A Lesson in Fat Cells

Cellulite is very common and can affect a person of any size.  Cellulite forms when blood flow under the skin is restricted by enlarged fat cells.  This causes a fluid buildup which then bloats the fat cells even more.  Everyone has fat cells, and thus it can potentially affect everyone.  It seems to be related also to genetics, not just poor health habits, and to get rid of it can certainly require some changes in lifestyle.

I've moved to a new website! Head on over to Heartful Habits for the homemade cellulite scrub recipe. Thanks!

Walk In Her Shoes

Today's post is going to be a little different.  Though it doesn't technically have anything to do with natural remedies or being environmentally friendly, the purpose is similar.  The reason I love to pursue a natural, healthy, eco-friendly life is because I am trying to live the best way I can for myself and for our world.  For this same reason, I am going to be participating in CARE Canada's Walk In Her Shoes challenge.  I know the post is long, but I think it's worth the read.  At the very least please check out my fundraising page through this link:

I'm walking in her shoes

Helping those less fortunate than myself is something that I feel God has been laying on my heart a lot lately. I saw a commercial for CARE on TV, and looked up them online.  Once arriving on their website, this challenge stuck out to me. I was excited to see that the timing was perfect and decided to participate.

In the poorest communities around the world, women and girls are often the ones tasked to collect water, firewood or other basic necessities of life. They walk on average 6 kilometres a day while carrying the equivalent of a suitcase. This leaves little time to attend school, access health services or earn money to support their families.

Yet when women and girls are empowered to tackle these issues, whole families and communities directly benefit.

To help break the cycle of poverty and in celebration of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day I’ve decided to join CARE Canada’s Walk in Her Shoes challenge. I will make a difference for women, girls and whole communities living in poverty around the world.

I will be walking 6 kilometres every day from March 2nd, finishing on March 8th (International Women’s Day) to raise funds to help fight global poverty. I need your support to reach my fundraising goal!

Please support my walk in her shoes challenge by making a donation today!

All donations will go to CARE Canada to empower women, girls and whole communities to improve their lives and the lives of those around them. Together we can make a difference!

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

At-Home Spa

I am always looking for products to try to reduce the red bumps I get on my legs.  I'm not sure what they are or what causes them.  I've had them for years, and it sucks when I'm in shorts or a bathing suit.  My friend and I whipped up is the Spa-Style Salt Rub from EcoBeauty by Lauren Cox, and I am hoping the salt and exfoliation might help.

Spa-Style Salt Rub

2 c salt
1 c almond oil
2-3 drops essential oil (optional)

Supplies

Add salt,

almond oil,

and essential oil (we used lavender).

Stir until it becomes a paste.

To use, massage a handful of paste into skin.  Rinse with warm water.  Do not use soap afterward as it will wash away the moisturizing oil.

I definitely like the way this rub feels and makes my skin feel.  Smooth and soft!  I haven't seen any improvement of the bumps on my legs yet, but I do only use the rub once a week.  For general application, I think the rub is great.  I'm thinking this is a good one to make up and give for presents.

Bye-Bye Blackheads

While at a friend's house, we had an evening of beauty recipe making.  One that we were both interested in was the Bye-Bye Blackheads Scrub from EcoBeauty by Lauren Cox.  The best part was that the few ingredients required were all common household ingredients.  It is nice and simple to make anytime.

I've moved to a new website! Head on over to Heartful Habits for the Bye Bye Blackheads recipe. Thanks!

Forbidden Food - Black Rice

Brad and I have made a big effort to change our eating habits, especially in regard to the consumption of refined foods.  We've made the switch to whole grain, seed-filled breads, whole wheat pasta, high fibre cereals, but the one thing I cannot stand is brown rice.  In an attempt to compromise, I tried a mixture of white and black rice.

I cooked it the same way I would with white rice.

As it comes to a boil, the water actually turns to an opaque purple.

Fun Fact: Black rice is also known as "forbidden rice" because originally in China only the emperor was permitted to eat it. 

I liked the taste a lot, and the texture was good.  I even enjoyed the novelty of eating purple coloured rice.  Once I knew it was something I would make again, I looked into it's nutritional information.  Turns out black rice has a comparable amount of fibre to brown rice.  What I found most interesting though is that it contains more antioxidants than the same quantity of blueberries.  Now my only problem is that I was given the black rice mixture, and I have yet to find it in a grocery store.  Does anyone know where I can buy black rice?

Hair-Raising Results

My hair is horribly dry and damaged.  I have been growing my hair out for what feels like an eternity, but it seems to just not be healthy when it is longer.  Recently I've had real problems with it tangling up in actual knots, and I hate the way it feels.  When a friend and I came across a Hot Oil Treatment we thought that just might be the solution.

I've moved to a new website! Head on over to Heartful Habits for the Hot Oil Hair Treatment recipe. Thanks!

Chip Off the Ol' Block - Homemade Potato Chips

Brad and I are always looking for healthier snack alternatives.  Last night's movie night at a friend's house provided us with the perfect opportunity to try out homemade baked potato chips.

After washing, thinly slice potatoes.

Add a little oil.

Sprinkle with seasoning.  I used seasoned salt.

Mix.

Cover cookie sheet with tin foil, and spray with oil.  Place potato slices.  Bake at 425°F for about 30 minutes.

Allow to sit in open air for 15 minutes for maximum crispiness.

The chips tasted good and we did enjoy them, but overall we didn't think it was worth the time and effort.  It took 5 potatoes to cover 2 cookie sheets, and it still didn't seem like very many chips.  As a warning if you plan on making these, we put our chips in a Rubbermaid container for transport, and by the time we got to our friend's house, they had gone soft, which was very unfortunate.  I think the open air is key to keeping them crispy.  So if you've got some extra potatoes and free time, this could be something to try out.