Carpet cleaning

The carpets in our house are disgusting - thanks to the 4 smelly dogs (now 3 smelly dogs). I have tried the talc powders from the store, but I heard that talc is not good for our health.

So, todays's research inspired me.
Here are non-talk suggestions from the web:

Baking soda and spices:

http://diyconfessions.com/category/cleaning-products/

Items Needed:
1 1/2 cups Baking Soda
Essential Oil or spice to desired smell {I used cinnamon}
Bottle to store it in {I used a mason jar with a parmesan cheese lid. It fits perfectly!}

How To:
Mix together your baking soda and essential oil/spice.
Shake well.
Sprinkle freely amongst your carpet. {I let mine sit for approx. 5 mins just to let it do it’s work.}
Vacuum

Baking soda and fabric softener for stains and smells

http://diyconfessions.com/category/cleaning-products/ 

Items Needed:

1/8 Cup of Fabric Softener
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
Hot Water
Spray Bottle (I used an empty windex bottle)

How-To:

Using a funnel, pour the fabric softener & baking soda into your spray bottle.
Fill the spray bottle with hot water and shake well.
TIP: Don’t forget to twist the nozzle over to the LOCK position if you’re using a Febreze bottle, or you might fall on your hiney.
Now spray every stinkin’ inch of your house!

Hydrogen Peroxide for very tough carpet stains

http://diyconfessions.com/category/cleaning-products/ - this lady used H3O to clean paint drips from her carpet

Vinegar

I am going to try to put together all the info I have in vinegar in one post here, for all vinegar types.

WHITE VINEGAR

http://housekeeping.about.com/od/environment/a/Homemade-And-Natural-Cleaning-Products.htm
Vinegar actually cleans much like an all-purpose cleaner. All you need is to mix a solution of equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. It's always best to test any cleaner on a hidden area first to make sure no color change or damage occurs. Be aware that improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Vinegar isn't a good idea to use on marble surfaces, either. And, don't worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries. Some common uses for vinegar in the rooms of your house are...

Bathroom: Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and counter-tops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of unsightly rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down before pouring the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. You can also mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution. Vinegar will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile leaving them shiny and beautiful.

Kitchen: Clean the top of the stove with equal parts vinegar and water. Most appliances can be cleaned with this same all purpose mix of vinegar and water. Counter-top surfaces can be cleaned and disinfected with the same spray. Use vinegar to clean floors and be amazed at the fresh shiny results. (NOTE: I have seen another site where they suggest cleaning dishwasher by adding a cup of V to the empty cycle) and then following up with a cup of BC and doing another cycle)

Laundry Room: You can use vinegar as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families with sensitive skin issues. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. I like to use vinegar to clean my washing machine as well.

http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/top-green-cleaning-tips

• To clean the mirror I use vinegar and water.
• To clean the tub, I found that a 40/60 solution of vinegar to hot tap water in the bottom of the tub works well. You let the vinegar/water solution soak for about 15 minutes and then scrub with a brush and drain. Rinse with hot water and done. If you don't like the vinegar smell, don't worry it will go away after you rinse the tub. Happy safe and natural cleaning.
• Put some vinegar in a baggy and use a rubber band to hold it on to the shower head to clean away buildup.
• To keep your plastic shower curtain free of mildew, keep a spray bottle filled with white vinegar and water by the tub. At the end of your shower, spray the shower curtain, especially along the lower edge. You'll be amazed by the difference!
• The cheapest way to mop your kitchen floor is to mix vinegar with water. Buy the large containers and it makes some cheap disinfecting mop water. The vinegar smell will go away when the floor dries.
• Here's how to clean your kitchen cabinets and any woodwork in an inexpensive, green way. Mix equal parts of white vinegar with hot water (you can use less white vinegar if your cabinets are not real dirty, smudged up, greasy prints, etc.) add a few drops of olive oil and use a soft rag to clean. The white vinegar cuts grease and grime effectively and safely and also disinfects. The olive oil leaves a nice shine behind. I also use this mixture to mop my hardwood floors - it leaves them beautiful. It is so easy to use and so very inexpensive.
• We use a spray bottle with plain white vinegar as a kitchen cleaning spray. It's cheap and green. But my favorite part is that it's safe enough for my young daughters to use. So, for less money, I can help train my daughters and get some needed help in the kitchen.
• I use vinegar for everything in the kitchen. It is so easy to use. I clean my stove with it, it cuts the grease very well and I use it to clean my counters and my floors. I double mop my floors but the vinegar first helps cut the grease on the floors from regular cooking troubles.
• Use vinegar on the bathroom floor to get rid of the urine smell if you have small children or your husbands friends are messy or for a cat litter box kept in the bathroom.
• For extreme hard water problems while washing dishes in the dishwasher add 1 cup of distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle. Simply open the door and poor it in. Not only does it correct old spots, but in prevents new ones. It also helps keep the mechanics of the dishwasher free of deposits.
• Tired of wasting money on a special or fancy solution to clean out your coffee pot? Simply use vinegar! Mix part vinegar with part water and run it through like you would if you were actually making coffee (be sure to keep the carafe underneath!). The vinegar combined with the heat will leave your coffee pot like new (and your coffee will taste better too!). P.S. This is also a trick I use when I want to use my coffee pot to make hot water (it removes all the coffee taste that would otherwise be there).
• The simplest way to soften your clothes naturally is to add 1/4-1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle. I bought a softener ball and use it strictly for this purpose.
• Add just about 1/4 cup of white vinegar to sheets and towels, shower curtains and other household linens to prevent that mildew smell.
• White vinegar will also whiten your white clothes and it is not as damaging as chlorine bleach. You can use it in every load, not just once a month!

http://diyconfessions.com/category/cleaning-products/

1. Erase ballpoint-pen marks.
2. Erase crayon marks from clothes.
3. Remove stickers and price tags by dabbing a little vinegar on the sticker.
4. Disinfect cutting boards by wiping it down with vinegar after every use.
5. Remove carpet stains by mixing 1 tblspoon clear dishwashing liquid & 1 tblspoon white vinegar w/ 2 cups of warm water.
6. Get rid of water lines on furniture by mixing equal parts vinegar and olive oil and dip a cloth in the mixture and wipe the water ring.
7. Trap fruit flies by placing some in a small bowl.
8. Wash away mildew from your shower curtain.
9. Remove stains from pots and pans by mixing 1 cup vinegar 2 tbs baking soda 1 cup water.
10. Help bruises heal faster by applying a little vinegar.
11. Sooth a soar throat by gargling 1 Tb of apple cider vinegar with 1 tsp of salt.
12. Clean your toothbrushes.
13. Soak out blood stains.
14. Keep cut fresh flowers fresh.
15. Revive your paintbrushes by soaking in vinegar.
16. Kill weeds in the yard by spraying them with vinegar.
17. Peel off wallpaper by mixing equal parts of water and vinegar and spraying directly onto the wallpaper.
18. Clean and disinfect baby toys.
19. Get rid of stubborn bathtub residue.
20. Keep ants away by spraying vinegar along doorways.
21. Relieve a sunburn by slightly rubbing with vinegar.
22. Boil better eggs by adding 2 TB vinegar to the water – keeps them from cracking.
23. Make fluffier pancakes by adding 2 TB of vinegar.
24. Fabric softner by adding about 1/4 cup of vinegar to your laundry load to soften your fabric.
25. Gum remover – spray vinegar on the area where the gum is stuck & the gum will dissolve.
26. Air freshener – Remove odor by putting a bowl of vinegar in the place where the smell is emanating. You can also put it in a spray bottle with equal parts water and deodorize the air.
27. Wash your fridge. Clean your fridge by wiping it down with a mixture of water and vinegar (equal parts).
28. Unclog drains. Put a bit of baking soda in your drain, then pour some vinegar over it. Let it bubble over, then flush it with some boiling water.
29. Clean your microwave. Add 1/4 cup vinegar to a bowl with one cup water. Heat up the mixture in your microwave for a few minutes and let it evaporate. Then, wipe down your microwave and the condensed drops after removing the bowl.
30. Renew scuffed shoes. Wipe vinegar on your scuffed leather shoes to help them shine.
31. Clean windows. Mix equal parts vinegar and water and put the liquid mixture into a spray bottle and spray your windows. Wipe them down with newspaper to prevent streaking.
32. Tenderize and kill bacteria in meat. Add some vinegar to your marinade to kill the bacteria in your meat and to help tenderize it.
33. Wash vegetables and fruits. Mix three parts water to one part vinegar and put the mixture in a spray bottle. Before washing, spray fresh produce with the liquid to remove bacteria and pesticide residues.
34. Get rid of dandruff. Rub vinegar on your scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then rinse it off. Do this once a week, and you should see less flaking.

Hard water rings in the toilet - eco-clean removal

I am on a mission to find a way to remove hard yellow rings in my toilet without having to pour commercial products that I am quite sure are not very gentle.


So far to contenders are:

VINEGAR:

http://housekeeping.about.com/od/environment/a/Homemade-And-Natural-Cleaning-Products.htm says:
Vinegar actually cleans much like an all-purpose cleaner. All you need is to mix a solution of equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Be aware that improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Vinegar isn't a good idea to use on marble surfaces, either. And, don't worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries. 
Bathroom: Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and counter-tops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of unsightly rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down before pouring the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. 


http://organizedhome.com/clean-house/pantry-recipes-homemade-cleaning-products -


Mildly acidic white vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits from smooth surfaces, yet is gentle enough to use in solution to clean hardwood flooring. White vinegar is a natural deodorizer, absorbing odors instead of covering them up. (And no, your bathroom won't smell like a salad! Any vinegar aroma disappears when dry.)

For really tough bathroom surfaces such as shower walls, pump up the cleaning power by removing the sprayer element and heating the solution in the microwave until barely hot. Spray shower walls with the warmed generously, allow to stand for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse. The heat helps soften stubborn soap scum and loosens hard water deposits.

Undiluted white vinegar--straight from the jug--makes quick work of tougher cleaning problems involving hard water deposits or soap scum. Use undiluted white vinegar to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl. Before you begin, dump a bucket of water into the toilet to force water out of the bowl and allow access to the sides. Pour undiluted white vinegar around the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush to remove stains and odor. Use a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings.

LEMONS

http://housekeeping.about.com/od/environment/a/Homemade-And-Natural-Cleaning-Products.htm

Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Try mixing lemon juice with vinegar or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section of the lemon. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. Be aware that lemon juice can act as a natural bleach. Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for hardwood furniture. One of my favorite uses for the fruit is to put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal. It freshens the drain and the kitchen. Orange peels can be used with the same results. Lemon juice can also be used to treat stains because of its natural bleaching qualities.

This lady demonstrated the use of straight cut lemon to clean faucets to make them shiny

http://broccolicupcake.com/blog/2012/03/spring-cleaning-natural-cleaning-tips-for-the-bathroom/

BACKING SODA AND VINEGAR

This lady uses a combination of baking soda and vinegar, and those make a foam, and she uses the mix for the entire bathroom, apparently, to get rid of smells, water stains, and what have you

http://broccolicupcake.com/blog/2012/03/spring-cleaning-natural-cleaning-tips-for-the-bathroom/ 

She says that "For extreme hard water stains, I would suggest pouring a little baking soda on the tough spots first, let it sit for 5 mins and rinse before doing this remedy."

I will certainly try this one with maybe Dr. Braumer's Pine Soap for best smelling results

VINEGAR AND LEMON JUICE

This girl uses vinegar, lemon juice, and liquid dish soap to clean her water stains. She mixes straight V with like a half a cup of lemon juice and then adds liquid dish soap of any kind to a spray bottle. Apparently, it works amazing things:

http://diyconfessions.com/2012/06/11/dull-to-shiny/ 

For a review of commercial products, this one is pretty cool:

http://www.themanlyhousekeeper.com/2011/03/11/solved-soap-scum-and-hard-water-stains/

I will make some pictures of before and after with just the vinegar, then vinegar plus baking soda if needed


---------

Well, I did try the vinegar + BC recipe.
Here is my toilet before.

This was taken about 3 minutes later. The soda really made alot of foam. Once the foam started to come down, I took a brush and brushed the rings off effortlessly. They just came off as soon as I touched them. I am now a believer!!!

Beets - one of my favorite veg

I just can't see to get enough of beets lately. I open a can and eat it straight up, and even drink the juice in it, and still want some more. So, I decided to see what is there in beets that I might crave.


===============

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=49

Antioxidant Benefits

What's most striking about beets is not the fact that they are rich in antioxidants; what's striking is the unusual mix of antioxidants that they contain. We're used to thinking about vegetables as rich in antioxidant carotenoids, and in particular, beta-carotene; among all well-studied carotenoids, none is more commonly occurring in vegetables than beta-carotene.

When it comes to antioxidant phytonutrients that give most red vegetables their distinct color, we've become accustomed to thinking about anthocyanins. (Red cabbage, for example, gets it wonderful red color primarily from anthocyanins.) Beets demonstrate their antioxidant uniqueness by getting their red color primarily from betalain antioxidant pigments (and not primarily from anthocyanins). Coupled with their status as a very good source of the antioxidants vitamin C and manganese, the unique phytonutrients in beets provide antioxidant support in a different way than other antioxidant-rich vegetables. While research is largely in the early stage with respect to beet antioxidants and their special benefits for eye health and overall nerve tissue health, we expect to see study results showing these special benefits and recognizing beets as a standout vegetable in this area of antioxidant support.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Many of the unique phytonutrients present in beets have been shown to function as anti-inflammatory compounds. In particular, this anti-inflammatory activity has been demonstrated for betanin, isobetanin, and vulgaxanthin. One mechanism allowing these phytonutrients to lessen inflammation is their ability to inhibit the activity of cyclo-oxygenase enzymes (including both COX-1 and COX-2). The COX enzymes are widely used by cells to produce messaging molecules that trigger inflammation. Under most circumstances, when inflammation is needed, this production of pro-inflammatory messaging molecules is a good thing. However, under other circumstances, when the body is undergoing chronic, unwanted inflammation, production of these inflammatory messengers can make things worse. Several types of heart disease—including atherosclerosis—are characterized by chronic unwanted inflammation. For this reason, beets have been studied within the context of heart disease, and there are some encouraging although very preliminary results in this area involving animal studies and a few very small scale human studies. Type 2 diabetes—another health problem associated with chronic, unwanted inflammation—is also an area of interest in this regard, with research findings at a very preliminary stage.

In addition to their unusual betalain and carotenoid phytonutrients, however, beets are also an unusual source of betaine. Betaine is a key body nutrient made from the B-complex vitamin, choline. (Specifically, betaine is simply choline to which three methyl groups have been attached.) In and of itself, choline is a key vitamin for helping regulate inflammation in the cardiovascular system since adequate choline is important for preventing unwanted build-up of homocysteine. (Elevated levels of homocysteine are associated with unwanted inflammation and risk of cardiovascular problems like atherosclerosis.) But betaine may be even more important in regulation of our inflammatory status as its presence in our diet has been associated with lower levels of several inflammatory markers, including C reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. As a group, the anti-inflammatory molecules found in beets may eventually be shown to provide cardiovascular benefits in large-scale human studies, as well as anti-inflammatory benefits for other body systems.

Support of Detoxification

The betalin pigments present in beets have repeatedly been shown to support activity in our body's Phase 2 detoxification process. Phase 2 is the metabolic step that our cells use to hook activated, unwanted toxic substances up with small nutrient groups. This "hook up" process effectively neutralizes the toxins and makes them sufficiently water-soluble for excretion in the urine. One critical "hook up" process during Phase 2 involves an enzyme family called the glutathione-S-transferase family (GSTs). GSTs hook toxins up with glutathione for neutralization and excretion from the body. The betalains found in beet have been shown to trigger GST activity, and to aid in the elimination of toxins that require glutathione for excretion. If you are a person who thinks about exposure to toxins and wants to give your body as much detox support as possible, beets are a food that belongs in your diet.

Other Health Benefits

It's important to note two other areas of potential health benefits associated with beets: anti-cancer benefits and fiber-related benefits. The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules in beets makes this food a highly-likely candidate for risk reduction of many cancer types. Lab studies on human tumor cells have confirmed this possibility for colon, stomach, nerve, lung, breast, prostate and testicular cancers. Eventually, we expect to see large-scale human studies that show the risk-reducing effect of dietary beet intake for many of these cancer types.

Beet fiber has also been a nutrient of increasing interest in health research. While many people tend to lump all food fiber into one single category called "dietary fiber," there is evidence to suggest that all dietary fiber is not the same. Beet fiber (along with carrot fiber) are two specific types of food fiber that may provide special health benefits, particularly with respect to health of our digestive tract (including prevention of colon cancer) and our cardiovascular system. Some beet fiber benefits may be due to the pectin polysaccharides that significantly contribute to the total fiber content.

Description

Both beets and Swiss chard are different varieties within the same plant family (Amaranthaceae-Chenopodiaceae) and their edible leaves share a resemblance in both taste and texture. Attached to the beet's green leaves is a round or oblong root, the part conjured up in most people's minds by the word "beet." Although typically a beautiful reddish-purple hue, beets also come in varieties that feature white, golden/yellow or even rainbow color roots. No matter what their color, however, beet roots aren't as hardy as they look; the smallest bruise or puncture will cause red beets' red-purple pigments (which contain a variety of phytonutrients including betalains and anthocyanins) to bleed, especially during cooking. Betalain pigments in beets are highly-water soluble, and they are also temperature sensitive. For both of these reasons, it is important to treat beets as a delicate food, even though they might seem "rock solid" and difficult to damage.

Beets' sweet taste reflects their high sugar content, which makes beets an important source for the production of refined sugar (yet, the beets that are used for sugar consumption are of a different type than the beets that you purchase in the store). Raw beet roots have a crunchy texture that turns soft and buttery when they are cooked. Beet leaves have a lively, bitter taste similar to chard. The main ingredient in the traditional eastern European soup, borscht, beets are delicious eaten raw, but are more typically cooked or pickled.

The greens attached to the beet roots are delicious and can be prepared like spinach or Swiss chard. They are incredibly rich in nutrients, concentrated in vitamins and minerals as well as carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin.

=========================

Calories

A serving of beets contains a total of 58 calories. Carbohydrates contribute 47 calories, protein accounts for 9 calories and fat provides the remaining 2 calories. A serving of beets provides about 3 percent of the daily value for calories, based on a daily diet of 2,000 calories.

Carbohydrates, Protein and Fat

Beets contain a total of 13 g of carbohydrates per serving, or 5 percent of the daily value for total carbohydrates. This includes 3.8 g of dietary fiber, which is 16 percent of the daily value for dietary fiber. A serving of beets also has 2.2 g of protein, which is about 5 percent of the daily value for protein. A serving of beets contains 0.2 g of total fat, which is less than 1 percent of the daily value for fat. This total consists entirely of unsaturated fat. Beets contain no saturated fat, trans fat or cholesterol.

Vitamins

A serving of beets contains about 37 percent of the daily value for folate, 11 percent of the daily value for vitamin C and about 6 percent of the daily value for riboflavin. It also contains 2.5 percent of the daily value niacin and 1.5 percent of the daily value for vitamin A.

Minerals

The magnesium content in a serving of beets is about 8 percent of the daily value. Beets also have about 6 percent of the daily value for iron in each serving. A serving of beets contains about 5 percent of the daily value for potassium, 3 percent of the daily value for zinc and 2 percent of the daily value for calcium.

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Then there is, apparently, such thing as a Mini Beet Protocol (MBP) that is supposedly for
Fluoride Poisoning
Pesticide Poisoning
Mold and Fungal Infections
Crow's Feet
Infertility
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Love Handles & Cellulite
Hormonal Imbalances
Free Radicals
Scars
Gray Hair
Parasites
Mycoplasms
Nano-Insects

http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/mini-beet-protocol.html


INGREDIENTS (organic, if possible):
* Ground Cinnamon
* Beets
* Asparagus (I see some people substitute fennel)
* Apples (any kind)
* Carrots

Swedish bitters for digestive problems

I am starting to suspect my liver is not as healthy as it could be, and it is the reason for my recent problems with water retention, bloating, and cramps.

http://www.pureinsideout.com/swedish-bitters.html

The recipe for the Swedish bitter elixir was subsequently abandoned until the 20th century, when the Austrian botanist Maria Treben reintroduced it. She used traditional German/Eastern European remedies handed down by previous generations to treat a broad range of conditions from constipation to psoriasis to diabetes and insomnia. She concocted her own recipes as well as traditional healing remedies like Swedish Bitters that she considered a healing panacea.

The Swedish elixir is a mixture of 11 herbs with Angelica root being the most important component. Others include Aloe (can be substituted with Wormwood), myrrh, saffron, senna leaves, camphor, rhubarb roots, manna, theriac venezian, carline thistle roots and zedoary roots. It also contains essential oils.

Benefits of the Swedish Bitters elixir:

Promotes biliary, pancreatic and gastric secretion

Disinfects intestinal tract

Soothes digestive tract

Relieves bloating, flatulence, gas, cramps and nausea

Encourages toxin elimination

Tonifies and regenerates

Gentle laxative

Restores natural acid balance in the stomach

Purifies, disinfects and stimulates circulation

When used externally, it alleviates inflammations of all kinds if applied to spots, wounds, bruises, scars and contusions

Stimulates liver function

Good liver function is crucial for overall health and wellbeing. Our life depends on our liver functioning optimally. A poorly functioning liver causes sluggish digestion manifesting in flatulence and bloating.

In Eastern Europe, bitters are taken in a shot glass before or after meals to stimulate digestion, settle the stomach before eating and neutralise the damages of alcohol. After a heavy meal, Swedish Bitters elixir can be quite helpful against indigestion, as well as to relieve bloating and gas.

The primary function of Swedish bitters is to help with digestive complaints like bloating, flatulence, sluggish digestion and constipation. Bitters are an important class of botanicals that help support efficient digestive, assimilative, and eliminative functions. They stimulate the flow of bile from the liver, which in turn stimulates intestinal peristalsis and promotes nutrient absorption. By enhancing digestion, Swedish bitters are a great help in cases of bloating, flatulence and gas.

===========

Today I am starting on acidaphillis (in case my problems are a result of intestinal bacteria overgrowth) and tomorrow I am hoping to start on Swedish bitters.

Also physical manipulation (poses and massage) might help with the process in the meantime

==========

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-8747/3-yoga-poses-for-improved-digestion.html

1. Apanasana

Apanasana, knees hugged to belly, is known as the “wind-relieving pose.” Hugging the right knee into the belly massages the ascending colon, while hugging the left knee in massages the descending colon. Try this simple pose for improved digestion:

Come to lie on the back. Settle into your yoga mat or wherever you are. Place your feet to the floor, directly beneath the knees. On an inhale, take your hands to your knees. On an exhale, hug the knees comfortably to the belly. Only hug in a comfortable amount. Stay here for 5-10 full breaths.

(Optional: follow with hugging one knee in at a time, first the right and then the left).

2. Twists

We’ve all heard yoga teachers say, “Twisting aids digestion.” It used to go in one ear and out the other, until my own yoga teacher training. Compressing the colon in specific ways (right to left) can really aid in digestion.Detoxifying twists can stimulate the movement of those toxins that accumulate in the body and help usher them out.

Move from apanasana into a simple spinal twist. Hug the knees in gently and take an inhale. On the exhale, drop the knees to the left, compressing the right side of the body. Turn the head to the right for a nice neck stretch. Stay for at 5-10 full breaths. On an inhale return the knees to center and repeat on the other side.

3. Balasana

Balasana, Child’s Pose, compresses the abdomen and massages the internal organs. Similar to apanasana, this pose stimulates the digestive system.

From lying on your back, hug the knees in once more. Roll to your right side, using the right arm as a pillow for the head. Take an inhale and, on the exhale, use the top arm to push up to seated. Come to kneel on the knees and sit back onto the heels. Bringing the knees comfortably wide, fold over the legs and rest your forehead on the floor. Either place the hands back by the feet or stack them under the forehead as a little pillow. Deeply inflate the lower belly against the upper thighs with each breath in Balasana, and remain here for 5-10 full breaths. On the last inhale take your hands to the floor beneath your shoulders and, on your exhale, press up.

=============

http://www.jalanetipot.com/clean_agnisar.html

Agnisar Kriya

This cleansing technique draws its name from the words 'Agni' (Fire), Sar (Essence) and Kriya (Action). Fire is the essential element of digestion and this cleansing action stimulates this fire for the digestive system to work at its optimum level.

How to do?

In this, while standing bend slightly forward from the waist while keeping the back straight. Take support by resting your hands on your knees or just above so that the back is not strained. Please make sure the arms are straight.

Now, breathe in deeply. After this, exhale fully contracting the abdomen and lugs so that all the air is expelled. While holding breath in this position, contract or 'flap' your abdominal muscles in and out. Note that this should be done rapidly while holding the exhaled position WITHOUT inhaling. Do this as many times possible and then take a slow, deep breath inside. This is one round of the practice.

Beginners may find that they lose control of the abdominal muscles and are unable to coordinate the flapping movement. These muscles must be slowly developed over time. Therefore, in the beginning three such rounds, each of 10 flapping cycles are more than enough. This should gradually be built up to 100 inward-outward flapping cycles in each round.

Time:This practice should ideally be done in the morning on an empty stomach but after evacuating the bowels.

===========

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4705/How-to-Naturally-Cure-and-Prevent-Bloating.html

• Don’t eat fruits after a meal. It will be gas forming and produce bloating

• Try chewing on a slice of ginger with lime juice or lemon 20 minutes before a meal.

• Use digestion stimulating spices when making your food. Try black pepper, ginger, and cumin.

• Try adding enzymes, especially to heavy meals.

• Regularly take probiotics, especially if you were on antibiotics recently.

• Pay attention how your body reacts to dairy and wheat/flour products. If you feel bloated after them, you might have to reduce your intake or remove them completely.

• Don’t drink anything cold while eating.

• Avoid drinking anything 30 min after the meal. It will dilute digestive juices and will make it harder to digest food.

• Reduce SALT.

• Try aromatherapy. Bloating is more likely to appear if you are anxious, stressed, or worried. It is all due toVata imbalance. Any Vata balancing essential oil will help. Try peppermint, orange, rose, cinnamon, and basil. You can also just get a stress-relieving or balancing essential oil mix at most health food stores.

• Learn Agnisar Kriya. Do it every morning before a meal after having a glass of warm water with lemon. I have been doing it for years, and besides strong abs and a flat stomach it is great for all digestion related issues.

Овсяный кисель

Взято из:
http://supercook.ru/zz265-02.html

ЦЕЛЕБНЫЙ ОВСЯНЫЙ КИСЕЛЬ С БРОЖЕНИЕМ
(«кисель Изотова»)

Первое упоминание об этом напитке относится к XVI веку. В одной из самых популярных книг того времени - "Домострое" наряду с такими изысканными блюдами, как стерляжья уха и семислойная кулебяка, приведен и рецепт овсяного киселя. К вкусной и здоровой пище наши предки отнесли его не случайно. В старину квашеный овес традиционно применяли для лечения селезенки, за что он получил название селезеночника.

Владимир Кириллович Изотов, врач-вирусолог по профессии, обратившись к опыту прошлых лет и дополнив его современными знаниями, создал свой рецепт овсяного киселя (изобретение запатентовано в 1992 году), обладающего более широкими целебными возможностями.

Не так часто можно встретить пищевой продукт, имеющий в своем составе столь широкий набор незаменимых аминокислот (триптофан, лизин, холин, лецитин, метионин) и витаминов (В1, В2, В5, Е, А, РР). Они-то и наделяют изотовский кисель целебными свойствами. Так, холин регулирует жировой обмен, снижает содержание холестерина и оказывает противосклеротическое действие. Метионин благотворно влияет на обмен веществ, препятствует отложению жира в печени, улучшает работу поджелудочной железы. Лецитин способствует расщеплению и выведению из организма избыточного количества холестерина.

О том, насколько важно присутствие содержащихся в овсяном киселе витаминов, говорят следующие факты. Дефицит витамина В2 вызывает сухость, трещины и язвочки на губах, выпадение волос. При дефиците витамина А возникают светобоязнь (куриная слепота), бледность, сухость и шелушение кожи, повышается предрасположенность к различным гнойничковым заболеваниям. Недостаток витамина РР приводит к профузным поносам, исхуданию, психическим расстройствам, ухудшению памяти, депрессии.

Богат изотовский кисель и минеральными веществами (кальцием, калием, магнием, железом, фтором), обеспечивающими нормальную жизнедеятельность организма, поддерживающими водно-солевой баланс и улучшающими функции ферментов. Магний, например, понижает кровяное давление, улучшает работу кишечника, стимулирует выделение желчи. Кальций участвует в механизме свертывания крови. Калий усиливает выведение воды из организма, предотвращая появление отеков.

В архиве доктора Изотова - более 1000 писем, подтверждающих, что овсяный кисель вернул их к жизни.Те, кому за 50, нередко подмечают, что овсяный кисель оказывает омолаживающее действие.Это отражается на внешнем виде, характере поведения, проявляется в повышенной активности. Так что в дополнение ко всем перечисленным положительным качествам овсяный кисель еще и замедляет процессы старения, являясь своего рода природным биологическим стимулятором. Он повышает выносливость и тонус организма, способствует долголетию.

Кстати, прежде чем рекомендовать свой чудо-кисель другим, Владимир Кириллович опробовал его на себе. Результаты превзошли все ожидания. Так случилось, что после перенесенного клещевого энцефалита он приобрел целый букет болячек: ишемическую болезнь сердца, нарушение ритма, гипертонию, мочекаменную болезнь, ослабление слуха...

Чем только его не лечили! Бывало, он принимал лекарства по совету своих коллег в огромных количествах - по 33 назначения в сутки, заработав в итоге лекарственную аллергию. Оказавшись в тяжелейшем положении, он вынужден был искать свой способ борьбы с последствиями коварной инфекции.

Овсяный кисель буквально поставил его на ноги. За 8 лет регулярного употребления киселя доктор Изотов стал практически здоровым человеком. Он ни разу не обращался к врачам, почувствовал необыкновенный прилив бодрости и энергии, а главное - существенно укрепил основу своего здоровья - иммунитет.

Судя по многочисленным письмам, которые Владимир Изотов получает от поклонников овсяного киселя, люди не только избавляются от своих недугов, но и отмечают улучшение общего состояния. У тех, кто употребляет кисель постоянно, снижается усталость, повышается работоспособность, начинает лучше работать мозг, в теле появляется необыкновенная легкость. Особенно восторженные отзывы приходят от людей пожилого возраста, которым овсяный кисель помогает справиться с заболеваниями желудочно-кишечного тракта, печени, желчного пузыря, поджелудочной железы, сердечно-сосудистой системы, способствует более быстрой реабилитации после перенесенного инфаркта миокарда.

Целебные свойства киселя Изотова проявляются и при таких заболеваниях, которые трудно поддаются лечению традиционными способами и методами. Вероятно, овсяный кисель "наводит свои порядки" в клетках организма и настраивает организм на то, чтобы он сам справлялся со всеми недугами.

Для получения овсяного концентрата, который в дальнейшем будет использоваться для приготовления овсяного киселя, необходимо выполнить ряд последовательных операций:

Брожение. В 5-литровую стеклянную банку залить 3-3,5 литра кипяченой воды, предварительно охлажденной до температуры парного молока. Добавить 0,5 кг овсяной крупы "Геркулес" (1 пачка) и 0,5 стакана (100 мл) кефира. Банку плотно закрыть крышкой, укутать чехлом из плотной бумаги (зимой разместить около отопительной батареи) и оставить бродить. Для улучшения процесса брожения целесообразно на 1 пачку "Геркулеса" добавить 10-15 столовых ложек дробленой овсянки, перемолов ее до грубого помола в кофемолке. Если во всей толще водной взвеси овсянки будет наблюдаться характерное расслоение и появление пузырьков, значит, процесс пошел. Обычно молочнокислое брожение длится 1-2 суток. Более длительное брожение нежелательно, так как это ухудшает вкусовые качества киселя.

Фильтрация. После завершения процесса брожения смесь фильтруется. Для фильтрации необходимо иметь отстойник и фильтр. В качестве отстойника можно использовать дополнительную стеклянную банку на 5 литров, а наилучшим фильтром в домашних условиях послужит дуршлаг с диаметром отверстий 2 мм. Фильтр размещают над отстойником и через него пропускают взвесь овсянки. Плотный осадок, постоянно скапливающийся при этом на фильтре, промывают небольшими порциями проточной холодной воды, время от времени интенсивно его помешивая. Промывной жидкости по объему должно быть примерно в 3 раза больше, чем объем исходной взвеси овсянки. Сгусток, оставшийся на фильтре после промывания, не выбрасывают (безотходная технология), а дают собакам: для них это настоящее лакомство, которое они едят с превеликим удовольствием.

Обработка фильтрата. Фильтрат, собранный в отстойнике, оставляют там на 16-18 часов, после чего в отстойнике образуется два слоя: верхний слой - жидкость, нижний - белый рыхлый осадок. Верхний слой надо удалить через резиновую трубку, а нижний слой и есть овсяный концентрат (его впоследствии используют не только для приготовления овсяного киселя, но и для проведения молочнокислого брожения, добавляя в водную взвесь овсянки 2 столовые ложки этого концентрата вместо кефира).

Хранение овсяного концентрата. Овсяный концентрат, собранный после фильтрации, перекладывают в стеклянные банки меньшей емкости, закрывают крышкой и хранят в холодильнике. Наибольшая продолжительность хранения - 21 день. По мере необходимости из банки берут небольшие порции концентрата для приготовления киселя.

Приготовление овсяного киселя. Несколько столовых ложек овсяного концентрата (каждый выбирает по своему вкусу: от 5 до 10 ложек) размешать в двух стаканах холодной воды, довести до кипения на малом огне, интенсивно помешивая деревянной ложкой, затем уварить до желаемой густоты (достаточно 5 минут). В конце варки добавить соль, масло любое (сливочное, подсолнечное, оливковое, облепиховое), остудить до теплого состояния. Есть на завтрак с черным хлебом.

С эффектом действия чудо-киселя может познакомиться каждый, кто желает улучшить или поправить свое здоровье, не нарушая сложившийся принцип питания и своих привычек. Он полезен и взрослым, и детям. Использовать его можно как для лечения, так и для профилактики. Для получения устойчивого оздоравливающего эффекта употреблять овсяный кисель надо регулярно - каждый день на завтрак.

Овсяный кисель с брожением
(не менее целебный, чем кисель Изотова, но проще в приготовлении)

2 полных стакана геркулеса залить 1-1,5 литрами тепловатой кипяченой водой в 3-литровой стеклянной банке или в эмалированной кастрюле (при брожении объем увеличится). Добавить немного дрожжей или кусок ржаного хлеба, сосуд не слишком плотно закрыть и, поставив в теплое место, оставить бродить от 12 часов до 2-х суток, пока хорошо ни перебродит - с дрожжами быстрее, с хлебом медленнее (когда начнется брожение, хлеб вынуть). Затем осторожно слить жидкую часть (остаток можно слегка протереть через сито и перемешать со слитой жидкостью), чуть-чуть подсолить, довести до кипения - и кисель готов. В горячий кисель добавить растительное масло или мед. Налить в тарелку и дать остыть. Остывший - плотную массу - ели с молоком, вареньем или жареным луком.
Оставшийся отстой следует использовать в качестве закваски для новой порции киселя - в этом случае брожение идет быстрее, не более 1 суток.

Есть и более простой рецепт овсяного киселя:
- 200 г овсяных хлопьев
- 1 л воды
- 1 ст. ложка крахмала
- 4-5 ст. ложек меда
- соль по вкусу
Овсяные хлопья залить холодной водой и варить 30-35 минут, затем процедить, остаток протереть сквозь мелкоячеистое сито, все смешать. Добавить в отвар соль, довести до кипения, влить разведенный в небольшом количестве воды крахмал, проварить на медленном огне. Охладить. Мед растворить в 1 стакане горячей воды и залить полученной смесью готовый кисель.

ОВСЯНЫЙ КИСЕЛЬ (еще один рецепт)
- 2 стакана овсяной муки,
- 2 столовые ложки меда,
- 8 стаканов воды,
- соль по вкусу.
Овсяную муку (можно намолоть в кофемолке) высыпать в кастрюлю, залить теплой водой и хорошо размешать, чтобы не было комков. Получится так называемая болтушка. Дать ей набухнуть в течение 6 - 8 часов (можно оставить на ночь), затем процедить через сито, добавить мед, посолить по вкусу и варить, помешивая, до загустения. Горячий кисель разлить в формы или тарелки, дать ему застыть и разрезать ножом на порции. К овсяному киселю можно подать холодное молоко. Получится прекрасное блюдо для завтрака и ужина.

Walnut shell paste for a body scrub

I made took my soaked walnut shells and put them through a blender today. The poor little blender had to work pretty hard, but it managed. Now I have a nice thick paste that I am hoping to utilize as a body scrub for my arms. First, I now have alot of ingrown hairs there now. Second, it will hopefully further go into the skin.

The "juice" of the steeped shells has been strained and poured into a bottle. I am thinking about adding it to something that has alcohol in it, like the witchazel rub, and using those as my astringent solution after daily tweezing on my face. I tried it today, it it is nice, smells great, and my skin feels really refreshed.


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http://www.care2.com/greenliving/homemade-sugar-scrub.html

Ingredients
• 50 percent white cane sugar (note that organic sucanat, while the best choice for food, doesn’t work as well for this recipe)
• 50 percent vegetable glycerin to moisten the sugar (I used avocado oil since I was out of vegetable glycerin and it proved to be a successful substitute)
• Small amounts of aloe vera gel, vitamin C crystals, or anything healing that dissolves in water
• 1 or 2 drops of essential oil if desired (Larry recommends combining orange and lavender)
• Enough ground hibiscus powder for pink color (if desired)

Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Scoop some of the scrub onto your hand and massage gently onto your skin for a minute (the scrub will actually tighten onto your skin like a masque). Leave on for 3 to 4 minutes before rinsing.

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