Make Your Own Toothpaste (and Why You Should)

I have been buying fluoride-free toothpaste for years, since I learned that it was affecting my thyroid.  But when I started coming across people making their own toothpaste I was excited to try it.  Here I will outline some of the dangers of conventional toothpaste and include two recipes for making your own.  It's remarkably easy and I love the end product.  I'm hooked!



The ingredients in most toothpastes are toxic.  Ever wonder why there are warnings all over your kids toothpaste tube not to take internally?  Half a tube of typical fluoridated toothpaste can kill a child.  And anything that goes in your mouth, even if it isn't swallowed, is absorbed even more quickly than things you apply to your skin.  I'm not trying to be alarmist.  Just stating facts.

The perils of fluoride are real, though dentists still push the party line handed to us back in the 1950s.  If you were like me, you grew up with fluoride rinses, gel treatments, and Crest toothpaste all full of fluoride to make our teeth stronger.  The thing is, much like pharmaceutical drugs like Boniva, it makes the tooth appear stronger on bone scans, but internally it becomes more porous and delicate.  Fluoride is a highly toxic chemical that causes multiple health problems.  Primarily:

• Gastrointestinal Problems
• Thyroid Dysfunction/ Endocrine Disruption
• Arthritis
• Hypersensitivity
• Kidney Problems
• Male Fertility Issues
• Skeletal Fluorosis
• Acute Toxicitcy

Fluoride is common in rat poison and the Nazis used to put it in the prisoners' water - because it's known to placate people and make them easier to control.  Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/029140_toothpaste_fluoride.html#ixzz2dnD6UeiX For more information on the risks and dangers of fluoride, how cities around the country and countries around the world are fighting to get fluoride out of our drinking water, check out:  http://www.fluoridealert.org/

So here are two toothpaste recipes that are fast, inexpensive, and effective.  I made them with my eight-year-old daughter and we had lots of fun trying different recipes and flavors including peppermint, lavender, lemon, and cinnamon.  These are the two that we agreed we liked the best.  She liked lemon flavored with glycerine and more stevia and I preferred the cinnamon with coconut oil and less, so I will call these kid and adult recipes respectively.  I really enjoy this toothpaste more than any I've ever bought.  My teeth and mouth always feel great after I use it and a nice side benefit is that my lips are moisturized by the coconut oil!  Even my little girl loves using it. 

I prescribe this supplement to patients with bone density issues. It's also a nice supplement as it combines the important minerals for bone health with several Chinese herbs for the same purpose.  So for tooth re-mineralization, this is a great formula.  It comes in capsules which I emptied into the working mix. 

Kids Lemon Glycerine Toothpaste

6 teaspoon baking soda
1 capsule Bone Density Enhancer with minerals
1/4 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide
1 tablespoon glycerine
1/2 tablespoon coconut oil (more on oil pulling and why coconut oil is so great for your teeth in the next post.)
4 drops lemon essential oil
12 drops concentrated liquid stevia

Put baking soda and calcium and herb powder in a bowl and stir.  Add the wet ingredients and mix until you achieve desired texture. Add a small amount of baking soda if it’s runny; add more coconut oil if it’s too dry. Taste, and add more essential oil if you want a more flavorful paste. We found the Gootube at a local store so we can squeeze it out as needed. 

Grown Up Coconut Oil Cinnamon Toothpaste

6 tsp baking soda
4 capsules calcium and herb powder
1 drop Concentrace minerals
2 tbsp coconut oil
5 drops cinnamon essential oil
8 drops stevia

Delicious Late Summer Sandwich

I admit I love an easy dinner meal that doesn't heat up the house in the summer.  I also love to use the delicious produce I find in my CSA box a different way most every time.  Keeps things interesting.  So check out this yumminess: 

 

From bottom to top:

bread of choice

homemade organic mayo

homemade organic pesto

organic tomatoes a plenty

organic raw cheese

 

Starting with the bottom layer, I chose GLUTEN FREE BREAD:  Sandwiches are my comfort food when I fall off the Paleo wagon and wheat gluten is not my friend.  Lucky for those millions of us who can't tolerate it, there are some fairly good gf breads out there.  Next up,

MAYO: (oh how I love homemade mayo.  I really, really love it.) Olive oil, egg yolk, minced garlic, and lemon juice, salt and pepper in the food processor.  I must insert here that most commercial mayonnaise is made with soybean oil which, unless labeled certified organic, is genetically modified and especially when hydrogenated causes a number of health problems such as high cholesterol, reproductive issues and many more.  You'll also find high fructose corn syrup in many mayonnaise brands, phosphoric acid, "natural flavors," the malodextrin, etc. etc. Nightmare in a jar.

PESTO:  Blend fresh CSA basil (about a cup of leaves), CSA garlic (3 cloves),  cashew nuts, salt, and olive oil drizzled into the food processor to desired consistency.

TOMATOES: CSA fresh maters-- I like to pile them on.

RAW MILK CHEDDAR:  Lots of people have sensitivity to dairy, including my little one.  Raw milk cheese, however, doesn't seem to pose as much of a problem for most people with milder sensitivities.  And I'm not referring to organic milk, though that is definitely preferable to the GM milk with rGBH, but it is still pasturized and usually homogenized which causes our bodies to process it differently.  Raw cheese, because of the cheese making process, is safe to eat. I will add too that dairy is vilified in Chinese Medicine as a phlegm-producing substance and that cows milk is only suitable for baby cows.  True and true to an extent.  So choose wisely when you consume dairy.  I just really love cheese.  Don't you?

Toaster oven toast it.  Hence not heating up the kitchen, and Voila! 

Healthy Fasting part 3

Late spring, early summer are ideal times for cleansing fasts. (In other words, now, assuming you are in my hemisphere).  Timing is important in Chinese Medicine in many aspects.  Each hour during the day corresponds to a different organ system, as does each season and element.  Think interconnected web.  In the spring, the world is green with new growth and upward-moving energy.  The leafy greens and sprouts that are naturally cleansing to our digestion are all around us.  And as we make the transition to summer, the season guided by the element fire, the heat both externally and internally stoke the digestive fire.  This is a time when your body, when in balance (even somewhat) with nature is reinforced with the strength to adopt a cleanse or complete fast. 
If this is your first fast I recommend that you not attempt during a regular work week, but a day when you can rest, relax and go inward.  As mentioned in part I, fasting has long been a spiritual tool for most every group of people in history.  Fasting brings your attention to the present moment.  The discomfort, the hunger pangs (for some), the change from your regular routine are satisfying to the spirit when mindfulness can be practiced. 
If you are trying to decide which fast is best for you, take these points into consideration:

1.  For first time fasting choose a fruit and vegetable fast for one to three days to begin.  In the spring and summer if digestion is not compromised by illness, raw fruits and vegetables are best.  Water and herb teas taken to thirst.  Nothing colder than room temperature should be consumed.

2.  For those with excess symptoms such as red face, rashes, constipation, excess heat, sweating easily, juice fasting with beet, cucumber, and celery can be very helpful. 

3.  For those with deficiency signs:  coldness, listlessness, loose stool, depression, dull aches in the joints a monofast would be a better choice.  Choose one or two foods to eat only each day, fully cooked.  Rice and a vegetable can be helpful.  White rice is more helpful to the spleen, buckwheat, mung bean, kidney bean, and adzuki bean can also be tonifying.  Remember to choose only two per fast and stick to those and make sure they are always fully cooked.  Again, no cold beverages.

4.  If a spiritual fast is more your focus, or there is a serious health crisis you are working to resolve, a water-only fast can be transformative.  In the past I fasted on luke-warm water only, but have found that mixing in chlorella, blue green algae, or spirulina not only kept the hunger and detox symptoms to a bare minimum, but also kept up my strength and focus for meditation and qi gong.


Remember to use common sense while cleansing and fasting.  Hydrate when necessary and take plenty of rest.  I like to repeat a phrase while fasting when I start to feel like I want to give up and go get a snack.  "I have the rest of my life to eat.  Today I am gifting my body and spirit a respite."  This always redirects my energy and builds resolve.   Discipline is just remembering what you want.

Again, children, pregnant, and breastfeeding women should not fast. Nor should insulin-dependant diabetics or those with dramatically high blood pressure.
Happy fasting and please post questions or comments below or email me directly lara@luteaherbs.com.

First Blossom Farm and the Joy of Community Supported Agriculture

In grocery stores these days it's tough to always know  1. where your food was grown,
2.  who picked it,
3.  what pesticides and herbicides may have been involved,
4.  whether or not it was genetically modified, and
5.  how long it has been in a truck driving to you. 
All these problems are solved by joining a CSA, or community supported agriculture farm.  The brilliance of a CSA is that you subscribe to "your" farm.  You meet your farmer/s and pay them ahead of time to work their magic throughout the growing season.

 My new CSA this year is First Blossom Farm in Leicester, http://www.buyappalachian.org/listing/first-blossom-farm a few miles west of my house, and here is my farmer, Veronica Sotolongo.  She grows a huge variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs and raises chickens to boot, so for an extra share price, I will get eggs each week too!  She brings them to a farmers market close to me every week May-November.  Another bonus is that my weekly bushel of produce from Veronica promises to save quite a bit off the grocery store price and puts superior-quality produce in my hands that hasn't travelled thousands of miles. 

Veronica prides herself on her low impact approach which means doing most everything by hand and using as few fossil fuels as possible.  Wherever you are there are CSAs in business now.  In the Asheville area alone there are over 50 with farmers markets every day throughout the growing season.  Don't miss out.  Help small farmers keep us healthy!  Support your local small farmer today and reap the rewards.

Art and Health by Court McCracken, Guest Blogger

My name is Court McCracken and I am an artist, writer and teacher. I write about creativity as a part of a balanced, rich and full life on my blog Art Nurture (www.artnurture.com).

 

I have always known that my art was more than just my major or my profession, but also my passion and part of what made me feel fully alive.

 

For many years I have struggled with some chromic pain. I tried many supposedly “conventional” methods of handling that pain, all of which led to other complications and issues and none of which actually helped heal the cause of the pain. The pain was so bad at times I was forced to step away from my studio or cancel a class.

 

Being the type of person that I am, I was unwilling to accept that this was something I had to live with; I believed there was something that could help me. 

 

For me, engaging in my art and my creativity is a part of my balanced and healthy lifestyle and I guide others on how to do this in their own lives. For some, this method of engaging with life in this way could seem alternative, though to me it seems very natural.

 

A friend of mine recommended that I try acupuncture for my pain management and healing. I am embarrassed to say that it was sort of my “last resort” as I had tried so many other things only to be let down.  I found Lara and scheduled an initial consultation regarding my pain and she believed she would most certainly be able to work with me. I have to say that I had no idea what to expect when I headed to my first appointment, but Lara’s gentle and caring manner put me at ease.

 

I felt like I was actually being listened to when I talked about my pain and the related struggles. I felt that Lara was paying attention to the many parts of the whole that is “me”.

 

I am now happy to say, that I am going into my sixth month of monthly acupuncture visits and daily herbal regimen and it is the only thing that has ever helped me manage my pain and heal my condition. The results for me have been phenomenal and I am grateful to be seeking more balance and health in this area of my life so that I can continue my work of helping others achieve health and balance when it comes to their unique art and creativity. What was once my last resort has become my most effective modality of healing in this area of my life. I wholeheartedly recommend Lutea to anyone who asks me how I am doing with my pain these days.

 

If you would like to hear more about my work with helping others connect with their creativity, please check out my website at www.artnurture.com

 

Warmest Regards,

Court McCracken

Healthy Fasting Part 2

Now that you know the benefits of fasting, time to choose how you'll do it.  Yes, there are options!  The type of fast you choose should depent upon your current health needs.  The time of year also matters a great deal.  Right now, spring here in southeastern US, when the weather is consistently warm, is a great time to start a short fast, and work your way up periodically to longer fasts if you desire.   Again, children, pregnant, and breastfeeding women should not fast. Nor should insulin-dependant diabetics or those with dramatically high blood pressure.

Five Primary Types of Fasts:

1. Raw Fruit and Vegetable Fast:
 Consuming only raw fruits and raw vegetables during the length of the fast.  Most fruits and vegetables don't combine well, so choose fruits at one meal, vegetables at the next.  This fast can also include vegetable juices, water, and unsweetened herbal teas according to thirst. 
**This type of fast is for a robust person, one who is not often cold or has weakness in any of the organ systems. This is a helpful fast for one who has been indulging in processed food and or excess meat. Also helpful for those with constipation, redness of the face and or eyes and heat signs. 

2.  Steamed-Vegetable Fast:
Consuming only steamed vegetables, preferrably 1-2 at a time, 3 at the most.  Drinking only water or unsweetened herbal teas according to thirst. 
**This is a great fast for those who tend to overeat, especially sweets which throws off the balance of good bacteria in the gut.  In these cases, cutting out all suger, even fruit sugar is important during the fast.  Also good for those who tend to be cool or deficient in an organ system.

3.  Juice Fast: 
 Vegetable OR fruit juice only made from fresh organic produce and drunk immediately. A high-powered juicer is necessary for this fast. Bottled juices are not appropriate for fasting due to the qualityfor a variety of r It's best to choose one or two vegetables or fruits to focus on for the duration.  Water and unsweetened herbal teas can also be taken.
**This is a helpful fast for those struggling with chronic illness.  In a follow-up post I will outline which fruits and vegetables, according to Chinese Medicine theory treat which imbalances.  Daikon radish, for instance is great for clearing phlegm from the head and lungs.  Celery is excellent for draining edema, etc.

4.  Absolute Fast
The absolute fast consists of no food or drink taken for 36 hours.  Begin at 7 pm the first evening and end early the second morning.  This type of fasting should be prepared for by beginning with one of the above fasts for a day or so, especially if you are new to fasting.  This type of fast can accomplish more in 36 hours than the others can over a week or so.  The Native Americans would typically fast on air for four days, sometimes up to 40. 
**
This type of fast is quite helpful for those who suffer water retention, excess body weight, candida overgrowth, or sluggishness.  This type of fast is not advised for the thin or overheated person. 

Happy Fasting!  Stay tuned for part 3 of  Healthy Fasting for details about when, how, and tips on what to do when it's really tough and ideas for breaking the fast.  Please post questions or comments below.

Healthy Fasting Part 1

Fasting has been a means of spiritual, mental and physical purification in most every religious tradition as far back as we can trace including Christianity, Judaism, Muslim, Native American religions and many others.

Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic health traditions have embraced fasting for centuries as a means of cleansing the body-mind-spirit.  Ours is a culture of excess with little experience of deprivation.  Fasting for one who has not had the experience can be healing and liberating in many ways.  My personal experiences with 7-10 day fasts have proven to be quite valuable, regulating and health-restoring.

Fasting has many health benefits:

1.  It gives the digestive system a much-needed break.  Especially when there is gastric irritation including Crohns disease, colitis, leaky-gut or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). 

2.  Digestion demands a great deal of energy.  Fasting frees that energy, known as Gu Qi in Chinese Medicine for healing of all organ systems and bodily processes including eliminating phlegm and acid.

3.  Fasting provides clarity of mind and a sense of lightness and improves mood.

4.  Fasting is remarkably helpful at aiding detoxification of the body.

5.  Fasting increases energy and often resolves fatigue.

6.  Fasting for at least 48 hours resets all body processes including hunger, peristalsis, blood sugar and metabolism. Fat is lost, yes, but more importantly it helps the body reach homeostasis for the long term.

*Special note:  Children, pregnant, and breastfeeding women should not fast.  Nor should insulin-dependant diabetics or those with dramatically high blood pressure fast.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Healthy Fasting where I will discuss the different types of fasts and best times to fast as well as which is best for each of us.