Kanelstrand Simple Living

The Best App to Help You Simplify Your Life

2013-05-20T09:00:00.000+02:00

It has been a little over 2 months since I entered the smart world. I am still using my simple mobile phone, a Nokia that has a good 10 days battery life but I bought a Google Nexus 7 - exactly the size of a book.

It is a good replacement of my trusty Lenovo L520 on creative outings when I need to read or write. I have my audio- and e-books uploaded and the whole digital world of simplifying and green information.

I have made a commitment to stick to as little apps as possible, because I know how distracting and time-consuming they can become.

Today, while cleaning one of my RSS readers I realized that the best app for simplifying your life cannot be downloaded. It is YOU.

Want simple life? Stop looking for apps that only clutter your screens and drain your creativity. Go out there and live a simple life. No device will help you organize, declutter and clean your home or your thoughts.

Leave that smartphone/tablet/computer on the table and go do something. Be it just a slow solitary stroll. Talk to a friend, help a relative, make your loved ones happy.

The best simplifying app is you.

Appreciating Daily Routines

2013-05-16T09:00:00.000+02:00

When I was younger I wasn't a big fan of daily routines. I found them boring, monotonous and disconnecting. I couldn't feel more different now. I welcome their disruptions and the lovely feeling that comes from simple accomplishments. I get way too excited by checking off easy everyday tasks from my to do list.

There are definitely ways to help you enjoy what seems like boring, meaningless tasks.

First, we need to remind ourselves the benefits of completing them. I personally still really dislike doing dishes. I blame it on my small kitchen, single sink and constantly leaky faucet. I could come up with a million excuses but the fact is I cannot focus well when I know the sink is full. I find myself spending way too much time thinking about having to do the dishes instead of just doing them. It's so silly when I really think about it! I also love love love a clean space so this habit of making excuses doesn't serve me one bit.

The next step is to create solutions that will make doing the dishes easier and more enjoyable. I think a little music break in the kitchen is in order.

Creating ways to make any cleaning project easier is key. Buy beautiful smelling cleaners or get crafty and make your own. I love my homemade orange infused vinegar solution. Fill a small handled storage container with everything you need to clean the bathroom under the sink so time isn't wasted looking for everything you need. Also instead of leaving one day a month for all day cleaning fests, do a little everyday. Several times a day I clean the bathroom sink. It takes less than 20 seconds and more thorough cleanings only have to happen every so often.

Currently, I live alone but I can imagine using everyday tasks as a great time to spend alone. Ahhh.... that sounds quite lovely. I use my errand time as a reprieve from emails, writing and social media. I add an element of exercise too. I stop by the store, mailbox or make a phone call on the way to the gym. If I need to go to a out of the way store, I walk there instead of taking an exercise or yoga class that day. Combining things that you don't want to do with things that make you happy can make the boring tasks less daunting.

If you love lists like I do, don't forget to add your simple everyday tasks too. Most people love checking things off of to do lists. Create a habit of reflecting on how awesome you feel after the check off. Attaching good feelings to things you don't always want to do instead of focusing on the negative is half of the battle.

Shelly is the founder of the program Creating Space, Mindful Living – motivating and inspiring people to run their businesses more efficiently. She helps others look at their personal and professional lives and explore what is and isn’t working. As a jewelry designer she has spent many years testing and honing the skills and discipline needed to run your own creative business while still having time for friends, family and fun. She puts her wealth of experience to use in the Creating Space service – healthy living advice to help keep you motivated and make the most out of your already busy schedule. She will help you find both the physical and emotional space so you can pursue your dreams and she’ll always insist there’s time for yourself. You can also find Creating Space on Facebook or contact shelly@creatingspacemindfulliving.com

What I Could Have Bought (But I Didn't)

2013-05-15T09:00:00.000+02:00

I am not a shopping kind of person. My mother never instilled in me the craving for shopping (thanks, Mom) and I often find myself one topic short when I converse with ladies.

Nevertheless, I too have my moments of wanting, contemplating, considering and deliberating between needs and wants.

I try not to buy the thing I like straight away. I prefer thinking about it first and the simpler my lifestyle becomes, the more I deliberate. I am aiming for a moment when there will be less thinking of buying. Then I will know in my heart that I have truly simplified my life.

Until then, I have decided to show you objects that have been tickling my fancy but yet I have decided I could live without them.

Living in the forest was easy. I didn't have many shops around and so deciding whether I needed those red flats was absolutely off the list.

But the challenge of simple living cannot be confronted while hiding in the wilds where there is no temptation.

True simplification can be achieved right in the midst of the shopping center, in front of the sixty-first pair of shoes you crave, next to the lady who just bought that ridiculously expensive clutch...

So, back to civilized life.

From the forest I found myself in a walking distance to the largest shopping center in Scandinavia. I don't like its 190 shops. But it's there. I avoid it because I hate the artificial air along its almost 1 mile of corridors and 8 floors. The amount of people is unbearable and yet, simply because of its proximity I happen to walk in it from time to time.

And so today, here is what I could have bought but I didn't.

NB. This is not a shopping fast. I am not even challenging you to buy nothing for a month or a year. I am simply sharing with you the way I live and my thoughts, hoping that I might encourage you to think twice before you spend your money next time on something that will never be used.

The first thing I saw today is that extra travel bag from Lucky Duck I can easily slide on the handle of my suitcase. It looks so lovely and it's orange (my favorite color), plus I am traveling in less than 10 days. Why not travel in style!

Do I really need it? Actually no. I have enough bags and rucksacks to fit all my hand luggage for the flight.

Well, the shoes. Touchy topic. ECCO is an outstanding Scandinavian company that produces some of the most comfortable shoes ever. They are also actively reducing their environmental impact and are employing the principles of reducing, reusing and recycling in their production process.

I've had an eye on exactly 3 pairs on this table for a very. long. time. I look at them every time I pass by the shop, just like today. But I still haven't bought a pair. The price confirms my belief that the shoes I have on my feet are good enough. At least for now.

Healthy bread rich in fibers. It is on offer but the plastic bag spoils the health effect for me. Blatant juxtaposition. Plus, all the E additives and colorings listed on the back destroy the effect of the spelt sourdough, rye flour, flax seed, oat bran, sunflower seeds. Not really healthy, if you ask me.

Finally, cherries! My favorite fruit. I can eat nothing but pounds of cherries the whole summer. These particular ones come all the way from Fresno, California. The number on the front of the plastic bag tells me that at least they are not GMO. Numbers on fruits starting with 4 means they are conventionally grown, i.e. sprayed with weed killers and chemical pesticides.

The amount of cherries in this plastic baggie would cost me about $10. I'd rather wait for the season of Norwegian fjord cherries. They will be cheaper and I will know for sure where they come from and how they were raised.

Did I just save $191.60? You could certainly say so. But I don't view it from that perspective. I don't beat myself for wanting things either. I try to be objective and weigh my opportunities and decide how to spend my money so that it makes me feel best. Sometimes it takes a lot of deliberating.

How about you? What are your shopping habits? How often do you stop yourself from buying on a fling?

Natural Remedies Against Burping

2013-05-13T09:00:00.000+02:00

Burping is also referred to as belching, or dyspepsia. When your body breaks down food into energy it naturally produces gas. When you burp, you release the gas that has built up in your stomach through your mouth. The sound that is associated with burping is embarrassing and often considered rude in some cultures while in others it shows appreciation for the meal.

Although burping is normal and even the most polite of us happen to burp from time to time, excessive burping and belching might be a signal that you suffer from a more serious medical condition.

Some of the causes for burping include:

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Celiac disease
Crohn's disease
Bowel obstruction
Swallowed air
Constipation
Medicines
Foods and drinks

Here are 13 natural remedies that will help you eliminate harmless burping.

1. Baking soda
A very effective way to deal with harmless belching is drinking a glass of water mixed with two teaspoons of baking soda.

2. Caraway seeds
You can eat them straight or sprinkled on a salad. Caraway seeds are known to calm the digestive tract.

3. Cumin
Use powdered cumin to spice any type of meat or soups. You can also roast equal amounts of cumin, fennel, and celery seed. Chew well about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the mixture, then chase it down with 1 cup of warm water.

4. Cardamom
Excessive muscle spasms are a common cause of belching and cardamom can help to tame your overactive stomach. Cardamom may also treat inadequate digestive fluid production. Use it in baked goods or in exotic meals.

5. Mint
You can use dry or fresh mint in different soups or bean meals. Or you can add a couple drops of mint essence into a glass of cold water and drink the mixture each day for two weeks to significantly reduce the belching.

6. Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea can produce the same results as mint because it soothes your stomach and reduces the spasmodic movements of your bowel. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon dried peppermint. Steep for five minutes and drink.

7. Ginger
You can take it in different forms - in meals, as a seasoning and marinade, or as a warm tea.

8. Garlic
Garlic is one of nature's antibiotics. It is very effective in reducing burping. Eat at least 1 fresh clove with each meal or boil 10 to 15 cloves of garlic together with cumin seeds in water and then add milk and sugar to makes a drink, which can reduce burping.

9. Clove leaves
Fresh clove leaves can soothe your digestive system and suppress excessive gas production. Chew a clove leaf after a meal to prevent burping and to increase digestion.

10. Papaya
The enzyme papain that can be found in papaya is known to break down tough meat fibers, so it is very effective in reducing burping. It is also a home remedy treatment for bee, wasp stings and mosquito bites.

11. Lime juice
Drink a glass of water with a teaspoon of lime juice combined with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar after every meal to prevent excessive gas production and indigestion.

12. Yogurt
Yogurt with live cultures, preferably with Lactobacillus bulgaricus is extremely good for the flora in your digestive tract. It can help soothe irritable bowels, and reduces the amount of burping. Eat some yogurt with live cultures every day.

13.Water
Increase the amount of water you drink and avoid carbonated drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Large meals can also cause burping, so you might benefit from eating six smaller meals instead of three larger ones. Healthy changes in your eating habits can help you take burping to normal. For example, a high-fat diet poor on fresh vegetables and fruits can be a major reason for burping problems.

NB. If your condition doesn’t improve despite all efforts, you should see a doctor immediately as it can be a symptom of the more serious diseases listed above.

Did I miss something? Do you know of a great natural remedy against burping that I haven't listed? Share it in the comments!

The Simple Joy of Song

2013-05-09T09:00:00.000+02:00

Music has always been a significant part of my life. I began playing flute in fourth grade and played all the way through college. I sang in chorus just as long, and even though I was never a lead singer, I was a solid ensemble leader and held my own. So when my daughter was born, I knew that music would play a big role in what my definition of motherhood meant. What I didn’t anticipate was what a large part of our everyday routine would include music, or how well my daughter would respond to it.

Singing is one of the first things we do in the morning and one of the last things we do at night. There is no better way to guarantee a smile on my daughter’s face than a song. She dances and even now at seven months old “sings” (yes, it’s a monotone “ah” but it is a distinct and different sound than anything else she does). It has helped me entertain her in a screen-free environment. It’s also in my arsenal to survive all those meltdown moments we all have in the car or otherwise.

Psychologists, neuroscientists and early childhood experts agree benefits to music in early childhood are numerous. Reading and math skills can improve with the use of reasoning and comprehension skills. Music helps with phonological processing and language, as well as social skills. Moving to the music and using simple instruments help with gross and fine motor skills. Music also encourages creativity. These early years are very critical to lifetime learning, as this is when brains make connections and essentially learn how to learn. This is why early childhood education is so important, in school and at home.

When I talk to people about singing many say, “Well, my voice isn’t very good.” Let me tell you, you will never have a better or more captive audience. Your child or grandchild doesn’t care what you sound like, to them your voice alone is music to their ears. The second excuse I get is “I don’t know any songs.” We all have songs we like. There is no rule out there that says that we need to sing kids songs to our children. I would shy away from hard metal and rap (which have shown to do more harm than good) but other than that the sky’s the limit. Cora enjoys the Beatles, Frank Sinatra and The Drifters, just as much as Raffi and other classic preschool tunes.

I’ll give you a sample of our daily song routine to get you started:

Wake Up Songs – Mr. Sun and an edited version of Good Mornin’ from the show Singin’ in the Rain
Lunchtime Songs – Apples and Bananas
Good Night Songs/Lullabies – Hush Little Baby, Baby Mine from Dumbo, and Lullaby from the show Pajanimals.

During the day we cycle through any number of tunes. Some of her favorites include: Do Re Mi, My Favorite Things, Chim Chim Cher-ee, White Coral Bells, Bare Necessities, She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain, I’ve Been Working on the Railroad, Five Little Speckled Frogs, Six Little Ducks, Zip A Dee Do Dah.

If you need even more ideas follow my Kids Songs Pinterest Board.

I think the most surprising thing to me is how much I missed music and singing in my everyday life. Even if I’m just singing for my daughter and myself, it brings a smile to my face and joy to my life not to mention my daughter’s.

So sing a song.

Vanessa Williams is the author of A simply good life where she explores how lower standard of living doesn’t mean lower quality of life. After her decision to get off the beaten track and forge new paths she has found that living with less actually means living with more. Vanessa explores the luring and dangerous grounds of the consumerism trap and offers a solemn and wise account of her real life experiences on the quest to finding what truly matters in life. Connect to Vanessa via twitter and facebook.

Letters From the Forest: The Beginning

2013-05-08T09:00:00.000+02:00

I have gone to the forest.

Not because I am disillusioned by people or the city with its fast speed and high noise levels. It was a pure accident that brought me here, and to a life I have never allowed myself to dream of.

I have left the world of civilized delights without realizing there was nothing to lose. Circumstances, fate, destiny, God... something brought my little family of three to a little pine forest at the shore of the North Sea, surrounded by sandy beaches of different length, color, smell and view to the sea.

You can buy this photo as a print here.

I didn't pick the forest, neither did it pick me. I didn't know about the beaches, or the birds, or the deers I would meet. I wasn't prepared for the sea in winter and the fog in spring. I simply went to the forest in October and stayed.

You must not think that nothing ever happens here. The snowflakes fall gently just like they do in the city, and the wind beats equally as mercilessly on the trees as it does on the high-rises of concrete.

I could write lyrical letters from this place. And I will. I will write them to you.

This is the beginning of a series of recollections of my life in the forest. I hope you will enjoy my stories and will accompany me in this journey back in time.

The series is inspired by Knut Hamsun's book Look Back On Happiness.

Simple Living Tip: Forget the Money

2013-05-06T09:00:00.000+02:00

Simple living is a process involving all aspects of life. Once I felt the need to simplify I was able to take a step back and re-evaluate my actions, needs and wants and I saw clearly how many things I could change to become a better person.

Then, after months of shedding burdens off my shoulders, I felt relieved and more focused on creativity. I made room for spending more time with my family and with myself; I de-cluttered to an extent that was acceptable and freeing enough; I was able to walk quietly through the forest and not hurry.

But simplifying continues. In the beginning of the 20th Century, Antoine de Saint-Exupery said:

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

Simplifying has not only increased my appreciation to the small but has also re-installed my ability to listen to my heart, and to hear my thoughts. This is something we all can do as children before the rules of civilized life banish it.

Forget the money, a phrase I read today took me years back, to a childhood of utopias. It was a time when kids asked one another "What do you want to become when you grow up?", instead of "What do you want to work?", as it is now.

We grew up with ideals, morals and motivation well beyond the visible and the obvious. The material world interested us only to the extent of being the arena of our adventures. All else was in our heads. Money was a word that did not concern us because all we needed was around us – friends, books, imagination, the great outdoors.

We were not focused on the money. Instead we developed our creativity and we were happy.

Our parents knew how to make do with what they had because they were taught to live according to their means. Loans, mortgages and credits were just terms.

But let's face it, all is lost today and we need to learn once more the hard way.

Don't focus on the money.

The greatest risk of all is to spend your life not doing what you love hoping that some day you can buy the freedom to do it.

You always have the chance to start doing what you really love. And if you love what you do you will eventually become a master of it. And then you will be able to get a good fee for whatever it is.

Focus on what your heart desires, and you will be self-sufficient and ready to meet any challenge.

So, what do you desire? What have you been postponing to start because you "know" there is no money in it?

How to Get Rid of Face Blemishes Caused by Acne and Blackheads

2013-05-02T09:00:00.000+02:00

Face Blemishes are dark spots on the face, which appear as an aftermath of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads or other conditions that clog the pores of the skin. Extensive use of cosmetic products, unhealthy diet and lack of vitamins may add to the reasons of face blemishes.

The good news is that your blemishes can be reduced and even eradicated naturally and painlessly with the help of a number of common fruits, vegetables and other home remedies.

Photo: Audiovisual junkie

Here are 6 natural methods I have found useful in the fight against blemishes.

1. Sugar exfoliating mask
How often: 1 - 2 times a week
Why: Sugar exfoliates the skin and reduces the appearance of skin blemishes. When you wash it off your skin, a small amount remains in the pores and attracts water from the air, which keeps your skin hydrated -- very important for any skin blemish treatment. USe in combination with any of the following treatments.
Recipe: Homemade Sugar Face Scrub

2. Carrots
How often: 3 times a day
Why: Carrots are high in beta-carotene (converted to vitamin A in your body), and vitamin E – the vitamin that helps soften skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Also, carrots are very efficient in skin clarifying.
Recipe: Boil a carrot and mash it well. Apply the paste to your face with gentle circular motions. Wash your face after 20 minutes with milk.

Alternatively, you can massage your face with carrot juice. The vitamin A in the carrot helps lighten the skin blemishes and also revives your skin.

3. Carrots and bananas
How often: Once a day
Why: For carrots, see #2. Bananas are rich in potassium, which when applied directly to the skin, will suffocate the bacteria in cells, forcing blemishes to heal and disappear more quickly. Bananas have many anti-bacterial properties which can reduce swelling and infections from other skin issues, including Psoriasis, Eczema, and even painful bug bites. You can even rub the peel of the banana on your skin to get rid of acne.
Recipe: Detailed instructions via Crunchy Betty: Farmers Market Facials: Carrots!

4. Thyme
How often: 1-2 times a day
Why: Thyme has been proven to be more effective than prescription creams at treating blemishes caused by an acne bacterium. Research proves that the thyme tincture kills said bacteria within 5 minutes of application.
Recipe: Thyme/Witch Hazel Infusion.

5. Honey
How often: 1-2 times a day
Why: Honey has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial enzymes that kill the bacteria present in and on the skin and makes the acne scars disappear.
Recipe: Rub a drop of honey well onto the blemish. Let stay for as long as possible (a few hours). Wash the skin and re-apply.

6. Lemon juice
How often: 3 times a day
Why: The acidity of the lemon juice will break the upper layer of acne scars tissue and will reduce redness and blemishes.
Recipe: Apply organic lemon juice with cotton on the scars and rinse it off with warm water after 5 minutes.

All the acne remedies mentioned above help in removing acne scars from the skin effectively. You can choose which one to use or you can combine them all. It won't hurt.I strongly recommend using the sugar exfoliating mask as a part of any anti-blemish treatment.

Don't forget that the only way to prevent acne scars is by treating acne as soon as it develops and by avoiding squeezing, popping, and picking at pimples.

Important: Be careful when trying new skin treatments on your face. Stop immediately if you have any reactions such as a rash or an increase in acne. When in doubt seek advice from a dermatologist.

Kanelstrand is In The Top 100 Health Related Blogs to Follow in 2013

2013-04-30T11:46:00.000+02:00

Kanelstrand is positioned at number 20 in the top 100 health related blogs to follow in 2013!

Here is a quick look back on the topics that got this blog to the top 100:

What is one thing you improved about your health in the past year?

An infographic by the team at CouponAudit
.

Motherwort Helps Move Stagnant Energy

2013-04-29T09:00:00.000+02:00

From the perspective of Chinese medicine tension, stress and irritability are said to be due to stagnant Liver Qi (energy). This can be due to problems with work, dysfunctional relationships, lack of exercise, withdrawal from Qi-moving herbs or drugs like tobacco, alcohol or marijuana, or genetic predisposition.

For women during premenstrual time Liver Qi often stagnates with hormonal fluctuation. The treatment is always to move stagnant Liver Qi. This can be done with exercise, practicing breathing exercises, acupuncture treatment or herbs. In extreme situations a change of job or end to a problem relationship may be required to restore the flow of healthy Liver Qi.

My favorite herb for moving stagnant Liver Qi and mental energy and calming irritability and anger is Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca.

Motherwort is exceptionally helpful for balancing emotional issues in women such as anxiety or irritability, whether related to PMS or menopause. It also helps smooth the menstrual flow for uterine cramping. For heavy bleeding or pregnancy this herb should be avoided.

Men can also benefit from Motherwort. I have had good results when giving this herb to both men and women under acute emotional stress. Above is a picture of one of my Motherwort plants from this winter season.

Motherwort needs partial shade. In hot climates such as Central Florida, it needs to be grown as a Winter annual. Harvest the leaves and flowers when the plant is in full bloom. Motherwort is a very bitter herb and it is easiest to take in tincture form.

You can grow Motherwort and easily make your own tincture from fresh or dry herb.

Simpler's Method for Tincturing with fresh herbs:

Chop fresh herbs coarsely and pack into a clean glass jar.

Add 80-100 proof plain Vodka or Brandy to cover the herbs completely.

Screw on the lid, label, and shake once a day.

Strain after 2-6 weeks, allow to settle, decant through filter paper.

Store in a dark glass dropper bottle. The dosage for adults is 1-2 dropperful.

Cory Trusty is a soap maker, community herbalist, organic gardener, and homeschooling mom to two girls. Cory and her family live in Daytona Beach, Florida. Cory's background is in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Biology. She is sharing tried and true natural home remedies and mini lessons from herbal classes that she teaches. Cory works full time making soaps, shampoo bars, herbal salves, flaxseed heat packs and more for her website AquarianBath. Read more from Cory at the Aquarian Bath blog. Cory is also a Food and Gardening writer for EcoEtsy and has published in The Essential Herbal Magazine and on the Herb Companion Blog. Connect with Cory on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and Pinterest.

Renew and Move Forward

2013-04-26T09:00:00.000+02:00

This post is written by contributing author Anabel Bouza.

It is April, and the season is picking up its pace around here. The birds have calmed down some, but a few weeks back they were still tweeting – almost hysterically – in every tree, making me feel energized and inadequate at once:

You see, while the world was frantically renewing itself, I just sat there, still in my end-of-winter stupor.

If you live in an area where spring is even noticeable, you probably know that it can be very brief; before you know it, summer has set in. My feeling of inadequacy came from knowing that this vernal spur goes as fast as it comes, and that I was wasting time by not tapping in to this resource to help me move forward.

Illustration by Anabel Bouza

Every year I take a page from nature's book, and see spring as the Go sign to reinvent myself.

Nothing gets me moving like the realization that the sun is still up in the sky at 7pm, that it's time to plant seeds again, that people have sprouted on the streets once more, wearing no jackets...

You want to spend every weekend and afternoon breathing in the perfect spring air.

You want to run outside and seize the brief season, but before you do that, you should dedicate some time to renewing yourself and your surroundings:

• Tackle new projects and ideas as they take shape in your mind. It is when you first come up with an idea that you have the most momentum and spark to dedicate to it. Seize that momentum! Maybe you'll feel so empowered afterward that you'll even dedicate the leftover inspiration to those older, unfinished projects you've been skirting.

• Try a new hair style!

• I like to make a little ritual out of rehabilitating my warm weather clothes after the winter. Getting them from the far reaches of the closet and washing them all at once is really gratifying. Take the occasion to rethink outfit combinations (we emerge from the winter a little changed, I think) and to let go of the things you don't use.

• A reminder to change up your soaps and lotions to match your skin needs — they change with the season, you know.

• Embrace a new fragrance, or let a new color "tinge" your outlook!

• Revive a room. Remodeling is not required, it is as simple as just switching your furniture around. Incorporate new plants, hang lighter curtains to let the light spill in, get creative with the layout. I like to blur the outdoors/indoors boundary by picking some of the colors from the vegetation outside for my indoor plants. I think this invites the eye to jump from the windowsill (or flower box) to the trees beyond.

Fresh spaces will be waiting for you at home, and since you've made room in your mind for grand new things... go fill up on life lessons and adventures!

Anabel Bouza insists there's powerful magic in the action of creating something out of a vague vision, a chill of inspiration. She is an illustrator with a passion for nature, paper manipulation, and pointing her camera at things.

Her appreciation for simplicity dates back to a former life in Cuba - her strange homeland - where she refined the ability to see the alternative uses of common objects, and the enchanting side of things. She's often found blogging as Weird Amiga, hard at work in her sunny studio, or staring at things as if looking at them for the first time. Her tiny family is comprised of husband & a turtle. Connect to Anabel via facebook and twitter.

10 Ways to Remove Calluses Naturally

2013-04-22T09:00:00.000+02:00

A callus is a thick area of skin which has become relatively dry and hard due to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation. Since repeated contact is required for callus forming, they are most often found on feet because of frequent walking. Calluses are generally not harmful, but may sometimes lead to other problems, such as skin ulceration or infection.

You can removing calluses naturally. It's quite simple to do, and you can use items that are already in your home.

N.B. Never try to remove calluses by cutting or slicing them. The risk of infection is too great. Besides, there are easier, less painful ways to remove a callus.

Photo: lipglossjunkie

The process of removing a callus consists of three steps: soaking, rubbing and drying. Here are a few natural alternatives to each of them. You can alternate between each of them to find the one that suits you best.

Soaking
4 alternatives to soak your callused feet.

1. Soak your feet in chamomile tea to soften hardened skin for about 30 minutes. Don't worry if your skin gets stained because you can remove any tea stains easily later with soap and water.

2. Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda to warm water and soak the affected area. This will help dissolve the dead skin and begin the healing process. Soak for approximately 30 minutes.

3. Soak a bread slice in apple cider vinegar for about 10 hours o form a paste. Before going to bed put the paste on the callus and secure with a bandage. wrap it in a plastic sack and leave it on overnight. Remove in the morning.

4. Soak the callus in warm water with Epsom salts. The warm water softens your skin, and the salts help scrub the corn or callus away.

Scrubbing
2 ideas on how to best scrub the callus away.

1. Using a foot file or pumice stone rub the calluses away. Use the file after you have soaked your feet or at the end of a shower, when your feet have been softened by the warm water. Rub your feet with a vigorous, circular motion. If you have a heavy buildup of calluses, rinse your feet often by dipping them back into the water. Also, rinse the pumice stone to get it wet again and remove the dead skin. Work until the skin turns pink for best results.

2. Another great way to scrub away unsightly a callus is to take a barefoot walk on a wet, sandy beach.

Drying
Dry the area completely. It is important that you don't allow this area to remain damp. Use a towel to remove all moisture.

Sprinkle a small amount of cornstarch on the area. This will ensure that the area stays dry. It will also help ward off infections.

Or you can:
- Make a mixture of 1 teaspoon lemon juice, one teaspoon dried chamomile and one clove of crushed garlic. Apply the mixture to your callus once or twice daily until it is gone.

- Cut 2-3 raisins in half and put them on the affected area, (with the cut facing the skin), secure with a plaster overnight. Repeat daily until the callus reduces or disappears.

- Use 1 onion slice, sprinkled with a few drops of lemon juice, and some salt. Tape them to the callus overnight. Repeat daily for a week to remove the callus easily.

- Crush 5 aspirin pills, add 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon water to form a thick paste. Apply to the affected area and cover with a plastic wrap. Cover with a wet towel. Let sit for about 30 minutes. After rinsing with warm water, rub the callus with a wet pumice stone.

Repeat daily for beautiful, healthy feet.

How to prevent calluses
Even if you remove your callus, don't forget where it came from. Prevent calluses from reappearing by taking care of your feet.

Keeping your skin clean and dry can help ward off calluses.

Wear comfortable shoes that fit properly.

Wearing the same pair of shoes every day can lead to calluses. Open-toed sandals are especially likely to cause your feet to develop calluses, so wear some enclosed tennis shoes with socks every few days to give your feet a break.

Wear shoes that breathe. Shoes made from natural materials, such as leather, allow more air flow to your feet than shoes made from synthetic materials.

Sometimes calluses can be confused with more serious medical conditions. It's best to consult a doctor about any health issue.

You should stop trying to treat your callus naturally at home and see your doctor if it is red and feels hot to the touch, if it cracks, bleeds and looks blue or if it doesn't improve after several days.

Move: Change Perspectives

2013-04-18T09:00:00.000+02:00

This post is written by contributing author Shelly Kerry.

Movement can be about awakening the body and the senses. It can be about opening oneself up to new perspectives. It can be about expression and freedom.

If you find yourself in a job or working on a project that requires a lot of time in front of a computer or a work table, you might start to experience restlessness or aching body parts after just a couple of hours. This is because our bodies naturally want to move and our minds like to wander. Instead of fighting this natural desire forcing ourselves to work endlessly in the same position, let’s celebrate our bodies curiosity and let them stretch, move and breathe.

Photo: Shelly Kerry

I am generally a restless person unless I am entranced in a really awesome conversation, movie or writing. Fortunately, all work that I have done outside of my running my own business has required a fair amount of movement. And being an avid exerciser, sitting still for too long can become quite uncomfortable. I feel fortunate for this. My body is often able to keep up with my very curious mind. My body and spirit both crave new perspectives.

When I am writing, I take breaks every 30 minutes or hour, depending on the project. I start with a brain dump and then I take a walk. I come back. I write a rough draft of my post and then get up out of my chair and do something different. Usually this is a simple task like cleaning or doing the laundry. Then I go back, my mind fresh and my body limber and I create a final draft. These little breaks let me take a step away and they promote awareness, new questions and different answers. I don’t get distracted as easily when I am working. My body doesn't ache and I spend my day with a heightened sense of my surroundings.

Tips from Real Simplifiers: How to Untangle Your Mind

2013-04-16T09:00:00.000+02:00

Tips from Real Simplifiers is a new series of posts in which I am sharing useful tips on simplifying from the Kanelstrand readers. Send your unique working tips on simple living to info@kanelstrand.com. Let us simplify together!

Lisa of Plumeria Papercraft talks about the way she finds herself prone to being "tangled" into the complexities of everyday life. She says,

Whether it's "chemo brain," a bit of underlying, lingering post-traumatic stress, burnout from too many years of too much multi-tasking or a combination of all of the above, I have, at times, become more easily tangled, overstimulated and overwhelmed.

I'm working on practicing methods of untangling myself -- pausing, taking deep breaths, resting, mentally stepping back and looking at the bigger picture, trying to simplify, slow down, be mindful and work on better self-care, both physically and emotionally.

Here is Lisa's method of untangling her mind:

Life has a way of tangling our minds but what we often miss is that it also has a way of untangling them.

I find that often I end up in a similar position of being tired, overworked and generally apathetic on one level, despite of the inspiration that is flowing on the other. If I let the apathy prevail it ruins my creative work and overwhelms my emotions as well.

In similar situations, to get untangled and to "breathe in calm" I instinctively look for nature.

How about you? What tangles your mind and how do you untangle yourselves?

The Secret to Happiness: Stay in The Moment

2013-04-12T10:00:00.000+02:00

Happiness has concerned humanity for a whole eternity. Philosophers and poets have searched for the secret to happiness just as thoroughly as the average farmer. Through the years the recipes for happiness have evolved but have not changed much.

And yet, we continue to search for happiness because even though we do find it sometimes, we manage to keep it for just a fleeting moment before it's gone again.

On my quest to simplify my life and focus on my priorities I have found happiness in:

In fact, I have faithfully followed the positive psychology's teachings of visualizing my wishes and have encouraged you to do the same believing this will help me and you make them come true. I have often drifted away, daydreaming about possible situations or happier moments in life.

Illustration: Alias Ching

But this kind of mind-wandering is actually robbing you of your genuine happiness.

Surely, you will argue that when people's minds are preoccupied with unpleasant thoughts it is natural for them to feel unhappy but the research Matt Killingsworth has led proves that people remain less happy regardless of whether their thoughts are positive or negative.

Even when your mind wanders to pleasant thoughts, you are less happy than when you are mindfully present in the moment.

Undoubtedly, training yourself to immerse fully in the present will increase your happiness. Do not overestimate daydreaming and wishful thinking. Get back to basics and do one thing at a time. Be here and now, right where happiness is.

Are you thinking of something other than what you are currently doing?

Moving is The Closest Thing to Being Free

2013-04-10T10:00:00.000+02:00

The Universe is my friend. It listens closely to my thoughts and whenever I am on to something really important it generously folds out its hand to me with its gift. Often it uses the hand of my husband or a close friend to award me with my next step on this journey to simplifying.

Thinking of writing about the importance of moving today I was slowly tuning into the vibe, going through reasons and benefits, reminiscing on my life full of movement and the ways it changed through times of stillness.

And then just like that, without knowing what I was researching my husband sent me this short line:

Moving is the closest thing to being free

You may have had enough of Willie and country music but my European heart still jumps at the sound of it.

Photo: photoprodigy

We are made to move and yet as the years progress, our lives become more sedentary, not only because we get older but also because of the changes in lifestyle. TV, computers, car transportation, etc. were supposed to benefit us and they do to some extent but they also harm us beyond belief.

Nowadays we spend an average of 9,3 hours a day sitting -- that is more than sleeping!

Because of our extended sitting time we should adjust our daily routines and incorporate walking or jogging. Use every opportunity to move. Look at chores like doing the dishes, cleaning and tidying up from another perspective and you will see that they are giving you the opportunity to move and keep healthy! Ironic as it may sound, your chores are making you free, so don't hate them, embrace them!

If you are not the jogging type of person (I am not either), you can simply walk. According to recent research only 15 minutes of walking a day can increase your life expectancy with 3 years. My husband and I try to walk at least 1 hour a day regardless of weather conditions.

It is important to walk on mixed terrain where you have obstacles and there is some inclination. This will engage more muscle groups while walking, which on the other hand will reduce the risks of arthritis.

Walking, especially out in nature reduces stress and anxiety, so there is practically nothing to lose. Here are 5 more benefits to walking.

Move any time you have the opportunity! Even if you think you don't have time, try to make space for moving. It should not be extreme, you don't need to be a master in sports to do it.

Moving is the closest to being free indeed. It keeps your inner mechanisms ticking in the right rhythm, it releases off endorphin to make you happy, it makes you feel alive!

Do you move as much as you would like? What do you do on days you feel you haven't moved enough?

The Best Treatment for Dry Hair: Homemade Egg Shampoo

2013-04-09T10:00:00.000+02:00

Dry hair happens to everyone at some point in their lives and no one is immune against it regardless of hair type or color. My hair used to get really dry and brittle in the winter not only because of dry air inside but also because I used to blow-dry it, which I no longer do.

In this post I will share the recipe I use to have an elastic and lively hair through all seasons which will not cost you anything. Yes, all the ingredients you need are already in your kitchen!

Some of the most common reasons for dry hair are:

dry air,
malnutrition/bad diet,
washing your hair too often,
harsh shampoos,
chemical processing,
blow-drying,
dandruff.

When the cause for dry hair is external, it is easy to make adjustments and revive it.

Photo: Wet and Messy Photography

One of the best and easiest treatments you can give your hair is a homemade egg shampoo. Here is how to make it and restore (and keep) the moisture in your hair.

NB: This shampoo is best used fresh, so make it just before washing your hair!

Homemade Egg Shampoo For Dry Hair

Ingredients:

1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
the juice of 1/2 lemon

Method:
Whisk the egg yolk very well, add the honey, olive oil and lemon juice. Mix energetically to blend.

Apply to wet (but not dripping) hair by massaging thoroughly into the scalp. Cover the whole hair. Let it stay for minimum 10 minutes -- the longer, the better. I usually stay for about 30 minutes.

Rinse with lukewarm water.

Tips:

To reduce the smell of the egg, I use a mixture of vinegar and rosemary that I keep in a bottle. Just add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of water and rinse your hair. The vinegar+rosemary will not only take out the smell but it will also nourish your hair.
If you hair feels stiff after this treatment you might need to reduce the amount of honey or change the type of honey.

Want to keep your hair healthy? Here are more ways to do so:
What everybody ought to know about shampoo
5 natural alternatives to store-bought shampoo
Why I stopped blow-drying my hair and why you should too
7 green ways to deal with static hair
Birch and lavender nourishing hair lotion
Banana beauty -- revive your hair with bananas

Have you tried applying a homemade egg shampoo before?

Simple Living Tip: Don't Let Your Email Define Your Day

2013-04-05T10:00:00.000+02:00

It has become obvious by now that we live in a digital era, a time when life has a second, virtual persona thus encouraging us to create our own alter egos online and start living an additional life on the Internet.

My Internet day starts roughly at the time of awakening with opening my email. There, I said it. I am not proud of myself.

One of the most unproductive ways to start my day is to open up my email first. I've read numerous articles why I shouldn't do it but here I am, the person who wrote about how to simplify your online presence, why multitasking is bad for you, and why you should unplug on a regular basis, admitting being addicted to getting emails and clearing her email inbox of unread ones.

Checking your email constantly is distraction disguised as work.

On a typical morning I would go through the 50+ unread emails that have accumulated in one of my inboxes since the night before and would often get carried away replying, reading, researching, etc. This might eat more than 2 hours of the most productive time of the day, when I am uninterrupted and my mind is still fresh.

And yet I go on, day after day.

Confession: My email inbox defines my day.

Often the emails I receive override the work plan I have set the night before and I find myself working on unimportant stuff and neglecting my art or writing. And yet I go on.

Photo: uncafelitoalasonce

Even now, when I am determined to write this post I feel distracted and need to check my email. Just in case there is some big news. Or anything to comment on. Or just in search of inspiration.

Two weeks ago I decided I will no longer let my email inbox define my mental activities and I mean to keep it simple and hassle-free. I committed to checking my email three times a day instead of living in my (three) inboxes, torn between hundreds of emails. As a first step I unsubscribed from a few mailing lists that proved to be disappointing. Then I created several filters to automatically mark notification emails from Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus as read.

What happened when I reduced email time

At first I felt restless. Now that I had placed a limit on checking my emails I realized how dependent I was on distracting my mind while I should be concentrating. As days passed, the feeling faded although it hasn't disappeared completely yet.
I became more productive. I am forcing myself back to the habit of staying concentrated for longer periods of time and I can already see the positive changes on my art, writing and real life responsibilities.
Batch process. I stopped replying to emails the moment I receive them, thus reducing the amount of work. Now I batch process, which proved to be more effective both in terms of time spent and in work done. I spend 30 minutes in a concentrated batch-processing boot-camp replying to emails and writing down email related tasks.
I stopped multi-tasking. If you follow me for a long time you surely remember my multi-tasking posts. Well, I am still on and off multi-tasking but I can already see that by taming myself email-wise I am seriously single-tasking again.
My day depends on me. By not going through my email first thing in the morning I am now able to follow the plan I have for the day. Before I easily postponed my tasks for the needs of others, according to the time they enter my inbox. I don't call this egoism but organized sanity. After finishing with my most important tasks I am now ready to face the needs of the world (and I am ready to deliver much better results!)
I am healthier. Plain as it may sound, by reducing the time I spend in my email inbox, I reduced the time I spend on my computer. Every day I make the conscious decision to go out and move more. My eyes are much better. If you remember their collapse after last years' Simple Living Challenge you know. To stop the development of my shortsightedness I have to spend 2-3 hours a day in sunlight. I am surprised that only one week into this my eyes' health has transformed.
I am happier. But of course! I am moving more, I don't feel pressed by outer circumstances, I am more productive and I define the way my days go. What more can I ask of life?!

Photo: another.point.in.time

The mere fact that we all have access to a computer and Internet at home, at work, in our pockets does not justify our constant preoccupation with it. Being always present online robs us of our freedom to chose simple living and that is why we need to make conscious efforts to stick to our priorities and not to let distractions disguised as attractive conveniences take the best of us.

If I can do it, you can do it too!

By organizing your time you will regain control over the way you feel and the way you create. You will no longer feel that your life is controlled by circumstances and your life will be one shade simpler.

In an effort to simplify your experience on Kanelstrand (and help you spend less time in your email inbox) I will be sending a once-a -week newsletter with the best posts and comments on the blog, more simple living news from around the world and bonus features (like discounts and offers for green and eco products). Sign up for free here or by clicking on the Kanelstrand Newsletter rectangle in the sidebar.

Now it's your turn, do you let your daily plans be defined by your email inbox or any other distraction? How do you deal with that?

Why You Need to Simplify Your Life

2013-04-02T10:00:00.000+02:00

More and more people around the world strive to become sustainable in their lifestyle, mindset and emotions but feel entangled in deeply rooted old habits or get confused by too many contradicting advices.

If you have decided to simplify your life but you don't know how to start, this post is for you! If you have already set on the simplifying path - jump right on in, we love company!

Photo: kanelstrand

What is simple living?

Simple living is an attitude to life that will help you live more sustainably, more deliberately and more happily. Among other things, simple living includes:

Identifying what is most important for you and eliminating everything else.
Doing what inspires you and being with the people you love.
De-cluttering (be it your mind, your everyday life or your virtual life).
Single-tasking and learning to diminish stress.
Striving to live frugally by wanting less and buying only what is necessary.
Slowing down and being actively present in the moment.
Living a healthy life.
Striving to be green and sustainable as much as your surroundings allow.
Enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
Simplifying your goals, tasks and expectations.

Photo: kanelstrand

How to know when you need to simplify your life

You are way to deep in debt.
The clutter around you is overwhelming you and is keeping you away from taking the right decisions.
You have grown apart from your loved ones and even yourself.
You are stressed out.
You rarely do something for the fun of it.
The time you spend on the Internet is way too much and way too disorganized.
You are multitasking any time, anywhere.

I know all this may seem overwhelming but I assure you, there is nothing complicated in living a simple life. You don't need to withdraw from the world and seek a retreat to be able to achieve simplification. On the contrary, simple living is about engaging more fully in the world, but with a changed list of priorities. Simple living makes place for the really important things in your life and helps you appreciate more fully what you have and who you are.

The Simple Living Pledge

To help you re-evaluate your priorities in life, I invite you to take The Simple Living Pledge and participate in the discussions on Kanelstrand. Together we can grow much faster! I am looking forward to your insights, advice or your general thoughts on simplifying.

Let's do this together!

Together we can make a difference in a fast-paced, thick-skinned world. We can walk the path of conscious living by being the human beings we are, by embracing our weaknesses and turning them into strengths. We can live a simple sustainable life without going to extremes.

Seasons in Scandinavia: March in Norway

2013-03-29T10:00:00.000+01:00

March came to Norway as capricious as I've always known it. It snowed and rained, and blew and hissed through the naked branches. I kept seeing spring photos from around the world. But spring still hasn't come to Norway. Today I went for a walk on the beach. Oops, I meant on the ice. It is still deeply frozen and it seems like the whole town is hiking along. People with bicycles along with skiers and dog walkers, and kid walkers and fishermen. It is so lively on the ice, like it is the most natural place to hang out right now.

So, hang out with me on our March ocean (yup, ocean, not lake) ice.

The white snow seems to enhance the ensemble of colors on this house.

The fjord is so long and we are right at its end. The sea, even in winter is as calm as a frozen lake.

No boats until spring. Instead, a lot of footsteps on the sea ice.

A red boat and a red ouse in the distance. The perfect combination to warm your blue winter day.

On a sunny day you can find people sunbathing all over the ice.

Skiing on the sea ice between islands and walking your dog? Sure!

I hope the fisherman has luck, look, he has started a second whole in the ice, I am sure his boys are impatient already.

The most whimsical of post boxes. Wouldn't you gladly live in it?

Although our March is cold at least it is sunny, so our spirits are high.

How about you? How has your March been? Let us know in the comments.

Dyeing Easter Eggs The Old-fashioned Green Way

2013-03-28T10:00:00.000+01:00

Dyeing Easter eggs is a big deal in our home. It is a family business, a time to get together and take part in this annual ritual.

With the advance of time and switching countries my methods have changed but and I am seeing myself going back to the old-fashioned, green way of dyeing Easter eggs.

Through the years I have tried different commercial products, mostly disregarding their health qualities. I have gone from crystal effects to marbled dyes, only to avoid the plain powder colors.

But as I'm learning and growing I feel the urge to go back to a more natural, be it old-fashioned way of dyeing Easter eggs firstly because it is more sustainable and healthy, and secondly because it makes me feel closer to the Earth and my ancestors. It is cheap too!

After trying Radmegan's methods of dyeing Easter eggs last year I was ecstatic. After consulting my grandmother (who you know for her famous phrase: A house with a cold stove is not a home) here is my adjusted take on dyeing Easter eggs so that they are safe to eat.

Use room temperature eggs to prevent cracks. Place them in a pan filled with lukewarm water together with the plant that will give you color and don't forget the vinegar, it is the ingredient that will help keep the dye on the egg.

Boil for about 30 minutes and let stay for an hour or two more. The timing will differ depending on the level of saturation you want to achieve. The more saturated color you want, the longer you need to keep the eggs in the color bath after boiling. Don't forget to polish your eggs after they dry with a drop of vegetable oil and a wool or cotton cloth.

Red
2 red beets
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vinegar

Brown
Add a mix of red and yellow onion skins to the red beet mix after you have removed the pan from the hotplate.

Blue
5-6 red cabbage leaves
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vinegar

Yellow
3 tablespoons Tumeric
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vinegar

Dark yellow
Add a handful of yellow onion skins to the Tumeric mix during boiling.

Orange
2 handfuls of red onion skins
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vinegar

These are the colors I got with what I had at the moment. For more Easter egg dyes, visit Radmegan.

Have a healthy, green and happy Easter!

How do you dye your Easter eggs? Tell me your secrets.

This post is part of Eat Healthier month on Kanelstrand. Read the rest of the posts here and join in the discussions, we'd love to know what you think!

Flax Seed as Part of a Healthy Diet

2013-03-27T10:00:00.000+01:00

This post is written by contributing author Rebecca D. Dillon.

I've really tried to make improvements in my diet over the past year. By cutting way down on carbs like pasta and breads - which I rarely eat now - as well as white potatoes, I was able to go down two pant sizes. In doing this, I also started taking a look at new foods I hadn't tried before.

One of my favorite new foods I discovered during this process was flax seed. Not only does flax seed taste surprisingly good, but it's also believed to help reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, inflammation, lung disease, breast, colon and prostate cancer - even hot flashes in menopausal women. The cultivation of flax seed goes as far back as 3000 BC Babylon where the King Charlamagne actually required his subjects to eat flaxseed as part of their diet.

Flax is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, Lignans, and Fiber. It's now widely available in most local grocery stores as well as online and is available whole, ground, and even as an oil. The shell of whole flax seed retains and protects the fatty acids that make flax seed so nutritious, while ground flax seed and flax seed oil will start to lose these fatty acids over time. Therefore, I recommend buying flax seed whole as you will get the most benefit from grinding whole flax seed in a coffee grinder just before use. Plus, whole flax seed can be stored up to a year in a cool, dark place. Alternately, you can grind up flax seed ahead of time and store in the freezer to keep the flax from oxidizing and losing its nutritional potency.

It's recommend you eat between 1-2 Tablespoons of flax a day. This is a lot easier to do than you may think. I love flax seed in my granola cereal. It's also really good in yogurt and oatmeal. Additionally you can also swap part of the flour in your recipes for things like pancakes, muffins and breads. If your recipe calls for 2 cups of flour, simply substitute a 1/4 cup of freshly ground flax seed for 1/4 cup of the flour. You can also hide flax seed inside of dark sauces, casseroles and meat mixtures.

Have you tried flax seed yet?

This post is part of Eat Healthier month on Kanelstrand. Read the rest of the posts here and join in the discussions, we'd love to know what you think!

Rebecca D. Dillon claims a fine arts degree from Roanoke College and has enjoyed being creative since she was a small child. She resides in the Historic Arts District of her hometown where she lives with her miniature dachshund, Jasper, and works for a small business full time. Part time Rebecca handcrafts and sells homemade soaps, lotions and lip balms for her home business, Rebecca's Soap Delicatessen. In her spare time she squeezes in time for dancing, live music and the occasional karaoke. She is also the author behind Soap Deli News blog where she shares her DIY projects, bath and beauty recipes, handmade finds and other things that suit her fancy. Connect with Rebecca on Twitter and Facebook.

How to Phase Out Bad Eating Habits

2013-03-25T10:00:00.000+01:00

This post is written by contributing author Anabel Bouza.

Now that March is well under way, I would like to look back, to January. Remember your new year resolutions? Are you still sticking to them?

How about the ones concerning health and diet?

Illustration by Anabel Bouza

This month's theme coincides with my decision to phase out my own bad eating habits. I'm not referring to radical changes that will drain my willpower, or leave me feeling defeated when I fail to stick to the plan (as is the case with so many new year's resolutions) instead, I'm looking to introduce gradual changes that can be sustained on the long term.

Not only is my intention to improve my own health, but also the health of those who benefit from my cookery. Also, I have the suspicion that the progressive replacement of bad habits for good ones will be less likely to meet resistance from hesitant family members... Some may say it's sneaky, I call it the cook's prerogative!

Hearty winter foods are moving aside in favor of lighter spring-summer fare: the time is right to change things up, and the benefits are plentiful.

Banish temptation. Don't bring into your home the foods you are trying to avoid.

This sounds obvious, but sometimes we set up traps for our future selves inadvertently: think of future you (eat-at-home you), when you're debating whether to buy that guilty snack or not.

Instead of setting up the stage for a wrestling match with yourself later ("Should I have another piece of that salted chocolate caramel?") just leave it on the market shelf.

If you're trying to eat out less, spice up your eat-at-home routine.

Some people do this by creating a choose-your-own-adventure kind of spread: customizing homemade pizzas with fun, healthy toppings, for example. The idea is to serve simply cooked dishes, in small proportions, and to relish the occasion.

Our own version of this involves tapas, those tasty Spanish appetizers. They're a break from the usual 'finish your plate' approach, and make the occasion feel celebratory. You get to sample and mix... and sampling is always fun, right?

In a perfect world, portions would be perfectly sized to fit our needs and not a spoonful more, and there would be no food left on the plate — the #1 cause of upset among grandmothers everywhere. I've been trying to balance the art of the sensibly portioned meal, with the Hara Hachi Bu approach.

Hara Hachi Bu is the practice of eating until you are 8/10 parts full, customary among the residents of Okinawa, Japan.

(Really, it is just common sense: it takes roughly 20 minutes for the brain to register that you've eaten, so when you eat up to the point of feeling full —without giving the brain time to catch up— you end up over eating, in fact.)

This knowledge has already proven handy: it keeps me for 'going for seconds', or overeating when going out, since restaurants' portions usually are one-fits-all.

And finally, something I adopted from one of my favorite science podcasts, a reminder to tackle food-shopping mindfully. After all, what we eat informs us, and it all starts with the ingredients we choose.

'Whatever I put in the shopping cart is what my body will use to build the next version of itself.'

Now it's your turn, what can make you change your eating habits?

This post is part of Eat Healthier month on Kanelstrand. Read the rest of the posts here and join in the discussions, we'd love to know what you think!

6 Ways to Celebrate World Water Day the Whole Year

2013-03-22T10:00:00.000+01:00

Today we celebrate World Water Day for the 20th consecutive year. This year under the motto Cooperation. Although a lot has been discussed about freshwater in recent years people often assume that conserving water is a grand enterprise, the responsibility for which lies on the backs of organizations and governments.

While many people are worried about global warming, and the climate change, experts are predicting that the water crisis that is upon us will soon leave different cultures with no options about securing water for consumption and agricultural uses.

In fact, if each and every one of us tries to see a slightly bigger picture, one that cannot be seen from the mega-polices we live in, one that we don't even think about in our daily struggle with stress, chores and just trying to survive, then we will realize how connected we are to our planet, to nature, to water sources, to wildlife, to people in need living on distant continents. There are people on Earth -- about 900 million of them -- who don't even have access to safe water supplies.

According to the Stockholm International Water Institute, polluted water kills more people than wars or earthquakes, and about 3.6 million people –- including 1.5 million children –- are estimated to die each year from water-related diseases, including diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera and dysentery.

Lack of action makes you and I responsible for the lives of many, even though they are either far away or we have never seen them.

Regardless of color, religious belief or place of living, we all share the same enormous home and it is high time we realize that whatever we do may affect the rest of the residents of this home. It is important that we all do our part to make the best use of the resources we have, which means finding ways to reuse water and reduce our daily consumption.

Here are 6 ways to join the celebration of World Water Day and to start conserving water every day. The best way is to keep track of the amount of water that you use in one day and find ways to reduce it:

Change your toilet to a low-flow one. Toilets use about 30% of the total water used in a household. If you cannot afford replacing your old toilet with a more efficient one, it’s easy to convert your existing one to a low-flow toilet.
Fix your leaking faucets and dripping shower heads, they are some of the biggest household water wasters. It is estimated that just a small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste as much as 70 liters of water per day.
Change your diet. A vegetarian diet uses 10 times less water than a carnivorous one. It takes 25 liters of water to produce one potato, but it takes 7,000 liters of water to produce a steak. The less meat you eat, the less meat will be produced and the less fresh watter supplies will be used (added bonus -- you will be healthier). See this chart for more information about the amount of water that is used to produce your favorite foods.
Steam instead of boil. Steaming vegetables uses less water than boiling and is healthier. In some cases you cannot avoid boiling, but you can save the water for your garden, soup stock, or use it to clean pots.
Reduce food waste. About one third of all food is wasted throughout production, storage, transportation, consumption and disposal. Learn how long you can store food in your freezer. Other ways to reduce food waste are only buying what you plan to eat, using leftovers to create new meals or donating food you can’t use to soup kitchens.
Use rain water. A staggering 40% of household water used in the U.S. is used for watering lawns and gardens, washing automobiles, maintain swimming pools, and cleaning sidewalks and driveways. This can be done with the same effect with rain water. You can install rain catchment systems on your roof or rain barrels around your home.

It is more important than ever to open our eyes and take action. By helping others we will help ourselves too. Water is one of the reasons we came into being and without we cannot survive.

Now it's your turn. What is your opinion about conserving water?

How to Choose Your Diet

2013-03-21T10:00:00.000+01:00

It is amazing how much our lives are centered around food. It is natural, of course, since consuming food not only fuels our bodies but also our emotions. (Hello, emotional eaters!)

But how do you chose your diet? Do you base your decision upon fashion, religion or phase in life?

I don't blame people who eat junk food, I think there comes a moment in life when something clicks, your eyes open wide and you are able to see what used to be invisible before. This enlightenment happens to all of us and when we look back we cannot fathom how we were able to eat such unhealthy diet for so long and get away with it.

But not all get away with a bad diet. The influence of diet upon health has been proven and a lot of research shows the benefits of eating organic, raw, vegetarian and even vegan.

But there is also a great deal of contradicting research. With the advance of the Internet age the information becomes more and more. Now picture yourself in the middle of this vast ocean of information. How do you know where to look? How do you know what to believe? Here is the latest post by Elephant Journal disclosing worrying information about eating organic: Eating Organic May be Harmful.

I take pride in imposing a healthy diet on my family. We eat a lot salads, fruits, but we also eat meat, a few times a month, mostly chicken. We eat plenty of fish, grains and seeds. We love feta cheese and yogurt, the one with Lactobacillus bulgaricus that will ensure we live to 100. We don't drink soft fizzy drinks, and when it comes to sweets, we mostly eat dark chocolate, 70% cocoa. We have replaced sugar with Stevia and drink a lot of water.

Is this enough though? Should I chose a label and put it on my diet? Maybe tweak a bit? If you are asking yourself the same questions, follow along to a pro and con review of some of the most popular diets.

Source

Vegetarian
Could you easily go without meat? The vegetarian diet might be for you.

Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat – red meat, poultry, seafood and the flesh of any other animal; it may also include abstention from by-products of animal slaughter, such as animal-derived rennet and gelatin.

Pros

Vegetarians are 50% less likely to develop heart disease, and they have a 40 percent lower cancer rate of meat-eaters.
Meat-eaters are nine times more likely to be obese than vegans (who don't eat any animal products) are.
Vegetarians have stronger immune systems than meat-eaters.
Vegetarians and vegans live, on average, six to 10 years longer than meat-eaters.

Cons

According to the Weston A. Price Foundation, a vegetarian diet is far from ideal, mostly because it lacks animal fats, which some experts say are necessary for human health.
2 in 3 vegetarians are vitamin B12 deficient compared to 1 in 20 meat eaters according to a peer-reviewed July 2003 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
According to Weston A. Price Foundation Vegetarianism that includes eggs and raw (unpasteurized) dairy products, organic vegetables and fruits, properly prepared whole grains, legumes, and nuts, and excludes unfermented soy products and processed foods, can be a healthy option for some people. However, some people have difficulty assimilating vitamins, minerals, protein, and other factors from plant foods. These individuals may need a higher proportion of nutrients from animal foods to achieve optimum health.
Vegetarians may tend to eat too many grains as they shy away from meat. Eating too much grain, especially if it is processed white flour, can lead to weight gain. Eating sweets instead of protein increases your sugar intake which is even worse.

Vegan shashlik

Vegan
Don't care much about meat and animal products? How about becoming a vegan?
Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, as well as an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of sentient animals.

Pros

May help lower cholesterol: According to a study in Diabetes Voice in 2007 people with Type 2 diabetes who adopted a vegan diet reduced their LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol by 21 percent — significantly more than the 9 percent drop seen by another group on the American Diabetes Association diet.
May help lower blood pressure: According to a 2009 position paper of the American Dietetic Association, vegetarian eating is linked with decreased risk of death from ischemic heart disease. The report also concluded that people who eat a vegetarian diet tend to have lower LDL levels and less incidence of hypertension and Type 2 diabetes in comparison to non-vegetarian
Increases antioxidant intake: Vegan eating usually increases intake of wholesome foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes and whole grains, which is a great opportunity to get plentiful antioxidants, dietary fiber and vitamins and minerals.

Cons

Potential interference with existing medical conditions: If you have a condition such as osteoporosis or diabetes, it is critical to consult with your physician and a registered dietitian when starting and implementing a vegan eating plan, as a vegan diet may interfere with your condition.
Loss of essential vitamins and minerals: There is evidence to show vegan diets do not contain vitamin B12, an essential nutrient. "Vegans can get vitamin B12 from fortified foods (some brands of soy milk, fake meats, breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast) and from supplements. Vegan diets may be low in calcium and vitamin D although there are vegan sources of these nutrients," says Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, nutrition advisor for The Vegetarian Resource Group (vrg.org).

Raw food

Raw
Do you think you could live on uncooked vegetables and stay away from meat, animal products and baked products? Consider embracing the raw food diet.
Raw foodism (or rawism) is a diet consisting of uncooked, unprocessed, and often organic foods or wild foods. Depending on the type of lifestyle and results desired, raw food diets may include a selection of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds (including sprouted whole grains such as gaba rice), eggs, fish (such as sashimi), meat (such as carpaccio), and non-pasteurized/non-homogenized dairy products (such as raw milk, raw milk cheese, and raw milk yogurt).

Pros

Increases the level of energy and body health.
Beneficial to the skin.
Positively improves your digestion and helps you lose weight.
Decreases the chances of developing heart and cardiovascular diseases.

Cons

I will start by opposing one of the pros above. According to a German study that gathered data on subjects whose diets consisted of at least 70 percent raw foods -- primarily fruits and vegetables, the raw food diet had a positive effect on levels of "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides, but it appeared to raise levels of homocysteine -- a type of amino acid believed to increase your risk of heart disease -- and lower levels of the "good" cholesterol that protects the heart.
According to a number of studies, the raw food diet increases death rates from heart disease compared to a vegetarian diet that includes dairy and eggs.
Read this mind boggling article by a well-known raw food author, admitting that due to health problems she couldn't continue with her vegan/raw-food lifestyle. Kristen's confession answered a lot of questions I have been asking myself.

Source

Pescetarian
What if you like seafood? You might add a twist to vegetarianism by becoming a pescetarian.
Pescetarianism is the practice of a diet that includes seafood but not the flesh of other animals. A pescetarian diet shares many of its components with a vegetarian diet and includes vegetables, fruit, nuts, grains, beans, eggs, and dairy, but unlike a vegetarian diet also includes fish and shellfish. The Merriam-Webster dictionary dates the origin of the term "pescetarian" to 1993 and defines it to mean: "one whose diet includes fish but no other meat".

Pros

Pescetarians consume enough Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, which ensures them a healthy heart. If you have a desire to be vegetarian but are concerned about getting adequate amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, you might want to try flaxseed oil. It can be added to many recipes during food preparation, and it's virtually undetectable in smoothies. You can take a flaxseed oil supplement as well.
Seafood is a good source of iron. Because of this, pescetarians are at a much lower risk of having iron deficiency, which is common amongst vegans and vegetarians.

Cons

Depending on the quantity and type of fish you eat as a pescetarian, excess mercury consumption might be a concern. To minimize your exposure to mercury, limit your consumption of larger fish. This is particularly important if you're pregnant. If you're pregnant, ask your obstetrician what types of fish and how much fish you can safely consume. Reduce your exposure to mercury by buying wild fish rather than farm-raised whenever possible. The only downside is cost; wild fish is typically more expensive. Change the variety of fish you eat so you don't consume an abundance of any one particular fish. What you need to know about mercury in fish and shellfish.
The pescetarian diet severely limits your protein sources.

Pork chops

Paleo
Are you allergic to milk but love meat? Would you feel fine if you left refined sugar and salt behind? Consider the paleolithic diet.
The paleolithic diet, also known as the caveman diet, Stone Age diet and hunter-gatherer diet, is a modern nutritional plan based on the presumed ancient diet of wild plants and animals that various hominid species habitually consumed during the Paleolithic era, which ended around 10,000 years ago with the development of agriculture and grain-based diets. Centered on commonly available modern foods, the "contemporary" Paleolithic diet consists mainly of fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots, and nuts, and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, potatoes, refined salt, refined sugar, and processed oils.

Pros

The Paleo diet is one of few diets to manage to offer a sufficient amount of potassium, which decreases bone loss, and reduces the risk of developing kidney stones.
Eliminates reliance on white refined carbohydrates.
By embracing the Paleo diet you will certainly eat lots of vegetables.
No more processed snack foods, which are high in calories and low in nutrients.

Cons

Calcium is essential not only to build and maintain bones but to make blood vessels and muscles function properly. Because you’re not allowed dairy or fortified cereals, you’ll likely only get about half of the recommended daily amount from a Paleo menu.
Beans and whole grains, which are not allowed in the Paleo diet, are an important source of nutrients and fiber, plus an eco-friendly source of protein.
Refraining from legumes and whole grains has been shown to increase the risk of disease and heighten insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels, not to mention increase BMI.
The Paleo diet is too hard to maintain over a long period of time, which leads to yo-yo dieting and can mean poorer health.

Gluten-free Caprese

Gluten-free
Do you have celiac disease? This is the only reason to go on a gluten-free diet.
The gluten-free diet excludes foods containing gluten -- the protein complex found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale. Corn and rice also contain gluten, but are considered gluten-free, as the gluten in these species do not cause celiac disease. A gluten-free diet is the only medically accepted treatment for celiac disease, the related condition dermatitis herpetiformis, and wheat allergy, but not gluten allergy. Although the gluten-free diet has recently become a fad, there is no evidence to suggest that following a gluten-free diet has any significant benefits in the general population. On the contrary, there is some evidence to suggest that a gluten-free diet may adversely affect gut health in those without celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Pros

Some people have a condition “where gluten damages the little fingerlike vili in their small intestines, causing discomfort in their bowels. They may also have constipation, diarrhea or blood in their stool. The condition is diagnosed through blood test and biopsy. Depending on the results, the diagnosis will be either celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. These patients must follow a gluten-free diet throughout their lives. If you suspect you have celiac disease and would like to be tested, it’s important to eat regularly and not follow a gluten-free diet, as this may skew results.
Because of the restriction of gluten, a greater emphasis is put on fruits and vegetables, which are often lacking in the typical American diets.

Cons

If you’re following a gluten-free diet with the intent of losing weight, you’re often eliminating entire categories of food — such as whole-grain breads — and as a result you run the risk of cutting out sources of necessary vitamins, particularly the B vitamins, niacin, folic acid, iron and zinc.
With a gluten-free diet you might chose less healthy foods. Often people substitute high-fat items for the gluten. A label may say the product is gluten-free, but it may be high in fat or sugar.

Feeling confused? Don't worry, you are not alone. There is so much conflicting information regarding healthy eating and proper nutrition. If you want to get some questions answered (or possibly get even more confused), I would like to encourage you to attend THE HEALTHY LIFE SUMMIT, March 24-30, 2013, it's free! You will learn about metabolism and stress, the war on milk, techniques for making real food, how to recover from autism with diet, and so much more. Here is a short preview of the wealth of information that awaits you on the summit.

But while the experts continue the battle over the best diet, you can rest assured that there is no right diet for everyone. You need to eat a diet that feels right for you, gives you energy, increases your health, and strong physics. Balance is the only answer.

Now is your turn, what are your eating habits and do you plan on changing them?

Resources:

http://features.peta.org/VegetarianStarterKit/
http://www.sixwise.com/
health-mind-body.com/
http://www.livestrong.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diets

This post is part of Eat Healthier month on Kanelstrand. Read the rest of the posts here and join in the discussions, we'd love to know what you think!