natural

As your garden plan evolves this spring…or as you continue to sow…or at whatever stage your garden is, be sure to leave some room for a few beautiful, edible garnishes! There are dozens of edible flowers you could sow, and not only are they beautiful, but they add a vibrant pop of color to any summer dish – sweet or savory. Also, adding flowers to your garden – vegetable or not – is helpful to attract and support pollinator populations.

In a society offering increasingly more opportunities for movement – new activities and sports, travel and transport, technologies, etc. – quality time around the dinner table can sometimes fall low on one’s list of priorities.

...But it shouldn’t!

Today’s walk through Mother Earth’s Medicine Cabinet will lead us down a path to check out Pine Pollen. All pine trees produce this magnificent pollen that can be harvested or purchased at a health food store. The pollen is not actually pollen -- it is technically considered to be a form of seed. It isn’t packed with flavor but it has a light nutty taste.

Looking for more natural ways to wash those dirty clothes? Try organic soap nuts! Soap nuts, otherwise known as “soap berries," come from the Chinese Soapberry tree (Sapindus mukorossi). Although they look like nuts, they are actually dried fruit that is similar to lychee. Soap nuts are usually harvested after they drop from trees grown in the jungles of Indonesia or India. Soap nuts have various uses, and they can be used for cleaning more than just your laundry.

As spring really start to takes off – and then all of a sudden becomes full-fledged summer! – it can be all too tempting to frolic bare-legged amidst all the greenery. But be on guard; amidst all the lovely-smelling foliage emerging also hide some poisonous plants that you don’t want to stick your nose in…or any part of your body, for that matter.

Have you tested your soil only to find it contaminated with chemical or heavy metals? Paying for cleanup can be super expensive. One cheaper yet effective natural method for dealing with this challenge is by growing plants that work to remove specific undesired elements from your soil.

Check out these 10 plants to heal your contaminated soil!

We all know how important cleansing and exfoliating the face is, especially after a long day. That said, did you know it becomes harder for our skin to naturally rid itself of dead skin cells as we age? Instead of turning to expensive, high-end exfoliators (which probably contain drying, harmful chemicals, by the way), here are 4 natural ways to exfoliate your skin. These will not only be better for your skin, but also save you a buck. In fact, most of them are probably already in your pantry. I recommend experimenting with each one to discover which you like best.

Self-Healing: Master Your life

By Chris King

Master Your Life contains some great and exciting information on how to heal yourself through powerful energy healing techniques, holistic healing mechanisms and positive affirmations. This book will empower you with the ability and belief that you can heal yourself -- a chance to become the captain of your own ship. You will explore the idea of psychological, social and spiritual stability as a cure for your sickness.  

This self-help book offers

Some things are hailed as “superfoods” only to get debunked when further research is done. Other foods bounce on and off the good-for-you list—one week you’re enjoying them and the next you’re avoiding them. With all the confusion surrounding healthy eating, trying anything with so much hype surrounding it can be intimidating.

Stomach ulcers or “peptic ulcers” are truly terrible. They are sores that form in the lining of the stomach or in the first part of your small intestine. These sores can be quite painful, and when left untreated, they can become worse.  According to WebMD, if peptic ulcers keep coming back, you may have an increased risk of developing serious complications, such as bleeding or even a hole in the wall of your stomach or small intestine.