The MANY Benefits of Infrared Sauna

Enjoying the benefits of Dry Brushing and Infrared sauna

 

 I found this amazing little place, on the lake nearby, Planet Beach Contempo Spa. One of the services they offer is a 30 minute full detox therapy in a Sunlighten Infrared Sauna. Years ago, I had a sauna in my home and I had  some pretty incredible health benefits from using the sauna daily. The practice of using heat to heal and cure the body has been in place ,for several centuries, throughout the world and many cultures. Native Americans had sweat tents/lodges and Romans had their famous steam bathing, to mention a few.

 

 

I visited the Sunlighten site to do some research on the many benefits of infrared.  Here is a general list of benefits, that you should know. I have a sauna on my WISH list for the new house. In the meantime, I love that I can visit my newly discovered mini spa and enjoy a sauna whenever I like.

 

Infrared Sauna Health Benefits

Infrared saunas are an effective tool for natural healing and prevention. Infrared light has the ability to penetrate human tissue which in turn produces a host of anti-aging health benefits making infrared saunas one of the “hottest” home therapies for overall healthier living. If you want to get yourself back into balance, an infrared sauna may be the ticket to achieving your wellness goals.

Detoxification

 

Sweating is the body’s safe and natural way to heal & stay healthy. Far infrared heats the body directly causing a rise in core temperature resulting in a deep, detoxifying sweat at the cellular level, where toxins reside.

 

Weight Loss

Studies have shown that an infrared sauna session can burn upwards of 600 calories while you relax! As the body works to cool itself, there is a substantial increase in heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate, causing the body to burn more calories.

 

Relaxation

Unlike traditional saunas which operate at extremely harsh temperatures, infrared is a gentle, soothing and therapeutic heat that promotes relaxation and improved sleep. Infrared sauna therapy helps you relax while receiving an invigorating deep tissue sweat, leaving you fully refreshed after each session.  

Pain Relief

Infrared heat penetrates tissue, joints, and muscles to relieve anything from minor aches and pains to chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia. Pain management professionals incorporate infrared heat therapy into treatment plans to decrease pain and muscle spasms and to speed up recovery time.   

 

Lower Blood Pressure

Infrared saunas induce a deep sweat to make the heart pump faster, which in turn increases blood flow, lowers blood pressure and helps circulation. Scientific evidence shows that using an infrared sauna a couple times a week lowers blood pressure.  

 

Improved Circulation

Heating the muscles with infrared rays produces an increase in blood flow similar to that seen during exercise. Regular infrared sauna use—especially in the mid IR range—can significantly stimulate blood flow up to twice the normal rate.

 

Anti-Aging & Skin Purification

The near infrared wavelength (sometimes referred to as Red Light Therapy) is the most effective wavelength for healing the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. Near infrared treatments stimulate collagen production to reduce wrinkles and improve overall skin tone 

 

Wound Healing

Scientific research has concluded that near infrared therapy greatly enhances the skin’s healing process by promoting faster cell regeneration and human tissue growth. Human cell growth increases to repair wounds and prevent infection

 

Cell Health

Near infrared therapy stimulates the circulatory system and more fully oxygenate the body’s cells. Better blood circulation means more toxins flow from the cellular level to the skin’s surface to improve cell health, aid in muscle recovery and strengthen the immune system

 

So, if you have interest in trying out a sauna for yourself, check into visiting your LOCAL Planet Beach Contempo Spa. Tell them Melissa Humphries- THE Primitive Diva referred you! Hee Hee, maybe I might get a free Sauna or two.

 

 



A little Monday morning RESTORE

Good morning.....felt a little run down last week (sore throat, aches....) My awesome hubby left the country for a 3 week business trip and, well-- its a bit stressful managing all the people and critters around here single handedly. But, whatever it was, I knocked it out with a powerful blend of my favorite Mountain Rose herbal teas, adaptogenic herbs, Genesis specialized nutrients and minerals, DoTerra essential oils and REST!

So, I took it easy over the weekend with lots of reading, long walks,sunshine and some nourishing foods.

Thought today would be a great day for a "mini" RESTORE.  I started my day with a balance of immune builders and cleansing elixirs, while I enjoyed some quiet time and a much needed phone call from my best friend (my hubby). Ahhhh......such a great welcome to a Monday!  I will update my post through the day. But, know that I am busy in the kitchen preparing bone broth, kefir, green juices and raw soups to infuse and build my body with PURE goodness! 

I have a half gallon of raw goat kefir to enjoy today. It will flood my body with enzymes, protein and beneficial bacteria! 

Here is my strawberry kefir, sooo delicious.

I have a pot of bone broth on the stove (24 hours and counting) today's is Two Roosters soup. It is loaded with veggies and every herb in my garden( it smells divine) and yes, two roosters that were misbehaving (sorry, it's a fact of life-- overly "amorous" roosters can mame or kill your chickens. So, boys.....be warned, haha!)

And off to blend up a beautiful green smoothies to enjoy at lunch,with a boost of PURE Greens and Fresh Pomegranate (a fall favorite!)

How are you loving yourself today?

A Time For Renewal (Part 1 of 2)

Obviously my absence and sporadic posts are evidence--BUT, for clarity my life has been hectic and CrAzY this summer. It seems EVERY single week there has been something demanding ALL of my time and energy. The stress of construction and planning, animals, hubby’s travel schedule, my daughters surgery(broken collarbone), my hubby’s "repairs" (chainsaw –vs- finger AND and an abdominal hernia) and well, just LIFE. Don’t get me wrong, I am not whining about my life….I LOVE MY LIFE! We are being blessed seeing our dreams of the farm take shape. But, seriously my type A personality gets the best of me sometimes. I found myself not focusing on “ME” very much as I dug my heels in to take care of ALL the humans and critters I am responsible for nurturing!  I always preach the importance of self care and making a priority of taking care of the care taker. However, neglecting my own advice, I slid into a state of exhaustion and a bit of an “I don’t care” mentality. It is soooo easy to fall into old habits-- indulge in some not so NOURISHING comfort foods, skip my workouts, not have my prayer time in the morning, go for an afternoon coffee to perk me up, instead of an afternoon run……..well, screech. Someone put on the brakes. Who is this woman staring back in the mirror? where did my Diva GLOW go? What happened to my boundless energy? Where did my SMILE go? I found myself desperate for a reset button. Hmmmm….they say,ask and you shall receive, right?

A dear friend of mine, and fellow REAL food advocate at Pura Vida Livin, presented me with a product line that he had been using both personally and with his fitness clients. He knew I was VERY particular about the ingredients of supplements, foods, etc….(as he is also)And don't you guys know, that this knowledge junkie began intense research immediately. The first direction: I went to learn more about the founder and formulator of Genesis PURE , Naturopath and Clinical Nutritionist, Dr.Lindsay Duncan. I had seen a TED talk he did a couple of years ago and was impressed(You can watch HERE) I spent several days sifting through reviews and interestingly enough, I found no negative reviews only great success stories. Next, I began the products slowly and then ventured into the Genesis PURE’s signature DETOX protocol. The ingredients are ALL “ROCK Star” nutrients, adaptogenic and therapeutic herbs. Like….(MB) B Vitamins, Calcium, Iodine, Chromium, Guarana Seed, Garcinia Cambogia Fruit, Yerba Mate Leaves, Bitter Orange Extract, Gymnema Sylvestre Leaves, Rhodiola Rosea Root, Cacao (Theobromine), Coleous Forskhlii Root, Amino Acid Blends of L-Glutamine and L-Tyrosine, Green Tea, Ginger Root, Dandelion Leaves, Chickweed, Uva Ursi Leaves, Gotu Kola Leaves, Cayenne Pepper, Bladderwrack, Kelp, Piper Longum Fruit, Chinese Red Ginseng, Boldo (HANG ON NEED TO CATCH MY BREATH......)Leaves, Nopal Cactus, Trace Minerals.(FS)Aloe Vera Gel, Gentian Root, Wasabi Root, Hawthorn Berry, Betaine HCI, Peppermint Leaves, Pau D’Arco Bark, Milk Thistle Seeds, Eleuthero Root, Fennel Seed, Burdock Root, Suma Root, Licorice Root, Cardamom Fruit, Cayenne Pepper. (IB)Goji Berry Juice, Acai Berry Puree, Sorrel Flower, Schizandra Berry, Maca Root, Noni Fruit, Ashwaganda Root, MSM, Bamboo Stem Extract, Mangosteen Fruit, Ginger Root, Blueberry Fruit, Amla Berry, Harada Fruit Extract, Brahmi Plant, Nepali Shilajit Extract, Puncture Vine Fruit Extract, Fucoidan, Sea Buckthorn, Georgian Snow Rose Leaves, Siberian Golden Root, Velvet Bean Extract, Iron Rich Blackstrap Molasses (AC)Cacao, Magnesium, Oolong Tea, Powdered Hoodia Herb, Cha De Bugre Extract,(CC)Cascara Sagrada, Psyllium Seeds, Fennel Seeds, Cats Claw Root, Ginger Root, Boldo Leaf, Artichoke Extract, Slippery Elm Bark, Basil Leaves, Spearmint Leaves, Dandelion Leaves, Cornsilk, Licorice Root, Alfalfa Leaf, Clove Flower, Dandelion Root, Red Rasberry Leaf, Mullein Leaves, Red Clover Blossoms, Milk Thistle Seeds.(CS)Chlorella,Carrot Root, Fenugreek Seed, Flax Seed, Spirulina, Barley Grass, Pomegranate, Oats, Papaya, Digestive Enzymes, Beneficial ProBiotics, Chelated Minerals, Proteins and well, seriously people…..this is the most comprehensive organically based deep cleanse I have ever seen.

 All of these healing foods, elixirs, extracts and herbs Infused into your body. I added the suggested Alkalizing, anti-oxidant and phyto-nutrient rich herbs, fruits and veggies like berries, apples and citrus, cabbage, broccoli, beets, sweet potatoes, cauliflower.

So, fast forward only 7 days: I am down 12 pounds, Hubby is down 15 pounds. My energy is soaring, skin is glowing, digestion is completely efficient. The protocol is designed to focus on ALL 7 pathways of elimination and it has worked beautifully. I incorporated the use of Dry Skin Brushing, Infrared Sauna, Walking and Hydro-Massage for an extra boost to my lymph, adrenals, liver and pancreas.

Here is an overview of the generalized plan. I have also mentioned (below) what foods I chose for the *If needed categories below the chart. I do not believe in extreme fasting so I always elected to include the whole foods when prompted.

1 Complete Shake- Berry, 1 Metabolic Boost, 1 Ionic Blend, 1 Capsule Cleanse, 2 Fasting Solution, 1 Appetite Chew
Breakfast	Mid-Morning	Lunch	Mid-Afternoon	Dinner	Evening (before 9pm)
2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution and 1oz. Ionic Blend with 8oz. water, followed by 1 Appetite Chew	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution, followed by 1-2 cups *vegetables, or mineral broth if needed	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	1 Appetite Chew, 8oz. water, *vegetable or fruit juice mixed with Fruit & Fiber Mix, if needed	*Vegetable/mineral broth, if needed. 1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water
2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution and 1oz. Ionic Blend with 8oz. water, followed by 1 Appetite Chew	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	*Vegetable/mineral broth, if needed. 1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution, followed by 1-2 cups *vegetables, or mineral broth if needed	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	1 Appetite Chew, 8oz. water, *vegetable or fruit juice mixed with Fruit & Fiber Mix, if needed
16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables or mineral broth, if needed or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with16oz. water. 15-30 min later, eat a *palm-size portion of protein, 3 cups vegetables, 1 cup whole grain or sweet potato, 1 TBSP flax or coconut oil	16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables, if needed or shot of GoYin	Complete Shake (with 2oz coconut water, 4oz nut/seed milk and 4oz water), 8oz. water	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, Complete Shake (with 2oz coconut water, 4oz nut/seed milk and 4oz water) and 1oz. Ionic Blend	1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water
2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, Complete Shake (with 2oz coconut water, 4oz nut/seed milk and 4oz water) and 1oz. Ionic Blend	16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables or mineral broth, if needed or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with16oz. water. 15-30 min later, eat a *palm-size portion of protein, 3 cups vegetables, 1 cup whole grain or sweet potato, 1 TBSP flax or coconut oil	16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables, if needed or shot of GoYin	8oz. water, *palm-size portion of protein, 3 cups vegetables, 1 cup whole grain or sweet potato, 1 TBSP flax oil	1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water
2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later,1 cup. organic slow-cooked oatmeal with nuts and dried fruit to sweeten and 1oz. Ionic Blend	16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables or mineral broth, if needed or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with16oz. water. 15-30 min later, eat a *palm-size portion of protein, 3 cups vegetables, 1 cup whole grain or sweet potato, 1 TBSP flax or coconut oil	16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables, if needed or shot of GoYin	Complete Shake (with 2oz coconut water, 4oz nut/seed milk and 4oz water), 8oz. water	1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water

Day 6 - Cleanse	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution and 1oz. Ionic Blend with 8oz. water, followed by 1 Appetite Chew	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution, followed by 1-2 cups *vegetables, or mineral broth if needed	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	1 Appetite Chew, 8oz. water, *vegetable or fruit juice mixed with Fruit & Fiber Mix, if needed	*Vegetable/mineral broth, if needed. 1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water
Day 7 - Cleanse	*Vegetable/mineral broth, if needed. 1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution and 1oz. Ionic Blend with 8oz. water, followed by 1 Appetite Chew	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution, followed by 1-2 cups *vegetables, or mineral broth if needed	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	1 Appetite Chew, 8oz. water, *vegetable or fruit juice mixed with Fruit & Fiber Mix, if needed
How to Maximize Your Program
*Vegetable/mineral broth - At the beginning of the DETOX, I made a large batch of Vegetable Mineral Broth with Garlic, Tumeric, Cayenne, Ginger and Savory Herbs.
*Vegetables can be eaten raw, blanched or lightly steamed. Juice should be freshly juiced and not prepared (no V8).I steamed my vegetables (Carrot, Cabbage, Spinach, Broccoli, Beets and Cauliflower with Garlic and Fresh Herbs) As an alternative, I blended my veggies into a warm soup and topped with turmeric and garlic for a satisfying and filling dinner.
^Capsule Cleanse dosage may be increased by one per day until you achieve 2-3 bowel movements per day. May also use Liquid Cleanse in place of Capsule Cleanse.
Fruit should be in season and low-glycemic (LOW glycemic ex: apples, berries, citrus. HIGH glycemic ex: tropical fruits such as bananas, mangos, melons and pineapple.)
Protein should be either plant-based or organic, naturally-raised animal-based (preferably chicken or turkey thigh or salmon, all of which contain healthy fats). However, to achieve a more thorough cleanse, focus on plant-based protein.
Whole grains do NOT include bread or baked goods. Whole grains include amaranth, barley, buckwheat, bulgur, kamut, millet, oats, rice (brown, wild, red), rye and quinoa.
Drink 80-100 oz. of quality alkaline, ionized water throughout the day. May add fresh lemon juice and cayenne pepper to water for flavor and additional cleansing.
For strong cravings for sugar, carbs or fat, try one TBSP organic, raw coconut oil.
Exercise for 20-30 minutes each day (sweating and breathing deeply). Bounce on rebound trampoline or bounce/shake body in place for 5 min daily to move lymph system.
Dry-brush body every morning using a natural bristle brush, making long strokes along limbs and circular strokes around joints, breast and abdomen.
Please refer to the "Golden Rules for Health and Vitality" for more dietary and lifestyle recommendations.
ADDITIONAL GENESIS PURE PRODUCTS: You may use the following additional products during your cleanse.
Cell Water: You may add Cell Water to your purified water when drinking throughout the day.
Control: You may take Control in place of Metabolic Boost.
Coral Calcium: You may take Coral Calcium before bed.
Fruit & Fiber Mix: You can take additional Fruit & Fiber mix if you have constipation issues or need additional fiber in your diet. Recommended daily fiber: 25-40 grams
Green Coffee Bean: You may take Green Coffee Bean with Control or Metabolic Boost before meals.
Noni: You may take Noni to help purify your liver, blood and digestive system.<
Probiotic: You are encouraged to take Probiotic in the morning and/or evening on an empty stomach.
Silver: You may take Silver to help eliminate unhealthy bacteria, fungus and pathogens.<

I will continue to share my experience of my transition to a nutrient dense RESTORE diet and add in more of the SUPER Fruits, Sulfur, Daily Build, Coral Calcium, Cell Water, Alkaline Water and the very cool GPS  sports support products. Well, off to finish drinking my Pure Café, Green Coffee Bean drink and head out to work off some of this PURE Energy! Thank you to my AWESOME friend Jared, for sharing this company with me. I believe in the products so much that it is now part of each nutrition client protocol that I prescribe. Hubby and I are gifting our parents and a few friends with their very own DETOX kits.  If you want more information, please comment below and I will schedule a complimentary Skype consult with you to explain how to start on your journey to a healthy Genesis PURE future~  Have a GREAT day!

In Health and Happiness, Melissa

Easy like Sunday morning.....

Finally.....a slow, peaceful morning in my life to write a few lines and hopefully update those who may be still following my much neglected blog (chirp, chirp,chirp,chirp from the crickets).Still working on transferring to my domain but having to wait on a new intern to catch up with m

Over the next weeks, we are preparing to bring in more power lines, dig the well and pour the slab for our HOME on the farm.....this small and efficient barndominium living has been fun. But our dream has always been to have a place for family and friends to gather,relax and entertain. I will share the construction journey as it progresses. 

Even though we are in transition to our home, permanent barn,etc... it has become official, I am a goat farmer now. Just owning a few goats was simply having my own personal petting zoo. But actually breeding, kidding, milking and bottle feeding is a whole NEW lifestyle. Oh....did I mention that I am in heaven? 

My herd queen Bella, had her first baby, under a FULL moon, about 2 weeks ago. A little Doeling named "Moonshine". This little girl is a spunky little thing and is giving me hours of giggles with her classic baby goat antics. Bella is already blessing us with over a half gallon of milk every day which is keeping "Moo" in bottles of milk and providing cheese, kefir and soap for my family.

Settling into a routine of twice a day milking has been a little challenging. But, as with anything new, it is becoming just part of my daily routine. Hubby and I milked this morning, then bottle fed the baby. Now enjoying homemade sourdough breakfast sandwich made with einkorn ancient grain wheat, grass fed butter, our raw goat cheese and local eggs. What a delicious Sunday morning treat. And of course, it would not be complete without a glass of raw goat kefir....this batch is flavored with vanilla bean and organic maple syrup ( a new favorite recipe). 

Well off to track down a cow that seems to have taken up residence on our property. Has left quite a few, ummmm patties all over the place. I already asked hubs if I can keep it if we can't find it's owner-haha. And then while we are cow hunting, we are on the lookout for our neighbors Emu that got loose last night! What does your day hold? 

Here is my delicious einkorn sourdough using ancient grain flour from Jovial in Italy. It is crusty and delicious.

Raw goat kefir with maple syrup and vanilla bean- my recent obsession!

And lastly, Moonshine(1 hour hold) and her friend ,6 month old , Ellie Mae......Awwwwww!

Summer Salsa

I have had several requests this week for my Salsa recipe. We are officially in Tomato season in Texas and loving our local bounty but needing to get creative with preserving these beauties. So today I am sharing my recipe for the BEST salsa ever (If I do say so myself). Later in the week, we will share a fermented ketchup recipe that my hubby is working on.

 Fermented Summer Salsa

(Makes 1 qt)
6-8  Fresh tomatoes
2- 3 green onions, chopped
1 large size chopped jalapeno(seeded)
6-8 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped or pressed
1 bunch cilantro
juice of 1-2 limes
2 T. sea salt
1/4 c. filtered water with tsp of salt (This is the brine)

Pulse in food processor until it reaches a consistency that you enjoy. Some prefer a "chunkier" salsa. Place in a quart-sized, wide-mouth mason jar. Press down lightly until the juices rise up; if there is not enough liquid to cover the vegetables then add a little brine water. The top of the vegetables/liquid should be about an inch below the top of the jar. Cover with a loose jar lid OR a towel, place jar in a bowl to catch any expansion overflow and keep at room temperature in a dark and undisturbed area for about 5 days before sealing and transferring to the fridge.
A note about timing: that “5 days” is a very subjective figure. It depends on a number of factors.  The temperature of your kitchen is also a factor. I like the flavor that develops at 5 days BUT have gone several weeks before.

 How do you know when it’s done? Taste it every single day. Twice a day if it’s really warm in your kitchen. Open it up, press the vegetables down, and give them a taste. When it tastes really good (slightly effervescent) it’s done. As you can see, there is pretty much no way to get this wrong.
If you use the no whey-extra salt method, like I do, you’ll know it’s done when it starts to taste less salty.

 I don’t know that I’d let this one go TOO long… probably better slightly fermented than sour-kraut-level fermented.

NOTE: We had a recent batch of salsa that we let ferment until it was practically explosive. It had fermented for 2 weeks in Texas summer (78-80 degrees in my kitchen at times). Anyway, it tasted good, but it is very bubbly.  Almost like a champagne salsa which is a very refreshing flavor. If you personally want to avoid this, transfer to your fridge before the “exploding with bubbles” stage. There’s a lot of variation in this process, and with practice you get better and better at it. Give yourself the permission to experiment and fail, and you can’t go wrong.

There are MANY variations with salsa.....experiment with a few of your favorites. Add a variety of fresh peppers, fruits, carrots, etc... My favorite Salsa Verde would substitute the tomatoes with tomatillos and an addition of cucumber. VERY refreshing and light!

 ENJOY!

Nuno Felting

No, I am not writing about food, fitness or beauty today. But, I am sharing a bit of creative therapy that I had the opportunity to explore today.

 

I enjoyed a break in my schedule for a class on Nuno Felting....! It is truly a primitive art form, using natural fibers such as mohair, alpaca, silk, wool, etc... I hope you enjoy this brief history of Nuno and some pictures of the scarf I created today.

 

 

"Felted fabric is thought to predate woven or spun fabric. Among the oldest examples of felt are 3,500 -year-old hats found in Scandinavia..." It's not hard to imagine the use or almost necessity of felt in colder climates, but nuno felt was developed with just the opposite in mind. "When Polly Stirling codeveloped nuno felt with her assistant Sachiko Kotaka, her intention was to create a cooler, wearable felt for the warm climate of Australia, where she lives part-time." For me, that was a big draw too. Living in the humid subtropic of southeast Texas.



"Nuno is Japanese for fabric or cloth." It's the word that became associated with this technique during the collaboration of Stirling and Kotaka. "Today they are widely credited with popularizing the technique, although northern Europeans developed a similar technique about a decade earlier. Their term 'laminated felting' is preferrred by some feltmakers, since Nuno is also the name of a textile design company in Japan."

"To create nuno felt, very small amounts of wool are layered on a pre-existing fabric, usually silk or cotton. During the felting process, the wool fibers migrate through the weave of the cloth and entangle, pulling the cloth along with them as they shrink. The result is a fully integrated and highly textural fabric..... Nuno...gathers in all directions rather than just one, making the fabric appear bubbled. ..... Nuno felting strips things down to the bare bones, making use of wool's alchemic power even when using so very few fibers. When we experience the total transformation of so few bits of wool on cloth, somehow the power of the process is more starkly revealed to us. ..... nuno felt is also very practical as a wearable fabric. It is incredibly lightweight and drapes the body beautifully. Not only is it gorgeous, but it also completely takes people off guard when they hear how it's created."

Here is a close up of the laying down or placement of my natural fibers onto my cotton muslin.



(Above is the scarf, before the felting process began) Wetting, soaping, rolling and tossing....it was a workout over the course of this 3 hour class. But the scarf turned out beautifully and I am not sure whether to wear it OR hang it on my wall.

If you get a chance, research this technique.Its so beautiful. I plan to do a larger project for an art piece in my new home and maybe even a few scarves for Christmas gifts. I am hooked!

The HEAT is on.....!

Well....the AC has officially been turned off in Texas! The humidity is brutal. And this outdoor primitive lady is too diva to smell too natural.

Here is a recipe for a natural DIY deodorant that rocks!

Equal parts of:

Baking Soda

Arrowroot Powder

Sea Salt 

Coconut Oil

Vitamin E Oil (just a few drops)

Essential Oils (use adequate amounts of your favorite therapeutic grade brand- I use Tea Tree, Lemongrass, lavender)

*men may want to use a blend of YL Thieves or DT's OnGuard for an extra anti bacterial protection!

Once blended, you may store in a small jar in a cool area. It works great and it's no chemicals,metals, parabens or synthetic fragrances. 

 

Blog about to get a FACELIFT.....!

Well it is time.....preparing to update LOOK and LOCATION of Primitive Diva! Stay tuned for lots of FUN news, products and announcements this summer. In the meantime, come and walk on the WILD side at our Facebook page Primitive Diva!

Wild Foraging

I have committed myself to discovering and identifying two new wild edible plants, each week, at the farm. Using my favorite local foraging website Foraging Texas and the sage wisdom of the master forager himself, Merriwether. This week, I have located several patches of Chickweed and Pimpernel. As you can see below, they look quite similar. However, taking the time to study each...they are quite unique! Continue reading to see how I used my harvest today.

Chickweed: Chickweed sprouts were a common source of greens on early navy ships and helped prevent scurvy before the discovery of vitamin C. Their small amount of saponins help give dishes containing chickweed a creamy texture, especially when diced finely and simmered in pasta sauces. It's also tastes wonderful in pesto, salsas, and raw food/vegan "green drinks" as well as greatly increasing the nutritional value of these foods.

The hairy "Mouse-Eared Chickweed" must be cooked before eating to soften the hairs on the stems and leaves.

Pimpernel:The scarlet pimpernel has a tradition of medicinal use going back to the ancient Greeks. They considered it to be a "cure-all", capable of treating any sort of injury, illness, or infection of bone, muscle, eye or other organ. The plant was dried and powdered, this powder then consumed in a drink. The raw plant has a rather unpleasant taste, probably due to the small amount of bitter saponin compounds it contains. It was also used as a wash for bad skin. Perhaps more importantly the pimpernel was thought to raise spirits and dispel melancholy, for which tea made from the fresh plant was recommended.

The pimpernel flowers close up when rain approaches, allowing them to be used as a crude method of predicting bad weather. The flowers also close up in the evening and won't reopen until stuck by sunlight.

Growing Wild Tip: I encourage you to discover one new wild food near you this week......wild edibles offer such amazing primitive nutrition. There are numerous books on the subject that are beneficial. But remember, if you are uncertain its best to hire a guide or teacher to get you familiarized with your local wild food.  Once you have some ingredients to work with, there are great recipes at sites like Edible Wild Food

Wild Chickweed Smoothie..........Green Apples, Strawberries, Banana, Local Bee Pollen and freshly harvested Chickweed!

The smoothie was great. It provided great energy to nourish me for a busy afternoon.

Now, I am dehydrating the Pimpernel for a wonderful medicinal tea.

 

Raves and Reviews

Totally wanted to share my discovery of these awesome EcoJarz lids......! Give it a full Thumbs UP (except for the fact that I ordered four and only received one--I will work that out later)

I have cleared out 99% of the plastic in my home and we do not drink bottled water. I love my Mason/Ball Jars for my beverages. These drinking convereter lids are free of any plastic, BPAs, Phtalates. I love them for grab and go beverages. They are dishwasher safe too (medical grade stainless steel). They fit ANY small mouth canning jar. ONLY $6.99 Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Reuse...Reuse!

 

Check them out in my Amazon Store HERE:

 

 

Grow WILD......!

Sorry to disconnect from the blog world for a bit.  I have been busy with life, kids, work, goats and farm planning. I guess I almost feel that I am steadily breaking out of a cocoon, that I developed for myself during this strangely unsettling move to the farm. It is everything that myself, kiddos and husband have dreamed of.....BUT uprooting and transferring to NEW soil, is always hard. I am posting this photo as a reminder to myself to find my path again as I grow WILD into my new, but now familiar, surroundings.

Such simplicity in these words, but so much TRUTH in the way we should ALL be living and growing. I have many things to share with you this Spring on the topic of Growing WILD......Including a 6 weeks course on becoming a Primitive Diva. I am also remodeling the BLOG and finally getting it transferred over to my Primitive Diva domain.

With Love~ Melissa

Grain Free Pizza

One of my favorite foods happens to be pizza. I am not very impressed with gluten free crusts in general. Just too many processed ingredients for this Primitive lady. When I spied these beautiful portobella's in the market the other day- I knew exactly what they would be great as.....Pizza Crust!

Someone on Facebook asked me for the recipe. And really its not a recipe at all. Take the portobella, wash and dry. Drizzle olive oil and sea salt on it and begin to load it up with YOUR favorite toppings. These in the photo are tomatoes, artichoke hearts, red peppers, olives (green and black), onions, spinach, baby kale, basil, garlic and two kinds of goat cheese (Chevre and Naked Goat). I baked mine at 400 degrees for 25 minutes and then added additional grated cheese and put under a broiler briefly to melt and brown the toppings.

Remember, you can add any vegetables, herbs, meats and cheeses that you like. My son loves the uncured pepperoni and salami by Applegate Farms. I love adding my favorite sausage from Yonder Way.

These are so delicious and easy to make. Pour yourself a glass of organic cabernet, turn on some italian music and ENJOY this healthy indulgence!

Before going into the oven

 Coming out with bubbling cheese!

 

Checking In.....

It has been a crazy schedule these past 2-3 weeks. My 15 year old daughter injured her back in Volleyball....so 3 times weekly Physical Therapy. My youngest son has been battling chest congestion and a fever....lots of oils, herbs and natural therapies and he is well again. We have been very busy moving more things out of storage and into our "barndominium" rental, on the property next door to the farm. Today, I am packing and preparing to head out to TOFGA (Texas Organic Farming and Gardening Association) conference. I will be hosting a booth for Weston A. Price and Farm To Consumer Legal Defense Fund. I am so excited to attend this event for the first time. I look forward to both educating on Traditional Diets and hearing some of the great line up of speakers. I will try and share photo's and information from the event.

My schedule resumes a more normal pattern next week. So, I will return with some great topics. IF you won one of the MiaBella Goat soaps on my Facebook give away, I will be mailing those out today! You will LOVE them :-)

Have a GREAT week Diva's.....be back SOON!

In Health and Happiness,
Melissa

I

Primitive Diva's Beauty Secrets

 

 

 

During the 2011 Weston A Price conference chapter leaders meeting, I received a jar of Green Pasture's Beauty Balm. I know the thought of putting fermented cod liver oil and butter on your face sounds ummmm....interesting. But, please do not let that turn you away from this little jewel. I let my husband use some on vacation- and my jar quickly emptied.I ordered another jar in December and quickly realized that it was a headliner in my beauty line up. Most of you know that I LOVE my coconut oil but, this has been great in the winter months as it actually offers a bit more protection on lips, under eyes and hands in the wind and cold.

 

The ingredients are PURE and Primitive :

Ingredients: Shea Butter, X-FACTOR Gold High Vitamin Butter Oil, Blue Breeze Organic Coconut Oil, Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil, Cranberry Oil, Organic Orange Oil, Lavender Oil

 

 

 

I also love the welcome statement on Green Pastures' home page:

 

Welcome to Green Pasture Products™

We are a family owned business started by Dave and Barb Wetzel in 2000. Our business focus is to provide high-quality sacred-food oils just as they were made prior to the industrialized food and farming revolution.

High-Vitamin Butter Oil is our foundation product that all our work has blossomed through. Dr. Weston Price discovered High-Vitamin Butter Oil back in the 1930's but the pinnacle of his discovery was when he combined Cod Liver Oil with High-Vitamin Butter Oil.

Today we produce the High-Vitamin Butter Oil, and we ferment the historically sacred cod and skate liver oils. Fermenting the livers of fish to extract the oil is an old world practice that may go back as far as biblical times. During the 1850s was the beginning of the industrial food revolution and the first time cod liver oil manufacturing changed from it's historical sacred roots to an industrialized food.

We've turned back the clock and restored these sacred foods to their roots. We Are proud to offer these historical sacred foods prepared with the same great care and concern for our generational health just as our ancestors.

Dr. Price traveled the world studying the traditional diets of many cultures. In every culture he discovered sacred foods that were carefully collected and prepared to ensure the strong mind, body, and spirit of its people.



Happy Monday......!

I am headed off to my REAL Farm Chicks of Montgomery County Bootcamp this morning. I have a lot to share this week and will be announcing the NOURISH cleanse. How are you embracing your WILD Primitive Diva self today?

Unleashing your inner WILD....!

 

Yiiippppeeeee, I got my birthday present in the mail. It was a book I have been swooning over for a year or so. Mary Jane Butters' latest " Outpost~ Unleashing your inner WILD! "

 

 

Is this a PERFECT book for me or what......Now wait for some exciting stories from my Glamping in the woods  expeditions or a few adventures of "DIVA only" road trips! I can't wait to make a pot of tea, light a candle and fall dreamily into this book. So what does it mean to you to unleash your inner wild?

I think this term means something different for each person. But, I recently stumbled upon an amazing little blog from Camille Giglio at Woman Rewilding She is the wife of REAL Foodie Chef Franky G of Franks Finest. I have follwed this beautiful lady for sometime now and she has a passion and gift for empowering women back to nature and rewilding themselves. She had this to say: "Some people probably hear the word “rewilding” and think of people taking their clothesoff, taking a walk through the woods, and holding a bow with arrows. I like to think of the ReWilding Journey to be one step at a time. We can all do our best with whatever we have." I think to make realistic changes we need to follow her advice of one small step at a time. My first step in my own journey was to look at food differently. From there it became my environment, home and lifestyle.

So what does Living Wild mean....?

Clarissa Pinkola Estes describes it wonderfully in herbook Women Who Run With the Wolves.

“So, the word wild here is not used in its modern pejorative sense, meaning out of control, but in its original sense, which means to live a natural life,one in which the criatura, creature, has innate integrity and healthyboundaries. These words, wild and woman, cause women to remember who they areand what they are about. They create a metaphor to describe the force whichfunds all females. They personify a force that women cannot live without.”

- Women Who Run With the Wolves (by Clarissa Pinkola Estes)

What steps have you taken to bring a little wild back into your life......?

Nutritional Balance

It was my birthday yesterday and the family took me out for a birthday dinner, to celebrate. Yes, we chose mexican. It is, after all, MY favorite! I ordered beef fajita nachos with extra peppers and limes. Lots of creamy avocado, pico de gallo and sour cream and (duh, duh...duh!)CORN! I usually try to bring my own raw flax crackers for dining out BUT, I was not prepared. So, I gave myself permission to ENJOY my craving.

I loved the flavors of my meal....but, hated the CORN belly bloat that came with it. Woke up this morning feeling quite toxic. There is only ONE way to undo an indulgence like that. A loaded GREEN smoothie. Its the whole yin/yang balance- right? And all the greens will help my body detox any additives that may have been lingering in my meal.

So, I loaded up my beloved VitaMix with spinach, arugula, cilantro, avocado, chia, hemp,flax,bee pollen, tumeric, ginger, blueberries, starwberries, goji, banana, raw honey and raw kefir! It has totally rehydrated and alkalized my body.

When you celebrate or indulge how do you balance out your nutrition..........................................?

TGIF....and other sentiments!

Thank Goodness Its Friday......! I have 4 blog posts that I started and have not finished uploading. I have all day volleyball tournaments tomorrow with my 5'10- 15 year old Glamazon Primitive Princess! And...even though I really need to catch up on work this afternoon, my son asked me to come and have lunch with him at school today. Ya'll he is 12 --sooooo.....that doesn't happen much anymore,sadly!

So, I am rushing to check in between bootcamp, a shower and a couple of MUST do emails. Then off to have lunch with that little man who makes my heart swoon~  I will leave you with some farm chick wisdom!

Chicken Foot Bone Broth

Will be back later to share my recipe and post of health and beauty benefits for this nourishing bone broth. Just wanted to upload the pics from my phone first. Don't they look like Dr.Seuss hands-haha!

Okay its later....and I came back to edit the post with my easy recipe below. ENJOY!

 

Yes.....you read that correctly--chicken FEET!  They are NOT just for crossing to the other side of the road. I have recently discovered the blessing and benefit of using chicken feet in my bone broths.I did not include feet in the first recipe that I shared on the benefits of bone broths, because I thought you would be a little..."whah..?"! They do look very wierd when they are still raw  with their littel fingernails. They do resemble the hands of several Dr.Seuss characters. But they are not for looking at. They are for NOURISHING the body!

Adding chicken feet increases the gelatin content in the broth, making it a more nutritious drink or soup. The collagen from the feet is so important for beautiful skin, connective tissue and bone!

So here is the recipe for bone broth using chicken feet

 

1 chicken carcass or small whole organic chicken
1 pile of chicken feet – you don’t have to count or weigh just use what you have on hand. OK – 10 feet!
Vegetables – remember they don’t have to be pretty just throw them in!(My favorite is to add loads of tomatoes,carrots, garlic, onion, and EVERY herb in my garden. You can add kale and greens too for a more mineral rich broth)
4-6 Tablespoons of raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Place the chicken and vegetables in the pot.
Next take each chicken leg and chop the toenails off. Yes you heard that right they must have a pedicure! I must admit it was a little unnerving to chop off the nails, it is not my favorite thing to do, but I love the end result.
Rinse the legs and add them into the pot (minus the toenails)
Add 4-6 Tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar
Add water to 2-3 inches above all of the pieces.
Simmer covered for 24-36 hours.
Strain once through a colander and reserve the meat. Strain again through a fine mesh strainer.
What you will notice about this broth is that it will thicken because of the gelatin and it will be rich in flavor!
Enjoy 4-6 ounces as a health drink every day.
Freeze all unused broth by the 4th day.

I will be sharing more benefits of the miracle super food in the upcoming book. Until then "eat your feet" for beauty!

NEW....book club starting soon!

 

Go to the tabs above and click on Book Club for more information.

Nacho Cheesy Kale Chips

Need a replacement for chips and soda for your family....? Serve with an ice cold fizzy kombucha soda and you will have a hit!

 

 



Start with 2 large bunches/bags of Curly Kale or Tuscan Kale.Kale should be chopped or torn into no larger than 3" pcs (I also prefer to remove center rib/stem) If you dont have kale in your garden yet (mine is too small still) then you can purchase loose or bagged organic kale(like the Trader Joes brand), 4-6 Roma Tomatoes, 4-6 Garlic Cloves, juice of 2 limes, 1/2 cup Braggs Nutritional Yeast, 1 Tbsp Sea Salt, 1/4 cup cold pressed olive oil, 2 tsp Cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne, 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp onion powder. Place all ingredients, except kale, in your vitamix or blender and blend until all mixed.

Now pour mixture over kale and mix well by hand until all peices are well coated. Place loosely onto dehydrator screen (or you can also use oven setting on LOW at 180-200, with oven door cracked) and dehydrate (sun bake)at 105-110 degrees, until crispy! You can play around with the ingredients and acheieve different flavors in the coating. IF you would like a thicker richer cheesy flavor add soaked raw cashews to you coating mixture.

These are addicting and trust me no one can eat just one........ ~ Enjoy!