An ancient Ayurvedic Proverb says "If the diet is wrong, medicine will be of no use.. If the diet is correct there will be no need for medicine". 

To be honest, it is completely true. When we eat extremely processed foods, we aren't nourishing our bodies properly. If we fill ourselves full of antioxidants, it won't be too common that we will get sick! 

When you have a cold or a sinus infection, mix honey, peppercorns, thyme, mint, turmeric, and garlic together and cook them down on low. It will clear up the problems in no time! I will eventually post some step by step instructions on how to make homemade drug-free cough syrups. 

Many ailments can be easily treated with food and food products. If you are suffering from a headache, drink a glass of lemon water or lemon water with cayenne. If you are having problems with sinus drainage or PNS make yourself the master cleanse drink, 1/4 C Pure Maple Syrup, 1/4 C Organic Lemon Juice, 1 Tsp Cayenne Pepper, and 1 Quart of water. Not only will it boost your metabolism, but it will cut through the mucus.  If you are having problems with constipation, make yourself some coconut oil candies, or homemade granola, or juice some apples & carrots, or eat some apples & celery. If you are suffering from vertigo, make yourself the detox water, 1 organic cucumber, 15-20 mint leaves, 1 organic lemon sliced, and 1 inch of ginger and 1 liter of water. If you are suffering from insomnia make yourself a smoothie with tart cherries & coconut milk or you can have some lavender tea. 

The list goes on and on! You can also add in supplements to help yourself feel better on a daily basis. Sometimes medical intervention is needed, by that I mean conventional medicine. In cases such as surgery or other emergent things. I will never be the naturopath that tells you that you should never go to a doctor- after all I am friends with doctors and we all can learn from each other. If naturopathic & conventional medicine would work together we could help so many people!!

Bursitis can be a very painful and unfriendly condition to have. It is most common in the shoulders, knees, and elbows-- but it can be everywhere- even the big toe!

Conventional treatment (when you see a MD) usually includes physical therapy and pain killers & anti inflammatory prescription drugs which are hard on the stomach. Sometimes your doctor may even want to do a series of steroid injections- which can lead to many problems. Obviously before starting any treatment at home- please consult a health care professional.

Naturopathic Treatments you can do yourself:

--Apply DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) <--- recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil.  DMSO is a chemical that is made from wood pulp that you put on your skin. It penetrates the skin and promotes healing to the areas. You would use 70% solution and apply it with a cotton ball 3 times daily for about 3 or 4 days. If the pain begins to subside, then only apply it 2 times daily.

--Ginger Capsules
A natural anti inflammatory and pain reliever

--Apple Cider Vinegar
You can do tons of things with Apple Cider Vinegar. For this treatment you would soak a cloth in apple cider vinegar, then you would wrap your knee or elbow with it and leave it on for about 30 minutes.

--Apple Cider Vinegar & Molasses Drink
I know it sounds gross, but it is a powerful anti inflammatory & pain reliever. People have reported feeling better the same day they drank it. What you do is combine 2 TBSP of ACV, 1 TBSP Black Strap Molasses, and 1 Cup of Luke Warm Water.

--Peppermint Oil Massage
You can massage the area with peppermint oil--- or have someone else rub it and get yourself a little TLC

--Silica Tablets under the tongue
Silica 6X is a cell salt that you can buy at a health food store or online. You take 5 tablets under the tongue 4-5 times a day. Silica is the internal surgeon and it helps heal ailments all over the body. It is even really good for treating acne & boils.

--Rest
--Ice (for the first time you feel the pain)
--Alternating Ice & Moist Heat
--Eat lots of acid forming foods to cure Calcium Deposits that can form from this condition


~~Good Luck!~~

It is that time of year again to begin canning! As promised I said I would post some quick canning recipes for everyone!

I have posted before about changing up your daily workout. Well every couple of months I like to post what new workouts I have been doing at the gym along with a photo of my progress! 

If you have been following my workouts keep up the good work!! If you are just starting- don't get discouraged if you feel tired, sore, or out of breath-- it means it is working and you are working hard! So here is how my gym workout goes now:

20 minute run (speed intervals- jog 5.3 mph, run 6.2 mph, incline 2.2)
15 minute bike (manual)
25 minute elliptical (rolling hills, level 7)

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Squats (50 lb bar-- 3 sets of 15 parallel squats) (50 lb bar-- 3 sets of 15 barbell jump squats)
Lunges (2, 15 lb dumbells-- 3 sets of 20 lunges (each side))
Leg Press (75 lb resistance, 3 sets of 20)

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Crunches (3 sets of 50)
Bicycle Crunches with resistance band (3 sets of 25)
Crunches -- legs flat on floor (3 sets of 25)
Crunches -- legs at 90 degree angle (3 sets of 50)

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Forearm Curl (15 lb bar-- 3 sets 15)
Cable Bicep Curl (25-30 lb-- 3 sets of 15)
Triceps pull down with pulley (25-30 lb- 3 sets of 15)
Push ups (2 sets of 10) 




Good Luck!! Don't forget to stay hydrated during and to stretch before and after working out!!