Ok listen, I grew up on a farm, right? Shocker. Here’s the thing – when you live really far from doctors and hospitals, you don’t really go rushing off to them unless you’ve severed your arm. You probably look back at video games like the Oregon Trail and think, my God, how did you survive in that wagon? Believe it or not people, back in the day didn’t rely so heavily on doctors and medicine to “get by” day by day. I suppose this is why I still don’t, and am also a relatively calm mom when minor scrapes and bruises happen. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE having apps and advancements like Pager available to come to me when I am really, really sick. But, for those everyday colds, aches and stress, you need to remember that the Earth heals.
1. Essential Oils – DoTerra
I really started to get into the DoTerra Essential Oils just last year. I use them mostly for diffusing in the air to help purify and relax. If you walk into my home, it smells like a spa. But they can be used for a million different things like lemon in your water, Past Tense on your temples for a headache, Lavender on a burn to take the sting away and help the scar go away faster, etc. I also use them to make my own concoctions – like Eucalyptus in the shower steam when I am sick, and a range of scents in an Epsom Salt bath to relieve stress and sickness. Once you go down the rabbit hole and experience the benefits of these 100% pure plant oils, you’ll see why essential oils have become such a big trend.
Favorites to start with: Grab the starter home family physician’s kit ($150) which includes basics to get you started into the world of oils such as On Guard, Lavender, Peppermint, Lemon, Frankincense and Deep Blue (aches and pains). I also recommend you grab a diffuser – you’ll thank me! (If you don’t have a DoTerra rep, I can help set you up!)
2. Vitamins and Minerals – MegaFood
Do I have to really admit I am getting older? Sigh. After meeting and having lunch with Dr. Low Dog – I learned a lot of really insightful pieces of information about supplements, nutrients and minerals. Especially living in the city, we don’t get a lot of the minerals and vitamins we need to function at our best, and should be taking supplements. You can eat vegan all you want, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting the nutrients you need. In fact, you can really just pay attention to things that are happening to you daily, and most likely correct them with a few vitamins. Personally I am a huge fan of MegaFood‘s new farm-to-tablet line that she helped to customize. They are non-gmo, organic, full of everything you need and come directly from the Earth (again, plants!) – no synthetic components.
Favorites to start with: I take the Multi for Women twice a day (which I grab in my local health food store here in Astoria!), and love to put a small scoop of the Daily C-Protect in Maxs’ water bottle for school.
3. Homeopathic – Boiron USA
So what about when you do get sick? Do you just not take anything? I know you’re wanting me to answer the million dollar question….We have converted to a mainly homeopathic lifestyle when it comes to medicines. What is it exactly? It’s a way of viewing symptoms of illness as normal responses of the body as it attempts to regain health. Instead of masking the symptoms, you respond to them. Homeopathy is hugely popular in Europe, and starting to become a bigger trend here in the U.S. with the healthier trends people are adopting.
Homeopathic uses all-natural products, like plants, and the best part about them? There are no side effects like using other medicines. We keep some on-hand here at home (yes, they make them for children, too!), but many homeopathic items are available OTC as well as online.
Favorites to start with: Oscillococcinum is great to naturally relieve flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, body aches, chills and fever, and work best when you first start to see symptoms so I keep these on-hand. Another one I keep in-house is the Children’s Coldcalm, which helps with the everyday germs from school like sneezing, coughs and runny noses. I also use Arnicare for those days after running/training for half marathons, spinning or stretching too much at yoga. The best part of these is that you can use them with other treatment options like DoTerra’s Deep Blue Rub.
4. Cosmetics – Lush
I have been a huge Lush fan for years. Just walking in their stores is always fun because the staff is always so friendly and knowledgeable. Not only are their products 100% plant based, they are also extremely passionate about animal rights and do not test anything on them. (Did you know that to have an SPF # on your products it has have been tested on an animal here in the U.S.? Yes, that means burning them. They don’t do this practice overseas, and this is why you won’t find any SPF in Lush products). From their rose bath bombs to their almond and honey face scrubs to their sea salt hair spray, there is a wide range of products to pick from. And if you aren’t sure? Just ask the staff they are more than willing to help you find the best item for your skin range. Plus, you might end up getting a mini facial or hand massage. PS – did you know that the location on Lexington Ave hosts a spa? It’s the only Lush Spa on the East Coast and uses only 100% plant-based items.
Favorites to start with: The Breath of Fresh Air Face Toner, Sea Salt Spray (for beach waves! amazing!), and the Brazen Honey Facial Mask and/or Ocean Salt Face Scrub – which is PERFECT for after a nice Birkam Hot Yoga session.
5. Gardening
Ok, this one I admit I’m still working on. My grandma had a green thumb and the most beautiful roses growing around the farmhouse. I unfortunately seem to kill everything. That doesn’t stop me from trying because I love having green around the home, and green means plants are cleaning our air and producing oxygen (which we could always use here in the city!). Plus, we try and having a mini garden. I grow garlic and sometimes tomatoes on the balcony, and Max has his own little herb set that he waters and tends to each day. This way we know we have fresh, organic, pesticide free herbs to sprinkle on our foods.
Favorites to start with: This Garden-In-A-Can kit is only $24 and lets you maintain a year-round supply of dill, basil, cilantro and sage. If you really want to go for it, they have mushroom kits and self-watering kits that you can use on top of your pet fish!
So, are you using plants in your household? Maybe more than you realized? Or, are you ready to make the jump and add some to your life – let me know and
