun Dried Tomatoes
• 4 Dates (pits removed)
• Approx. 1 1/2 Cups Water to Cover the Soaked Ingredients

Other Ingredients:

• 4-5 Heads of Green Leafy Kale (Washed & De-Veined – see image)
• 1/2 Sweet Yellow Onion
• 1 Single Stalk of Celery
• 1 Carrot
• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
• 3 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons Braggs Aminos (or to taste)
• 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (or to taste)
• 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
• 1 Cup Nutritional Yeast (this gives it the ‘cheesy’ flavor) – Add Last!
• Additional 1/4 – 1/2 Cup Water – only if needed.

Procedure:
1. Place the Nuts, Seeds, Sun Dried Tomatoes & Dates into a medium sized bowl and place just enough water to cover them (approx 1 1/2 cup).  Let soak for approx. 1/2 hour.

2. While Nuts are soaking, Wash the Kale and strip the leaves off the Center stalk or ‘Vein; and set them aside.  (We will not be using the stalk/veins for this recipe, so be sure to add them to your Dirty Juice or Compost Bin!)

3. Once Nuts are done soaking, dump the veggies & nuts (including the water) into the VitaMix, then Blend on High until smooth.

4. Add the remaining ingredients into the VitaMix with the Nutritional Yeast last.

5. Blend everything until smooth… using your VitaMix Tamper to mix it around as needed.  Feel free to add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup water if the mixture is too thick.  Ideally the mixture should have a consistency like mustard, but smooth.

6. Scoop approx. 1 Cup of Mixture into a large bowl – lining the sides and bottom of bowl.

7. Add in a couple of handfuls of Kale Leaves to the bowl, and Coat each piece of Kale generously with mixture.

8. Transfer onto your lined Excalibur Dehydrator trays (I use the Paraflexx non-stick liners for the Excalibur)

9. Dehydrate at 125-135 degrees for 1-2 hours, then reduce heat to 115 degrees for an additional 20-24 hours or until all of the Kale is very crispy and flakes if crushed.

10. When done, remove the chips from the Dehydrator and store in airtight containers or Ziploc bags in the fridge until use.

Yields:  Approximately 4-5 dehydrator trays of Chips (which fills up 3-4 large Gallon Ziploc)

Preparation & Cooking Time: 30 Minutes Prep & Soak.  Approx. 20-24 hours dehydrating time. (your dehydrating time may vary depending on humidity, temperature, mixture, etc…)

You can check out her video below:
All ingredients I used in the video were Raw and Organic.