There are a few items I've learned to keep in stock in my kitchen for both food preparation and natural remedies. These things are essential to anyone who wants to begin a naturally healthy lifestyle, lose weight, or just have natural remedies and natural beauty products at your fingertips. The products listed below are all items I use on a regular basis and have personally experienced their benefits.
Coconut oil melts at 76 degrees Fahrenheit. 1. Coconut Oil
This is one of the single most important natural health foods you can keep in your home. It’s imperative that you use organic virgin coconut oil as it is prepared at low temperatures and retains its nutritional value. Non-virgin coconut oil has been bleached and refined and is of no benefit for consumption or as a remedy.
Coconut oil is a medium chain triglyceride which the body rapidly metabolizes and DOES NOT STORE AS FAT. So do not fear the high fat content. Fats are essential to the body for energy, and good fats, including coconut oil, will actually help you lose weight. Coconut oil is a great cooking oil, can be added to a hot cup of coffee or scooped into a smoothie.
This is one of the single most important natural health foods you can keep in your home. It’s imperative that you use organic virgin coconut oil as it is prepared at low temperatures and retains its nutritional value. Non-virgin coconut oil has been bleached and refined and is of no benefit for consumption or as a remedy.
Coconut oil is a medium chain triglyceride which the body rapidly metabolizes and DOES NOT STORE AS FAT. So do not fear the high fat content. Fats are essential to the body for energy, and good fats, including coconut oil, will actually help you lose weight. Coconut oil is a great cooking oil, can be added to a hot cup of coffee or scooped into a smoothie.
Coconut oil is also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. I swish about a teaspoon around in my mouth before brushing my teeth. Swish for 30 seconds then spit. This will do wonders for your dental hygiene and if you have a toothache – try it! It works! It completely took care of a very painful toothache for me. A few days later my dad was also suffering with a toothache and was about to head to the emergency room. I had him swish with coconut oil and he was pain free within the hour. Because of its anti-bacterial properties it keeps your mouth healthy!
I keep a small tub of coconut oil in the bathroom as an after shower moisturizer and deep conditioner. Beauty trick: Use to remove your eye makeup.
The best brand of coconut oil that I’ve used is Nutiva. I’ve used other brands that were great, but Nutiva is creamier and richer. Their prices on Amazon are lower than in many health food stores.
I keep a small tub of coconut oil in the bathroom as an after shower moisturizer and deep conditioner. Beauty trick: Use to remove your eye makeup.
The best brand of coconut oil that I’ve used is Nutiva. I’ve used other brands that were great, but Nutiva is creamier and richer. Their prices on Amazon are lower than in many health food stores.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Touted by many as a cure-all, organic raw apple cider vinegar is definitely a staple in my kitchen. Apple cider vinegar provides an instant jolt of energy, speeds up metabolism and helps relieve bloat and water retention. It stinks for sure, but the benefits far outweigh the scent.
I use apple cider vinegar in a sink full of water as a vegetable wash. I add it to a bottle of water for energy or to help thin mucous when I have some nasal congestion. Just be sure to drink it through a straw as the acidity in apple cider vinegar is hard on your teeth.
Combined with honey, apple cider vinegar is an outstanding cold remedy. Many claim that it will even lower blood pressure.
This is another kitchen item that often finds its way to my bathroom. I add ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar to a hot bath. This promotes sweating and also naturally exfoliates your skin. You’ll be amazed how clean you’ll be! And be sure to dunk your hair in the water before shampooing; apple cider vinegar deep cleans your scalp and makes your hair shine!
My brand of choice is Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar with the “mother.” The “mother” is the gross looking stuff floating around in the bottom, but that’s what makes it good! Whatever brand you decide on, be sure it’s ORGANIC AND RAW. :)
Touted by many as a cure-all, organic raw apple cider vinegar is definitely a staple in my kitchen. Apple cider vinegar provides an instant jolt of energy, speeds up metabolism and helps relieve bloat and water retention. It stinks for sure, but the benefits far outweigh the scent.
I use apple cider vinegar in a sink full of water as a vegetable wash. I add it to a bottle of water for energy or to help thin mucous when I have some nasal congestion. Just be sure to drink it through a straw as the acidity in apple cider vinegar is hard on your teeth.
Combined with honey, apple cider vinegar is an outstanding cold remedy. Many claim that it will even lower blood pressure.
This is another kitchen item that often finds its way to my bathroom. I add ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar to a hot bath. This promotes sweating and also naturally exfoliates your skin. You’ll be amazed how clean you’ll be! And be sure to dunk your hair in the water before shampooing; apple cider vinegar deep cleans your scalp and makes your hair shine!
My brand of choice is Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar with the “mother.” The “mother” is the gross looking stuff floating around in the bottom, but that’s what makes it good! Whatever brand you decide on, be sure it’s ORGANIC AND RAW. :)
3. Honey
Honey is far more than just a sweetener; it’s a wonderful health food, remedy and beauty product. When combined with cinnamon, this sticky sweetener becomes a powerful cold fighter and helps alleviate chest and nasal congestion. Its anti-microbial properties make it great for your skin. To use as a facial, simply slather on clean skin. Your body temperature thins the honey and keeps it from being a sticky mess. You will literally feel it cleansing your pores and tightening your skin!
4. Cinnamon
I’ve only recently discovered the wonder of cinnamon. Cinnamon is a great blood sugar stabilizer and mixed with honey provides relief for nasal and chest congestion. It also smells fabulous! Boil a few cinnamon sticks as an air freshener! Just don’t overdo it on the cinnamon as it is certainly a stout spice.
Honey is far more than just a sweetener; it’s a wonderful health food, remedy and beauty product. When combined with cinnamon, this sticky sweetener becomes a powerful cold fighter and helps alleviate chest and nasal congestion. Its anti-microbial properties make it great for your skin. To use as a facial, simply slather on clean skin. Your body temperature thins the honey and keeps it from being a sticky mess. You will literally feel it cleansing your pores and tightening your skin!
4. Cinnamon
I’ve only recently discovered the wonder of cinnamon. Cinnamon is a great blood sugar stabilizer and mixed with honey provides relief for nasal and chest congestion. It also smells fabulous! Boil a few cinnamon sticks as an air freshener! Just don’t overdo it on the cinnamon as it is certainly a stout spice.
5. Pink Himalayan Salt
This is another recent discovery for me. I have been studying the claims of Himalayan salt and have been intrigued by the science behind it. Himalayan salt is claimed to contain 84 elements and minerals and helps regulate blood sugar, promote a healthy pH and helps you sleep. I had to try it for myself. My first experience with Himalayan salt was adding it to my bath water. It was a little unbelievable. I found myself becoming naturally drowsy (a great bath to take before bed!). I felt completely relaxed and peaceful. In addition, my skin became taut and my face almost immediately cleared up and my pores were much smaller.
This is another recent discovery for me. I have been studying the claims of Himalayan salt and have been intrigued by the science behind it. Himalayan salt is claimed to contain 84 elements and minerals and helps regulate blood sugar, promote a healthy pH and helps you sleep. I had to try it for myself. My first experience with Himalayan salt was adding it to my bath water. It was a little unbelievable. I found myself becoming naturally drowsy (a great bath to take before bed!). I felt completely relaxed and peaceful. In addition, my skin became taut and my face almost immediately cleared up and my pores were much smaller.
Use this salt in place of your usual table salt, or create brine by submerging crystals in pure, spring water until they will no longer dissolve and a few crystals settle at the bottom. Use a tablespoon of brine in a full glass of water in the mornings on an empty stomach for all day balance.
RSS Feed
