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Healing Foods

The answer – eat real food – clean food

When you walk in the grocery store there are real food products and items that we think of as food but are actually pseudo foods that are lacking in nutrient value.

These other products are highly refined (elements are taken out of food), have added synthetic vitamins (again created, not natural), preservatives (food was not meant to last forever), denatured (which changes how we can access the nutrients), containing MSG, aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, dyes, genetically engineered foods, you get it the list goes on and on. Products containing these and other items are not supporting our immune system/health.

Eat the rainbow

Vegetables – carrots, peppers, cruciferous vegetables, kale, spinach, romaine, green bean, beets, celery, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, parsnips to mention a few should all be a part of your daily diet.

The more colorful your selections of veggies the greater health benefit.  Variety is the key.

Choose, raw, steamed, sauteed, creamed, grilled, just eat them.  If you are dealing with leaking gut or inflammation it is best to consume mostly partly cooked vegetables for easy nutrient absorption and easy digestion. Enjoy a raw salad daily.  Allow your body to heal, then dive into munching on more raw veggies daily.

All vegetables have nourishing properties.  Cruciferous vegetables are not always featured.  These are rich in folate, vitamins C, E & K along with fiber and are low in calories. Cruciferous veggies are a good source of phytonutrients that may lower inflammation. Continue reading Healing Foods

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Natural Household Cleaners for Healthy Living

We go through life cleaning to get rid of dirt, germs and who knows what, right?  But what do those cleaners leave behind? When is the last time you looked at the warning labels?  The effects of years of use are not to your benefit to put it gently.

How about trying some DIY Cleaners?

There are other options to have a clean home, office, camper and anything else you want to clean.

Here is a video from FB now available on Organic Stepping Stones Youtube channel.

Laundry Soap

One cleaning product that can get overlooked is laundry soap.  Take a moment to realize you are wearing clothes all the time (well most of us are) then you hop into bed and cover up with sheets and blankets.  All that fabric has been touching our skin – which by the way is our largest organ.

Chemicals you can find in conventional detergent

  • SLS/SLES Sulfate & sodium Laureth sulfate/ sodium lauryl ether sulfate – can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs. When washed down the drain is harmful to aquatic life.
  • Petroleum distillates – irritates the skin, often contaminated with carcinogens which the skin absorbs increasing toxin levels
  • 1,4-dioxane – short term effects eye and nose, long term liver and kidney issues and studies with rats breathing vapors developed cancer.
  • This is only a few ingredients in conventional laundry detergent, I would rather focus on things that benefit us

Continue reading Natural Household Cleaners for Healthy Living

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Exfoliation & Handcrafted Sugar Scrub for Smooth Silky Skin

We all want beautiful glowing skin.  The best part is we can help our skin look younger by simply exfoliating it while we shower.  We all bathe so this is easy 🙂

What is Exfoliation?

  • Removal of dead skin cells on the skin surface

The simple step of exfoliating can have profound effects. Plus our skin is our largest organ, so let’s take care of it.

Why Exfoliate your Skin?

  • Removes dead skin cell that clogs the skin
  • Allows moisturizing products to absorb
  • Skin looks fresh & healthy
  • Aging slows the shedding of skin cells and generating of new ones
  • Old Skin cells pile up leaving skin looking dull, rough and dry
  • Unclogs pores
  • Reduces blackheads on face
  • Diminishes fine lines and wrinkles
  • Stimulates microcirculation
  • Soften texture of the skin
  • Helps control excess oil

How to Exfoliate

  • Two main ways are physical and chemical
  • Scrubs
  • Chemically – acids that dissolve and remove dead skin cells
  • Chemical peels/masks
  • Dry Brushing
  • Exfoliating mitts
  • Loofahs

Continue reading Exfoliation & Handcrafted Sugar Scrub for Smooth Silky Skin

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Shop Local – Featuring Yellow Dog Marketplace

More and more people are shopping online.  Often I hear it is out of convenience.  The big question is does that convenience have a negative effect on our local economy?

The simple answer is YES. For every hundred dollars you spend in your local independently-owned stores and restaurants $68.00 will remain in the community.        That is huge!

Why shop local?

  • Strengthen your local economy
  • Invest in your community
  • Conserves energy and resources – less fuel for transportation
  • Creates jobs
  • Know the people behind the product or service – personalized service
  • More money stays in the community
  • You invest in creativity and entrepreneurship
  • You make your community count and thrive

In the past 17 years, 65% of new jobs created are from small businesses.  We are talking about 77 million jobs.  As individuals, we make a much larger impact in our communities than most people are aware of when we choose to shop local.

Our Featured Local Business – Yellow Dog Marketplace

Continue reading Shop Local – Featuring Yellow Dog Marketplace

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Michigan Health Events in November

Michigan Health Events in November

It happens every year, the colors change and the temperatures drop. The trees are a magnificent explosion of color. Before the holidays are in full swing lets connect and embrace with the local health-conscious community and set our selves up for success.

 

With the cooler weather, we tend to stay inside more often. Grab a friend or come as you are to meet new connections and improve your health.

From cooking classes to exercise, meditation and everything in between, choose an event in the area that meets your needs!

Organic Stepping Stones is regularly updating the best health-related events that Michigan has to offer. This November’s list has a variety of options. Which one is calling you?


Hands-On Asian Cooking Class | $45 (tickets)

Sat, Nov 9, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Culinary Kisses – Auburn Hills
A hands-on Asian cooking class. Menu: smoked salmon sushi, vegetable sushi, potstickers, and miso soup. Asian cuisine is heavily centered around heritage and family. The simplicity of the food mirrors the ease of the lifestyle. The complete experience includes food and music.


Ballroom Sensation Dance Party | Free (tickets)

Sat, Nov 9, 7:00pm – 10:00pm

Ballroom Sensation Ballroom Dance Studio – Troy
Come and join us for a fun-filled evening of dancing to contemporary and ballroom dance favorites at the First United Methodist Church of Troy in the gymnasium!


Continue reading Michigan Health Events in November

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Fall Harvest

Once autumn is upon us it’s time to embrace the fall harvest by crunching into a sweet/tart juicy apple. Maybe it is time to bake up some apple crisp or traditional apple pie.  Just writing this post has me imagining the scent of apple drifting through the house, now my mouth is watering too.

Whether you grow your own crops or shop your favorite farmers the choices are vast.  Continue reading Fall Harvest

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Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan

Recently I had the honor of meeting Maggie Varney, Founder & CEO of Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids Wellness Center and Salon.  The team she has created has made a difference in over 4000 children’s lives.  WOW, that is huge!  All these children were helped by receiving a custom made wig at no cost to the child or family.  Adult wigs don’t fit kids and are not styled for children.

It is unfortunate that health insurance companies will not help cover any of the cost for these children to receive a wig (but here is how you can help change that).  Most of the children Maggie works with have cancer and other patients that have lost their hair and are battling for their health.  By receiving a wig, it is one less obstacle they have to deal with. Hair loss can be devastating for anyone and for a child it is one more social and emotional issue to deal with daily. Continue reading Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan

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What is Happiness?

When is the last time you actually thought about what happiness is?  Recently I have given some serious thought to it.

When you really ponder the idea of happiness, it can represent so many things.  Ask anyone you encounter and you will be surprised by the variety of different answers you will receive.

Happiness could mean………………..

  • Security
  • Family
  • Spirituality
  • Relationship
  • Career
  • Health
  • Food to eat
  • Shelter
  • Friends
  • Music
  • Dancing
  • Painting
  • Being accepted
  • Sharing
  • Teaching
  • Being able to walk
  • A bed to sleep in
  • A hand to hold
  • Sunshine

This list just scratches the surface. We have all been raised in different environments, different ways, and in different parts of the world.  We are all unique, let’s celebrate that.

Together we are a powerful force.  We need to make the time to celebrate ourselves and each other.  Imagine the joy, laughter, and happiness we could create and share. Continue reading What is Happiness?

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Foods that Help to Reduce Inflammation

Did you know that herbs can help with inflammation?

Herbs and spices can be anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. These anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herbs have been used by  Ayurvedic and Chinese medical practitioners for centuries. They are used in preparing food, brewed in the form of tea, taken internally, and used in balms to apply to the body.

Using these herbs and spices on a daily basis it can make a positive effect on your health.

14 Inflammation-Reducing Herbs and Spices

  1. Clove
  2. Turmeric
  3. Ginger
  4. Rosemary
  5. Cinnamon
  6. Cayenne
  7. Sage
  8. Black pepper
  9. Jamaican allspice
  10. Apple pie spice mixture
  11. Oregano
  12. Pumpkin pie spice mixture
  13. Marjoram
  14. Thyme

Continue reading Foods that Help to Reduce Inflammation