Digestive Bitters: Not just a digestive aide

As we evolved as humans our bodies were used to eating lots of bitter foods.  At this time, a bitter tasting food sent a warning signal to the brain that you were consuming something toxic.  This activated the digestive enzymes enabling the food to be broken down and digested effectively.  These days our diets are composed of primarily sweet and salty, not so much the bitter.  This leads to the sluggish digestion, and its side effects (i.e. gas, bloating, heartburn) that is so prevalent today.  The solution?  Digestive Bitters.

Digestive Bitters have been around for a long time.  Used early on as a healing tonic, it evolved into the very definition of the "cocktail" as bartenders discovered its ability to mellow out the harsh flavor of certain liquors.  A digestive bitter is usually formulated of a blend of roots, herbs, barks, fruit peels, seeds, spices and flowers infused in a high-proof alcohol.  It works as a kind of all-purpose digestive aide as it not only helps with problems of gas and bloating, but can also restore a hydrochloric acid balance in your stomach.

Bitters are a trigger for the digestive system, like a work-out.  They challenge it, help keep it toned.  And you don't even have to injest it to achieve the benefits, simply swishing a digestive bitter around in your mouth will stimulate your digestive enzymes.  But this is not all a digestive bitter can accomplish.  Taken internally bitters can also work as a mild detox, maintain healthy liver fiction, healthy skin, and blood sugar balance.

At the Co-op we carry Urban Moonshine's wonderful line of digestive bitters, all USDA certified organic.  I put about a dropper full in a glass of sparkling water and drink this before or after meals to stimulate digestion.  But there are many other ways to use bitters, here is my favorite:

Bitters Vinaigrette

3/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup white wine, cider, or balsamic vinegar

1 TBLS. lemon juice

1 TBLS. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. Urban Moonshine bitters
1 tsp. fresh thyme

                         Salt & pepper to taste

                         Combine all ingredients, shake to emulsify.

Sunscreen: Water Resistance

Because no sunscreen is 100% impervious to moisture, the FDA no longer allows a product to claim itself “waterproof” or “sweat proof” without proper testing.  Sunscreens on the U.S. market today can now only claim “Water Resistant (40 minutes)” or “Water Resistant (80 minutes)” after conducting this 3rd party test:  the appropriate amount of sunscreen is applied to a person’s arm then submerged in Jacuzzi-like conditions for 40 or 80 minutes (in intervals of 10 minutes in and 10 minutes out), then the SPF levels are measured.  If the amount of sunscreen left on the arm still protects at the SPF listed for the product, it is allowed the water resistant claim.

This does not mean you can stay in the water for 40 or 80 minutes, it simply means that after 40 minutes (or 80 minutes) the SPF may start to decline and you need to reapply to maintain that SPF.  It is always recommended that you reapply after swimming, sweating or towel drying.

Enjoy the sun!

Sunscreen and Nanoparticles

Summer is finally here!  At least I think it's here.  This is the time of year that summer happens, but it hasn't been feeling much like it.  Nevertheless, I have been spending all my free time in the garden.  And even if it's cold or cloudy, sunscreen is necessary.

I was not blessed with naturally tan skin, I am one of those people that burn within minutes of sun exposure. Rain or shine I have to apply lots of sunscreen and by a landslide my favorite sunscreen this summer is Badger's SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion.   I love Badger sunscreens because they are one of the safest sunscreen on the market today.  They are biodegradable, reef-safe, broad spectrum, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and made of non-nano uncoated zinc oxide.

Nanoparticles are defined as particles smaller than 100 nanometers, or 100 billionths of a meter.  The controversy surrounding these particles of late stems from their small size and their possible potential for absorption through the skin into the bloodstream.

Chemical sunscreen ingredients are molecular in size and therefore significantly smaller than nanoparticles. They are designed to be absorbed by the skin, so they can get into the blood.  I love Badger sunscreens because all of their sunscreens are composed of non-nano uncoated zinc oxide which sits atop the skin, scattering and absorbing UVA & UVB rays.  According to all known studies pertaining to zinc oxide (nano or non-nano), this naturally occurring mineral has never been known to penetrate healthy human skin!

Sweet Orange Oil

I live deep in the woods, so as we head into bug season I am always on the lookout for a new, natural way to keep bugs out of my house.  I recently ran across an article in Mother Earth Living on how to repel pests naturally in your home.  What struck me was a recipe for a natural window cleaner that can repel insects.  I like this recipe because if you notice: all those pesky flying bugs (i.e. mosquito's, cluster flies, etc..) all flock to the windows.  This works very well at keeping them at bay:

Natural Insect-repellent Glass Cleaner

2 cups white vinegar

10 drops sweet orange essential oil

Add to a labeled spray bottle and use to clean windows and mirrors.  Shake well before each use.

I decided to do some research on the aromatherapy aspects of orange oil and discovered a lot of other great uses for it.  I won't list them all here (because there are many), but what I found the most interesting to all of us up here trying to survive this very long winter is that it helps alleviate: chronic fatique syndrome, depression, fear, mental exhaustion, nervous tension, stress, premenstrual syndrome, seasonal effective disorder and it inspires creativity!  

According to "Aromatherapy for Everyone" by PJ Pierson and Mary Shipley, they recommend 2-3 drops in a diffuser, or 8-10 drops in your bath to help alleviate these conditions.  I was thinking that if you are already cleaning your windows with this versatile oil it seems you would still be gaining the aromatherapeutic properties while ridding your house of pesky insects!

A True Superfood: Moringa

I start every morning with a protein shake complete with a healthy dose of powdered greens.  I am used to the usual mix of greens: spinach, broccoli, chlorella, spirulina, etc.  So I was very interested when a new powdered green hit the market.

Moringa, native to India, is now being touted as the cure for malnutrition worldwide.  Gram for gram, it has more B12 than a steak, more vitamin A than eggs, and more calcium than milk!  And it can be harvested every 45-60 days during the warm seasons.  It also holds a spectrum of trace minerals, vitamins, amino acids,  and antioxidants.  In India, Moringa was traditionally eaten as a vegetable for stamina and strength.  Now it is believed to protect the liver, boost immunity, support healthy blood sugar levels, heart health.... the list goes on and on.

Here at the Co-op our Moringa comes from the Organic India company where  it is sustainably harvested and organically grown.  With over 96 nutrients and 46 antioxidants it truly is a Superfood.

Award winning Supplements

As we all know, deciding on the right supplement can be a very difficult process, but Delicious Living magazine is here to help!  They understand that sometimes it feels as if you need a degree in medicine to choose the right supplement, so every year they hold the Delicious Living Supplement Awards. The best quality supplements are researched for innovation, effectiveness and the science behind their ingredients.  A panel of readers, experienced retailers, editors and medical experts then decide the winners.  I wanted to pass on some of the award winners that we carry in our store and why they are considered the best supplements on the market today.

BEST MULTIVITAMIN: Natural Vitality Organic Life Vitamin
This supplement is great for so many reasons.  It contains a perfect balance of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It has an organic fruit base, contains the soothing properties of aloe juice, and its a liquid!  So it is easier for your body to assimilate.

BEST KIDS HEALTH: Nordic Omega-3 Jellies
At 250mg of fish oil, this is quite a power-packed supplement for kids. So many kids supplements contain sugar, I give this one to my kids because it is sugar-free.  It is also free of gluten, dairy and artificial colors and flavors.




We also carry a couple of products that received honorable mentions this year:

BEST STRESS RELIEF (Honorable Mention): Natural Vitality Calm

BEST VEGAN (Honorable Mention): MegaFood Vegan B-12

SkinFare SkinCare

Inspired by her two years in Bali, Indonesia and the birth of her daughter, SkinFare founder Kara Errickson created a wonderful line of organic skincare sticks.  I am always on the look-out for a great company devoted to quality ingredients and sustainable practices-you get both with SkinFare.
Handmade in Asheville, North Carolina, these salves in stick form are composed of  USDA certified organic ingredients and the packaging is made from recycled paper.  SkinFare skincare sticks can be your all-purpose first aid ointment as they help with everything from dryness and chafing to skin issues such as burns, bruises and bug bites.

 The four core ingredients are coconut oil (for its anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties), palm fruit oil (for its antioxidant components), beeswax (impervious to water and mildew, perfect for stabilizing individual oils), and castor oil (helps retain moisture).
These healing salves  come in five different varieties.  In addition to the four core ingredients, each variety is comprised of a different set of constituents to satisfy all types of skin conditions:

Apothecary Prime

Heal, Soothe, Clarify

This wonderful salve made of sage, chamomile and thyme promotes healing, reduces inflammation, and works to calm damaged, itchy skin while supporting scar reduction.

Heirloom Elixir

Invigorate, Tighten, Refresh

Composed of ginger, carrot and spearmint, these elements work together to help detoxify, calm irritated skin, and reduce pores.  The ginger has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, while the carrot (high in vitamin A) works to keep skin toned and healthy.  Spearmint has many aromatherapuetic components as well as being excellent for wound care. 

Thunder Cake

Energize, Relieve, Protect

Thunder Cake protects skin from environmental damage.  This is an excellent salve for care of those bug bites because the clove has a mild numbing quality.  The anise works as a natural painkiller and the nutmeg has anti-aging properties.

Topical Nourishment

Defend, Balance, Repair 

Comprised of palmarosa, rosemary and helichrysum, this skincare stick can work as a bug repellent.  It also stimulates tissue regeneration, hydrates skin, and helps bring nutrients to damaged areas by encouraging blood flow.

Verdant Remedy

Tones, Restore, Brighten

The Verdant Remedy contains basil, galbanum and bergamot.  It is effective for insect bites, brightening the skin and as support for maturing skin.

It's hard to pick a favorite among these five great products, because they can all be used interchangeably, but if I had to pick the one I'm loving now it would be the Topical Nourishment.  I use it often on my kids.  I've put it on their bruises, chafed skin from the cold weather, one pretty nasty scrape from a sledding incident.  I personally use it on burns, for dry skin, and as a lip balm.  It is perfect support for the harsh winter weather.  I have had a few people come tell me how great it is when out skiing.  It's perfectly portable, contains no water so it won't freeze on your skin and it really helps guard against the elements while improving the integrity of your skin.  And I love the packaging!  Because it has no plastic components and made of recycled paper it is 100% biodegradable.  You can recycle it, compost it, or chuck it in to the wood stove like I do.

I'll probably change it up for the summer.  The Verdant Remedy or the Thunder Cake seem perfect for the summer months because they are so beneficial for bug bite after-care but can still be used as an all-purpose salve.

We have testers out of all the different varieties of SkinFare sticks for you to try,  this way you can find a stick that suits your needs.  Come in and check them out and find a SkinFare stick that works for you.