DIY Homemade Natural Herbal Foot Soak

I am an avid heel wearer and in the summer I live in sandals plus I do a lot of walking. By the end of the day, my feet are tired (and living in a big city, not always the cleanest!). I like to end the day by soaking my feet in a therapeutic and cleansing mini-bath. I usually buy natural foot soak salts (my favorite is Earth Therapeutics, see below) but since I have an abundance of herbs in my garden right now I thought I would try making my own. I love the scent of fresh rosemary and lemon balm and since both have good cleansing and aromatherapy qualities, I am using these first. The smell of these two herbs together as I poured boiling water over them was so soothing and pleasant that I think I may try a facial steam with them too! I also purchased some pharmaceutical grade tea tree oil for added benefit, though it is not necessary.

Here is my recipe:
Ingredients
2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
3-4 sprigs of fresh lemon balm
1/4 cup of epsom or sea salt (I also used course Kosher salt)
1-2 drops of tea tree oil
enough water to fill your foot soak tub or bucket to cover your ankles

Pour about 2 cups of boiling water over a few branches of rosemary and lemon balm and let sit for about 20 minutes to cool.

The hot water will release some of the fragrant and medicinal natural oils in the herbs.

Add 1/4 cup of the salt. Add warm water and the rosemary water and test to make sure the temperature is good for you.

Add a few drops of the tea tree oil (it is pretty strong so only 1-3 will do!)

Soak feet for 15 minutes or so.
If you don't have lemon balm you can substitute with some fresh lemon zest shavings or even lemon slices.

Following your soak with a little scrub using a pumice brush or sugar rub also helps get rid of dead skin. I also like to use a little peppermint lotion afterward to cool and refresh while retaining moisture. Burt's Bees makes an excellent peppermint foot lotion that really cools feet after a long hot day. Made with natural ingredients like peppermint oil, coconut oil, beeswax, tea tree oil and witch hazel, this lotion is a great way to naturally pamper your feet!

You can purchase Burt's Bees at Amazon.com at a great price by selecting Subscribe and Save to receive up to 20% off - Click here: Burt's Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion, 3.38 Fluid Ounces

If you don't make your own foot soak, check out Earth Therapeutics Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak. The scent is lightly minty but not over powering. One capful of salts does a great job at softening rough skin.

Purchase this foot soak here: Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak 10 oz

Enjoy!

Prepare for Cold Season with this Natural Flu Shot Recipe

Last year my whole family was struck down by the flu and multiple severe colds. After spending all of the holiday season sick last year I am determined to do whatever it takes to prevent the same from happening this year! So when I woke up this morning with a stuffy nose and mildly sore throat, I dug up a recipe that a good friend sent me last year (after I had been sick on and off for nearly 2 months!). This recipe has been spread across the internet but I tried it last year and felt it worked so I'm trying it again.

I made this in my blender by juicing the lemons, adding 3 cups of frozen pineapple chunks (couldn't find pineapple juice - don't know why but the frozen pineapple worked great!) and adding several cloves of garlic (I found that the garlic is pretty strong so if you are scared off by the thought of consuming a whole bulb of garlic, start with a little). Then I added the honey, cayenne pepper and grated FRESH ginger, which I really prefer as it tastes great. Blended until smooth and drank 1 cup.

It is powerful but very refreshing! The pineapple really add sweetness and you can start with just a little cayenne pepper then add more depending on how hot you can stand it. As I drank it, I felt that the garlic and cayenne really went to work fast and probably killed any germ, cold or flu bug that could exist in my throat!
If you can't read the photo above, here are the ingredients:

Ingredients

6	lemons - use the juice only
1	bulb garlic (not clove, the whole cluster of garlic cloves)
2 tsp	grated ginger (or dry ginger powder)
3 c	pineapple juice
1/4 tsp	cayenne pepper
2 Tbs	honey

 Blend all ingredients thoroughly and store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Take 1 cup 4 times a day until symptoms are resolved.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Stay healthy,
Sprout

Feel Better with Natural Cold Care #ecowed

Feel Better Naturally!

It's that time of year again... cold and flu season. Protecting yourself against the inevitable by getting enough sleep, eating right and reducing stress never seems like enough when you get sick... So I thought I would share five great natural remedies that will help you get by and make you feel better - NATURALLY.



1. Boiron Coldcalm
Take Coldcalm at the First Sign of colds! Coldcalm temporarily relieves cold symptoms such as sneezing, runny rose, nasal congestion and minor sore throat. It is a homeopathic medicine that works naturally and is Fast-acting when taken at the onset of symptoms.  Coldcalm does not have side effects,  drug interactions, or contraindications, and does not just "mask" symptoms  This is a Non-drowsy formula and is regulated as a OTC (Over the Counter) drug by the FDA.  Amazon's current price is an unbelievable $8.25 for a 3-pack plus you can save even more by signing up for "Subscribe and Save". Click here to buy now
Boiron Homeopathic Medicine Coldcalm Tablets for Colds, 60-Count Boxes (Pack of 3)

2. Ricola Cough Drops
Great tasting. Naturally soothing and refreshing. Ricola Sugar Free Lemon Mint throat drops combine refreshing, natural Lemon Mint and Ricola's delicious mixture of Swiss alpine herbs. For over 75 years, Ricola has been making pleasant tasting natural herbal products for natural relief of the discomfort due to sore throat and minor irritation due to coughs, hoarseness, dry throat, and loss of voice. Ricola is nature's way of calming coughs and soothing sore throats. This item is also offered through Subscribe and Save from Amazon - Ricola Cough Drops, Natural Herb , 21 Drops (Pack of 12)

3. Bioron Chestal Cough Syrup
Chestal Cough Syrup is an effective homeopathic cough syrup that naturally brings relief to a wide array of coughs. Safe and natural, with no side effects, Chestal treats all kinds of coughs, does not interact with other medications, does not contain stimulants, non-drowsy, great honey taste, honey and sugar base soothes the throat.  I like it because it tastes great and works well!


4. Traditional Medicinals Tea
Nothing is more soothing than a cup of herbal tea - especially when you are sick.  Traditional Medicinals has an incredibly great line of organic teas that are highly effective, taste great and even are produced with solar power!  Try this sampler that includes Throat Coat, Echinacea Plus, Breathe Easy, and Gypsy Cold Care varieties.  This is also available by the case (of 6) with Subscribe and Save to save more:
Traditional Medicinals Seasonal Herb Tea Sampler 16-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)


5. Nature's Way Echinacea Supplements
Echinacea herb supports the Immune System and promotes general well-being in cold and flu season. Echinacea (comon name is Purple Coneflower) grows wild in the midwest, and was used by Plains Indians more than any other herb. Echinacea supplements are a great preventative measure to help boost your immune system before you get a cold, but it may also help during a cold as well.  (Please discuss this with your doctor before taking)  Amazon also offers this item through Subscribe and Save!

For more homeopathic children's remedies, check out my past post:
http://sprout5.blogspot.com/2010/06/top-5-homeopathic-natural-remedies.html 

Have a great week and Be Well!
~ Sprout

Stock up the pantry with these organic deals!

Organic products make far less impact on the Earth as no synthetic pesticides fertilizers or antibiotics are used and no chemicals are added to the food afterwards. It means less pollution in your world and in your body. Organic goes further towards giving you what nature intended--clean, pure, and real food.  Amazon.com offers hundreds of great organic products at fantastic prices, especially small bulk items to fill your pantry in preparation of the new school year!

Here are a handful of products at some amazing prices to get your school year off to a great start:

• Nature's Path Organic Mesa Sunrise Cereal, 10.6-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6) only $14.22 - grab this now while supplies last!


• Annie's Homegrown Organic Vegan Fruit Snacks Variety Pack 24 Pouches only $12.91 


•  Earth's Best Kidz Organic Apple Sauce Cup, 6-Count 4-Ounce Units (Pack of 6)  $18.35 when ordered thru Subscribe and Save


• Cascadian Farm Organic Chewy Granola Bar, Chocolate Chip, 6-Count Boxes (Pack of 6) $21.03 when ordered thru Subscribe and Save 


• Barbara's Bakery Puffins, Peanut Butter & Chocolate, 10.5-Ounce (Pack of 4) only $13.76 when ordered thru Subscribe and Save

 

If you can't go organic, at least choose these "Clean 15" healthy foods

The Environmental Working Group just released it's 2012 "Clean 15" list of fruits and vegetables with the lowest pesticide contamination.  With the economy as it is today, many people feel that organic produce may not fit into the budget and are buying more conventional items.  The good news is this list of Clean 15 items will allow you to safely eat produce and not blow your budget.  We grow our own as much as possible on our balcony in NYC (like the peas in the photo to the left!) but I admit that we have been buying more conventional produce lately so sticking to this list will help.

For more info, read this article from The Huffington Post. 

Here is their list:

Clean 15™

Lowest in Pesticide

1Onions

2Sweet Corn

3Pineapples

4Avocado

5Cabbage

6Sweet peas

7Asparagus

8Mangoes

9Eggplant

10Kiwi

11Cantaloupe - domestic

12 Sweet potatoes

13Grapefruit

14Watermelon

15Mushrooms

 Source: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

Get a Free Green & Natural filled goodie bag from Drugstore.com

Get a free sample-filled tote ($40 value) with any $30 purchase in the green and natural department at drugstore.com! Offer ends 06.30.2012 or while supplies last.
Help save the environment by carrying this Nordic Naturals tote and get a TON of samples when you spend $30 in our green and natural department. The samples come from top natural brands like KIND, Seventh Generation, Yes to Carrots, and more! Offer good while supplies last so hurry on over to Drugstore.com now and fill up your cart with Green and Natural products.
 I just received my order and was surprised to see how many samples (some full sized!) were in the tote bag... 4 different fruit/nut type bars (Kind, Zone-perfect, Luna and Nogii), shampoo and conditioner, a full sized bar of De-Lux rosemary-mint soap, samples of hand lotion and vitamin drink mix... lots of goodies!

* please note that this offer is only good while supplies last; only one offer per household may be redeemed.  Offer will automatically be placed in your cart once you have reached $30 of items from the Green and Natural department but you need to click the link above (first lines of this post) to activate the promo or click here.
Enjoy!

More great GREEN deals:
Save 20% on babyganics at drugstore.com! Offer ends 06.29.2012.
Save 20% on Method hand wash at drugstore.com! Offer ends 06.29.2012.