Why is Vitamin D essential for a healthy lifestyle?

Posted in Uncategorized by

Low Vit D levels have been associated with:

– Cardiovascular disease: Low vitamin D levels are linked to an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular issues.

– Type 2 diabetes: There is an association between low vitamin D and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

– Cancers: Studies suggest a link between deficiency and certain cancers, such as prostate, colorectal, and breast cancer.

– Autoimmune conditions: A deficiency is associated with an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases.

– Infections: People with low vitamin D may be more susceptible to infections, including respiratory illnesses.

– Mental health: Low vitamin D levels have been linked to depression, irritability, and fatigue.

– Fatigue and weakness: A persistent feeling of tiredness is a common symptom.

– Accelerated bone loss: always make sure your Vit D has Vit K2 with it to keep calcium in the bones and prevent bone loss.

– Prolonged healing: Wounds may take longer to heal.

– Weight gain: Deficiency has been linked to weight gain.

Please start taking 5000 units of Vitamin D with 100mcg K2.

https://a.co/d/01RucNE5

This is a good one. Take one pill per day.

SUPPLEMENTS:

CREATININE – everyone should be on creatine for muscle, bone and brain health – 5 grams once a day

https://amzn.to/4sofSMQ

MAGNESIUM GLYCINATE – at bedtime – helps with sleep – start with one tablet and work up to 3 if needed

https://amzn.to/47TktPR

ELECTROLYTES – important for healthy cell function

https://amzn.to/4tyc8JK or https://amzn.to/4ty3HOt

MOISTURIZER WITH SPF 50, NIACINAMIDE AND VITAMIN C (so good) – never leave the house without sunscreen on your face

https://amzn.to/4vm46p4

ESTRADIOL CREAM – if you are not already on vaginal estrogen cream, ask me about this – I use a pea size amount on my face mixed with moisturizer 2x a week to rebuild collagen on my face

Homemade Crayon Lipstick

Posted in Uncategorized by

Homemade Crayon Lipstick Lemons & Petals

Today I decided to share how to make Crayon Lipstick.  Crayons are totally non-toxic so they are safe to put on your lips.  It’s amazing how the color really pops out and they work darkly on your lips.  Also the Crayola brand is the best one because other brands don’t work as well.  So let’s get started:)Crayon lipstick 2

What you will need:

  • crayon colors (I used violet red, light pink and red)
  • 1/2 tsp coconut oil

Directions: 

Peel the wrapper off the crayons and chop into pieces.  Boil your water and put coconut oil in.  Mix around and add in 1 piece of each chopped up crayon.  And there you go with your bright colored lipstick!

IMG_2213Thanks for reading!!:)

Almond Shea Butter Body Scrub

Posted in DIY by

Manicure in a Jar Lemons & Petals

This post is written by my 11 year old daughter. 

I was inspired by this scrub when I went to Sephora and saw the Loccitaine Almond Paste.  I just had to make it!  It smelled so delicious!  It smelled like cookies….yum!  So today I decided to make a moisturizing almond shea butter body scrub.  I really love how this smells like a cookie and it makes me want to eat it!  It smells so good.  And it leaves your skin feeling so smooth and soft.  This scrub is gentle enough for your body and face too and it’s especially awesome for your hands. It’s like a manicure in a jar!   Let’s get started 🙂

Almond Body Scrub 3

What you will need:

  • 1/2 cup raw shea butter
  • 1/3 cup carrier oil (I used avocado oil)
  • 1/4 tsp vitamin E oil
  • 1 cup almond meal
  • Almond extract and vanilla extract

Directions:

Melt the shea butter in a double boiler or microwave with the avocado oil. 

Once melted, add the vitamin E oil, the extracts and the almond meal.  Mix well.

Put into a jar or container and you’re good to go with your cookie smelling scrub!

Almond Body Scrub 4

Almond Body Scrub 5

Almond Body Scrub 6

Almond Body Scrub

Hope you make this body scrub soon!!  It’s so soothing!

Thanks for reading! 🙂

Homemade DIY Sunscreen (chemical free)

Posted in DIY by

Homemade Sunscreen Lemons & Petals

In my efforts to free my household of all chemicals, I decided to make my own sunscreen as well.  I googled “homemade sunscreen” and saw lots of recipes.  One that caught my eye and seemed like exactly what I was looking for was from Scratch Mommy.  So I decided to try my hand at it as well.  And it is a wonderful recipe!  It works and my kids love it!  

What you will need:

Melt the coconut oil, carrier oil, beeswax and shea butter in a double boiler or microwave.  I use a glass bowl on top on a pot with water.  Once melted, take off the heat and wait 2 minutes.  Before you add the zinc oxide, you must use a mask or a tshirt to cover your mouth and nose.  You don’t want to inhale the zinc oxide!  So cover your mouth and nose and slowly add the zinc oxide.  Mix and then add the Vitamin E and essential oils.

Pour into your container of choice.

IMG_2139 IMG_2140 IMG_2141

It’s a nice thick smooth consistency that rubs into the skin completely.  And it moisturizes while protecting your skin from the sun.  You should definitely try this!  

 IMG_2146

Thanks for reading 🙂

Moisturizing Tinted Lip Balm DIY

Posted in DIY by

Moisturizing Lip Balm Lemons & Petals

What you will need:

  • 1 TBS coconut oil
  • 1 TBS beeswax
  • 1 TBS shea butter or cocoa butter
  • 15-20 drops of essential oils
  • Mica powder (use whichever color you want your lip balm to be-optional)

Melt the coconut oil, beeswax and butter in a double boiler or in the microwave.  Add in the essential oils and mica powder if using.  Quickly pour into empty lip balm containers and place in the fridge for 30 minutes until fully hardened.

Now they’re ready to be used as you would any lip balm or lipstick.

homemade lip balm

Rose Petal Body Scrub (moisturizing & homemade)

Posted in DIY by

Rose Petals Body Scrub Lemons & Petals

I’ve been thinking about using dried rose petals to make a body scrub for quite some time.  Something about it sounds so luxurious!

IMG_3864

I happen to receive these flowers at the perfect time!  After the petals started wilting, I pulled them off the stems and let them dry.

IMG_2098

Then I put them in my food processor and ground them down to small pieces.

IMG_2105

Then I was ready to make the body scrub.  So let’s get started.

What you will need:

  • 1 cup of epsom salt or sugar (whichever you prefer)
  • 1/2 cup of coconut oil (or any other oil you prefer…olive oil and avocado oil are good choices too)
  • 20 drops of essential oils (I used lavender and geranium)
  • 1/4 cup of lightly ground rose petals

Mix all the ingredients and place in a jar.  It’s that simple 🙂

IMG_2117

IMG_2107

IMG_2115

Hope you make this!  It will leave you with soft smooth skin.  Thanks for reading 🙂

Bulletproof Herbal Coffee (keto, vegan)

Posted in Recipes by

Bulletproof Herbal Coffee by Lemons & Petals

What is bulletproof coffee?

The phrase ‘bulletproof coffee’ was termed by Dave Asprey, expert biohacker and productivity expert, who explored ways to optimize health and maximize efficiency and productivity.

Bulletproof Coffee can also be called Keto/Ketogenic Coffee because it has been used by the low carb community as a way to kick start morning fat burning and train the body to run on ketones.  When you’re in a carbohydrate-depleted or calorie-deficient state, your body turns to burning stored fat for fuel. When fat is broken down, ketones are released. Ketones can not only fuel every cell in your body, but more importantly, they can specifically fuel the brain. Releasing and using ketones for energy is known as ketosis.  This leads to a fat burning and high energy state.

So what’s in Bulletproof Coffee?

Traditionally speaking, you would use premium, low toxin coffee and blend it with grass-fed butter.  I, however, cannot tolerate caffeine and also am dairy free.  So I came up with something that works for me…..and it is sooooo delicious!  I just had to share my recipe.

What you will need:

  • 8oz filtered water
  • 1/4 cup dairy free milk
  • 1 TBS coconut oil or MCT oil
  • 1 bag of Teecino herbal coffee (or any coffee or tea works too)
  • Stevia to sweeten to taste

IMG_2081

Directions:

  • Heat water and milk in a pot until boiling
  • Steep bag of Teecino for 5 minutes
  • Remove bag and add the hot liquid to your blender
  • Add coconut oil and stevia and blend for 30 seconds
  • Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!

But doesn’t it taste oily or slimy?  Actually….no.  Not at all.  The blender part of this whole recipe is the most important part because it emulsifies the coconut oil into a smooth and silky texture that complements the coffee or tea.  It is really tasty! But the best  part is the fat burning boost from the coconut oil first thing in the morning.

There are many flavors of Teecino.  This recipe will work with any of them.  Try them here.

Hope you will try this!  Thanks for reading 🙂

Homemade Bug Spray

Posted in DIY by

homemade bug off spray Lemons & Petals

I am a mosquito magnet.  They will find me no matter where I go.  They love me.  But I don’t love them.  And I don’t like using commercial bug sprays with all the chemicals and nasty smell.  So I just made my own.  It works extremely well!  No bug bites even in the woods.  I encourage you to give it a try too.

What you will need:

  • 4oz spray bottle
  • distilled water
  • witch hazel
  • 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin
  • essential oils (I use Insect Shield which is a blend of Citronella, Eucalyptus, Cedarwood, Lemongrass, Lavender, Litsea, Tea Tree, Patchouli & Catnip)

Directions:

  • Fill bottle half full with water and half full with witch hazel
  • Add vegetable glycerin
  • Add about 40 drops of essential oils
  • Shake bottle and spray on your skin as needed when outdoors

What I love about this recipe is that it’s so easy to make and ingredients are recognizable.  It’s really cheap and it actually works. It’s safe to spray on your skin and in the air and you’re not breathing in nasty chemicals when you do.

Hope you will give it a try.  Thanks for reading! 🙂

DIY Poo pourri Spray

Posted in DIY by

Homemade Poo pourri spray

This is a must have in all households.  Plus I keep one in my purse for pubic restroom for when nature calls and you don’t want to stink up the entire bathroom stall (especially at the gym!)  This spray is so super easy to make and it really works.

What you will need:

  • 2oz empty spray bottle (like this one)
  • distilled water
  • 1/2 tsp witch hazel or rubbing alcohol
  • 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin
  • essential oils of your choice

Directions:

  • Add witch hazel (or rubbing alcohol) and the vegetable glycerin to the bottle
  • Then add enough distilled water to almost fill the bottle
  • Add in 20-30 drops of essential oils (I used 10 lavender, 10 bergamot and 10 orange)

Shake the bottle and you’re ready to go.  Spray 4-5 sprays in the toilet BEFORE you go.  Flush as normal.  You can customize the scent to your own preference.

This costs about $.50 to make.  The original Poo pourri costs $9.95 for a 2 oz bottle.  That’s a 20-fold price difference.  Make it at home and save yourself some money 🙂  I would love to hear your favorite essential oil combinations.

Thanks for reading 🙂

Homemade Mayo (paleo, keto, healthy) with tutorial

Posted in Recipes by

Homemade mayo lemons petals

Store bought mayonnaise is loaded with unhealthy oils such as canola or soybean oils. These oils are GMO derived and also nutritionally inferior. I’ve already written about why vegetable oils are not good for you.  And I’ve searched high and low for a 100% organic olive oil mayonnaise without any luck.  And even if you find one with olive oil, it is most likely made with “light tasting” olive oil which is usually mixed with lower quality oils. Using 100% extra virgin olive oil sounds like a great alternative but you will compromise on taste as your mayo will taste “heavy” like olive oil.  So what’s one to do?  Make your own!  This recipe takes me only 5 minutes to complete and the mayo tastes better than any store bought variety.  I have a little video tutorial so you can see how easy it is to make 🙂

What you will need:

  • 1 whole organic, cage free, omega 3 egg (pasteurized at home ~ directions below)
  • 1/4 tsp mustard (any variety will do)
  • juice of half a lemon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 3/4 cup avocado oil (any light tasting oil will work but remember what healthy oils to use.  Another option would be to use extra virgin olive oil but your mayo will taste like that so I’ve found avocado oil to be the best choice)

I use a 16 oz mason jar to make and store the mayo. No extra dishes to wash!

IMG_1996

I also pasteurize the egg because I am paranoid about Salmonella poisoning plus it’s simple to do. Place the egg in a pot with water and heat the water to about 140-145 degrees and keep the egg in the water for about 3 minutes.  This is enough to kill the germs but won’t cook your egg.  Let the egg cool down for about 10 minutes before using in this recipe.  I cook multiple eggs at once and put the other eggs either back in the fridge to make mayo in the future or I use them right away for another recipe like egg salad.

IMG_4745

IMG_4750

IMG_4751

Directions:

  • Place all ingredients in the order listed in a 16 oz jar
  • You will need an immersion blender for best results.  Use the immersion blender, starting at the bottom of the jar, and blend.  Make sure to not move the blender until you start seeing emulsification.  Then slowly move the blender up and down until all the oil is emulsified.  There’s a video below to show you how quickly emulsification takes place. 

 

IMG_4544

 

 

 

IMG_4549

There is no need to slowly add in the oil while vigorously mixing for the emulsification process to happen.  The immersion blender mimics this action because it slowly adds in the oil while blending.  It’s like magic!  It’s that easy. I promise you that you will love it!

Thanks for reading 🙂