If you're reading this newsletter, chances are good that you make a concerted effort to eat well. You probably do this to look and feel your very best, free from unpronounceable ingredients and potentially harmful processed food chemicals. But do you give the same level of care to your outer wellness that you give to your inner wellness?

 

Harmful toxins can be absorbed not just by consumption, but also through contact with your skin and through the air you breathe. That means that the products you use around your home for cleaning, hygiene, and beauty really matter.

 

Household cleaners are one of the main sources of home toxins. Ingredients can include pesticides, lye, ammonia, and chlorine, all of which can get in the air and irritate the eyes and lungs. And be extra sure not to mix those last two together - ammonia and chlorine can make cloramine gas, which can be fatal if inhaled.

 

Try using more natural alternatives, or save money and mix your cleaning supplies yourself! Here's a great guide to homemade cleaning solutions from The Daily Green and another from Care2.

 

It's not just your house cleaning that could be spreading toxins in your home, though. Arsenic is found in some makeup foundations, formaldehyde is in some nail polishes, cadmium can be in mascara, lead might be in your lipstick, and the list just goes on and on. Toothpaste, shampoos, lip balms, and even bubble bath products have been found to contain harmful toxins that you would never knowingly apply to your skin.

Scary as it is, the good news is that you have control over the chemicals that go into your home and body. Here are some great resources to get your started on your path to a healthier home and beauty routine:

 

Good Guide has a database of more than 160,000 foods, toys, household products, and personal care items, all of which are rated on both health and environmental impact. You can even create a personal rating system based on what factors are most important to you.

 

Healthy Stuff has a small but growing database of 5,000 products and is another good resource for finding healthier alternatives. The search works a little differently than Good Guide - you enter a generic product, like "lipstick," which returns a list of products and their ratings.

 

EWG's Skin Deep is a cosmetics database where you can find information on more than 69,000 personal care and beauty products. Built by the Environmental Working Group, Skin Deep is definitely a great place to start detoxifying your skin routine.

Even better yet, you can make your own beauty products too! Raw honey is a great substitute for an exfoliating face wash; organic vegetable oil (like sunflower or safflower) can give your hair the same sheen as a much pricier conditioner; and apple cider and water can replace your toner. The best part is that experimenting won't cost you too much money, since most of the ingredients are probably already in your pantry or fridge!

 

Here's a few recipes from the Daily Green for a homemade face mask, lip balm, and body scrub, and TLC has a guide to DIY beauty too!

 

 

 

Almond Nut Milk

 

Nut milk made with almonds is a great non-dairy, non-soy alternative and it's super healthy! Almonds are a good source of vitamin E and are about 20 percent protein, so they are also very filling.
 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup almonds, soaked for 8 hours or over night
• 3 1/2 - 4 cups purified water, 
• 3 Medjool dates or 2-3 Tbsp raw honey
• Pinch of Himalayan Sea Salt
• 1 tsp natural vanilla extract (optional)
   Directions

• Place almonds, dates, vanilla and water in a blender and blend on high speed.
• Strain mixture through a nut milk bag, cheese cloth or fine sieve into a bowl.

 

Preparing the seeds or nuts for best nutritional

 value before blending: 
Soaking nuts makes them easier to blend and also releases enzyme inhibitors and will make it more digestible. Most other nuts generally require 8 to 12 hours of soaking for optimal digestion. Almond is commonly used for making nut milk as it tastes great and is alkalizing. Nut milks usually keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 days. If you freeze them they can keep longer. Yummy additions include raw cacao, cinnamon or brown rice protein powder.

Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium. They have about 2500 times the amount of selenium than any other nut. Brazil Nut Milk Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against disease. Selenium also slows down the aging process and boosts the immune system!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw Brazil nuts, soaked for 4 hours or more, ideally over night
• 4 cups purified water
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• 2 Tbsp coconut butter
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract OR 2 vanilla pods
• 2 packets of stevia (optional)
• 1/8 tsp sea salt

Directions:

• Place nuts and water in a blender and blend on high speed.
• Strain mixture into a bowl.
• Rinse blender and add back in the strained liquid.
• Add remaining ingredients. Blend.


Pecans are a good source of fiber and contain iron, calcium, vitamins A, B, and C, potassium, and phosphorous.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw pecans, soaked for 4 hours or more, ideally over night
• 4 cups purified water
• 1/2 cup raw honey or to taste
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil (optional)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract OR 1 vanilla pod
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

• Place pecans and water in a blender and blend on high speed.
• Add remaining ingredients and blend.

 

Macadamia nuts are high in fiber, taste great, and have no cholesteral. They also have a very high proportion of monounsaturated fats (which are the good fats!).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw macadamia nuts, soaked for 1 hour or more, ideally over night
• 3 cups purified water
• 1/8 cup raw honey
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract OR 1 vanilla pod
• 1/8 tsp sea salt

Directions:

• Place nuts and water in a blender and blend on high speed.
• Add remaining ingredients and blend.

 

 

 

 

  Isn't it interesting how our mind affects our body? When people watch comedies, their blood flow increases by 22% and when they watched graphic war movies, their blood flow decreases by 35%.

 

Studies in Japan even show a more balanced blood sugar in diabetics when they watch comedies and laugh.

 

 

 

Research has shown that the average child laughs hundreds of times and the average adult less than 20 times per day. Could this be tied into aging?

 

Norman Cousins wrote in his book "Anatomy of an Illness" how he healed himself of a chronic degenerative disease by watching comedies and laughing hours each day

 

 

As a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader  myself I can attest to how laughter has changed my life and how it has benefited the participants at the

Park Ridge Hysterical Society.

 

 We meet every Tuesday under the guidance of our Laughter Leader and my mentor Lynda Tourloukis

 from 7:PM-8:PM @ 305 S Northwest Hwy. Join us also for:

Laughter in the Park on

Sundays @ Northwest Park

and every day on the

Daily Laughter Line @ Nine

 @ by calling

712-432-3900 Pin 6071292#

for more information call Lynda

847-401-5787

www.ParkRidgeLaughter.com

Happy Healthy July

See you all soon!

Sincerely,

Susan Frangos C.H.C. AADP

Certified Health Coach

Higher Level Wellness

847-361-6185