Oil pulling

I have been oil pulling for a while now and recommend it. I also recommend buying a copper tongue scraper to get rid of ama (undigested food that turns toxic when reabsorbed back into body - this looks like a white mucous covering the tongue first thing in the morning). These are bought from ayurvedic practitioners. In NZ Ayurveda Planet sells them online and so does Gerald Lopez. Toothbrushes are not as effective.

Back to oil pulling...

My friend has a plaque problem and used to go to hygenist every 3 months. After oil pulling, the hygenist said, 'I don't know what you have been doing, but you don't need to come back so often now - you don't have plaque.'

She had been oil pulling and said that was the only different thing that she had introduced.

The Single Most Effective Ayurvedic Practice for Your Mouth

By Ashley Pitman

Do you ever wish you could brighten those pearly whites without chemicals?

Almost everyone I know who cares about their body is eager to find ways to get positive results without sacrificing the integrity of their own well-being and the well-being of our lovely planet. 

That means those bleach trays and teeth whitening products on the market don't exactly qualify. They have you ingesting boatloads of toxins like coal tars, fluorides, aspartame, aluminum and benzene.

So, if having a healthy mouth and brighter, whiter teeth is a priority for you, but ingesting carcinogens are not, you're going to love oil pulling.

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic ritual where you swish oil (like coconut oil, sesame oil or sunflower oil) around in your mouth for about 20 minutes and then spit it out.

Dr. Bruce Fife, whose written an entire book on oil pulling, says the oil acts like a cleanser.

"When you put it in your mouth and work it around your teeth and gums it “pulls” out bacteria and other debris. As simple as it is, oil pulling has a very powerful detoxifying effect. Our mouths are the home to billions of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites and their toxins. Candida and Streptococcus are common residents in our mouths. It is these types of germs and their toxic waste products that cause gum disease and tooth decay and contribute to many other health problems including arthritis and heart disease. Our immune system is constantly fighting these troublemakers. If our immune system becomes overloaded or burdened by excessive stress, poor diet, environmental toxins and such, these organisms can spread throughout the body causing secondary infections and chronic inflammation, leading to any number of health problems.”

Although there's no scientific evidence to support these claims, there are 3,000 years worth of personal testimonials from people India and a growing number of testimonials from people in the U.S.

I was personally inspired to start doing it about a year ago to help repair some of the damage I had done to my mouth and teeth from a decade of having an eating disorder. The most noticeable effects for me have been whiter teeth, healthier gums and more clear skin. It's been a great addition to my morning routine!

When done daily this practice is incredibly effective for:

• Brightening & whitening teeth
• Healthier gums
• Removal of mucus
• Boosting the immune system
• Preventing bad breath
• Increasing energy
• Having a clearer mind
• Decreasing headaches
• Clearing the sinuses
• Alleviating allergies
• Better sleep
• More clearer skin
• Regulating menstrual cycles
• Decreasing inflammation
• Improving the lymphatic system
• Improving PMS symptoms

How to oil pull:

• Drink 1 cup of water on an empty stomach.
• Melt 1-3 tsp. of organic, cold-pressed vegetable oil (I like coconut oil the best) in your mouth or over very low heat in a double boiler.
• Swish through your mouth for 20 minutes while you’re busy doing something else. The first few times my gag reflexes reared themselves and it was a little difficult keeping the oil in my mouth, but I persisted and by the third day it was fine. If you have this problem too, I recommend sticking with it.
• Spit into trash, compost or outside in the grass (just not in the sink - we don’t want to clog the pipes).
• Swish water through your mouth to rinse.

Take Action Now:

• Get yourself some oil and try oil pulling tomorrow morning (I do it while I'm walking my dog).
• Leave a comment below with any thoughts, tips or ideas on the topic.
• Let your friends and family in on the oil pulling secret by sharing this post!

Published May 22, 2012 at 3:20 PM

About Ashley Pitman
As a Wellness Educator, Cleanse Specialist crusader for whole-body nourishment, Ashley Pitman supports thousands of people in achieving a hot body and radiant beauty with a blend of raw food education, Ayurvedic inspiration, guided detoxes courses, and lots of loving encouragement. All the action takes place at Vixi.com, a digital ashram for wellness-inspired people looking to use food as medicine and health as a spiritual practice. Stay devoted to your radiance and well-being by joining the free weekly newsletter with health and lifestyle tips that work. Click here to join and claim a free gift.

Food Combinations made easy

I thought this article made food combinations easy to understand. And I like the way she has recipes using good food combinations.

7 Food Combinations That WON'T Wreak Havoc on Your Health

By Ashley Pitman

If you've ever felt bloated, burpy, gassy, fatigue or even heartburn after a meal, chances are you're guilty of bad food combining.

 

With a few simple tweaks to your diet, proper food pairing can have you experiencing more energy, better skin, better sleep and natural weight loss within a couple of days. And, believe it or not, you don't have to be a vegan, vegetarian or raw foodie to do get results. 

 

The gist of food combining is that different types of foods digest at different rates. When you eat several foods that digest at different rates your digestion gets out of whack and things begin to rot and ferment in your body. This "sludge" turns into stored toxins. And, when your body can't digest food properly it misses out on being able to absorb the nutrients in food leaving you with low energy, breakouts and poor sleep. It's an all around bad deal. 

All food combining guidelines take into account the speed at which food digests. Fruit digests the quickest, then greens, then non-starchy vegetables, then starches and then, digesting the slowest, is protein. Eating foods in the correct order (according their transit times) ensures a traffic jam-free (and toxin-free) digestive tract. 

 

When you get the combining right, your body gets to use the nutrients in the food. This leaves you with more energy, which inevitably equals more beauty. 

Here are the food combining basics:

• Starches Veggies = OK
• Proteins Veggies = OK
• Proteins Starches = No No
• Plant Proteins Plant Proteins = OK
• Animal Proteins Animal Proteins = No No
• Starches Starches = OK
• Fats Proteins = No No (or pair moderately)
• Fats Carbohydrates = OK
• Fats Starches = OK
• Fruits are best eaten on an empty stomach
• Fruit Raw greens = OK (except melons)

All of these guidelines can seem overwhelming at first, but it's really quite simple to find meals that work. As a compliment to the lovely Nadya Andreeva's post, '10 Common Food Combinations that Wreck Havoc on Your Health', here are 7 Food Combinations That Won't Wreak Havoc on Your Health: 

1. Avocado sushi rolls - Avocado is a fat and rice is a starch.

2. Baked chicken with broccoli - Eat the broccoli first because it's a non-starchy vegetable, which digests quicker than chicken, which is a protein. 

3. Pasta Primavera - Pasta is a starch and the rest of the ingredients are veggies. 

4. Salad with guacamole and corn chips - Eat the salad and guacamole first because they're veggies, then the corn chips, which are a starch. 

5. Green salad and grilled fish - Eat the salad first, which is a plant veggie, and then fish second, which is an animal protein. 

6. Apple, followed by scrambled eggs twenty minutes later - The fruit goes first because it digests the quickest, protein comes second because it digests the slowest. 

7. Steak with lightly sautéed spinach - Eat the spinach first because it's a veggie, then the steak, which is an animal protein. 

I invite you to try a couple of these meals this week OR switch up the order in which you're eating your current meals. Remember, fruits go first, followed by greens, non-starchy vegetables, starches and protein. 

Please leave a comment below. What has been your experience with food combining? Does it make a difference?

Published February 2, 2012 at 10:30 AM

About Ashley Pitman
As a Wellness Educator, Cleanse Specialist crusader for whole-body nourishment, Ashley Pitman supports thousands of people in achieving a hot body and radiant beauty with a blend of raw food education, Ayurvedic inspiration, guided detoxes courses, and lots of loving encouragement. All the action takes place at Vixi.com, a digital ashram for wellness-inspired people looking to use food as medicine and health as a spiritual practice. Stay devoted to your radiance and well-being by joining the free weekly newsletter with health and lifestyle tips that work. Click here to join and claim a free gift.

More from Ashley Pitman on MindBodyGreen

Why You Should Ditch Dairy for Better Health
The Single Most Effective Ayurvedic Practice for Your Mouth
Why You Should Drink Warm Water & Lemon
Raw Chocolate Recipes for Valentine's Day
Align with Your Daily Ayurvedic Rhythm

Grand daughter at Olympic Closing

Cinnamon and Honey Benefits - Amazing!

 A dear friend swears by taking cinnamon each day for his diabetes and believes it has lowered his blood sugar levels dramatically over the past year.

Honey is also highly regarded in Ayurveda, unless it is heated, when it becomes unhealthy. Honey is said to be the best sweetener from nature.

So when I read this, I could see how it could be so true and may be of benefit to share with others. So here goes...

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Cinnamon and Honey Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing" When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water,turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey. Cinnamon and Honey Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists: HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins. ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain. BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.. CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol. COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses. UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root. GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas. IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases. INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals. INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu. LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.. PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root. SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections. WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet. CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day. FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week. BAD BREATH: People of South America , first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day. HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

 

 

understanding a baby's cry

My daughter Hollie is so excited about finding this CD. It shows how babies have different sounds for communicating different needs and when you hear the sound you know what the baby needs. She is finding it magical for a settled baby. When Hollie shared the CD with her friends - they were also amazed - so thought it may help other mums.
This is what Hollie wrote about it...

Highly recommend this cd "Dunstan BABY LANGUAGE". Babies do talk - now we can listen. The natural,baby centric method to a more secure,attached and happier infant. The Cd teaches 3 basic sounds our babies use when expressing their needs. It's awesome I can understand my own and friends babies needs too:-)

a new grand daughter

What a beautiful grand daughter I have just been given - born Saturday night at 10.44pm. Such a lovely birth with dim light, meditation CD playing, lavender oil burning, supportive positive midwife and helper, Hollie's husband and me. No pain relief - a natural birth because Hollie was so focused on her breathing and in tune with her body and her baby. Witnessing a birth must be one of the most spiritual experiences in life - how special to be a new born baby's guardian and watch them grow and flourish.

better sleep for baby!

Something that may be of interest to new mums - makes a lot of sense.

An Online Sleep Tool for you

I went to see Dr Alex Bartle speak about infant sleep the other week. I have heard him speak on the topic before about the many ways to help infants, and ultimately, maternal sleep. I did learn something new - it is a great idea to take your baby and toddler out in the morning for a walk to a park. Apparently, blue and green natural light helps the circadian rhythm kick in as it increases the melanin levels in the body. This means that the child’s brain registers very clearly that this is the morning and by the time the sun goes down in the evening they will be naturally tired and sleepy. Bright indoor lights just don’t give the same result