Tag Archives | wellness

How to Make Organic Instant Oatmeal for Cool Fall Mornings

I love oatmeal on cool, crisp fall mornings! Am I the only one? You can make your own organic instant oatmeal packed with flavor in a few simple steps taking your regular oatmeal from ho-hum to yum-yum. Read on to learn how you can make organic instant oatmeal and wake up to a better tomorrow.
 
Step 1: Bake It!
Preheat the oven to 350°, spread 4 cups of organic old-fashioned rolled oats on a baking sheet. Bake until lightly toasted, about 15 minutes. Let cool.
 
Step 2: Pulse It!
Pulse in a food processor until coarsely chopped.
 
Step 3: Mix It!
Mix in a cup of your favorite oatmeal add-ins such as; almonds, walnuts, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, brown sugar, and coconut.
 
Step 4: Store It!
Store in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks.
 
Step 5: Boil It!
Stir boiling water into a cup of your organic instant oatmeal until you reach your desired consistency.
 
Step 6: Enjoy It!
Oatmeal is my favorite on a cool, crisp fall morning – top with honey too!

5 Home Remedies That Actually Work

Many people want to know about natural home remedies that work for alleviating ailments and illnesses. For instance, kombucha, a natural fermented drink, can help kill harmful bacteria. There are other natural home remedies that work for alleviating pain and discomfort. Here are the top five to look into.

Honey

People in the U.S. get about one billion colds each year, and many people look for over-the-counter medicines to relieve their symptoms. However, they may already have a natural remedy in their kitchen cabinet. Research shows that honey is more effective at relieving cold symptoms such as a sore throat and a cough.

Tumeric

If you’re one of the 1 in 25 working-age adults in the United States who face work limitations attributed to arthritis, an ingredient in your spice rack may be able to help. Turmeric is a versatile spice from India that has been used to treat certain ailments for centuries, including arthritis. Research shows that turmeric can reduce rheumatoid arthritis inflammation. However, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider before adding a turmeric supplement to your treatment routine.

Ginger

Ginger has been shown to relieve nausea and vomiting, and also ease stomach cramps and bloating. It’s especially helpful for women experiencing pregnancy-related nausea. Before taking any, it’s best to contact your doctor to ask about adding ginger into your daily routine.

Cherry Juice

58 million people go to a gym or health club each year, which means millions of people may be dealing with sore muscles. After a particularly tough workout, reach for cherry juice. Cherry juice has been shown to help with sore muscles, as well as reducing pain and inflammation. It’s filled with rich antioxidants that relieve pain, the most effective one being anthocyanins. Ask your doctor about incorporating raw cherry juice into your diet if your muscles are frequently sore.

Peppermint

Peppermint can bring relief for many illnesses and ailments. It can help manage the pain of headaches and migraines, clear clogged sinuses, and ease upset stomachs. It can also freshen your breath and help you sleep better. Many people drink peppermint tea because it can help alleviate these symptoms.

There are a number of natural home remedies that can alleviate uncomfortable symptoms. While it may be tempting to automatically start using these remedies in your normal routine, you should talk to your doctor about using these remedies, especially if you’re on certain medications. They’ll tell you if they’re safe to use.

Natural Home Remedies for 3 Common Skin Blemishes

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Sometimes, maintaining healthy skin can seem impossible. If you have acne, that bacteria-fighting scrub from the drugstore might dry out your skin, causing itchy and painful redness. If your skin is too dry, a store-bought moisturizer might make your skin appear greasy. Finding the perfect product may never happen.

Luckily, there are natural ways to boost your skin’s appearance. Below, we’ve listed some great at-home remedies that can combat common skin blemishes without hurting your skin’s health. As a bonus, these natural methods can be cheaper than serums and soaps produced commercially, so you won’t waste big bucks if they don’t work for your unique skin.

Here are just a few fuss-free natural remedies for common skin ailments and blemishes:

Fighting Acne Naturally

Acne is incredibly common. In fact, 85% of people have experienced acne in some form throughout their life. However, just because acne is common doesn’t mean you want to have it. Pimples are painful, and deep forms like cystic acne can leave scars.

There are many types of acne that all have different causes and symptoms. However, natural skin hygiene habits can combat most forms of this condition. Try this homemade honey-based face wash from Dr. Axe to combat acne-forming bacteria:

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 20 small droplets of melaleuca essential oil
  • 2 capsules of live probiotics

Leave this mixture on affected areas for two minutes, then wash away with water. Repeat once daily to kill bacteria and reduced inflammation associated with acne!

Reducing the Appearance of Scars at Home

Like acne, scars come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Though we commonly think of scars as long-healed cuts, scars can also come from burns, surgeries, or tissue that was completely removed.

Scars on the face can be particularly troublesome. Even though in 2016 91% of children were vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella, many older adults have facial scars left from these types of childhood illnesses. Scars anywhere on the body can appear darker or lighter than the surrounding skin, and keloid scars form bumps.

Scars are signs that your body has done the work of healing an earlier injury. As such, scars don’t need treatment themselves for you to be in good health. Scars are also unlikely to disappear completely. However, if you’d like to minimize the appearance of a scar, you can try the following natural method:

Aloe Moisturizing

Try taking a leaf of an aloe plant and peeling away the dark outer skin. Then, scoop out and apply the light green/clear gel directly to the scar area. Let the gel rest for half an hour, then rinse with cool water. Repeat twice daily.

Natural Cellulite Treatments

It’s been estimated that 80% to 98% of women have cellulite somewhere on their body. Even though it is common, many women and men alike would prefer their cellulite was less noticeable. Cellulite is associated with the body’s fat storage processes, so many consider diet and exercise to be the best treatment.

However, even individuals with a healthy weight can have cellulite. No matter your size, there are a variety of methods for reducing cellulite. Try eating more seaweed or soaking with seaweed in your bathwater. Seaweed is known for balancing hormones and drawing toxins out of the body. Additionally, dry brushing with a natural bristle brush can improve circulation and exfoliate old skin cells, which may reduce dimpling and improve skin’s overall appearance.

No matter what your skin looks like, all-natural methods can help you save a little money and support your overall health. Before trying expensive and artificial serums for skin conditions that may never go away (like stretch marks, scars, and wrinkles), give these natural, homemade solutions a try.

31 Simple Eco-Friendly Ways to Celebrate October

31 Simple Eco-Friendly Ways to Celebrate October

Can you believe that October begins tomorrow? October is one of my favorite months – not only does it mark the beginning of fall, but Halloween is right around the corner. I have been making a list of all of the fun, eco-friendly activities that I want to do with Eben and the mister this month. We decorated our home last night and tonight, we will start the month off right by reading our spooky stories by candlelight and since the hurricane shutters are still on – it will be super spooky! I can’t wait! Read on for 30 more eco-friendly ways that we will be spending October – and share your favorite fall family traditions and links in the comments – I would love to hear what you have planned.

I am going to check off each fun thing we do this year!

  1. Read spooky stories by candlelight
  2. Take a fall camping trip
  3. Make organic caramel apples
  4. Make organic pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
  5. Visit the pumpkin patch
  6. Go on a hay ride
  7. Visit a corn maze
  8. Host a Halloween party
  9. Carve an organic pumpkin
  10. Take a fall bicycle ride
  11. Make organic hot apple cider
  12. Visit the farmer’s market
  13. Host a spooky movie night
  14. Take a fall family hike
  15. Make recycled Halloween decorations
  16. Make pumpkin cards to send to the grandparents
  17. Roast organic pumpkin seeds
  18. Visit a local organic farm
  19. Take a night walk to see the Halloween decorations
  20. Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
  21. Make pumpkin milkshakes
  22. Make pumpkin pancakes
  23. Decorate our home for Halloween
  24. Bake organic pumpkin whoopie pies
  25. Donate essential items to our local shelter
  26. Make organic apple cider donuts
  27. Boo a neighbor
  28. Make vegan spiced pumpkin lattes
  29. Visit an apple orchard
  30. Take a family ghosthunting trip
  31. Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween!

happy-halloween

Hello, Friends! Happy, happy Halloween!

We have been celebrating Halloween all weekend long! We started by surprising the mister for his birthday by taking him to four haunted houses on Saturday night! Tonight, we are heading out for pizza and a scary movie at the theater! Hooray for Halloween.

What are your plans for tonight? Maybe some trick or treating with the littles? An adult costume party? Staying home in your jammies handing out treats? Whatever it is, I hope you and your family have a spooky, fun and safe Halloween.

xo,
Sweet Greens

p.s. The photo above is of some of my favorite Halloween decorations. I will be so sad to pack them up for the year!