Uncategorized Archives - Wellness Through Wisdom

Healthy Holiday Gifts + Stocking Stuffers

Let me start by saying that I do like gifts that are eco-friendly, locally made if possible, and on the healthy side. Ok, sometimes I like frivolous pointless gifts too, but that is not what this blog is about! If you are in the Hudson Valley I also recommend you check out 2 local stores (both owned by friends of mine): Sierra Lily and The Dreaming Goddess – both in Poughkeepsie. Now, here are a few things I think would be great this holiday season:

The BEST tea ever that everyone will love. Seriously. Harney & Sons Black Tea – Paris is my favorite black tea. This is also a family company started 34 years ago in Connecticut that is now in Hudson, New York – so you will be supporting a local company that employs 200 people. Oh… also “John Harney is the creator of the coveted official line of teas requested by the Historic Royal Palaces of England” – need I say more?

Next up – for the girl or woman on your list who likes to have pretty nails. Believe it or not Butter London is an American company and their claim to fame is that they created the first healthy nail lacquer (formulated without: 8-Free – Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, DBP, Toluene, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, TPHP, Parabens, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Phthalates, BHA, Triclosan). I like their lip glosses a lot too. But here are a couple cute sets that would make great gifts:
butter LONDON Little Gems Manicure Kit and butter LONDON C’Est La Vie Petite Trend Lacquer Set, 0.1 oz each. This next gift idea is actually a gift that Zane (my son) and I received ourselves a couple years ago and we love it. It is a board game, Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, a cooperative board game, that teaches kids (and grown ups if need be) about plants, specifically healing herbs. The premise of the game is kind of like Candyland, but you are taking a hike to retrieve berries and bring them back to your grandmother. Along the way you acquire herbs so that when you run into trouble (like getting a sunburn, bug bite, etc.) you then can see if you have the herb that treats that condition. What is also nice about this game is that it is colorful, beautiful, fun, and you get to help other players, so it is not highly competitive, but more about teamwork.

Last, something we all need. Re-usable wrapping paper that requires no tape and no scissors!!!! I hate seeing all the trash bags filled with wrapping paper and bows after Christmas morning. It can wrap odd shaped items too. Yes, it might be a little more expensive, but if you can use it year after year, you will save in the long run – and so will the Earth. They have other colors too:
Christmas Gift Wrap Set – Stretchy Fabric, Reusable and Eco Friendly – Green and White Polka Dots | No More Wrapping Paper

I hope you enjoyed this little and I will be thinking up some more ideas soon! You can click on the links or the photos to buy these items. Happy holidays!

Jessica

Protect yourself, your kids, and your dog from ticks!

These are 2 products I’ve been making for many years now and they are the best natural products for preventing Lyme disease. Protect Potion is made from all natural ingredients, 6 of which are the most potent organic essential oils to protect you and your kids from ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting insects. Protect Pup is a slightly different formula – safe for dogs – that also repels fleas. The added benefit of these being made with essential oils is that they smell great and have aromatherapy benefits. They are naturally antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and uplift and balance the mood.

PROTECT POTION ~ $15 per 10 ml bottle

PROTECT PUP ~ $15 per 2 oz spray bottle

Vegan and non-toxic.

FAQs:
1. How long will it last? One bottle will last one person all summer – possibly enough for two people depending on your level of outdoor activity.
2. Is it safe for kids? Yes.
3. Is it safe during pregnancy? Pregnant women should consult an aromatherapist (like myself) or midwife before using as this does contain two types of eucalyptus which can be contraindicated in pregnancy because they have stimulant effects.

To order: email, call, or text. I will mail you the products or you can pick them up at my office. You will receive a PayPal invoice to pay.

Raw Vegan Coconut Cashew Cream

In the world of proper food combining, fruits and nuts are not an ideal combination for digestion. That said, I find this digests fine for me, especially if I take the time to soak the nuts first. If you decide to make this without soaking the nuts (this process releases the enzyme inhibitors and starts the sprouting process), just be aware that the cream will become twice as thick the next day (if you have some left in the frig) as the nuts absorb the liquid.

Ingredients:

2 cups raw cashews

1 tbsp coconut oil

a squeeze of lemon juice (or orange juice)

a pinch of salt (I use the Himalayan Pink Salt)

1/4 cup coconut sugar (if you don’t have this, use maple syrup) – adjust to your own preferred level of sweetness. 1/4 cup of coconut sugar makes it very sweet in my opinion.

a dash of vanilla extract (french vanilla stevia drops work also) or some vanilla bean

8 oz coconut water (you can use regular water instead if you don’t have coconut) – use less or more water depending on if you want it thicker or thinner

HOW TO MAKE IT

Step 1: Soak 2 cups of raw cashews in cool water in your refrigerator for 4 hours or even overnight. When that is done, drain off the water and rinse. I use a mason jar, but any bowl is fine.

Step 2: Put the cashews into the blender. Add in all the other ingredients and blend.

Step 3: Refrigerate – the cream tastes best when it is cold. Alternately, you can add ice cubes when you blend in place of some of the water/coconut water to have it cold right away.

Step 4: Layer with your favorite fresh, ripe fruits and enjoy!