Homemade toothpaste

Let's get upfront and personal. How about kissing close? Mmmmmm. Let's talk about toothpaste.

Most of us have favorite brands of toothpaste that we faithfully purchase repeatedly. I know that I was swayed by the advertisements promising sparkling teeth that would attract love, romance, excitement, and the fame and fortune that only that particular brand of toothpaste could offer. Brightly colored boxes housing the tubes and sometimes the swirls of color within the toothpaste all promised dazzling, perfect teeth.

But, why do we bother brushing our teeth to begin with?

Reason Number 1
We brush to make our teeth and breath clean and sweet-smelling. We do that by getting rid of the films of bacteria that colonize our tooth surfaces and reside in crevasses within the gums. It's this bacteria that eat away at the particles of food left behind after we consume anything and create acids that dissolve tooth enamel and cause bad breath.

Reason Number 2
The second reason we brush is cosmetic: to remove stains from tooth surfaces – to keep tooth surfaces white – pleasing to the eyes. Unfortunately these benefits are the ones most highly advertised and probably the primary reason most of us choose our particular brands.

Growing up in a Colgate-only family, I learned to hate the taste of that stuff, so I immediately switched to Crest when I left home. Then switched to sexy Close Up, then to striped Pepsodent, then to Aim, then back to updated Crest, then to Tom's of Maine, then lately, to Neways UltraShine Radiance... Yes, I was a toothpaste "player".

At first it was the taste that caused me to be so fickle about my choices. Later, the main thing that spurred me on was my worry about fluoride. I kept coming across articles that spoke of fluoride as a poison that is routinely added to children's toothpaste. All fluoride-containing toothpastes carry a warning label mandated by the FDA:

"WARNINGS: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek PROFESSIONAL HELP or contact a POISON CONTROL center immediately."

The more I read the more worried I became ("fluoride is more poisonous than lead and just slightly less poisonous than arsenic").

You might be interested in this list:
7 Reasons Why Not to Use Toothpaste with Fluoride
1. Fluoride Doesn't Prevent Cavities
The world’s largest study on dental tooth decay observed 400,000 students. It revealed that decay increased 27% with a 1 part per million fluoride increase in the drinking water. In 1998, the results of a 50-year fluoridation experiment inKingston, New York (unfluoridated) and Newburgh, New York (fluoridated) were published. In summary:

“There was no significant difference in rates of dental decay in children in the two cities, but children in the fluoridated city showed significantly higher rates of dental fluorosis than those in the unfluoridated city.”

2. Fluoride Can Cause Dental Fluorosis
Fluorosis is the discoloration (turning yellow) and, in advanced cases, the pitting of your teeth. The Centers of Disease Control report that at least 22% of all American children now have dental fluorosis as a result of ingesting too much fluoride, and the rate may be 69% in children from high socioeconomic-status families and those who live in fluoridated communities.
3. Fluoride Linked to Cancer
In 1977, epidemiological studies by Dr. Dean Burk, former head of the U.S. National Cancer Institute’s cell chemistry section, and Dr. John Yiamouyiannis, a biochemist president of the Safe Water Foundation (SWF), showed that fluoridation is linked to about 10,000 cancer deaths yearly. “Over 120 million Americans are being chronically poisoned by fluoridation,” he told the SPOTLIGHT. “In addition,” he said “fluoridation is responsible for 40 million cases of arthritis, dental deformity in 8 million children, allergic reactions in 2 million people and overall 10,000 unnecessary cancer deaths every year.” “Research from St. Louis University, the Nippon [Japan] Dental College and the University of Texas show that fluoride has the ability to induce tumors, cancers and stimulate tumor growth.”
4. Fluoride Linked to Bone Disease
The World Health Organization warns that a chronic fluoride intake of 2.0-8.0 mg per day can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a debilitating and sometimes crippling bone disease. Studies now show that, far from clearing quickly from the body, fluoride accumulates over time, reaching toxic levels as a person ages. Fluoride has a particular affinity for bones and has been widely linked to the development of osteoporosis and a high rate of hip fractures.
5. Fluoride Leads to Tooth Loss
Dr. A. K. Susheela, the Director of Fluorosis and Rural Development Foundation, New Delhi, India states “Fluoride enters the bloodstream within minutes after tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste”. “We have seen from the research that fluoride negatively affects health. In those who use or ingest fluoride, it has been observed that muscles and bone tissue undergo degenerative changes. This in turn leads to tooth loss. Fluoride may well be one of the factors responsible for us becoming toothless. What started off as a good idea (fluoride in toothpaste) has in all probability been a major cause of tooth loss and degenerative disease.”
6. Fluoride is Danger in the Bathroom
According to Dr. Ted Spence, naturopath, Ph.D. nutritionist and dentist, fluoride does the following:
• Inactivates 62 enzymes
• Increases the aging process
• Increases the incidence of cancer and tumor growth
• Disrupts the immune system
• Causes genetic damage
• Interrupts DNA repair-enzyme activity
• Increases arthritis and is a systemic poison
7. Dentists Sue American Dental Association
In 1990 forty US dentists brought a case against the American Dental Association contending that the Association purposefully shielded the public from data that links fluoride to genetic defect, cancer and other health problems. Since 1990 over 45 US cities have rejected fluoridation. Ninety seven percent of Europe’s drinking water in now fluoride free. In February 1997, The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), representing 35,000 dentists, warned parents to limit their children’s intake of juices due to fluoride content.

So I started reading the backs of toothpaste boxes looking for only those that didn't carry the FDA warning. I found and used some good toothpastes but finally wanted to try my hand at making my own. Surely, it couldn't be that hard AND I'd be able to control what went into it.

Researching for my last post on deodorants gave me a new reason to avoid storebought toothpastes - they contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). That's the stuff that makes your paste foam as you brush it around in your mouth. It is also a skin irritant that can cause canker sores.

I suffered from mouth canker sores the entire time I was growing up and into my early adulthood. I HATED them for their ability to make me feel miserable for days at a time. Now my granddaughter is suffering from them too. It's hard to believe that a product that we use to stay healthy might be the very thing that brings misery.

The other minor problems with SLS is that studies show that it can cause cancer, cause reproductive problems, cause organ toxicity, cause cellular level changes, is a neurotoxin, and is an endocrine disruptor. Seems like good enough reasons to make my own toothpaste.

Actually, I started thinking about making toothpaste a few years ago after I read the children's book, "The Toothpaste Millionaire" by Jean Merrill. I loved the entrepreneurial slant and the idea that toothpaste ingredients are cheap.

So off to the Internet I went searching. I was surprised to find out that people have been making their own toothpastes for a long time. There were dozens of recipes.

Let's start with a list of ingredients that are antibacterial; some are actually used in homemade toothpastes. Then we'll follow with the toothpaste recipes.

This list is found at Fat Free Kitchen although the original (and much wordier) list is located here:
The following ingredients have been used for many years for their antibacterial potentials. They can even control the bacterias that cannot be removed with brushing, flossing or similar methods.

1. Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate)
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), a mild abrasive powder can kill all the motile microorganisms in the mouth that are responsible for periodontal infections and other disease related bacteria. It will reduce the formation of plaque. It also act as a whitener.
2. Sodium chloride (Common table salt)
A concentrated solution of salt can kill all motile microorganisms in the mouth that are responsible for periodontal infections. However, common salt is not as powerful as sodium bicarbonate, but it is an antiseptic.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide causes a foaming action, which helps to move away the bacteria from the teeth surfaces.
4. Glycerin
Studies have shown that glycerin has an antibacterial property.
5. Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice has the potential of killing the bacteria so it can be used as a mouthwash. This is great to use with young children or with an invalid that you are helping with their dental care.
6. Vinegar
A 50% solution of vinegar or apple cider vinegar can help to dissolve deposits of calculus.

Mint Toothpaste Recipe
2 Tablespoons baking soda
1/3 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons glycerin
15 drops peppermint or wintergreen extract

Mix thoroughly. Should be a tooth paste consistency. Store in a container. You'll be surprised with how fresh your mouth feels.

Note: 15 drops = 1/8 teaspoon
Note 2: 6/8/10 I finally found a source for glycerin here in Hawaii (Longs Drug NOT the grocery stores! Why did that take me so long to figure out?) and could finally make this recipe. Gotta say the recipe needs work. It's too salty and not minty enough, although it DOES clean teeth and we all agree that it makes our mouths feel clean. We'll use up this batch and I'll make some alterations then return and report. BTW, I 4X the recipe so it'll be a little while before we use it up. NEXT batch I'll just make a normal recipe amount first!

Super Cleanser
Hydrogen peroxide (a few drops)
Baking soda

Make a paste by combining the two ingredients. Use this paste on your teeth and also gently rub along your gums two times a week.

Toothpaste Recipe
1/4 tsp peppermint oil
1/4 tsp spearmint oil
1/4 cup arrowroot
1/4 cup powdered orrisroot
1/4 cup water
1 tsp ground sage

Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add water until paste is desired thickness / consistency. Store at room temperature in a tightly covered jar.
Substitute 1/2 tsp each of oil of cinnamon and oil of cloves for peppermint/spearmint if desired.

Old Fashioned Tooth Powder
2 Tbsp dried lemon or orange rind
1/4 cup baking soda
2 Tsp salt
Place rinds in food processor, grind until peel becomes a fine powder. Add baking soda and salt then process a few seconds more until you have a fine powder. Store in an airtight tin or jar. Dip moistened toothbrush into mixture, brush as usual.

Loretta's Toothpaste
1 Tsp baking soda,
1/4 Tsp hydrogen peroxide
1 drop oil of peppermint
Mix to make a paste, dip toothbrush into mixture, brush as usual.

Basic Toothpaste
1 Tsp of the Old Fashioned Tooth Powder
1/4 Tsp Hydrogen peroxide
Mix into a paste and brush as usual.

Strawberry Tooth Cleanser
1 Tsp of the above Old Fashioned Tooth Powder
1 Tbsp crushed ripe strawberries
Mix strawberries and powder into a paste and brush as usual.

Vanilla & Rose Geranium Toothpaste
1/2 ounce powdered chalk
3 ounces powdered orris root
4 teaspoons of tincture of vanilla
15 drops oil of rose geranium
Honey, enough to make a paste
Combine all ingredients and mix until you have a paste the consistency you like. Store in an airtight container. Use a clean stick (popsicle) to scoop paste onto brush. Store the stick in same container.

Ben Franklin's Toothpaste
Honey
Ground charcoal
Mix into a paste and rub on teeth for whiteness.

Lemon Clove Tooth Cleanser
Mix:
Small amount of finely powdered sage
1 ounce of finely powdered myrrh
1 pound powdered arrow root
3 ounces powdered orris root
20 drops oil of lemon
10 drops oil of cloves
12 drops oil of bergamot
Rub oils into the powdered ingredients until thoroughly mixed

Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
Vegetable Glycerin, 1/2 cup [base]
Cosmetic clay, white, 1/2 cup [mild abrasive]
Tincture of myrrh, 35-40 drops [gum inflammation]
Peppermint or Spearmint mint oil or Pudinhara, 7-8 drops [fresh breath]
Clove essential oil, 7-8 drips [mild anesthetic, for toothache]

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Adjust the quantity of glycerine to get toothpaste consistency. Store in a wide mouth bottle.

Homemade Toothpaste:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
3 tablespoons baking soda
1/2 small packet of stevia powder
20-25 drops of peppermint oil*

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl, using a fork.

*Add about half of the amount of peppermint oil to start, and test the toothpaste to see how much you want/like. I used NOW brand peppermint oil, and ended up stopping at 25 drops which is still not as strong as I am used to, though it does taste nice and minty! Julie noted in her instructions that using part spearmint oil will make the toothpaste not as "hot" as using all peppermint oil.

Tooth Powder
3 parts baking soda
1 part sea salt
3 parts calcium-magnesium-vit c powder*
3 parts finely ground prickly ash bark
1 part echinacea powder
1/2 part goldenseal powder
Optional: peppermint essential oil to taste

Combine the ingredients and shake well. Use about 1/4 tsp on a wet toothbrush.

*This recipe uses Wachter's Cal-Mag-Vit C Powder which adds a nice flavor. All ingredients are available at a health food store.

And now, for your amusement and distraction; toothpaste for your dog!

Organic Dog Toothpaste Recipe
The main ingredients of dog toothpaste include baking soda, salt and glycerin. In an airtight container, mix the following:
6 teaspoons of baking soda
1/3 teaspoon of salt
4 teaspoons of glycerin. If you are a vegetarian or vegan dog owner, you can opt for the glycerin that comes from plants.
In addition to these ingredients, you can either mix in 2 teaspoons of organic, low-sodium beef broth or 2 teaspoons of peppermint extract.

When everything is mixed, the texture should be similar to that of your own toothpaste. Also, remember to store the dog toothpaste in the refrigerator.

Toothbrushing Supplies
In order to brush your dog’s teeth, you will need a toothbrush similar to the one you have for yourself. At a pet store, you can find toothbrushes on a rubber cap that fit over your finger, and these can be more comfortable and convenient for you and your dog. To make cleaning up even easier, keep a washcloth nearby.

Brushing your dog’s teeth at least twice a week preserves your dog’s teeth and overall health. To help the dog get used to this being a part of its grooming session, you can smear a small amount of the toothpaste onto a few teeth and gradually increase the amount you use until you are brushing all of them. In the long-term, you will save money on veterinary bills and preserve your dog’s periodontal health.

Homemade Rosemary-Mint Mouthwash
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups distilled or mineral water
1 tsp fresh mint leaves
1tsp rosemary leaves
1 tsp anise seeds
Boil the water, add herbs and seeds, infuse for 20 minutes. Cool, strain and use as a gargle/mouthwash. If you wish to make up a larger quantity, double or triple the recipe then add 1 tsp of tincture of myrrh as a natural preservative.

Homemade Spearmint Mouthwash
Ingredients:
6 ounces water
2 ounces vodka
4 teaspoons liquid glycerine
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
10-15 drops Spearmint essential oil
Boil water and vodka, add glycerine and aloe vera gel. Remove from the heat, let cool slightly. Add spearmint oil, shake well. Pour into bottle, cap tightly.

A very simple homemade mouthwash
Wash your mouth with half a glass of warm water containing a teaspoon of table salt.

Baking Soda Mouthwash
Mix 2 ounces of Water, 1/4 Teaspoon of baking soda or Sea Salt, 1 drop of Pure Peppermint Oil, and 1 drop of Tea Tree oil. This Homemade mouthwash recipe leaves a great refreshing minty taste in your mouth and helps prevent bad breathe.

Homemade deodorants

I follow Dr Mercola. He's a wise doctor with good advise most of the time, but he's barking up the wrong tree when he says that just keeping clean will make it so that a deodorant isn't needed. Soap and water seem to keep the rest of my body odor-free but when it comes to the armpits - forget it.

I started having this stinky problem around age 12, prior to hitting puberty. I didn't notice at first but my parents certainly did. That was when I started using deodorant. Well, actually, my parents insisted I use deodorant. Strenuously insisted. When that didn't take care of the problem I moved up to an antiperspirant and stayed there for decades until just recently.

I know that I'm not the only person with this problem. My older children take after their dad - they rarely ever smell bad. My youngest daughter, on the other hand, stinks like her mother. Some of us are just smellier than the rest of the world's population.

Now, in some parts of the world, body odor is considered a sexual attractor. Here in the good 'ole USA body odor is a definite turn-off akin to moral degradation - that's why there's such a huge market and selection for deodorants.

So let's see why our armpits stink and what happens when we use deodorants and antiperspirants.

Perspiration, or sweat, is your body's way of cooling itself, whether that extra heat comes from hardworking muscles or from overstimulated nerves. The average person has 2.6 million sweat glands in their skin. There are two types of sweat glands:

* Eccrine - the most numerous type that are found all over the body, particularly on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and forehead. They are smaller, active from birth, and produce a sweat that is free of proteins and fatty acids. These glands excrete only water and salt and have nothing to do with your troublesome body odor.

* Apocrine - mostly confined to the armpits and the anal-genital area. They typically end in hair follicles rather than pores. Sweat from apocrine glands contains proteins and fatty acids, which make it thicker and give it a milkier or yellowish color. This is why underarm stains in clothing appear yellowish. Sweat itself has no odor, but when bacteria on the skin and hair metabolize the proteins and fatty acids, they produce an unpleasant odor. This is why deodorants and antiperspirants are applied to the underarms instead of the whole body.

The basic difference between antiperspirants and deodorants is that the former keeps you from sweating while the latter cuts down on what makes you stink when you do sweat.

Ingredients like triclosan in deodorants make the skin in your underarm too salty or acidic to support the indigenous bacteria that are meant to thrive there. Without any bacteria to feast on the proteins and fats delivered through your sweat, no smell is produced.

Solid antiperspirants are made with several ingredients, including wax, a liquid emollient and an active-ingredient compound. It's the active ingredient that gives antiperspirants their sweat-blocking power. All antiperspirants have an aluminum-based compound as their main ingredient. If you look at the back of an antiperspirant container, the aluminum-based compound is always the first ingredient listed. Here are a few of the common active ingredients:

* Aluminum chloride
* Aluminum zirconium tricholorohydrex glycine
* Aluminum chlorohydrate
* Aluminum hydroxybromide

The aluminum ions are taken into the cells that line the eccrine-gland ducts at the opening of the epidermis, the top layer of the skin. When the aluminum ions are drawn into the cells, water passes in with them. As more water flows in, the cells begin to swell, squeezing the ducts closed so that sweat can't get out. Eventually, the cells reach an equilibrium and water begins to flow out of the cells again and they shrink. That's why you have to reapply the antiperspirant.

Here's where the problems arise: Aluminum is a neurotoxin, and is found in most antiperspirants. It has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease, respiratory illnesses, reduced renal function, and DNA damage. The parabens in many antiperspirants may be linked to breast cancer, and there are possible complications associated with SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) in deodorants.

My gosh, I've been using this stuff for DECADES and locking in the aluminum and parabens with the sweat. This stuff is MADE to be absorbed by the body. Blech! So, several months ago I switched to a deodorant distributed by Neways (more about this terrific company in a future blog). It's been a marvelous, healthy product but over time I've developed a sensitivity (yucky, itchy rash) to the lime oil used as an ingredient. Now, in keeping with my "make it from scratch" mentality, I've decided to make my own deodorants.

The Internet is chock full of recipes for do-it-yourself deodorants. I've put the ones I found most interesting here in my blog. Most use essential oils as ingredients so I have to first find a local source before I can start making deodorants (I found one in Haleiwa), but I'll let you know the results as I make each recipe and try them out on my experimental lab rats: me, my family and any willing friends I can rope in.

The simplest recipe uses stuff I already have in my pantry so it's the one I'm trying first:

Homemade Deodorant
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrow root powder OR corn starch
~5 tablespoons coconut oil

1. Combine baking soda and arrow root powder in a bowl and mix with a fork.
2. Start with about 4 tablespoons/one-fourth cup of coconut oil and add the coconut oil to the baking soda mixture, working into a paste.
The deodorant will have somewhat of a play-dough consistency, and will be softer or harder depending on its temperature. You can put the deodorant into a small container with a lid, or into an empty stick deodorant dispenser if you have one. The deodorant hardens somewhat after it is put into a container.

Update:
This smells delicious! Butterfly thinks it smells so good that she has threatened to eat it. I told her she could lick it off her armpits.

The mixture was on the goopy side so I added another tablespoon each of cornstarch and baking soda. I think it's just too warm here in Hawaii to leave this stuff out in the open, so I'm storing it in the fridge. That should make it refreshing to use.
I'll put in another update on it's effectiveness after we've used it for several weeks.

Update II
It's been a month since we've been using this deodorant recipe -- it works GREAT! I've had no odor issues at all. Butterfly, who can definitely smell VERY bad, has had no issues either. The mix of cornstarch, baking soda and coconut oil is very soothing. After a few days the stuff had solidified enough that we could store it in the bathroom medicine cabinet without any problems. The mix is easy to make and very cheap. I LOVE this recipe!

Geranium and Cypress Deodorant
This is a classic combination of essential oils with deodorant properties. Geranium is used in skin-care products for its delightful, sweet floral perfume and its astringent and antiseptic properties. Cypress helps reduce excessive sweating, and its fine, woody smell enhances this deodorant. The classic fragrance is deeply refreshing with hints of floral, citrus, and wood, and is suitable for both women and men.

1 teaspoon high proof vodka
10 drops geranium
10 drops cypress
8 drops bergamot
5 drops neroli
4 drops lavender
3 drops black pepper
4 tablespoons (40 ml) witch hazel
2 tablespoons (25 ml) cornflower water
2 tablespoons (25 ml) orange flower water

1. Measure the vodka into a 4 oz (100 ml) glass bottle with a spray attachment. Carefully add the essential oils, one by one. Shake vigorously to dissolve the essential oils.
2. Pour the witch hazel into the bottle, using a funnel if necessary, followed by the two flower waters. Shake well.
3. Label the bottle and the deodorant is now ready to use .
4. Before you use the deodorant each time, give the bottle a good shake to ensure the essential oils are fully dispersed.

Note: Neroli essential oil is EXTREMELY expensive, so I'm going to try oil of orange flower instead. Neroli is made by steam distillation of bitter orange blossoms. It's so expensive because it requires a TON of the blossoms to create one quart of essential oil.

Citrus and Herbal Deodorant
This gentle, antibacterial deodorant uses some of the most effective deodorant essential oils, including bergamot, thyme, and clary sage. Blended with flower waters and witch hazel into a refreshing spray, this deodorant has a delicious, refreshing aroma that is suitable for both women and men.

1 teaspoon high proof vodka
10 drops bergamot
8 drops clary sage
7 drops thyme
5 drops rosewood
5 drops lemon
3 drops lavender
2 drops mandarin
4 tablespoons (40 ml) witch hazel
2 tablespoons (25 ml) linden flower water
2 tablespoons (25 ml) orange flower water

1. Measure the vodka into a 4 oz (l00 ml) glass bottle with a spray attachment. Carefully add the essential oils, one by one. Shake vigorously to dissolve the essential oils.
2. Pour the witch hazel into the bottle, using a funnel if necessary, followed by the two flower waters. Shake well .
3. Label the bottle and the deodorant is now ready to use.
4. before you use the deodorant each time, give the bottle a good shake to ensure the essential oils are fully dispersed.

Homemade Deodorants Recipe
1 1/2 tablespoon beeswax (yellow is best)
1 1/2 teaspoons cocoa butter
1 tablespoon coconut oil
15 drops white thyme essential oil
15 drops rosemary essential oil
25 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops castor oil

Melt beeswax in a glass jar standing in hot water, add the cocoa butter, and when it has melted, add the oils. Stir to mix thoroughly, then pour into a clean, discarded deodorant stick case and leave to cool and set.

Spray Deodorant Recipe
Basic Recipe
2 teaspoons zinc-oxide powder
2/3 cup witch-hazel extract
2 tablespoons aloe-vera juice
30-40 drops essential oil(s)

In a small bowl, stir the zinc-oxide powder into the witch-hazel extract, and add the aloe-vera juice and essential oil(s). Fill an 8-oz. dark-glass spray bottle with the fluid.

For Daily Use
Basic Recipe (above)
30 drops rose-geranium (Pelargonium asperum) essential oil
The rose geranium oil is high in terpene alcohol, which inhibits the proliferation of odor-causing bacteria.

For Sensitive Skin
Basic Recipe (above)
30 drops calendula (Calendula officinalis) extract (CO2)
10 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
Calendula and lavender oils are mild yet potent fighters of bacteria and odor.

For Excessive Sweating
Basic Recipe (above)
30 drops sage (Salvia officinalis) essential oil
Sage oil inhibits sweat-gland activity by as much as 50 percent. It also is antiseptic and astringent and gently constricts pore size.

Caution!
Sage oil should not be used if you are pregnant or have epilepsy. Cypress essential oil (Cupressus sempervirens) can safely be substituted. Also, it is very important to use only the specific essential oils given in the above recipes. Make sure to match up not just the English name but the Latin name as well. Other varieties of the same plants could prove irritating or require additional cautions.

Administration:
Wash your armpits thoroughly and dry them well. The components of your herbal deodorant have reliable and long-lasting effectiveness only when applied to clean skin. Then spray the deodorant across the skin several times to dampen it. Let it dry before getting dressed so it doesn't stain your clothes.

Ingredient Benefits:
Witch-hazel extract to inhibit sweating: Witch-hazel extract, readily available in drug and grocery stores, is derived from the plant's bark, twigs and leaves. It inhibits inflammation, absorbs oil and is mildly astringent. With regular use it constricts skin pores and thus reduces excessive sweat formation. If you shave your underarms, apply witch hazel water just after shaving; it eliminates small pimples and reddening.

Zinc-oxide powder to neutralize odor: Zinc-oxide powder is obtained from the mineral zincite. The powder has a slightly greasy consistency and will make your homemade deodorant appear milky. It has excellent properties for neutralizing body odor, will not irritate the skin and is slightly antiseptic and astringent. Since it is not completely water soluble, the powder tends to separate from liquids over time. Make sure to shake the deodorant before use.

Aloe-vera juice to cool and moisturize: Aloe-vera juice gives your homemade deodorant a mildly cooling effect, especially pleasant and refreshing at hot times of year. Including the juice in your deodorant means you also benefit from aloe-vera's remarkable healing and moisturizing properties. These ensure that the skin is adequately conditioned and that any type of irritation or itchy allergic reaction is quickly and easily alleviated.

Herbal Stick Deodorant Recipe
If you can tolerate essential oils, herbal deodorants are wonderfully effective since so many of them have strong anti-bacterial properties.

1 oz beeswax
1 oz cocoa butter
1 oz coconut oil (this is solid)
1 oz castor oil
1 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract
1 teaspoon tea tree essential oil
2 teaspoons lavender or valencia orange essential oil
1 teaspoon rosemary essential oil
8 drops myrrh essential oil (optional)

Melt the oils and the beeswax in double boiler pan on top of stove, or directly on stove top on very lowest heat setting. Remove from heat and add the essential oils and stir. Pour into a new or used deodorant container and allow to solidify.

Solid Deodorant Recipe
A natural deodorant stick with essential oils

2 oz white beeswax
1 oz meadowfoam seed oil
1 oz illipe butter
1/2 oz water
1/2 oz vodka
1 oz zinc oxide
1/4 oz arrowroot powder
1/4 oz baking soda
10 drops grapefruit seed extract
20 drops lavendar essential oil
10 drops geranium essential oil
7 drops tea tree oil
7 drops clary sage (do not use the clary sage if you are pregnant)

Melt the wax and butter in a double boiler. Add the oil. Mix the water, alcohol, zinc, arrowroot, baking soda, and GSE. Remove from heat. Drizzle the mixture to the oils while whisking on high speed. Once all is mixed well add the essential oils. Pour into your deodorant containers and allow to cool before capping them.

Herbal Deodorant Spray Recipe
A light, refreshing, yet very effective deodorant spray.

3 oz. witch hazel
1 oz. high proof vodka
1 teaspoon tea tree oil
1 teaspoon rosemary oil
1 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract
1 teaspoon lime oil

Mix all ingredients together and pour in a fine-mist spray bottle. For a stronger deodorant, substitute 1 oz. of the witch hazel with lime juice. [Note: perform a skin test if you have a sensitivity to citric acid.]

What's up with Clary Sage?
Clary sage is used to help induce labor, that's why you don't want to use it in your deodorant if you are pregnant. In high doses, the oil can over stimulate so should not be used by anyone with epilepsy.

I will eventually try all of these recipes except the last one since it contains lime oil, which is what got me here to begin with. I'll let you know what happens as we progress through each of the recipes.

I hope you'll try some of these recipes. If you do, PLEASE let me know your results!

Pizza!

Since I've been trying to cook everything from scratch in order to avoid all MSG, it even includes making pizza. This is an extremely easy to make version that I use frequently. I hope you find it as satisfying as we do.

Pizza dough
Makes 2 (12-inch) pies

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 package yeast
1 cup water
2 tablespoons peanut oil
Cornmeal

Set aside 1 cup flour. In large bowl, mix remaining flours, salt and yeast. Heat water and peanut oil until hot to touch (125 degrees F. - 130 degree F.); stir into dry mixture. Add only enough reserved flour to make stiff dough. On lightly floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough in half. Roll and stretch each to a 13-inch circle. Place on 2 (12-inch) round pizza pans or 2 baking sheets, greased and sprinkled with cornmeal. Shape edge into standing rim of dough.

Bake at 450 degree F. for 8 minutes. Spread 4 ounces of mozzarella on each pie. Spread with choice of topping. Bake 10 to 12 minutes more, or until cheese is melted and lightly browned. Cut into wedges to serve.

Pizza Sauce
Mix 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves and 1 clove minced garlic. Spread each pizza with half of sauce.

Toppings
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced or grated

Pepperoni
Green pepper, chopped or thinly sliced
onion, chopped or thinly sliced
Italian sausage, removed from casing, browned in skillet, and drained well
Olives, sliced
Pineapple tidbits
Canadian bacon
Pretty much whatever suits your fancy

Garden Carbonara recipe

I thought the original recipe looked fabulous but wanted more vegetables in the mix. I always have carrots, celery, and green pepper in the fridge and peas in the freezer and I wanted to add some of my newly growing basil, so in they went. The red pepper flakes give a mild burn. Omit them if you hate anything spicy hot.

Next time, instead of the carrots and celery, I think asparagus pieces and sliced snap peas would make a great addition.

Garden Carbonara
serves 4

This pasta is fantastic as a meal served with a big garden salad and some crusty bread.

1/2 lb campanella pasta, or shape of your choosing
4 slices bacon (about 3 1/4 ounces), chopped
1/2 cup green onions, cut into 1/4 inch coins
1 medium carrot, cut into small dice
1 stalk celery, cut into small dice
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup minced basil
3 large eggs
1/4 cup cream
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
Ground pepper to taste

Set a pot of water to boiling on the stove and cook the campanella pasta (or desired shape).

While it’s cooking, cook the bacon over medium heat until browned. Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and add the carrot, celery, and green pepper. Cook until soft (3-5 minutes). Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon. Briefly cook the green onions and basil until wilted. (Drain the bacon and the vegetables on a paper towel).

Whisk together the eggs, cream, salt and red pepper flakes.

When the pasta is done, quickly remove it from the stove and set a different burner to low heat. Drain the pasta and add it back to the pot, on the burner set to low. Stir in the veggies and bacon and frozen peas. Add the egg mixture and stir feverishly for 3-4 minutes until sauce is thick and creamy. Don’t let it overcook or it will be gloppy. Sprinkle the romano cheese in, a little at a time, and stir to combine. Don’t add it all at once or it won’t mix through out the pasta as well (since it will clump). Add pepper to taste.

Serve immediately.

Adapted from Sarah's Cucina Bella

Ramblings

I gave my 15 minute substitute teaching lesson at last night's class. It went extremely well. Afterward, 5 classmates told me that they wished I had been their algebra teacher in high school. I count that as a remarkable success.

So now I'm off to do my night stocking. That sounds so weird; I'm the Night Stalker. Maybe one day I'll sub in an English class and we can talk about homonyms.

Now, if I could only get enough sleep...

Healthy cleaning

I've been thinking about healthy alternatives to the chemical-laden foods and products that I've been mindlessly using over the years. Having a daughter that easily gets migraines from eating foods with MSG and aspartame has sensitized me to her triggers. I've had "restaurant illness" for decades myself so I know that chemicals in the food system are doing nasty things to our health.

I've also started considering how the chemicals in the cleaning products I've been using are affecting our health. Reading the caution statements on the backs of most household cleaners is a scary revelation. Here's one from the back of a product I've used a lot:

"PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
HAZARDS TO HUMANS AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS
DANGER: Corrosive - causes skin burns and irreversible eye damage. Harmful if swallowed or absorbed through skin. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Wear goggles or face shield, protective clothing, and rubber (or chemical-resistant) gloves. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash clothing before reuse.
Chemical Hazards: DO NOT mix with chlorine-type bleaches or other household chemicals."

I had no idea I needed a hazmat suit to clean my toilet!

In the spirit of becoming "green" in my home, for the sake of my family's health and to help protect the environment, I'm now making most of my cleaning supplies myself.

Here are the "recipes" I'm using:

Laundry
In the Wall Street Journal, Seventh Generation founder Jeffrey Hollender remarks that it’s surprising most people use laundry detergent at all: “You don’t even need soap to wash most loads,” he says. The truth is, it’s the action of the agitator, not the chemicals, that gets most clothes clean. Amazing!

For millenia, clothes have been washed scrubbed against rocks in plain water. Apparently, the agitator takes the place of the rocks.

I've been using 1/4 the recommended amount of detergent for several years now; the clothes appear just as clean as they did before AND they don't feel "slick" anymore. I think the detergent hadn't been washing out completely and had left residue behind on the clothes.

For those who feel uncomfortable washing without detergent, here's a recipe to make your own:

Homemade laundry detergent
* 4 cups of water.
* 1/3 bar of cheap soap, grated.
* 1/2 cup washing soda (not baking soda).
* 1/2 cup of Borax (20 Mule Team).
* 5-gallon bucket for mixing.
* 3 gallons of water.
First, mix the grated soap in a saucepan with 4 cups of water, and heat on low until the soap is completely dissolved. Add hot water/soap mixture to 3 gallons of water in the 5-gallon bucket, stir in the washing soda and Borax, and continue stirring until thickened. Let the mix sit for 24 hours, and voila! Homemade laundry detergent.

Total cost per load? In the neighborhood of 2 cents. Store-bought detergent, depending on what you buy and where you buy it, can cost about 20 cents per load — 10 times more.

Window cleaner
Combine 1/2 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar and two tablespoons of cornstarch to a bucket of warm water.

Washing Floors
'Floor Cleaner with Fragrant Herbs' freshens as it cleans. Combine one-eighth cup liquid soap or detergent, one-fourth to one-half cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice, two gallons warm water, and one-half cup peppermint tea; mix well.

I was surprised at how shiny my floors were after mopping with this stuff. I'm not sure if the shine comes from the vinegar or the mint tea, but whichever it is it works better than Mop N Glow.
(This recipe will be even better when my mint grows big enough to harvest. I'll then use it for a fresher mint smell.)

Scrubbing Tubs, Toilets, & Sinks
Recommended products: I use Bon Ami, a chlorine-free scouring powder.
Make your own: Pour one-half cup of baking soda into a bowl and add enough liquid detergent to create a frosting-like texture. Rub onto surfaces with a sponge and rinse.

Toilet and drain cleaner
1 cup distilled white vinegar + 1/2 cup baking soda
To clear a clog, pour the baking soda in the drain, add vinegar, cover with a rag for 20 minutes, then follow with boiling water.

Mold killer
1 teaspoon tea tree oil + 2 cups of water
Tea tree oil is much more effective than bleach in fighting mold. The key is to buy 100 percent essential oil, not a fragrance or perfumed oil, neither of which is effective for fighting mold. Always buy tea tree oil in glass containers, since the liquid dissolves plastic.

Cleaning Ovens
Make your own: Cover the oven bottom with one quarter-inch of baking soda and spray with water until it’s damp (not soaked). Let the solution sit and spray it occasionally to keep the surface moist. Leave on overnight, and wipe clean the next day with a sponge.

Info for this blog came from these sites:
Natural Solutions
MoneyTalksNews

Algebra

Sometime either tonight, Wednesday or next Monday I'll be presenting my 15 minute algebra lesson to my classmates in my Substitute Teaching Certification class. I'm just a little nervous even though the lesson is ready. I'll be teaching the 8 Properties of Algebra. I'll bet most people that HAVE taken an algebra class don't remember them. I sure had trouble keeping them straight when I had the class all those many years ago. So I'm teaching it tonight in a way to help make them easy to remember.

Did you know that there's actually algebra humor?

"As long as algebra is taught in school, there will be prayer in school. " -- Cokie Roberts

New York (CNN). At John F. Kennedy International Airport today, a Caucasian male (later discovered to be a high school mathematics teacher) was arrested trying to board a flight while in possession of a compass, a protractor and a graphical calculator.
According to law enforcement officials, he is believed to have ties to the Al-Gebra network. He will be charged with carrying weapons of math instruction.

Commutative Property gone astray:
Teacher: “Who can tell me what 7 times 6 is?”
Student: “It is 42!”
Teacher: “Very good – And who can tell me what 6 times 7 is?”
Same student: “It’s 24!”

Wish me luck!

A long day

I just got back from working my night job. Butterfly was occupied with a church activity so I went to work early this evening. I managed to finish up quickly and left earlier than normal so now I have time to write in this blog.

Besides being overly tired, I'm feeling rather melancholy tonight. I hate having my mother mad at me even though you'd think I'd be used to it by now. Since she might not be around for very much longer I hate feeling like we STILL don't know how to get along.

Auntie says to just call Mama to ask how she's doing even though Auntie is pretty sure that Mama will be curt, abrupt and rude. As oldest daughter (and the only daughter around these days) it's my duty to make the first effort. Auntie's probably right, I should make the first effort AGAIN, but being so tired makes me feel incredibly vulnerable.

This week will be filled with homework, school, regular household stuff_that_HAS_to_be_done, work, work, and more work, another business meeting, and now calling Mama to see if we can patch up our relationship again. Believe me, it's the last item that I dread the most.

Fire-breathing dragons sound so much friendlier.

Everyday Fried Noodles recipe

Yum, yum, yum!

Everyday Fried Noodles

1/2 small seedless cucumber, peeled and julienned
Kosher salt, to taste
3 tbsp. canola oil
1 medium carrot, julienned
1 onion, thinly sliced
1/4 lb. ground pork
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1" piece ginger, minced
6 scallions, minced
1 1/2 tbsp. dark soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp. rice cooking wine
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
2 cups bean sprouts
6 oz. dried flat noodles, boiled and rinsed under cold water
1 tbsp. Asian sesame oil

1. Toss cucumbers and a pinch of salt together in a small bowl; let sit 5 minutes. Heat a 14" wok (or stainless-steel skillet) over high heat until it begins to smoke. Add 1 tbsp. oil around edge of wok; swirl to coat bottom and sides. Add carrots and onions; cook until softened, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate; set aside.

2. Return wok to high heat and add remaining oil. Add pork, garlic, ginger, and half the scallions; cook, breaking pork into small pieces, until browned, 3–4 minutes.

3. Add soy sauce, wine, sugar, bean sprouts, and carrots and onions. Cook, stirring, until hot, about 30 seconds.

4. Add cucumbers, remaining scallions, noodles, and sesame oil; cook, tossing, until hot, about 1 minute. Season with salt.

SERVES 2 – 4

Source: Saveur

Restaurant Dinner Rolls recipe

This recipe came from the King Arthur Flour website. These dinner rolls are fabulous and relatively easy to make. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Restaurant Dinner Rolls

YIELD: 10 large rolls, 20 servings
BAKING TEMPERATURE: 350 deg F
BAKING TIME: 25 - 30 mins

These dinner rolls replicate the soft, mildly sweet, deep chocolate-colored rolls served at various chain restaurants (particularly steakhouses) around the country. The taste-testers here at KAF raved about these, so even if they're not an exact match for those restaurant rolls, we're sure you'll find them tasty.

We make these rolls about twice as large as the typical dinner roll, shaping them into little logs before baking. Now, close your eyes and imagine each roll on its own serving board, complete with a tiny ramekin of whipped butter. Conjure up a salad bar. There! You're dining out without ever leaving the house.

1 cup (8 ounces) lukewarm water
1/2 cup (2 5/8 ounces) orange juice
4 tablespoon (1/2 stick, 2 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
1/2 cup (4ounces) honey
2 1/4 cups (9 ounces) traditional whole wheat flour
2 1/4 cups (9 1/2 ounces) unbleached bread flour
1 3/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons (1 1/4 ounces) sugar
2 tablespoons (3/8 ounces) Dutch-process cocoa
2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast


TO PREPARE THE DOUGH: Combine all the dough ingredients, and mix and knead them --- by hand, mixer or bread machine --- until you have a medium - soft, smooth dough. Cover and allow the dough until it's quite puffy, though probably not doubled in bulk, 1 to 2 hours. Lightly grease a baking sheet of line with parchment paper.

TO SHAPE THE ROLLS: Gently deflate the dough, and transfer it to a lightly greased work surface. Divide the dough into 10 even pieces (about 4 ounces each), and shape the pieces into 5 x 2-inch oval rolls. Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet, and allow them to rise, covered, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. They won't have doubled in size, but will appear puffy; when you gently press your finger into one, the indentation will rebound quite slowly. Toward the end of the rise, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

TO BAKE THE ROLLS: Uncover and bake the rolls until the bottoms appear slightly browned (you'll have to carefully pick one up to look) or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of a roll reads about 200 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the rolls from the oven, and cool them on a rack.

Split Pea Soup recipe

It's still rainy and chilly here in Wahiawa and I'm having a difficult time staying warm. This soup is both comforting and warming. We're having it for dinner tonight. Yum!

Split Pea Soup

2 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 cup dry split peas, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups chopped ham (or 1 1 /2 lb. meaty ham bone or ham hocks)
1 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed
1 bay leaf
dash pepper
1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke
1/2 cup chopped carrot (1 medium)
1/2 cup chopped celery (1 stalk)
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1/2 cup chopped potato (1 small)
Salt to taste

In a large saucepan combine broth, water, split peas, chopped ham, marjoram, bay leaf, pepper and Liquid Smoke. Bring to boiling and reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (If using ham bone or ham hocks, remove meat and cut off bones when cool enough to handle. Coarsely chop meat and return to saucepan.) Stir in carrot, celery, onion, and potato. Return to boiling and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes more or until vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaf. Add salt to taste.

Makes 4 main dish servings

Focusing on the negative

I've been working for one week as a night stocker at the Pearl Harbor commissary. The shelves within my section were bare and the backroom disorganized when I first arrived so I've not only been learning what my products are and stocking the shelves, but I've also been organizing my product areas in the back warehouse. I THOUGHT I was doing a pretty decent job considering the minimal training I had received, but three days ago a question from management was passed back to me, "Is she actually stocking anything?" Apparently, I hadn't gotten EVERYTHING up on the shelves yet, so even though the rest of the shelves were looking robust again, the few holes that remained meant I wasn't doing my job at all.

That's made me ask myself the question: Why do we focus on the few bad things and ignore all the good that's out there? This phenomenon takes place in families, business, media coverage, and frequently in churches.

My OTHER business is hypnotherapy. I recently worked with a client who had a mental script running that had been given to him as a three year old child. His father had gotten angry and told the boy, "You are a f**k up!" Repeated over and over again, that statement became a core belief of a young child. This now 30+ year old man has been running that mental script ever since and has done some pretty dysfunctional things to prove the truth of that statement.

Now I'm sure that most three year olds can be annoying and into everything but they certainly aren't evil or capable of being total disasters in anything - they just don't have the experience or ability yet. That father's statement was more a reflection of how he felt about himself than a commentary on his son's character.

So, the question is: when we focus on the negative do the negatives become greater? When we emphasize the negative in children they tend to believe their parents (and other authority figures) and then create more of the negative behavior. Focusing on the negative in business creates poor morale and poor performance. Focusing on the negative in church creates guilt and lessens the desire to attend. Does focusing on the negative in the news create more negative events?

These statements are over simplified, to be sure, but think about it. Does focusing on the negative just create more of the same?

How about if we spend one day focusing on the positive? Try it and let me know your results!

Working overtime

I've taken on several part-time jobs in order to be able to afford the little luxuries of life: living indoors with electricity and bathing/washing with hot and cold running water. Eating is a plus, too. The first job entails working from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. everyday. The second job is twice a week for a total of 6 - 12 hours. The third job is three times a week for a total of twelve hours. That makes 43 - 49 hours a week. That doesn't sound like much but it sure feels like I'm working all the time.

The weird hours make it do-able to go to school, be at home with Butterfly when she's home and awake, and care for Mama when she needs it (if she ever talks to me again). I'm feeling a tad stretched in many directions. Is this what's meant by a "growing experience"?

So now I find myself needing to become more organized and efficient. Easy but nourishing meals, cleaning in sprints, laundry one load at a time rather than all at once. Homework instead of reading for relaxation. Reading in the bathroom. Sleeping in sprints. This doesn't feel like an ideal life. So I'm trying to find the humor in everyday circumstances.

Here's one from yesterday. Butterfly and I got home from spending several hours at Pupukea Beach with a friend (she swam and I slept). I opened the front door to find that Odin had thrown up some plant material right at the entrance. Hmmm, what plant matter could he have gotten into? My eyes drifted to my potted pot plants (remember, we are doing this legally). Sure enough, Odin had eaten the healthiest pot plant and had nosed up the others. Perhaps that's why he was such a HAPPY dog for the rest of the evening! Nice to know that the stuff works! Now do I have to worry about my dog becoming a chronic (non-medical) user?

And today: As we drove home from church we noticed a white "thing" being attacked by birds in our neighbor's yard. Buttterfly went over to investigate and came home saying, "Mom, Mom, there's a baby sheep-like thing in the yard. It looks like it's still breathing!" So off I trot to rescue the "baby sheep-like thing" from the Hitchcockian birds. Birds scatter as I get nearer. And the "baby sheep-like thing" turns out to be...RICE. Butterfly was afraid to get close enough to the
"dying" white thing to see what it was. I guess a mound of rice CAN look like it's breathing...

Anyway, if my writing begins to looks a little strange, you'll know the reason. At least you'll get to benefit from my increasingly skewed look at life.

Stir-Fried Cauliflower recipe

This is the only way that Oldest Daughter would eat cauliflower when she was little. I think this recipe is VERY delicious!

Stir-Fried Cauliflower

1 med cauliflower, cut into small florets
3 T peanut oil or sunflower oil
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced very finely
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 fresh chili, sliced very finely (optional)
2 T yellow bean sauce
1 T dark sesame oil
a little soy sauce to taste
3 T chopped cilantro, to garnish

Cut the cauliflower florets into thin slices. Heat the oil in a wok and stir-fry the cauliflower, ginger, garlic and chili (if using) for 3 minutes. Then add 2 T water and turn the heat down low. Cover with a lid and steam for 5-6 minutes, shaking the pan or stirring from time to time.

Stir in the yellow bean sauce and sesame oil, then season to taste with soy sauce. Serve sprinkled with the cilantro. Serves 3-4

A rose by any other name

"What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet"

Translation: What matters is what something is, not what it is called.

I was cursed with an English name I hate. I can't remember a time in my life that I didn't hate my name. I've changed it slowly over time; first changing my middle name to the name I prefer. Then marrying and changing my last name (let's be honest, I've changed my last name several times using this method.) Now I want to drop the hated first name and go by the preferred name. Result: Mama is mad at me.

It really doesn't take much to make my mother mad at me. It's a simple fact of life - Mama will be angry with me more times than she's pleased. But now I am committing the unpardonable sin - wanting to change the name she gave me.

I tried explaining how I felt about my name. She even agreed that the name I prefer is pretty. However, she gave me my name and my rejecting it translates to my rejection of her. My Auntie even tried explaining how my mother and father pondered long over what name to give me and then bequeathed me with the name that they liked best. Apparently, my liking the name doesn't enter into the equation.

So now I'm on Mama's black list. Again.

Shakespeare doesn't exist in my mother's universe.

At times like this I feel like an alien in my own family.

Food for thought

This has been a busy day with cooking, gardening, cleaning up mud that Odin has tracked into the house (multiple times, of course, since I can't get Odin to cooperate and wipe his feet before coming back into the house), studying for school, going to school and planning for tomorrow (and tomorrow is going to be a very long day.)

SO

Here are several of my favorite quotes. Let me know if any of them strike a note with you.

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

"If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, then you haven't been watering your side enough."

"Persistence is a unique mental strength; a strength that is essential to combat the fierce power of the repeated rejections and numerous other obstacles that sit in waiting and are all part of winning in a fast-moving, ever-changing world."

"If you know what to do to reach your goal, it's not a big enough goal."

"Whether you think you can or you can't, you are right."

"Life gives back exponentially what you put into it."

White Bean and Ham Soup recipe

Easter this year was lovely although wet here in Wahiawa. Our main course for dinner was a glorious spiral cut, bone-in ham. Now that the ham has been cut off the bone, this recipe is a perfect way to utilize both bone and some chopped leftover bits of meat. And by the way, this soup freezes beautifully.

White Bean and Ham Soup

Container: large heavy stock pot
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2.5 hours
Serving Size: 12 ounces
Servings: 8

Ingredients

16 ounces dried Great Northern beans
1 cup diced sweet yellow onion
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 tablespoon oil
1 1/2 quarts chicken broth or stock
2 bay leaves
2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
2 stalks celery, diced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
1 1/2 pounds to 2 1/2 pound ham shank
1/4 teaspoon black ground pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Directions

Soak beans overnight in salt water, drain.

In bottom of stock pot, add oil and sauté onions and garlic over medium heat until softened (about 4 to 5 minutes). Remove from heat.

Add remaining vegetables, seasonings, ham shank, drained beans, and chicken stock or broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook 1 1/2 hours.

Remove ham shank from soup. Allow ham shank to cool slightly. Remove meat from bone. Discard bones, fat, and skin. Add meat to soup.

Continue cooking on simmer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes or until beans are soft.

Molasses Crinkles Cookies recipe

I've been making these cookies for decades. They make such marvelous snacks with a glass of milk.

Molasses Crinkles

¾ c shortening
1 c brown sugar (packed)
1 egg
¼ c molasses
2-¼ c sifted flour
2 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
Granulated sugar

Mix shortening, sugar, egg, and molasses thoroughly. Blend all dry ingredients; stir in. Chill.

Heat oven to 375°. Roll dough in 1 ¼" balls. Dip tops in sugar. Place balls, sugared side up, 3" apart on greased baking sheet. Sprinkle each with 2 or 3 drops of water. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or just until set but not hard.

Makes 4 doz. Cookies.

That Anxious feeling

Anxiety issues have plagued my family for generations. I guess we're a jumpy bunch. Fortunately, I've had only one anxiety attack in my life. My children haven't fared as well; a few have suffered through multiple attacks over the course of growing up and as young adults. Anxiety is now beginning to show up in my grandchildren.

The web article 5 Natural Remedies for Anxiety describes panic attacks this way: The anxiety attack is the body’s fight or flight mechanisms thrown into over drive. This over reaction can cause a jittery sensation, a feeling of loss of control, dizziness, sweating, a rapid heart rate and rapid respiration. And, as I've experienced it, it can make you feel like you are dying.

As I've researched this topic I came across fascinating information from the Denver Naturopathic Clinic about a neurotransmitter called GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric acid for those who want the whole enchilada.) I was struck by the relationship between GABA and glutamates (a previous posting on MSG). Glutamates cause neurons to fire (in the case of MSG and aspartame, to fire excessively) while GABA inhibits firing.

The article also states: "Without GABA, nerve cells fire too often and too easily. Anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, seizure disorders, and numerous other conditions including addiction, headaches, Parkinson's syndrome, and cognitive impairment are all related to low GABA activity. GABA hinders the transmission of nerve impulses from one neuron to another. It has a calming or quieting influence. A good example to help understand this effect is caffeine. Caffeine inhibits GABA release. The less GABA, the more nerve transmissions occur. Think what too much coffee feels like: that is the sensation of glutamate without enough GABA."

The odd thing is that glutamine is a precursor of GABA. I had confused MSG and glutamates. Ah ha! They are not the same thing.

According to Glutamine: The Essential "Non-Essential" Amino Acid "Glutamate" as it functions within the body does not mean monosodium glutamate. Monosodium glutamate is the sodium salt of glutamic acid-just as sodium ascorbate and calcium ascorbate are salts of ascorbic acid. Thus, MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, while "glutamate," as the term is used most often these days, is the ionic form of glutamic acid. True, the body can use MSG as a source of glutamate, but there is also all that sodium coming in, perhaps causing sodium/potassium imbalance, dehydration, and disturbances in the constriction and dilation of blood vessels.

I'm thinking that many of our problems were actually caused by eating MSG-laden foods and then trying to cope with the resulting panic attacks afterward.

(Valerian Root, American Ginseng, green tea, vitamin B6 appear to increase GABA levels.)

The safest way to naturally boost your mood, and balance your brain chemistry is to eat food that increase the production of key neurotransmitters. And in the case of GABA, that means eating more complex carbohydrates. Complex carbs increase glutamine, an amino acid and precursor, (precedes the creation of) GABA. Try Introducing GABA-friendly foods into your diet and avoid eating excessive simple sugars, white flours and wheat products (besides whole grains).

According to Dr. Braverman, author of "The Edge Effect," the following foods are high in glutamic acid/glutamate (forms glutamine, precursor to GABA):

* Almonds, tree nuts
* Bananas
* Beef Liver
* Broccoli
* Brown Rice
* Halibut
* Lentils
* Oats, whole grain
* Oranges, citrus fruits
* Rice bran
* Spinach
* Walnuts
* Whole wheat, whole grains.

For years we've used sublingual drops of Bach's Flower Remedies as a quick anxiety remedy. I used Rescue Remedy on Butterfly to calm her when she was little. The spray and drops don't taste very good and can be a pain to give an already out of control child so I'm overjoyed to see that there are now Bach Flower Pastilles - a (reportedly) delicious tasting chewable tablet. Yea!

The Bach Flower Remedies website says this about Rescue Remedy: The 5 Bach Flower Remedies in Rescue Pastilles are especially suitable when feeling impatient, irritated, nervous, spaced out, losing your temper, feeling numbed, lacking concentration, feeling an oncoming anxiety attack, post-traumatic stress or if experiencing suicidal ideations. That's a pretty broad spread on the anxiety spectrum, but this natural alternative to prescription drugs does work well.

Another home remedy we used for anxiety and depression was peanut butter on whole wheat toast. I wasn't sure WHY it worked, it just did, and rapidly to boot. Now, you get to know why it works: Peanut butter provides vitamins A and E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, fiber, and the phytochemical resveratrol. The whole wheat toast provides B vitamins along with small amounts of other nutrients. Together they provide GABA-boosting nutrients that quickly inhibit the rapid neuron firing that seems to cause panic attacks.

My Only Son has managed good control of his anxiety over the years by engaging in strenuous exercise. He rock climbs, long distance cycles, hikes and stays generally physically active. The exercise has kept him fit and mentally stable. This method would undoubtedly work for everyone if we would have the same self-discipline.

Holistic Online gives this advice:
Refined, white flour and sugar products, and processed foods starve the body of B vitamins. This weakens the body and promotes feelings of anxiety. Sweet foods are especially harmful, since their digestion causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar which can be experienced as apprehensive jitteriness.

Take a healthy, whole foods diet containing fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts and whole grains. It is the best insurance against attacks of anxiety. Fruits and vegetables are best eaten raw, such as in a salad. (Many vitamins and the enzymes are destroyed by cooking.)

Make sure your diet contains foods rich in the B vitamins, such as whole grains, nuts, green, leafy vegetables, nutritional yeast, eggs and fish for healthy nerves.

Oats are important for the nervous system. Hazelnuts are a valuable healing food for the nerves, most effective when freshly ground. Honey dissolved in warm milk also has a calming effect on the nerves.

Food to eat to reduce anxiety and maintain a calm state

Wholegrain cereals	Asparagus	Garlic
Eggs	Fish	Molasses
Wheat germ	Carrots	Onions
Swiss Chard	Spinach	Papaya
Celery	Apricots	Avocado
Bananas	Broccoli	Yogurt
Raw nuts/seeds	Seaweed	Garlic

There are specific nutrients which can decrease anxiety. These include:

Magnesium – aids with muscle relaxation, maintenance of the heart muscle, neuromuscular transmission and widening of the blood vessels. A deficiency of magnesium can cause:

* Agitation
* Anxiety
* Behavioral disturbances
* Confusion
* Cold hands and feet
* Depression
* Insomnia
* Restlessness

B Complex Vitamins – these are the spark plugs for our body. They help provide energy by acting with enzymes to convert major nutrients such as carbohydrates to energy forms. They are important for the normal function of the nervous system and are helpful in bringing relaxation or energy to individuals who are stressed or fatigued. A deficiency of certain B vitamins will cause:

* Fatigue
* Irritability
* Nervousness
* Depression
* Insomnia
* Loss of appetite

Calcium – works with maintenance of electrolyte balance, muscle contractions, nerve transmission, regulation of cell division, hormone secretion and bone and teeth formation. A deficiency can cause:

* Agitation
* Depression
* Heart palpitations
* Insomnia
* Irritability

Bourne, E.J. in his book 'The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook',( 1995), outlines how stimulants, salt, preservatives, hormones in meat, and sweet refined foods can potentially exasperate your anxiety.

Iron deficiency

My Number Two Daughter is a vegetarian. She's also pregnant with her first child. She and her husband keep crazy schedules with school and work and it means that cooking nutritious meals takes a backseat to convenience (just like life for most of us.) Not surprisingly, she's anemic. So this blog post is dedicated to her.

Why do we need iron?
• Iron is involved in the electron transport system. This system controls the release of energy from cells.
• Iron is required for red blood cell production.
• Iron is required for a healthy immune system
• Iron is responsible for transportation of oxygen throughout the body.

In human bodies, iron is what helps transport oxygen to other parts of the body. High iron content in the body results in cell growth and differentiation. Most iron (70 to 95 percent) in our bodies is present in hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying pigment and predominant protein in red blood cells. Iron is also found in myoglobin - an iron-containing protein found in muscle fibers that transports oxygen within muscles and acts as an emergency oxygen storage for the rest of the body. Iron also makes up part of many proteins and enzymes in the body.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. Although full-blown anemia is rarely evident, partial deficiency is widespread. Women are more prone to iron deficiency than men. Iron consumption may be enough, but iron absorption may not be. The first symptom of iron deficiency is tiredness. The rest are extreme fatigue and feeling of weakness, lack of stamina, headaches, insomnia, breathlessness, loss of appetite, pallor, brittle hair, hair loss, irritability, smooth/reddened/sore tongue, thin/brittle/white finger nails, low blood pressure when changing position from sitting to standing up, pica (the development of an appetite for unusual substances such as paper or clay products) and pacophagia (the development of an appetite for ice).

Our iron absorption depends on the form of the iron. The iron from animal sources, known as heme iron, is absorbed easily by the body. The iron found in vegetable sources, known as non-heme iron, is less available to the body. The amount of iron absorbed from vegetarian foods is around 1 - 10% , while it is 10 - 20% from animal foods.

The following factors will increase the iron absorption from non-heme foods:

• A good source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - i.e., oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes, broccoli, and strawberries, eaten with a NON-HEME food
• A HEME and NON-HEME food eaten together
• A NON-HEME food cooked in an iron pot, such as a cast iron skillet

The following factors will decrease non-heme iron absorption:

• Large amounts of tea or coffee consumed with a meal (the polyphenols bind the iron).
• Excess consumption of high fiber foods or bran supplements (the phytates in such foods inhibit absorption).
• High intake of calcium - take your calcium supplement at a different time from your iron supplement.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iron for non-vegetarian pre-menopausal women is 18 mg/day. The RDA for non-vegetarian men and post-menopausal women is 8 mg/day. Because of iron absorption issues in a healthful, high-fiber vegetarian diet, the RDAs for vegetarians are higher - 14 mg/day for vegetarian men and 33 mg/day for vegetarian women. The upper level of intake should not exceed 45mg/day.

Top Ten Iron-Rich Foods

• clams, cooked, 3 oz (23.8 mg)
• tofu, 1/2 cup firm (13.2 mg)
• raisin bran, ready-to-eat, 3/4 cup (4.5 mg)
• sirloin steak, cooked, 3 oz (2.9 mg)
• shrimp, cooked, 3 oz (2.6 mg)
• black beans, boiled, 1/2 cup (1.8 mg)
• chickpeas, canned, 1/2 cup (1.6 mg)
• turkey breast, 3 oz (0.9 mg)
• bread, whole wheat, 1 slice (0.9 mg)
• chicken breast, skinless, 1/2 breast (0.9 mg)

**** Spinach is NOT a good source of iron. Spinach contains about as much iron as any green vegetable, but it also contains oxalic acid which blocks about 90% of the iron from being absorbed.

Iron-Rich Foods

Food	Serving Size	Iron Content (mg)
Cereal, ready to eat, fortified	1 cup	1 to 16
Clams, canned	1/4 cup	11.2
Beef liver, fried	3 oz	5.3
Braunschweiger	2 oz	5.3
Molasses, blackstrap	1 tablespoon	5.0
Baked Beans	1 cup	5.0
Oysters, cooked	1 oz	3.8
Baked potato, with skin	1	2.8
Soup, lentil and ham	1 cup	2.6
Burrito, bean	1	2.5
Soup, beef noodle	1 cup	2.4
Rice, white, enriched	1 cup	2.3
Ground beef, lean	3 oz	1.8
Apricots, dried halves	10	1.7
Bread, whole wheat	1 slice	1.2
Broccoli, fresh cooked	1/2 cup	0.7
Egg	1	0.7

Also, Vitamin C enhances iron absorption from plant sources, so it is a good idea to drink orange juice with iron-rich foods. Keep in mind that drinking tea with meals can act as an iron blocker. Other iron blockers include carbonates, oxalates, and phosphates. Foods that contain these iron blockers include cranberries, rhubarb, spinach, and soda.

MSG and the Butterfly

Butterfly has been having headaches for the past several years. We knew that dehydration and not eating regularly would give her headaches, but we finally realized that she'd get them after eating certain foods, too. Reading food labels led us to realize that MSG was a problem. We tested this theory over and over and realized that MSG-laden "foods" ALWAYS gave her headaches. Of course, we cut out everything containing MSG as much as we could, but she'd still occasionally get them.

This year the headaches have ramped up to migraine-like, debilitating, vomit-inducing, stay_in_a_dark_room_and_cry type of headaches. They seemed to occur every time she ate school lunch or school breakfast. They didn't happen when she ate home-cooked meals and snacks, only when she ate junk food or processed food (are they the same thing?) and now school "food".

So Butterfly is no longer allowed to eat school prepared meals. I am amazed that there's so much processed food served at school (chicken patties and nuggets, pizza, hamburgers, fish burgers, etc.) - apparently they are all made with MSG of some sort.

Butterfly still gets to have comfort foods; musubi, oven-fried chicken, peanut butter sandwiches, pizza, and stuff like that - but they are all homemade and I KNOW the food has no glutamates of any sort in them. She also gets fruit and vegetables, cheese sticks, yogurt, salads, and desserts (as you can imagine, there are a lot of brownies, chocolate cake, and chocolate chip cookies.) I'm pretty sure she eats healthier when the food comes from home. The bonus is NO HEADACHES!

After researching glutamates and MSG in particular, I am now realizing why she might still be getting some of those headaches: I'm missing the "hidden" sources of MSG. She got another headache this afternoon after eating potato chips that doesn't list MSG, but does list torula yeast. I thought I was doing a good job of giving her something safe to eat. Ha! Wikipedia defines torula yeast like this: Torula, in its inactive form (usually labeled as torula yeast), is widely used as a flavouring in processed foods and pet foods. It is produced from wood sugars, as a by-product of paper production. It is pasteurized and spray-dried to produce a fine, light grayish-brown powder with a slightly yeasty odor and gentle, slightly meaty taste.

The following quote is taken from The Health Ranger, "If you're looking for hidden forms of MSG chemicals on food labels, look for yeast extract and torula yeast, and anything that is hydrolyzed or autolyzed. Autolyzed or hydrolyzed vegetable proteins are also hidden sources of MSG, according to Dr. Russell Blaylock, author of "Excitotoxins," and perhaps the world's top expert on neurotoxic substances found in the food supply."

So I'm going to have to do a better job of reading labels and, of course, making most of our food from scratch so I'm sure of what ingredients are going into our meals. I'll now be posting snack food recipes along with the main course recipes and desserts.

Here's a little more info on glutamates:

Most people who are affected by glutamates will experience symptoms shortly after eating foods containing MSG. Typical symptoms include numbness on the back of the neck, shoulders and arms; people can have a sense of generalized weakness, and heart palpitations can occur. Other symptoms include facial pressure, headaches, nausea, chest pain and drowsiness.

What Foods to Avoid This website has a HUGE listing of fast foods, processed foods and the companies that intentionally hide MSG in their food products.

Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG :

Monosodium Glutamate, Autolyzed Yeast, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Protein, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein, Plant Protein Extract, Sodium Caseinate, Calcium Caseinate, Yeast Extract, Textured Protein (Including TVP), Hydrolyzed Oat Flour, Corn Oil

Food Additives That FREQUENTLY Contain MSG:

Malt Extract, Malt Flavoring, Bouillon, Broth, Stock Flavoring, Natural Flavors/Flavoring, Natural Beef Or Chicken Flavoring, Seasoning, Spices, Maltodextrin and Whey Protein

Food Additives That MAY Contain MSG:

Carrageenan, Enzymes, Soy Protein Isolate, Soy Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Concentrate

Read more: http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/msg-reaction.html#ixzz0jvCTDJdq