A new series!
I wanted a place to share random tidbits… things that individually didn’t have enough substance to make up a full post. So, I’m going to be doing a weekly or bi-monthly series to share these healing bits and pieces. I’ll share recipes that I’ve tried, recent discoveries, random cooking tips, favorite products, etc. I may also address questions I receive regarding health/nutrition via email, Facebook or in the comments below!
Essentially, it’s a peak into my Holistic Health Junk Drawer 🙂
Cook:
Okay, recipe review time! I made Creamy Coconut Shrimp with Zucchini Pasta from The Healthy Foodie. Here are the changes I made:
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homemade chicken broth instead of the coconut water
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blanched the zucchini pasta for about a minute in boiling water before topping it with the sauce
Verdict: Yum! But I will double the recipe next time so I have more leftovers.
Sleep:
This caught my eye and I wanted to share it with you. According to an article in a recent edition of Dance Magazine
“People who sleep 10 hours a night have a greater tolerance for pain that if they took 60 mg of the painkiller codeine.”
So just in case you need another excuse to sleep more… there you go! Sleep plays an essential role in lowering cortisol levels and thereby supporting healthy hormones, weight management and a speedy metabolism. Make sleep a priority.
Perhaps you’ve heard how the blue light waves from electronics suppress melatonin production. I recently installed f.lux on my computer, which cancels out the blue light on the screen after sunset. It looks a bit orange but it’s not distracting. Plus, it’s completely free! I don’t know if it is helping my sleep cycle yet, but I figure it can’t hurt.
Live:
Have you heard about using manuka honey for acne? Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand and Australia from bees pollinating the manuka tree. It has a naturally occurring peroxide content which makes it even more antibacterial than regular honey.
I’ve been wanting to try it forever, but the price tag scared me off. I finally invested in a small jar (this is the one I bought) and I am so excited with the results! I just dab it on my breakouts and leave it on while I’m at the house. It seems to reduce the inflammation and help prevent scaring.
I’ve also been eating a teaspoon morning and evening to help heal my stomach lining. Low stomach acid plays such a huge role in digestive dysfunction (my post here discusses the subject). I have been unable to take any kind of hydrochloric acid supplement, however, because my stomach lining was chronically sensitive and inflamed due to severely low stomach acid for years and years. Due to it’s anti-bacterial activity, Manuka honey combats h. pylori overgrowth which can suppress stomach acid production. It can also soothe and heal stomach ulcers. After one week, I’m able to tolerate increasing doses of HCL supplements!
Evidently, I’m not the only one shocked with the impressive results. There are over 300 glowing product reviews on Amazon and many folks have used this as a digestive aid. One reviewer stated,
This honey has really helped me to get off of the acid reflux or heartburn pills and my stomach is functioning regularly.
Another said,
3 days after eating 1 tsp on bread per day my stomach pain was gone.
HOWEVER… I just read in a great article from Nutrition Gang that manuka honey should not be ingested, since it contains a genotoxin. This is a substance that has been shown to damage DNA in cells. The article recommends another highly antibiotic honey called Yemini Sidr honey, which I have not been able to locate (I’ll give you an update if I can find a source for it). I’ll keep using the manuka honey for my acne, but I will no longer be eating it.
Do you make sleep a priority? Have you used Manuka honey (or another supplement) to for reflux or stomach lining? Do you have any questions or requests for the next Weekly Wisdom?
Great post! I’ve been following you for a while on Facebook and reason your blogs. Am I correct in thinking you have UC?
I was diagnosed with it last year. And I’m just beginning my natural healing journey. I’ve read conflicting things about manuka honey. I’ve actually heard that it can cure UC or at least help. I’m going to have to research more about the dangers of ingesting it. I too am a little put off by the price tag but I’ve been planning on buying it for a while and making it part of my regimen.
Ah sleep… haha I have a 18month old and a 12 week old. I sleep when they let me! I’m always exploring options for more sleep.
Ok I just went and read your about section. So question about UC answered. And you’re a Christian?! Awesome! I’m so so so grateful to have found your blog! There’s something about finding someone who has gone through the same thing you’re going through. Seeing them succeed in the journey you’re beginning. It brings so much hope! I’m seriously choked up right now. I’ve been struggling with not eating things that aren’t on my protocol. I’ve really been feeling beat by this disease, like it’s not worth it to fight it. But reading what you have to say, seeing how far you’ve come is, simply put, so encouraging. Here I am, bearing my soul in your comment section. I’m sorry! I just really needed to thank you! So thanks!
Don’t apologize for your long comment! I am just as excited as you to connect with someone who understands what it’s like to go through UC. I think that the most powerful resource for treating UC is the GAPS diet or the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. I wish you immense healing as you start this journey to address UC naturally!
Aww….I love you girls!! we can all be friends!! Lauren, I follow so many bloggers, and I gotta tell you, I think you may be my favorite of all! I cannot believe how much I’ve gotten out of your posts! And Rachel, God love you too, girl. I am also a Christian. I am OLD!!! I get all choked up when I read all about you guys and your lives! I have had Crohn’s Disease since I was 14 and now I’m 59! Boy, could I tell you stories! But listen, you’re never too old or young to learn new things are you:) Thank you, thank you for all you do! I am on the same journey after all these years of dabbling in so many things to try to help myself!
I have to agree with you! Lauren is one of the best bloggers around. Not only is she very knowledgeable but also her blog is extremely helpful to all of us who are suffering from digestive problems.
Thanks, Charles! I think you are also one of the best bloggers around– your blog is just packed with helpful information!
Thanks a bunch Lauren for the f.lux link. My hypoT eyes don’t like the bright glare of the computer screen. Through you, Jesus took care of my discomfort. God bless you abundantly.
I’ve always consumed Manuka honey for general well being and I do think it helped with my acne condition… just never realized that they shouldn’t be ingested. It’s just hard to swallow but looks like I’m going to have to look for other alternatives. Thanks for sharing this post.
HELP?!
My 16 year old son has been dealing with thee worst acne for about a year now. I’ve been pulling my hair out trying to help him and we’ve tried everything but the very toxic Accutane. I believe in Mother Nature and not a fan of antibiotics unless it’s a matter of life & death.
We found your oil cleansing method and he’s been using organic cold pressed Jojoba Oil for about 2 weeks now. I feel like we might need to do more? I can’t find anything on your site about measurements of ACV and how to please cut the nasty smell!! It’s so stinky! Tea tree oil breaks him out more, so I like to see that Lavender Oil can be used in it’s place. If there’s any way you could help him and his stressed mama in guiding us with a program we would be eternally grateful. His self-esteem is shot and has completely ruined his social life. It’s brutal to watch him go thru this and some people can be really mean when they see his beautiful face that is riddles with cystic acne, whiteheads, you name it! Please help!?
I love all your love here, just a bit overwhelming and don’t know where to start!
Thank you!!!
Thanks for your articles and ever helpful information. I read the additional info about Manuka honey in the article you recommended and for which you provided a link. I was able to find Yemeni Sidr honey online at http://www.yemensidrhoney.com. I just ordered some because I would like to try it for both digestive and allergy problems and don’t want to ingest Manuka honey after reading your comments and the article. Just wanted to pass along the information about the Sidr honey. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for your great work.