Friday, July 4, 2014

THE MORNING AFTER (too cute . . . couldn't resist)



After 4 ?beers....
After 2 ?glasses of wine....
After 3 ?Kamikazes ?
After 2 ?bottles of wine (shared of course)....
After too many ?Margaritas....

(Note how the ?head must be restrained ?
to prevent it ?from exploding)
After 4 ?six-packs....

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Herbs are Nature's Medicine: NATURE'S MEDICINE BAG 101, Pt 1

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HERBS ARE NATURES MEDICINE . . . and since we are all inherent healers, we need to learn what MAIN HERBS should be in our MEDICINE BAGS that we can use as tools to maintain the health and wellness of our family. Your bag would hold many singular herbs, that when combined would generate many different formulas, as one herb used for a cold (mullein), when combined with totally different herbs, can be used as an antispasmodic for pain or combined with yet others can be used for inflammation caused by an injury. There are five basic herbs groups that should be part of every formula: your primary herb, a nutritive herb, a nervine or antispasmodic herb, antibiotic or antiseptics, and a carrier herb.

MEDICINE BAG 101 – Part One

PRIMARY HERBS address the major complaint when a person is sick, and since every sickness is different, I would suggest a few that would cover various health issues. Red raspberry, mullein, comfrey, coltsfoot, yerba santa, red clover, Oregon grape root, burdock, squaw vine, gentian. Chamomile.

NUTRITIVE HERBS help restore strength and balance because it is packed with nutritive constituents that heal the body. Slippery elm, don sen and astragalus (together), comfrey, licorice, marshmallow, Irish moss, anise seeds, fennel.

NERVINES or ANTISPASMODICS are necessary because they relax the body which makes it easier for the body to receive the herbs, nutrients and healing aspects of the herbs. Relaxing is a must in order for the body to heal. Black cohosh, lady's slipper, mullein, cramp bark, plantain, skullcap, wild yam.

ANTIBIOTIC or ANTISEPTICS kill viruses and infections. Echinacea, golden seal, yellow dock, garlic, yarrow, pleurisy root, sage, bayberry, white oak bark, walnut bark, peach pits, cranesbill, juniper berries, parsley, catnip.

CARRIER HERBS help synergize formulas. There are three basic carrier herbs: Golden Seal, cayenne and ginger. When any one of these is added to a formula, it stimulates and strengthens the combined formula and assists the other herbs in getting to the affected area and doing their jobs better.

In part two of Nature's Medicine Bag I will break down specific uses of the first three groups of herbs we discussed. There are five basic herbs groups that should be part of every formula: your primary herb, a nutritive herb, a nervine or antispasmodic herb, antibiotic or antiseptics, and a carrier herb.

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Monday, June 30, 2014

Top Ten Foods for Healthy Natural Hair Growth

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Healthy hair diet
by Sioban Massiah

A few weeks ago I did a post on hair, skin and nail vitamins.  I received a lot of positive feedback, so thanks!  As I was on the Tribe's Facebook page, I saw someone's comment (yes, I actively check the Facebook page and comments), that said "Save your money, those don't work.  Just eat right and your hair will grow."  I was going to reply, but after reflection, decided that she was right.  While I ride or die with my hair vitamins, I also believe a good diet is the foundation for healthy hair.

Vitamins are supposed to supplement the nutrients we get from food.  The first source to supply these vitamins and minerals SHOULD be a healthy diet. Unfortunately for many (including me) we have diagnosed deficiencies, and have to take vitamins.  That doesn't mean I still don't eat right.  for enriched diet, water, AND vitamins are the key to healthy, growing hair.


SO, what are the foods to add to your diet 
to make sure you are getting maximum growth 
potential to your locks?  Here are my top choices:

1. Salmon
Besides being rich in protein and vitamin D (both are important for strong hair) the omega-3 fatty acids found in this tasty cold-water fish are real MVPs.  Your body can't make those fatty acids, but they're essential for a number of body functions, including hair. About 3% of the hair is made up of these fatty acids.  Omega-3s are also found in cell membranes in the skin of your scalp, and in the natural oils that keep your scalp and hair hydrated.

Also try: Fish like herring, sardines, trout, and mackerel, as well as avocado, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts (see below for more amazing things about walnuts.)

2. Walnuts
These are the only type of nut that have a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. they're also rich in biotin and vitamin E, which helps protect your cells from DNA damage. Since your hair rarely gets much sun protection (unless you walk around in big floppy sun hats), this is a big bonus. Too little biotin can lead to hair loss. Walnuts also have copper, a mineral that helps keep your natural hair color rich and lustrous.

Also try: Walnut oil in your salad dressing or stir-fry instead of canola or safflower (sold at Trader Joes and Whole Foods).

3. Oysters
Oysters are rich in zinc. A lack of Zinc in your diet can lead to hair loss (even in your eyelashes), as well as a dry, flaky scalp. Three ounces contain a whopping 493% of your daily value. You can get some zinc through fortified cereals and whole grain breads, but oysters are also packed with protein, which we all know is hair's main building block. Without enough protein, your body can't replace the hairs that you naturally shed every day and what you do make can be dry, brittle, or weak.

Also try: Nuts, beef, and eggs.

4. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a great source of the antioxidant beta carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A, which all cells crave! It also helps protect and produce the oils that sustain your scalp, and being low on vitamin A can eve leave you with itchy, nasty dandruff.

Also try: Carrots, cantaloupe, mangoes, pumpkin, and apricots.

5. Eggs
A great source of protein, eggs are loaded with four key minerals: zinc, selenium, sulfur, and iron. Iron is especially important, because it helps cells carry oxygen to the hair follicles, and too little iron or anemia (which I suffer from) is a major cause of hair loss, particularly in women. I started eating a boiled egg every morning with a smoothie to up my intake.

Also try: Chicken, fish, pork and beef.

6. Spinach
The iron, beta carotene, folate, and vitamin C in spinach helps keep hair follicles healthy and scalp oils moving.

Also try: Broccoli, kale, and Swiss chard.

7. Lentils
These small but powerful legumes are packed with protein, iron, zinc and biotin, making it a great staple for vegetarian, vegans AND meat eaters.

Also try: Soybean (add an order of edamame with your sushi next time) and kidney beans into your soup or salad.

8. Greek Yogurt
Cruise the hair aisle for low-fat options such as Greek yogurt, which is high in hair-friendly protein, vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid - an ingredient you'll often see on hair care product labels), and vitamin D.

Also try: Cottage cheese, low-fat cheese, and skim milk also fit the bill.

9. Blueberries
Vitamin C is critical for circulation to the scalp and supports the tiny blood vessels that feed the follicles. Too little C in your diet can lead to hair breakage. These super fruits are the best source of vitamin C out!

Also try: Kiwis, tomatoes and strawberries.

10. Poulstry
This everyday entree is extraordinary when it come to protein, as well as hair-healthy zinc, iron and B vitamins to keep strands strong and abundant.

Also try: Lean cuts of beef are another good source of lean protein.


Make sure to also drink, drink, drink your water! Water is the KEY to beautiful anything. It helps us absorb all the vitamins from food or supplements, and keep everything moisturized.


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HERBS ARE NATURE'S MEDICINE . . . GOLDEN SEAL

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Golden Seal
GOLDEN SEAL is one of the most powerful healing agents in the entire herbal kingdom, and offers us a wide range of its therapeutic properties, serving as a powerful tonic, laxative, alterative (for the mucous membranes), ophthalmic, cholagogue, diuretic, antiseptic, deobstruent for the glandular system, haemostatic (uterine) and nervine.

Golden Seal is highly recognized for its usefulness in congested conditions, sustaining the circulation of blood in the veins, and this attribute is valuable in heart affections where the extremities are usually cold and lips bluish. 

To strengthen the weakened condition, it is best to combine 1 part Cayenne and Skullcap to 4 parts Golden Seal, 2 caps three to four times daily. As a tonic for spinal nerves (including spinal meningitis), combine GS with skullcap and hops (equal parts).

Golden Seal is excellent for debilitated conditions of the mucous membranes of the stomach. By effectively toning the mucous membranes of the stomach, GS improves the appetite, gastric secretions and the flow of bile, and thereby aids digestion.

Externally, GS can be used as a lotion for skin eruptions and eye affections, and as a general cleansing application. For tired, irritated eyes, prepare a weak tea and use as an eyewash, or saturate a cotton ball and apply on closed eyelids.

Being one of the very few herbal agents that can tone and sustain venous circulation, GS is also a specific in controlling uterine hemorrhaging. 

As a remedy, combine 2 parts GS to 1 part Cranesbill, simmer (covered) for 20min. 

Uva Ursi
Tien Chi
Yellow Dock
Other such uterine hemostatics (astringent herbs that arrests hemorrhaging) include bayberry, blackberry, cayenne, cranesbill, mullein, horsetail, uva ursi, white oak bark, yellow dock, witchhazel and tien chi.
Bayberry
Cranesbill





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