The Many Benefits of Shea Butter

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Our Precious Skin
Most people appreciate having nice, soft, young looking skin. Our skin is our largest organ. It's our first line of immunity. The skin provides protection from the external environment and acts as a barrier as well as a filter.

If you are someone who puts lotion, creme, oil or lip balm on your skin repeatedly on a daily basis, you may want to look hard at what your putting on your skin. These products, high quality or rancid and toxic quality, will get into your skin on a cellular level. The idea is for these products to nourish from a cellular level!

Shea Butter
The first time I felt pure raw shea butter about a decade ago is when my love affair began! Now, I use it in most of the  B Me Organic Products. Shea Butter is the fruit that comes from the Karite Tree, native to Africa and has also been called the Tree of Life.

You may purchase it raw and unrefined or refined shea butter. The raw unrefined shea butter contains more beneficial properties and has an earthy scent. Unrefined has more processing and doesn't have much scent. Shea butter varies in color from off white to yellow. As the shea butter is extracted, it is put into a gourd such as below. 

Shea butter has an unbelievable amount of benefits.  It is often compared to cocoa butter and in some opinions exceeds the healing quality.  It contains Vit. A, E, and F and is very good for skin balance. It penetrates into the skin, moisturizes, gives back elasticity, softens and much more. Shea butter is good for:

-Dry skin                   -Skin rash                    -Sun burns                    -Wrinkles                   -Itchy skin         -After shave bumps                  -Skin wounds                 -Skin cracks                      -Tough or rough skin                              -Weather changes such as dry lips, cold weather, frost bites               -Stretch marks            - Insect bites                          -Muscle fatigue, aches and tension                -Before & after strenuous exercise         

-Skin allergies such as poison ivy          -Eczema       - Dermatitis      

                  -Skin damage from heat including radiation        -Sun protection  

Additionally, it has beneficial properties to the scalp and hair to condition your hair's natural shine, revitalize split ends, protect from the sun and hard treatments such as perms or hair dyes, deep conditions and strengthens brittle hair.  Shea butter may also be used on babies for diaper rashes.  As you can see, there are so many benefits to using shea butter!

Shea butter will melt at and on our bodies temperature. Get that? You will feel it literally melt on your skin. That's awesome!!  Typically in its raw form, it will be semi-medium hard and will soften when it's applied. A product of nature! 

These are a Few of My Favorite Things!

I make a variety of organic herbal products and use shea butter in many of them. You may use the shea butter in its raw form or add it with other oils and butters. I love the feel, texture and medicinal benefits it adds.  How do I use the shea butter?  I begin the products with herb infused oil that I set outside with shells, stones, sunshine and shake it for at least 2 weeks. The herbs infused depends upon the nature of the product.  Herbs to soften and heal such as lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, neem are used in the Body and Belly Butter and Sweet Orange and Lavender Healing Creme, Herbal Salve and Lip Balms, and Body and Belly Oil and Argon Hair and Body Oil.  Therapeutic herbs for aches, pains, inflammation, arthritis, sprains and more include herbs such as arnica, St. John's Wort, horsetail, rosemary, cayenne, catnip, neem in the Therapeutic Salve and Therapeutic Foot and Body Lotion.  Herbs to repel bugs include lemon eucalyptus, lemongrass, catnip, rose geranium, and neem are in the Bug Off Mister products.  

     

After a few weeks, I strain the herbs and mix the herb infused oil, organic shea butter and maybe other goodies such as organic coconut oil, beeswax, and organic cocoa butter on a double boiler.

Shea Butter, cocoa 'wafers', beeswax squares

Melted butters, oil, and wax with a fun stirrer! 

  Then I add my love and intention to create this product in its highest good!  I pour, package, label and hope these delicious products make you feel fabulous and happy!

Body and Mind Enrichment. A unique way of exercising your body and mind!

Homemade Beauty Treatments, Intuitively Speaking

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Skin and Body
Certain times of year, you may feel your body and skin responding to the seasonal change. Your body may just looove a certain time of year and flourishes (hair, skin, etc) and other times struggles (dryness, oiliness, patches etc.).  This may also change due to stress, environment, diet and other factors too!

Horse Playing with Your Food
I am a big advocate of playing with your food. We've got to make it fun, right?!  I also enjoy eating for the seasons.  We are lucky to have strawberries in season here in FL!  I made a delicious Strawberry Simple Syrup with raw honey, cinnamon, lemon balm and lime. I like to keep some version of this on hand to add sweetness to drinks, yoghurt and other tasty treats.

Strawberry Simple Syrup

On another note, I took Rosemary, mashed it lovingly with my fingers, put it in an empty bottle and added olive oil to cover it.  This rosemary olive oil is used to flavor food but you may also drizzle a little in your palm and condition your hair.

Rosemary Infused Olive Oil

A week later, I roasted butternut squashed and drizzled the rosemary infused olive oil, yum!

Roasted Butternut Squash with Rosemary

One evening, I decided it was time to give myself a nourishing mask. I wanted/needed something to assist with the little bit of dryness I was experiencing, mainly due to the weather this time of year in FL, cool and dry. Since I had some butternut squash leftover and the simple syrup, I was drawn to combine them for the perfect deluxe moisturizing (in-home) facial.

Honey, Strawberry, cinnamon, lemon balm, butternut squash, rosemary, olive oil

 I took a little of each and mashed them together in a 1/1 ratio.  Check out the vibrant colors!  Honey is a great antibacterial and has many benefits for the skin, hair and body! Rosemary is good for circulation. Lemon Balm has antiviral properties. Strawberries aids in ridding the skin of dead cells. The orange color of butternut squash is a good indicator that it contains beta carotene, Vit. A, which helps to fight wrinkles and balance the ph of your skin and cells. Lime is a natural preservative.  Eating these foods are important, however, if you have some leftovers and are feeling a bit sassy, feel free to give it a try and see how your body and/or face feels.  My skin is pretty neutral so I'm okay using herbs and foods that may be slightly drying or oily although I was using the butternut squash in this creation to nourish the face in a moisturizing way. The rosemary is often used for dry skin and lime, lemon balm and strawberries for oilier skin. But in this situation, I was comfortable with a little of everything!

Look at the pretty heart! This happened organically!

After applying it to my face around the eyes, neck and hands, I relaxed with a cup of tea and enjoyed the moisturizing and tightening experience over the next 20 or so minutes. I suggest relaxing and feeling what's going on as it changes during the duration while these organic foods and herbs set into your skin on a cellular level. I love feeling this and the energetic movement around the face.  

Chillin' with my facial, tea and amethyst & rose quartz necklace

Then, I rinsed with lightly warm water, pat dry and felt fabulous! Seeeeee?

Fabulous feeling skin and a happy camper!

Maybe you will find some serendipitous goodies in your fridge or pantry to blend together. Sometimes I'll sneak a quick facial in while I'm making some food such as smashing avocado on my face when making guacamole.  So, although I enjoy the zen time and feeling and guiding the inner workings of the natural products, I know we get caught up in our busy worlds, and any way to sneak it in is just perfect!  

Cheers to happy, healthy and radiant skin! 

Body and Mind Enrichment. A unique way of exercising your body and mind!

Ringing in the New Year!

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Ringing in the New Year!
Happy 2013!  I love the holiday season, the spirit, the energy and also time off! Each year I do something different with my time not purposefully, just serendipitously!  But it always includes relaxing!

Diggin' in the Dirt
This year I gravitated to the garden and, of course, the beach!  I was yearning to get my hands dirty and feel the soil, connect and breath with nature. We tend to get caught up in the busy cycle of life - work, activities, commitments etc. that we have to put some things on the back burner.  So, it was my intention to spend my relaxing time off in the garden.

Going Deeper
Being in the garden is a beautiful place to reflect. Allow your mind to be open and clear for new ideas and thoughts to appear!  I relate those lively plants to us alot in regards to how we grow and blossom during certain times of year and need extra support, nutrients and love in others. Again, a cycle.
I have been thankful this past year to share a garden with 2 others.

Closing the year by tending to the garden, caring and giving thanks, is healthful for the soul. Beginning the new year by starting seeds, nourishing the soil, harvesting and planting is very fulfilling!  Currently in the garden are many varieties of mustard greens, chinese cabbage and bok choy, kale, spinach, herbs, brocolli, brussel sprouts and more!

Happy and Healthy 2013!

Body and Mind Enrichment. A unique way of exercising your body and mind!

Chasing an Illness Away

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Unfortunately, from time to time we are subject to catching a cold, flu, virus, bacteria, etc. Thankfully, mine are few and far between and typically quick to run its course.

Going down......
My most recent battle was a cold (I think... I was a little nauseous and didn't think nausea usually came with a cold).  It was somewhat brought upon myself - or at least I believe so. I was preparing to go out of town. It was a fun trip, however, I still didn't sleep well the night before (with excitement and anticipation of the long weekend) and worked hard the week of to get as much work done as possible. I know I was also around others that were sick over the weekend. My alcohol consumption was up a notch due to lots of celebrating at a wedding.  So, there you have it - multiple factors that suppressed my immune system!

Sore Throat
Before I even got home from the trip, I began feeling a scratchy throat (Sunday afternoon). I had hoped it was different atmosphere, weather (in GA) or anything other than being sick!  Thankfully, I brought white tea and had already consumed it throughout the weekend and came across some 'detox' tea.

The following day while we were driving home (Monday), it was confirmed that I officially had a sore throat - bummer!  I took a nap when we got home and began drinking tea with herbal goodness to sooth the throat, support the immune system, and assist with nausea. This helpful herbal tea included cinnamon, elderberry, ginger, sage and honey (multiple cups for the next 24 hours).  I did a warm salt water gargle (multiple times). Sometimes I'll add apple cider vinegar and honey to the salt water and if I have an herbal tea, I'll use that water instead of plain water. Thankfully, the sore throat dissipated by the next morning (Wed.).  However, it moved upward (I was thankful it was heading up and out instead of down in the chest although at the time I was darn uncomfortable).

Proper Food, Rest and Exercise
In the meantime, I was eating somewhat light (no dairy or heavy foods) going back and forth between warm soothing soups (from Natures Food Patch since I didn't take the time or energy to make it) and nourishing smoothies with homemade yoghurt (good bacteria), fruits (not too many), leafy greens and celery, ginger, honey and chia or hemp seeds.  I also took Buried Treasure ACF liquid nutrients to support the immune system and slowed down on exercise all week.  Priorities were proper rest, low stress (mentally and physically) and eventually some nice walks.

Up and Out
After the sore throat, it did seem to move 'up' around the head and (stuffy) nose as it was working its way out (Wed. and Thurs). At that point, I change my herbal tea formula a bit. I took out the cinnamon and sage and added peppermint.  Now, the tea was peppermint, elderberry, rosehips (Vit. C), ginger and honey.  During the day I would also add green tea to the mix!  The herbs help to support the immune system and shorten the duration of the cold/flu.  I also surrendered to one of my least favorite things, although very potent, the dreaded nose spray. Currently, the one I have includes colloidal silver but I know there are many other good ones out there.  Although it's one of my least favorite things to do, I'm willing to do it to get to the root of the issue at that particular time as I'm chasing the cold away.  I would do it a few times a day (morning, mid day and evening).  I also used my B Me Therapeutic Salve around rub it from my nose towards and around the ear, down the neck and up and out the forehead and crown of the head.  The B Me Therapeutic Lotion was rubbed on my feet and covered with socks overnight.

By Friday morning, I mentally prepared to teach an energetic cardio and weight class. I toned it down a notch for myself by using lighter weights and not as high intensity while still motivating the class. Again, I rested that evening so I could teach again another energetic class on Saturday (along with teaching other Pilates classes).  Over the weekend, I continued the herbal tea, water with lemon, ACF, and nose spray.  The following week I was able to carefully bump back up my exercise (no need to be in a major hurry, I have the rest of my life!) and continued to eat and rest well.

As you're treating your illness, remember -  you WANT your symptoms to change, just hopefully for the better. So, 'treat' it differently as it moves!


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Scrub A Dub

My husband travels for business. I give him an herbal tincture to take on his trips to strengthen his immune system. This time, he got hit pretty hard. Look around, there are many many people catching colds, viruses, mystery illness and flus. Anyway, after a few days of him sleeping, resting, and fighting whatever it was that was winning the battle, I decided to disinfect the house with a vinegar, water, lemon and tea tree essential oil solution. I sprayed it all over the house - counter tops, toilets, shower, furniture, bedding. It made Jay and I feel so good and that the stagnant air and aroma around the house was lifted and refreshed! I also threw some baking soda on the counter tops and used the spray.

As I was scrubbing with this all natural solution to cleanse my surroundings, it occurred to me this was a great way to explain the benefits of scrubbing our bodies. I don't care if you are a man or woman, we all have different skin types of which could benefit from caring for our skin from time to time with natural products. You know if you work out in the sun for a living, your skin typically needs moisture and protection. If you are inside with recycled air your skin may be dry and also yearn for stimulation!

Aromatherapy is powerful. How often do you relate a song to a particular place or time? And how often does a scent remind you of a place or time? It is real my friends! As we inhale, smells travels across the olfactory nerves in the nose and up to the brain which triggers a reaction (this information is part of my Emilyisms book on recipes and tips). The essential oil is drawn into the lungs to provide physical benefits. So, back to the cleansing. It is just as important to clean off our skin. The skin is our largest layer and if you are really interested in a cleanse think about what you put into and onto your skin. Essential oils, oils, minerals such as salts, clay and mud allow our bodies to pull out toxins, tighten skin, rejuvenate cells and assist our body to stimulate, relax, calm, balance and more. I am just brushing the surface of my knowledge about cells but it appears these things are quiet important.

Cells are the building blocks of any living thing, plant and animal. Cells make up all known life. Every cell is produced from another cell by dividing and multiplying. Cells will be replaced when things break down or get worn out. Together they perform the functions of life. Since we are made up of cells and each cell has functions that ideally work together to form our healthy body, these cells are constantly wanting energy such as food, minerals, air, water, etc. So much of what is outside (our bodies) creeps its way inside (our bodies). Exfoliating can be a way to detoxify, rejuvenate and encourage new cell growth. There are also many environmental treasures in nature (for example, the beach, rain forests, green trees, parks) but also be aware of hazards.

There are many ways to 'treat' your skin, and as I was cleaning and scrubbing, I had this bizarre correlation between scrubbing the countertops to cleanse and scrubbing my body to cleanse. Imagine if the products were so pure they were practically the same. My body salts may include the following: baking soda, magnesium sulfate (otherwise known as epsom salt - this is a great product and can be found at many grocery stores and markets) and dead sea salts for the dry ingredients. You may opt to add a few lavender flowers or any other herb or flower of choice. The liquid could consist of one or a combination of oils and essentials oils. Add enough oil such as olive, sesame, grapeseed or a combination, then coat the salts. You can always add more if you want more oil. Essential oils are a bonus. Play around with your scents. Your body may crave a particular scent during a certain time of year or part of your life. Honor that request.

Get a brush and dry brush the dead skin off your body. Stimulate the lymphatic system. See how much you can tolerate- sometimes lighter and sometimes more aggressive with the brushes. Brush in circular movements and up towards the heart. Then exfoliate. You may also choose to exfoliate your body with the salts and oil and provide your face a clay mask. This will draw out toxins and tighten skin. Allow the oils to penetrate into the skin. The same for the mask. Allow to dry. About 20 minutes or longer. (Just about the time the needles need to work in your body during an Acupuncture treatment). Lightly pat yourself to dry. The essential oils, again, have so many medicinal properties. I make some that also repel bugs. So, after doing a luxurious spa treatment for yourself, you can hang outside and keep the bugs away! If you haven't already seen it, I posted a short video on making and applying a body scrub and mask. Check it out! bodyandmindenrichment.ning.com

Body and Mind Enrichment A unique way of exercising your body and mind!

Eye Exercises

Recently, in the United States, we celebrated the 4th of July. I was never too much into fireworks but have grown an appreciation to them. Clearwater, FL certainly has some of the best firework shows ever! There is so much color, various shapes, sizes and depth. I was so very lucky to have a fantastic seat this year with my feet dangling over a dock overlooking the water where the fireworks were. It was pointed out to me, thankfully, to also look into the water during the firework extravaganza. All the sudden, I felt as if I got 2 shows in one. The colors glistening on the water were incredible. So, I found myself watching the fireworks show above then, as quickly as I could with only my eyes instead of lifting and lowering my neck, I would look down with my eyeballs and enjoy the show on the glistening water. I realized I was doing eye exercises!
So, of course, I had to remind others about the benefits of exercising your eyes! Exercising your eyes can protect and improve your vision, prevent eye strain and relieve tired eyes. Just like exercising your muscles to build strength, you can strengthen, tone and stimulate cells in your eyes! Eye exercises have been known to help with eye movements, activity and contraction of eye muscles and overall body tension. Eye tension creates an increase in nerve impulses which pass through the optic nerve and effects the brain. Exercising your eyes helps with vision as the ophthalmic nerves receives more blood supply and enhances circulation.
The following are a few exercises. Move the eyes in all directions without moving your head and with your eyes open and closed (you may prefer closed). Follow the movements with your eyes as opposed to just circling and moving the eyes. For example, look up and down, left and right, upper left then lower right, upper right and lower left and circle the eyes. Do each about 5-10 times (to begin). Each time, try to look up more and down more without straining, look further left and further right etc. Another exercise is to close the eyes and squeeze them tightly for a few seconds. Then, relax. For the peripherals, extend your hands and separate them wider than shoulder width apart. Wiggle your fingers and focus on them. There are more eye exercises to practice. For those that drive in a car, look at a computer for long periods of time or any other practice that required significant concentration of the eyes, I highly recommend you make some eye exercises part of your weekly routine. Happy Seeing!
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CooCoo for Coconuts

There are so many health benefits of coconuts! People in Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa, and Central America along with Ayurvedic studies have been using coconut, coconut oil and milk for centuries. It has been known to help with weight loss, heart disease, psorisis, candida and chronic fatigue just to name a few. It helps with digestion and is safe for diabetics by helping to regulate blood sugar.

Coconut oil puts less of a demand on the enzyme production of the pancreas. This lessens the stress on the pancreas during mealtime when insulin is produced most heavily, thus allowing the organ to function more efficiently.1 It has a long shelf like unlike many other oils that become rancid and may still be in your cupboard! I personally use virgin unrefined coconut oil, coconut shavings, coconut water and coconut milk. Use coconut oil as if you are using butter. For those that are concerned with too much coconut flavor, there is refined coconut oil. Through the refining process, the ‘coconutee flavor’ is taken out but it looks and feels like coconut oil/butter. In temperatures over 76 degrees farenheit, the oil is liquid and under 76 degrees, it will solidify. If you need to use it in a liquid form, warm or heat it and voila! Other ways to incorporate the benefits is through your largest organ - your skin.

Put straight coconut oil on dry skin or use products that contain it. Coconut oil will absorb easily into your skin. It promotes healing and keeps connective tissue strong to help with wrinkles. It provides protection from free-radical formation and is soothing to wounds and rashes. After bathing or showering, our pores generally are open. This can be a susseptical time for infection. Try rinsing off with cool or cold water and/or applying coconut oil. For a deep conditioner, put a small amount of oil in your hair.

Let’s move onto the technical benefits of coconut oil since it has sooo many health benefits including weight loss. The medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) that make up coconut oil yield fewer calories than other fats. The energy value is 6.8 calories per gram compared to 9 calories per gram from other fats. The medium chain triglcerides (MCT’s) derived in coconut oil raise the body’s metabolism turning it into insta-energy. Medium chain fatty acids are processed directly in the liver and immediately converted into energy. There is less strain on the liver, pancreas and digestive system. When metabolism speeds up, more calories are burned. This is the effect of MCFA’s easily absorbed and and quickly burned. Coconut oil promotes thermogenesis which is the burning of calories which in turn helps increase energy. This is another example of how coconut oil can contribute to helping those with hypothyroidism. “The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in mother’s milk and have similar nutriceutical effects. These health effects were recognized centuries ago in Ayurvedic medicine. The medium chain fatty acids and monoglycerides found primarily in coconut oil and mother’s milk have miraculous healing power.”2

Despite the negative campaign against coconut oil to increase sales of hydrogenated oils (ew), there is so much to learn about coconut oil. I hope I have given you enough information to take a deeper look at the benefits of adding it in your life!

1. The Healing Miracle of Coconut Oil. By Bruce Fife, N.D.
2. J. J. Kabara “Health Oils From the Tree of Life" (Nutritional and Health Aspects of Coconut Oil). Indian Coconut Journal 2000;31(8):2-8.

Soups and Stews

This is a perfect time of year to load up on great nutrition. How, you ask?! Making soups and stews containing healthy, nutritious food is easy! Basically, you are making a broth - depending upon what you are going for, you can make it thicker or lighter. I go both ways! The longer you allow the flavors to blend together on a low heat the more you will taste all the robust flavors. Haven't you ever had red sauce and the next day, it tastes better?! The flavors have been marinading longer.

I work slowly when making a soup- meaning, I start putting a few ingredients in a little at a time on low heat. I may wait 5-10 minutes in between adding ingredients. Add vegetables such as carrots in the beginning to give them more time to soften. Onions create a nice, sweet flavor. Love and thank the food for what it will provide to you as you are creating this ceremonious meal. During the stages, I can relax or finish laundry, read, send a few emails - you catch my drift. It is a great way to add greens and other vegetables into your body. Pureeing food or drinking broths allows the body to quickly absorb all the goodness and is easier on our digestive system. It may also been used for weight loss. Soups may be lower in calories (that is without the flour, sugar and various thickeners). The food is already broken down. Often times people forget to chew food thoroughly. This put more strain on our bodies during the digestive process. Soups conserve more nutrients and vitamins.

Begin your soup as if you are making a tea - boil water and add your goodies. This is a great way to squeeze in tons of greens and other vegetables your body may not receive. Also, take note on how you feel after eating the soup. Energized, healthier?! Add ginger, garlic, cayenne pepper to the broth in the beginning just to name a few anti-inflammatory and anti bacterial helpers. Many herbs and spices are also good for digestion (many restaurants give you a mint or peppermint after a meal, right?). Then, add tons of color in your soup or stew. Mushrooms are extremely healthy including the specialty mushrooms. Add some! They have been used for centuries in stimulating the immune system, treating colds and flus, fighting infection and much more! This is a good time to eat your greens! If you don't want anyone to know the extent of what is in the soup, either puree or scoop out the leaves or vegetables after the food is soft and tender and the flavor is extracted. The liquid retains all those wonderful nutrients from the food.

During certain times of year when the kids go back to school and more germs are floating around, make some soup. When you are traveling (before or after a trip), load up on soup! Other herbs and spices you may want to add is dill, thyme, curry, marjoram, rosemary, bay leaves. Herbs to add at the very end would be parsley, cilantro and basil. Make a soup sock. Cut a square of cheese cloth, add some herbs such as those listed fresh and or dried. Tie and drop in stock. When you are done, pull it out and toss in your compost or feed the used herbs to your plants. Herbs contain many helpful properties to us all for digestion, skin, inflammation, and brain function just to name a few! If you grow something, research about it and use it!! I have so many tips and suggestions on making soups, feel free to hit me back with any questions! Happy eating and experiementing!
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