Clove Oil & Teething

Last week, I was experiencing an earache and gum soreness because of a wisdom tooth coming in. I have yet to have any of my wisdom teeth removed, and I don’t plan on having this procedure done anytime soon. I feel that these teeth are there for a reason, and I don’t experience any issues except for maybe a few days every year when one of these teeth seem to break through even more. There seems to be enough room for these teeth, and I am aware that it is important to keep them clean. But of course, every time I go to the dentist, they try to pressure me to have them removed. Maybe someday in the future I may consider it, but now that I am breastfeeding and plan to have more children, I don’t want to burden my body with anesthesia and unnecessary surgeries.

So, as this tooth began to break through from the surrounding gum line, I realized that soon, Noa will be getting teeth and it might be a little sore and painful. Two of her bottom teeth have come in without any pain or problems, but I heard that some of the others might not be so easy. Usually I just bare through my wisdom teeth dilemma without any relief from the irritating pain. I just pray and hope that the Father imparts to me some “wisdom” that I might need at this period in my life. But this time, I wanted to try and find some relief so I will know how to help Noa when her other teeth and molars arrive.

Clove oil has been used in the past to help with toothaches and pain, and I had some on hand so I gave it a try. I put a few drops on a cotton swab and rubbed it on the sore gum and tooth. Instantaneously, I felt relief! It was incredible! I couldn’t believe how quickly the clove oil worked and how long it lasted. For 2 hours, I completely forgot about the pain. Once the oil’s effects wore off, I just reapplied the clove oil and was relieved again. It seemed to also speed the recovery process. By the next day, the gum surrounding the wisdom tooth was not as sore and I didn’t even need to apply the oil.

It amazes me how quickly these essential oils can work in our bodies. Clove oil has been used in dentistry for centuries. It has very strong pain-killing properties, as well antimicrobial and antifungal uses to help heal acne, warts, scars and parasites.

I know I will definitely be using it to help Noa through her teething process. I may dilute the clove oil with an edible oil like olive or coconut, so it is not as strong for her. I highly recommend using clove oil first before trying any pharmaceutical methods for teething. It is another miraculous, natural healing tool given to us by our Creator.

Carob: The “Better Than Chocolate” Alternative

This week, John Kohler came to visit us again. He is our friend who helped set up our urban homestead in our tiny courtyard. He flies in from California, and this time he brought us the most delicious dried carob pods from Ojai! I had never tried carob like this before, and I was amazed at how much flavor they had and how satisfied I was after eating a few.

I learned about the carob pod when I started using it as an alternative to chocolate at the beginning of my health journey 10 years ago. But I had never eaten it directly from the pod, I always bought it in a powder form. I used it to sweeten raw desserts and other cake and cookie recipes. It has a roasted, chocolate flavor without the negative stimulating side-effects that chocolate has. It tastes like a sweetened cocoa bean, without the bitterness. Carob pods are loaded with antioxidants and can be used as an expectorant, laxative and demulcent.

There are possible biblical references to carob. It is reported that John the Baptist subsisted on “locusts and wild honey.” In Matthew 3:4, the word “locusts” may have been mistranslated to grasshoppers instead of carob because it is also known as the “locust bean.” Also, in Luke 15:16, the Prodigal Son desired to eat the pods he was feeding to the swine because he was starving. These pods were probably from the carob tree because it is resilient to harsh climate and drought and the pods were fed to the swine to save on resources.

Carob pods are also mentioned in the Talmud: Berakhot reports that Rabbi Haninah subsisted on carob pods. Pods were eaten in Ancient Egypt and were known as a sweetener. Carob juice drinks are drunk during the month of Ramadan in the Islamic faith and a dried carob fruit is traditionally eaten on the Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat.

I love carob, and now love to eat it directly from the pod! It is such a delicious snack, and fun to eat. Be careful of the small sized seeds that are hard like pebbles. I suggest taking small bites around the edges first so you can see the seeds inside and remove them before eating. If you are in Ojai (Tiffany!) then try to find this local source and try these carob pods. I’ll be doing some research in the meantime to try and find more resources and will let you all know and maybe we can get them on the website soon too.

I think I may never go back to chocolate again. Maybe I shouldn’t say “never,” but at least now I know there is a more delicious, healthier alternative to eating chocolate.

Avo-Lime Pie Recipe!

Crust:

2 cups grated coconut
1/2 cup cashews
2 TBSP raw honey
1 TBSP lime zest*
2 TBSP water
sea salt as desired

Filling:
3 ripe avocados
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup raw honey
Zest of 6 limes*
2 TBSP coconut oil
2 TSP vanilla powder or extract
sea salt as desired

1/2 cup chia get or 2 TBSP psyillium husk powder

Process crust ingredients in food processor until ball forms, then press into a springform pan.

Blend all ingredients for the filling in a high speed blender, add the psyillium husk powder, then blend again, or stir in chia gel by hand.

Pour in the filling on top of the crust, and let stand in the refrigerator until it sets.

Enjoy!!!

*Lime zest is the outermost skin layer of citrus fruits. You can remove the zest with a citrus zester, paring knife or vegetable peeler. Use only the colored part and add to the recipe. You can also squeeze the oil out of the zest using a sprout bag.

We will be posting a how-to-video for this recipe soon, so check back!!!

Essential Oils We Use

There are many different ways to access the benefits of essential oils. The most common uses are applying topically, inhaling, diffusing and taken as a dietary supplement. We use a wide variety of oils and are not yet familiar with all of the essential oils available.

Here are some of the most common essential oils we use:

Peppermint is used to combat inflammation, parasites, fungus, and it is used to help digestion, curb appetite, and has many other benefits.
-Paul makes a tooth soap with the peppermint oil and Dr. Bronner’s soap
-We put a few drops in tea and other recipes
-We use it in massage oil, directly inhale it, diffuse or use as dietary supplement

Lavender also has many uses and benefits, such as antiseptic, antifungal, relaxant, reduces blood fat/cholesterol, and promotes tissue regeneration. We also use it for bug bites, and I rubbed it on my stomach throughout my pregnancy to prevent stretch marks.
-Drop a few drops in the bathtub
-Blend a few drops with Jojobo or almond oil and use to massage

Sandalwood is an immune stimulant, helps skin conditions and the herpes virus. It enhances deep sleep, stimulates the pineal gland, which is the center of emotions, and is grounding and stabilizing.
-Drop into a diffuser before bed
-I make a blend with sandalwood, ylang ylang and jojobo oil and wear it daily

Ylang Ylang is used for heart issues, anxiety, depression, hair loss and intestinal problems. It has antispasmodic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic qualities, and also regulates the heart. Ylang Ylang is known to balance male-female energies, enhances spiritual attunement, combats anger and low self-esteem, and restores confidence and peace.
-Use in massage oil, diffuse, inhale or take as a dietary supplement

Frankincense is an ancient anointing oil used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. It was one of the gifts given to Yeshua at his birth. It was valued more than gold during those times, and only those with great wealth possessed it. It is known for being antitumoral, immuno-stimulant, antidepressant, and muscle relaxing. It is used to treat depression, cancer, respiratory infections, inflammation and is immune-stimulating. It stimulates glands in the brain and produces vital hormones including thyroid and growth hormone. There are more than 52 references to frankincense throughout the Scriptures.
-Use it is massage oil and rub into vita-flex points, directly inhale, diffuse, and use as a dietary supplement.
-We like to diffuse it throughout the house

Four Thieves Blend is a highly antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-infectious oil blend. It was created by 15th-century thieves who rubbed oils on themselves to avoid catching the plague while they robbed dead bodies. This blend consists of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus and rosemary.
-Four Thieves can be diffused , applied topically and ingested internally


PLEASE NOTE: When using oils straight from the original bottle, be careful not to contaminate the opening with your fingers. The oils on your hands can change the molecular make-up and make them less potent.

There are hundreds more essential oils that are used for healing, so don’t feel overwhelmed. Just start by becoming familiar with a few at a time and you’ll be an expert before you know it!

The Power of Essential Oils

The Power of Essential Oils

Essential oils are powerful and ancient therapeutic agents used for healing and anointing throughout the world. When extracted through high-quality processes, the oils provide antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and hormone-balancing effects. They are used to reduce pain, release muscle tension and provide positive emotional lifts.

Essential oils can be much more potent than using high quality herbs, and finding a high-quality, therapeutic source can be difficult. We use essential oils regularly, and have an arsenal at home in our cabinets. We use oils when traveling and at home. The Four Thieves blend we spray on planes, chairs, hotel rooms and anywhere we want to disinfect. We are able to offer you high-quality essential oils like Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Peppermint, Rosemary, and the Four-Thieves blend at a low price, but we do not carry all of the oils that we recommend. I suggest signing up for a Young Living Account here and use 889264 to sign up as your sponsor and enroller, and become your own distributor. I believe you have to purchase at least $50.00 per year, but it is worth it. Young Living provides the highest quality therapeutic oils available. We are able to purchase a few of these oils from the same distributor at lower prices on our site, and hope to add more in the future. We are not trying to promote an MLM, but want to give you access to what we have found to be the highest quality oils on the market.

I also recommend purchasing the Essential Oils Desk Reference compiled by Essential Science Publishing. This guide is necessary to get started learning about the miraculous benefits of essential oils. I used it regularly throughout my pregnancy. There are certain oils not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding and I wanted to make sure I used them correctly. It is a loaded with information, and if you are serious about using oils and learning about their therapeutic benefits, this will help.

There are so many uses for essential oils, so I will be posting more later. Hopefully this will help you get started using them too, if you haven’t already. Let me know if you have any questions. I have a great resource of people who have vast knowledge and wisdom about the oils and they would love to share their knowledge.

It is so exciting learning about the benefits of essential oils and I’ll be writing more about how we use them and the ones that we love and use the most.

The Benefits of Honeybee Products

So what’s all the buzz about? Well, for those of you who are strict vegans, eating anything that comes from a living creature is off limits, including honeybee products.
I considered myself “vegan” until I learned that honeybee products are some of the most nutrient-dense foods we can consume.

I am not a big supplement person so obtaining my nutrients from food is the best way. After snacking on a few honeybee products, I found that my energy and stamina definitely improved. I did a little research, and I found that these honeybee products are some of the most nutritious foods on the planet! These bee products include: honey, bee pollen, royal jelly and propolis.

Honey is an antiseptic with cleansing properties. It aids in tissue repair, reduces scar tissue and inflammation. It is a delicious and nutritious sweetener added to tea, recipes and eaten alone.

Royal jelly is a honey bee secretion use in the nutrition of the larvae. It contains B vitamins, water, protein, simple sugars, high amount of fatty acids, trace minerals and enzymes. It is also used as an antibacterial and antibiotic agent.

Bee pollen contains all the nutrients needed for survival. It has a high concentration of B vitamins as well vitamins A,C,D and E. It is great for men and women’s health regarding reproduction. Hippocrates claimed bee pollen to be the secret against old age.

Propolis is the resin used to seal open places in the hive. Natural health professionals use propolis for the relief of various conditions, including inflammation, viral diseases, ulcers, superficial burns or scalds. Propolis can be ingested, applied topically or used for many other purposes.

These honeybee products are so nutrient dense and easy to consume. Just place a couple teaspoons of honey, royal jelly, bee pollen or propolis in your smoothie, almond milk, or just eat it alone. It is an easy way to ensure your body is getting vital nutrients that it may be lacking. You will notice that you are not as hungry because your body is getting what it needs.

Obtaining these bee products is not an easy task. I admire people in this profession, and I have heard most of them have such a great respect for the bees and how they provide us with this miracle food. Becoming familiar with a local apiary or bee yard is great way to ensure that you are obtaining high quality products and also supporting local farmers.

So whether or not you consider yourself a “vegan,” adding these honeybee products to your diet will provide your body with an ample supply of nutrients and you will feel healthier and happier.

The Discover Kingdom Health Summit

Starts November 30th, 2009 for 7 nights
6 pm Pacific / 8 pm Central / 9 pm Eastern

Imagine inviting 7 Health Experts into your home to teach you how to create an inspirational health plan that will give you more energy, more peace, and more power than you ever thought possible!

Click here to view more details

Raw Lemon Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce Recipe

Crust:
2 cups almonds (soaked at least 6 hours, dehydrate 2 hours)
1/2 cup medjool dates

Process in food processor

1/4 shredded coconut

Sprinkle coconut on bottom of spring form pan. Press in crust on top.


Cheesecake Filling:
3 cups cashews (soaked 2 hours)
3/4 coconut oil
3/4 honey
3/4 lemon
1 tsp. vanilla powder or extract
sea salt to taste

Blend ingredients in high speed blender. Pour mixture on top of crust. Tap pan to remove air bubbles.


Strawberry Sauce:
2 cups strawberries
1/2 cup dates or honey

Blend in high speed blender. Pour sauce on top and freeze together, or serve sauce separate.

In response to our recent coming out of the vegan closet!

The word is out! Paul and I have recently come clean about occasionally eating some raw animal products like goat’s milk and sheep’s cheese and raw cage-free, vegetarian eggs. We are no longer “vegan.” After 10 years, it’s actually liberating to not put myself in a box or under a certain label. I am learning to follow my body, which I believe to be the most important way to monitor my own health. Everyone needs to listen to their own bodies! I don’t believe that there is one way for everyone to eat. I am 100% supportive of the raw-vegan diet, and know that it is an extremely cleansing and healing diet that will benefit almost everyone who tries it on a short-term basis. That can be anywhere from a few weeks, to years depending on the person’s health. But long-term the vegan diet may not be as sustainable as we were led to believe.

This isn’t something we just did on a whim. We have been interviewing lots of people the past few years on our quest for vibrant health. We are open-minded and willing to experiment. If it’s not working, we will be honest and let people know. It is our responsibility to be straightforward and truthful in our journey so we do not mislead anyone. Our passion is to show people the healing benefits of the raw, living foods diet and for someone who has attained a healthy lifestyle, re-introducing raw sheep and goat products on occasion will probably be okay. But if you are in a health crisis, then adopting a raw-vegan diet will be beneficial for most people. If you are looking to heal from a serious illness, then please seek professional supervision before embarking on such a dramatic diet change.

What we have found is that maybe it is better to have a raw egg yolk in an almond milk once a week instead of loading our body with tons of supplements that are expensive and may not even be assimilated into the nutrients we need! A few years ago, before Paul left the vegan world, he had a dream that all of the supplements he was taking were sticking to the inside of his intestinal tract like glue! He couldn’t have asked for a clearer sign from our Creator that maybe overloading on supplements was not the right path for him. He decided to try other methods, and some people mentioned to him to try raw animal products like eggs and goat and sheep products.

I know there are a lot of fanatics out there who are disappointed that we are now experimenting with animal products (I read their comments on The Raw Life Health Show.) And I have been that fanatic vegan years ago! But there are also just as many people who are supportive and thankful that we are honest and lots of others who agree with us on this point.

I’m sure that this will be a debatable issue for some time. I guess that is how we learn and grow, and both Paul and myself are far from where we hope to be in the future. Thanks to all of you for your support and growing with us! We appreciate everyone’s comments and experiences.

Blended Salad Recipe

This recipe is so simple and delicious. We add variety with different vegetables, sprinkling on top crackers, dulse, or sauerkraut.

Blended Salad:

1 tomato
juice of 1 lemon
3-4 celery stalks
3-4 handfuls of greens (collards, romaines, kale, etc...)
cilantro to taste
1 avocado

(seasonings like sea salt, garlic and cayenne can be added to taste)

Blend it up, and eat it quick because it will oxidize quickly after blending.

Re-Release of the Raw Mom Summit!

The Raw Mom Summit is back!

Starting Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Top Health Leaders from around the world come together and share their truth and knowledge on topics such as:

-Prenatal and postnatal care
-Attachment Parenting
-How to feed your family when one eats meat, and the other doesn't
-Getting kids excited to make food
-Sustainablilty and Permaculture
-Longevity tips

...And so much more!

Click here for more information and to register for the next Raw Mom Summit!

A Simple, Natural Approach to Better Skin, Health and Overall Well-Being: Dry Skin Brushing

Dry-Skin Brushing is an ancient healing and detoxification technique used by Russians, Turks and Scandinavians for centuries. Detoxification is performed by a number of organs, glands, and other organs including the skin, gut, kidneys, liver, lungs, lymphatic system, and mucous membranes. This technique helps the skin in the detoxification process.

Paul and I have both been dry-skin brushing for many years, way before we were even married. It's part of our daily routine and I can tell you that I definitely notice when a day goes by and I have not skin brushed. There are so many benefits to this natural health technique and I think everyone should start fitting it into their daily routines.

I'll name just a few of the benefits of skin brushing:
-Sheds dead skin cells, promoting cell renewal
-Increases circulation, discharging metabolic waste, aids in lymphatic drainage which drains mucoid matter into the colon
-Increases muscle tone
-Rejuvenates the nervous system
-Assists in absorbing nutrients by unclogging pores
-Helps breakdown cellulite
-Helps digestion

And the list continues!

Dry-skin brushing is such a simple way to to promote healing! It's so easy. Just purchase a natural bristled brush (Click Here to buy the one Paul uses),
and first thing in the morning, before you shower, sweep the body with the brush starting with the feet upwards, always brushing toward the heart. Showering afterward will help remove the dead cells. One brushing session generally lasts about 15 minutes. If you are feeling under the weather, then adding a few more sessions during the day will promote faster healing.

You may also buy a softer bristled brush to use on your face. It's one of the many methods that Tanya Zavasta suggests to help prevent wrinkles and exfoliate. She has the facial brushes available at her website BeautifulonRaw.com.

This is just one simple way to aid in your journey to better health naturally! Many more tips to come!

Our Raw Life

The time has finally come! I am now ready to focus on the passions of my heart, and I hope to find more time to do it all. The words of our wise mid-wife Janice are ringing true! She told us last year before Noa was born, not to expect to get much done for at least a year after her birth. Well, Noa is now 10 months, and I am finally ready and motivated to start following my passions again! And having Noa along for the ride is definitely an extra blessing.

I recently ended my extended part-time position at Hippocrates Health Institute, where I worked for more than three years. Working there was a wonderful experience, and I learned so much about the raw food diet and lifestyle. A part of me is sad and a little nostalgic about my time there, but it’s a new season! I’m so excited to start sharing my experiences as a new mom, being a wife to Paul Nison, and our desire to live a sustainable lifestyle, and to help others do the same naturally. Our main focus is to share with people the truth about natural living and healing. Our creator made us perfectly! If we allow our bodies to do the job they were created to do, then we can heal from obesity, sickness and disease, and begin to thrive!

I believe that we are living sacrifices, designed for living a fasted-lifestyle. Yeshua (Jesus) lived it perfectly, and I desire to be more like him everyday. He is the perfect role-model for me, and I have learned so much by reading The Scriptures (Bible). A favorite verse that encourages me is 1 Peter 4:7-8. It states: But the end of all things approaches: therefore be sober and wakeful for prayer. And above all things, have fervent love one towards another, for love covers a multitude of sins.

We are called to be clear-minded and self-controlled so that we can pray. What wisdom, that if we live a lifestyle of fasting and prayer, it will be easier to hear His voice so that we can pray! I long to be a loving example of Yeshua’s love, and I know that in love, I am also forgiven for my sins. What an incredible gift of life!

So this blog will begin the documentation of our journey through life, and our passion to help others as we have been helped, by discovering the truth!

Please feel free to post comments and you can also email me at andrea@rawlife.com. We will be covering a wide range of topics, from mothering & fathering, raising kids naturally, elimination communication (diaper-free), sustainable living, raw foods and so many others. If there is something you would like us to cover, please let us know!

My husband Paul also has a video blog where he posts videos every weekday. So please check that out at www.therawlifehealthshow.com.

We look forward to hearing from all of you, and have a great Raw Life!

Blessings in love,

Andrea Nison