Loving Green

Monday, July 21, 2014

Battling Pain...Naturally

About 3 months ago, I forgot my age, lost my mind, and as a result, broke my arm, sprained my back, and bruised some ribs (read more here). The first couple days sucked, and I didn't even notice my broken arm because I was in so much back pain.

I've always prefered to let my body do what it was naturally designed to do: alert me to problems, and work to heal itself. Over ten years ago, I was on the path to pursue my dreams and was going to school to become a Holistic Health Practitioner. Somewhere along the way, an amazing job opportunity (so I thought at the time) landed in my lap, and I willingly changed my path. Yet my studies in eastern medicine, whole foods nutrition, and holistic therapy never left me.

So naturally, any time I'm in pain, I step back, breathe, and listen to my body. When the injury is as obvious as a broken bone, it's easy to know what is causing the pain. When no known accident occurs, figuring out the problem can be a little more difficult (which is a problem for many people). And often, pain medication, sleep aids, and other prescription drugs only mask the real issue, creating a false sense of wellness; which in turn, slows the healing time.

I was prescribed heavy medication to alleviate the pain, swelling, and relax my muscles. I chose not to take any of them and instead focused on my own internal healing, as I have done many times before.

The following is a list of natural remedies I used to help heal my injuries and manage the pain. Please note this is provided to share my experience and is in no way medical advice. Always seek the attention of a medical professional for severe health concerns.

Fresh Ginger added to smoothies (daily) and cooked with some foods

Learn more about using Ginger to tolerate pain, here.

Clove and Peppermint Oil Baths

Add 10 drops of each to a hot bath and soak. Follow with the topical oil combination below.
Great for muscle spams, aches, and arthritis.

Clove and Peppermint Oil Topical Creams (Dilute with a carrier oil, cream or lotion)

This gave me immediate relief and was life saving!
Feels like an "icy hot".
Essential oils are recommended to be diluted. Dilute roughly 15 drops of each oil in a carrier oil (coconut works well but may be drying for some!)
Great for muscle spasms, aches, and arthritis.
Not safe for babies.

Chiropractic Care

The spinal cord and brain make up the central nervous system. If something is out of place, even slightly, it will greatly effect the mechanics of your body.
Safe for babies.
Can be used to treat many health problems.

Clean Eating

Avoid processed foods.
Load up on raw fruits and veggies.

Lots of Water

You should be consuming a minimum of half your body weight in ounces, each day (ex: 140 lbs = 70 ounces of water each day).
To learn more about the body and water, click here.

Rest

I was able to do this the first two days since my hubby was home. Unfortunately, it didn't last, but I did make sure to get as much down time when Nya was asleep.
To learn more about the power of sleep on the body's ability to heal, click here.

Stay Positive

The power of the mind is extremely powerful!

When I initially hurt myself, my biggest worry was, "How am I going to take care of my daughter?!" I was still breastfeeding, I couldn't even pick her up, and Jamie was going to be leaving in a few days. After the first two days of strictly following the above remedies, I was able to pick up my daughter without pain, got rid of my removable cast (there's a reason it's removable, right?!), and was feeling so much better. Within one week of the accident, I was doing things with minimal discomfort (such as gardening!), just as I had been before.

Do you have any experience with the above remedies? What things help you?

To connect with others in this crazy journey of life, discover new parenting ideas & fun DIY projects, learn about holistic remedies, & find whole food plant based recipes, please visit our Facebook page Loving Green at Loving Green FB.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Extra Special Chocolate Chip Pancakes (or Waffles!)

With Jamie recently off on yet another deployment, and feeling in a bit of a funk after missing his call, I decided Nya and I were in need of an extra special breakfast this morning. This recipe is quick, delicious, and incredibly filling. I've found cashew, hemp, and almond milk give these the best flavor, but any plant milk will work. And if you are making your own milk, you don't need to bother straining any of those before use in this recipe.

Keep This Recipe Healthy Tips:

This recipe can quickly slide down the scale of "fairly healthy" in a hurry depending on the chocolate chips, milk, and pastry flour you use. Many chocolate chips are loaded with excess refined sugar, milk fat, chemicals, and "natural flavors". Some store bought plant milks do not come without their share of unhealthy added ingredients, such as; refined sugar, partially hydrogenated oils, and GMOs (It's easy to make your own, or look for those that do not contain added ingredients). And over 90% of US wheat crops are genetically modified, which pack many hidden toxins responsible for health problems, including cancer.

You and your family CAN enjoy special treats; you just need to know what to look for!

What you need:

1 cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour (Make sure you use non-GMO wheat or this one ingredient will turn into many hidden toxins)

1 tsp Cinnamon

2 tsp Baking Powder

Pinch of Sea Salt

1 tsp Pure Vanilla

1 cup Plant Milk (1/4 cup nut/grain of choice and 1 cup water blended until smooth)

3/4 cup chocolate chips (I love this organic, non-GMO brand that is dairy, nut, and soy free!)

What you do:

1. Combine dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and sea salt) in medium bowl and whisk together.

2. Add wet ingredients (vanilla and plant milk) and stir until incorporated.

3. Fold in chocolate chips.

4. For Pancakes: On a heated skillet over medium, scoop batter out into 6 even helpings. After about 2 minutes, flip. Serve warm, as is, or with desired toppings. For Waffles: Pour batter onto waffle iron. Close the waffle iron and cook per manufacturer's warning. (I kept my Belgian waffle iron set on medium and cooked about 2 - 3 minutes on each side). Makes about 4 waffles.

Toppings:

These were an extra special treat for us, so they were extremely sweet and satisfying as is. But if you'd like to take it up a notch, here are some ideas that will still keep these on the "healthy side":

Sliced strawberries and/or bananas

Date paste (Blend 1/2 cup dates with 1/2 cup water until smooth and thick)

Coconut whipped cream (Whip 1 can of pure coconut milk after sitting in the fridge for a few hours - sweeten with vanilla, dates, or pure maple syrup)

Powdered Sugar (Make your own by blending raw, organic sugar, stevia, date sugar, or coconut sugar until powder forms - the confectioner's sugar sold in stores is NOT good for you -- please avoid!)

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Tested...

Nya picks up on the energy around her... If I'm stressed and tensed, she feels that and reacts negatively. If I question myself and my parenting, she preys and takes advantage. But when I'm happy and at peace, then Nya remains in a calm state regardless of what chaos is going on around us. And when I'm confident in my parenting decisions, she obeys without question.

Knowing that, I still get lost and question myself from time to time. And the past couple of days Nya has definitely tried to test me; when I was overtired and mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. These times I am at my weakest are the times Nya pushes the boundaries to see just what she is able to get away with. And it is in those moments, that I often think to myself, "I understand why parents just give in."

I've been there now too, and realize how much easier it is in the moment to just give in.

Let them have what they want so they don't make a scene in public.

Let them jump on the couch so they don't hurl themselves to the floor screaming bloody murder.

Let them get out of bed every night, just so everyone gets some sleep.

But then I wonder....

Are those decisions really easier? What happens in the long run to the child that constantly gets his/her way because the parent is worn down in that moment? Do these children grow up to be bratty, whiny, and expectant that the world revolves around them? Are they able to deal with the harsh reality of life as adults?

These thoughts help me to continue forward in times of struggle. They force me to clear my head, remain strong, and find the humor in the situation at hand. I can't help but smile in these moments that Nya is projecting her independence and free will because I know Nya is finding her place in this crazy world.

Nya is no longer a little baby. She clearly communicates her wants and needs; she is becoming her own person and finding her own path in this life. And she is extremely strong willed (but isn't every child?!?). She is going to test me; over... and over... and over again. I only hope to nip the behavior right away, and set clear boundaries for her.

Do I struggle? Yes.

Is it hard? Yes.

Do I want to give in? Yes.

These moments are not without tears and aggravation. But life is too short and this job of parenting is too important not to give my all. At every single moment.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Eating Vegan at Disney World

We were travelling with a large group (13 to be exact), and I didn't want to make a big scene about our dietary restrictions. I was nervous about not being able to find anything for myself or Nya to eat that was vegan/plant based, and I was sure I would get many stares and eye rolls. However, it was not an issue and everyone (omnivores and vegans alike) enjoyed all of our meals.

The Disney World parks are filled with a lot of sugary, GMO ridden food, but if you're prepared, you can easily avoid these without feeling like you're "missing out".

I had a great experience and found all of the restaurants to be very accommodating to my family's plant based lifestyle. I did give in to oil, which I typically limit or avoid at home. The main things I learned about eating this way while at Disney, were:

Don't assume.

At a few of the restaurants, I scanned the menu and thought, "I can order some veggies, rice, and a side of beans for Nya". Wrong! The rice was cooked in milk, the vegetables were cooked in butter, and the beans were cooked with bacon.

Always Ask... The right people.

At the first restaurant we ate, I asked the hostess about meal options, who pointed out there were many "vegan items to choose from", only to find out she was a little mistaken upon further investigation. Mention to your server that you are vegan, have food allergies, or have dietary restrictions, and a chef will promptly come to your table to help you.

Be Clear.

Make sure you tell them exactly what you will and will not eat. One server thought "no animal products" meant fish was "ok".

I had done quite a bit of investigating before we left for Disney about what our dining options would be. Most people said to call ahead and speak with the chefs. I didn't find this helpful because 1) We didn't know when or where we'd be eating with such a large group, and 2) When we made reservations for later in the day and I tried to let them know the morning of, I was told to mention it to our server.

I was also told that many of the restaurants had a "secret" vegan/vegetarian menu available if you ask. I didn't find this to be true, but then again, there are hundreds of restaurants in the parks we did not get to.

Additional Tips:

The walk up shops and food carts have ingredient lists if you ask.

There is a fresh market at each park where you can get fruits and veggies (although not guaranteed organic).

Many restaurants and "ice cream" shops offer vegan options as well as sugar free vegan options (sorbet, tofutti, rice dream). Just make sure to ask and don't assume a sorbet is without added sugar.

There is a Whole Foods near the park if you have a car to stock up. For directions, click here.

Most of the rooms offer a mini fridge and if you bring a cooler, you can keep your food cold with fresh ice every evening.

How we travel...

Since we were driving, we packed a lot of food, only planning on eating one big meal out each day, and snacking on the park's vegan soft pretzels (the soft pretzels are said to be vegan, just remember to ask before purchasing).

Items to pack:

Carrot sticks and hummus (you can also purchase carrot sticks within the parks at many of the food carts)

Bread, peanut butter, and jam (for making your own sandwiches)

Fruit (apples, tangerines, and bananas are especially easy)

Granola

Camel back & water (store water in room with ice to keep cold and fill camel backs each day for easy carry and use)

Cutting board

Knife

Tupperware/Bags for storage

I found my daughter was not as interested in the foods she normally loves. I packed a lot of variety for Nya (beans, fruit, muffins, pancakes, bagels, brownies, etc), and while she did eat what I had for her, she preferred to fill up on the meal we ate out, because it was something new.

Below are a few restaurants we tried that everyone thoroughly enjoyed!

Skyebird - About 30 minutes from Disney, located in Orlando. It was a great stop on the way in to load up on fresh juices and salads. It's located in a large market that has a few other vendors offering fresh, raw food (next door is a bakery that offers fresh vegan breads and desserts).

Ethos Vegan Kitchen - About 30 minutes from Disney, in Winter Park. Amazing restaurant serving all vegan food. We ordered a few things to split between us, and everything was delicious! Not everything was the healthiest (note, garlic knots), but they are the best knots I have ever eaten. Definitely a trip worth making!

Garlic knots. Vegan butter not needed for dipping.

Fresh salad after splitting. Huge servings!

Black Bean burger made fresh in house with steamed broccoli.

My hubby's choice... BBQ Chickun, mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, and collard greens.

Paradiso 37 - Located in Downtown Disney. If you plan for a late dinner, you can dine on the deck or ask for inside window seating, and view an amazing fireworks show across the lake without the crowds. The chef came to the table and walked me through everything I could and could not eat. They even brought me fresh, warmed tortillas to eat with the guacamole since the chips are not vegan.

Cilantro rice with roasted veggies.

Restaurant Marrakesh - Located in Epcot (Morocco). The food was really good, but everything is cooked with some animal product, so they prepared one of the dishes vegan. They usually have a belly dancing show in the evenings and invite children to participate.

Via Napoli - Located in Epcot (Italy). There wasn't a lot to choose from, but there pizza (minus the cheese) is amazing! The crust and sauce are vegan, and you can load them up with whatever veggies you wish. My daughter didn't mind one bit and felt like a "big kid" eating pizza with everyone else.

The Floridian - Located in St. Augustine, about 1.5 hours from Disney. We stopped here on our last day since we had to be out of the hotel but didn't want to make the long drive home so early. There is a lot to see and do in this town, and this quaint little restaurant had a great atmosphere and even better food.

I didn't get a picture of our meal, but this is the kids meal I got for Nya. Grilled tofu with steamed veggies.

Enjoy your Disney trip and please share your experience in the comments!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

DIY Natural Bug Spray

Growing up in California, bug spray was never a concern. Yet with my travels to the east coast, I found it became a necessity. Every time I would step outdoors, I would be swarmed with mosquitos, and nothing seemed to shake them. I found myself buying the traditional bug repellents with the overused chemical DEET, and covering myself with the awful smelling spray.

In the past three years, I've wanted to get away from the use of chemicals and go back to living more naturally, and with that, came many trials of insect repellents. I've changed the landscape of our home to include many insect repelling plants such as lavender, bee balm, and lemon grass. I would light numerous citronella candles any time we were in the yard (which provided very little support). The landscape changes have helped considerably, and I don't notice many, if any, mosquitoes around our home like I used to. However, my daughter, husband, and I were still walking hors devours for the blood thirsty bugs.

After studying aromatherapy and the benefits of essential oils over the past fifteen years, yet never considering it for the repellent of insects, I decided to give them a try and put a few essential oils to the test. And I finally found a combination that worked wonders for me and my entire family.

I was a little bit shocked at just how well it worked.

We didn't have a sticky residue coating our entire bodies.

We smelled great.

And we didn't get bit once.

What you need:

10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

10 drops Lavender Essential Oil

10 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil

10 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil

5 drops Clove Essential Oil

*5 drops Citronella Essential Oil

4 ounces boiled water

4 ounces Witch Hazel

** 8 ounce Spray Bottle

* Citronella Oil may cause skin irritations for some people, and children should never take this orally

**I used a metal bottle - it will keep the oils fresh longer than plastic, and is more manageable for travel than glass

What you do:

1. Fill spray bottle half way (4 ounces) with witch hazel. Add the boiled water (4 ounces) until it reaches near the top.

2. Add essential oils, close cap tightly, and shake.

3. Store in a cool, dry place.

Tips:

If you don't have one or more of the essential oils, but do have the plant, boil the flowers and leaves (about 1/4 cup leaves/flowers) with the water for about 1 hour. Strain the flowers and leaves out, and use in place of boiled water in above recipe.

Make sure your essential oils are of therapeutic grade, and are not fragrance oils.

Notes:

Lavender, Tea Tree, and Eucalyptus are considered safe for children six months or older. Please remember to do your own research and test before use, to find what works best with you and your family.

Avoid spraying in and around the eyes, and never ingest.

Clove and Lemongrass Essential Oils can be possible skin irritants and need to be used with caution or avoided during pregnancy.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

8 of the Best Father's Day Crafts for Kids!

Nothing is more special than getting a homemade gift from your child (with the help of an adult), that is both memorable and practical. With Father's Day just around the corner, check out some of my favorite Father's Day crafts that are easy to do with your little ones. Dad will surely feel the love and have a memorable keepsake he can use every day.

From: Crafts Unleashed

What It Is: A mug full of Hugs and Kisses.

Why I Love It: Simple and easy to do. The mug can be reused, and what man doesn't love candy?! Giving extra love in the form of special hugs and kisses!

How To Do It: Find any clear jar or mug (I love these mason jars with handles). Grab any labels from a craft store, or order these chalkboard stickers, and write "Hugs & Kisses". Fill the mug with hugs and kisses. For information on making your own healthy and delicious hugs and kisses, click here.

I Love You Photo Frame

Where It's From: Just Another Day In Paradise

What It Is: A frame child portrait with a sweet message.

Why I Love It: Simple and easy to do, with a unique twist of scrabble tiles. This gift is a constant reminder of how much your little one loves you!

How To Do It: Find any frame. Print out a black and white photo of your child/children and place it in the frame. Hot glue a message from scrabble tiles, such as "We love you", or "Our Hero".

Baseball Hand print

Where It's From: Gaines Gang 4

What It Is: A keepsake baseball with your child's hand print.

Why I Love It: For sports buffs, this gift is a must! What better memory than to see your little one's hand print on a baseball to toss around the rest of your life?

How To Do It: Ink your child's hand, than press firmly to a baseball. Once dried, sign and date it.

Hand Print Photo

Where It's From: Be A Fun Mum

What It Is: Sweet moment in time photo with each child's hand print.

Why I Love It: This gift doubles as a canvas craft to hang on the wall of the hand prints alone, or captured as a photo with all the children, can be displayed in a frame.

How To Do It: Have each of your kids make a hand print on a canvas, in biggest to smallest order, by brushing the bottom of their palm and fingers with paint (acrylic's work great!), and pressing evenly on the canvas. When dry, takes the kids' photo holding their creation.

Why We Love You Photo

Where It's From: Positively Splendid

What It Is: A fun and creative photo collage listing all the many reasons daddy is loved.

Why I Love It: This is a unique and personalize gift that dad will smile at every time it catches his eye because of the personalized message conveying love.

How To Do It: Make your own speech bubble with foam poster board, cutting to desired size and style. Write each child's special message to dad as to why he is loved. Take a photo of each child holding their speech bubble, print it, and put it in a frame. Check out Positively Splendid for "We Love You Because..." printable (color options not available other than what's shown above), or make your own in a word document and attach to the frame.

Daddy and Me Mug

Where It's From: Spoonful

What It Is: A daddy and me coffee mug that will remind him of his little one with each sip.

Why I Love It: This is a practical gift that will get a lot of use while reminding daddy of his special little one.

How To Do It: Clean and dry a plain, white coffee mug. using enamel paints only (acrylic will not set), paint the thumb of your little one and press firmly onto the mug for the "daddy". Next, paint the pointer finger and press firmly for the "child". When dry, use a black sharpie (or paint) to turn the finger prints into little people and write the words "Daddy & Me", or another special message. Bake the mug in the oven at a low temperature (according to instructions on the paint bottle).

I Love You Daddy Foot Prints

Where It's From: Home Grown Art NY

What It Is: A framed or canvas board message featuring your little one's feet in the shape of a heart.

Why I Love It: It's a memorable keepsake capturing a moment in time.

How To Do It: Buy a canvas board from any craft store, or if framing, use heavy card stock. Paint the bottom of your little one's feet (may be tricky), and firmly press them down onto the canvas/card stock, bringing the heels together in the shape of a heart. Write the message shown above, signing it with your child's name and date. You can also you hand prints instead of foot prints to create a heart!

I'm as Lucky as Can Be... Canvas

Where It's From: Weddings A Beautiful

What It Is: Large wall canvas of each child's hand print (If only one child, use one hand print, one foot print, and the child's photo in the middle).

Why I Love It: Another special keepsake capturing a moment in time. It can be painted and decorated to match any room of the house.

How To Do It: Buy a large canvas board from any craft store, along with 3 small canvas boards (if you want depth). Paint the canvas whatever color you choose (I like acrylics because they are the least toxic and dry quickly!). If using smaller canvas boards, paint them first, making sure to paint the sides (you can also staple fabric to each canvas - large canvas included - instead of painting for fun patterns!).Once dry, place each hand or foot in the square. When dry, adhere to the larger canvas using modge podge or golden gel medium (find both at craft stores). Paint the message shown shown, or create your own.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Apple Cinnamon Veggie Muffins

If you've been following the toddler recipes, you know that muffins are a must in this house. I find I can pack a lot of whole food variety to create a full meal that's:

1. Easy and mess free for "on the go"

2. Convenient for making large batches and freezing for quick use

3. Nutrient dense (great for children that don't want to eat a lot or are picky!)

I had been wanting to create an apple muffin/loaf that had some hidden veggies and could easily be grain and gluten free (for those that need it). I am happy to report this recipe does just that! It's simple, made from real food (nothing processed) and the best part? My husband and daughter both loved them!

So let's get to it!

What you need:

1 apple (I used granny smith for more of a tart flavor, but any will work)

1 cup dates

2 large zucchini

1/4 cup water

1 tsp pure vanilla

*1.5 cups millet blended to flour

1 Tbsp ground flax (ok to omit but provides good source of Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber)

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

pinch of sea salt

1/2 apple chopped into fine chunks

* Can sub 1.5 cups flour of choice - may need to add a little water if batter seems too dry

For additional nutrients and healthy fats (especially important for growing and active toddlers): Puree 1/2 cup of walnuts or pecans with the wet ingredients. Increase water to 3/4 cup.

What you do:

1. In a high speed blender, combine dates, 1 apple, zucchini, water, and vanilla and blend until smooth (I left the skin on the apple and zucchini for added nutrients).