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In Natural Parenting

Natural Medicine for Childhood Ear Infections

ARE ANTIBIOTICS NECESSARY

Ear infections are the most common of all childhood infections and when your little one has one, you certainly know about it. It can be very distressing for your child. The usual route is to take bub to the doc and a round of antibiotics is prescribed.

In many cases, antibiotics are not necessary. A build up of fluid in the Eustachian tube can cause a lot of discomfort but it does not mean your child has an ear infection. Even redness of the ear drum does not guarantee an infection is present. Prescribing antibiotics ‘just in case’ is not only harmful but often sets the child up for recurring ear infections. This was my story with our eldest.

A BUILD UP OF PRESSURE

Children’s ear canals are horizontal in structure. They don’t slant down like they do for adults. This makes it more difficult for the body to drain lymph from the ears and nodes, down into the throat for removal. When the lymph fluid doesn’t drain as needed it moves back up into the Eustachian tubes which presses on the back of the ear drum, causing swelling and pain. This is why it is commonly mistaken for an infection. If left untreated, this can advance to an infection so taking measures to address this stage is important.

TEETHING AND EAR INFECTIONS

When babies are teething there is a lot going on in the gums and mouth.

Being close to the ears, there will naturally be some discomfort and stress in this area. Sometimes this will present as swelling, redness and irritation.

If your child is running a mild fever, you will have to be the judge whether you need to take action to stabilise body temperature or just make bub as comfortable as possible.

WHAT DOES AN INFECTION LOOK LIKE

A lot of heat! High body temperature, hot to touch on side of face and head, pus oozing from the ear.. Obviously we want to prevent this from happening by supporting the body early.

If your child is presenting with a true infection, they may need urgent medical support. It’s always best to act quickly with small children.

WHAT CAN YOU DO

The first step is to help the lymph drain from the body so it doesn’t build up in the ear canal.

  1. Increase circulation to the area by wetting a washer with warm water and applying it over the ear and down the sides of the neck.
  2. Gently massage behind the ear and down the sides of the neck with extremely light strokes. Don’t apply too much pressure here. The lighter strokes will help move the lymph more effectively than firmer strokes. Keep the movement in a downward motion and you are doing it right.
  3. Use essential oils to support the immune system and promote lymph flow. I only use and recommend Young Living Essential Oils as I know their standards are extremely high and their farming and extraction processes ensure the healing potential of the oil remains intact.

LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL

  • Assists with congestion and helps support the immune system. Dilute 1-2 drops in a little coconut or olive oil and apply to the sides of the neck using the same light stroke massage technique as described above.

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

  • Contains properties that assist with inflammation. Apply directly to the bottom of the feet or at the site of discomfort. Dilute well for infants and small children.

COPAIBA ESSENTIAL OIL

  • This is THE oil for teething and discomfort. Blend with lemon and lavender or use on its own, diluted with carrier oil (coconut or olive). Apply in the same manner to help move the lymph out of the Eustachian tube. Some mummas will put a drop of Copaiba oil on their finger and rub onto swollen gums as needed.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

COLLOIDAL SILVER – A few drops of colloidal silver in the ear canal will help to kill off bacteria thereby reducing swelling and pain.

GARLIC OIL – Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and olive oil helps with inflammation. Gently heat 2 tbl olive oil in a pan with 1 clove organic garlic, crushed. Keep on low heat for 20 minutes then strain. Cool to skin temperature then apply two drops into the ear. Does not store or keep so make fresh each day if needed.

MULLEIN DROPS – Make the above garlic oil, adding 2 tsp dried mullein flowers to the recipe.

BREASTFEED – If baby is still nursing, keep feeding on demand. This provides the necessary antibodies to help fight off an infection as well as providing comfort and circulation to the area.

IMPORTANT NOTES AND SAFETY

NEVER drop essential oils into the ear canal, no matter how pure. This will cause undue pain to your child and risk irritating the thin mucosal membrane that lines the ear canal.

Only ever use essential oils that are trustworthy. Message me for a referral!

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In Essential Oils

Boost Your Mood With Essential Oils

What the world needs now is love, yes, more love.. but also.. more light.

Maybe they’re one and the same.

Most of us know how to express love whether that’s to the people we are closest to, or strangers on the street. But do you know how to give more light?

It starts with first recognising it within your self and then as if by magic, or more likely by divine grace, your light inspires someone else to shine too.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED

Have you noticed a change in the energy of people these days?

Truly, the last few years have knocked us all for a six.

Even for those who are usually pretty good at keeping their vibe high. It’s been hard hearing all the stories of people who have been hurt and lost so much. But there’s been a lot of growth too. A lot of reaching out and community spirit resurfacing. And that’s a good thing!

So what can you do to help boost your own mood?

LET’S TALK ESSENTIAL OILS

I know there are a lot of things you can do, and I talk more about that here but this post is supposed to be about how to boost your mood with essential oils, so that’s what we’ll talk about today.

First of all, essential oils by their very nature have a profound effect on our mental and emotional health.

Simply by inhaling them you immediately activate the limbic part of the brain which is where we process emotions and house memories.

You can’t really go wrong with choosing an essential oil to try, however there are some that are especially helpful to boost the mood.

THE POWER OF CITRUS ESSENTIAL OILS

Any of the citrus oils, hands down, will do the job.

Lemon, orange, bergamot, lime etc. They’re just so vibrant, smell so fresh and are super high in d-limonene. You can’t help but smile when you breathe these babies in.

OTHER MOOD BOOSTERS

  • Clary Sage (floral)
  • Lavender (floral)
  • Frankincense (balsamic/resin)
  • Geranium (floral)
  • Ylang Ylang (floral)
  • Eucalyptus (wood)
  • Ginger (spice)
  • Rosemary (herb)

All of these oils will help to boost the mood either by awakening the senses, reducing stress or both!

You don’t need to use all of them all at once, just intuitively choose one or two to work with and switch it up from time to time. Inhale straight from the bottle, diffuse or dilute and apply topically as needed.

NEW TO OILS?

I have a free Essential Oils Course that goes through the basics of essential oils, how to use them safely, how to save money and everyday uses for your home, beauty, health and more!

I also have a discount code for you if you’d like to try the same top notch oils that I use.

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In Recipes

4 Massage Blend Recipes for Relaxation

Massage is one of those things that not everyone enjoys but everyone needs!

There are so many health benefits that I could write numerous posts on it, but for now, I’ll just list a few..

  • reduces stress and anxiety
  • reduces tension in the body
  • relaxes tight muscles
  • improves digestive function
  • lowers cortisol
  • relaxes nervous system
  • lowers heart rate and blood pressure
  • improves blood circulation
  • improves function of lymphatic system
  • improves function of immune system
  • improves sleep
  • increases energy
  • improves alertness
  • improves flexibility

I could literally go on and on and if you are someone who has experienced a wonderful massage, you will know how it feels to float off the table when it’s done.

The effects of a good massage can last for weeks, especially if taken regularly.

AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

Have you ever added essential oils to your treatment?

Aromatherapy massage has its own unique sequence, primarily to improve lymph flow and relax the body.

By adding essential oils to any massage session you will not only be gaining the benefits of the massage but also of the specific oils that are chosen.

Your therapist may already have a selection of oils to choose from, however they also may allow you to bring your own.

Here are my favourite massage blend recipes for relaxation..

Add essential oils to a 50mL glass amber dropper bottle, then top up with your chosen carrier oil.

15 drops Eucalyptus radiata, 10 drops Tangerine, 5 drops Geranium

15 drops Orange, 10 drops Sandalwood, 5 drops Ylang Ylang

15 drops Roman Chamomile, 10 drops Geranium, 5 drops Lavender

15 drops Geranium, 10 drops Eucalyptus radiata, 5 drops Lavender

NEW TO OILS?

I have a free Essential Oils Course that goes through the basics of essential oils, how to use them safely, how to save money and everyday uses for your home, beauty, health and more!

I also have a discount code for you if you’d like to try the same superior quality essential oils that I use.

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In Essential Oils

6 Bath Soak Recipes for Relaxation

Nothing beats a good soak in the tub with warm water and some essential oils.

Adding the Epsom salts not only acts as a carrier but it also provides the following health benefits:

  • improves sleep
  • reduces stress and anxiety
  • reduces pain and muscle soreness

Here are my favourite bath soak recipes for relaxation..

Choose one of the blends below and add to 1 cup of Epsom Salt.

Use 1/4 cup per bath.

3 drops Lavender, 3 drops Cedarwood, 2 drops Eucalyptus radiata

3 drops Bergamot, 3 drops Lavender, 2 drops Tangerine

3 drops Patchouli, 3 drops Orange, 2 drop Frankincense

3 drops Roman Chamomile, 3 drops Cedarwood, 2 drops Lavender

3 drops Sandalwood, 3 drops Lavender, 2 drops Lemon

3 drops Grapefruit, 3 drops Geranium, 2 drops Ylang Ylang

NEW TO OILS?

I have a free Essential Oils Course that goes through the basics of essential oils, how to use them safely, how to save money and everyday uses for your home, beauty, health and more!

I also have a discount code for you if you’d like to try the same superior quality essential oils that I use.

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In Holistic Health

The Link Between Stress and Dehydration

Have you ever been diligent with your water intake yet still feel a lack of hydration?  There might be other factors working against you.

One of those factors could be stress.

When you experience stress, your adrenal glands produce extra cortisol, the stress hormone, and under chronic stress, your adrenal glands can become exhausted, resulting in lower electrolyte levels.

Low electrolyte levels means your body is not efficiently maintaining and regulating the correct amount of fluid in the body which leads to dehydration.

Dehydration zaps your brain’s energy, impedes serotonin production, increases stress in the body and can even elevate the recurrence of anxiety and panic attacks. 

So you can see, it’s a vicious cycle of dehydration causing stress and stress causing dehydration.

SUPPORT THE KIDNEYS

Some studies have shown that frequent dehydration, even if it’s mild, may lead to permanent kidney damage. So the sooner we make hydration and support of the kidneys a priority, the better.

Here are some of the ways we can support them..

  1. Drink more water – aim for light yellow/colourless urine
  2. Keep active and fit
  3. Avoid processed meats and high sodium foods
  4. Avoid common non-prescription pills like ibuprofen and naproxen (NSAIDs)
  5. Reduce stress and maintain healthy blood pressure
  6. Increase intake of dark leafy greens, apples and berries
  7. Avoid alcohol and smoking
  8. Detox from heavy metals
  9. Eat probiotic rich foods and supplement
  10. Boost immune system 

HERBS FOR ADRENAL SUPPORT

Ashwagandha – helps regulate stress, improves sleep and energy.
Schisandra – tones the kidneys 
Rhodiola Rosea- supports healthy cortisol levels
Holy Basil – maintains equilibrium with the stress system in the body
Eleuthero – increases the ability to withstand stress

OTHER HELPERS

K + B Herbal Supplement – Supports healthy kidney and bladder function

Vytalyte Drops – ionic trace minerals and salts to improve electrolyte balance

Essential Oils – bergamot, black spruce, cardamom, cedarwood, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, ginger, lavender, peppermint, pine, rosemary and vetiver.  

Dilute your favourite combo and apply topically to the kidney/adrenal area.

For an all natural and healthy electrolyte drink that you can make from home and have on hand when you need some extra hydration.. check out this post:

Homemade and Healthy Electrolyte Drink

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In Nutrition

Homemade and Healthy Electrolyte Drink

Electrolytes are minerals that are needed by the body to perform basic life function processes. Two of these functions in particular is to maintain electrical neutrality in the cells and to generate and conduct action potentials in the nerves and muscles.

ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE

When electrolyte levels in the blood become too high or too low, it can cause an imbalance, which in turn can lead to issues such as:

  • irregular heartbeat
  • muscle weakness or spasms
  • bone disorders
  • convulsions and/or seizures
  • confusion
  • numbness
  • excessive tiredness
  • nervous system disorders
  • change in blood pressure

CAUSES OF IMBALANCE

  • poor diet and severe dehydration
  • prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea
  • loss of electrolytes and hydration after exercise
  • acidosis/alkalosis (imbalance of blood pH)
  • diuretics and other drugs
  • congestive heart failure
  • cancer treatment

ELECTROLYTE DRINKS

Most electrolyte drinks that you will find on supermarket shelves (and even some from healthy places like sports nutrition stores) contain ingredients that are far from being beneficial to the body. High levels of sugar, sodium, food dyes, chemical sweeteners and other additives found in these drinks contribute to health problems. Many popular electrolyte drinks, when consumed regularly, have the potential to lead to diabetes, kidney damage, tooth enamel erosion and weight gain.

Clearly it’s best to avoid this ‘health’ drink and stick to a natural source of rehydration of electrolytes.

HOMEMADE AND HEALTHY ELECTROLYTE DRINK RECIPE

  • 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups of raw coconut water
  • 2 tbl organic raw honey or organic maple syrup
  • 2 pinches of Himalayan salt

METHOD

  1. Put all ingredients in a blender and blend well.
  2. Bottle in glass and refrigerate.
  3. Best served on ice.

For a nice change, substitute the orange juice for 1/4 cup of lime juice!

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In Essential Oils

10 Essential Oils to Help You Out of a Funk

Ever been stuck in a funk that you just can’t seem to shift?

Try one of these 10 restorative and uplifting essential oils to rebalance and improve the mood and get you moving in the right direction.

PEPPERMINT

Peppermint essential oil has a sharp, stimulating aroma that can feel like an energetic slap in the face. Breathe it in to increase vitality and motivation, especially if you are feeling disconnected with your surroundings and what you’re doing in this life. Peppermint helps us to refocus on who we are and what we want to achieve. It brings wisdom, alertness and spiritual awareness.

BASIL

Basil essential oil has a warm, peppery, aniseed-like aroma that is stimulating to the mind and emotions. Breathe it in to encourage positivity and creativity and help you to tap in to your true desires and purpose. Basil is a great oil to use when you need to make big decisions as it ‘switches’ on the mind while cleansing any lingering thoughts away that no longer serve you.

ORANGE

Orange essential oil has a fruity, fresh aroma that imbues the essence of creativity and childhood. Breathe it in to uplift the mood and create a space of lightheartedness and regeneration of spirit. Orange encourages feelings of positivity, joy and magnificence, while allowing the body and mind to let go of past experiences that may be keeping you feeling stuck.

BAY LAUREL

Bay laurel essential oil has a spicy, sweet, fresh fragrance that has traditionally been used as a symbol of victory. Breathe it in to encourage confidence and fortitude when planning and reaching for your goals. It’s also a useful oil for those times when the way ahead seems uncertain or when you need a little extra courage. Bay Laurel provides inspiration, protection and a sense of direction.

YLANG YLANG

Ylang Ylang essential oil has an intensely sweet, floral aroma that increases self-esteem and confidence. Breathe it in to uplift the mood and to awaken a feeling of enthusiasm for life. Ylang ylang helps you to forgive yourself and others and has the ability to dissipate anger. It’s calming, yet joyful, playful energy reminds you of all the beauty and wonder in the world and that you equally are a part of it.

MELISSA

Melissa essential oil has a light, fresh and somewhat citrus aroma that brings understanding and a feeling of strength. It’s a useful oil when dealing with negative and repetitive emotions as it helps us to break through these limitations and rise above what we once thought we couldn’t. Melissa brings a sense of peace and protection as you take steps forward to improve your life.

LEMONGRASS

Lemongrass essential oil has a grassy, lemony, citrus aroma that not only cleanses the physical body but also the spiritual. Use this oil to help clear negative experiences such as shame, regret and unforgiveness to encourage feelings of positivity, upliftment and progression. Lemongrass helps us to become clear with our thoughts and reminds us that all outcomes are based on the choices we make.

CARDAMOM

Cardamom essential oil has a spicy, green and sweet aroma that enlivens the spirit and increases feelings of abundance and prosperity. It can be used to clear the senses, stimulate creativity and help motivate you to reach for your heart’s desire. Cardamom helps us to connect to our higher purpose, especially during times of overwhelm and stress and can improve feelings of gratitude.

CISTUS

Cistus essential oil has a musky, sweet balsamic aroma that has traditionally been known to soothe the heart. It is a useful choice when feeling disconnected from your spirituality and life purpose. Cistus can be used to help shift from a place of fear, to a place of unconditional love and acceptance. Use it during times of loneliness, isolation and grief or when you just need some more harmony and balance in your life.

FRANKINCENSE

Frankincense essential oil has a warm, sweet and spicy, balsamic aroma that has been traditionally used in spiritual practice for thousands of years. Breathe it in to help you stay connected to spirit and help induce feelings of emotional stability and a sense of unity. Frankincense gives courage in hard times as it calms the emotions and helps you to feel grounded and secure. The ultimate comforter and protector.

So that’s my Top 10 essential oils to help you out of a funk.

Which one have you tried or which one would you like to add to your emotional home wellness kit?

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In Plant Medicine

10 Medicinal Plants to Grow in Your Garden

Does the idea of growing your own medicine seem exciting to you?

Here are 10 plants that you can easily grow in your garden that have medicinal benefits.

COMFREY

Comfrey prefers moist soil in a sunny or partially shaded site. The leaves and flowering tops are gathered in Summer and the roots in Autumn. Wear gloves!

Due to comfrey’s rapid healing potential, use on clean wounds only.

  • useful in First Aid
  • known as ‘knitbone’
  • useful for sprains, strains, bruises, aches and pains, arthritis and ulcers
  • speeds up the healing of bones and tissues
  • useful expectorant
  • reduces gastrointestinal and bronchial inflammation
  • applied topically as a poultice, cream or macerated oil

Avoid during pregnancy. Not to be taken internally.

ECHINACEA (coneflowers)

Echinacea prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. The leaves can be gathered anytime during the growing season and the roots can be dug out in Autumn after flowering.

Echinacea is best taken as a tincture and combines well with elderberry for respiratory conditions.

Dilute and use as a lotion for wounds and bites.

  • natural antibiotic
  • immune booster
  • shortens the duration of colds and flu
  • useful for coughs, colds, earache, viral infections and sore throats
  • joint and cartilage healer
  • spider and snake bites
  • insect sting
  • may help prevent severe infection

Avoid high doses which may occasionally cause nausea and dizziness.

CHAMOMILE

Both German and Roman Chamomile prefer a sunny position in the garden with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. The flowers are gathered in Summer.

Chamomile is best known as a calming tea but when cooled can also act as a soothing lotion to relieve hot, irritated or inflamed skin.

  • helps to relieve eczema, skin rashes, sunburn and hives
  • calms digestive system and feelings of nausea
  • relieves indigestion and gastrointestinal spasms
  • helps with feelings of nervousness
  • reduces stress and insomnia
  • may relieve menstrual cramps due to antispasmodic nature
  • reduces itchiness
  • reduces fever
  • soothes the nerves

Chamomile may cause contact dermatitis. Avoid if allergic to the Compositae family.

CRAMP BARK

Cramp bark prefers to grow in moist, well drained soil in sun or in dappled shade. Collect the inner bark in Spring and Summer while the plant is in flower.

It’s no surprises how this amazing plant can help you. Just look at the name!

Best used as a tincture.

  • relaxes the muscles
  • antispasmodic
  • useful for menstrual cramps and excessive bleeding
  • reduces backache and muscular spasms

Avoid during pregnancy.

CAYENNE

Cayenne (or chile pepper) loves to grow in pots with loads of good quality compost. Gather in Summer when the fruit is ripe and dry in the shade.

Cayenne is most often used in cooking but has traditionally been used as a warming remedy. Use the powder or fresh fruit (including the seeds) to make a macerated oil or tincture.

Can be used in warm water too.

  • stimulates the circulatory system
  • regulates blood flow
  • helps to maintain healthy blood pressure
  • strengthens the heart, arteries, capillaries and nerves
  • may arrest internal and external bleeding
  • clears phlegm from the lungs
  • reduces sinus congestion

Excessive use of cayenne pepper can lead to gastric irritation. Avoid touching the eyes when handling.

YARROW

Yarrow prefers full sun and well drained soil. Flowers can be gathered as soon as they appear and the leaves and other aerial parts in Summer.

Yarrow was traditionally used to treat wounds however it is also beneficial to both the urinary and respiratory systems.

  • combine with lime blossoms and hawthorn for healthy blood pressure
  • may assist with arteriosclerosis
  • soaked cotton balls in tincture for nosebleed
  • assists with fever, promotes sweating
  • boosts immunity
  • tones blood vessels
  • stimulates digestion
  • urinary antiseptic
  • assists with cystitis
  • wound healing
  • reduces menstrual cramps
  • reduces colds and flu
  • yarrow root for dental pain

Avoid in pregnancy.

GRINDELIA (gumweed)

Grindelia prefers light to medium sandy soil and full sun. Collect the aerial parts as soon as the flower buds open and dry in the sun.

Traditionally Grindelia was used to treat dermatitis caused by poison ivy.

  • assists with asthmatic and bronchial conditions
  • relaxes smooth muscles and heart muscles
  • helps to reduce catarrh and upper respiratory congestion
  • useful in treating cystitis and bladder infections
  • may help to reduce blood pressure
  • may increase heart rate to assist with healing
  • useful expectorant
  • antispasmodic
  • antimicrobial

Grindelia is not recommended for those with heart or kidney conditions.

CALENDULA (marigold)

Calendula prefers to grow in well drained soil in full sun but will also tolerate some shade. Collect the flowers in Summer and take care when drying to prevent discolouration.

Calendula is a popular plant that is prized for its versatility. Best used as an infusion, tincture, cream or macerated oil.

  • stimulates healing and is soothing to the skin
  • useful for abrasions, rashes, eczema, ulcers and wounds
  • antiseptic, great for first aid
  • reduces inflammation on the skin
  • may be useful for wound healing and external bleeding
  • helpful when used on bruises and strains
  • useful cleansing agent and healing cream
  • apply to minor burns and scalds
  • use the macerated oil to prevent stretch marks
  • helps regulate healthy menstrual flow
  • helpful for digestive conditions like gastric and duodenal ulcers

Avoid if allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigold, or plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family.

MALLOW (common mallow)

Mallow loves well drained soil and prefers full sun, however it will tolerate dappled shade as well. Collect the flowers and leaves in Summer.

The entire plant is edible and is commonly used as a compress, tincture or infusion.

  • useful for bladder infections
  • helps to recover from gastritis and stomach ulcers
  • helps to treat bronchial inflammation, laryngitis and pharyngitis
  • aids respiratory health and reduces catarrh
  • used topically against abscesses, boils and minor burns
  • soothing to the throat due to mucilage content
  • soothing to wounds, rashes and insect bites
  • may act as a gentle laxative
  • relieves anxiety and nervousness

Mallow is a safe, edible plant when harvested in proper locations and not contaminated. You might even find it in your own backyard!

PLANTAIN

Plaintain enjoys moist, poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun or partial shade and can often be found growing in hedges, pavement cracks and grassy areas. Gather the leaves in Summer from unpolluted areas.

Plantain is a common weed that is traditionally used in first aid. Use topically in the form of a poultice or ingest as a syrup, infusion, tincture or juice!

  • natural antihistamine action
  • useful for venomous bites and stings
  • soothes irritation from rashes
  • combine with calendula to treat cuts and abrasions
  • treats bladder infections
  • reduces excess fluid in the body
  • useful for coughs and mild bronchitis
  • naturally astringent and antiseptic
  • supports tissue regeneration
  • helps in cases of diarrhoea and haemorrhoids

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.

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In Low Tox Life

The Hidden Dangers of Greenwashing

Greenwashing:

“Greenwashing, also called “green sheen”, is a form of marketing spin in which green PR and green marketing are deceptively used to persuade the public that an organization’s products, aims and policies are environmentally friendly.“

Yikes! Thanks Wikepedia.

I wish I knew about this 25 years ago when I had my first baby.

I eventually figured it out, but it wasn’t because somebody told me.

So here I am today to let you know, just in case you’ve never heard of it!

GREENWASHING

Greenwashing has been around probably as long as we’ve had people waking up and realising that the products they were putting on their family weren’t really that nice.

Companies recognised a trend that mummas and care-givers were looking for natural solutions and environmentally friendly products, especially those with little ones that were struggling with conditions like asthma and eczema. So they rebranded their products, or came up with some new ones, that would be more appealing and sell well in the market.

Sadly, greenwashing is a ploy to make you think you’re doing the right thing, using “natural” products, but when you dig a little deeper and research the ingredient list, you find out that what you thought you were putting on your brand new baby, isn’t “organic” at all and it’s actually really bad for the environment.

Yep, that was me. I trusted the company and brand because the label said things like “100% pure” and “organic”. It had a pretty picture of a cute baby and a serene earth and I thought, this HAS to be natural.

I was horrified to discover that what I was putting on my little one had ingredients that were linked to infertility, hormone disruption, asthma, neurological problems and skin allergies.

From that moment on I decided to always look closer and make sure the company truly delivers a product that is safe and beneficial to me, my family and the planet.

So how do you feel about greenwashing?

Let me know down below.

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In Nutrition

Nutritional Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberries are such a delightful fruit and homegrown, oh my goodness, there is nothing that beats that sweet, juicy taste. We love them in smoothies, as a topper for acai bowls, yoghurt and granola and even just on their own!

Remember to wash thoroughly if you are not buying organic or growing your own. Unfortunately, strawberries are one of the most heavily sprayed fruits in commercial growing.

See here for a list of the Dirty Dozen.

And here are some of the amazing health benefits of strawberries..

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells against free-radical damage and it helps form and maintain bones, skin, and blood vessels.

MANGANESE

Manganese helps the body form connective tissue, bones, blood clotting factors, and sex hormones. It also plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption and blood sugar regulation. Manganese is also necessary for normal brain and nerve function.

FOLATE

Folate is an essential B vitamin that is necessary for the production of red and white blood cells in bone marrow, producing DNA and RNA and transforming carbohydrates into energy.

POTASSIUM

Potassium helps the body maintain normal levels of intracellular fluid and it also helps muscles to contract, supporting normal blood pressure.

Do you love strawberries?

Have you tried growing them at home?

Let me know if they are your favourite fruit!

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