Vegmom Moments

WHAT DOES SHE USE PART 2

I still plan to do an updated pic of our non-medicine cabinet... But that will be a weekend project.  Here are the items in my "feel better bag "that I carry in my back pack...  A Mom can never be too prepared for Owies!

 

Burts Bees Hand Sanitizer...Smells better, does't burn and much more mild then its counterpart.  Burts Bees ResQ ointment.  We use for everything from scrapes, scratches, bumps, paper cuts to bug bites...  Stops the hurt, the itch and the tears in my house!   My Veg calls it his "Feel Better tin"

The Burts Bees outdoor stick was purchased for bug bites, but I'm still liking the ResQ ointment better (as does Veg) 

Tom's of Main Floss, you never know when you'll get something stuck in your teeth..

Some Latex free bandages.

And lastly the tea bags!!!

Seriously!!  These have been amazing!! I'm so glad my friend told me about these.. The Tummy Time one has helped us out of 2 near disasters while out for the day....I think almost all Mom's can relate to being an hour away from home and you hear suddenly "My Tummy hurts"...... and the Cold Time tea pack has helped us with an onset of sniffles as well...  And because they are tea bags, they fit easily in to the back pack and you can find hot water almost anywhere.

Recently this same friend told me about the Throat Care one!  Guess I'll be adding that to my bag soon ~wink~

WHAT DOES SHE USE PART 1

I've had a lot of questions lately from friends and local Mom's about what natural products I use and where I find them... And so I thought I'd start a series on here with pictures of products that we use.  As for where I find them... Natural food stores, Target and Kroger are usually my friends in shopping land... Always check for yourself if something is right for you, as I only purchase stuff that I feel is right for our family.

I've added a category called "WHAT DOES SHE USE" for easy reference later in the archives.....  Today in the interest of time I've started with the shower... How exciting is that??   NOT!!  ha ha...

Kiss My face Cold and Flu Stuff (big bottle toward the front) is my new favorite during cold or sinus season.  It is refreshing, and head clearing and mild enough for Veg to use.  There are two bars of soap, one is just Lemon Glycerin and the other is a Tea Tree therapy with Eucalyptus..

The Two Ketchup looking bottles are my No Shampoo Bottles... I use one for Baking soda and water.  The other for Apple Cider Vinegar and Water....

The other bottles are Tea Tree Triple Treat and Smooth as Silk from Giavanni  And California Baby (also used for shower toys when bottle is empty)

If there is a product you like in a category that I'm talking about that day (or not) feel free to add your recomendations.  (PS. ignore the dirty shower and ugly decor)

LUNCH BREAK UPDATE

EDIT - Not really lunch anymore... this is what happens when my day happens....Work goes on, hours go by, and here I am... but will finish my "lunch" now to complete this post.

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Because I know you have all just been dying to find out how I'm doing with my 1/2 Marathon Training, No Shampoo Mission and Starbucks denial.... Along with many more things, I decided to take a quick lunch break and give a shout out.... (P.S.  I know that no one really cares about this, but it makes me feel better to keep a log.. so just humor me.. and go to the next post if you choose)

The No Shampoo Thing - Well.. I hit the detox stumbling block where my hair went from great to not so great and so I started adding new things to the mix.  Including honey etc.  I read that if you can make it through hair detox period then it is smooth sailing from there.  But I couldn't take it... I caved...

In theory, you've used shampoo all your life and stripped all natural oils... So you have to give your head time to re-adjust.  Mine was GREAT for a couple weeks...Then there is a step where it is midstream and your hair goes crazy...  But when I used shampoo, I got white flakes and break outs again, so I'd lost my happy medium...  I switched shampoo, and no good came of it... 

Finally I went back to my Baking Soda Water rinse.... And my hair was happy again.... Then I use my Tea Tree Conditioner, and my Hair is Super Happy Again....  I save the Apple Cider vinegar rinse for only once a week.... So there you are!  I'm back to Shampoo Free and Happy!  With a little natural conditioner thrown in.  And my Hair is Happy Too!

Denying my Body the goodness of Starbucks- Well this one is a little shaky... Some weeks all is well, and I get by with Tea or Soymilk and tiny bits of Coffee.  Other times like yesterday when a Coworker twisted my arm to the point of breaking and even offered to pay, I ended up with a Yummy Delicious Chocolaty Frozen caffeinated beverage delivered to my desk... I HAD TO DRINK IT!!  I was forced to... I had no choice.... (come on...seriously.. Free and good and caffeine after getting no sleep for 2 weeks, who would say no?)

1/2 Marathon Training - I made it to 7 miles... I got past all goals I had set for myself.  All was good... Then not so much... I haven't done more then a mile in 2 weeks.  I need motivation... I have to get back at it!  I'm determined and I will finish every bit of those 13 miles... You mark my words...

OK don't mark them because then your monitor will be filled with ink.  Why do people say that anyway?  "Mark my words?"  What does that mean?  ....  Sorry, got carried away there!   Hoping for good news to report this weekend on running progress.  A Co-Worker has been sending me motivational links, and that has inspired me to not stop totally.... Stay tuned!

Natural Remedies - Well this is my long term quest that will not stop amazing me... From Garlic to Aloe, Lysine to Tea Tree....  A total lifestyle change.  So many things that make such a difference.  We have gone 18 months with out any medical intervention (except when I thought I broke my foot but thats another story)  and only one over the counter med (motrin), which is now also out of the picture.  I won't jinx it by saying we have no problems. Because we do get sick bugs.  In fact there was one day last weekend that I felt like the flu had taken me over... But it was ONE DAY!  got rid of it and I was fine.  I didn't  actually got sick, and didn't get weeks of cough or sniffles, or sinus infections like years past.  I just needed sleep and some garlic and oregano...Then it was over.

Also Veg has had two bouts of sick this year, and one was pretty miserable, but he refused to take my stuff.  On day 3 he took it, and was fine by day 4 and all better on Day 5.

NOW - On this subject, I've had some people try the same tricks and they work, I've seen others try and they don't.  I've seen some that will do everything possible to DEBUNK my attempts at Natural'ish living, however I must say.....  Just throwing on some salve or taking a remedy isn't going to fix everything. 

Its a life style change.  Ridding the house of toxic cleaners, Getting off the antibiotic roller coaster, Boosting our immune systems.  Staying away from meats and dairy products (especially during sick times)  Avoiding Mucous causing foods and things to enter the bod.... Not being around Smoking...Also not taking any over the counter meds at every sign of a cold.  Not tricking the body (that doesn't work by the way) by taking cough meds.  Exercising and Smiling (yes both make a difference) Eating natural and organic food where possible. Sleep when needed.. Eat when needed....Then using natural resources to help the body rid itself of bad things.

I'm not a Hypocrite nor am I an idiot.  I know that some day, there will be medical intervention.  I know that some day I could need real medicine in a life or death situation.  I know that some day my body will grow old and laugh at me....  I know that I will have to do what is best for my child in the event care is needed and that he will come in contact with every sick bug and probably get several of them each year...

I also know that I've done my absolute best to give us an environment where we feel good most of the time, and where sick bugs don't last most of the time.  From there it is out of my hands, and I can only hope for the best.

So for those that think it is all placebo, Yeah, it might be, but I don't care.  I know that I haven't had a single fever blister in over a year (used to get them every month) thanks to Lysine ointment, and if that is a placebo, I'll buy it all day.  And if I get a fever blister because I just typed that, then so be it... I still haven't had one in over a year.  HUGE Difference!  Talking swollen lips to where I can't eat.... ALL GONE!

And to those that try something and it doesn't work, so they won't even consider the idea of making a change...  Well for 1, they just aren't ready to make a change, and for 2 just because one thing doesn't work doesn't mean others won't.  Just like it took me years to find out that Advil was the only cold medicine that I liked, and then another bunch of years to realize I didn't need it at all.  Just like you may like one brand of chips but not another.  You have to be willing to try things and listen to your body to find what works for you.  Every one is different and what works for me won't work for everyone.  And because I'm not a professional, I wouldn't tell someone to do anything I do.  I can only say what works for us.

Now to The Budget -  Finishing week two Debit and Credit card free!!  How cool is that??  Will be some time before we are Credit free, but working on it.

Homemade Deoderant -  Still LOVE IT! No smell at all.  I do get some redness after a good exercise though, and so there are a couple days a week I don't use it to allow the red and sore spot to go away.  Next time I won't use as much baking soda and corn starch and that should fix that problem.  But for now, I shall finish the batch happily, while using my other natural stuff that I don't like as well on the sore days.

Think that is everything on my updates... So if you read this far... I hope your eyes are still in tact.. And assuming my mom is the only one that read this far... Hi Mom, I love ya!

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ALOE AND GARLIC

Not too long ago, I posted this about ALOE and how it is one of my best plant based friends...

Since then I have used it on a cotton ball for my dogs ears every couple days and it is really and truly keeping his yeast and bacteria infections at bay.  His scratching has been kept to a minimum and the smell hasn't come back... Now if I can only remember to do that for him at least once a week, I bet we will be rid of that chronic issue he's been prone to since we found him in a ditch all those years ago.

NOW to the GARLIC that I promised to post about!!    Yes, it is for eating.. Yes it is great in recipes... But this little clove jewel has many more wonderful qualities then giving taste to a pasta dish....

They say it can help with Cholesterol, Tri-Glyceride's, Blood stuff, and may other things, but I've recently discovered that it has been shown to kill bacteria that is antibiotic resistant.  It has also killed strains of bacteria faster in a dish then an antibiotic fighting the same strain.  I've discovered that it will boost my immune system while it is under attack...

But more then that I've seen it work for Veg's Ear infections time and time again...  He still gets those little agonizing beasts but maybe once or twice a year now and each time we cure them without antibiotics.  Each time we have gone Antibiotic free....  Thanks to Garlic!

I've brought up the ear oil before, so why am I bringing up Garlic again.. Because I started taking the capsules (vegetarian of course) only as needed instead of just rubbing the oil on skin.  (*note - I've heard that garlic on skin can cause burns, so I only use the proper safe for skin oils when using on skin)

And I've seen a pending cold disappear.  I'll come home from work with a drainy, runny, drive me crazy nose... take a capsule of garlic and within 10 minutes my nose is dry and happy...and cold is gone.  I've watched it clear up Hubbies last chest congestion (his takes a little longer because he doesn't catch it in time)....  And while everyone has had the flu around me at work, I've stopped the pending doom, by taking a garlic pill.  Not saying anyone else should use it as I'm not professional in any way... But really research all the benefits, the next time you take a bight of your garlic butter... *smile*

Now granted it can make ya stink... maybe not so appealing...  But the pill is better then eating a clove whole when it comes to the stink factor.  But I notice myself cooking much more with real cloves of Garlic and will request them on pasta dishes at restaurants. 

I'm not saying I won't get sick and that our family doesn't get sick.. But if I can keep the bad stuff at bay most of the year.... then a couple bouts of annoyance isn't so bad.

And so that is my story about Garlic and why it is my favorite Bulb friend!

ALOE JUICE MY FRIEND

This seems to be my most popular Google search term (As in How people clicked to my blog )  All 5 of them *smile*

 Aloe Juice and Pink Eye....

Each day when I check my stats, that aloe post always comes up as a page people found via google.  Well I have to say that Aloe Juice is one of my best friends.. (assuming a plant based juice could be a friend)

So I'm happy that other people are looking for it too.. I only buy the Lakewood brand and so far have been very happy with it.  Everything from Pink Eye, to soothing a scratch in the eye... 

To gargling for a mouth burn, putting on gums for ouches...  I even use it on my dog for hot spots, and drink a little internally to stop a sore throat..  Also drinking a little internally helped to boost my immune system during the crud going through our house and will make my acne go away...

Here is the problem.... It can cause a laxative effect... in most people it may... but for me it does the opposite!!!  Yes lets talk poop!  If I take the aloe internally the bathroom is not needed.  And when the bathroom is not needed, I get cranky.... And no one wants a cranky Mom... So I stopped taking it internally unless really needed, and my skin is horribly broken out again!! 

Now I have to decide.... Bad skin or Crabby Mom???  Hmm... really hard decision... But for everything else, Aloe is my friend... I can't even say how many things it has helped for us.  Pink Eye happens to be my favorite though...Nothing like waking up with gunky swollen eyes, and have them wiped clear in a day or two! 

OH OH, and another cool use for this golden yellow beverage was when my Dog was scratching his ears like crazy the other night, it was too late to look for his drops and get back to bed.... So I put some aloe on a cotton ball and swabbed his ears.....Not only did he rest easy and quit scratching, but the next day I noticed the stink was gone...Apparently the yeast in his ear didn't like the Aloe..... BUT I DO!  *smile*

Soon you will see me post about Garlic!!  Yup, that is another member of the plant family that has become my friend.... Ok, maybe this one isn't a plant, more like a bulb?  A root?  something like that.... 

BUT ITS GYMNASTICS

So my guy is officially sick.. Bound to happen sooner or later this year I suppose...  this is his first time out of school because of sick all year, and his first "non-food related migraine" day of feeling bad in a long time...

I think this may even be his first fever since this time last year.  I don't remember, but regardless, he feels bad... And is so pitiful... but so sweet....

In his fever induced sweetness he looks at me and says "Mom, your so great"....  "Mom, I just love you"

As I'm wiping his brow with a cool wash cloth or filling the tub or making his special tea.... "Thank you Mom, your my favorite person"

And then it hit him.... The Being a guy thing.... The "Ooooo I can't move"  "I'm tooo sick to get off the couch, can you hand me that paper on the table"..... 

"Mooooom, I need your help"  I came running thinking this was an emergency, to find him lying on the floor, "I have to go to the bathroom".... SO GO, I say.... "I can't" he says.....  Apparently he just can't walk when he's sick....

OK, so I know he isn't feeling good, but it sounds like he's read another chapter in the Guy Manual..... Because when he asked if he could go to Gymnastics.... I said..

"You can't even walk yourself to the bathroom and you want to go to Gymnastics"

He jumps up and says BUT ITS GYMNASTICS...And he shows me how high he can jump.... "See, I'm all better" he says....

Needless to say we won't be going to Gymnastics, but its funny how fast he healed himself....

**Ps, I tried a new tea concoction and he is sleeping happily and fever is gone... I'll let you know how he does tomorrow and post the recipe if it continues to work with no side effects.

EUCALYPTUS JARS

Using some old Avery labels and card making supplies, I made labels to fit these cute little jars... Think I was actually having fun... Even though it took like two hours to get the right size printed, but thats another story... Did I mention the little jars are just too darn cute. 

When I went back to the store today they were already sold out.  I think someone else thought they were cute too.  Needless to say there are only four up for grabs right now, and already taken... Because those are the only 4 that asked.  :-)

I hope that no one I give them to actually needs them, because that would mean there is a cold brewing, but you asked and you shall receive!!

Due to limited supplies and high expense, I only made small ones for testing.. think of these as samplers *smile*...  I suppose if I like ya enough and you ask for more, I will be glad to Oblige, but I can't guarantee the cool label next time.  hee hee!

HOME MADE VAPOR'ISH RUB LIP BALM UPDATE

Last night, the sniffles for Veg turned in to a coughing fit while he was sleeping.  The deep yucky kind of "Oh no its going to his chest" kind of a cough.

So I took my little happy Eucalyptus stuff in the bedroom and put some on his Back, Chest and Feet....  as soon as I walked out of the room there was no noise... No coughing... It stopped... I waited for a few minutes thinking "This can't be"  But it was.... Hubby and I watched an entire movie and still no cough... so I went to sleep, he didn't wake us up...

And in the morning he woke up ready to go to school as always, came out of his room all dressed and ready for breakfast.... His congestion was gone, and he felt great!   Even the color in his face was normal again.

Just to be safe, I stuck some Echinacea/Goldenseal drops in his Orange Juice and Off to school he went...

When I picked him up in the afternoon, he said he didn't have any aching body parts and that his cough didn't come back... So far tonight there has been silence!   I shall call this the shortest cold of all time! 

I'm a happy camper!  And to think, no petroleum, chemicals, medicine or doctors....  Natural Stuff makes me happy and I think it makes Veg happy too...  Here's a little secret.. Hubby is coming over to the natural side too...Shhhhh!!  Don't tell, he doesn't know it yet!  *smile*

HOME MADE VAPOR'ISH RUB LIP BALM

A few weeks ago I posted about making Deodorant and Lip Balm... I mentioned that I would be making some with Eucalyptus for the next time one of us get sickly. 

Well Veg started with the sniffles today and I thought it would be great to have something moisturizing to put under his nose that would also help him breath.  And So I made my Vapor'ish Lip Balm...

Not really for the lips but to put on his Back, Chest, Feet and under his nose as needed.... Of course all he has is the sniffles, so none of that is needed.  But I'm prepared just in case!!

Using the Lip Balm Recipe and instead of Sweet Orange Oil, I used 18 drops of Eucalyptus Oil and 2 drops of Tea Tree Oil.  If I had some mint, I would have thrown that in to... But it is perfect.  I rubbed some on my chest, then pulled the collar of my shirt up over nose to absorb the vapors.  (leaving the rest of the shirt on, of course)  I don't even have the sniffles, but I just wanted to try it :-)

Also had to make sure there were no skin reactions before putting on Veg since we both have Uber Sensitive skin.  But 4 hrs later, I can still smell it, and my skin is soft too.  :-)  Think I'll be using that even when I'm not sick just because it smells good.  BUT... Probably don't want to wear it in the office or people may steer clear... Although maybe thats a good thing??

MAKING MY OWN DEODERANT

For Real... I did it!  Last night!!

My "sending awesome links" friend sent me this one from the Angry Chicken....  I immediately said this would be my mission.  I've been so sick of going on the no chemical, no aluminum search for Deodorant.  Even the ones I found that do work, aren't as great as they could be... And so making my own Deodorant seemed like the logical thing to do.

Not that I would have EVER thought of it before, but last night it sounded like a very logical thing to do... I made one batch that filled two containers.  (One for me and one for my awesome friend that gave me the link) So far I don't stink that I know of...  But my coworkers are probably thinking I'm quite strange walking around smelling my pits..

Then again, I'm always strange, so I suppose this is nothing new!!!

I'll send an update in a few days... For now after 4hrs, I'm happy with it...*smile* I used sweet orange and eucalyptus as my essential oils.  But it hardly smells orangery at all.  I'll have to add more next time.  Was also thinking Coconut may be a good smell... I could feel like I'm at the beach all the time.

Just noticed she also has a recipe for Lip Balm?  Hmmm Think I'll be doing that one next....  Ha!  Who would have thunk that making your own products could be so easy!  Why buy anything ever again! 

Oh, Well you do have to buy the products to make the products, unless you plan to go to South Africa and harvest your own Shea stuff and turn it in to butter.  How ever... even with having to buy some products, they are natural and not hurting anything and animal friendly.  Not to mention much more cost effective.

By the way... from the Angry Chicken website, I found this link about how not to use Shampoo....  I tried the Baking Soda with water and Apple Cider Vinegar with water recipes last night.... My hair is very happy with me today!!!

WoooHoo.... 2 veggie thumbs up to natural alternatives!!!