Friday, June 30, 2017

Bakewell (Cherry & Almond) Jam

When I was at secondary school, I took Food Technology as one of my GCSEs. There were only 5 of us in the class (everyone obviously hated cooking hahah) but we got recruited to help make jam to sell at the school’s Christmas Bazaar. I remember having to stir up huge vats of the stuff and we made some delicious jars of classic preserves – lemon curd, mango chutney, strawberry jam…

One which struck me by surprise was an apricot jam we made using dried apricots with flaked almonds stirred in right at the end. I’d never seen that before but it stuck with me.

So that’s partially where the inspiration for this jam came from – a little twist on the classic cherry jam! In the UK we have a delicious pastry called Bakewell tart which, if you haven’t heard of it before, is a shortcrust pastry case with a layer of cherry jam topped with frangipane (an almondy, buttery cake). It is delicious as that pairing of almond with stone fruits works so amazingly together so I thought ‘why not make a Bakewell-flavoured jam!?’. And man, it is SO GOOD on toast with a bit of almond butter underneath too.

My dad and I always use Tate & Lyle’s Jam Sugar for jamming because it contains added pectin so it’s perfect for low-pectin fruits (e.g. loganberries which my dad grows on his allotment!) to help the jam gel and set. #FoodScienceFact – pectin is actually a form of dietary fibre and is mainly found in something called the ‘middle lamella’ which is a kind of jellyish bit situated between plant cells to stick them together – it’s really high in the white pith of citrus fruits! Also of course you need the sugar to preserve the jam (another #FoodScienceFact – sugar helps with preservation by lowering something called the ‘water activity’ which is essentially the amount of water which is available to microorganisms to use for energy. Salt also does this which is why high salt/high sugar foods keep well).

This year Tate & Lyle are launching their ‘Great British Jam Awards’ to inspire the UK to get their jam on – open from June 14th – July 6th (winners announced on July 12th). So if you’re in the UK make sure you give jam making a go this summer so you can enter their contest and win some great prizes!

For more information check out WeLoveBaking on Facebook, full terms and conditions here

 

Bakewell (Cherry & Almond) Jam

  • 1.2 kg fresh cherries (or 1 kg frozen, pitted cherries)
  • 1 kg Tate & Lyle Jam sugar
  • 1 lemon (juiced)
  • 80 g flaked almonds
  • 2 tsp almond extract
  1. Remove any stems from your cherries. To pit the cherries, place them over the open mouth of a clean, empty glass bottle (e.g. a beer bottle) facing upwards. Use a chopstick to poke through the cherry so that the pit pops out straight into the bottle. Repeat with the rest of the cherries – you should end up with roughly 1kg of cherries. 

  2. Place the pitted cherries into a large pot with the sugar and lemon juice. Place over a low heat and stir occasionally until it starts to bubble. As you start to see juice coming out of the cherries, turn the heat up. Keep stirring occasionally until the jam just starts to simmer then turn the heat down to low and leave to simmer. Let it simmer for 20-30 minutes until it has thickened and will coat a wooden spoon with a jammy layer. 

  3. You can test if the jam is done by placing a small plate into your freezer for 5 minutes so it gets nice and cold. Scoop a spoonful of jam onto the plate. Let it sit there for a minute to cool then push with a finger – if the jam wrinkles and leaves a clear line it’s done, if it is still liquidy it needs to be cooked for longer.

  4. Remove from the heat and stir in the almonds and almond extract. Divide between sterilised glass jars and leave to cool. Store at cool place for up to 3 months.

*Thanks to Tate & Lyle for sponsoring this post, and you guys for supporting my blog! All opinions are my own 🙂

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The Week in Review 261

“Your email has been deleted while I focus on my dream.” - Ueli Steck

Lonely sunrise watcher on the Kanisfluh

News

In case you have read the last Hiking in Finland articles only via RSS - maybe it’s time to swing by on the blog and see the new-ish layout which is light and pretty!? You could read for example my #OutDoorFN 2017 Re-Cap!

The lightest & smallest Drone ever has landed - the DJI Spark. Fly it with your hand like a Jedi Knight!

The most awesome Outdoor Hotel Room of Switzerland. [German]

Will Gadd’s Alpine Climbing Notes.

Vecto is a 80 g light water container that’s easy to clean.

Need Wifi for messaging your mate in the Wilderness? Check out Sonnet.

Alex Honnold completes the most dangerous Rope-Free Ascent ever.

Why Alex Honnold’s Free Solo of El Cap scared me.

Losing Ueli Steck.

Alpinetrek.co.uk has 20% Discount on current outdoor garments.

Check out the bargains in the Campsaver.com Outlet.

Trip Reports

Backpacking on the Högakustenleden in Sweden.

Erika was climbing at the Tre Cime again, and I’m just a tiny little bit jealous. [German]

Cass’ Family Version of the Swift Campout is nothing short of EPIC.

Henryk and three of his readers went for a #MicroAdventure around Berlin by bike. [German]

Paulina enjoys Backpacking and Beach Bonfires.

夏滋味 - a nice Family Summer Camp.

Family Packrafting on the Upper Isar. [German]

A cool climbing Microadventure in Croatia!

Alex almost ruined his Vienna - Nice hike - happily he’s OK again! [German]

Beardoh and Sweet Pea will be hiking the Colorado Trail this summer.

Krister & Anna enjoy a bivy up to Aiguille de la RĂ©publique.

Hiking Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon Trail.

Alex shares his Field Notes from hiking the Langdale Skyline.

A guide to International Bikepacking by Cass Gilbert.

Dinner!

Gear Reviews

Ultralight Family Travel With Eagle Creek Pack-It Spectre Cubes and the Cargo Hauler Duffel.

How to Vlog like Casey Neistat (by Casey Neistat).

Making-Of of the ultimate Functional Outdoor Jacket.

Neil reviews the Alpamayo Designs Seat Pack.

Max ponders about fly fishing.

Chris Townsend’s Lightweight Approach To Big Hills including a gear list!

And Ken shares his final impressions from the 2017 OutDoor.

If you enjoy The Week in Review & other articles why not support me with a coffee or two? I work Full-Time on Hiking in Finland to bring you inspiring trip reports, in-depth gear reviews and the latest news from the outdoors. You also could subscribe to the rarer-than-ever Newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Youtube for more outdoorsy updates!

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this article to help finance the website. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.



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Thursday, June 29, 2017

Vital Mind Stories: My Story of Burning Out, Bouncing Back and Breaking Through

Over the past year and a half I’ve shared a lot about what was going on with me in terms of my spiritual and personal growth, but the one thing I didn’t share about publicly was the debilitating burnout I was experiencing in the midst of it all.

I didn’t write or talk about it at first because I didn’t want it to be happening to me. I didn’t want to admit that I couldn’t “do it all” and was worried what people would think. I was ashamed I couldn’t just suck it up and push through like so many other people seemed to do.

I mean, we all know people who are stressed all the time and seem like they’re exhausted and overwhelmed, but they keep going and push through it all, right?

But then it got to the point where I couldn’t remember anything and could barely put two words together, and that’s when I got really scared.

Burning Out

It all started in the summer of 2015 when I went to get a bridesmaids dress shortened I’d bought two months earlier and I couldn’t zip it up.

I thought it was weird because I hadn’t changed my eating or exercise habits, but the fact was I’d gone up a size without realizing it. And I’d felt tired and kind of out of it too, which I figured was from being stressed out and “busy.”

But a few weeks later I started having trouble keeping up at work because I couldn’t think straight. I was getting really overwhelmed by simple things that wouldn’t have fazed me in the past, but instead of slowing down I just tried to be more organized, make better to-do lists, and work later to try and keep up.

I didn’t want to give in to how I was feeling and blamed myself for not being able to “get it together,” so I pushed myself harder. I drank more coffee and slept less.

I even stopped meditating because it became one more thing on my to-do list that I didn’t have the energy to make time for. I just tried to keep going. I mean, I didn’t have time to deal with the SOS signals my body was sending me, right? I was busy!

But as the months passed, I went from simply not feeling great and being a little foggy to barely functioning.

I gained 20 pounds in the blink of an eye, was so “wired and tired” that I rarely slept more than 4 hours a night, had trouble keeping my balance thanks to daily dizzy spells, and felt like I was stuck in a never ending dance between fight and flight.

I couldn’t keep going at the level I was at before in terms of physical energy, but I also just didn’t have the mental energy to keep all the balls I was juggling in the air.

Before I knew it, I found myself sitting in meetings unable to comprehend what people were saying. I just couldn’t put the words together in my mind to make sense of them, and my short-term memory was shot.

It’s hard to explain what that felt like, but it’s kind of like being in a constant state of panic because you can’t grasp on to any thoughts or think clearly, much less strategically. I tried to write down as much as I could because I’d forget what people said as little as 5 minutes later, but then I’d forget to even look at my notes, so that coping mechanism didn’t really pan out all that well.

It’s bad enough to feel like you can’t remember much, but the confusion and distortion of reality that comes along with this level of “brain fog” can best be described as feeling like you’re slowly losing your mind. I became completely disconnected from my intuition, lost my sense of center and felt like I couldn’t trust myself all in a matter of months.

I felt like everything was falling apart around me.

I hadn’t felt well for close to 8 months by then and had been to multiple doctors who’d diagnosed me with everything from Adrenal Fatigue and Hypothyroidism to Epstein Barr, among other things, but the various steps and multiple medications I was taking didn’t really seem to be working. I felt like I was getting worse instead of better.

And then last spring, I truly hit a wall.

I’d essentially dropped out of my life beyond work because I didn’t have the energy or clarity to deal with anything or anyone else. I spent the majority of my weekends sleeping and, most days, just getting myself up, dressed and out the door was my major accomplishment.

I was at my wits end and felt like I wasn’t actually living my life, but simply surviving it.

I reluctantly followed my doctor’s advice and took a medical leave from work because I was out of options in the state I was in. I’d reached the point where I literally couldn’t do my job, but I think I’d been hesitant to take that step because it made the seriousness of what was going on all too real.

I was also terrified of what people would think. Would they think I wasn’t strong enough to push through it? Would they think I wasn’t capable? Would I be letting everyone down?

And I have to admit that reaction surprised me a bit because I’d done so much work on releasing my fear of judgment, rejection, and asking for help by then that I thought I was past all that, but all those fears came roaring back when I had to make that decision.

And those weeks felt like what you might describe as a dark night of the soul.

They were full of countless doctors appointments, sleepless nights and feeling worse before I felt better, but in that space where I was focused solely on my health I somehow started to find my way back to the intuitive connection I’d lost somewhere in the fog.

When I was forced to slow down and rest I could see I’d been stressing myself out even more by trying to power through when I needed to push pause.

And as I started to try and understand why my default response was to push full steam ahead instead of slowing down, I thought back to the Judgment Detox workshop Gabby Bernstein had given a few months earlier.

As I looked back through my notes and thought about everything she’d said I realized just how much I was judging myself, how judged I was feeling because of it and how my fear of being judged had taken root in all areas of my life, including my health.

I’d been judging myself big time for getting burned out and sick in the first place, for not being able to push through it and for having to take the medical leave to get back on my feet. And I’d assumed other people would judge me for it too, which was just making me feel worse.

Bouncing Back

I’d thought being stressed out, too busy and not feeling well were the causes of my unhappiness, and those were the causes on the surface. But really, it was my resistance to facing the fears buried underneath all the stress and health issues that had been keeping me stuck, and sick.

I realized that even with all the spiritual and personal growth I’d experienced over the past few years, I was still equating being “busy” with being “worthy.”

When I understood that, I could see the purpose of it all. For so many months I’d asked over and over again, “why is this happening to me?” And I could finally see that this was happening to help me, not to hurt me.

Everything I was going through was bringing all the fears I’d said I wanted to heal to the surface and giving me the opportunity to do just that.

When I look at it that way it makes perfect sense to me. My body essentially forced me to slow down so I could see my life wasn’t falling apart, it was actually falling into place perfectly so I could heal the fears that kept showing up.

My penchant for perfectionism, lack of confidence in speaking up for myself, not wanting to inconvenience people by asking for help and playing small so I could be “safe,” which had all become the ways I protected myself from being judged or rejected, had all played a role when I tried to brush off feeling more tired than normal in the beginning and didn’t put myself first.

I’d valued being busy more than I’d valued my health and myself.

But going through this experience of being exhausted and confused all the time meant I couldn’t keep it all together. In order to survive I had to admit I wasn’t perfect, I had to ask for help, I had to be vulnerable and take the chance I might be judged for it.

I had to speak up for myself, have uncomfortable conversations, and put myself first. I had to do everything I was afraid of doing. And to do it all, I had to stop judging myself to break the cycle.

So I chose to lean into the resistance I was feeling and finally face my fears. It may sound simplistic to say that’s just a choice we make, but that’s really what it is.

We can choose to resist looking at our fears or we can choose to face and feel them. It’s not always easy, but it is that simple. And when I made that choice things started to change.

When I returned to work after a 6-week leave I finally felt like I was slowly starting to emerge from the fog.

I channeled all that energy I’d been wasting on stressing, judging and worrying into deepening my spiritual practice, focusing on my health, doing the best job I could at work, and feeling what I needed to feel.

And by doing all of those things I was letting my intuitive connection grow stronger because I wasn’t fighting against what was happening. By surrendering and making peace with the process I was going through I stopped resisting the lessons I needed to learn and started to heal.

Breaking Through

At this point, I felt better emotionally and mentally than I had in months, but that was only half the story.

My body had been through a lot and my endocrine and immune systems had been in crisis mode for a year, so I felt like I needed to seek a more holistic kind of treatment that would go deeper than just medicating my symptoms. And that’s when I found Dr. Kelly Brogan.

My mom had mentioned her to me before, but I’d been resistant because I knew going to see Dr. Brogan would mean looking at all areas of my life and doing a major overhaul of everything including what I ate, the products I used, the medicine I was taking, and really, the way I was living day-to-day. But with my internal voice back in the driver’s seat I knew I was ready to take the plunge. I knew I had the chance to live a new kind of life and I was ready to live it. The doubt and resistance just disappeared when I thought about it that way.

And at my first appointment I felt more seen and heard by Dr. Brogan than I had by any doctor I’d ever been to in my entire life.

Everyone else just wanted to write me a prescription to suppress my symptoms, but she actually cared where they were coming from and wanted to get to the root cause and believed I could heal without popping pills for the rest of my life, which was music to my ears.

She helped open my eyes even wider to see why I was going through this, not just from a medical perspective, but also from a spiritual one. And although I couldn’t imagine how I’d actually be able to get off the plethora of meds I was taking, I trusted the intuitive voice that was telling me I could trust her to lead me in the right direction.

As I made the changes she suggested I started to feel better and I realized I’d been fighting listening to my intuition all along because I didn’t want what it was telling me to be true.

It was saying the lifestyle I’d created wasn’t working for me. It was telling me to slow down. It was telling me to take a serious look at the root causes of the symptoms and stress I was experiencing.

It was also telling me to speak up and ask for help and admit I couldn’t do everything by myself. It was telling me to stop resisting and let myself be guided. It was telling me I needed to walk my talk.

As all of this became clear to me late last summer I knew that I needed to fully embrace this new direction my life was taking me in.

It was pretty clear everything I’d been going through was a wake-up call and that it was up to me to listen, or not.

So, I decided to take a leap of faith and make a huge change. I just knew it was the right time and that I was doing it for the right reasons, which is an annoying explanation, I know. Whenever I’ve asked someone about making a big decision and they’ve said, “You’ll just know when you know” my reaction was something akin to “Huh? But how will I know when I know?!” But the truth is, that’s really what happens. I just knew when I knew.

I’d been working at ELLE heading up PR and editorial brand strategy for nearly three years, and loved it, but as I continued to dive further into my own healing I felt more and more passionate about wanting to do something new.

I wanted to do something entrepreneurial where I could take all the publicity and branding knowledge I’d gained during my 15-year career and fuse it with the mindfulness and stress resilience tools I’d used to heal myself and that I’d seen help so many people around me.

And to do that I knew I had to take another pause and make my physical healing a priority so that dream could become a reality.

So, in September, I left my full-time job at ELLE and transitioned to working from home as a consultant on editorial projects for them through the end of 2016. When I told my boss I wanted to make a change she was incredibly supportive and gracious, as she had been throughout my whole ordeal for the year prior, and I’ll always be grateful for the incredible experience I had working there.

And as I start this new chapter, I’m excited to be bringing all my skills and passions together to do a number of different things including writing, life coaching, and media training & public speaking coaching and consulting with a mindful twist.

For the past few months I’ve been working on staying present and building the foundation of my business, but I’ve spent the majority of my time focusing on my health and wellness. Coming back from a full-blown burnout like mine takes some time, but I’m happy to say I’m off all the prescription medication I was taking and am feeling stronger every day.

I know now that everything seemingly “fell apart” for me when it did because I was ready and willing to handle it, whether I knew it or not.

After all, through all the ups and downs I learned how to trust myself again. I found my voice and nurtured the confidence I needed to use it. I learned how to speak up for myself with conviction and how to ask for help without judging myself for needing it. I started living my life again, instead of just surviving it.

So, I wouldn’t change a single thing I’ve been through. It all got me to where I am today and where I am feels good. It feels fresh and new and full of possibility.

 

susie draper 2017Susie Draper is a mindful media training & public speaking coach, writer and life coach on a mission to help women find their voice, face their fears, speak their truth and share their light. Follow her blog and get in touch at www.susiedraper.com.

 

 

This blog post was previously posted on Susie Draper’s website

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Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Curtain Do’s and Don’ts

Out of all the window treatment choices out there, curtains are possibly the most famous. They offer versatility that suits any window in your home, and they are available in a wide array of colors and textures. Despite how adaptable they can be, there are still do’s and don’ts to follow when hanging curtains.

Image Source: Flickr

DO hang high
The higher the rod, the taller the window will appear, so fix your curtain rod closer to the ceiling than the top of your window. The rule of thumb is that they should sit 4-6 inches above the window frame.

DON’T go too short
Unless you are using cafe-style curtains, the fabric should fall to the floor. These are the highwater pants of curtains and not a good look. A little puddling can be nice if you want a romantic feel but if you don’t want to worry about them dragging and getting dirty, then stop the fabric just before they hit the floor — a little under an inch is good. Source: ApartmentTherapy

DO consider the light. Which room are you curtaining? If it’s the bedroom, do you like to be woken by the first rays of daylight or do you prefer total darkness? Make sure your curtains comfortably clear the sides of the window if so and think about blackout linings or blinds behind.

DON’T be exclusive. Just because you’ve decided to hang curtains doesn’t mean getting rid of blinds. In some rooms different window treatments can complement each other. Source: InsideOut

DON’T forget the hardware. Curtain rods and finials should “match” the fabric. Heavier drapes such as velvets should be on a large and somewhat decorative rods while light silks and sheers can sit on light-weight and more dainty rods. That said, they should also “match” the rest of the room. Make sure they connect to something in the room.

For instance, if you’ve got Lucite lamps or chairs, a Lucite drapery rod might be in order.

DO consider what fabric is best. Cotton is versatile and easy to clean; velvet is luxurious and private but can be a bit heavy for some rooms; sheers are light and graceful but don’t offer much in the way of privacy; and wool is heavy but strong enough to hold embellishments like tassels and fringe. Source: TheSpruce

Get to know more about the curtains that will best fit your home when you contact us!

 

Contact:
Universal Blinds 
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988

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3 Tips to Converting a Tub to a Shower

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Converting a bathtub into a shower is not as difficult as you may think. If you don’t use your bathtub for bathing, why not convert your old bathtub into a walk in shower? Here are 3 tips on converting a tub to a shower.

Determine Spacing & Placement
A bathtub to shower conversion is easiest when you situate your new open shower in the space left behind by your bathtub, since your drain lines and water supply will already be in place. Moving plumbing can add significant cost to the project, plus require bringing in a plumber.

Spacing Required for a Walk In Shower:

  • At least 30 inches by 30 inches of floor space.
  • At least 80 inches in height.
  • At least 15 inches between the side of the toilet and the shower wall.
  • Or at least 21 inches between the front of the toilet and the shower wall.
  • If you plan to install a swinging door, make sure to account for the swing. Source: BudgetDumpster

Waterproofing and Drainage
Properly sealing the shower floor from water leaks will help protect your home from problems associated with water leaks, like wood rot, drywall damage and mold. Hot mops are prepared onsite and are the best way to waterproof the shower pan.

A standard drain may not be sufficient to stand the test of time. To ensure your shower remodel lasts for many years, select a high quality and durable drain. Source: Angieslist

Which Type of Shower Works Best for Your Space?
Now that you have some ideas about what you want your shower to look like, you’ll want to consider the best type of shower to install in your bathroom.

Shower stalls
All-in-one shower stalls that can be added to an existing tub-sized space can make your job easier. Many options exist with built-in ledges and shelving; some even have seating areas. The stalls typically include a curb to contain water and the option of installing any type of door you wish — or even just using a curtain.

Tiled shower curbs
A tiled shower created in the existing wall space usually necessitates a curb or ledge that will hold the door and keep the water inside the shower. The curb should be tall enough to contain moisture and short enough to step over easily. Curbs should also be polished and have smooth edges to reduce injury.

Curbless showers
Showers with no lip to contain the water make it much easier to access the shower, especially for the elderly or disabled. But beyond that, curbless showers offer a particular open look that is appealing and modern. The curbless style can also save you a little space if you’re making the most of a small area.

The issue with a curbless shower, of course, is the difficulty of containing the water. This problem can be minimized by choosing a shower screen — essentially, a pivoting glass door — and a directed showerhead that keeps the flow of water moving away from the rest of the bathroom. Source: HomeAdvisor

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

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Q & A: How Do I Use My Steam Bath For The First Time

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

So, you’ve taken the plunge (so to speak) and purchased your very own steam shower. Perhaps you’ve opted for a pre-fabricated, modular type that’s ready to use as soon as the pieces are properly secured and sealed. Or, perhaps you’ve splurged on a complete custom steam room. Whichever course you’ve followed, you can now have a personal spa experience any time you feel like it.

Even though you have the user instructions that came with the steam shower unit, and advice from either our support technicians or your own contractor, you may be wondering how exactly you should use your steam shower for the first time.

Best tips for getting most enjoyment out of steam shower.

Begin by ensuring that your body temperature is at room temperature or cooler. Then, turn on the steam function. Sit back on the bench and soak up the warm steam for no more than 30 minutes. Afterwards, you can cool off by stepping out of the steam shower unit. Or, you can stand under the cool spray of the water. The key to enjoying the whole experience is to move gradually from one step to the other. Don’t shock your system by jumping into hot steam or standing under cold water at the end.

combo steam shower and bathtub

Did you opt for a combination steam shower-whirlpool tub? Lucky you! You have the option of switching at will between a relaxing steam shower and soaking in a luxury steam bath. As with the steam shower, make sure your body is not already too warm before slipping into the whirlpool tub. The key is to always make sure that you don’t overtax your circulation. “Used properly, a steam bath will help to overcome the stresses of everyday life, to relax and recover, and to gain new strength and improve general physical and mental well being” .

Do you have questions about how to use your steam shower or whirlpool tub? Ask us!

Contributed by: Perfectbath.com steam shower experts

The post Q & A: How Do I Use My Steam Bath For The First Time appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.



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Monday, June 26, 2017

Fresh Mint & Chocolate Chip Popsicles

I’ve been in New York for a week doing promo for The Savvy Cook which was really fun but also HOT. I’ve never experienced summer in New York before so now I totally understand why people try to get the heck outta town when it heats up! The only positive thing about weather this warm is that ice cream and iced coffee are appropriate every day.

I made these popsicles just before I went away because I was planning ahead for the annual popsicle week that Billy organises! and have been thinking about them a lot – I knew I still had some in the freezer to come home to which was great because London has been having a heat wave, too. They’re extra refreshing because of the fresh mint in there and because they’re popsicles, they’re a lot easier to make! I added matcha too, just for that pale green colour, but leaving it out is just as good too.

As it’s popsicle week, there are a huge number of other new popsicles floating around the internet right now so check them out over here! My past popsicle week posts can be found here, here and here! And if you make these popsicles & post to social media, don’t forget to tag me (@izyhossack) so I can see them 🙂

Fresh Mint & Chocolate Chip Popsicles

  • a pinch salt
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • a 14oz can (400ml) coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup (a large handful) fresh mint leaves
  • 2 tsp matcha powder ((optional))
  • 1/3 cup (50g) mini dark chocolate chips
  • 1 oz (30g) dark chocolate, melted
  • 3-4 tbsp cacao nibs (or more mini chocolate chips)
  1. In a medium pot, heat the salt, sugar, and coconut milk over a medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture is gently steaming take it off the heat and add the mint leaves. Set aside for 30 minutes.

  2. Place a strainer (sieve) over a medium bowl and pour the coconut milk mixture through it to remove all the mint leaves. Press on the leaves to push out all that goodness. Discard the leaves.

  3. If using the matcha powder (just for colour, really) – place it into a small bowl or mug and gradually stir in a few table spoons of hot water to get a smooth mixture. Pour this into the bowl of coconut milk mixture and stir through. Leave to cool completely. 

  4. Pour the cooled popsicle mixture into your popsicle moulds. Drop in the chocolate chips, dividing them between all the wells of the popsicle moulds. Freeze for at least 4 hours (inserting the popsicle sticks about an hour in). 

  5. Remove the frozen popsicles from the moulds and place onto a lined baking tray. Place the melted chocolate into a sandwich bag, snip off one tip and use like a piping bag to drizzle over the popsicles – decorating with the cacao nibs immediately after drizzling as the chocolate sets super fast. Place back into the freezer/eat!

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#OutDoorFN 2017 Re-Cap

I just realized that the 2017 Edition of the OutDoor Show in Friedrichshafen was my 5th time at the OutDoor =)

Hallways of Always, 2017 Edition

Disclaimer: I’m a co-founder of the Outdoor Blogger Network and have close relationships with many of the companies mentioned in this article. However, I haven’t been paid to write this article, and also does my involvement with some of these companies not influence the article as I maintain full editorial control of the content published on this site. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.

Chilling in the Helsport Lofoten

After a week at Lake Constance and an almost 38 h long trip home (Thanks Frankfurt Airport!) it’s time to pen down some thoughts from the 2017 OutDoor Show in Friedrichhafen. This was, as I just realized, my fifth OutDoor Show - I haven’t missed it since I first went in 2013. As I blog professionally since several years the show is a mandatory visit to meet partners new & old (I’m a Helsport Ambassador, sponsored by La Sportiva and talking with a handful of companies for specific projects). While at the beginning of my OutDoor visits the new gear was of course quite exciting (and still is) it is more and more about the people I meet at the fair which makes the fair so valuable & exciting for me.

Glen Van Peski and Chris Townsend on the #OutDoorFN

Take for example Glen Van Peski, the founder of Gossamer Gear, and Chris Townsend, the renown Backpacking Writer. I met Glen and his wife by pure co-incidence (funnily enough at the Osprey booth while we were all checking out the Levity backpack) and we later in the afternoon managed to meet-up again for a beer and chat more. I also ran a couple of times into Chris and we had a nice evening chatting with fellow bloggers. Add in that I also met again my long-time friend Jotaro from Locus Gear, many, many blogger, photographer and journalism colleagues and you will quickly realize that the show is for me about the people I meet here. The same goes for my contacts as the various companies I visit - many are much more than just “work contacts” but friends with whom we talk about family & life (which means sometimes only around 10 minutes remain to check out the new gear!).

Alastair Humphreys on the OutDoor Stage

Speaking of gear, it felt industry-wise lightweight is getting more & more to the front - a good things for us ultralight everything enthusiasts. Lighter garments, lighter shoes, lighter backpacks, lighter tents & shelters, lighter stoves & food, lighter climbing gear, lighter packrafting equipment, lighter bikepacking kit - across the board you’re able to find much more lighter gear for your outdoor activities. Functionality didn’t suffer, though - this lighter kit should be able to perform just as well as heavier counterparts.

Best Booth of the Fair: The Houdini Garden

My favourite booth this year was the Houdini Garden above - it was just wonderful and happily the temperatures this year (up to 32°C!) meant it was nice to sit outside in the shade. Add in that the smoothies & cocktails they served from the herbs which they have grown in the composted Houdini garments soil were super tasty.

Awesome new Vaude Performance Mats

I’ll try to delve into depth in more articles about the gear I saw at the show, but in this post I want to highlight some kit which I remember from the top of my head. First is probably the new series of Vaude sleeping mats. These are so well engineered that I believe they will be super-successful when they hit the market as so many details on them are just Wow!

New Arc'teryx Konseal FL Approach Shoe

These new Arc’teryx Konseal FL Approach shoes are beautifully designed and so light, I hope to get a pair for my feet before 2018!

New Paramo Manu Shirt

Paramo’s new design is superb - gone the more conservative and boxy cuts & colours, welcome to youthful & fresh designs which promise to also perform well outdoors.

Rab Mythic 400

Rab launched a 7D sleeping bag line, and the Mythic 400 sleeping bag here will tip the scales at 660 g and has a comfort rating of -1°C. Feels great on the skin and could shed quite some weight in the sleeping bag department.

Kupilka 37

The new Kupilka 37 Kuksa has 370 ml of volume and is thus quite a bit bigger than the regular good old Kupilka 21 - an increase in size which is very welcome as this could make it the one cup for all your trips! I got one and will put it through its paces the next months to see if it is a worthy addition to the gear closet.

Houdini Garments can be composted!

Another trend is that sustainability, recycling and closing the loop is no longer just on the mind of a few outliers - across the board you could see an uptake of this topic on the show. From shoes which are Made in Europe to garments which can be recycled, composted and repaired, many companies I visited talked about sustainability and doing good for the outdoors. As I have a background in this area I’m delighted to see that more and more outdoor brands start to act to keep our outdoor playgrounds in a good condition.

Smoothies at the Houdini Booth

So much for now - as I said, I’ll try to dive into detail into some areas of gear and news later on. In the meanwhile have a look at the OutDoor 2017 Photo Album and check out my Facebook Live Videos which I shot & shared during the show. If you enjoy this #OutDoorFN 2017 Re-Cap & other articles why not support me with a coffee or two? I work Full-Time on Hiking in Finland to bring you inspiring trip reports, in-depth gear reviews and the latest news from the outdoors. You also could subscribe to the rarer-than-ever Newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Youtube for more outdoorsy updates!

Easy Walking Days this year at the #OutDoorFN



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Thursday, June 22, 2017

Capitol from Porte Homes

A new take on Modern Living

Boasting a hillside advantage within New Westminster, Capitol’s 1 to 3 bedroom homes confidently represents a modern way to live. Expansive and functional kitchens, ample storage, and large patios give a sense of open space. An outdoor courtyard, fitness studio, and garden plots create community. Easy SkyTrain access and nearby shops and services illustrate convenience. Homes at Capitol make an impression on life.

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Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Étoile by Millennium – Availability, Plans, Pricing

Étoile by Millennium Development Group & Chris Dikeakos Architects.

At a Glance

  • 26- & 32-storey residential buildings
  • 390 x 1- to 3-bedroom condos
  • 8 work/live townhouses
  • heated rooftop pool
  • fitness centre
  • close to Brentwood Town Centre shopping
  • near BCIT & SFU
  • walking distance to Skytrain

Exterior render of Étoile at Douglas & Goring.

Where Elegance Resides

Étoile is a premium collection of 398 new Burnaby residences situated in rapidly-developing Brentwood Town Centre. Two slender towers provide one- to three-bedroom condominiums and townhomes that will feature spacious floorplans and large balconies, extending your living space outdoors for you to enjoy spectacular panoramic views.

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  • Reload
  • Should be Empty:

Étoile is ideally located just a short drive away from the numerous shops, services, and restaurants surrounding the intersection of Willingdon and Lougheed Highway, making it easy to take care of day-to-day necessities. Holdom Skytrain station is a mere five-minute walk away, providing convenient access to Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, and New Westminster. For outdoor activities you needn’t venture far. Burnaby Lake Regional Park features 19 kilometres of walking trails, rowing, kayaking, archery, tennis, and an equestrian centre.

Pricing for Ă‰toile
For interested buyers, contact me for details.

Floor Plans for Ă‰toile
This project is currently in pre-construction. A variety of open floor plans will be available with the following unit mix:

  • 196 x 1-bedroom condos from 574-584 sq ft
  • 182 x 2-bedroom + den condos from 821-1,247 sq ft
  • 12 x 3-bedroom condos from 1,031-1,036 sq ft
  • 8 x 3-bedroom + work area townhomes

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Étoile Interiors
Each home features 9′ ceilings, central air-conditioning, unobstructed panoramic mountain views, and large balconies. Every detail has been thoughtfully designed to create the most livable floorplans, with nearly every unit being a corner unit.

Étoile interior - kitchen

Étoile interior - chef-inspired kitchen.

Étoile interior - spa-like bathrooms.

Amenities at Ă‰toile
A grand porte cochère and spacious lobby offer an impressive welcome to your home, or you can choose to entertain guests in the ground floor lounge. A heated rooftop swimming pool means you can warm down from a workout in the fitness room throughout the year. The landscaped podium deck also includes a children’s play zone, barbeque area, seating, and garden plots.

Parking and Storage
Étoile will offer 459 vehicle parking spaces on four levels — one underground and three above ground — 44 of which will have electric vehicle charging stations, 39 will be for visitors, and five will be accessible parking stalls. There will also be four car share vehicles, 797 secured bicycle stalls, 92 visitor bicycle spaces, a 4-station bicycle repair/maintenance area, bike trailer storage, and 2 residential loading bays.

Maintenance Fees at Ă‰toile
Will be included with pricing information.

Developer Team for Ă‰toile
Millennium Development Group is an award-winning, Vancouver-based real estate developer and master-planned community builder. They strive to create legacies through thoughtful design and high-quality construction that complements the natural beauty of the West Coast landscape. Millennium’s projects include mixed-use complexes, residential towers, shopping malls, office buildings, and industrial centres representing approximately $6 billion built or under development in Canada and abroad. Notable projects include the Olympic Village, City in the Park, One Madison Avenue, Bristol at UBC, and One University Crescent at SFU.

Chris Dikeakos Architects is a Burnaby-based architectural firm with a strong reputation for multi-unit and highrise residential design. Their work ranges from concept and design development to construction drawings and site services, site capacity studies, master planning, urban design, and rezoning. Projects include the tallest residential highrise in San Diego, the tallest pure residential highrise in Los Angeles, and Solo District and Station Square in Burnaby.

CHIL Interior Design is the hospitality studio of B+H, a global leader in interior design, architecture, and planning & landscape. CHIL’s award-winning portfolio spans Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America for brands such as Shangri-La, Hilton, Fairmont, Marriott, and Four Seasons. Originally founded in 1974, CHIL leverages global resources to produce designs that are guided by their clients’ vision and goals. Each client’s story is translated into a physical space. Deep research and an understanding of current and future trends result in spaces that improve the way people live, work, play, relax, and heal.

Expected Completion for Ă‰toile
2020.

Are you interested in learning more about other condos in Brentwood, Highgate, Lougheed, or Metrotown?

Check out these great Burnaby Properties!

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Tuesday, June 20, 2017

3 Common Summer Window Coverings

With summer coming, it’s important to get your window coverings set.  Here are 3 common window coverings that can warm up your windows while providing protection from the sun.

Image Source: Flickr

Window Quilts
These are insulating shades made from quilt material that run on a track along your window.  Window quilts prevent winter heat loss and summer heat gain like other coverings, but they also form “dead” air space between quilt and window that allows for better insulation. Source: RealEstate

Solar Shades
One of the many benefits of solar shades during the summer is that you can still have your view outside, even with your shades drawn. It also blocks harmful UV rays and it will protect your furniture from sun damage and unnecessary fading. Or, you always have the option to choose blackout solar shades, which would be perfect in bedrooms and media rooms. Source: SelectBlinds

Roman Shades
Austrian-style roman shades are by far the most formal and traditional, delineated by several vertical and horizontal rows of ruched gathers and scalloping along the bottom. Due to the gathers and scalloping, an Austrian shade requires more than double the amount of fabric than typical flat romans, making them a more expensive choice. Source: Houzz

 

Contact:
Universal Blinds
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988

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4 Tips on Bringing Nature into the Bathroom

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Regardless of the season, incorporating nature into the bathroom can give it a warm, relaxing ambiance everyone is longing for. To do this, follow the following tips:

Image Source: Flickr

Add a bloom
The natural, varied colours of even a single living bloom will warm up a pale bathroom scheme a treat. We so often save fresh flowers for our more public rooms, but why not grab one flower from a bunch destined for the living room and display it in your bathroom. Source: Houzz

Waterfall showers
There is just something undeniably soothing about listening to the sound of a gushing waterfall. It makes you feel one with nature. You can replicate that by installing a waterfall shower in your bathroom.

Fusing a waterfall shower with abundant tropical greenery also creates the kind of environment you’d find in a luxurious spa hotel – or the Amazon rainforest. It’s so lush, you’ll feel like an Amazonian goddess every time you take a shower. Source: LifestyleAsia

Use natural materials
Another strategy is to use materials such as stone or wood which are normally found outdoors and make them a part of your home’s interior dĂ©cor. Make sure they stand out. For example, a stone washbasin in the bathroom would be a really interesting feature. Source: Homedit

Pebble Garden under the sink
A pebble garden is simple to create and easy on the pocket. Forget vitrified tiles and go for some pebble love on the floor; so natural yet so quirky! A tiny area of the floor covered with pebbles right under the sink keeps it subtle; just in case you do not like the drastic impact that an entire pebble floor has on a room (though some prefer that too). Source: Homify

For modern bathroom fixtures that go well with the natural vibe you’re going for, contact us!

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

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Monday, June 19, 2017

Antibiotics: Side Effects and Alternatives

We use a lot of antibiotics. For coughs, cuts, urinary tract infections, and many times “just in case.” You could be considered reckless or ignorant if you opted to not use them. “But you could die of a deadly infection that could kill you!” chants the choir of voices entrained by a system that sees dangerous enemies lurking behind every life experience.

What may surprise you is that the real danger could lie in assaulting your body with an “anti-life” (the actual meaning of the word!) chemical that could very well be a Russian Roulette of unintended harms. Some of these harms are so significant that they could change the course of your entire life as you know it. Given that, I bet that if you knew that there were effective, safe “alternatives”, you’d seriously consider them.

To make your own decisions about health, you must inform yourself. Informed consent around medical interventions involves exploration of the risks, benefits, and alternatives. In our reactivity, however, we are accustomed to focusing only on the promise – knock that infection out and feel better quick! – without any meaningful information around the full breadth of scientifically-evidenced risks and treatment options.

The Benefits

Antibiotics obviously work, right? Well, we are learning that our dogmatic assumptions about the sacred cows of conventional medicine may be leaning on a house of cards. Or a house of placebos to be more exact. The reality is that infections have a natural course with an inbuilt capacity for robust recovery, so we may be giving undue credit to antibiotics. This appears to be possible based on the published literature. For instance, this study on rhinosinusitis concluded:  “…the risks of potential side effects need to be weighed against the potential benefit that antibiotics give to the patient. This is especially pertinent as usage of the placebo has shown to be almost as efficacious as using the antibiotic therapy, and also much safer.”

WIth rising rates of antibiotic-resistant infections (which have resulted from rampant antibiotic use), and fewer novel medications in the pipeline, it seems we are coming to a point of reckoning around our belief that the rampant extinguishing of life is a health-promoting practice.

The Risks

“Catherine, you have an upper respiratory infection. We aren’t sure whether it is necessarily bacterial, but you should go ahead and take that Z pack just in case…oh, and it’s unlikely, but it’s possible that you could be left bed-bound from neurological damage, develop a serious opportunistic infection, and possibly even a brand new psychiatric diagnosis like Bipolar Disorder. Hope you feel better soon!”

Microbiome-dependent risks

With the discovery of the microbiome, conventional medicine as we know it should have gone back to the drawing board. With the understanding that an inner ecosystem drives our epigenetic expression, ranging from nutrient production to metabolic health to hormonal balance to immunity and inflammatory response, the ‘body as machine’ model became obsolete. We need to better understand what makes a microbiome healthy and what hurts it.

So far, we have been left with many questions and few answers. We have looked at super healthy modern hunter gatherers to try to quantify their gut health, we have studied the beneficial effects of probiotics, and we have learned that chemicals like Monsanto’s Roundup wreak havoc on our bugs. We have learned that the transfer of bacteria occurs well before birth, and continues throughout breastfeeding, setting the stage for adult health by age 2. And it has almost become common knowledge that the indiscriminate killing of bacteria through the use of antibiotics may come with a cost. But will the cost really be anything more than a yeast infection or a bout of diarrhea?

Perhaps. We have ample evidence that antibiotics take out the “good” with the “bad” bacteria and leave a trail of imbalance that leaves the patient more vulnerable. A 2017 review references the increased risk of foodborne infection, including antibiotic-resistant strains, in those who took antibiotics during travel, with unpredictable recovery rates that seem to get dismally worse with repeated antibiotic exposure:

Even short antibiotic exposures disrupt the gut microbiome up to a year or more, and repeated exposures appear to attenuate recovery from ever occurring.”

Similarly, up to a one-third reduction in biome diversity can persist longer than 6 months, even after one short course of the popularly-dispensed antibiotic, Cipro. This decrease in diversity can, itself, be a precursor to new illness. For instance, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of several chronic illnesses associated with low levels of beneficial bacteria. Dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria) is also a precursor to autoimmunity, obesity, and weight gain.

Yeah, we all should be using less antibiotics – but what if we have to take an antibiotic? Then can’t we just take a probiotic afterward?

There is, unfortunately, scant evidence to support this seemingly logical integrative medicine practice. While hamster studies suggest recovery of damage is possible, the broad spectrum of antibiotic effects and probiotic options makes personalization of this support method challenging. Most probiotics contain only a few bacterial species, and our gut contains thousands.

Microbiome-independent risks

As if that weren’t enough to slow your pace to the CVS pharmacy counter, there is a growing body of literature focused on the non-microbiome-based risks of antibiotics. From slowed fracture healing to acute liver injury, antibiotics have effects at the cellular level beyond simply inducing dysbiosis. These include changes in up to 87% of gut metabolites functional in the gut, injury and destruction of mitochondria (the energy centers of the cell), and damage to gut tissue.

Of significant interest to me are the known and well-documented psychiatric risks of antibiotics. I imagine there are few patients consented for acute onset psychosis or suicidality before being prescribed an antibiotic. An excellent 2017 review by Zareifopoulos and Panayiotakopoulos suggests that patients should be told of these risks including irritability, confusion, encephalopathy, suicidality, psychosis, and mania. These researchers conclude:

The neuropsychiatric effects of antimicrobial drugs are extensively documented in the literature. A number of antimicrobial drugs have the potential to exert CNS effects and many are associated with stimulant, psychotomimetic and epileptogenic properties, mediated by GABA antagonism (beta-lactams, quinolones and clarithromycin), NMDA agonism (D-cycloserine, aminoglycosides, and perhaps quinolones), MAO inhibition (linezolid, metronidazole and isoniazid weakly) as well as more exotic mechanisms, as in the case of trimethoprim, isoniazid, ethambutol, rifampicin and the tetracyclines.”

In fact, the term ‘antibiomania’ has been coined around the potential for antibiotics to induce manic symptoms. In a recent review, two-thirds of the mania-inductions were in male subjects. The resolution of acute-onset mania with charcoal suggests that these psychiatric risks may be both microbiome-dependent and independent. Relatedly, data suggests that there is a dose-dependent risk of new-onset depression; the higher the antibiotic exposure, the higher the risk of depression.

If you don’t know to connect these dots, then you could end up believing that your “mental illness” is an entirely new diagnosis requiring lifelong treatment.

The Alternatives

Fortunately, many alternative strategies exist that resolve bacterial imbalances without the side effects of pharmaceutical antibiotics. Even better – many of the plant-derived therapies can be easily incorporated in your everyday meals as a tasty preventative approach to resiliancey.

  • Colloidal Silver

Also called silver nanoparticles, colloidal silver has been used for over 2,000 years to resolve bacterial infections. As such, silver is commonly used in intravenous catheters, dental fillings, wound dressings, and bone implants. Though the exact antimicrobial mechanisms are still debated, colloidal silver generally works by damaging the cell membranes of pathogenic bacteria. Depending on the surface charge of the silver nanoparticles and the type of bacteria, bacteria can be killed by the formation of free radicals, accumulation of nanoparticles in bacterial cell walls, or depletion of cell membrane components. Colloidal silver is effective both as a topical treatment for skin infections, like MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus), as well as an oral antibiotic.

  • Botanical herbs

For centuries, botanical herbs have been used as antibiotics. Since there are countless herbal remedies for various types of infections,,, I’ll just list a few common herbs that have been validated by modern research. For example, the herb Inula helenium, also called elecampane, was shown to be 100% effective against 200 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (commonly known as “staph infection”). Similarly, a study that evaluated Alpinia galanga, a plant in the ginger family that has been traditionally used in Asian countries, found that this herb was effective against Salmonella typhi and E. coli, as well as against other drug-resistant bacterial strains. Extract from Nigella sativa, a flowering plant native to south Asia, kills MRSA, while cinnamon and oregano are potent selective antibiotics against many drug-resistant species. Similarly, easy-to-find spices like cumin and rosemary are powerful antimicrobials, as are child-friendly options like elderberry,. Many high-quality herbal products combine evidence-based herbs such as oregano,, echinacea,,, and goldenseal,, into an effective immune support formula.

  • Probiotics

A great way to prevent imbalances from making you sick is by strengthening your beneficial bacteria, also called probiotics. Incorporating probiotics improve your metabolic and immune functioning while also crowding out pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics can resolve bacterial infections ranging from oral gingivitis to H. pylori-mediated gastric infections to bacterial vaginosis. As one of the earliest and richest sources of probiotics is breastmilk, it isn’t surprising that breastmilk probiotics have been shown superior to antibiotics to treat mastitis, a common infection during lactation (just another reason to breastfeed!). I recommend that people get probiotics through fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut, as these contain many more complementary bacterial strains than supplements for daily prevention.

  • Garlic

‘Let food be thy medicine,’ decreed Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine – and he would have ranked garlic as one of the most medicinal foods. Numerous studies have shown the antimicrobial effects of garlic, including a report in which researchers tested garlic-water against 133 multidrug-resistant species, showing remarkable antimicrobial properties. A randomized controlled clinical trial showed that garlic was more effective than a standard antibiotic, metronidazole, for bacterial vaginosis. Authors remarked that garlic provided both increased therapeutic efficacy as well as decreased side effects. Garlic is an effective treatment for stomach infections caused by H. pylori and C. difficile, as well as for pneumonia and other lung infections. Amazingly, consuming garlic not only protects against bacterial infections, but also lowers blood pressure,, stabilizes blood sugar, and decreases cancer risk.

  • Manuka Honey

Raw Manuka honey is one of the tastiest ways to stay healthy. This honey comes from bees in New Zealand who pollinate the Manuka bush, and it has been used for thousands of years by various cultures to promote wellness. This high-antioxidant golden honey is a popular ingredient in high-end skin care products, as it is broadly anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Inside the body, manuka honey can cure antibiotic-resistant C. difficile infection,, Strep throat,, urinary tract infections, and MRSA. A bonus of eating honey is that it can include propolis, a mixture of bee saliva and wax known as “bee glue”, which contains over 300 therapeutic compounds that fight cancer, as well as harmful bacteria,.

Here is where I recommend purchasing high quality supplements.

Make a truce

It requires a mindset shift to stop fighting. Stop fighting each other, stop fighting nature, and stop fighting our own bodies. We need to break out of our patterned programs of control and domination and understand that this only strengthens our perceived enemies. We need to reconnect to the sacred complexity of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding as the origin of our health resiliency rather than a time to throw pharmaceuticals into the black box of undisclosed risks. The microbiome itself has taught us – through the poetry of biology – that we are inextricably connected to and dependent upon the web of the natural world. And that it is not possible to simply pull one thread of that web while leaving the rest of it intact. Remember that symptoms give us an opportunity, and perhaps the next time you have an antibiotic prescription dancing in your sights, you might see what it feels like to bring your body love and support rather than the detonation of grenades.

Visit the research dashboard on greenmedinfo.com to do your own exploration of risks, benefits, and alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals.

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