Over the years I’ve made more and more changes to how and what I buy. This year I’m doing mostly home-made gifts for Christmas, otherwise my gifts are environmentally friendly that serve a purpose, and will cut down on using any plastic etc. There are SO many options available to us now, we really should all be getting on board! So I thought I’d do a post on some options for Christmas gifts both home-made and bought, to give you some ideas. Gifts you can make Soy wax candles – Buy the soy wax from www.nazcandlesupplies.co.nz and candle wick from a Spotlight store, a pretty glass or crockery vessel from…

The Gut Brain connection –  Bacillus Spore Supplements and Mental Health The gut-brain axis was first discovered in the 1960’s, but it wasn’t until decades later that this system was further explored for its ability to alleviate mood disorders.1 The term “gut-brain axis” refers to the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. Gut bacteria play essential roles in this system due to their ability to produce neurotransmitters, neurohormones, and neuropeptides. Microbe derived factors can affect the brain by traveling through the blood stream and across the blood brain barrier, effecting the brain directly; stimulating the release of gut hormones that help regulate appetite; causing cytokine production; or by activating…

Are your kids getting enough zinc? Are you? And how would you know? Signs that kids are low in zinc : Behavioural issues/Difficulty concentrating/ADHD Fussy eating Low immunity (catches colds and flus/bugs often) Slow recovery from infections White spots on the nails (most common in adults, but can happen with kids too) Why zinc is needed Kids have a massive need for zinc (we all do, actually). It plays a fundamental role in the growth, development and repair of the body. A zinc deficiency can lead to reduced appetite and picky eating. Zinc is also required for producing stomach acid, so a deficiency can cause digestive symptoms that contribute to…

FOLIC ACID VS FOLATE A lot of women are told they must take folic acid if they are considering having a baby or if they’re pregnant however, I’m here to tell you to STAY AWAY from folic acid.  I want you to take FOLATE not synthetic folic acid. Let me explain.  What is “folic acid” “Folic acid” is manmade. It’s a synthetic vitamin that is not found in nature. It has to be transformed via a complicated process in the body in order for your body to be able to use it.  Folic acid is found a lot in processed foods because these foods are devoid of their nutrition, (think…

Aside from labeling requirements, regulation over the beauty industry is minimal at best. Currently, there is no federal law that requires companies to test personal care products for safety prior to marketing them to the public. 😳🙁 This lack of regard for public safety means that just about anything is ending up in your facial cream. It is up to us, as consumers, to make informed decisions about what goes on our skin, in our hair, and into our bodies. ☠️ Below I’ll list some of the most problematic toxins found in everyday, conventional beauty products. First I’ll start with the HORMONE DISRUPTERS : ~TIP~ After you’ve read the list, go…

Healthy bounty balls The perfect Friday night treat. They taste like the store bought bounty bars but without the white sugar and hydrogenated fat! For me, enjoying a treat knowing it doesn’t contain health harming ingredients actually increases the enjoyment of it. Mix 1 cup desiccated or shredded coconut 1/4 of a cup Coconut cream 2 Tablespoons Cacao powder2 tablespoons rice malt syrup Roll into balls and freeze for 20-30 min Then take out of freezer and in a bowl mix equal parts of sugar free drinking chocolate or raw cacao powder with the same amount of coconut oil and then roll the balls in it coating them, put back…