All About Essential Oils

Posted on April 24, 2013 by RaddestMom

The #1 thing I’ve been getting e-mails and questions about recently is Essential Oils. It has taken me a while to figure out how I wanted to approach this topic, because for me, it’s very personal. Ever since I started using essential oils every day, it’s changed my life in such a positive way.

The first thing you need to know is that not all essential oils are created equally. Most brands on your shelves at Whole Foods contain preservatives and fillers, EVEN IF the bottle says “100% pure”. The FDA allows them to write that as long as the bottle contains at least 10% essential oil. What this means is that they lack the potency you need to be able to treat ailments & have good results. The ONLY brand of oils I use is DoTerra

DoTerra’s oils are miraculous. For instance, ONE drop of their peppermint oil is equal to 24 cups of peppermint tea. You cannot find this potency anywhere else. Unfortunately, they only sell their product online. The oils are more expensive than most sold in stores, but they are SO worth it. I’ve gotten rid of 75% of my moisturizers, medications, and cleaning supplies and now use oils exclusively in their place.

I’ve gotten my whole family, including my mother-in-law addicted to the oils. Sharon’s favorite oil is peppermint, and she uses one drop on the tongue as a breath freshener instead of gum or a mint! You cannot do this with most oils. DoTerra’s oils are SO pure, they can be, and are recommended to be ingested( (most of them, but some plants ya just can’t eat). This is why I had to put the disclaimer up before I start telling you what to do with these oils. Don’t go swallowing up something from the store unless it specifically says on the bottle that it’s suitable for ingestion (dietary use).

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are non water-based phytochemicals made up of volatile aromatic compounds. They are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants.

Facts about essential oils:

They do not include fatty acids or lipids found in animal or vegetable oils
Essential oils are IMMEDIATELY absorbed by the skin
They have been used throughout ancient history, and have recently been recognized as medicine by cutting edge physicians
You cannot overdose on essential oils because your body recognizes it as a food source, not a foreign substance
You can mix as many oils as you want, meaning they won’t interact with each other
You can benefit spiritually, emotionally & physically from oils
Essential oils can be used aromatically, topically, or dietarily
When inhaled, essentials oils trigger the limbic system, connected to your heart rate, hormone balance, stress level, breathing, memory, & blood pressure
The use of essential oils can have profound effects physically and psychologically
Oils can be used on babies and children, the stronger ones should be used with a carrier oil such as coconut oil

Here are my top 10 oils and what they can be used for, as well as a personal healing experience I’ve had with each:

1. Lemon

Lemon oil can be used aromatically, topically, or ingested. I put several drops in my water throughout the day. It tastes and smells incredible. It can be used to treat heartburn, depression, anxiety, blood pressure, cold sores, colds, concentration, bug bites, dry throat, diarrhea, fever, stress, varicose veins, and literally 100 other things. When I start to feel a sore throat coming on, I drink tons of lemon oil in warm water, and I also rub lemon oil all over my neck. I also put it in my aroma diffuser & the scent calms my anxiety.

2. Serenity

Serenity is a special relaxing blend sold exclusively by DoTerra. The beauty about their blends is that they contain several different oils which costs you less money because you don’t have to buy them all! It can be used topically or aromatically. Serenity is like natural Xanax for me. I smell it and rub it on my temples before I sleep at night and it knocks me out. I also rub some on Pearl’s chest every night. When I fly on an airplane, I keep it in my pocket & give it a sniff when I feel nervous. Serenity contains: Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang & Sandalwood. I can’t live without this stuff! Hands down, a must-have for me.

3. On Guard

Another blend from DoTerra. This oil is as legit as it gets. Can be used topically, aromatically, or internally. Forget about using clorox, because this stuff is the ultimate germ killer. You can use it to make mouthwash, toothpaste, household cleaners, and to fight off that nasty cold. This blend contains: Wild Orange, Clove Bud, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus, & Rosemary…all powerful anti-bacterial & antiviral containing oils. When I feel the slightest bit like I’m getting sick, I put 3 drops of On Guard in a shot glass of water & toss it back. I also rub it all over the bottoms of my feet ( it’s absorbed quickly into the blood stream that way). I make my own hand soap with this stuff as well as a germ killing spray I use on airplane surfaces. This oil comes with high recommendations from yours truly.

4. Melaleuca (Tea Tree Oil)

If I had to marry one oil it’d probably be Melaleuca. We spend a lot of time together. I have cured so many things with this stuff. From my friend’s dog’s yeast problem in her ears to my own daughter’s ear infection….the list is endless. It is a highly antibacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory miracle oil. I use this stuff almost every day. Can be used topically, aromatically, or internally. Here are some common uses: wounds, ear infection, earache, canker sores, bronchitis, acne, allergies, staph infection, warts, etc.

5. Oregano

Oregano Oil is one of the main things drug companies DON’T want anyone to find out about. It is one of the best antibiotics out there. Forget about your Z-Pack, this stuff is the tits when it comes to killing any type of sinus infection, sore throat, or whatever type of crud you have going on. It is so strong and potent I cannot bare to ingest it in pure form. Since I am a wuss, at the first sign of a cold or infection, I put 3 drops in an empty gel capsule and take it 3 times a day. You have to be really aggressive with the oils when you’re sick. Also, don’t take the oregano oil in high doses for longer than about a week. It is SUCH a strong anti-biotic you want to stay on it about as long as you would a prescription. It’s so cool because oregano oil seeks out the BAD in your system and kills it whereas a prescription antibiotic just kills everything good and bad thus making you feel crappier than before while lowering your resistance. Funny how that works, huh?

6. Digest-Zen

This oil blend is awesome for all things stomach related. It contains: Ginger, Peppermint, Tarragon, Fennel, Caraway, Coriander, & Anise. If I ever have heartburn or feel a little off in the tummy area, I put 3 drops of this in a shot glass of water & down the hatch. Can also be rubbed on the stomach in the bothersome area. I have yet to run into a situation where digest-zen hasn’t stopped a stomach ache within 5 minutes.

7. Peppermint

Such a great, natural way to clear out those nasal passages. ONE drop of this in your mouth makes your eyes water. It’s amazing for freshening the breath. You will never want to use a breath mint again. It’s like the equivalent of 10 Altoids in your mouth at once. One drop of this oil is equal to 24 cups of peppermint tea. It’s wonderful for clearing out your sinuses, allergies, stomach ache, asthma, autism, bacterial infections, cold sores, flu, gastritis, bug bites, itching, & aids in alertness. My favorite thing to do with peppermint oil is to mix it with Frankincense & inhale it. It is like an instant cup of coffee!

8. Frankincense

One of the most ancient and widely used oils in the world. I love this oil because when mixed with any other oil, it enhances the healing properties. It’s great for anti-aging, arthritis, asthma, MS, depression, vision, and preventing diseases. Frankincense was one of the oil used in “grave robbers’ oil”. In ancient times, the grave robbers would rub the oil on themselves before they robbed graves of victims of the plague as not to get sick. Not to sound like a hippie, but something about this oil makes me feel really connected to history and the Earth.

9. Helichrysum

I remember getting this oil thinking, “I’ll never use this one.” Funny, I ended up finishing this bottle first out of all of my oils! This stuff is so bomb I get all worked up when I think about it. I’ve used it to treat eczema, cuts, bruises, ear infections, etc. It’s one of those oils where If I don’t know what to do, I just throw a lil’ helichrysum on it. I had this weird rash on the back of my neck once, and it kept getting worse over a week’s time. So, I said, “ok here goes nothing…” I applied helichrysum a few times a day for 2 days. That’s all it took, it was completely gone after that.

10. Balance

Balance is a beautiful blend of Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy, and Frankincense. This oil has really aided in calming me down if I’m anxious as well as making me feel more balanced, overall. I just inhale it or put a few drops in my bath water. It makes me feel so clear headed, I swear, it turns me into a monk. It’s great for ADHD, back pain, depression, anxiety, mood swings, seizures, jet lag, energy, etc. I really love the smell of this one as well!

So by now you’re probably thinking, “Damn, this shit is expensive and she’s crazy for even suggesting I buy this stuff.” Yeah, this shit is expensive, at first. But so are pharmaceuticals. It’s a great investment if you’re serious about making the change. My friend just recently got off of Nexium for a stomach ulcer that was costing her $450 dollars a month. She switched to a wheat free, processed food free diet & is now on an oil regimen. She is doing absolutely amazing & loving the oils.

You don’t have to get all the oils at once. Find out what is most important to you, and build your oil collection from there. I’m to the point now where I use practically zero over the counter medicines. I have found replacements for pretty much everything I had in my medicine cabinet & more. Your initial investment will be costly, but the oils last FOREVERRRRR unless you’re like me and you like to drink them a lot….

One last thing…The handbook I use for the oils is the most immaculate Bible for essential oils. You can buy it on amazon. It has almost every single ailment in the book, and it is also a glossary for every oil and oil blend. It is crucial to get this book when you get the oils. Buy it HERE

I hope this was an informative lesson for you all. Please feel free to e-mail or comment with any questions! Good luck in your oil endeavors!

Lisa O

How To Eat Healthy On A Budget

Posted on April 3, 2013 by RaddestMom

So, I’ve been getting a lot of angsty tweets from moms saying things like, “Sorry, I can’t afford organic food, I’m not rich!”, and “Not all of us can find these healthy ingredients in our local stores.” Okay, okay. Enough whining peeps. The truth is, you CAN afford to feed your family healthy, clean food on a small budget. I know several families who do. There is NO excuse to not give your kids healthy things 90% of the time. I’m going to show you how.

1. You don’t need to buy EVERYTHING organic

Some foods are dirtier than others. HERE is a list of the “dirty dozen” aka 12 foods you should buy organic. Foods with hard outer shells are less likely to be pesticide dense. This is a simple way for you to be able to pick and choose how you spend your money on organic goods.

2. Grow your own vegetable garden

This sounds difficult, but it really isn’t. I have my own vegetable garden that is no bigger than 3×12 feet. I grow cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and eggplant as well as herbs in planter pots. This is a GREAT way to save money. You can have an abundance of normally expensive organic produce for FREE in your own yard. It’s also a fun activity to do with your kids. I googled how to plant a garden and did it myself. It’s that easy. Bam, no excuses.

This is an actual photo of my vegetable garden at home.

3. Buy in bulk when there’s a good deal, and preserve the leftovers

When my tomato plants spit out a zillion tomatoes, I make salsa and can it, as well as strawberry jam with my abundant strawberry harvest. You can can anything: Pickles, green beans, tomatoes, onions, etc. You can dehydrate the tomatoes in the oven as well and use them for so many dishes. Freezing your berries is also great for smoothies. Once again, there is endless info on how to do this stuff on google.

4. Buy frozen organic produce

Freezing something does not lessen the nutritional value. So, check the frozen foods aisle for organic frozen vegetables and fruit instead of buying something fresh if you’re going to be cooking it anyway. For example, frozen organic green beans are generally cheaper than fresh ones, and fresh ones go bad quickly.

5. Make your own butter

Organic butter can be expensive. HERE is a great recipe for making butter. All it involves is heavy cream and a pinch of salt. Cheaper and tastier.

6. Make your own bread

This is easier than you think. If sprouted grain bread is too hardcore for you, start out with a basic whole grain recipe. You can google a zillion recipes for that, but I won’t give a link because I’m not a huge fan of wheat. I make my own bread using flax seeds:

FLAX SEED BREAD <–click for video tutorial

7. Stay away from pre-packaged food

Here are some commonly used pre-packaged items that can be easily made into organic food:

“Shake N’ Bake chicken coating“- take a leftover loaf of bread or baguette and leave it out over night, uncovered. The next day the bread will be hard. The next day, cut the bread into chunks, and grind it up into crumbs in the food processor. Bam, that’s what breadcrumbs are, folks. Add some dried herbs: salt, pepper, paprika, garlic salt, oregano, basil, and onion powder & there ya go, shake n bake chicken without cancer. Every time I have an old loaf of bread, I dry it, grind it, and freeze it in a bag so I always have fresh breadcrumbs.
Organic Salad Dressing- combine olive oil, juice of a freshly squeezed lemon or lime, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and a teaspoon of grainy dijon mustard. Whisk together. Super cheap & delicious.
Organic Whipped Cream- Empty a chilled container of heavy whipping cream into a stand mixer, along with 2 tsp of vanilla extract. Whip till it becomes whipped cream!
Organic Baked French Fries- cut potatoes into french fry sticks (not thin). Coat with olive oil, salt & pepper. Spread on baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes, turning and flipping fries every 15-20 min. Can also be done with sweet potatoes. These are insanely delicious.

8. Cut back on spending in other areas

It is worth it to give your family what they need nutritionally, I promise. If you can afford to not buy certain things you don’t need during the month, spend that money on GOOD groceries. Your health is important.

The list goes on…From now on, every time you go to cook or eat something pre-packaged, google to find out if there’s a way to mimic the recipe using real, whole food ingredients. That is a great way to start transitioning into healthier eating habits. Just to prove to my skeptics that this can be done without spending a ton of money, I will regularly be posting photos and recipes of the foods I cook and eat.

Happy Eating!

Lisa O

Incase You Haven’t Heard

Posted on March 28, 2013 by RaddestMom

Obama has signed the “Monsanto Protection Act”. It was only a matter of time before our President officially signed off on what is one of the most vile attacks on our basic human rights. The “Monsanto Protection Act” was a small provision cleverly slipped into a spending bill, HR933, and was signed on Tuesday.

To simplify this, let’s look at some basic definitions:

Monsanto- A massive biotechnology company that produces food, drugs, pesticides, and is the leader in genetically modified crops. They are a super evil company, and it would appear they are trying to take over the world. HERE is an article if you wish to read more about their doings.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)- is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Food, as well as animals can be genetically modified.

Why do they genetically modify crops?- They modify the DNA of certain crops to be resistant to certain pests or bacteria. They basically make the pesticide a part of the DNA, so it’s not sprayed on, it’s actually mutated into the genetic sequence. They also modify the DNA to make the crops grow faster & bigger while lowering the nutritional value.

Why are GMO’s bad for consumption?- The consequences of eating these crops are largely unknown. GMO’s have been banned in the European Union, UK, Australia, Japan and dozens of other countries. All studies done on GMO’s and rats have had horrible outcomes, with the rats growing large tumors after consuming GMO corn. HERE is an amazing, quick 8 reasons why GMO’s are bad.

What is the Monsanto Protection Act?

It gives the USDA the power to allow the planting, harvest, and sale of GMO crops, even if a court rules they were not approved.
It strips away any court’s power to argue with Monsanto or any GMO crops. They are immune to the law.
Even if the crops are found to be extremely dangerous to humans or the environment, the US government now has no power to stop them from ending up on your plate.
Their crops can now evade serious scientific review

Yes, Monsanto and other corps have successfully put themselves above the government. Our government is conspiring with corporations to take away our rights & leave us POWERLESS. The government no longer has our best interest in mind when our President, congress members, and senators are all being told what to do like little puppets.

Since January 2009, Monsanto and other Political Action Groups who support GMO crops have donated over 7.5 MILLION dollars to the campaigns of current congress members, and $372,000 to members of senate.

Here’s a video of Obama promising to label GMO foods in his 2007 campaigning speech:

Now I’m not going to get into Obama bashing, but there is a lot of evidence that points to him being in bed with Monsanto & the other food giants. After all, he did appoint Monsanto’s Vice President as the Senior Advisor to the Commissioner at the FDA. What’s even more ludicrous is Michelle Obama’s campaign for gardens & clean, organic food! This makes NO sense. They’re creating all of these diversions to cover up the real train wreck that is going on.

Do you think it’s coincidence that the provision was slipped into the bill & signed during the week of the highly news-covered equal rights supreme court battle? I guess they thought it would go relatively unnoticed by the press since there was something important going on. I don’t know about you, but I smell shit. The point is, you should wake up and realize that this is a HUGE issue. The health of your future children depends on whether or not we do something about this.

So, what can we do? Remember when all of the sudden “trans fats” became the devil & companies started taking them out of foods & proudly labeling they were TRANSFAT FREE? We can do the same thing with GMO’s. By requiring companies to label their GMO products, we can call them out and avoid them, thus making a path for GMO free products to be put in the spotlight. You can also go HERE and sign a petition and get all learned up on GMO’s.

Open your eyes before you open your mouth.

Lisa O

Good links and articles related to this post:

http://www.ibtimes.com/monsanto-protection-act-5-terrifying-things-know-about-hr-933-provision-1156079

http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201303282113-0022643

http://foodbeast.com/content/2013/03/27/obama-signs-monsanto-protection-act-get-ready-for-a-riot/

http://www.infowars.com/top-10-excuses-for-obama-signing-the-monsanto-protection-act/

http://www.infowars.com/obama-betrays-america-yet-again-by-signing-the-monsanto-protection-act-into-law/

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-amazing-power-grab-of-gmo-seed-companies-section-735

http://www.wealthdaily.com/articles/obama-sells-government-to-monsanto-nyse-mon/4082

Why Most Companies Think You’re Stupid

Posted on February 28, 2013 by RaddestMom

So I recently have gotten WAY too into essential oils & gearing my life towards a more chemical & preservative free, holistic path. This includes replacing medicine with oils and herbs, making my own deodorant, toothpaste, and moisturizers, etc. Yeah, I know, it’s hippie shiz, but whatevs.

Throughout this process, I have come to realize that nobody has your best interest at hand except YOU. Believe it or not, even the most innocent looking companies are in the game to make money. This means that they WILL sacrifice your health and well-being for cash. People don’t start businesses & sell products as a hobby. They do it in hopes of creating a huge, self-sustaining empire for themselves. If they weren’t in it to make money, then they’d be non-profit companies.

Incase you still don’t get it, here is a simple diagram to help you better understand what this looks like:

Non-Profit: Doing good things and getting nothing in exchange.

Corporations: Hiding under the facade that they care about you, when really, they’re just fooling you and collecting your cash.

Now, this may be as painful as me telling you there is no Santa Clause, so bear with me….

EVEN IF SOMETHING SAYS IT’S “ALL NATURAL”, “PLANT BASED”, AND “ECO-FRIENDLY”, IT STILL MOST LIKELY DOESN’T MEAN IT’S GOOD FOR YOU.

Translation: Companies want the first thing you see on their bottle to be something positive. This is why they plaster these awesome labels all over their products. It’s all one big distraction to keep your eyes away from the ingredients list and furthermore, the almighty Google. They think that if they put “all natural” on the front of their package, you’ll think it’s safe. YES, they think you’re THAT dumb. Guess what? They fool millions of people into this scam every single day (me being one of them at one point).

Greenworks…sounds really great, right? Guess what? It’s from the makers of Clorox. They also put preservatives in their products and still claim it’s “all natural”

The word “natural” is being abused a lot these days. Just because something is natural, doesn’t mean it’s healthy or safe! For instance, Cyanide and Opium are natural substances, but we all know they’re not good for you! Companies are using things that are oh so dangerous for your health and long term well-being, and marketing themselves as “family companies”. I call bullshit. It doesn’t stop at cleaning supplies, folks. They’re marketing food, baby products, beauty products, etc., this way too. Here are a couple of examples:

“all natural” popcorn

Popcorn ingredients: mixed tocopherols (for freshness) LOLOLOL!

“all natural” bean dip

bean dip ingredients: corn maltodextrin….yeah, so natural!

The reason they get away with this, is because the FDA allows them to claim that because corn is natural, anything derived from it is also considered natural. That’s like me dipping an apple in a vat of shit and claiming it’s still edible.

Here are some SCARY facts about store-bought household cleaning supplies & Air Fresheners:

1. They contain chemicals that can be more dangerous than the germs themselves. The risks are compounded when the cleansers are used in small, poorly ventilated rooms, such as the bathroom.

2. A study was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, dated 6/21/07, which found that the use of spray cleaners in general greatly increases the risk of contracting asthma.

3. Researchers in Barcelona, Spain found that test subjects who used spray cleaners at least once a week had a 30%-50% greater chance of developing this respiratory disease and concluded that as many as one in seven cases of adult asthma could be blamed on exposure to spray cleaners. The study singled out conventional glass cleaners, furniture sprays, and air fresheners as particularly likely to trigger the ailment.

4. Chemical levels can be up to 70 times higher inside the home than out.

5. Over 100 chemicals commonly found in homes have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, psychological abnormalities, skin reactions, headaches, depression, joint pain, chronic fatigue, chest pains, dizziness, loss of sleep, asthma. . .the list goes on.

6. One study even states that housewives have a 55% higher risk of getting cancer than do women working outside the home. This most likely has to do with the products they use on a daily basis.

7. Many common household cleaning products are actually classified as hazardous waste

8. Studies have found that synthetic air fresheners coat our homes and fill our air with unsafe chemicals. Used in 75% of American households, air fresheners are big business, generating sales of about $1.72 billion a year. These products don’t actually eliminate odors but merely use one of several strategies to make you think they’ve vanished

9. Some products simply cover up bad smells with stronger chemicals. Others use a nerve-deadening agent to reduce your ability to smell in the first place; some even coat the inside of your nasal passages with a film that stops smells from getting through <–SICK!

10. The federal government neither tests air fresheners nor requires manufacturers to list product ingredients or adhere to any specific safety standards.

Now that I’ve scared the piss out of you, you’re probably wondering how to combat all of this negativity.

It’s easy. MAKE your own stuff, and stop buying that shiz at the grocery store! It’s way cheaper & safer, anyway. I will be posting recipes VERY soon on how to make your own laundry detergent, air fresheners, deodorant, etc! Stay Tuned. In the meantime, I leave you with a glossary of commonly used ingredients and their definitions:

Acids and Alkalis-Alkalis are soluble salts that are effective in removing dirt without excessive rubbing. Alkalis vary in strength; the stronger one cause burns, and if swallowed can cause internal injuries and even death. Acids are beneficial in removing hard-water deposits, discoloration and rust stains. Acids can irritate and injure the skin and eyes. Oxalic acid, used in some toilet bowl cleaners, is extremely poisonous.

Chlorine Bleach/Hydrocarbons/ and Ammonia, are all volatile chemicals or known carcinogens and are commonly found in household cleaners.

Phthalates (pronounced thal-ates), are hazardous chemicals found in many common cleaning products and are known to cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and reproductive problems. Diethyl phthalate is a known endocrine-disrupting chemical (which can interfere with normal growth and development).

Phosphates, used in most detergents, are found in dish and laundry soaps and pollute our lakes, streams and drinking water.

Synthetic Frangrance or Dyes,- Toluene, a chemical found in some stain removers, has been classified by the EPA as a carcinogen — and studies have linked it to neurological problems and birth defects.

Aerosol sprays, many contain flammable and nerve-damaging ingredients such as hexane and xylene. Also, aerosol sprays produce mist particles that can contain a high proportion of organic solvents - these solvents can be inhaled into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

Stay tuned

Lisa O

How to Keep From Getting Sick!

Posted on December 31, 2012 by RaddestMom

It seems like everyone right now has the flu or a cold….here are a couple of tips that have kept Jack and I healthy recently!

1. Grapefruit Seed Extract

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This stuff works wonders. Very high in antiviral properties. It tastes horrible, so I HIGHLY recommend buying empty gelatin capsules and squeezing the gel into the capsule instead of drinking it in a liquid. Also, the bottle will tell you to take 3 or so drops. Don’t mind that, fill up a capsule with as much as you want. The more the better. You can do this once a day, and if you’re already sick, do it about 3 times.

2. Acerola Powder

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This stuff is vitamin C in a bioavailable food form. In other words, it is absorbed way better than any other form of vitamin C. Mix it in with a liquid and drink. It doesn’t taste bad at all! Take this once a day or more if you’re already sick.

3. Wellness Formula

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This stuff is great! Take 3 pills 3 times a day. Easy to remember, right?

4. KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN!

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We touch our face a ridiculous amount of times a day. Keep your fingers out of your mouth and keep your hands sanitized obsessively.

5. Coconut Oil

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One of the main reasons people get sick is because the inside of their noses become dry and small cracks develop. This makes it easy for airborne viruses to get into your blood stream. To keep your nose moist, put some virgin coconut oil on a Q-tip and rub in the inside of your nose during the day and before you go to bed. It is also high in antiviral and antibacterial properties!

Be Well!

Lisa O

Baby’s First Foods

Posted on November 6, 2012 by RaddestMom

An exciting time for a mom is when we finally get to feed our baby food rather than just milk. Something important to remember is your baby’s tummy is VERY small! What may look like one bite of food to you is actually a lot for them, so it’s important not to over-do it.

The recommendation for starting solids is between 4-6 months (says the World Health Organization). A popular trend right now is called “baby led weaning”, also known as BLW. Baby led weaning means you don’t give your baby solids until they can actually pick up the pieces of food themselves, put it in their mouth, chew, and swallow. While I get the point of BLW, I don’t necessarily agree with all of its terms. My main concern with BLW is choking. I personally feel that a baby shouldn’t be given anything but milk until 6 months at the earliest. Some people swear their baby needs to eat by 4 months, but I just don’t agree with that. Their digestive systems are too immature then. Also, at 6 months, your baby will most likely be WAY more advanced than they were at 4 months, so overall, I feel like it’s safer.

I felt pearl was ready for solids at 6 months because she lost her “tongue thrust reflex.” If you put food in your baby’s mouth, and they push it out with their tongue, that’s a sign they’re not ready. They lose this reflex till around 6 months. If your baby is spitting out half of the food you’re putting in his or her mouth, it’s too early! Don’t be in a rush, relax, and enjoy the easiness of only having to feed baby milk for now!

If your baby is ready, here is the format I’ve used for starting solids:

The first two weeks:

Breakfast: First, a bottle or breast, then 1 tbsp. of pureed fruit or yogurt

After the first two weeks, you can introduce a lunch solid:

Breakfast: First a bottle or breast, then 1 tbsp. of pureed fruit or yogurt
Lunch: First, a bottle or breast, then 1 tbsp. of pureed veg or avocado

After two weeks of doing the breakfast/lunch combo, slowly (if baby wants it), add another tbsp. of food to their meals. The whole point of this is to slowly adjust them to eating. You don’t want to give them a bunch of food at first. Take it SLOW. It will reduce fussiness, upset tummy, and bowel issues. Also, I highly recommend adding “Udo’s Choice Infant Probiotics” to your food or milk, as it greatly aids in digestion.

THE 4 DAY RULE:

Wait 4 days after introducing a new food. WHY? Because you want to make sure baby isn’t having an allergic reaction to it. This makes it easier to pin-point an allergy if you space it out well. After you know your child isn’t allergic, you can start mixing 2 foods together.

When your baby has been eating solids for a couple months, your goal is to get them to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. By 8 months, baby should have a food schedule that looks something like this:

Breakfast: Bottle—> 2-3 tbsp. of food
Lunch: Bottle—> 2-3 tbsp. of food
Dinner: 2-3 tbsp. of food—> Bottle (It’s switched here so baby can have bottle before bedtime, you don’t have to do it this way)

A typical food day for Pearl looks something like this: (she only eats breakfast and lunch right now)

Breakfast: Bottle—> 1 tbsp. of pureed pears, or apples, or prunes, sometimes I do 1 tbsp. of organic goat milk yogurt
Lunch: Bottle—> 1 egg yolk mashed with goat milk, or 1 tbsp of mashed avocado (both to a pureed consistency), or 1 tbsp squash, carrots, peas, etc.

What should you feed your baby first?

A great starter food is avocado. They are high in fat, creamy, and delicious, as well as super digestible by baby. Take a slice of ripe avocado and mash it with breastmilk or formula till it’s nice and smooth. When starting solids, make sure to feed baby in the MORNING. I made the mistake of feeding Pearl first at night, right before bed, thinking it would make her “full” and sleep better. OH MY GOSH, worst idea, ever. She fussed all night.

Another great first food is egg yolk. They contain DHA and ARA, 2 essential fatty acids for brain development. They are low on the allergen list as well. Egg WHITES are the ones you want to stay away from at first since a lot of kids are allergic to the proteins. Hard boil an egg, take out the yolk, and mash it with some breast milk or formula. Great for baby and easy to digest.

Fruit is a great option in the morning since it aids in bowels and it’s light. Some fruits that are safe are pears, apples, bananas(can be constipating, so if you notice this, cease banana eating!), prunes, and melon. Veggies include peas, carrots, green beans, squash, sweet potatoes, and yams.

By 9 months, your baby will probably be able to put soft pieces in his or her mouth and mash them by chewing (much easier if they have 4 front teeth). But, by all means, puree your baby’s food till YOU feel comfortable about giving small pieces.

The most important thing is that you give your baby organic, wholesome foods! No pesticides, and no genetically modified stuff, please. Also, your best bet is to make your own baby food. It is MUCH cheaper, and your baby will be getting the best of the best. I will be posting a video on how to make homemade baby food with my BEABA Babycook. It is so easy it will blow your mind! And remember, NO BABY CEREALS!!!!!!!

Peas!

Lisa O

Coconut Water Popsicles for Baby!

Posted on November 3, 2012 by RaddestMom

Here is a really easy, healthy way to relieve teething pain. Coconut water (raw), as we know, is extremely beneficial to one’s health. Did you know that raw coconut water has the same mineral nutrient balance as human plasma?! Yes, that means, in a bind, one would be able to intraveneously inject coconut water!

Now, not all coconut waters are alike. It’s always best to get coconut water fresh, from a young coconut. I’ve found the cheapest, best deal on them is at your local Thai or asian market. They usually have boxes of them for pretty cheap (much cheaper than whole foods).

If you are going to use bottled coconut water, I highly recommend HARMLESS HARVEST brand. They use 100% raw coconut water that is never heated. It also tastes incredible! I really dislike the taste of Zico and Vita-CoCo….they taste like doodey.

So, a coconut is technically a fruit, but not really. Part of it is also considered a nut/seed, but also not really since it doesn’t fall into the high allergen category. In fact, almost nobody is allergic to raw coconut. This makes it a great first tasting experience for baby. Coconuts are lightly sweet, and the oil is a good source of fat, perfect for their little tummies. You can give it to the baby as young as 4 months, even before they start solids. As always, put a dab of it on baby’s tongue first and wait an hour or so just to make sure there is no reaction. I make these all the time, and Pearl LOVES them! She will gnaw on it till it’s gone. Here’s an easy way to make them. First, you gotta buy these:

Yes, that’s right, they make baby popsicle molds. They sell them at Babies-r-Us, and I’m sure anywhere else that has baby stuff. You can also order them online at amazon.com

Next, you wanna get some good coconut water. Like I said, I like to use Harmless Harvest (available at whole foods and lassens. Go to their website to order some or find out where they sell locally to you)

Next, I like to water the coconut water down, since it isn’t necessary to have it full strength if your baby is under 6 months (their taste buds will pick up the flavor even if it’s watered down since they’re so sensitive).

You can pour half water, half coconut water in each mold. Then you just freeze them. Voila! Coconut water popsicles. Also, try freezing breastmilk in the same mold! Boob-sicles!

Lisa O

Pearl enjoying her coconut water popsicle!

Nummy Num!

Hi

Posted on October 31, 2012 by RaddestMom

For those of you who know me, Hi!….for those of you who don’t, my name is Lisa Osbourne, formerly Lisa Stelly.

I am a 25 year old new mother of a 6 month old baby girl named Pearl. I recently married Jack Osbourne. We live in Los Angeles, in a quaint little hipster village on the east side of Hollywood.

I used to be a full time actress, but now I just do that part time with commercials! My main job now is to take care of Pearl, which is a LOT harder than my old job! People always come up to me and say, “You look so familiar.” My response is usually, “Yeah, you’ve probably seen me on TV putting on deodorant, driving a car, or batting my eyelashes.” I’ve appeared in lots and lots of commercials, music videos, and guest TV roles. At the height of my career, I became pregnant, sick, and took a year hiatus thinking I’d go back after the baby was born. Obviously, my priorities changed. Nothing can prepare you for how immensely your life changes after you take one look at your newborn baby. I immediately transformed as a person. Everything about me changed. Things that seemed so important and enticing before were now lackluster. I no longer felt running around Hollywood competing for a top spot in the industry was something that I was capable of doing anymore, nor was the idea appealing. So, here I am, a stay at home mom at the ripe age of 25 (hey, that’s like 15 in hollywood years).

I am a know-it-all, by nature. At least I can admit it. There is one good thing about being a know-it-all, though: I do my research. If I’m going to say something and stand by it. I like to make sure what I’m saying comes across the correct way for the benefit of all involved….which brings me to why I’m creating my own blog.

I am wholeheartedly involved in the health, happiness, and well-being of my child, and all children for that matter, as well as mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, etc. I think we can all agree that there is a lot of bullshit out there on the world wide web, and it’s hard to find good information when you are searching for the best answers when it comes to you and your family. My biggest problem with the internet is when I want to know something, I google it, which usually leads to thousands of swaying, black and white opinions that are mostly biased or flat out wrong. I’ve found it difficult to find legitimate information or “opinions” if you will, from people like ME.

Let me be more specific: If I google, “what is the best restaurant in los angeles?”, inevitably, someone will say “pink’s hot dogs is the best!” We all know that ain’t true! When I was pregnant, I constantly lurked the BabyCenter community forum. The ignorance of some of the members astounded me. What was even more astounding was how swaying one person’s opinion could be upon a whole group of people. If one person said something was true or false, everyone else would start saying, “Hey, thanks for the info! I had no clue!”, without even really researching it first.

This brings me to my biggest point of all. I am creating this blog so you can have an OPINION from a normal, 25 year old, in-the-know mom who is an OCD freak when it comes to researching anything and everything that exists in my life. I have been asked several times this year to start a blog by my friends and husband. So, here I am, finally putting all of my brain clutter onto figurative paper. I’m not a doctor (though I did study pre-med for a few semesters), I am not super experienced in motherhood (I only have one child), and I am NOT some random person behind a computer screen blasting you with information that I overheard at the local Wal-Mart (not that there’s anything wrong with Wal-Mart, I fricken love that place).

You know my face, you know my name, and now you will hear my product reviews and opinions on everything Motherhood, children, family, FASHION (shopping is my greatest skill), health, and relationships.

ENJOY!

Lisa O

A Motherhood, Fashion, and Health Perspective from a 25 Year old Mama Living in Los Angeles

Tag Archives: health

All About Essential Oils

How To Eat Healthy On A Budget

Incase You Haven’t Heard

Why Most Companies Think You’re Stupid

How to Keep From Getting Sick!

Baby’s First Foods

Coconut Water Popsicles for Baby!

Hi