Eco-friendly Gifts from ECOlunchbox

Monday, January 26, 2015

Dandelion Root Tea - My Healthy Caffiene-Free Coffee Alternative



Have you tried Roasted Dandelion Root Tea?  It is my healthy alternative to coffee in the mornings.  I simply love it!  With its stimulating effect and slightly bitter flavor it feels and tastes so similar to a morning cup of joe.  I love coffee!  I used to enjoy a cup or two every morning.  However, I began 2015 caffeine-free and found Roasted Dandelion Root tea to be a great alternative.  Since I have ovarian cysts, PCOS and cystic breasts, my OB/GYN and Midwife recommended I remove caffeine from my diet.  However, as a mother of a preschooler, cutting out coffee was a daunting task.  Therefore, when I stopped drinking caffeine with my cleanse (click here to read about the cleanse I did), I decided to continue my caffeine-free ways and seek healthier alternatives.  Thanks to one of my favorite blogs, Elana's Pantry, who combines chicory root, dandelion root and cinnamon to create a dandelion coffee, I decided to try dandelion root tea after I couldn't find chicory root at my local grocery store.

Benefits:
Organic Roasted Dandelion Root Tea has some amazing health benefits.  It is naturally caffeine-free but has stimulating and detoxifying properties to it.  This "weed" aids in digestion, helps the kidneys cleanse the body and improves liver function.  It is also rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.  The tea can help regulate blood sugar, boost the immune system, reducing bloating, relieve constipation and assist in weight loss.  Furthermore, Organic Roasted Dandelion Tea has possible cancer-killing properties (studies are still being done).

**Dandelion Root can interact with certain medications and should not be used if you have specific allergies to certain plants, especially dandelions.  Always speak to your health care provider if you are pregnant or nursing.**

To purchase the Organic Roasted Dandelion Root Tea I enjoy click HERE or check you local grocery store.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

"It's All Good" Cooking Adventure




Get ready to embark on an adventure with me....if you choose.  A year ago, for Christmas 2013, my husband bought me the greatest cookbook I have found to date.  Never before have I owned a cookbook from which I could make the recipes with little to no substitutions to fit my dietary needs (I have a severe candida allergy, a moderate gluten allergy and a dairy allergy).  Not only are the recipes overall simple and easy to follow, they are also delicious...at least the ones I have tried.  While I have tasted many of them, I have not come close to trying them all and have found myself making my favorites over and over.  Then I realized that I want to try all of the recipes...even the ones by which I am intimidated.  This is where the "adventure" comes in to play.  Not unlike Julie in "Julie and Julia," I am going to make all of the recipes in Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook, "It's All Good."  I will still blog and write about my usually health and wellness topics, which will probably come up in the "It's All Good" Cooking Adventure blogs as well, for the recipes in the book very much follow my style of healthful eating.  If you do not already have the cookbook, you can purchase it HERE for less than $20!!

Monday, January 19, 2015

Dr. Sponge ~ The best way to clean your skin!!



Have you heard of Dr. Sponge or Konjac sponge?  It is my new favorite way to clean my skin.  Not only does it leave my epidermis feeling clean, moist and nourished, this amazing face and body cleanser is soap-free, biodegradable, eco-friendly and all-natural!  What's more, this cleanser is so sensitive it is even great for babies; in fact, it was originally made for infants.

Dr. Sponge is made from the exotic Asian plant, Konjac, which is commonly used in food and dietary supplements.  This nurturing plant, with its plentiful supply of beneficial vitamins and minerals, is excellent for the skin.  The natural texture of the sponge gently cleans while lightly exfoliating your skin to keep it nourished, healthy and happy.  Dr. Sponge combines the plant with other healthy ingredients like aloe vera and lavender so you can purchase a sponge directed to your skin type.  "Dr. Sponge works great at cleaning pores, removing make-up, dirt, oil and blackheads, leaving your skin refreshed and revitalized," according to the Dr. Sponge informational packet.


Dr. Sponge offers seven different options in skincare treatments including: Original for all skin types, Aloe Vera for dry skin, Charcoal for oily or combination skin, Lavender for stressed skin, Lycopene for mature skin, Pearl Powder for dull skin and Green Tea for dry or normal skin.  All of these options are available in the facial sponge and body sponge.  I use the Aloe Vera variety and love how smooth, clean and moisturized my skin feels.  Furthermore, the sponges are pH balanced.  

What makes this product even better is the price!  At only $8 per facial cleansing sponge this beauty product will last two to three months when stored properly.  (Instructions included in each box).

To buy a Dr. Sponge click here.

Local (Hilton Head and Bluffton) people can also purchase them at Pure Natural Market on the island.  https://www.facebook.com/PureNaturalMarket.  If you haven't checked out Pure Natural Market it is worth a visit.  It has an amazing assortment of healthy and eco-friendly products, and be sure to try one of their delicious, organic smoothies!

I hope you enjoy your Dr. Sponge as much as I do!!  Let me know how you like it!

For more information please visit www.drsponge.com.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Flor-Essence Detox/Cleanse


I decided to begin this year in a trendy manner.....with a cleanse/detox.  It had been something I had been researching for a while, and I found the program I wanted (with the help of my holistic healer). However, the timing wasn't right to begin (Holidays, where I was in my cycle, etc.).  Thus the trendy beginning to 2015.  I feel great!  I absolutely loved this detox program.  It is gentle, easy and has me feeling more energized, clearer, more grounded and all around better.  It was easy for me to adapt to this plan, for I already have a pretty clean diet.  The main things I needed to cut out were caffeine and alcohol, which I was enjoying the sugary kind (wine and champagne) over the Holidays.  Below is a day-to-day synopsis of how I felt during the purification program as well as a link to buy the kit.

I chose the Flor-Essence 7-day Purification Program for its all herbal, all natural and gentle detoxing properties.  This is a great option for people who are interested in beginning better health and cleaner eating without jumping off too high and for those who already have a generally clean diet and are simply looking for a little detox boost, like myself.  The program is designed to cleanse the colon, kidneys and liver.  It is important to eat real, whole foods while on the detox in order to reap the full benefits.  After all, it doesn't help to cleanse if you are putting toxins right back in your body.  The program calls for no sugar, alcohol, caffeine, or fast food.  Also drink plenty of water!!  It begins with tea, which can be made as weak or strong as you like, to be enjoyed in the morning (before eating anything) and before bedtime.  15 minutes after ingesting the tea, take the Pro-Essence supplement (kidney detox) both morning and night.  Then it is directed to drink the Flora-Lax before each meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Note: the Flora-Lax contains oats that are not certified gluten free so if you have a severe sensitivity to gluten you may want to find another cleanse.  It is believed that oats are tainted with gluten as they are cut using regular flour in the factory (unless certified gluten free).  Before I get into the nitty-gritty of it all I want to note that nothing in the program box tastes bad.  Everything is quite neutral in flavor.  However, be prepared to add some time to your morning routine with all of the drinks in the morning.

Day 1: I felt very motivated with high energy and a positive mood.  It began my week of having to pee all of the time...think pregnant lady...that's how often I had to pee.  I was also always thirsty, which went hand-in-hand with the instruction to drink plenty of water.  I had a slight headache on-and-off all day and slight soreness in my lower back.  I felt like I had enhanced sense of taste and smell and ended the day with massive sugar cravings, which I did resist.

Day 2: (Warning there is dialogue concerning bowel movements).  By day two the Flora-Lax started to do its job cleaning the colon.  I had two large bowel movements each day from this day on to the end of the cleanse, all of which were of healthier consistency.  (And that's it...no more poop talk...until my three-old gets out of school, I'm sure).  I slept really well the night before and woke up feeling rested, motivated and energized.  I did notice I had more body odor this day and for the rest of the cleanse.  My on-and-off headache continued.  My mood swings disappeared.  I was feeling great!

Day 3: This was the hardest day for me during the cleanse.  Even though I got to sleep in a little bit, I felt tired, cranky and simply "off" all day.

Day 4: I felt great!!  Positive, patient, calm and centered!  No more headache either.

Day 5: Another great day!!  I felt grounded, calm, focused and energized.  Love it!  I want to feel this way all of the time!

Day 6: I felt slightly off on day six.  I worked to keep grounding myself.  I felt a little congested through the night, and my son didn't sleep well that night, which means I didn't sleep well either.  I had my first acupuncture appointment (blogs on that subject coming soon), and felt generally tired and ready to nurture self all day.

Day 7:  The last day!!  I was back to feeling great!  Energized, focused and motivated!

Some small side notes: There are more Pro-Essence Supplements (pills) and tea than needed for the seven days and the Flor-Lax was short a serving.

Overall I feel it was worth the cost of the cleanse (under $40).  It is a great way to get yourself back on track or start getting yourself eating healthier and jump starting a healthier lifestyle in a gentle manner.  Below is a link to buy the 7-day cleanse.  Enjoy and let me know how you like it!  **As always consult with your physician before attempting drastic changes in your diet, lifestyle or if you have any medical conditions.**
**Do not cleanse while pregnant or nursing**

Buy Flor-Essence 7 Day Purification Program here
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