Coconut Oil As Sunscreen? Or, the Vit. D Deficiency Epidemic

Coconut Oil as Sunscreen?   

                                       

"According to interesting info I receive from coconutresearchcenter.org, they claim that coconut oil is the original suntan/sunscreen lotion.  It amazes me how many uses there are for health in regards to coconut oil, but with regard to sunscreen, generally sunscreens we use have chemicals like oxybenzone, that disrupt the hormone system and certainly are not good for children (unless listed as organic).  This may be a great alternative to try the next time you are in the sun.
They explain that people living on islands have been using it for this purpose for generations. When sunscreen lotions were first sold commercially the main ingredient was coconut oil. Over time, however, coconut oil was replaced with chemical sun blocking agents.
Sunscreens are rated by their sun protection factor or SPF, which is a measure of how much UV radiation is blocked. SPF numbers usually range from 15 to 100. The higher the SPF number, the greater the effect. You might think that an SPF of 30 to be twice as good as an SPF of 15 and that an SPF of 60 is twice as good as SPF 30, and so on. But that is not how it works. An SPF of 15 blocks about 94 percent of the UV radiation, an SPF or 30 blocks 97 percent, and an SPF of 45 blocks about 98 percent. SPF values above this are really meaningless.
Coconut oil is a proven sunscreen that is still used by millions of people in the tropics as their sole source of protection from sunburn and skin cancer.
How does it compare to commercial lotions? In India the oil is a popular lotion used for this and other purposes. A group of Indian researchers set out to find the answer to this question. They measured and compared the ability of various edible oils in absorbing or blocking the transmission of UV radiation. The oils they tested included coconut, peanut, castor, sunflower, sesame, olive, cod liver, and neem seed oils. The oils that blocked the most UV radiation (40 percent or more) were neem seed, sunflower, sesame, and cod liver oils. Cod liver oil was the most effective, blocking up to 90 percent. In contrast, the other four oils blocked less than 40 percent.  Next to castor oil, coconut oil allowed the greatest penetration, blocking only about 20 percent of the UV light.¹
Judging from this study, the SPF of coconut oil would probably be rated very low. At least lower than most other oils and especially lower than sunscreen lotions. While at first glance this study seems to question the usefulness of coconut oil as an effective sunscreen lotion, but in reality it shows its superiority.
SPF essentially measures how much UV radiation is blocked. When you block these natural wavelengths you can cause more harm than good. Getting adequate natural sunlight is beneficial and healing. Sunlight helps balance hormones and is necessary for the production of vitamin D.
Vitamin D has been gaining a lot of attention in the scientific community in recent years and for good reason. Vitamin D is necessary for the formation of healthy, strong bones and for the prevention of osteoporosis, rickets, and osteomalacia. It is essential for proper immune function and is needed to help fight off infections, inhibit the development of autoimmune diseases (diabetes, lupus, MS, etc.), and block the formation of cancer. In addition, vitamin D helps regulate blood sugar levels, moderate blood pressure, ease chronic inflammation, helps prevent dementia, and can even ease risks associated with exposure to radiation.
Unlike other vitamins, vitamin D is produced by the action of UV rays from sunlight interacting with cholesterol in our skin. There are very few good dietary sources of vitamin D. The best sources are organ meats, particularly liver. If you don’t eat liver or fish liver oils then you must get your vitamin D from sunlight. Unless you regularly eat organ meats, it is impossible to get enough vitamin D from food alone. Dietary supplements are a poor substitute for natural sources of vitamin D, and usually do not provide an adequate amount to satisfy needs. Therefore, sunlight is your best option.
Consequently, most of us are vitamin D deficient. Many of the health problems people battle with nowadays are either caused by or at least intensified by a vitamin D deficiency. Simply getting more exposure to sunlight could make a very significant difference in many people’s health.
This problem has been compounded by an obsessive fear of skin cancer which has been drilled into us by the medical community and sunscreen marketers. We are continually warned to avoid getting too much sun and always put on protection when we do. It is wise to avoid getting sunburned, but not to avoid the sun altogether as many people seem to do. If you put on sunscreen, you block out the UV rays needed for vitamin D formation.  With sunscreen covering your body, you can bask in the sunshine for hours and produce little vitamin D.
Coconut oil protects the body from sunburn and skin cancer without blocking the beneficial UV radiation. Coconut oil doesn’t rely on blocking out the sun’s rays, it works by preventing free-radical reactions which lead to all the consequences caused by overexposure to the sun. So the SPF number of coconut oil is meaningless.
If you live in a climate that is cool during the winter, you probably do not get much exposure to sunlight for a good part of the year. If you’ve been indoors for six months and immediately go out in your swimsuit on a sunny day, your skin will be very sensitive to the sun even if you put coconut oil on. You need to “season” your skin before spending too much time in the sun at the beginning of summer. The way you season your skin is to rub a thin layer of coconut oil over all your uncovered skin, go in to the sun for 15-30 minutes, just long enough for your skin to become faintly pink, but no longer. Repeat this process in the next day or two, staying out five or 10 minutes longer. Repeat again staying out a little longer each time.   Long term sun exposure is not safe on your skin unless protected by clothing or hats.  Even though this method of sunscreen is reported to be your safe answer to protection from dangerous sun rays, please go by your own skin type and experiment with coconut oil to be sure that its effective for you.  There is also the alternative organic sunscreens available without avobenone or oxybenone which is unhealthy for you."

Reference   Sobhana, T., et al. Ultraviolet transmission through a few edible oils in the context of changing solar insolation. J Ind Geophys Union 2004;8:267-271.

This Week's Top Health & Fitness Picks

Hey there, everyone ~ Are you feeling GREAT this week? Getting in shape, eating healthier & yummier?

Here is my week's personal fave health & fitness content!! So grab one of these five delicious, nourishing new smoothie recipes featuring the incredible Chia Seed, sit down & enjoy before getting inspired to try it all out!

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/for-a-better-smoothie-just-add-chia/

 

 

We LOVE Chia Seeds!!!!!

Nourished & energized? Ready to blast off? Don't forget to warm up first!!! Warming up & stretching out is crucial to avoid running & sport injuries such as pulled muscles, etc.

Here's an easy yoga warm-up routine before running: http://www.active.com/running/Articles/6-Yoga-Warm-up-Moves-That-Get-You-Ready-to-Run

"Warming up raises your heart rate, core temperature, and blood flow to your muscles, which minimizes the stress your body undergoes when you ask it to work hard in challenging conditions." Herron recommends spending a few minutes warming up inside to get your body primed before heading out.

For that, try this 10-minute dynamic yoga routine from Sage Rountree, author of The Athlete's Guide to Yoga. These moves will generate heat and activate key muscles your body will call upon when you hit the road—specifically your core, glutes, and hamstrings (plus, you can watch the entire video routine to follow along). Do the poses in a nonstop sequence, maintaining a flow, on one side, then repeat on the other. Alternate sides for 10 rounds. Then put on your warm gear, get out there, and run! Too cold for a full outdoor run? Try these Tips for Running Outside During Winter.

1. Mountain pose: Stand tall—hips, knees, and feet in alignment, shoulders stacked over hips, spine lengthened.
2. Leg Lift: Inhale and lift both arms straight overhead as you raise your right leg, knee bent and thigh parallel to the floor. Check out The 10 Golden Rules of Injury Prevention.
3. Arrow Lunge: Exhale and step your raised leg back into a lunge. Hold your torso on a diagonal, your shoulders over your bent front knee.
4. Warrior III: Inhale, and extend your right leg back while lowering your torso forward. Keep both parallel to the floor. Exhale. More: Strength Train With Yoga
5. Leg Lift: Inhale, and simultaneously bring your right leg back to a leg lift as you raise your torso to an upright stance.
6. Mountain pose: Exhale, then lower your leg down, returning to Mountain Pose. Take a few slow breaths."


Okay so- when we hit the roads...should we first leave our shoes behind?!
Hear from Chris McDougall, author of Born to Run, an evolutionary biologist, podiatrist, and urban caveman, about their opinions on running barefoot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JWUhW5yRdI

                                           


Speaking of exercise in general, have you read this article by Dr Andrew Weil about exercising to prevent migraines? Sounds good to me!! Read below:

  http://www.drweilblog.com/home/2011/12/26/fighting-migraines-with-exercise.html

Here's another wonderful tip that caught my eye while we're with Dr. Weil- Tart Cherry juice for a good night's sleep? You bet!! I use it to control muscle pain when I have fibromyalgia flare-ups, & add it to smoothies for the health benefits. Looks like a snooze aid too from the small amounts of melatonin they contain: http://www.drweilblog.com/home/2010/9/20/tart-cherry-juice-could-help-you-sleep.html

How about 10 Foods to eat for Happiness? Have you ever had PURPLE cauliflower, for instance? Eat these & feel uplifted:

http://www.wellandgoodnyc.com/2012/01/03/10-foods-for-happiness-2/#10-foods-for-happiness-2



                                    



Next on the list- here's a healthy eating article- for the love of FOOD (I'm right there with you.....) Love to eat good food, & despise dieting, but *need* to trim down? Read the scoop how one chef lost 55 pounds without giving up good food!!!!

http://greatist.com/health/jesse-schenker-healthy-weight-loss

Excerpt: "First, we established what kind of eater I am, pinpointed my motivations for eating, and identified my trigger foods. By determining each of these factors, Dr. Gullo and I worked together to build a healthy diet around my life — not the other way around. I learned that I was a “finisher” — I eat for quantity. I like to finish the whole plate, bag, slice, or slab. So I was able to identify foods that I was able to eat all of — pound(s) of shrimp, mussels, or lobster; an entire head (or two) of broccoli (which I like to char in my home toaster oven). I didn’t have to change my lifestyle, or become a portion-controlled eater. I am a finisher, and I will always be. So now, I eat foods that I can finish..."

I am totally that type of eater. I was raised to clean my plate, "wasting food is a sin", "Think of those starving children in Africa," etc as so many of us were! Its an automatic thing for me to keep eating until its all gone....grr! I try to be careful with portions but, its a work in progress, hehe. Sometimes I pile too much on because it looks so yummy & I like to photograph new recipes I made before eating them so..... yeah. Like I said, I need to work on those portions!!!!! I can put away food like any of my five brothers to boot, LOL. Rethinking WHAT I am filling up on, like broccoli etc. (Does purple cauliflower count? ;)),  is what I love about this article. Its going to come in handy to refer back to! ;-)

  "Now, I like to snack on raspberries or blackberries when I’m watching TV. Fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, and foods high in fiber are now staples in my life. Of course, there’s some wiggle room now that I’ve dropped the weight, but there are certain things I have given up, my trigger foods: French fries (and most other potato based foods), breads, and desserts. They don’t make me feel good, and they aren’t satisfying to me. I don’t know many people who can stop after just one or two or three French fries, and I can’t either. The foods I know I can’t moderate myself, I’ve removed from my diet. For me, it’s easier to eliminate than it is to only eat a few." Kudos, Chef Jesse Schenker!!! Just in time for bikini season!!!!

Speaking of which..... Bikini Body Bootcamp is here! I'm working on trying to tone up more (and of course, those stubborn abs.....hehe) after carefully losing most of the baby weight from Baby Darling number three, & overall feel great...just need to set aside more time for yoga & feel-good exercise throughout the week! Here is the latest from the pros for the swimsuit season now upon us! You can do these right at home:

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/you-can-do-it/bikini-body-bootcamp-2013/


And last but certainly not least, for a generous sprinkle of OM:

Have y'all tried TM, or Transcendental Meditation yet? I have not, but heard amazing things about it! An ancient, proven, drug-free anti-anxiety treatment brought over to the West by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi:

                                                                  http://www.tm.org/




Any feedback is greatly appreciated!!!! May you continue to have a beautiful, healthy, fit, productive week everyone!!!! Peace & Love!!!!!!

Warmly,
Christine Elizabeth

The Optimal Breastfeeding Diet: Make Super-Milk for Baby

Many of you have emailed & asked me about traditional breastfeeding diet examples. From what I've researched from other cultures, as many women without these tips & tricks in America (myself included) struggle(d) with low milk supply out of accidentally eating/drinking the wrong things. I know, its an initially very surprising thought to me as well, but makes perfect sense, right?!

 

For example, did you know such things as parsley, oregano, sage, mints etc. actually decrease milk supply? Not to mention coffee, one of the biggest! With my first baby, Demetri, my husband had cancer at the same time he was born. I started drinking a decent amount of coffee to try to stay awake to care for both of them, & struggled with low milk supply the entire almost-year I nursed him. Never put the two together until I read about it later. Aha! moment.

 

 

I cannot recommend the book "Mother Food" by Hilary Jacobsen enough.... every breastfeeding (or intending to breastfeed) mama should read this book. It became my Bible when I stumbled across it finally!

 

Here is what I'm personally eating/have eaten for galactagogues/milk producers while at same time providing enough nutrition/& still very importantly, enough fats for baby's developing brain. I do love sweets & carbs but tend to follow a more Weston-Price/Paleo/Traditional diet usually. Unless I'm feeling like it would be good to add a sweet like Halvah, which is a major galactagogue made almost exclusively from sweetened SESAME seeds- one of the biggest "galas", btw. Gala is milk in Greek, & let's just call it this to make it easier than writing out & reading "galactagogue" every time. ;-)

The following are from notes I took when baby "RoRo" was only 2 or 3 months old. He is now an amazing, vibrantly healthy 10-month old guy who loves to feed himself, crawl & jump everywhere, & still breastfeeds, but much less.

 

 Breakfast: I regret to say I had only a large mug of very spicy milky chai, raw whole milk only of course, I used organic ready made chai concentrate (but usually have homemade chai & ginger tea concentrate on hand, I add extra spices that way), & added extra tea masala (the spice that makes chai into "chai", & have that spicy taste we know here in the USA as "chai", although in many cultures chai actually just means tea, but that's another story ;-)), from the Indian grocer & stir it in, I do an extra half-teaspoonful. The milk & spice is why I drink it, watch your caffeine levels (I do a mix of reg & no caffeine). Let me interject here, in the last month of pregnancy I quit coffee cold turkey again & switched to chai  because as I said, I learned years ago (the hard way) that coffee is the single most anti-galactagogue out there- (yes I miss it, I love coffee!) but it is *awful* for healthy milk supply, so be careful when adding it back or drinking it. Not to mention the adverse affect it can have on baby. Traditional cultures & diets stay away from it entirely. 

 

Healthy, "Supermilk" breakfast items to add to your morning chai are eggs (foraged or free-range are preferable as they contain very dense amounts of nutrition & protein, much more than grain-fed eggs), oatmeal with raw honey, fresh fruit etc. I often nibble some cheese or spread sesame tahini (another huge gala)  or almond/peanut butter (gala & protein) on a piece of multigrain toast or English muffin for a treat (not paleo but so yummy, lol). Adding spinach/kale & other veggies to omelets is fantastic! And so much more. I loved a mug of leftover homemade soup for breakfast too. So many nutritious, non-sugary, galactagogue, superfood breakfast options available! Be creative, & think about the nutrition of each choice you make.

Lunch: a bowl of hot spicy chickpea curry- curry spices are fantastic galactagogues!  Mixed with yoghurt to cool it down (Ayurveda, plus whole milk Greek yoghurt is more good fats for baby), & small fresh salad or fruit, & a glass of malted whole raw milk (malt- another big "gala"!)

 Snacking: Smoothies, raw fruits & veggies throughout the day if you can, if $$/a budget is an issue even things like bananas are fresh & cheap, & drink LOTS of water. I keep a quart jar upstairs & downstairs and drink & refill them constantly!! "Mother's Milk" herbal tea in the afternoon, evening & night too. I haven't gotten prenatals refilled yet & planning to for optimal backup "nutrition", but prefer eating healthy for him than relying on a dead pharmaceutical (V. fresh live nutrition & vitamins) to supposedly nourish my child (wry face). The ones I liked were by Solgar, from any health food store. 

 

Dinner: We love fish like wild salmon (the most nutritious for baby), red meat like beef & venison, clean chicken... Protein levels are a must for you & baby... Stir-fries with chicken, greens (as much greens as you can!), spices, etc., fruits even (try pineapple, mango etc pieces-yum!!!) are just phenomenal. Be adventurous. Research superfoods, they are you & your family's new best friends! Eat as many as you can a day. I read somewhere, "Eat a Rainbow a day of fresh fruits & veggies-as many colors as you can!" All that amazing nutrition is being passed directly to your baby.

 I ate high amounts of fat the first 6 months after I had this third baby. Infants NEED healthy fats for brain development, & from what I've read & heard, dieting or not eating these fats like Omega-3, DHA etc not only reduce breastmilk, but are not the best for baby's brain development. Add to that, losing weight at too fast a pace can actually detox directly into breastmilk.... also not the best start for Baby. I think its 1-2 lbs a week to safely, gradually lose the "baby weight" while breastfeeding postpartum. Nourish yourself so you can feel good nourishing baby!

 

 Make pre-cooked meals. I make roasts & slice in fridge for grazing or sandwiches or anything, really (including turkeys-yum!!!), keep salad ingredients on hand, hard-boiled eggs, cheeses etc... I cook huge pots of soups, stews, curries, stir-fries & freeze them in ziplock bags in portions- individual/couple & family-sized :) Defrost in a bowl of cold water, on stove in a little water in a pan on low/medium heat, or overnight in fridge if you don't use microwaves. It all helps so much when Baby just doesn't want to be put down!

 

Steer clear of soy products while breastfeeding unless he has a dairy allergy, etc., & even then be very careful & selective as to how much you intake. It can powerfully affect hormone levels & is usually GMO anyway unless certified organic & certified non-GMO.

 

Superfood Smoothies: Okay, my personal FAVOURITE LOVE. I get these raw superfood powders from Wegman's, they are AMAZING! Maca (my absolute fave-incredible energy & stamina!!), Pomegranate, Acai, Goji Berry, etc... even raw Cocoa. They also carry non-GMO organic whey protein if you are doing as a meal replacement. These are all a bit of an investment, between $7-20-ish, but last months, as the serving size is a tablespoon. Ration it (or don't), they make you feel sooooooo good, full of vitality!! I just can't say enough about these superfood smoothie concoctions. I add frozen (organic when possible) fruits, sometimes a handful of spinach, any extracts you want or extra things (I've done sour cherry extract, raw aloe vera juice, chlorophyll, wheatgrass etc- you can hide all kinds of things, I'm sure cod liver oil even could be hidden ha!). I usually just add water to blend, but sometimes I add a little carrot or orange juice. Hubby likes maple syrup or other clean sweeteners, but I don't usually need it, tastes so yummy already!

Hopefully the things I have listed here will provide a jumpstart to a new mama looking to improve supply, or figure out what could be happening if other causes have been ruled out, such as not drinking enough water, not nursing baby enough/on demand, or taking baby's cues to feed more for a growth spurt, etc.

In conclusion, if you think a food or drink may be affecting your breastmilk, simply Google it, read Mother Food & other books on it, refer back to this article, or take personal notes & see if there is a pattern after eating certain things. All babies & mommies are different, so as I always say, do what works for You & your family.

Love, Best of Luck, & above all, Happy Breastfeeding!!!!!

Warmly, Christine Elizabeth xxo

 

 

Thrift shopping tips, tricks, & secrets!

Good morning! How are you all, my dear friends & readers? :-) So excited about this new blog. Over 400 readers in 4 days! Thank you all *so* much!! :-) Today I thought I'd share some links & whatnot with you all, for fabulous thrift shopping tips, tricks & secrets!

I personally LOVE thrifting (Or "thriftstore trolling" as our sisters & brothers in the UK would say- love it!). I actually limit myself severely now, once every few months unless I'm looking for a specific item(s) so I'm not tempted to spend money on impulse buys. ;-) I am always on the search for smaller, local thrift stores rather than chain ones, for cheaper prices, although they are all mostly much less cost than buying an item new, so check them all out & get a feel for your own preferences & locations. Beware thrift "boutiques"! They are still usually cheaper than new retail, etc., but often have outrageous jacked-up prices catering to the college hipster crowd. Look in smaller towns too. Think *creatively* about how you could use the items. Thrifting is fun! Block out the ugly stuff & just scan for the items you're looking for, relax no stress. Don't be afraid to try it on even though you've never tried the look before! Break fashion rules. I am always looking for ethnic & Bohemian (or potentially part of a Boho look when put with other stuff) items, which generally abound in places like these. If it looks adorable on you, just go with it!! This is 2013, ANYTHING can "GO". What looks good on YOU? Oh, & I cannot stress the importance of collecting all kinds of sundresses. (Grin.) They are freakin' adorable, they add so much to any wardrobe. You can even wear them with boots & tights, or jeans & a cardigan (year-round) when it gets cooler! I do alllllll the time & constantly get complements on my sundresses. :) (I also perniciously collect woolen sweaters for the whole family, YUMYUMYUM slightly obsessed about anything pure wool...) Also if you love the fabric of something, but not the item, decide if you can go crafty with it & create something beautiful & new out of it! :) (Example: old felted sweater into a posh hat, handbag or tote bag!)Many thrift stores either support or are run by charities, & even if they aren't, you're supporting small business & shopping local. Recycle that look, mix it up with what you love, & wear it like a million bucks! ;-)

Furthermore, don't even get me started on household items. ;) A very dear friend of mine is an absolute Pro thriftshopper. She found me a gorgeous bread machine in working order for $5, a perfect food dehydrator for $10, a glider & ottoman when I had my third baby & was looking for one, & so much more, right when I was searching for it.... :)

One of my favourite finds of all time, non-clothing related, is my little vintage icecream maker, from the 80's. Still in the box with manual, hand-powered, works PERFECTLY! It was $5. "Opa!!!!!!" We made amazing raw milk vanilla icecream the next day.....for almost free! What a hit with the kiddos! ;-)

 Are you ready? Here are some lesser-known tips to aid your search for a greener, craftier, thriftier solution to whatever your personal & household material needs are! Enjoy!! Xo

Warmly, Christine Elizabeth

http://fleamarket.about.com/od/insidershoppingtips/a/thriftstoreshoppingtips.htm

http://budgetstyle.about.com/od/greenstyle/tp/ThriftShoppingTips.htm

http://www.complex.com/style/2012/12/macklemore-thrift-store-secrets

http://houserevivals.blogspot.com/2012/03/thrift-store-shopping-secrets.html

 

 

Kamut Kombucha Oven-Fried Chicken!!!! YUM!

Wonderful, Healthy, Ancient Kamut mingles with the benefits of extra spices, healthier lighter fats, & even a dash of fermentation if you make it the Kombucha way! *LOVE THIS!*

I made this last night, & my fiancé made a big salad to go with. We took turns watching baby Ronan, who is into everything lately. ;-)

So my story is, I actually didn't have buttermilk on hand the other day when I put it to marinade!!! No problem I thought, I'll google buttermilk DIY again to get theh ratio to make a faux version... Oh, I don't have lemon or vinegar on hand either!! Okay, experiment time. I added a couple teaspoons over-fermented KOMBUCHA vinegar (live cultures!) to regular whole milk & poured it over the raw cut-up chicken. I only wish I had raw milk on hand. ;-) It turned out marvelous!!! I use Barefoot Contessa's recipe as a base, but then tweaked it in many ways to make it healthy-changing the oils, the flour(s), adding spices, etc. It turned out awesome!! Enjoy!!!!! Xxo

Ingredients

• 2 chickens (3 pounds each), cut in 8 serving pieces (I just make one sometimes, even.)
• 1 quart buttermilk (Or add a couple teaspoons lemon, vinegar, or kombucha to regular milk, etc., or use yogurt!)
• 1 cup organic kamut flour
• 1 cup organic flour or sprouted flour (Sprouted is my favourite!!)
• 1 tablespoon salt (I add Adobo too often, its in the Hispanic section & delicious, contains garlic, turmeric, oregano, salt & pepper etc.)
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• Liberal amounts of garlic powder, cayenne, & organic salt-free Cajun spice mix
• Vegetable oil - (I used Sunflower, & a healthier Omega-3 mix by Smart Balance as well-you could cut with lard for a traditional touch too)

Directions

Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the flours, salt(s), spices, & pepper in a large bowl. Take the chicken out of the buttermilk and coat each piece thoroughly with the flour mixture. Pour the oil into a large heavy-bottomed stockpot to a depth of 1-3" and heat to 360 degrees F on a thermometer.
Working in batches, carefully place several pieces of chicken in the oil and fry for about 3 minutes on each side until the coating is a light golden brown (it will continue to brown in the oven). Don't crowd the pieces. Remove the chicken from the oil and place each piece on a metal baking rack set on a sheet pan. Allow the oil to return to 360 degrees F before frying the next batch. When all the chicken is fried, bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink inside. Serve hot.

 

Tongue-Tied Yoga Techniques (LOL)

I had to laugh tonight when, reading how a lovely yoga teacher friend of mine is posting an awesome advanced yoga workshop, I couldn't think of what the Bandha's & Drishti are, although I'm familiar with mantras/"a mantra" (as you probably are as well, its in mainstream culture now ;)), & other traditional terms. Of course, my best friends being Google & Wikipedia, I found them right away. Duh! I know & practice these in English (cheesy grin appears). I am *so* making yogic Sanskrit flashcards......... ;) They sound so much more beautiful in their mother tongue, &, knowing how everything has a sacred sound in Indian/Yogic tradition, I'd like to be able to teach my students these authentic terms as well for maximum benefit. I'll post some of the definitions & snippets for you wonderful people too. Enjoy! xx


Bandha' (bond, arrest) is a term for the "body locks" in Hatha Yoga, treated under the heading of mudra. Specific bandhas are:

• Mula Bandha, contraction of the perineum
• Uddiyana bandha, contraction of the abdomen into the rib cage
• Jalandhara Bandha, tucking the chin close to the chest
• Maha Bandha, combining all three of the above bandha

There are three bandhas which are considered our internal body locks, prescribed in the different asanas. The bandha is a sustained contraction of a group of muscles that assists the practitioner not only in retaining an asana but also in moving in and out of it. The Mūla Bandha, or root lock, is performed by tightening the muscles around the pelvic and perineum area. The Uḍḍīyāna Bandha, often described as bringing the navel to the base of the spine, is a contraction of the muscles of the lower abdominal area – this bandha is considered the most important bandha as it supports our breathing and encourages the development of strong core muscles. Jālaṅdhara Bandha, throat lock, is achieved by lowering the chin slightly while raising the sternum and the palate bringing the gaze to the tip of the nose.

Drishtis

Drishti (dṛṣṭi), or focused gaze, is a means for developing concentrated intention. The most common is Ūrdhva, or upward gazing, where the eyes are lifted, with the spine aligned from crown to tailbone. This technique is employed in a variety of asanas.
There are, in total, nine drishtis that instruct the yoga student in directing his or her gaze. Each asana is associated with a particular drishti. They include:

• Aṅguṣṭha madhyai: to the thumb
• Bhrūmadhya: to the third eye, or between the eyebrows
• Nāsāgrai: at the tip of the nose (or a point six inches from the tip)
• Hastagrai: to the palm, usually the extended hand
• Pārśva: to the left/right side
• Ūrdhva: to the sky, or upwards
• Nābhicakra: to the navel
• Pādayoragrai: to the toes 

(Source: Wikipedia)

A great wiki link that includes all this & much more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtanga_Vinyasa_Yoga#Bandhas

Below is a simple illustration I found on Google images of the three bandha's & where/how to pull in. It enhances your practice so much!!!

 

Namaste, friends. Om Shanti (Peace of God)!

A Short Bio... ;)

Leaving the suburbs of Bethel Park, PA, & moving to the Deep Woods of Central Maine with my family as a 3 year-old is still a fond memory! They converted to Amish-Mennonites, homeschooled, & lived the homesteading/self-sufficient Sustainable Dream the entire time I was growing up. ♥

In my young adult life, after my family left it finally (parents divorced & in many ways went back to the way they were 17 years prior, us kids followed suit...), I've missed the Divine Simplicity of such a traditional lifestyle, seek to continue as sustainably, artistically & culturally rich a lifestyle as possible, & have been on a quest to keep the values of how I was raised and assimilate them into modern, everyday living.

Add to that a full philosophical quest including my fiery Greek heritage & converting to Greek Orthodoxy in my early twenties (I left it for a while but have come back full circle with a broadened perspective on Life.......I feel the most at peace with Orthodoxy personally, they are very open, loving, non-judgmental, & mystical!...) etc., a PASSION for all Yoga, fit & healthy lifestyles, & many useful healthy Ayurvedic traditions & sciences etc., & a fierce global love for all people, cultures....and FOODS! ;) ♥

I am now an extremely proud Mama of three beautiful little boys, ages 8, 6, & 10 months currently. ;) I love attachment/green/natural parenting, & trying to strike a balance between their obvious modern-day cultural love of media like their little school friends, & more *traditional* play & classic toys or outdoor activities- I am a FIRM believer babies & children *need* to be out in Nature as much as possible!!!! Our favorite thing to do is explore for new streams, lakes & trails together, little hidden nooks, swimming, & skipping stones. :) We also love to read Grimm's fairy tales & folk tales around the world, make pillow forts & battles, & sometimes they cook, craft with me & make creative messes which is another favorite!!!! ♥

My "second love" is of course Yoga, which consistently in my experience heals basically everything in the body when I practice regularly, including joint pain, stress, and most everything else. :) I have had a love affair with Yoga for about 14 years, and my dream is to officially get the teacher training & teach it every day...so that I HAVE to practice daily, no excuses, & reap the health benefits & stronger immune system! ;-)

My third is a deep love for delicious, irresistible, healthy cooking, & the superfoods, fermenting, foraging wild nutritional goldmines....The Quest for always the best possible nutrition, healing & living to our full potential through REAL FOOD! I teach these things & blog about wonderful recipes & techniques I come across, our experiences, daily life etc. already, & want to teach Yoga & perfect Traditional Nutrition professionally, to help more & more people feel the difference! ♥ I wish everyone could know, especially in first-world countries, the difference it feels & makes to eat REAL FOOD and everything else the modern world is forgetting!!!!!! Its an epidemic & we need to get back to the basics before we all forget.

I write about all this when I have time, ;) document, blog, photograph, create, enjoy many arts & crafts including some very old skills, live life to the fullest with my precious family, & pray for Universal Peace, Love, Awareness & Authentic living inside & out including a respect & healing of Nature before its too late.

I'm also an optimist, have experienced & overcame substantial difficulties & heartache in my life including the early years, and believe ultimately Laughter truly IS the "Best Medicine". ;-D I LOVE to laugh & just surrender everything up in the moment in a giant laugh! Ha! Ha! I love humor of almost all types. Make me laugh hard, I'll be your friend forever. ;)

Let's see... also am extremely fond of babies, animals, & flowers, my favorite of the latter being the lotus, water lilies, wild & ancient damask roses, lilies & apple blossoms.

I'm NUTS about anything  ethnic, global, Indian, handmade, rustic, & Bohemian especially~ to my mind, they are simultaneous words for Beauty, & I love to search thrift stores for vintage Boho & Indian touches for anything at all! :) I'm a lover of all things beautiful, happy, & good. Design & creativity, organization skills are some of my strongest points!! I try to keep it sustainable as possible though, & "live more with less". I learned the hard lesson, be happy with what you have!!!! If you need something or could really use it, look for it used or free or just do without maybe...OR, make it yourself! :) Its the antithesis of materialism. Haha! ♥

 Please check out my entire blog ~Ask Christine Elizabeth~ for all Things Health, Wellness, Yoga, Fitness, Nutrition, Traditional Foods for Modern Health, Urban Homesteading, Eco-Friendly Living, Inspiring DIY Projects, & Recipes to Glow With!

Seeking to PERFECT the Modern Domestic Goddess Ideal by blending Traditional Comforts/ Lifestyles with Cutting-Edge Health findings, Power Foods, & Ground-Breaking Research. Questions? Just Ask! Reach YOUR Maximum Potential Today!

Private Nutritionist/Lifestyle Consultations, & Women's Yoga/Fitness Coaching also available. Call (484) 523-6822 or email me at askchristineelizabeth@gmail.com to book your appointment today!

 Well, there is so much more to say, but you'll have to read the blog! ;-) Xoxo LOVE to you all! Peace & Blessings! ♥

Spicy Lentil Summer Rolls & Other Travel Snacks... from Sprouted Kitchen

These look terrific!!
http://www.sproutedkitchen.com/home/2013/4/9/spicy-lentil-summer-rolls-travel-snacks.html

Yoga Chart. Looks Vintage!

 

This is from my amazing Kundalini Yoga teacher, Atul.

 He teaches at the Hindu temple nearby.

The chart looks vintage, I love it! :)

 

 

Healthy Fermented Quinoa Chocolate Cake.....Mmmmmm!

Completely healthy superfood dessert, courtesy of Food As Medicine.

http://www.foodasmedicine.ca/2013/fermented-quinoa-chocolate-cake/ 

I had to include this humorous pic, I couldn't stop laughing as its so "me"! ;-)

Okay, here is the recipe!!!

Ingredients
¾ cup quinoa (fermented, drained p. 126)
1 ½ cups water
¾ cup butter
¼ – ½ cup milk (or almond milk, or water)
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup jaggery (gur)
1 cup cocoa powder
1 ½ tsp aluminum-free baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
salt
Directions
Drain soaked quinoa, rinse, bring to a boil in twice the volume of water and let simmer for 20 minutes. Allow to cool, fluff with a fork. Melt the butter and set aside to cool, greasing two 8-inch round baking pans and preheating the oven to 350°F. In a blender combine the milk, eggs, vanilla and cooked quinoa, and blend to a custard-like consistency. In a separate bowl whisk together the jaggery, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and a pinch of salt. Mix well then add the wet ingredients to the dry, mix well, and then pour into two cake pans. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. Serve with fresh whipped cream sweetened with a little maple syrup, or homemade strawberry-rose ice cream.

What is the Ringing Cedar Series? Who is Anastasia?

I haven't read the entire series in detail yet, but pick through & read snippets after the first few books. Its an amazing series & whether fictional or not, she supposedly is one of the only surviving member of a small clan deep in the Russian Taiga, descended directly from the original Vedic civilization.  In them, she shares all kinds of revolutionary wisdom, from history, to permaculture, to beekeeping, to raising children in Nature, to growing food for your family, & so much more. An **absolute must-read**!!!

"The Ringing Cedars Series describes the ideas and philosophies of Anastasia, a woman who was essentially raised by wolves and bears in the Siberian wilderness. Of all the books we have read about permaculture, archaeology, homesteading, wilderness survival, science, and philosophy nothing comes close to these books in terms of lighting a spark within the soul of the reader. The philosophies presented support every spiritual path and religion in the world and are centered in a simple reverence for and understanding of Nature.

These books were written in Russian and have had a profound impact on Russian culture. Before the books were written in the mid 90s, there weren’t any Russian eco-villages. Now there are hundreds with many thousands of families participating. An enormous percentage of the Russian diet is cultivated in these communities and in family dacha plots.

We also love and recommend many books on permaculture as well as the works of Carlos Castaneda, Tom Brown Jr., and more."
http://livingearthvillage.wordpress.com/faq/

Yogic Raptures....

I just adore Yoga....as a Gift of God. It has been my strongest faith in action, as I feel it healing & energizing my body many times even through some pretty tough sicknesses, joint pains & injuries. I've had a 14-year loving relationship with it, but at times, I have sadly neglected it for a week, or a month, before incorporating daily practice(s) according to time again- from just a couple minutes a day, to an hour or more. Each time I come back it is a joyous Tantric reuniting, it feels so good all over to stretch each meridian, & work with each chakra, & love all of yourself as all of Us, all of One. It wakes my body up, cell by cell! (Yes, of course they are saying Opa!) It connects me to the earth like tree roots from hands, feet & body, to the sun & sky like sun-beam energy blasts from my head & hair.  ;-) I feel the body, now moldable pliable clay/empty vessel, aching to do more, like a Dance to the Divine, to the silent Music of His dreams. It can open even our physical awareness that there is connection beyond just us, and our petty problems. My personal yoga routine I will strive to do daily again, is my prayer to God-Source Itself through me. It is ancient & deep wisdom, not just an exercise. It honors all walks, paths, body types. You have to honor yourself to do yoga also, & not go past what you individually need each time you practice... & at other times you push far into the unknown Abyss (safely, with proper breath & postures aligned precisely), discovering new joys & precipices...

                                         "OM Shanti" as they say ("Peace of God", to you)!

Nose Rings & Other Traditional Ayurvedic/Indian Jewelry For Healtth?

"Q: Is there spiritual significance or health benefits to nose rings /specific piercings in Indian culture?"

"A: From Vedic days up till today a total number of 36 kinds of Ornamental jewelry were used during then; but now most of the jewellery names are not even known to many of the younger generation. Just to remind them of the past life styles and fashions, I list below a few of the jewelry and ornaments that were used in those olden days and their scientific value in practical terms. Yester years' women's favourite ornaments are listed with its usage and explained with its significance of wearing the same.
"Ornaments and Jewels are considered fashionable all over the globe. But in ancient times, Indians & majority of Hindu women used these ornaments, mainly made of Gold and some Silver, with so beautiful crafting and designs, all the good work of handcrafted by goldsmiths. There were and are numerous ornament decorative or otherwise but the Hindus wore these ornaments in every visible part of their body! They wore jewellery items not just for show, but with some inner meaning to it. "Here I am giving the ornaments worn usually by any Indian Women.
"To begin with, an Item used as Metti by Indian married women in general and Brahman women in particular, is made of Silver. This is a ring with two or three line rounds, worn in their second finger from toe. By wearing this in both feet, it is believed, that their Menstrual cycle course is regularized with even intervals. This gives good scope for conceiving to married women. Also it is said just because that particular nerve in the second finger from toe, also connects the uteruses and passes thru heart. Because of this, the constant friction caused while walking and doing all sorts of chores during a day, it revitalizes the productivity organs. Silver being a good conductor, it also absorbs the energy from the polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body, thus refreshing whole body system.
Next, above their feet joint, they used to wear an ornament known as kolusu in Tamil, Ghungru in Hindi, which is known as Anklets in English. It is widely believed that by wearing this, one's energy is not wasted but re-vibrated back to one's own body. How far this is true just cannot be said, but for generations Indian women of all ages and walks wear this ornament, even today. This item made of Silver and is available in so many attractive designs and it really makes a women pretty good in looks!
"Another jewellery ornament knowingly used by Indian women as Hip Belt called Oddiyaanam. This too, is made of Silver, but the usage of this is not common. It is very particularly used to control women from getting fatter and to avoid flabs in hip and pot belly. Since no women uses these days this ornament, one can see the results that is visible!.
"Then an ornamental jewellery called Kaappu, is also a type of Anklet made of silver is given to children from the 11th day they are born. For this they have a separate function called naming ceremony commonly known as Naamakaranam. Sometimes this Anklet is made with Silver and Copper mix.

"I think i am geting lengthy so keeping myself specific to ur question these are the answers:

"A piece of stead-like ornament worn by women in their nose, commonly known as nose-ring and nose stead. (known as Mukkuthi or Mookuthi in Tamil and Nath in Hindi) The custom to wear this ornamental jewel is typically different from one state to other, one caste to other and even different amongst communities. Some use it in their left nose, some at right and few wear it in both sides of their nose. Though it is mainly used for beautifying women, the in-depth meaning can't be termed as unfound myth. It is considered as a breath regularizing and some say it is just to eliminate the poison coming out while exhaling carbon. Because the practice varies from one part to another, one cannot be sure what the actual benefit derived is, by using this item. But traditions apart, every community and caste, without any barrier uses this nose-stead. No one can deny, that this ornament adds extra beauty to the wearer!

"According to the Indian medicine, the female who get her nose pierced is assumed to experience less pains while delivering the child. The reason behind this belief is, through the piercing some vein is pressed that makes the childbirth easier..."

 - From Yahoo answers

(How fascinating is this, true or not, that these traditions exist?!)

30-day squat challenge!! ;-)

My dear friend & gym-buddy Carolina & I did the first day of these. We couldn't move for several days. Hahahaha! Great butt/glutes exercise!!!!! Xx