Ten for Ten for a Cleaner Clean

By Cindy Pitts Gilbert  November 2016 Gwinnett Citizen 

Dear Sister Knowitall,

Can you share some natural replacements for some cleaners in our home. I have small children. I would really like to protect them from toxins in the chemicals in cleaners not to mention the environment.  
Sincerely, Non-Toxomom

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Dear Non-Toxomom,

Natural cleaning companies can be  expensive. Here are some tried and true replacements.  With 10 ingredients I can replace 10 store bought products in your home that clean great.   

Image Source : northphoenixfamily.com

1) Baking Soda,  2) Coconut Oil, 3) Lemon,  4) Orange Peel,  5)Hydrogen Peroxide, 6)Essential Oil Staples: Peppermint, Orange, Lemon , Tea Tree and, Lavender, 7)Cinnamon,  8)Salt, ,  9)White Vinegar 10) Aluminum Foil

1) Goo Gone - Mix Baking Soda and Coconut Oil together, add a few drops of  orange essential  oil - removes sticky glue and labels from jars.

2) Microwave A cup of Vinegar can smell pretty strong. I prefer half a lemon. Run the microwave for 1 minute, then wipe out with a paper towel. 

3) GoJo- Grease Remover - Coconut Oil and Orange Essential Oil.  Mix in a container with a wide mouth and keep near the sink for that greasy man in your life.

4) Jewelry Cleaner-  Lay  aluminum foil in the bottom of the sink. Fill the sink 25% of very hot water.  Add Baking Soda and Salt and stir until dissolved.  Place your silver or gold jewelry into the water making sure that it touches the aluminum foil. Let soak 10-15 minutes.  Use a slightly abrasive cloth to polish the piece and enjoy the sparkle.  Remedy is not safe for items with pearls or costume jewelry made of  plastic, cheap metals or glue).

5) Comet/Ajax-  Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide- Spray Hydrogen Peroxide in sink or tub, sprinkle on baking soda, let set for 2-4min. Use scrubby .  

6) Bleach/Tilex - Tea Tree Oil, Baking Soda and Water,  Bleach does not kill mold it is a myth. It just bleaches the color. Have you ever noticed that it comes back exactly in the same patterns?  Mix tea tree oil, baking soda and filtered water in a spray bottle. Spray on mold and let it sit.  Spray daily to  prevent new mold.   Scrub away with a brush.   Sprinkle baking soda/tea tree  on heavier moldy area and make a paste with water. Wait 15  minutes, then brush away.  Porous embedded areas such as caulk, drywall, wood and cloth will be difficult if not impossible to remove.  Did you know that a a Peace Lily in your bathroom absorbs mold?  

7) CLR - for Rust Remover -  Make a paste out of water and baking soda.  Use a tooth brush, or just wet the item with rust and scrub away with a bristle brush.  Once rust has eaten away the metal it will leave a hole or groove in your item, so catch it early before it causes permanent damage. 

8) Brasso - for Copper Cleaner-  Ketchup.  Rub ketchup onto your copper item and let sit for 10 minutes min, longer for high patina areas. Use a little elbow grease for a sparkling new penny shine.

9) Windex - White Vinegar Lemon/Lavender Oil and Purified Water

10) Blood Remover - Hydrogen Peroxide, rinse with cold water only. Note that old stains won’t remove completely.  

Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safe

By Cindy Pitts Gilbert - Gwinnett Citizen  October 2016

Dear Sister Knowitall, 

I have a question about natural home remedy safety.  I mean if it is natural, it is safe for my family to use it, right?   

Sincerely, Crunchy Mom Wannabe

Dear  Crunchy Mom Wannabe,

Thank you. I am so very glad you asked this question.  I am actually speaking at a Health Fair later this month about this very topic.  Just because it's natural doesn't necessarily mean it's safe.  I mean think about it. Mold is natural, but I think we all will agree that it is not something we want in our homes or want to breathe.

Peppermint

Did you know that Penicillin was discovered in London in September of 1928, by Dr. Alexander Fleming, a bacteriologist at St. Mary’s Hospital? He returned from a vacation to find that a mold  - “Penicillium notatum” -  had contaminated his Petri dishes containing colonies of Staphylococcus. He was amazed to find that the mold prevented the normal growth of the staphylococci.  He cultivated  more mold to learn that it could be the answer for many infectious diseases.  (Source: pbs.org.).  But we cannot assume that penicillin is safe in all situations.

Many people are allergic to Penicillin, including Sister Knowitall.  I break out in a very itchy  rash if I am given any kind of Penicillin. What works for one does not work for another.  So you see, natural healing is very personal. It is really important for you to find out what is safe for you. Use caution and do your own research in your quest to live a natural life.

Poison Ivy

That brings me to another point.  It is really important to read labels and find out what  the "Natural” label really means. Advertising can be somewhat deceptive; just because a label says something's natural doesn't mean you should put it on your body or in your mouth.

The FDA has not developed a definition for use of the term “natural” or its derivatives. However, the agency has not objected to the use of the term if the food does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances."  (http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm214868.htm)

A further read of “Natural” FDA labeling states that the policy was not intended to address food production methods, such as the use of pesticides, thermal technologies, and pasteurization irradiation.  Know what you are buying.

Lastly, let’s talk about essential oil safety.  This is a hot topic for me. This topic is "trending" right now, which is both exciting and dangerous.  I use essential oils daily, I am also a fanatic about essential oil safety. There are  three or four major direct marketing companies that are widely recognized. If you say the words “essential oils”  or “natural,” they will all raise a helping hand high in the air, itching to help with all that ails you.

Essential oils are amazing. When I decided to start making products, it was mainly for gift baskets for family. I didn't want to make a gift that hurt a member of my family or a friend, so I started researching. There are rules and guidelines for using natural products safely.  Just because you can buy essential oils, and just because someone gives you a natural essential oil from a company or a natural product store, doesn't mean it is safe for everyone.  I will give you a few examples, and if you want to hear more come to the Health Fair at which I am speaking later this month.

Rosemary is one of my personal favorite herbs and oils, but if you are pregnant, it could cause contractions. Therefore, it is not recommended for women to put on their skin or even breathe during pregnancy.

Peppermint is often used to  relieve sinus congestion, headaches and  muscle pain. It is in many over-the-counter pain relievers, even toothpaste. Some essential oil users and manufacturers recommend applying it to a cotton swab  in the nose or on the brow bone.  Some people can apply oils directly to the skin, but most cannot. It can cause burning.

Tea Tree is another amazing essential oil; when used properly, it can remove mold, ease yeast, and is a great insect repellent. It can also neutralize the venom of insects, such as bee stings or mosquito and ant bites.  It is not recommended for use on dogs for flea and tick control, as it can cause respiratory distress.  I once saw a very trusting esstial oil user recommended tea tree for  diaper rash, without even a mention about diluting.  Ouch! I almost had a coronary.  Tea tree in a sensitive diaper area is just going to  burn, no matter who uses it.

 Follow safety guidelines: 

•Do a small patch test

•Dilute!

•Do not to use water to remove the oil if it does burn your skin. You should dilute with another carrier oil, such as coconut, olive or almond oil.

One last thought: “natural” is a way of life for me. It takes a lot of research, common sense and caution, but it can be an amazing journey to living a healthy, happy, simpler life.

Come see Sister Knowitall speak more on this topic: 
October 28th at 11:00am
Fall Into Health 9am-1pm  Bethseda Senior Center  225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

by Cindy Pitts Gilbert @ Gwinnett Citizen September 2016

Dear Sister Knowitall,

I keep hearing about the benefits of coconut oil. Is it like eating a mounds or almond joy or is there really something healthy about it?

I heard it is really high in fat so I'm confused as to why it's supposed to be the  answer for everything. Can you explain to me what all the hype is about,  Is it all the same or should I look for a certain kind. How do I use it anyway?

Sincerely,

Coconut Confused

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Dear Coconut Confused,

I am so glad you asked.  I love, love, love coconut oil.  I use it every day.  Some natural products are staples in my home, coconut oil is one of them. Coconut oil is not the same coconut you get in a candy bar that is full of sugar and other things so don't use this article as an excuse to gorge yourself on candy bars.  Coconut is made by pressing the fat from the white "meat" from inside the coconut.  It still smells like coconut but the taste is rather flavorless without the sugar.  It melts at a really low temperature, if you put it in your hand it will melt very quickly.  It is also known to be able to withstand high cooking temperatures. It is a healthy fat and there is research that it is a great replacement oil for cooking and that  it may be beneficial for thyroid and heart health.

What do you look for,  I always look for;  pure, unrefined, cold pressed 100% organic, extra virgin coconut oil.   I buy it in big containers because I don't have to be skimpy with it.  I could write a dozen articles about the benefits and uses of coconut oil.   I have read all the hype too and a lot of it has value. Just remember, when you read any cure all you have to really do your research and never take anything you read at face value. It's about finding reputable sources for your information and doing comparisons and sometimes trial and error.

A few uses for Coconut oil, it makes a great alternative for goo gone/goof off. Use it straight on a label or mix with a bit of baking soda and rub in let sit for a few minutes and take a paper towel to remove labels from jars or other items you would use goof off. It's  great hand degreaser for car repairman in your family. There are some skin care uses as it works great on dry patches, you can also make a  mixture using sea salt, sugar or baking soda and some essential oils.

I keep a small container in my bathroom to use as an awesome eye make-up remover.  It makes an amazing hair conditioner or hot oil treatment.  Put some on your dry hair before you get in the shower or warm  it first  and pour on your hair leave for ten minutes to a couple of hours based on  time and then wash your hair with your normal shampoo, so soft.  It absorbs so quickly that I have not found it to leave my hair looking greasy.  If you do feel a  residue that feels greasy after you wash do a second shampoo then dry as usual.   Coconut oil is also great for your teeth. Oil pulling is an interesting concept. Take a spoonful of coconut and slosh it around in your mouth for anywhere from two minutes to twenty. I have tried this in the shower, can be odd or even gross as coconut oil is sloshing around in your mouth,  There is research that it helps reduce plaque, make healthy gums and whiten teeth. You can mix it with some baking soda and peppermint oil to make a natural toothpaste. So do I think it's amazing? Yes!  Do I think it's the answer to everything, No.  So to nut or not to nut.  I'm definitely a "coco"-nut kind of girl.

It’s a Natural Kind of Clean

by Cindy Pitts Gilbert  Gwinnett Citizen   August 2016 
Dear Sister Knowitall,

I would like to use more natural products in my home.  I have read that a lot of commercial products are toxic to our family. Do you have any home remedies that will help keep our home clean.

Sincerely, 
Desperate in Dacula

Dear Desperate in Dacula,

I love when I hear that families begin the journey. There are many ways to clean your home with natural products.  There are many that are probably already in your kitchen or are very inexpensive and non-toxic.

One of my favorite staples in our home is baking soda. Let me sing the praises of baking soda, honestly I could write for days about the uses for baking soda. Baking soda makes a great counter top cleaner.  If you have white or light countertops overtime using a knife on the counter without a cutting board can cause tiny grooves that catch dirt and grime and more importantly bacteria.  You may also have stubborn stains such as coffee or tea that  have been taunting you. Here's what you do; wipe down your counter top with a wet cloth and liberally sprinkle on some baking soda, wait 10-15 minutes. Clean your counter with your favorite scrub pad. You can also squeeze lemon juice or spray white vinegar that cause a reaction of bubbles and helps release the stain. The abrasive texture of baking soda gets into the grooves without harming your counter tops. It is also great for cleaning a white sink and the bath or shower soap scum. Baking soda is a terrific rust remover. Have you ever left a can in your sink and have that decorative rust circle in the sink? Follow the same procedure wait a few minutes and drum roll please, the stain comes up with a little light scrubbing. It also works great on cast iron skillets.  Use this same technique on rusty car parts and I have personally used it on light rust on the patio furniture.  Baking soda mixed with a dollup of shampoo makes a great clarifying shampoo.  Baking soda is a safe and somewhat amazing mold remover. It is great on surface mold, but I will warn you if it has gotten deep into your caulking or anything rubber or wood it will help but will not remove deep mold once it is embedded. Baking soda and salt are great for cleaning jewelry and removing stubborn stains on your pots and pans.  Another magic cleaning product is the common lemon.  I don't know anyone who likes cleaning the microwave. The splatter from heating up items without a cover require a lot of elbow grease to remove unless you know this secret trick. Cut a lemon in half and place one half in the microwave.  Set the time in 30 second increments.  When the timer goes off test a small stain with a paper towel. Yes, you read right a paper towel, the stain should wipe away with no effort. if it does not, never fear just add  an additional 30 seconds until the grime wipes away with ease.  You will get a fresh lemony aroma in your kitchen and a sparkling clean microwave you can be proud of.   Safe cleaning.

Cindy Pitts Gilbert is Director of Training for Know It Training for Professional and Personal Development in Gwinnett County.  She is also the Home Remedy Guru of the Blog Sister Knowitall: sisterknowitall.com.  She has been learning natural home remedies after she developed allergic reactions to chemicals in household cleaning products. Send your questions to: askme@sisterknowitall.com

Introducing- Dear Sister Knowitall Column at the Gwinnett Citizen

by Cindy Pitts Gilbert  Gwinnett Citizen  July 2016

Permalink

Sister Knowitall

Just wanted to say Hello Gwinnett.  Sister Knowitall here.  Looking forward to sharing my years of research and personal experience taking care of myself and my family with natural home remedies for your health and home.  My family teased me about all my know it all remedies so I wrote a blog. I have many tried and true home remedies and will share some total fails with my readers as well.  I am looking forward to your questions citizens of Gwinnett. These are helpful hints and remedies. If symptoms persist consult a physician to rule out a more serious health issue.

Dear Sister Knowitall,

It burns, It burns.  I can't sleep I go to sleep at night and wake up to acid reflux only to fumble through the house searching for something to give me some relief is there anything natural I can do to help my pain?

Sincerely,

Nightburn in Buford

Dear Nightburn in Buford,

Acid flux is uncomfortable no matter what time of day it hits you,  night is the worst time, when you are trying to sleep and are awakened by that burning sensation in your chest  it just seems worse doesn't it.  There are several simple remedies to help with acid reflux that occurs after bedtime. 

·         Over the counter antacids such as Tums or Alka Seltzer chews do offer relief and can be kept by your bed for late night emergencies.

·         Baking soda mixed with half a glass of water (filtered if possible)

·         A half a glass of milk can also help relieve the burn

·         Don't eat anything prior to 4 hours before you sleep

·         Don't eat anything with tomato after 6pm

·         Raising your head above your stomach allows gravity to help keep the acid down

·         Sleeping on your left side will also offer relief, your stomach is able to stay below your esophagus

Remember different remedies work for different people so these are some of my favorites. Good luck Nightburn.

Nighty Night,                                                                                                              

Sister Knowitall

Naturally Healing Trick for an Ingrown Toenail

I used to suffer from ingrown toenails as a younger Sister Knowitall, when I really didn't know much at all.  I got some great advise about how to treat and forever be healed from an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails are caused from wearing shoes that don't fit properly or pointed toe shoes.  Why we feel it is necessary or beautiful to squeeze 5 toes that are slightly slanted but yet mostly square shape into a point is still a mystery to me, I'm not going to tell you to stop wearing them because you won't listen to me.  So wear them if you must just be sensible.  Never wear them two days in a row. Swap to a more comfortable shoe more than you wear the pointy ones.  When you do get an ingrown toenail it is important to take care of the issue before it becomes infected and medical attention is required.  Epsom Salt soaks are helpful for inflammation and infection as is pouring alcohol on the nail. The keep your toenails cut straight across. This  picture is borrowed from webmd.com and shows a trick I have known for years and it absolutely works. The idea is to help to train the nail to grow out over the skin rather than into the skin around the nail.  Most nail salons will cut the corner off of the nail which causes the situation to become worse as the nail grows back out it will again embed itself into the skin causing the ingrown nail to reoccur. I would also put some anti bacterial ointment on it as well. I use my Sister Knowitall salve for that but you can use, an essential oil like tea tree, (melaleuca) lavender or frankincense.  I hope you are able to find some relief from the pain. Take care of your feet and they will take you all the places you'd like to go. I

Stomach Virus, Upset Stomach, Food Poisoning Peppermint tea to the rescue

Dear Sister Knowitall,
Stop the pain.  My stomach hurts. I've been to the doctor and they recommended the BRAT diet for the residual effects of the stomach bug I had. They also gave me prescription. It is not helping the pain in my stomach.  I've tried Imodium and Gas-X  and I can't seem to get any better.

I still have this horrible pain in my stomach. Can you help?

Sincerely,
Alien in my stomach boy

Dear Alien Boy,
A stomach virus, upset stomach or food poisoning are terrible for anyone. We all think we are going to die from the body's rejection of anything we put into it. I have had virus's so bad that I've actually stayed in the bathroom because throwing up ever 5-minutes just wasn't worth leaving the comfort of the nearby toilet.  I feel your pain Alien Boy,  The BRAT diet is a great way to help your stomach heal. For those of you who don't know what that is, This is a diet to allow your body time to repair after you are sick by eating a bland diet, Banana, Rice, Applesauce,Toast.  Some even add yogurt to that diet to get the probiotics back into your stomach.  Pedialite is also helpful once you stop throwing up.  I have offered peppermint tea from tea leaves that I grew and then dried.  to help alleviate the pain.  You can put this on ice or drink it hot.  I  also add lemon balm that is a known anti-viral to help kill the virus. It does seem to do a wonderful job relieving the hurt from the extra gas and sore belly.  Ginger tea is another great tea for stomach upset and nausea,  You can even mix some peppermint essential oil with a carrier oil like; coconut oil or almond oil and rub it on your stomach for some relief.  I've seen them work wonders. Give it a try and remember don't overdo it by eating anything spicy. Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.  You'll feel better soon.

Swollen Ear Pain with Roaring Sound

Dear Sister Knowitall,

I need some of your sister stuff. . I am a hair dresser and something in my ear popped. I can't hear out

of that ear now, except for a horrible roaring.  I went to the doctor and was told that my ear drum isn't broken but it is very swollen. Traditional medicine has not helped and we are still without a diagnosis.  I am having an MRI but am hoping a natural approach will help me heal.  Do you have any suggestions. 

Sincerely,
Half Deaf Scissorman

Dear Half Deaf Scissorman,

I am really sorry to hear that you have significant hearing loss in one ear. As a hair dresser part of the job is listen to your clients needs and troubles. You are really part therapist like a bartender, so lets see if there is anything I can offer to help.  Let me say that going to the doctor was a good idea.  Often people assume that when you strive to live a holistic life that you don't go to the doctor or are against traditional medicine.  There may be some extremist out there that believe that but for the most part we are all just trying to live our best life and there are some problems that doctors can diagnose and treat.  That said, here are some suggestions for you to try that are safe and non invasive.  If you dont see any improvement seek further medical attention.

Coconut Oil (organic virgin cold pressed) on a Q-tip and lightly rub it on the opening of your ear.  You can also warm it in the microwave 5-10 seconds (not hot but warm, test first) use a dropper and drip 1 -3 drops into the ear and allow it to run down into the swollen area. Remain calm and breathe deeply to relax as it warms your ear drum. If you experience any pain that last longer than a few seconds immediately roll over and let the oil run out onto a cloth or cotton ball.  If you are ok allow it to stay there for a minute or two up to 5 minutes.  It will soothe and is a natural antibacterial and anti inflammatory.  It helps reduce toxins and yeast in the body.

Another option is to mix hot water with Epsom salt allow to cool so that you do not burn your ear.  Put a few drops into the ear and let soak for a few minutes. then roll over and allow the mixture to pour out of your ear.  Mix a bit of tea tree oil with almond oil or coconut oil and put in your ear with a Q-tip. If you feel any burning add pure oil to the tea tree to dilute it more. Do not use water to dilute it will not help.

There are foods are that are amazing super foods. Coconut Oil, Pineapple and Blueberries are awesome for reducing high blood pressure and inflammation in the body.  Eating these daily is a great way to reduce inflammation in the heal the body.

Begin drinking 8-10 glasses a day of water with lemon. I just purchased a small juicer at a local grocery store for less than $5.00.  I am a big fan of  drinking lemon water.
Lemon water is a great way to  boost your  immune system, reducing inflammation, reducing  joint and  pain swelling. see my Lemon Water blog for more info on how truly awesome it is.

Lemon Water for Aches and Pains

Dear Sister Knowitall,
I consider myself a healthy person. I try to play tennis and lead a fairly active life. I am starting to feel more aches and pains.  Am I becoming arthritic or just old?
Signed Achn'

Dear Achin',
You are as old as you allow yourself to feel.  Sometimes living hurts. We forget to do the simple things that keep our body healthy. 

The first question I would have for you is:. How much water are you drinking per day?  If the answer is not easy to answer or too easy as in one or two glasses a day, then you are not drinking enough.  Cars need lubrication to run smoothly. Water is the body's lubrication.  The second answer to your question is Lemons.  Squeeze lemon juice into your water. Preferably organic.  I drink 12oz every morning before I eat or drink anything else. I was feeling very arthritic myself. Did some research and decided to give it a try.   If you cannot find organic wash them thoroughly with soap and water or a fruit wash a great antibacterial wash  is Agrisept,  before using.  There is no point in removing one toxic substance from your body to replace it with toxic pesticides that cling to the rind of your lemon. 

So why does this help?  The body sometimes has a build up of  uric acid which is a crystallization in the joints. This acid causes inflammation in the joints and results in aches and pains, as well as  the feeling that arthritis is setting in.  I get up every morning and drink lemon water. I cut up a full lemon and place the pieces into a ziplock bag in my fridge.  Every morning while my coffee is brewing I drink a full 12 oz and then through out the day I drink water infused with lemons. I notice an improvement gradually in my hands first.  I truly feel an amazing difference in the way I feel thoughout the day. When I get "too busy" to drink my lemon water or even drink water throughout the day my body retaliates with aches and pains in my heels fingers and all over really.  The body is really very vocal about what is wrong if you know what to look for. If you have chapped lips brittle nails, hair and cuticles or dry skin. Give your body a break and give it much needed water. 

Other Benefit's of Lemon water:  It aids digestion, gives the body a boost of Vitamin C and can help the body rid other toxins and bacteria. It can also boost your metabolism helping your body lose weight.  I have just recently learned that Agrisept listed above is also known for aiding in weight loss and removing yeast from the body.  I will be exploring that more.  So I hope that this helps you feel better soon. I'd love to hear some of your success stories.

The link below is an interesting article from ABC News they also did some research on lemon water benefits.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/truth-lemon-water/story?id=30313519

Happy Healing,
Sister Knowitall

Help I Can't Sleep

Dear Sister Knowitall,
I'm having trouble sleeping.  I was wondering if you could advise me of any essential oils to help me sleep.
Sleepy Author

Dear Sleepy Author,
Sleep is such an important part of living a simple, healthy, life.  There are simple things you can try to help you sleep. Some work like  a charm for a temporary sleeping issue.  The key is understanding why you aren't sleeping.  You first must examine what is going on in your life.  What you are eating?  Are you writing  late at night?  Do you have trouble shutting down your mind at night?  Do you have any other symptoms?  I would recommend that you start journaling especially if your problem persists?
The quick answer to your question is Lavender Essential Oil.  You can pour a couple of drops onto the edge of your pillow case every night or get a diffuser designed for essential oils. Chamomile tea is also a great option for relaxing the body. You should really avoid  caffeine after 6pm.  There is also a possibility that your issue is stress related, if so then you have too much cortisol.  Yawning helps remove it from the body as does over stimulated or hormone related.  If you are over the age of 30 perimenopause is a possibility at anytime.  Night sweats and hot flashes often cause sleeping issues. There are an innumerable list of  things that interfere with sleep, another is a mind that can't shut down because it is over stimulated.  The age of the cell phone, tablet, e-readers and computer laptops are now accessible in our beds at night and we use them to "relax"  Unfortunately, they over stimulate the brain and keep us from being able to fall asleep naturally.  It is best to avoid looking at any of these devices or even your  TV 30 min to an hour before going to bed. This options may seem impossible, you have to find what works best for you. Reading doesn't seem to do the same stimulation that the electronic items do so read a good book.   Mix up a nice Chamomile tea about 30 minutes before bed. 
I really love taking a nice hot bath about an hour before bed with some Sister Knowitall lavender bath salts.

A few final thoughts for you; keep a water bottle next to your bed, if you wake up and have to use the restroom, resist the urge and if possible go back to sleep this will keep you from waking up too much and preventing you from falling back to sleep.  Alcohol can also interfere with sleep a nice glass of wine may be very relaxing but will often make you wake up shortly after you fall asleep.

New PAGE Skinny Girl in a Fat Suit

Sister Knowitall is on a fitness journey.

Please check out my new page on the right of this blog. I'd love to hear from you with your success and struggles. 

My new page Skinny Girl in a Fat Suit

HAPPY EARTH DAY

AARP: 7 Ways to Save When You Go Green - http://www.aarp.org/content/aarp/en/home/home-family/your-home/info-2014/save-money-go-green.html/.html

Tree Change Dolls Lovely Concept

Today my daughter turned 19.I would have bought her lots of these when she was growing up if I had known about them then. Being a mom has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I've learned alot and made lots of mistakes which I"m sure I'll get blamed for at some later date. I did do one thing right. I gave my kids the ability to think for themselves. I also gave them a good solid dose of self esteem. They know they are loved and when its all said and done. that is the only thing that really matters.



 I wanted to share this with my readers because I think what this woman did was both very creative, She also did one of my favorite things by upcycling and she is sending an amazing message to children everywhere about Self Esteem.  I love the new dolls look much better than the old Bratz Doll look.




Enjoy, Etsy Seller has unique upcycling business for dolls that teach Self Esteem. 

16 Year Old Me. Amazing Lesson to be shared

Dear Sister Knowitall,

The attached video from You Tube is an amazing and touching reminder of remembering to take care of your skin early! Just watch Now you Know

How do I Lower Cholesterol Naturally?

Dear Sister Knowitall, 

Do you have any ideas for naturally lowering cholesterol? Gotten low Thyroid corrected but high cholesterol didn't correct with it as it usually should.  I am also on a special diet.
Thank you,
Your Bestie 

Dear Bestie, 

Blueberries, Blueberries, Blueberries

Knowing you as well as I do, this is a hard one for you because you are on a special diet and cholesterol is a; food thing, a stress thing, and an inflammation thing, so I will give you 3 quickies to choose from. First, based on your diet see if you can add blueberries they are magic blood cleaning little suckers. 

Next, there are lots of ways to reduce inflammation which is step two inflammation is a big underlying cause of high cholesterol reduce that and cholesterol will lower.  

Last, but not least stress you gotta get that down, quickies for that are yawning. Deep yawning releases cortisol, as do hugs, long 20 second or more hugs, if you aren't getting enough ask for them.  We get so busy with life we forget to hug the ones we love. 

• Looking at pictures or video that give us joy, babies and puppies are highly recommended. and Magnesium should help too epsom salt baths may be in your future with some lemongrass essential oil.  
• Excess cholesterol builds up in the blood stream, which happens as a result of the inflammation in your body which your cholesterol is constantly fighting.  Therefore, you should not fight the body’s defense system (cholesterol,)  but rather get to the root of the problem. Stress and consequently inflammation are likely reasons for high cholesterol levels. Getting rid of stress and strengthening your immune system will help reduce cholesterol naturally.

Sister Knowitall Natural Salves Bath Salts and Airfreshers NOW Available

Just a short little post to let you know the Sister Knowitall Products you've been asking for me to post for sale are now active. You can purchase them individually on the blog  Links are all available on this page. You can click on the order now button or if you prefer to pay through paypal the link is to the right as well.
Feel free to ask questions about any of the natural products listed. Have a simpler, happier, healthier day.
Sister Knowitall

My Son has Poison Ivy in his Eyes

Dear Sister Knowitall,
I have a question; my son got into some poison ivy and rubbed it into his eyes. I can't put calamine lotion in his eyes. What can I do?

Sincerely,
Itchy Eyes Mom

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Dear Itchy Eyes Mom,
This is a great question.  The first thing to consider is how bad is the poison ivy in his eyes. Are his eyes swollen shut? Is he able to see? How long has this been going on?   If the poison ivy is really bad don't hesitate taking him to the emergency room or your family practitioner.   Now if the problem has just begun and the eyes are getting itchy and red.

pictures pulled from google search

Take a banana peel and remove it from the banana and place slices over your son's eyes and let him lie in a dark room as the light can also make his pain worse.  He should start to feel relief within 1/2 an hour but you will need to do this multiple times during the day until the itchy stops.  I have tried this myself and I worked great. 
You should be able to use this remedy on Poison Sumac, Poison Oak as well. Good luck and remember if you don't start seeing some improvement within a couple of hours contact a doctor. The eyes are really sensitive.

Happy Healing
Sister Knowitall

The Truth about Hugs

Dear Sister Knowitall,

I have been so stressed lately. Feeling low and running crazy and disconnected with my spouse and kids. 
Any advise on how to get it all back?

Sincerely,
Stressfully Disconnected.


Dear Disconnected.

Go for the hug. How long have you been hugging your spouse and your kids. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own world and what is going on we forget such simple things that are sceintifically proven to help.
Have you been hugged lately? Did you know... "The average length of a hug  3 seconds, but researchers have discovered something worthwhile. When a hug lasts 20 seconds, there is a therapeutic effect on the body and mind. The reason is that a sincere hug produces a hormone called "oxytocin", also known as the love hormone. This substance has many benefits in our physical and mental health, helps us, among other things, to relax, to feel safe and calm our fears and anxiety. It actually helps reduce the stress causing hormone cortisol in the body. As does a yawn incidentally. yawning, releases cortisol more quickly every felt that quick release of tension after a good jaw breaking yawn. So calm yourself and your loved once free of charge every time we have a person in our arms, when we cradled a child, cherish a dog or cat, we're dancing with our partner, the closer we get to someone or just hold the shoulders of a friend." Try it out and hug a loved one today.  You'll both benefit greatly. 


Love Wins, 
Sister Knowitall

Can I escape a cold this year?

Dear Sister Knowitall,

It's cold and flu season and several people at work have a cold, I've noticed a scratchy throat coming on what can I do to prevent a cold?

Sincerely,
Coldaphobe

Dear Coldaphobe,

First of all if you are already getting a cold there is nothing you can do to prevent the germ once it's already in your body.  You can do several things to prevent it's severity. The first thing to do when you feel an illness coming on is to run a hot bath with Epsom salt, hydrogen peroxide and ginger, (either slices of the root or ginger powder) Run the bath as  hot as you can take it without scalding your body or causing burns. The key is to detox the body by lying in the bath for at least 30 minutes. Allowing yourself to sweat.  Take some water with lemon to the bath with you to keep you from overheating and dehydrating in the bath.  Be careful about stepping out when you are too warm as well as the heat can make you feel a little light headed.  Wrap up in a warm robe and then hop into bed and continue to sweat it out. I've tried this several times and have been the only one in the house not to suffer the major symptoms cold, even after I had some scratchiness starting in my throat.  Sometimes it's all about timing and your own immune system.  If you are worn down and stressed out your body is going to react differently.  Sleep is also very important to healing. Your body heals while it sleeps so the more sleep you can get the faster you are going to heal.
You've heard the old wives tale, Starve a fever feed a cold.  Eating well is really important.  Chicken broth has some soothing properties and is an excellent comfort food when you feel a cold coming on.  Drinking peppermint tea is also a great comfort for opening your sinuses and chest of congestion.  I've read that a lot of people love to rub Vicks Vapor rub on their chest and this year have seen multiple posts on rubbing it on your feet and putting on warm socks.  My sister tried it but had no luck.  I would also suggest trying Melaleuca oil or tea tree oil on a cotton swab I use a little coconut oil too and rub just a little inside the nostril (not too deep just inside the nose.) see more below  I do know that my big ole' mountain man Grandpa and mom from the hills of West Virginia swear by rubbing just a bit right at the opening of your nose for an immediate opening of the sinus passages. She also swears it helps ward off a sinus headache.  The camphor and eucalyptus oil in the Vicks do really to help open you up so does eucalyptus on a cotton ball or in a small dish in the shower. As I mentioned above another chest and sinus opener is tea tree oil (melaleuca) I love the smell and it has multiple uses for healing. I will be blogging about it a lot. The smell is very strong and takes some getting used to but is well worth the benefits. I have recently been experimenting with it mixed with other essential oils to calm down the smell a bit. I've found a great combination including rosemary and spearmint. 
Be sure to drink lot's of green tea and water while you are sick. Avoid milk and dairy as it adds mucus to an mucus filled respiratory system.
If you are really worn down and stressed out  and these remedies don't help within a day or so  then please do what is necessary to get well. Don't let your symptoms turn into infection or pneumonia.  Seek medical attention as you could have a bigger problem or possibly the flu and need some over the counter solutions or to see your doctor.  Remember the key is to get healthy and avoid being run down so if you skip to the middle and are already worn down it will take the body longer to recover and home remedies won't be as effective as when you catch them early.

I will add a small note on the benefits of Zinc and Vitamin C.  The benefits of spending a lot of money on these products is pretty controversial once a vitamin has gone through a lot of processing the benefits that they might have had are pretty small.  I will say this from my experience.  A glass of fresh juice has lots of health benefits. Drinking no sugar added juices are a good thing as are making smoothies from fresh fruits and vegetables. A product like ziacam where you use a swab to  put some zinc inside the nasal cavity can help shorten the life of a cold if caught early enough in the cold cycle. I have literally seen it shorten a cold by a week.

Pink Eye won't go away

Dear SisterKnowItAll,
I'm on day 11 with pink eyes. I'm on my second prescription...$100 into it...no social life and can't get close to my hubby. Pink eye is better, but this morning I have that discharge again. I've never had pink eye. How long does this crap last? What am I missing here? I wash my sheets, don't wear make up, wash my hands etc. Any good advise ?

Signed,
Gookyeyes

Dear Gookyeyes

Ready for the holistic approach. Pink Eye in many cases is a cold that has moved into the eyes, You can Get a banana peel (unrefined coconut oil or Aloe Vera Gel, when you can't lie down) and lay down several times a day with the banana peel on your eyes. Also a saline wash would be a great addition to what you are doing. Use a saline mist in your sinus cavity as well. There is also a holistic product called Agrisept that is grapefruit seed extract,  that is an antibacterila. It helps the body heal itself.  You might also want to consider adding a decongestant, I will from time to time use traditional over the counter medicines to the mix as the eyes are part of the sinus and might help but pink eye when the immune system is down is going to take about 10 days or more to heal once it is bad. You might want to consider an epsom salt hydrogen peroxide and ginger bath for your whole body too. You need to relax and detox and that helps the body heal. If you don't see any improvement in 24 hours you may need to see a doctor there may be another underlying problem preventing your from healing.