When you were a child, do you remember your mother slathering your legs with pink calamine lotion to relieve bug bites? Perhaps you played outside by a pond or lake, or just amongst nature and mosquitos got you good. Those bites were itchy, no doubt! After a soothing bath, it was time to later on that pink calamine lotion. 

What Is Calamine Lotion?

Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that is meant to soothe mild itchiness (pruritus). It has demonstrated an ability to soothe redness, discomfort, pain, and itchiness associated with chickenpox, bug bites, and poison ivy. You can also use calamine lotion to help dry out oozing skin irritations. Calamine lotion is only for topical use, so please do not swallow it, as it can be very dangerous. 

What Is Calamine Lotion Used For?

The primary benefit of calamine lotion is that it relieves itchiness. Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and other poisonous plants can cause skin irritation and rash. Applying calamine lotion to relieve the itch from these poisonous plants, in addition to other discomforts, can soothe the skin and aid recovery. You can also calamine lotion to help relieve the following:

• Heat rash: A heat rash is an area of the skin that becomes irritated when sweat gets trapped in your pores and ducts under the skin. Calamine may help relieve the burning or itchiness. 
• Chickenpox: You may be able to relieve the itchiness and other symptoms of this infectious condition by applying calamine lotion. The lotion may also prevent you from developing additional skin conditions. 
• Swimmer’s itch: Calamine lotion may help get rid of rashes like swimmer’s itch, which you can develop if you swim in water that contains certain parasites. 
• Scabies: A small mite can cause scabies, which can cause a rash and intense itching. In order to ease the itching from scabies, try to apply calamine lotion to relieve symptoms. Unfortunately, it will not kill the mites. 
• Shingles: In addition to antiviral medications, you may be able to use calamine lotion to help relieve shingles. Apply the lotion directly to the skin in order to get some relief.
• Acne: Unfortunately, calamine lotion will not cure acne, but it may help dry out a pimple, making it a potential spot treatment. 
• Chigger bites: Chiggers are mites that feed on human skin and their bites cause intense irritation and scratching. Apply the calamine lotion to help relieve itching, but it will not kill the mites.

Homemade Calamine Lotion

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons bentonite clay
• 1 tablespoon pink kaolin clay
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup water
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 1/2 teaspoon glycerin

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a glass bowl and whisk with a silicone whisk or wooden spoon. Don’t use anything metal or it will affect bentonite clay’s health properties. 
• Once you have thoroughly mixed the ingredients, transfer the mixture to a clean jar and screw on the lid. 
• Store in the refrigerator and use within two weeks. Apply liberally as needed for sunburns, poison ivy, or itchy bug bites. 

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How often do you hear the term “microbiome” in today’s day and age? A lot, most likely, and that is because gut health has become a major point of interest for researchers, scientists, and dietitians alike. The gut microbiome is the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that inhabit the gut. Specific microbes in the gut can change in responses to diet and exercise. 

The gut directly communicates with the brain, and vice versa, via the gut-brain axis. That ultimately means that the brain can influence digestive activities, such as having nervous diarrhea. The gut can in turn influence mood, cognition, and mental health in a positive or negative way. If the gut is weak, bacteria and inflammatory substances can be absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream. That can trigger chronic inflammation, which is linked to myriad health conditions. 

For the above reasons and more, strive to feed your gut the best foods for optimal physical and mental health. Continue reading to learn about foods and food groups that optimize your microbiome and overall gut health. 

Probiotic Foods

There is no article about foods that encourage gut health without the mention of probiotics. These microorganisms can help reshape the makeup of your gut microbiome, helping to enhance immune function and improve multiple bowel diseases. Probiotics essentially change the gut environment in positive ways that decrease the ability for harmful bacteria to grow. They allow healthy bacteria to flourish, which can contribute to healthier immune function. 

A 2021 study monitored 36 healthy adults who were randomly assigned to 10-week diets that either included fermented foods or high-fiber non-fermented foods. Those who consumed fermented foods, which contain probiotics, experience positive changes in immune function. In fact, they were able to reduce levels of 19 different inflammatory markers. Increase your probiotic intake by eating more miso, fermented vegetables, kimchi, tempeh, kombucha, kefir, and sauerkraut. 

Prebiotic Foods

If you want to optimize probiotic bacteria in the gut, you have to feed them prebiotics. Prebiotic foods can also shift the intestinal pH, preventing harmful microbes from growing. These positive changes in the gut can help reduce overall gut inflammation. These changes may also contribute to the production of glucagon like peptide 2 (GLP2), a hormone that reinforces the strength of gut lining. Additionally, the fermentation of prebiotic fibers leads to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which can reduce hunger and improve the regulation of blood sugar and insulin after meals. You can increase your intake of prebiotics by eating more asparagus, chicory, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, onions, barley, less-ripe bananas, and wheat bran. 

Pulses

Pulse is not just something you do to blend foods in a blender or food processor. Pulses contain a lot of plant protein, polyphenol antioxidants, and non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs), such as soluble and insoluble fiber. These NDCs act as prebiotics, fermenting in the gut to form anti-inflammatory SCFAs. Some examples of pulses are beans, lentils, chickpeas, and dry peas (black-eyed peas and split peas). Pulses have an anti-inflammatory impact on gut health and work to improve digestive health by enhancing the strength of the barrier between the gut and bloodstream. A healthy gut barrier allows beneficial substances into the blood and prevents harmful substances from entering circulation. 

Avocados

Yes, avocados are deserving of their own mention in this article. Consuming avocados has been associated with beneficial health outcomes, including weight management and protection against heart disease. The healthy fats in avocados work to nourish the gut and keep you satiated. In one study, researchers assigned 163 overweight or obese adults to one of two groups for 12 weeks. Participants ate one meal per day (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) with or without avocado. The participants provided blood, urine, and fecal samples throughout the study. Researchers found that those who ate avocados developed a greater abundance of gut microbes that were more adept at breaking down fiber and producing SCFAs. 

Foods Rich In Polyphenols

Certain plants produce antioxidants called polyphenols. These are naturally-occurring compounds that protect plants from illness and damage as they grow. Consuming polyphenols can help protect the heart and brain, according to many studies. Research also shows that the gut microbiome converts polyphenols into bioactive compounds, which get reabsorbed into the bloodstream and benefit the body. The bloodstream absorbs about 5-10% of total polyphenols from the large intestine. The remaining 90-95% accumulate in the large intestine, where they offer prebiotic effects, helping to shift bad microbes into beneficial ones.

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Baking is a relaxing experience for many people. There is an enjoyment to the precision required to make a perfectly fluffy cake, chewy gooey cookies, or airy loaf of bread. Everything is wonderful until it comes time to clean the pan or tray in which you baked your goods. The cleanup process usually involves a lot of soaking and scrubbing. We can say for a fact that nobody likes that part. 

What do you do to minimize the dishes you have to do? If you are like most, you either use aluminum foil (not the healthiest choice) or silicone trays or mats. You can use silicone bakeware to easily remove gummy items, lotion bars, household staples, or cupcakes and muffins. The use of silicone molds may spark this question: Is it safe? Well, that truly depends, but we aim to answer it in this article.

What Is Silicone?

Before we get into cooking with silicone, it’s integral to understand the difference between silicon, silica, and silicone. Although these substances are related, they are not the same. Here’s a quick overview:

• Silicon: This is a natural element, meaning it cannot break down into smaller particles without splitting atoms. After oxygen, silicon is the second most abundant particle on the earth. It is used in many industries, including solar energy, construction, and electronics. Silicon Valley, anyone?
• Silica: This compound is made of silicon and oxygen. Silica is a primary component of the Earth’s crust and is naturally occurring in nature. It shows up in ceramics, abrasives, and glass manufacturing. You can also find silica in the human body, with some research indicating potential health benefits. 
• Silicone: You can create silicone, a synthetic polymer, by adding carbon or oxygen to silicon. It exists as a liquid, gel, or solid and is commonly used in the medical field. It exists in medical devices, including pacemakers, joint replacements, and implants. It is considered safe for these uses, and is very common in cooking utensils and bakeware. 

Is Cooking With Silicone Safe?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), food-grade silicone is safe and approved for use in a variety of kitchen products. Food-grade silicone has been tested and certified by the FDA to be safe for contact with food. Food-grade silicone is a popular material for kitchenware. It is made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which is a synthetic polymer. It has a superior ability to withstand heat, it is non-stick, and it is dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Popular silicone bakeware items include cupcake liners, food storage containers, ice cube trays, baking molds, and reusable straws.

Benefits Of Silicone Bakeware

Silicone bakeware items are sturdy, convenient, and last a lot longer when made with silicone rubber. These molds can go straight from the oven to the freezer, or vice versa, without affecting their integrity. They have a higher resistance to high heat and are safe for human health, even after extensive use. Continue reading for more benefits. 

Easy-to-Clean

Silicone bake mats, molds, and other products are usually easy to clean. They are highly flexible, which makes it easy to get things in and out of them, allowing for easier cleanup. Silicone bakeware tends to be dishwasher-safe, but you can easily wash the items by hand. It has a smooth surface and tends to resist stains, so it won’t retain odors. 

Non-Stick

Silicone bakeware is usually more non-stick than traditional bakeware. That is highly convenient for muffin cups and cake pans. The natural non-stick properties mean that you don’t need to oil or grease before use, although a little oil never hurts. By not using excess grease or oil, you can reduce the amount of added fats in baking. 

Reusable

It is very easy to use parchment paper or aluminum foil when baking, especially if you are trying to save yourself excess cleaning. Silicone is very durable and can withstand repeated use. It is also resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling. People tend to choose silicone for these reasons, as it is a more eco-friendly alternative to foil, cupcake liners, and more.

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Phytonutrients are only obtained from plants, which develop them to protect themselves from damaging environments. Ultraviolet radiation, predator pests, toxins, and pollution are just a few of the the things that plague plants on a daily basis. Plants produce phytonutrients to fight the free radicals that result from the exposure to the threats we previously mentioned. Without producing phytonutrients, free radicals damage plant proteins, cell membranes, and DNA, leading to the death of the plant. 

Phytonutrients are like shields for plants, but they also provide color, flavor, and smell. So what do phytonutrients do for the body? Well, they protect the body in a similar way that they do plants. Similar to plants, the human body is regularly exposed to UV light, toxins, bacteria, and pathogens, so it requires protection from free radical damage. By “eating the rainbow,” or eating colorful fruits and vegetables, you supply the body with the protective shield it needs.

Sufficient phytonutrient intake is necessary for proper immune function and normal cellular activity. Phytonutrients work to fight harmful free radicals, making cells less susceptible to damage. Research shows that phytonutrients are the basis for more than 40% of medications today, including those that help treat heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. Continue reading to learn more about why you should eat more phytonutrients. 

Improved Skin And Vision

Blueberries, strawberries, and red wine, for example, contain anthocyanins, which are a group of phytochemicals that may help improve vision and protect eye health. Studies show that eating darker-pigmented foods can help improve visual acuity. Enhancing vision and night vision with these types of foods has been well-documented. In addition to benefiting vision, many plants contain carotenoids, which contribute to a more youthful glow to the skin. Kale and collard greens contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two compounds that help naturally treat glaucoma. Lutein and lycopene may also protect against sun damage. 

Decreased LDL Cholesterol 

Phytonutrients like sulfides and thiols work to decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. If LDL cholesterol builds up in the arteries, you increase your risk of heart disease. Those protective compounds are typically in aromatic herbs and vegetables like onions, leeks, garlic, and olives. Other studies indicate that cruciferous vegetables may help maintain normal cholesterol levels. These vegetables are high in lignans, carotenoids, flavonoids, and a few other nutrients that may benefit overall heart health.

Reduced Inflammation 

According to several studies, flavan-3-ols and proanthocyanidins can help decrease disease-causing inflammation. These compounds are found in grape juice extracts, cranberries, raw cacao, and red wine. Resveratrol, for example, plays a role in cancer prevention and fighting diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that resveratrol helps to reduce inflammatory responses in the body. Broccoli, for example, contains sulforaphane and is associated with reduced breast cancer risk. Other phytonutrients exhibit antiviral and antibacterial properties that help fight infections and viruses in the body. 

Lower Blood Pressure And Increased Vessel Dilation

The New England Journal of Medicine published a study about how a diet rich in phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables may help substantially lower blood pressure. While a higher intake of phytonutrients can aid blood pressure reduction, one also has to reduce saturated fat intake and reduce consumption of dairy products for that to happen. Authors behind the study concluded that such a diet offers an approach to help reduce the risk of hypertension. Phytonutrients like lycopene, which is in tomatoes, can help protect against heart disease. Flavonoids in raw cacao can also help prevent heart damage caused by environmental toxins and aging.

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There are some people who dislike the beach or hiking in the forest, but the majority of people thrive in nature. It is very common to feel recharged and more relaxed after visiting nature, but it is rare to feel it now that most people live in urban environments. Man-made interiors, synthetic fabrics, and chemical-laden products are part of the modern-day norm, but you can break free from the mold. 

If you, like many others, have a newfound love for the natural world, there are ways to invite more of it inside your home. Some of you are probably familiar with indoor plants or even have some of your own. Maybe you notice a new leaf from a plant you’ve been attending to, or perhaps you observe when certain leaves get too much sun. There’s even a chance that you feel more centered and grounded when you walk barefoot in the grass. 

Invite More Nature Into Your Home

The desire to reconnect with nature has never been stronger. The world is technologically driven, so it makes sense! Incorporating more nature into your home is more than adding a houseplant to your office. You can have an indoor herb garden, purchase natural, tactile texture, and use raw exposed woods for shelving. You can even consider eucalyptus or bamboo sheets for a more eco-friendly, soft touch to the skin. 

We are no stranger to the moss wall or terra-cotta pots, but these things aren’t for everyone. Consider the following tips to help bring nature into your home and let us know which ones you like the best. You may already be doing some of these things!

Check Your Labels For Cotton

One of the easiest things you can start to do is buy 100% cotton clothing. Not only is cotton a more sustainable fabric than synthetic materials, but it is also 100% recyclable and occasionally biodegradable. Cotton shirts, for example, are much more durable, easy to clean, and get more comfortable over time. Beyond the sustainability aspect, cotton is breathable, lightweight, soft, and cozy. Whether you have cozy bed sheets, billowing curtains, or knitted blankets, cotton is a soothing vibe and a great natural fiber to have in your home. 

Create A Beautiful View With Natural Landscape Prints

If the view from your window is a sea of buildings, invite some natural beauty into the room with a dreamy landscape print. According to several studies, looking at green landscapes helps to calm the mind, improve productivity, and relieve stress. Some researchers note that both moss walls and botanical prints bring life to a room. There are even some furniture pieces that are environmentally-rooted! There’s nothing wrong with having a simple desk plant, either!

Become A Plant Parent

When you become a plant parent, you understand the struggles of caring for a plant. If you are new to plants, ask someone which plants are best for indoors and which ones are low-maintenance. Many indoor plants can help improve air quality and reduce stress, all the while providing amazing natural decor. You can get a potted plant for your desk or buy a hanging plant for a shelf. Hanging plants can truly make you feel like you are in a jungle abode! If simple plants are not your cup of tea, consider a garden of microgreens. 

Choose Tactile Textures For A Tranquil Kitchen

Trying to incorporate more of the biophilia trend into your home? Choose sustainably sourced natural materials and furniture that connect you more with the outside world. When planning a kitchen, for example, choose hard materials that exist in the natural world. Contrasting wooden herringbone flooring and a striking marble countertop or backsplash can add calming dynamics and patterns to your home. You’ll find that natural flooring, cork, or bamboo help ground you more than cement flooring does. 

Divide Your Space With A Plant Rail

Hanging plants are great because they grow up and down out of their pots. They can truly transform your space, making it feel like you are in a jungle. A room divider can be as simple as a hanging device, from which you can hang plants. You can use such a divider in your office, bedroom, or dining room. It essentially acts as a wall between two spaces, yet it blends perfectly within the space. Decorating your home with plants means that they’ll release more oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. Depending on the type of plant, it may or may not boost your mood and reduce stress levels.

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When warmer weather arrives, so do the bugs. Insects like mosquitoes, flies, ticks, leafhoppers, hornworms, and more flock to your garden to infest your flowers and plants. If you’re sitting around the patio enjoying time with family, you don’t want to worry about bugs biting you every other second. The good news is that you can forget about trying to clap insects to their death mid-flight because there are plants that help repel bugs. 

If you don’t want to inhale the fumes of mosquito candles and torches all summer, you can plant a series of plants around your patio, pool, house, and fence to keep out unwanted pests. In addition to causing itchy bites, mosquitos and other pests can damage your gardens, crops and home. Using plants to repel insects is an eco-friendly solution to your problem. Plus, these plants add both beauty and fragrance to your home and garden. Here is a guide to many common plants that repel insects. 

Geraniums

Geraniums are quite common in patio planters, but you can also pot them or plant them in your garden to naturally repel mosquitos. These flowers not only beautify your garden, but they also release a strong fragrance that mosquitos, flies, and beetles despise. That helps you enjoy your patio or garden without worrying about bites or infestation of the fruits and vegetables in your garden. Plant some geraniums around your garden to keep those pests out. 

Mint

Fresh mint is a great plant to have in your garden because you can harvest some of it to use in culinary applications. It’s very easy to grow and has been proven to repel flies, ants, and mosquitos. It emits a wonderful fragrance and helps deter bugs from infesting other nearby plants. Planting mint near your windows or doorways can help keep irritating insects out of your house. 

Citronella

Don’t want to buy citronella candles or citronella-infused oil for tiki torches? Plant the real citronella plant in your garden or pots near your doors to keep the mosquitos out. The plant itself acts as a natural insecticide, repelling a variety of flying insects, including mosquitos. The plant can grow fairly large, so you may have to keep it under control with your garden scissors from time to time. 

Lemongrass

Similar to citronella, lemongrass gives off a powerful aroma that mosquitoes dislike. Lemongrass is tall, grassy, and ornamental, growing up to four feet tall and three feet wide in one season. Not only does the plant do a great job at repelling mosquitos, but it also adds beautiful greenery to your garden or patio. 

Lavender

Before we get into the insects that lavender repels, it is important to note that lavender blossoms can attract bees. If you are allergic to bees, planting lavender near your patio or doorways may not be the best idea. How does lavender repel bugs? It contains linalool, which is a compound that contributes to the plant’s natural aroma. Other plants also contain linalool, but lavender seems to have the highest content and is the most effective at repelling bugs. You can harvest your lavender and hang some bundles around your patio and indoors.

Marigolds

Marigolds add vibrant colors to your garden or patio planters. Ranging from red and orange to yellow, marigolds make the perfect additions to your vegetable garden bed. They help keep tomato hornworms away, so consider planting them next to your tomato plants. Marigolds are very popular summer plants that also deter plant lice, mosquitos, and even rabbits!

Chrysanthemums

The primary reason that insects avoid chrysanthemums is because the flower contains pyrethrin, a neurotoxin that kills insects. Don’t worry about your furry friends because it is safe for animals. According to research, the list of insects that these flowers repel is quite extensive, including  ants, roaches, silverfish, lice, fleas, spider mites, ticks, bedbugs, and harlequin bugs. Plus, the flowers are just stunning to look at!

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What’s not to love about lavender? Bees love it and it brings a burst of color to any garden in which it grows. The vibrant purple flowers offer a beautiful, relaxing aroma and a floral flavor that you can incorporate into beverages and more. It’s rare that people actually harvest their lavender and put the flowers to good use, though. Fortunately, this is a very easy process and we’ll detail simple ways to use what you harvest in this article. 

Why Should You Harvest?

Like most other plants, removing the flowering stems from the bush promotes new growth in the plants’ roots. This helps the plant thrive and it keeps it looking tidy. Harvesting the flowering stems not only extends the lifespan of the plant, but also gives the lavender bush more fragrant and fresh lavender flowers to work with in the future. Additionally, learning to use different plants that grow in your garden can help you reduce your reliance on damaging systems. You reduce your consumption of store bought items and you can live in a more eco-friendly and sustainable way. 

Health Benefits Of Lavender

There are many types of lavender, but the varieties with long stalks and big flower heads are very appealing. All lavender is wonderfully fragrant and can be incorporated into medicinal, cosmetic, and culinary applications. It’s an ancient herb that has been used for over 2,500 years, according to several sources. 

One of the primary benefits of lavender is that it helps promote relaxation, encouraging healthier sleep. Several studies indicated that lavender essential oil was a highly effective remedy for improving sleep quality in people who had difficulty sleeping. A variety of sources also found lavender to be helpful in calming nerves and anxious feelings. The flowers also exhibit antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which may accelerate the healing of minor burns and bug bites. Those same antiseptic properties, coupled with lavender’s antifungal activity, may inhibit the growth of several types of fungus. Finally, lavender essential oil may encourage healthier hair growth!

How To Harvest

When it comes time to harvest your lavender, cut a large group of flowering stems, cutting along the plant. Make sure to leave a few inches of green growth on the plant for future growth. Going down to the woody portion of the stem can stunt the plant’s growth. When you have a small bundle, wrap a rubber band around the bottom of the bundle. Open a small paperclip and use it as a hook to hang the bundle upside down in a cool, dry place. Let the lavender dry out for about a week and then you can use it.

Lavender-Infused Oil

Making your own lavender essential oil is very difficult, but infusing lavender into a carrier oil is very doable. There are a couple ways to infuse lavender, or any herb, into an oil. You can fill a glass jar with the lavender flowers and then pour carrier oil like sweet almond oil or jojoba oil to cover the flowers. Screw on the lid and leave it in the windowsill for about three weeks. You can then strain the oil. A quicker way is to add lavender flowers to a heat-safe glass jar, pour a carrier oil into the jar, and place that jar in a saucepan with an inch or two of water over low heat. Let that infuse for about an hour or two and then let the oil cool before straining. 

Lavender Floral Displays

If you grow a lot of lavender in your garden, it’s quite nice to invite its soothing scent into your home. Put fresh lavender cuttings in a simple vase arrangement, or include dried lavender flowers in a floral wreath. Take a wooden wreath base and clad it with lavender and rosemary for an aromatic summertime display. Wreaths aren’t just for the holidays!

Lavender Wands

For these wands, which can sell for big bucks in specialty stores, you’ll want to use freshly picked lavender. Just make sure that the flowers aren’t wet from rain or dew. You’ll need the stalks to be bendable as well. Tie a ribbon around the stalks and under the flower bundle to secure the flowers. Fold the stalks down evenly over the flower head bundle. Weave the ribbon over and under, around and around, the stalk until you completely enclose the flower head. Tie the ribbon at the bottom and you’re ready! Roll the finished wand between your palms to release lavender’s fragrance. 

Lavender And Rosemary Hair Rinse

A simple way to encourage healthier hair is by using a nourishing rinse. One thing you can easily do with lavender and rosemary is make a hair rinse. All you have to do is add a few sprigs of lavender and rosemary to a jar of filtered water. Allow it to steep overnight, strain it in the morning, and then add a little apple cider vinegar to it. The next step is to run that rinse through your hair while in the shower. You can experiment and find the right proportion of ingredients for your hair and preferences.

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If you want to harness the healing power of plants, adding essential oils to your wellness routine is a great start. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts made by steaming or pressing plant parts to capture those unique compounds and scents. Besides the potent aromas from essential oils, the plant compounds in these oils offer unique health properties. However, if you want to reap those benefits, there are some tricks to using essential oils safely and effectively.

You can use various essential oils to address various ailments in the body. Some essential oils are great for your hair and skin, while others can help relieve muscle soreness, joint pain, or even ease depression. You don’t have to use essential oils topically, either. Adding them to a diffuser or a warm bath is a common practice in aromatherapy. The following tips will help you be safe with essential oils, all while reaping their health benefits. 

Do Dilute Your Essential Oils

One of the most important rules of essential oil use is that you have to dilute them in a carrier oil prior to topical application. The vast majority of pure essential oils are too concentrated to apply directly to the skin. Some essential oils, such as tea tree, eucalyptus, or cinnamon bark, can cause serious irritation. Great carrier oils to use are sweet almond, jojoba, olive, grapeseed, or borage. The general rule of thumb is to mix 8-10 drops of an essential oil in one ounce of carrier oil.

Don’t Assume All Essential Oils Are Created Equally

Because essential oils aren’t regulated in the United States, their quality can vary. Some essential oils contain synthetic ingredients instead of 100% plant material. They may smell like the plant, but they don’t have the same beneficial compounds that are responsible for the health benefits you’re after. Even if the essential oil is made from plants, a few factors can impact quality. The use of pesticides, packaging and handling errors, and improper storage can affect quality. WATCH OUT FOR THE WORD “FRAGRANCE” ON LABELS! Always do your research to ensure the quality of the oils you choose to buy. 

Do Store Them in A Cool, Dry Place

Like most natural beauty and healthcare products, essential oils have an expiration date. Most essential oils tend to last six months to a year, with citrus essential oils having the shortest shelf lives. Floral oils like chamomile and lavender, for example, have longer shelf lives. Heat exposure, however, will make the essential oils break down faster in sunlight, so store them in a cool, dry place to prolong their shelf life. 

Don’t Use Certain Oils While Pregnant

Safety is always key when it comes to essential oils. Do not use certain essential oils topically while pregnant, especially during the first trimester. Several studies concluded that the following oils should be avoided in any form, whether topical, diffused, or in hydrotherapy, during pregnancy:

• Basil essential oil
• Cinnamon essential oil
• Bitter almond essential oil
• Sage essential oil
• Cedarwood essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Marjoram essential oil
• Fennel essential oil
• Juniper essential oil
• Geranium essential oil
• Clary sage essential oil
• Wintergreen essential oil
• Rosemary essential oil
• Myrrh essential oil

Do A Patch Test Always

The limbic brain anchors past experiences with associated aromas. Although personal preferences vary, smelling an essential oil’s aroma can determine your affinity for it. A negative emotional reaction to a smell can hinder any possible therapeutic benefits. Applying essential oils topically, even diluted in a carrier oil, can still cause a reaction, which is why you should always do a patch test to determine sensitivity. After applying the oil, wait 24 hours to see if you have a reaction or not. 

Don’t Ingest Essential Oils

Do not ingest essential oils. Many essential oils are toxic when taken internally, and an attempt to ingest essential oils should only occur under the direct care and advice of a highly competent and experienced aromatherapist with medical training. Ingesting essential oils as you please can result in serious health problems.

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Most people cut off parts of vegetables and fruits and discard them. Everything from carrot peels to squash ends can end up as food waste. Ac cording to Zero Waste Memoirs, as much as 40% of food grown and sold in the United States ends up as waste. People don’t utilize every inch of their produce items, but you can help change that statistic by putting your scraps to good use. Trust us when we say that it’s well worth the effort. 

Some methods are more obvious, including composting vegetable scraps or recycling them in the right trash can. It may surprise you to learn that you can make an all-natural food dye or aromatic, flavorful vegetable stock with food scraps. With a little extra effort and culinary creativity, you can make sure that things don’t go to waste. Read on to learn how you can reduce food waste by reusing vegetable scraps. 

Boil Them Into A Broth

It’s always a good idea to have broth in your kitchen because you can use it in so many dishes. From soups and stews to risotto and casseroles, there are so many ways to use broth. Rather than purchasing sodium-rich broths from the store, make your own using vegetable scraps. It is very easy to do and you can customize the flavor based on the scraps you add to the pot. Plus, you get to control the salt content, which is great if you have high blood pressure. Place the scraps in a pot and cover them with water. Garlic, bay leaf, and other aromatics can add flavor, so don’t be afraid to add them. Cook the broth for 10 minutes or so and then strain through a fine mesh sieve. Store the broth in glass jars in the fridge or freezer, depending how soon you are going to use it. 

Use Them To Grow New Vegetables

If you have enough of a vegetable’s leftover, like the base of a bunch of celery, you can use it to start the growth of new plants. You can even sprout from a large avocado pit! It seems difficult, but it is quite easy and very rewarding. To grow vegetables from scraps, you need to trim off the end of the vegetable. That allows the vegetable to take up fresh water and start to regenerate roots. Once you trim the vegetable, place it in fresh water and set it somewhere that receives natural light. In time, you should see growth, but make sure that the base of the vegetable end is touching water, and change the water when it gets cloudy.

Compost Them

Composting is a great way to put your food scraps to good use. This process uses the scraps and other organic materials to make a natural fertilizer that you can use to enrich soil. In doing so, you reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in landfills. Plus, composting also decreases the amount of methane emitted into the atmosphere. There are many ways to compost, but the easiest way is to collect your scraps in a small bucket or container. You then dig a shallow hole in the ground, add the scraps from the bucket into the hole, chop them up with a shovel, and cover with dirt. Ideally, you bury the food scraps next to plants you’re growing to encourage healthier growth. You can compost produce, grains, coffee grounds, and eggshells, but don’t compost meat, dairy, liquids, food wrappers or plastic. 

Use Them To Make A Natural Dye

Get creative and colorful with your vegetable scraps by transforming them into a natural dye. Instead of using the dye for fabric, though, use it for coloring other foods to create a cheery meal. For example, use the dye to color everything from homemade pasta to hard-boiled eggs. Use beets and bell peppers to make red and orange dye, depending on their color. You can use yellow bell peppers or turmeric to create a yellow dye. Use spinach for green and red cabbage to make purple dye. There are many recipes for this online, but the simplest way is to blend the food scraps with water in a blender and then strain the liquid. Just make sure to wash the blender between dyes to get the richest colors. 

Pickle Watermelon Rinds

This is more specific, but watermelon rinds are some of the most wasted parts of any fruit. This is especially saddening because they contain a lot of valuable nutrients. Save watermelon rinds and pickle them to create a crunchy, satisfying snack. Just simmer the rinds in a mixture of vinegar, water, sugar, and salt until they soften. Then you can store them in an airtight jar or container in the fridge until you want to enjoy them. Get creative with other spices or seasonings, such as ginger, peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon, to liven up the pickled rinds.

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With the end of the year on the horizon, people are making their checklists of resolutions. Be it a six-pack by June or reading two books in four months, people love to crush New Year’s goals. The sad reality is that many people go back on their resolutions by February, especially in regards to weight loss. More often than not, people set themselves up for failure by making unattainable resolutions. This article provides resolutions you can actually accomplish in the New Year. 

New Year’s resolutions date back centuries. For many people, the New Year is a clean slate, a chance to start fresh. The key to accomplishing your goals is to be smart about it. Don’t set lofty goals that put too much pressure on you because that’s how you fail. You can prevent that from happening by setting small, achievable goals, like the ones below. Stay on track and believe that you can accomplish them!

Try One New Recipe Every Week

When you are completely exhausted, it’s difficult to conjure the energy to make a meal. You order takeout or pizza and pig out, which is understandable. Life can get in the way of cooking, but try to set a resolution to cook at least one new recipe per week. And if you can make that recipe a healthy one, that’s all the better. Statistically, people who cook at home more often save more money. In your acquisition of a new recipe each week, you can build your recipe catalog and cook more often!

Do One Thing To Help The Environment

The conversation about environmental change is ongoing, and it is on us to take action to help whenever and wherever possible. Since significant environmental changes are ahead, make a difference by doing one thing in 2023 to help out. Perhaps you start composting your kitchen scraps or recycling cardboard. Maybe you pick up trash on your street or participate in a beach cleanup. Nothing is too small and doing one little thing can help encourage a healthier future for the planet. 

Unplug At A Certain Time Each Day

This is easier said than done, but putting your devices away at a certain time before bed has a long list of health benefits. First off, when you don’t look at screens an hour or two before bed, you may be able to fall asleep easier. The blue light that emits from screens makes your brain think that it’s daytime, and it can also interfere with melatonin production. Instead of looking at screens until the moment you go to bed, try reading a book, stretching, or breathing exercises to help calm the mind and relax the body. 

Change Up Your Look

Losing weight and exercising are always in the top 10 most common New Year’s resolutions. Fitness resolutions tend to be short-lived because people want immediate results. Progress typically comes after weeks, not days, of consistent training and healthy eating. You can change up your look without shaving a few inches off your waistline. You can try a new hair color, switch up your personal style, or give your hair a little trim. Embrace bolder colors and don’t be afraid to wear outfits you’ve always wanted to pull off!

Get More Sleep

This sounds much easier than it actually is, but getting more sleep every night can benefit your overall health. Studies confirm that sleeping eight hours every night can increase productivity, boost immune function, improve mood, and potentially prevent weight gain. If you take the steps to improve sleep by going to bed earlier, reducing screen time, and meditating more often and still don’t see results, your mattress may be ruining your sleep. A new mattress may be the key to unlocking better sleep!

Accomplish One Small Thing Every Week

Resolutions don’t have to be life-changing events. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make you feel like you get more done in life. Clean out the change in the center console of your car or wash your car. Make a list of things that you need to accomplish and cross them off, in no particular order, when you do them. A small but impactful list can set you up for success, not failure. Just don’t make your list too long, or else it can be very overwhelming. Dust the blinds in the bedroom, clean under the couch, or re-pot your plants. 

Save A Small Percentage Of Your Paycheck

When you live from paycheck to paycheck, the temptation to splurge is strong when you see your bank account replenish. Impulsive purchases add up, though, no matter how affordable they seem at the time. Consider saving a portion of each paycheck in the New Year. Open up a Roth IRA account or a savings account and deposit $50 to $100 every month. Another way to save money is by making coffee at home instead of going out to get it everyday. This adds up and saves you money over time.

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