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NFO eUpdate
July 2004
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Highlights from July's NFO
Nobody's keeping score
NFO Editor Lisa Poisso talks about natural family living, guilt, and how to make mindful choices as painlessly as possible: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/editorial/index.htm
Violent times
Kelley Shirazi provides tips on helping kids cope with today’s frequently horrifying headlines: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/EDU/20047-kids-cope-war.htm
No organic or locally grown produce in your local stores? Don’t give up! Vegetarian cooking guru Nava Atlas tells you three easy ways you can help your family eat seasonally: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/NFL/20047-healthy-eating.htm
And you thought your cravings were unusual! Meagan Francis examines the peculiar phenomenon of pica: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/PB&F/20047-pregnancy-cravings.htm
Explore time-tested tips on ayurvedic internal cleansing from Shreelata Suresh: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/YFH/20047-at-home-cleansing.htm
Also, whisk away toxic buildup with Susy Parker Goins’ Internal Broom recipe: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/YFH/20047-clean-colon.htm
Katharina Bishop scratches beneath the surface of this itchy topic: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/YFH/20047-kids-excema-treatment.htm
Can eczema be controlled through nutrition? Christine Climer shows you how: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/YFH/20047-excema-treatment.htm.
When it comes to breastfeeding, what’s common knowledge is often perfect rubbish. International breastfeeding expert Dr. Jack Newman explodes the most common breastfeeding myths: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/BF/20047-breastfeeding-myths.htm
Read Meagan Francis’s tips on alleviating the pains and strains of the pregnant professional: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/PB&F/20047-pregnant-while-working.htm
And much, much more. Getting the most bang for your fuel buck--two-career families--organics for kids--rewarding behavior--making today magical--potty learning tips--cloth vs. disposables--quitting piano lessons--job shadowing for teens--siblings at births--preventing preterm labor--good bacteria
Visit http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com for tons of practical tools and tips on these topics and more!
You've got questions? We've got answers.
"My son’s school uses a multiple intelligences approach … What are the benefits?"
Lara Ashmore responds: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/Q&A/20047edu-multiple-intelligence-curriculum.htm
Dr. Palmer responds: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/Q&A/20047bf-weaning.htm
"I keep hearing about cloth menstrual pads … What’s the scoop?"
Kendell Schafer responds: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/Q&A/20047nfl-cloth-menstrual-pads.htm
"Help! My neighbor's kids drive me crazy!"
Elizabeth Pantley responds: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/Q&A/20047nfl-naughty-kids.htm
NFO eUpdate Feature: Exclusive content for eUpdate subscribers only!
This month's eUpdate Feature is brought to you by:
Vegetarian Baby and Child--The Online Magazine for Vegetarian & Vegan Families
Q&A With Herbalist Andrea Candee
Question: I try to be careful and protect our family’s skin from the sun, but sometimes sunburns do happen. What do you suggest as natural remedies for soothing the pain and healing the skin?
Andrea Candee responds: If sunburn does occur, there are several wonderful natural formulas that can easily be prepared or purchased.
Apple Cider Vinegar Bath
For large sunburned areas, an apple cider vinegar bath works wonders. Use a brand of apple cider vinegar from the health food store that has been wood aged, rather than one from the supermarket that may have been chemically aged. Apple cider vinegar helps to balance the skin’s pH factor, its acid/alkaline balance. As with all parts of the body, when there is chemical balance, healing is supported.
· Add two cups of apple cider vinegar to a bathtub of warm water.
· Soak for 15 minutes. Your burned skin will be calmed and soothed, and much of the pain will be immediately relieved.
· After the bath, you can use one of the following soothers to promote further healing.
Yogurt Skin Healer
Yogurt is the antidote for the burn of hot, spicy food in Indian cooking because it re-establishes acid/alkaline balance -- and it works the same way for sunburned skin. For sunburn, I use compresses of natural yogurt to help cool and hydrate the skin.
· Wrap whole milk, full fat, plain yogurt in several layers of cheesecloth and compress the burn.
· Replace with fresh compresses as the yogurt warms on the skin.
· Repeat compresses until the skin is cooled and soothed.
· Yogurt can be spread over the entire body, turning an upsetting, painful sunburn into a fun spa treatment that girls especially will love (and boys, too - - my son Brian has always enjoyed our herbal “spa treatments”). Leave the yogurt on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse off in a cool shower.
Baking Soda Sunburn Soother
Like apple cider vinegar and yogurt, baking soda helps to balance pH, the skin’s acid/alkaline balance.
· Add ¼ cup baking soda to a warm bath, for an effective sunburn-healing soak.
· Soak for 15 minutes.
Lavender Oil
The essential oil of lavender is one of the only essential oils that can safely be applied to the skin without diluting it in a carrier oil. Applying lavender oil will take the sting out of the burn and heal it quickly. Its calming aromatherapeutic properties will help to ease the emotional upset of a painful burn.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has the unique ability to help skin renew itself by stimulating cellular metabolism, thereby promoting oxygen exchange and increasing the absorption of nutrients. Aloe contains the anti-oxidant vitamins A and C, the minerals copper, selenium, and magnesium as well as zinc, a powerful virus fighter. The following method works well for a localized burn.
· Rather than cutting from the tip or halfway down the stalk, cut aloe at its base.
· Slit the stalk horizontally, exposing the gelatinous interior.
· Using the thickest, juiciest section, cut a piece large enough to completely cover the burn and its surrounding tissue.
· Place the entire piece on the area (gel and peel, gel side toward the burn).
· Cover the aloe with roller gauze and surgical tape to keep it firmly in place.
· Leave on overnight.
· Repeat applications twice a day until area is healed.
In Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art (Crossing Press), herbalist Mindy Green combines the essential oil of lavender with aloe to create a soothing preparation for sunburn relief.
Aloe-Lavender Smoothie
In a 6- to 8-ounce glass jar, mix together
· 4 ounces aloe gel (fresh from the plant or purchased in the health food store)
· ½ teaspoon essential oil of lavender
· 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
· The contents of two 400IU capsules Vitamin E (puncture the Vitamin E capsules with a straight pin to release the contents).
Tighten a cap onto the jar and shake to blend ingredients. This mixture may be gently patted on the affected area and reapplied as often as needed for relief of the sunburn’s heat and inflammation. For increased cooling benefit and freshness, keep the mixture refrigerated.
One more suggestion: eating sweet potatoes will make you less likely to burn! A small sweet potato contains more than twice the daily need for beta carotene, which helps to reduce the redness and inflammation of a sunburn. University of Arizona
© Andrea Candee
NFO contributing author Andrea Candee is a master herbalist, media expert, nationally known lecturer and author. See more about Andrea here: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/Contrib/a-candee.htm
The information appearing at Natural Family Online™ is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please review the rest of our disclaimer and user agreement: http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/Site/disclaimer.htm.
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