Cheap Chemical Free Face Wash!

Some of you may have heard of Bronner's Magic Soap or seen in it in the store but have no idea what to do with it... that used to be me too!  It is a castile soap which is made of natural oils and essential oils.  They make all different kinds ranging from peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, citrus, unscented, etc... On the bottle is says it has 18 different uses (not sure what they all are) however I know it works great for face wash! It leaves my face feeling very clean and like there is no left over residue.  It lasts forever and you don't need to use very much at all.  I use a small squirt bottle and fill it half way up with the liquid Bronner's and half up with water.  I just need one pump for my face so my mixture lasts forever!  It lather's up great and makes my face feel so clean.  Its great for people with normal to oily skin but may not be the best for those with dry skin on their face.  I hope you all love this as much as I do. 

This is a description of what it is on Bronner's website....  'Unlike any you’ve ever used. A combination of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils, together with pure essential oils, creates a unique soap that cleans effectively without being aggressive and produces a velvety-lather that leaves the skin silky-smooth and refreshed.'

You can also use it as body wash but they make a soap bar that is more convenient to use.  It can also be used as household cleaner... I put 1/2 of it in an old spray bottle with water and clean my kitchen and counters with it.  For dirtier jobs I use it full strength to clean.  It smells so good, works great, and there is no more need for nasty chemical cleaners!

Quinoa at Costco... the cheapest around!

Here is a pic of a large bag of organic quinoa (4 lbs) at Costco.  It costs $10.99 which is a steal compared to most grocery stores!  It is a different brand than what they had a month ago (which was in a red bag).  Quinoa is great for anyone and everyone (esp those on Candida Clear/Phase 1) and can be made to be savory or sweet.  Great for breakfast 'oatmeal' or cooked with veggies and meat.  It is also great to use in soups as a replacement for rice or noodles.. (add it in precooked and right before you eat the soup).  Enjoy!

Almond Flour Cookies

I made these a few nights ago and put my homemade chocolate on top (at room temp it has a fudge consistency... almost like frosting) and they taste sooo good!

Almond flour cookies
Ingredients
-1/2 cup of coconut oil (melted to liquid form)

-1/2 to 3/4 cup of xylitol

-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

-2 eggs

-1/2 teaspoon baking soda

-1/2 teaspoon sea salt

-3 cups almond flour

-2/3 cup toasted walnuts (optional)

Bake on 350 degrees for 10 to 13 minutes.  Enjoy!!

Quinoa 'Oatmeal' Breakfast... In 5 min or less!

Breakfast this morning... Quinoa in warm almond milk with pecans and freeze dried blueberries from Trader Joes. I ran out of fresh fruit. This is a great version of oatmeal for those who miss it on Candida Clear or anyone looking for a healthy quick breakfast option!

What I do is make 2 or 3 cups of quinoa each week and keep it in the fridge so it's ready to eat. Then I don't have to sit and make it each morning or evening because it takes about 30 minutes to make. I have it already made so I just have to quickly heat it up! (Not in a microwave... Right :) ) So my breakfast takes 5 min to heat up and then I am good to go! Quick as that.

Side note: fresh fruit tastes better in this but the Trader Joes freeze dried blueberries and raspberries are great treats and snacks. They have no added sugar or preservatives (nitrates, nitrites, sulfates, sulfites, and many others). The only ingredients are blueberries or raspberries. These are more than likely at other stores but when looking make sure they have NO added sugar or preservatives in them... its actually pretty hard to find. Try these ones and enjoy!

Natural Neosporin! Great for adults and kids!

Silver Shield gel is an amazing product by Nature Sunshine that has many different uses (it's antiviral, antibacterial, and slightly antifungal).. It's great for any cuts, scrapes, breakouts on skin, insect bites, skin rashes, diaper rash, etc. Basically it's perfect for any topical skin issue (especially on the little ones). It can also be used to get rid of yeast infections! Women keep reading below... :) (We have it at the office or you can order online... Visit www.drcarolynmaxfield.com for more info)

For Yeast Infections
Put silver shield gel on a tampon. It works even better if you put 1/2 of a probiotic capsule on it too (just sprinkle it on the Silver Shield gel). This is because probiotics are the 'good' bacteria and help to get rid of the candida (aka yeast aka 'bad' bacteria). It's all natural, works amazingly, and there is no need for anymore nasty Monistat! Also for those of you who get recurrent yeast infections it means you more than likely have candida throughout your body too... Call the office at 615-656-3558 to learn more and find out how to get rid of them permanently through diet and supplementation!

Weight Loss and Protein in the Morning

I was listening to a conference call yesterday and learned something interesting to help promote and maintain weight loss...

Eat 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up.  It is a lot of protein, however it jump starts your metabolism by promoting and initiating weight loss as well as helps to control your blood sugar levels throughout the day.  It is equivalent to 5 eggs or 4 scoops of the whey protein we have in the office... which is what I will be doing in my morning smoothies (I can only eat so many eggs).  You can use other protein sources but the goal is to get in 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up.  Let us know what you think if you start adding this into your routine!

Pumpkin Almond Flour Muffins (I fixed the ingredients 5/2/13)

I got this recipe from a patient who said they were delicious... and she was right!! This is my breakfast for the rest of the week!  Very moist and a great 'carbohydrate' tasting food for those who miss the breads and pastas.. esp on Candida Clear/Phase 1.

Ingredients
-1 cup almond flour
-1 cup canned pumpkin
-1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
-1/4 cup xylitol (or honey).. I will maybe add 1/3 cup xylitol next time I make them
-2 eggs
-1 tsp baking powder
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 tsp sea salt

Mix all the ingredients together and bake on 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.  You can line the muffin tin with paper liners or rub coconut oil all around each spot for the muffins so they did not stick.  I always forget to buy muffin liners.. and the coconut oil works great. Bake and enjoy! 

Recipe modified from Nutrition Nut on the Run