I was always envious of those girls with luminous, smooth, glowing skin.

Skin that looked refined and buffed.  Porcelain or peaches-and-cream our grandmothers’ might have called it.

That was never me.  I tend towards oily skin and big pores.  Glowing skin?  Yes, I glow.  But more from the greasies than some ethereal internal luminescence.

So making my own skincare has been a revelation for me.

Using the Oil Cleansing Method and Luxe facial oil have really normalized and improved my skin.  (I know, putting OIL on oily skin! Who woulda thunk it?)

And recently I have heard from a lot of readers who are struggling with oily, congested skin with pimples, acne and blackheads.  It seemed like a good time to create a third product we could add to our cleansing routine.  A product especially for the oily-skin prone among us!  (Don’t worry, dry skin types … I’ll describe how you could adapt this recipe to work for you too!)

4 really specific ingredients.

This skin toner only has 4 ingredients.  Just mix them together, et voila! skin toner.

But each ingredient has a really specific purpose.  I’ve chosen the ingredients based on the traditional medicinal usage.  They’re not just included to smell nice.  These ingredients work.

I believe if an ingredient or remedy has been used for hundreds of years for a specific purpose – it probably works.

(Otherwise, it would have passed from memory like a fad.)

On the other side of the coin, if there are hundreds of remedies for a specific condition, it’s probably because none of them work reliably for everyone (think: weight loss remedies or cold remedies.)

Let’s take a look at why these 4 ingredients are included in the Clarifying Skin Toner.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

You want to find a high-quality, raw / unpasteurized apple cider vinegar “with the mother”.  This is the true fermented ACV that generations of humans used.

ACV is an acid, and has long been known as a home remedy or ‘folk cure’ for zillions of ailments.  Many of these remedies aren’t true, of course.  But recently ACV has had a resurgence of popularity to take internally and externally for health and beauty.  I use Apple Cider Vinegar in my rosemary-nettle hair rinse and also in this homemade sports drink.  (Plus, I drink a tablespoon in water every morning as a local alternative to starting the morning with hot water and lemon.)

Apple Cider Vinegar in this toner is all about maintaining the pH of the skin.  Our skin is naturally at a pH of 5.5 or lower (slightly acidic).  Soap is very alkaline and will disrupt the pH of the skin, but it has been shown that even normal tap water can change the pH of our skin! (source)  Using ACV in the toner adds more acid to the skin, to bring it closer to the ideal skin pH.

Since ACV is an acid, it can irritate very sensitive skin.  If you find this toner too strong, just add more water and less ACV.  You may be able to increase the amount of ACV over time as your skin adjusts (up to a maximum of 50% ACV).

Where to buy Apple Cider Vinegar:  Look for raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar “with the mother” in your local health food shop.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)

You’ve probably heard of witch hazel before.  It’s used in many natural beauty products and is widely available in drugstores and pharmacies.

Witch Hazel is a cooling, anti-inflammatory and astringent (toning & tightening) plant.

Because of its cooling, soothing, tightening action, it’s used for varicose veins … and hemorrhoids (piles)!

But don’t let that dissuade you from using this lovely ingredient in your skin toner.

Adding witch hazel will tighten and tone your skin which is a great addition for slightly greasy, large-pored complexions!

When buying Witch Hazel, you need to read the ingredients.  Often you find witch hazel with alcohol.  I prefer using ‘distilled witch hazel’ or ‘witch hazel hydrosol’ which is simply witch hazel in water.  You can use the alcohol-based on in this toner, but keep in mind it will be more drying than the water-based witch hazel.  So you may want to use less.

Where to buy Witch Hazel:  In your local pharmacy or drug store!  You can also buy it online (US shop / UK shop)

Calendula (Marigold) Infusion

Ahhh golden, gorgeous marigolds!  Marigolds are amazing for healing the skin.  If you have any blemishes or scarring, including this plant will help your skin to repair itself and heal.

If you don’t have dried calendula available, you could also use Chamomile (just make some chamomile tea!) which would be very soothing and gentle on the skin.

Or just use rosewater.

But specifically for people with acne and pimples (ie, little abraisons on the skin) I think calendula is a really nice addition to this toner.

Where to buy dried Calendula / Marigolds: You can buy dried calendula online (US shop / UK shop)

Vegetable Glycerine

Glycerine is a humectant which means it attracts water.  Adding glycerine makes a silkier toner, and also attracts moisture from the air into the skin.

You don’t want to use too much glycerine, because over time it will draw moisture FROM the skin into it as well, which can be drying.  But a little glycerine in the toner really improves the texture.

Glycerine is optional, but I like to include it for texture and moisturization.

You want to buy vegetable glycerine which is produced from vegetable oils, as opposed to other glycerine which can be a byproduct of petroleum, yuck.

Where to buy Vegetable Glycerine: You can find vegetable glycerine in your local pharmacy, or online (US shop / UK shop)

Clarifying Skin Toner Recipe

(Makes 100ml / scant 1/2 cup of skin toner)

40 ml. (2.5 Tb) Apple Cider Vinegar (preferably raw and unpasteurized)

40 ml. (2.5 Tb) Calendula infusion (or chamomile infusion or rosewater)

15 ml. (1 Tb) Witch Hazel (preferably water-based)

5 ml. (1 tsp) vegetable glycerine

Make the calendula (or chamomile) infusion by putting a spoonful of dried herbs in a cup of freshly boiled water.  (You can drink the rest of the infusion that you don’t use!)

Mix all ingredients together in a bottle.  (I just save all my bottles and reuse them.  But you can also buy them online here: US site / UK site)

Apply with a cotton pad after cleansing your face (avoid eyes!) and follow with moisturizer.

The finished product does smell like weak apple cider vinegar.  So if that puts you off, try using less ACV, or adding 2 drops of an essential oil (like rose or lavender).

Recipe adjustment ideas for…

Dry skin: Leave out the witch hazel alltogether and instead use an extra 15ml (1 Tb) of rosewater.

Sensitive skin: Use half the amount of ACV.  Replace the witch hazel with rosewater.  You might use chamomile infusion instead of calendula because it’s so soothing.

Do you like using skin toners? Are you going to try this one?  Let us know in the comments!

You know those ‘out of body’ type moments?  When you suddenly “wake up” and see your life from an outsider perspective, even for just a brief moment?

That happened to me this week.

While visiting a good friend in southwest France, we were invited to a birthday dinner.  We arrived at a 1800s farmhouse in the French countryside – with a big, heavy table set outdoors, a bonfire, fairy lights, and (in true French style) copious amounts of good food and wine.

As everyone was bustling around getting food ready, I suddenly had this flash of perspective and gratitude.  How did I end up here at this moment?  After years (and years) of wanting to live in Europe and run my own business – I was finally doing it.  

Of course, it hasn’t always been this way.

Since I’ve left my corporate job and started my own business as a natural health coach, I’ve gotten lots of questions from readers, friends and people I meet asking how I did it.  So I thought I would share some resources and tools that have helped me along the way.

I am still in the early days of my business, so I can’t give you a recipe for success.  But here are 4 tools that I’ve used regularly to get myself onto the right path (which for many years seemed like just a fantasy …)  

Tool #1: Get quiet so you can hear what you really want.

We all know what we want, deep down inside.  Unfortunately, we tend to suppress what we really want in an effort to be ‘normal’ and ‘successful’.

The first step in following your dreams, is to find your dreams again!  Not the dream of being ‘rich and successful’ that you think you should want … but finding out what you really want for your unique life.

What works for me is to get quiet through meditation (you could also do this through exercise or other chemical-free ways to quiet your mind), and also to get in touch with my body (which I do through yoga and dancing … but you could do it through running or tai chi or rock climbing, whatever makes you aware of how your body feels!)

Your body will tell you when you’re on the right path or not.  (You know that sick feeling in your stomach when you really don’t want to do something?  It’s either fear, or your body telling you that this isn’t the right path for you.  Learning to read these signs gives you huge insight into what you really want!)

Two absolutely amazing books using these techniques of listening to your ‘inner compass’ are Steering by Starlight and Finding Your Own North Star, both by Martha Beck (affiliate links).   I’ve used both of these books and found them really helpful in getting me onto the right path (and even to figure out what that path is!)

Tool #2: Write it out!

Write, write, write!  It doesn’t matter if you’re a good writer or not.  This writing is just for you – no one else.

I’ve kept an irregular journal for most of my life – and it’s been a hugely helpful tool to figure out exactly what I want, and how I feel.

Talking about problems is very good.  But I’ve noticed that only talking, or worse, just thinking about your problems seems to take you around in circles.  (You know when you obsess about the same issue for ages, never making progress?  That’s stressful and not effective!)

But when you write down your problem or question, you start to make progress on it.  When you write it down, you can get it all out of your head, see different sides of the issue, organize your options, make lists, pros and cons, and methodically work through the issues.

How you write is up to you.

Write it on notepaper.  Type it in a blank document.

Or put it in a decorative, leather-bound journal.

Write every morning, or just when something is on your mind.

Save it or shred it afterwards.

It’s the act of writing it out and organizing it on paper that’s important … not what happens to it afterwards.

Also - always keep a journal and a pen beside your bed for any ideas, insights, dreams or to-dos that pop into your head at night.  (Better to get them out, than to try to remember them and disturb your sleep!)

Tool #3: Just try it.

Thinking and writing and analyzing your inner-most feelings and desires is great work.  I love it!

But at some point, you’ve just got to take action.

As Marie Forleo says “Clarity comes from engagement, not thought.”

So, get out and try things!

Do you think you might be interested in changing careers?  How can you get a little taste of that new career now, even when you’re in your current job? Can you volunteer? Take a class?  Join a Meetup group?

Want to move to a new place?  Who in your network might know someone there?  Can you learn the language?  Take a trip there to visit?

You’re never going to know if you like something and if it can become real, until you start taking action on it!

Taking action doesn’t mean you commit to it 100%.  It just means you’re testing the idea.  Trying it out.

Look at it as an experiment.  Just try different things and see if you like them.

At some point something will just feel right and you’ll know you’re on the right path!

Tool #4: Do what you love, even if you don’t know why.

What is that thing you just love to do?

The thing you would do for fun, for free, and without a bigger purpose?

It’s probably one of your hobbies.  Or one of your former hobbies that you gave up in exchange for being ‘practical’.

Or the fantasy hobby that you’ve always wanted to try, but didn’t see the point.

If it lights you up inside, you need to do it.

Maybe it’s cooking, playing the violin, running, making scrapbooks, photography, collecting insects, memorizing opening lines from old films…

You just need to keep doing this thing.  Make time for it.  It’s important.

Even if you don’t see the purpose now, the depth and expertise and experience you get from this activity will all make sense later.

As Steve Jobs said, you can’t connect the dots looking forward.  It’s only in retrospect that you see how all the pieces fit together.

So keep doing this thing you love – and at some point, you’ll see how it fits into the bigger picture.

(Plus, isn’t it great to know that you should keep doing something just for fun!  Feels much better than another should on your to-do list.)

Now I’d love to hear from you.  Which of these 4 tools are you going to try?  What area of your life are you looking for clarity in?  Leave a comment and let us know!

You think you have your skin figured out. You’ve got your routine. You know the cleanser that works. You know how often (and how hard) to scrub. You’ve got your favorite moisturizer.

And then it happens.

Skin freakout!

Seemingly out of the blue. Greasiness. Acne. Dry flakiness. Red, inflamed flare-ups. Itchy patches.

This happened to me (yes, to me! ugh!) a few weeks ago.

It’s such a knock to your confidence when your skin misbehaves, isn’t it?

I didn’t even want to leave the house.

And I started beating myself up inside – how can I pretend to know about natural beauty when my own skin does this?!  And then: Why did this happen? What did I change??

Lightbulb moment: I made the connection.

On a recent trip I’d been eating very differently than usual – I’d eaten a ton of dairy. Yogurt with breakfast. Coffee and milk. And glorious, melty cheese with lunch and dinner.

Could this be the cause? Could dairy be the cause of my (and your) skin problems?

Can dairy products cause skin problems?

Cow’s milk (dairy) foods are a bit controversial in nutrition circles.

• Some people say milk is food for growing baby cows, and human adults aren’t meant to drink it.
• Other people are adamant that raw milk is healthy, and it’s our pasteurized, homogenized milk that’s the problem.
• Still others think that cultured dairy (like yogurt and cheese) are fine, it’s the uncultured milk that causes problems.

The jury is still out on this one.

However, from numerous people I’ve spoken with and read about, it does seem that dairy is a common food sensitivity in many people.

And a food sensitivity can cause different symptoms in each person.  You might get gas and bloating.  You might have aching joints, headaches and fatigue.  Or you might get skin outbreaks like acne or eczema.

If you struggle with recurrent skin conditions, I think it’s worth considering a food-related cause.  Two of the most common food sensitivities are wheat and dairy.

And there’s an easy (and free!) way to test if you are sensitive to dairy, using the 2 week dairy-free test below.

An easy test to see if dairy affects your skin.

The easiest (and cheapest) test to see if dairy is causing your skin problem, is to do a dairy-free experiment.

Simply to eliminate dairy completely from your diet for 2 weeks.

(This means all the obvious sources: butter, milk, cream, yogurt, ice cream, cheese … but also you need to read labels because dairy lurks in many packaged foods)

During this time, notice your skin. Is it improving?

After 2 weeks, try eating some dairy on an empty stomach.  Notice how you feel.   Are you feeling good, or bloated?  Do you feel energetic, or headachey and tired?

If you feel OK a couple of hours after eating, then resume eating dairy for the next few days, and watch how your skin reacts.

If there’s no change (and you’re sure you got 100% of the dairy out of your diet for those 2 weeks), then dairy isn’t one of your trigger foods. (Hooray! Bring on the butter!)

If you notice your skin gets worse while eating dairy, then you have some very valuable information about your skin. Now you can choose when and if to eat dairy, knowing that your skin will react.

(I know you can also do a food sensitivity test in just 4 days … but with skin symptoms, it often takes time for the skin to heal before noticing improvement.  So I recommend doing the full 2 week dairy-free experiment.  But do what you can! )

Doing this test doesn’t mean you can never eat dairy!

It simply gives you more knowledge about your unique body. It lets you make an informed choice.

A big event coming up where your skin has to look great? Don’t eat dairy.

You’re in Italy at the Best Gelato Shop EVER? Eat some gelato, and just know that your skin might get a little rough – but it’s worth it for that gelato experience.

Informed choice. It’s not a rule, it’s just a bit of information that you can decide how to use.

Isn’t adulthood great?

Share your story!  Have you found dairy (or other foods) which trigger your skin problems? Let us know in the comments!

I thought quitting my corporate job would eliminate my stress.

Ha!

How wrong I was.  Self-employment brings with it a whole different kind of stress … irregular income, accountants, hustling for business, sitting alone in front of your computer all day with no coworkers…

But I experienced a completely unexpected source of stress this week … trying to make a video tutorial on how to make this body cream!

Oh I had visions of Amanda-as-Nigella creating a luscious body cream in a gorgeously light and airy kitchen.

The reality was dark and dreary, with echoey sound and going on far too long (thank you small city kitchen, London gray skies and trying to film myself!)

Fortunately for me, I was making stress relief body cream, which was almost as good as chocolate to soothe my frustrated nerves.

And you can make some too.  Just follow this tutorial (in photos … while I work up the courage to try filming again!)

Oooh body cream, looks complicated?

If you’ve never made a cream before, you have got to try this project.  It’s a bit of a miracle.

At first you have water and oil.

And then… voila!  It blends together into the most thick, luscious cream.

It’s kind of like making mayonnaise.  But even better (in my opinion.)

This cream is so thick and rich, a spoon stands up in it!

Why is this body cream good for reducing stress?

In this recipe, I used a synergistic mental stress blend of essential oils (thank you, The Fragrant Pharmacy for inspiring this blend.  Great book, btw.)

This blend for stress relief includes geranium, lavender and patchouli oils and is especially for stress caused by “trying to achieve; doing exams; anguish over uncompleted jobs; unemployment or financial worries.”   A pretty useful blend for modern life!

As you know, one of my very favorite things about making beauty products is that you can customize them exactly for your needs.  So if you don’t like the oils I suggest above, you can change them!  Just make sure to use the same number of drops of essential oil as I do in the recipe below.

Mmmm homemade body cream! Looks good enough to eat (but please don’t!)

Stress Relief Body Cream

(makes about 500ml or 2 cups of body cream)

• 250 ml (1 cup) of rosewater (or filtered water, or herbal tea)
• 1 tsp vegetable glycerine
• 175 ml (2/3 cup) olive oil or sunflower oil
• 75g (4.5 Tb) coconut oil
• 25g. (1/4 cup) beeswax
• 20 drops geranium essential oil
• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops patchouli essential oil
• Blender or stick-blender (or strong arms and a whisk!)
• A container to store your finished body cream
• Label for your finished product

Method:

1) In a double-boiler, bain-marie, or just a bowl over a pan of simmering water – combine the olive/sunflower oil, coconut oil and beeswax until melted.

Melting oils together for homemade body cream.

2) Remove the oils from heat and let cool to room temperature.  Decide if you’re going to use a blender or a stick-blender.  If you’re using a blender, pour the warm oil into the blender container, and allow to cool in the container.  If you’re using a stick blender, just allow to cool in the bowl.

3) Meanwhile, combine the water and glycerine in a glass or measuring jug, something that’s easy to pour from.

4) The goal is to make the oil & water the same temperature.  So, you can get fancy and use a thermometer, or you can just estimate it by dipping your finger into each container.  I usually wait until both oil and water are at room temperature.  Note: the oil will go white and semi-solid as it cools, this is good!

The oils go white and thick as they cool – this is good!

5) When the oil & water are at the same temperature, it’s time to make cream!  If you’re using a blender, put on the lid, open the feeder hole, and start blending.  If you’re using a stick blender, just start blending.  Drizzle in the water slowly while you’re blending.   This is where the magic happens!  You’ll notice the mixture becoming thick and white – it’s turning into cream!  Add all of the water and make sure to blend it all in.  You may want to stop and scrape down the bowl or blender container halfway through.

I couldn’t take pictures WHILE I was mixing, so this is just after – nice thick body cream!

6) Once all the water is incorporated and you have a thick cream, you can add the drops of essential oil and stir them through.

Customize the essential oils in your cream – this blend is for stress relief.

7) Pour the cream into your container(s).  It will thicken as it sets.  LABEL the container with the name of product and the date.

A pretty container makes the product! I’m using an old French mason jar for this recipe.

How long will homemade body cream last?

Creams are perishable!  If it’s very hot outside, you may want to store your cream in the fridge.  At cool room temperature (London), this cream lasts for at least one month.  However, there are TONS of variables for why your cream might go off … so just be as clean as possible while making the cream, use clean containers, and watch for any signs of spoilage.

If you get any mold growing on your cream, or if the smell changes, just throw it out and make fresh.  Use your common sense!

Now go on and enjoy your thick, rich body cream – ahhhhh luxury!

Have you ever made body cream?  What are your favorite scent combos? Have any tips to share?  Let us know in the comments!

When you go out in the evenings, are you more of a dark eyes or dark lips kind of woman?

Generally, I choose my eyes.

But occasionally, when I feel like being totally vintage glam and changing it up a bit – I like to rock a bright, red lip.

For me, doing a smokey eye is carefree.  I know how to do it.  It’s a look that works.  I like my eyes.

But the red lip creates a bit more stress … will I leave lip marks on all my drinks?  Will the lipstick end up on my teeth?  Will I eat off part of the lipstick leaving a strange red lip-liner looking ring around my lips?

And most of all … where did all these little flakes on my lips come from?!

Flaky lips? What?

Your lips can get rough at any time of year – but it seems to happen especially in the dry air of winter, and during the hot summer months.  It makes sense – your lips are always out there, exposed to the elements.  And if you exfoliate the rest of your body (do you??) to keep it smooth and fresh … why not your lips?

I’ve heard from a lot of readers that you want anti-aging solutions.  Well, it may not be revolutionary, but exfoliation is a great place to start!

As we age, our skin regenerates more slowly (you may notice that your hair and nails grow more slowly, cuts take longer to heal, and your skin doesn’t have that same glow… that’s because our skin cells have slowed down a bit!).

By exfoliating, we gently scrub off the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal the new, fresh skin cells underneath.  This gets rid of gray, dry, flaky skin anywhere on your body.  In this case – on your lips!

Homemade Lip Scrub Recipe

This homemade lip scrub is so super simple.  It only uses 2 ingredients, which you probably have in your cupboard already.  (If you’re already in the coconut oil fan club, that is.  And if you’re not in love with coconut oil yet – go buy yourself a jar of it and get ready to love the tasty food & skincare options it provides, including my Coconut Lime Deodorant!)

I’ve seen other recipes that make lip scrubs like body scrubs, using liquid oil with sugar inside.

But wouldn’t it be convenient to have a more travel-friendly lip scrub?  Something with a good, creamy texture that wasn’t going to melt everywhere?

Enter: Coconut Oil & Brown Sugar Lip Scrub.

Stirring the homemade lip scrub – if it’s too soft, just pop it in the fridge to harden.

As you know, Coconut oil is solid at room temperature. (At least, at room temperature here in London!  If you live in a hot climate, you may get different results.  In that case, just store this lip scrub in the fridge!)

Love coconut?  Use organic, cold-pressed coconut oil so you maintain that gorgeous coconutty fragrance.

Hate coconut?  Use ‘deodorized’ coconut oil, which has no smell!  (Or simple substitute for a different oil, and have a liquidy scrub – ie, Olive Oil or Sunflower Oil.)

Sugar is a gentle exfoliant.  I used brown sugar in this recipe, but you could also use white sugar (or any kind of edible sugar you have on hand.)

This recipe is completely edible, which is a good thing, since it’s going on your lips!

Your turn:  Have you ever used a lip scrub? How do you keep your lips looking young & soft?  Let us know in the comments!

While sipping on a herb infused cocktail (made from ingredients foraged within steps of where I was sitting), I had a flash of insight:

Living well doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

In fact, the most simple creations with fresh foods and herbs (whether for eating, drinking, health or beauty) are often the best.

Since I’m in the business of natural health and beauty, I often hear that all this natural living stuff is great for people living the Good Life in the countryside – but that it’s not possible for busy urbanites.  

To that I say, au contraire.  

As you know I live in a small flat in London without a garden, and I’m telling you, it IS possible.  And my recent workshop experience has given me even more ideas and inspiration for making any lifestyle more natural and sustainable.

For the past 5 days, I’ve been at Trill Farm in Devon for their seasonal Natural Living course.  I had the opportunity to teach a full day Natural Beauty workshop, and participate in the entire course – from living foods, to foraging, to hedgerow medicine and mindfulness.  It was a relaxing, inspiring and nourishing weekend.

Yes there is gorgeous countryside, delicious organic food, and so much fresh air and space (essential for this city-dweller) … but more than that, this course was inspiring and insightful.

So today I wanted to share 3 natural living insights that anyone can use to bring more natural health, balance and creativity into their life.

3 Natural Living Insights from Trill Farm

 1.  It’s all interconnected.

So many people are obsessed with weight loss, and that’s kind of missing the point.  Yes, being at a healthy weight is important.  But being healthy is about so much more than the number on the scale.

Your health encompasses everything.  It’s your life.  It’s your food, your activity, your creativity, your emotional state, your relationships, your career, your beauty routine… everything.  And it’s all interconnected.

You can eat all the broccoli you want, but if you’re in a bad relationship and hate your job – are you truly healthy?

This weekend at Trill, we learned about health through living foods, using food and plants for health, developing a mindfulness practice, enjoying time with friends, and creating natural cosmetics.  (Yep, pretty much everything we talk about here on Vintage Amanda!)

Action Step:  What areas of your life are in good health?  Which are out of balance?  What small step could you take today to bring yourself back into balance?

2.  Good health is simple.

Teaching my natural beauty product workshop! (I’m wearing purple)

Yes, it’s fun to learn about the latest health trends, supplements and newest kitchen gadgets “guaranteed to instantly and easily prepare healthy food at the touch of a button!!! Buy now!”

But good health is much more simple than that.

You can get healthy through eating simple, fresh whole foods.  Drinking clean water.  Sleeping enough.  Giving yourself space for creativity and learning.  Spending time with friends and family.  Getting out in nature and moving your body.  That’s pretty much it.  Simple.

Throughout the workshops at Trill, we used the same simple preparations again and again.

The fresh herbal infusions that we drink can also be used as a face toner or hair rinse.

The infused herbal and fruit liqueurs (without the sugar), and really tinctures used as herbal medicine.

Herbs and flowers macerated in oil can be used in cooking … or in our beauty products!

You don’t need a lot of fancy supplies or exotic ingredients.  Just learn a few basic preparations, and get creative with them.

Action Step:  How can you go back to basics this week?  Will you eat more whole foods? Drink more water? Or give yourself a free hour for creativity and exploration?

3.  Trust your body.

Making fresh pasta for dinner.

If you’re new to natural health, this one might strike you as strange.  But trust me on this one.  Your body wants to be healthy.  You just need to give it the right building blocks, and it will heal itself.

Your body will also tell you what is working, and what you need to change.

At the beginning of my Natural Beauty Workshop, we did an essential oil smelling (like a wine tasting, but with our noses!).  Without knowing what the essential oil was, we all smelled the same one, and were able to figure out exactly what it was used for.  Amazing.  So we figured out that Black Pepper would be stimulating and warming, while Pine would be invigorating and cleansing and drying – simply based on our experience with it, no books required!  Maybe you had to be there, but it was really cool.

It shows me that by using our senses, and listening to our bodies, we can tell what’s right for us.  We can figure out which herbs and food to use.  We can help ourselves to heal and get healthy.

Action Step:  Notice how you feel after you eat today.  Everytime you eat or drink something, check in with your energy levels and just how your body feels after 1 hour and 3 hours.  Do you feel energetic? Tired? Bloated?   This will give you some insight into what foods are working for you and where you might want to make adjustments.

Unrelated cuteness – we got to cuddle little lambs!

Trill Farm is a 300 acre, working organic farm set in Devon (2.5 hours from London by direct train).   Their next course is a Discovery Weekend in May which includes canoeing, and the next seasonal Natural Living course is in September.  More details and bookings on their website: http://trillfarm.co.uk/

I’d love to hear from you: How do you incorporate Natural Living into your life?  Which action step above are you going to try this week?

You know that tight, dry feeling after you wash your face.

The fine lines, flakiness and maybe even - gasp! - crepey skin around your eyes.

So you slather on some thick cream.  Depending on your skin that day it either soaks in immediately and goes dry again, or sits in a greasy layer on top of your skin – not getting the moisture where it’s needed!

If this is your experience with your skin, you’re not alone.

Dry skin and early signs of aging are two of the issues I hear most frequently from our community.  And there is a better way to deal with dry skin, than just finding thicker and richer creams.  We’re going to tackle the problem in 2 parts – what you put IN your body, and what you put ON your body.

First up – home remedies for dry skin that you eat.  Because as you know, what you eat becomes what you are!

Are you eating enough of these foods to moisturize your skin from the inside out?

Wise Vintage Philosophy #1: You are what you eat.

Yes, yes, that’s what our mother and grandmother used to say.  But modern science is catching up and realizing that they were right.

Your body can’t function at it’s peak if you’re feeding it highly-refined, processed, nutrient-depleted foods.  And unfortunately, that’s the mainstream diet today:  processed convenience foods.

The nutrients that we eat form the building blocks for every other part of our body.  It makes sense that we can improve our skin by improving the building blocks available.

As a health coach, I work with clients to create a customized plan to improve their skin.  But today I wanted to share my favorite tips and guidelines for foods that improve dry skin from the inside out.

Vintage Amanda’s 6 Foods to Eat for Dry Skin

Here are my very favorite foods for moisturizing your dry skin.  You won’t see improvement overnight, but add them to your diet for at least one month and your skin will feel better!

1. Healthy Fats: This is the absolute best way to improve your dry skin from the inside out.  You have to eat healthy fat!  (Don’t be scared, eating fat does not make you fat.  Contact me with questions about that.)  Fats and oils are naturally moisturizing and will gradually make your skin softer and less dry.  Healthy fats include avocados, nuts, coconut oil and olive oil.

2. Omega 3 Fats: Skin irritations and misbehaving skin can be a sign of inflammation.  Omega 3 fats reduce inflammation in the body which is good for your skin – and your health in general.  Find them in walnuts, flax seed and salmon.

3. Water: Dehydration can be a common cause of dry skin, and it’s an easy one to fix.  Keep a bottle of water with you and sip on it throughout the day.  Aim for 8 glasses of water per day – or more if you’re still thirsty.  Everytime you feel hungry, take a drink of water first (it’s easy to confuse thirst and hunger).  Don’t like plain water?  Try water with lemon or cucumber, or some caffeine free herbal teas (nettle tea is especially good for dry skin.)

4. Homemade Chicken Stock:  Homemade chicken stock and other bone broths are so incredibly nourishing and healing to the body.   Not only do homemade stocks and broths contain a high water content and fat, but they also contain collagen which helps to keep the skin firm and soft.

5. Homemade Sauerkraut: Traditionally prepared sauerkraut (fermented veggies) is a natural probiotic!  Eating a few spoonfuls of sauerkraut every day boosts the bacteria in your gut which can improve a variety of skin conditions.  I have recipes for sauerkraut with purple cabbage and a kimchi-like super veg.

6. Do a Dairy Experiment: This last one is something to avoid.  Dairy can cause skin inflammation and aggravate skin conditions for many people.  I’m not saying this will be the case for you, but it’s worth a try.  Simply avoid all dairy products for 2 weeks, and see how your skin reacts.  If you don’t notice any difference you can go back to the dairy afterwards.  But ditching the dairy can be an easy, quick way to improve your skin – so why not do a 2 week dairy-free experiment?

Creating Community

Now I’d like to hear from you!

• Have you noticed that your diet affects your skin?
• Have you healed your dry skin through eating more of certain foods?
• And if you have dry skin, which of the above foods are you going to eat this week?

Leave a comment and let us know!

In late 2009, I was living in a small flat in London (plus ca change…), still adjusting to this new country and a job that was less than inspiring.

I’d just taken an Introduction to Herbal Medicine Course and was fascinated at the rich history of using plants for health & beauty in England.  In less than a year I’d gone from a beauty product junkie living in central Paris to that moment in London when I realized that smearing hundreds of  chemicals on my body everyday wasn’t a very smart thing to do.  Hrm.

And I was desperate for a creative outlet.  New country, new city, newly living with my boyfriend, stuck in a cubicle all day and no friends – I had a burning need for change.

So Vintage Savoir Faire was born.

In the 4 years that followed, I’ve learned so much about natural health and beauty – which has completely transformed my life and my health.

I’ve become a certified health coach.

I’ve gotten engaged.

I’ve traveled more than I ever imagined.

I made friends and explored London.

I bought a real camera and learned how to use it.

And I’ve developed this active community of readers (and friends) through this website.

And now I’m so happy to announce another huge milestone moment in my life…

I’ve become a full-time entrepreneur.

Starting today, I’m 100% dedicated to teaching women about natural health & beauty.

I said goodbye to my well-paid corporate job with lots of travel perks, to follow my creative passion and help women have more energy, less stress, and feel more vibrant again through natural health & beauty.

I’ve really Turned Pro. (Great book, if you haven’t read it.)

And as part of becoming an entrepreneur and business owner, I’ve made some changes around here…

Vintage Savoir Faire is now Vintage Amanda

New name, same great content.

Why the name change?  I loved Vintage Savoir Faire.  But no one could pronounce it, spell it – or remember it.

And that’s Good Website Naming 101 … you need a simple, memorable name.  So please explore my new home at VintageAmanda.com and make yourself comfortable.

If you haven’t been to the site for awhile, check out the new ‘resources’ pages on the right side – they’re all my best content on DIY beauty, home remedies and de-stressing – organized and easy to read!

More simple, practical solutions – using everyday ingredients

You’ve told me loud and clear that you want to have more energy.

You want to feel less stressed.

You’d like to make beauty products and remedies – but you don’t have a lot of time.

My blog posts and projects on this website going forward will be tailored for your real life.  Simple but effective projects that you can actually make in your kitchen, without a ton of time of specialty ingredients.

Make those changes stick – and transform your health!

If you’ve tried to make real changes in your diet or lifestyle, you know how hard it can be.  Maybe you stick with a change for a week or two, but soon enough it’s back to your old, comfortable ways.

I know how that is!

Making changes stick was one of the surprise results of my survey in January.  And that’s where I can help you as a health coach.

So stay tuned this year where I have some great surprises and new offerings planned – workshops, retreats, group programs and of course individual coaching with me.

Thank you.

I’d also like to say Thank You.  Many of you have been with me since the beginning, sharing your ideas, wisdom and insight on natural health & beauty.

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey.

I always dreamed about running my own business, but couldn’t imagine how I could turn my creative love of food, health & beauty into a career.  Thanks so much for your inspiration and encouragement along the way!

Now I’d like to hear from you – where would you like to go on a natural health & beauty retreat?  (And feel free to share your comments or questions about the new site below!)

You know those times when you’re just so busy, your creativity falls to the side? (Hello, Creativity? Where are you!)

This is a super fast project for those times.   To coin a phrase from one of my favorite infomercials, this is a Set it and Forget it project.  There’s no measuring.  There are no rules.  Just stuff some fresh herbs in a jar, cover up and let them steep for a couple of weeks.

This simple project will give you the most amazing rinse for silky smooth and shiny hair.  Only possible drawback?  It’s vinegar.

But once you get over that mental block – vinegar on your hair! – you will positively fall in love with your new hair rinse and never go back to thick, chemically conditioner again.

Why would I want to put vinegar on my hair

Vinegar is one of those vintage remedies that I read about for years, before I worked up the courage to try it.  Isn’t that old-fashioned? Wouldn’t I smell like vinegar?  Besides, the only vinegar I used was rich, sticky-sweet and expensive balsamic on my salads (and strawberries).  What was up with this Apple Cider Vinegar thing anyway?

Oh, how wrong I was.  Apple Cider Vinegar not only makes a deliciously refreshing drink in the hot summer months, but has a ton of beauty boosting properties too.

Since vinegar is acidic, when you use a small amount to rinse your hair, it helps remove buildup and deposits from other products.  It also seems to make my hair really shiny and smooth.  And no, you won’t smell like vinegar once your hair is dry!

Why rosemary and nettles?

Rosemary is a stimulating herb traditionally used to encourage hair growth.  Plus it smells great!

Stinging nettles are a nutrient and mineral rich plant that traditionally used to strengthen the hair and prevent hair loss.

I also like these two plants because they’re easy to find.  If you live in England, you’ll have more stinging nettles than you know what to do with…  If you don’t have fresh nettles, you could use some dried nettles … or just leave them out entirely!

There are also endless possibilities to customize your hair rinse:

What other plants could I put in this hair rinse?

OH the possibilities!  You could try almost any aromatic herb that you have in the garden, but here are some favorites…

Chamomile - lightens blonde hair

Sage - darkens hair (over time… I’m still testing this myself)

Peppermint - refreshing & invigorating

Rose - soothing and moisturizing, for dry hair or sensitive scalps

How to make Rosemary and Nettle Hair Rinse

This recipe is So Easy.

1. Take a quart-sized jar with a lid, and put one handful each of fresh rosemary and nettles.  [extra credit: crush the plants a bit with your hands to release the essential oils]
2. Cover completely with Apple Cider Vinegar.  Put the lid on the jar.
3. Let the jar sit for 2-3 weeks (or more! Up to 6 weeks is fine), shaking occasionally when you think of it.  No pressure.
4. Pour through a strainer to remove the plants, and put the vinegar in a pretty bottle in your shower.

How to use your Rosemary and Nettle Hair Rinse

You’ll need your Rosemary and Nettle Hair Rinse and a small cup or plastic container (about 1 cup or 250 ml in size, I don’t like to use glass in the shower!)

1. After washing your hair (or whenever you want to do a rinse), put a splash of Rosemary Nettle Hair Rinse in your plastic cup (about 1 Tb. of rinse).  Fill the rest of the way with water from the showerhead (about 1 cup of water or 250 ml.)
2. Pour the diluted rinse through your hair, concentrating on the ends.  If you have long hair, you can put the ends of your hair directly in the rinse cup.
3. That’s it!  Either leave as is, or after a few minutes do a cold-water rinse over your hair to rinse away the vinegar.  It’s totally up to you.  I usually leave the vinegar in.

You will smell a bit of the vinegar on your wet hair, but the smell disappears once the hair is dry.

If the smell bothers you, try adding a few drops of Rosemary Essential Oil to the entire bottle of your Vinegar Hair Rinse.  Or simply do a good cold-water rinse after using the vinegar.  I honestly haven’t found this a problem though after a couple of uses – the end result of shiny silky hair is so nice,  I don’t mind the momentary vinegar smell.

Now, I’d love to hear from you.  Have you ever made an infused vinegar hair rinse?  How did you get over that initial fear of putting vinegar on your hair?  Any tips for first-timers? Let us know in the comments!

Let’s talk about hair conditioner.

For years, I thought I needed to condition every time I shampooed.  During my first haircut in Paris, I found it odd that they asked me “Would you like a conditioner?” during my hair wash – I said “yes” and then got a nice additional 20 Euro charge on my bill (ouch!).  Shocked that I got so ripped off for a necessity like conditioner, I remember venting to a French friend about it, and she seemed surprised the other way … she never used conditioner.  Hmmm.

So that made me think – what is it about the way that we’re washing our hair that requires conditioner every time?

What’s wrong with how we wash our hair?

You know that squeaky-clean feeling you get when you wash your hair?  That’s the problem.  Most drugstore shampoos are based on a detergent, which strips all the natural oil from your hair (leaving it squeaky clean).

Think of when you wash dishes.  If you just used regular soap, it would get most things clean … but for a really greasy pan, you want your dishwashing liquid to “cut through the grease”, right?  That’s a detergent in action.  It just obliterates oil.  Good on pans.  Not good for your hair.

 

Did you ever notice, the more you wash your hair, the more you need to wash it?  Break the cycle!  (Tweet this!)

What happens when we strip all the oil off our hair with a detergent?

1. Our scalp realizes there’s not enough oil there – so it needs to produce more!  So it starts producing oil like crazy, which gives you the greasies after a day or two (did you ever notice that the more you wash your hair, the more you need to wash it?  Yep.)  Completely oil-free hair is hard to comb.  It’s hard to manage (hello, flyaways and static!) and needs some product to make it hold any shape (enter hairsprays, glosses, and gels).
2. We get this irrepressible urge to use conditioner to make it silky, soft, shiny and hold it together a bit!

Can you see how this turns into a viscus cycle?

What is the crazy hair cycle?

Let me tell you about this crazy hair cycle that has entangled (ha!)most of us:

• First, we shampoo (almost every day!) to get our hair squeaky clean.
• But we can’t just leave our hair squeaky clean (oh, the horror!).  Can you imagine?  Flyaways, frizz, limp, dully hair – ick!  So let’s bring in the styling products!
• Conditioner is a must-have to make our hair soft, smooth and manageable.
• Then we need specialized styling products: maybe it’s mousse, gel, anti-frizz serum, hairspray or even a finishing gloss.
• Voila!  Gorgeous hair!  But time is ticking…
• (Meanwhile, our scalp is thinking “Ack! Where did all my natural, protective oil go?!  I need to make more, stat!”)
• So the scalp starts producing oil, which combines with all of these styling products and conditioner coating our strands, and soon enough, we’re a greasy mess.
• And that gets you reaching for the shampoo again… rinse & repeat forever!

Most of us have so much goop in our hair, we need a detergent shampoo to clean it all out again!

But what if we just stopped the cycle?  

Can I stop the hair insanity? Tell me how!

It is possible to break free from this crazy hair washing cycle.  But it will take a few weeks – and those few weeks might not be pretty.

• The ultimate goal is to switch to a non-detergent shampoo, or for the DIY fans – Baking Soda / Apple Cider Vinegar
• The first step is to space out time between washes.  So if you shampoo every day, go to every other day.  If you shampoo every 2 days, stretch it to 3 or 4.  After a week or two, your scalp will realize it’s not getting washed as often and will slow down on the oil production.
• For the greasies in between washes, try a dry shampoo.  You can buy commercial versions, or use cornstarch, cornmeal or even cocoa powder (for dark hair).  I’ll do a post on this soon!
• Now you can switch to your new shampoo.  Either a non-detergent based, natural shampoo or the baking soda / ACV.
• Your hair will have a LOT more natural texture.  This probably means you won’t need as many – or any – styling products.  But you’ll need to get used to this new natural texture.
• I also highly recommend experimenting with some vintage style hair rinse on those days you want a little more shine and swish to your hair.
• You can also apply a teensy tiny amount of argan or coconut oil to the surface or ends of your hair, for shine.  (A tiny amount.  Rub it between your hands, then apply to the hair)

If you are serious about getting healthier hair and ditching your drugstore shampoo, here’s where you should go to read more:

The secret to ditching your shampoo forever (details on how I switched to baking soda / ACV … for awhile.  Currently I’m using a natural shampoo because I’m travelling so much, but will switch back to baking soda / ACV this summer.)

Complete, comprehensive details on doing Baking Soda / ACV from BabySlime

Now I’d love to hear from you!  Do you use a natural shampoo alternative? What are your best natural haircare tips? Let us know in the comments!

A bright red cabbage arrived in our veg box the other week.  I’m not a huge cabbage fan unless it’s fermented (or if you use it to color Easter eggs!)  I was feeling light and springy.  I wanted something colorful.  And purple is my favorite color.  So I thought, why not make a bright purple pickle?

When I say ‘pickle’, I mean pickle in the traditional sense … a naturally fermented vegetable loaded with friendly bacteria, and a nice tangy crunch.  Yum.  No vinegar allowed!

If you’ve never fermented veggies before, it’s EASY.  Learn all the details here in the Super Veg post.  You only need veggies, and salt.  Possibly water.  Chopping the veggies is the most involved step.  Then the veggies and salt  just sit in the jar while the naturally occurring bacteria get to work fermenting them into healthy deliciousness.  (Plus, you’ll feel like a bit of a mad scientist with a jar fermenting on your countertop…)

And WHY would you want to do this, aside from enjoying the taste?  Because the friendly bacteria in fermented vegetables are great for your digestive health!  Just a spoonful of a fermented veg everyday acts as a boost to your immune system and your digestion.  And learning to make simple ferments is a method of food preservation that has been used for generations.  No chemical preservatives here.  Just natural goodness.

A low-stress food project.

One reason I love fermenting veggies is because it’s so flexible.  Choose the veggies you like.  Chop them to the thickness you like.  Add some spices you like.  And then just let it sit around fermenting until you like the taste!  Just try a little bit and see what suits you.  When you love the flavor, put it in the fridge to slow things down.

I hear from a lot of readers that they love these projects – but never make time to do them.  If that sounds like you, fermenting some veg might be just your project!  After the initial 15-30 minutes of chopping and packing, that’s it!  It just sits on your countertop.  And I think it’s fun to taste how the veggies change every day.  (Hmmm, maybe I’m entertained by strange things?)  It’s a satisfying, simple and healthy project.  Follow the recipe once or twice, then get creative and make a blend that you love!

Mostly Purple Pickle

What you need:

1 red cabbage

1 small green cabbage

1 raw beetroot

zest of one lemon

1 Tb peppercorns

2 Tb salt

A wide-mouthed crock or jar to hold all the veggies with 1-2″ space at the top.

A sturdy glass or smaller jar which fits into the mouth of the larger crock/jar, to push down veggies

Method:

1) Clean your jars and your hands.  We want to create an environment where the good bacteria flourish, so we don’t want to introduce anything else into the mix.

2) Weigh all of your vegetables together.  You want to use about 3 Tb. of salt per 5 lb of veggies.  I had about 3lb of veg, so I used 2 Tb of salt.  If you don’t have a scale, don’t worry, fermentation is not an exact science.  Just shake some salt on after each addition of veggies, aiming for about 2-3 Tb of salt total.

3) Chop or shred your cabbage.  How thinly you slice them is a personal choice.  This time I made quite chunky, sturdy slices, which retained their crunch.  In the past, I’ve used thin shreds which go quite soft like traditional sauerkraut.  Experiment!

4) Slice the beetroot into batons (beetroots are juicy!  So by keeping the slices thick we limit the amount of liquid released … there’s always a chance that with too much beetroot juice, you might end up with an alcoholic juice, which is not the goal!)

5) Peel the zest off one lemon and slice into thin strips.

6)  Layer the ingredients (including the peppercorns) in your crock or large jar.  After every 2 handfuls of veg, add some salt.    At some point you will think the jar is full.  No so!  Grab a wooden spoon or your fist, and push down on the veggies to compress them.  Really pack them in!  Then keep adding more veggies and salt.

If at some point your mix doesn’t fit, pound it with a spoon and then wait 15-30 min for the veggies to soften and try again.  It’s really amazing how many veggies you can get into one jar, so just pack them tightly.

7) Finally, when all the veggies are in the jar, put the sturdy glass or small jar into the top and push down, packing the veggies in even more.  Cover this whole thing with a dishcloth and set aside.  For the first 24 hours, push down on the glass/small jar whenever you think of it, to help the liquid come out of the vegetables.

8) After 24 hours, check the veggies. Push down on the glass/small jar – there should be liquid coming over the top of the veggies.  The liquid needs to completely cover all the veggies – or the exposed vegetables will start to grow mold.
If there isn’t enough liquid in your jar, then add a bit of brine (1 Tb. salt dissolved in 1 cup of water) and pour that over the veggies until they are covered.

9) Now just leave the veggies alone (covered with a dishcloth) and let the fermentation begin!  I start tasting my veggies after 3 days.  Just taste a bit everyday and see how you like the taste – it will get stronger and tangier over time.  For my purple pickle, I left it for 10 days (in winter, so it was cold).  In the summer, you might only need 4-5 days.

10) When you like the taste of the veggies, you can either put a lid on the jar and put it directly in the refrigerator  or you can repack it into smaller jars (this is what I do, since we have a small fridge!)  I’ve noticed that fermented veggies last longer if they are not exposed to the air.  So I pack my veggies into 2-3 smaller jars, making sure they remain covered with liquid.

Fermented vegetables will keep for ages in the refrigerator  at least a few months if they are covered in liquid.  Traditionally people stored crocks of sauerkraut for eating all winter in the basement – so if yours are in the refrigerator  they will be fine.  But as always, use common sense!  If they grow mold or start to smell very different you should throw them out and start again.  (Technically, many websites say you can just scrape off the moldy parts and eat the sauerkraut underneath – totally up to you if you want to do this.  I tend to just throw it out and start again because cabbage is inexpensive!)

Have you ever made fermented veggies?  What is your favorite flavor combination? Let us know in the comments!

“Variety and moderation.”  That’s become my food mantra since my shockingly low thyroid result in September.  I asked the question “Can you overdose on kale?”  and now, 5 months later, I am more convinced than ever that YES, you can overdose on kale.

Too much of any food – even healthy ones – can be harmful.

But I am so happy to report that after 5 months of healthy eating, de-stressing and cutting back on kale has my thyroid almost completely back to normal (woohoo!).

So what does this mean for you?  How do you know if you’re eating “too much” kale?  Should you eat it at all?  Are there other foods that can suppress your thyroid function too?  In the past 5 months I’ve done a ton of research about the kale-thyroid connection, and there’s a lot to learn.  Let’s dig in.

Why does kale suppress thyroid function?

Stick with me through 30 seconds of sciency talk, and then we’ll get back to the practical information.

Kale is a cruciferous vegetable (also known as brassicas).   Cruciferous veggies include cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choi, arugula (rocket), turnips and watercress (get a longer list of cruciferous vegetables here).  There are a lot of healthy veggies in the list!

The connection with the thyroid is that in addition to their healthy compounds, cruciferous vegetables also include isothyocyanates which can inhibit the uptake of iodine by your thyroid – which decreases the amount of thyroid hormone produced and results in ‘underactive thyroid’ or hypothyroidism. (Check out this link for more techincal information on how cruciferous vegetables affect thyroid)

Rather than remembering all of this, it’s probably easier to remember that cruciferous veggies like kale contain contain goitrogens.  (From Wikipedia: “Goitrogens are substances that suppress the function of the thyroid gland by interfering with iodine uptake, which can, as a result, cause an enlargement of the thyroid, i.e., a goiter.)

And it looks like goitrogens can suppress thyroid function in susceptible individuals (who are predisposed to low thyroid, or have low iodine intake, etc.)

Apparently I was susceptible!

Can I ever eat kale again?

YES!  Yes, yes yes.  Please do eat kale.  It’s tasty and packed with nutrients!

You probably just don’t want to eat it raw in smoothies, every day, for a long period of time.

Mix up your greens!  Try different greens from different families (for example, add in some romaine lettuce to your green smoothies).  And if you’re eating cruciferous veggies, try cooking them first, at least some of the time.   If you are a green smoothie drinker, here are some guidelines for rotating your greens.

What’s a ‘normal’ amount of kale to eat?

If you’re a bit of a greens addict, like me, it can be hard to remember what a ‘normal’ serving is.

This study from 1986 showed that people who ate 5 ounces (2/3 cups) of cooked Brussels Sprouts daily for 4 weeks, had no adverse impact on thyroid.   Of course, that’s cooked brussels sprouts, where the goitrogens are mostly deactivated.

I couldn’t find any research or firm guidelines on what is safe to eat for thyroid function.  So I think this is where you use common sense and listen to your body.  If you have any thyroid issues or a family history of them, really limit your intake of raw cruciferous veggies and instead, eat them cooked.

Personally at this point, I’m only eating raw cruciferous veggies as a small amount of homemade sauerkraut.  Other than that, it’s all cooked.

But that’s just me.  I’d love to hear what you’re doing if you’ve also cut back on kale and cruciferous veg – let’s discuss in the comments!

What other foods can suppress thyroid function?

It’s not just kale.  It’s all of the cruciferous veggies I mentioned above, and a few other sneaky additions:

• Soybeans (this is one of the hardest to avoid because many processed foods include soy!  Even more reason to cook your own.)
• Pine Nuts
• Peanuts
• Millet
• Strawberries
• Pears
• Peaches
• Spinach
• Sweet Potatoes

There are also a few lesser known cruciferous vegetables:

• maca (are you putting this in your smoothies too?)
• canola / rapeseed
• arugula (rocket)
• horseradish
• wasabi

Again, it doesn’t mean to not eat these foods – just to be aware of them if you’re dealing with a low thyroid issue.

And it’s not just foods – what about chemical exposure?

Not surprisingly, thyroid function (like most other things in our bodies) is affected by environmental toxins as well.  Even more reason to DIY your beauty products!

• Bromine - in processed baked goods, some hard plastics, citrus flavored sodas etc.
• Flouride – in toothpastes, urban drinking water
• Triclosan – in antibacterial hand wash and soaps

This is an area I’m just starting to look into – stay tuned for more information on this and healthy DIY alternatives to these products!

Where can I find more information?

Over the past 5 months I’ve done a ton of research, and here are some of my favorite resources for learning more about the kale-thyroid connection (and how to nourish your thyroid back to health – naturally!)

• Listen to this awesome podcast about thyroid health with one of my favorite bloggers Sarah Wilson talking with natural foods chef Andrea Beaman.
• The super comprehensive About.com thyroid site – highly recommended.
• Love him or hate him, Dr. Mercola is always an interesting source for alternative health information – here’s his thyroid article.
• Traditional methods of eating cruciferous veg and a deep look into the dark side of these vegetables.  Weston A Price Foundation.
• Thyroid UK is a UK charity all about thyroid health – lots of easy to understand information on here.

So – now I’d love to hear from you and your experience with the kale-thyroid connection.  Share your thoughts in the comments!

I promise I’ll stop complaining about the cold soon enough.  It is mid-Feb, which means Spring is right around the corner, right? (Please say yes!)

But here’s one, last, deeply warming recipe for this winter, made out of desperation and very cold feet.

(Hot water bottles work amazingly well to warm my feet in bed … but during the day they’re not too practical if you want to, oh, walk around at all.)

This is a recipe for super hot chili oil.  But you don’t eat it – you rub it onto your cold skin!  Using warming spices like chili, pepper, ginger and mustard is a very vintage and time-tested remedy for warming the body.  We all know that eating these spices would warm you up.  But while you could eat this chili oil, I really don’t recommend it (I tried the smallest drop and OUCH!).  It’s way too strong for eating.  But rubbed onto your cold feet or stiff joints, it will feel just right.

Plus, it’s super easy to make.  You probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already.  Hooray for pantry-clearing-yet-super-useful recipes!  (If you want a recipe using fresh chili and ginger, check out my previous post for Hot Chili Mustard Foot Oil)

Click through to the full article for a picture of this bright orange warming oil, and the simple recipe…

Does chili oil really warm you up?

Chili has been used for thousands of years to warm up the body.  And it’s been used in traditional European remedies since it was introduced to Europe in the 16th century.

We’ve probably all experienced the intense warming effect that chili can have when you take it internally … but what about when you apply it to your skin?

Chili is technically an irritant, which causes irritation and swelling, which also increases circulation to the area (this is how it warms you up!)  After the initial irritation, chili actual desensitizes that area of your skin, so you feel less pain.  That makes this hot chili oil also effective on stiff, sore joints as well as cold feet!

But because of this irritating quality, you don’t want to use too much.  As with any home remedy, start by testing a small amount and see how it works for you.  If you notice a lot of irritation, redness or a rash, use your common sense – this remedy isn’t for you!

How do I use this hot chili oil?

This recipe is intended as a topical rub for your skin.  It’s really too strong to eat, so please don’t.

The easiest way to use this oil is simply to rub it onto your cold feet (topped by some dark socks, so they don’t get stained!), or into the affected joint.

Oil can get a bit messy though, so you might consider melting some beeswax into the finished oil to turn it into an ointment.  (Start with 1 part beeswax to 7 parts oil, and add more beeswax to get it as thick as you want.)  A little tin of this would be a great travelling companion in cold weather!

Can I use a different kind of oil?  What if I don’t have all the spices?

Sure!  These home remedy recipes are flexible.  If you have a different vegetable oil (like olive oil) feel free to use that!

And adjust the spices to whatever you have on hand.  The most essential one in this mix is the cayenne pepper.  Don’t have mustard? Leave it out!

Hot Chili Oil Recipe for your skin

adapted from Herbal Remedies by Christopher Hedley and Non Shaw

4 Tb. cayenne pepper

2 Tb. mustard powder

1 Tb. ground ginger powder

2 tsp. black pepper

300 ml or 1 1/4 cups sunflower oil (or other light vegetable oil)

1. We’re going to make an infused oil.  Setup a double boiler (I just put a bowl above a pan of simmering water.)  Add all the ingredients and stir to combine.  Leave on the double boiler with the water simmering for 30-60 minutes.  The slower and longer you let the oil infuse over the double boiler – the more effective (and stronger!) your finished oil will be!

My makeshift double boiler – just a bowl over a pan of water.

2.  Now it’s time to strain out the oil.   The oil should smell really warm and toasty.  The easiest way is to strain the oil through cheesecloth or muslin.  You can just put the muslin over a bowl, or you can put it in a funnel (like in my picture) or strainer to support the muslin.  Whatever you have on hand!

The muslin should be over the entire funnel or bowl … I’ve just pulled it back for the photo!

3.  The most important thing is not to get any water in the oil mix (water can cause it to go moldy).  SO – wipe off the bottom of the double boiler bowl first, before you start pouring.  Then pour the oil into the strainer and just let it sit to drip through.  It might take awhile…

4.  At the end you can twist the muslin and use your hands to squeeze every last drop of chili oil out of the spices!!

5.  Pour into bottles and store to use as-is … or continue and melt some beeswax into it to make a salve or ointment.

The oil should keep until it goes rancid … at least 6 months and probably longer.  If it starts smelling rancid, or grows any mold, just throw it out and start again.

Do you use Chili to warm yourself up in the winter? Let us know your favorite recipes and tips in the comments!

It has been so cold in London this winter.   So on my recent trip to the grocery store when I found pots of kitchen herbs on sale, I got this sudden urge for fresh, green, infusions!  I live in the city, in an apartment, without any outdoor space, so these little pots of herbs are living on my kitchen windowsill.  I’m not sure how long they’ll last, since I’m snipping little bits off everyday to make cups of tea.

What I love, love, love about herbal infusions is that they are quick & easy to make.  They’re inexpensive.  They taste yummy.  And they nourish your body with lots of herbal goodness.  Especially during the deep, dark of winter, a bright and cheery thyme and lemon infusion hits the spot.  But even more wonderful… did you know that thyme is a powerful herb traditionally used for colds and flus?  Oh yes.

This tea is actually a redo of my very first post on Vintage Savoir Faire, about making thyme tea.

But back then I didn’t have any readers … and minimal photography skills.  Things around here have improved dramatically, so I wanted to revisit this classic recipe for you this winter!  I’ll also answer the important question: “Why would I want to drink a tea that tastes like stuffing?”

What’s so special about thyme?

Everyone knows thyme.  It’s one of the common kitchen herbs that’s probably in your cupboard right now.  But did you know that thyme is also potent medicine?

Based on traditional usage, thyme is antibacterial and antiviral.  It’s especially noted for it’s use in respiratory infections and as an expectorant.

That’s why it’s perfect for this time of year … it’s great if you have a cold or are feeling run-down AND everyone has it in their cupboard already.

Note – traditional usage says to avoid large doses of thyme during pregnancy.

But won’t my tea taste like stuffing?

Well that’s up to you to decide.  Using fresh thyme changes the taste completely.  And once you add some honey and lemon (or a spoonful of our Vietnamese Honey and Lime Syrup), I think you’ll find it’s warming, aromatic and comforting.

How to make thyme, lemon and honey infusion

If you have other questions, check out our comprehensive page on how to make herbal infusions.

For this infusion in particular, the type of thyme you choose (dried or fresh) and the amount of time you steep it, will really impact the taste.  Dried thyme is very strong, and if you let it infuse for a long time, you’ll get a powerful infusion!

If you have a cold and want to kick it, go ahead and make yourself a super strong infusion.

But if you’re just drinking this as a warming winter infusion, I’d make it with fresh thyme, or don’t let it steep as long.

Fresh versus dried thyme. Which looks more appealing to you?

Thyme, lemon and honey infusion

makes 1 cup

1 tsp. dried thyme, or a small handful of fresh thyme

slice of lemon and a spoonful of honey (or Honey Lime Syrup)

1.  Boil some water.  Turn off the heat and let the water sit for 30 seconds – 1 minute so it’s “just off the boil”

2. Put your thyme into your brewing container (learn more about brewing containers here).

3.  Pour the just boiled water over the thyme.  Now COVER your container, and let it brew from 5-10 minutes.

4.  Pour into your teacup.

5.  Add a slice of lemon and a spoonful of honey.  Enjoy!

Have you ever made thyme tea?  What are your favorite winter herbal infusions? Let us know in the comments!

We’re having a blizzard* in London today.

* in London, this means about 2 inches of snow.   I know all of you New Englanders are laughing right now.

So I’m taking advantage of this snow day to post one of my favorite discoveries from the past few months.  Since the craziness of late-December, almost everyone I know has come down with a scratchy-throat, sniffly cold.  But it seems like it’s not just my circle of friends, given the recent surge in visitors to my recipe for traditional Onion Cough Syrup.

Today I’m sharing a slightly sweeter version of a homemade cough syrup and general winter health-booster.  It’s a Vietnamese recipe, taught to me by my sister-in-law’s mother during our visit to Hanoi last Autumn.

Why is this recipe a keeper?  It’s delicious!  Seriously, this citrusy honey is a burst of vitamin C and sunshine during a gloomy winter.  Stir some into your tea.  Make it into a hot toddy.  Drizzle it into yogurt.  Or do like the Vietnamese, and take a spoonful everyday to sooth a scratchy throat and stay healthy!

It was a big few months for my brother and his wife.  They moved into their first home.  And they had their first child.  So of course, my family went over to visit!  (Nothing like a new baby, new house, and the in-laws visiting all at once!)

My new nephew!

During our visit, I noticed a suspicious looking-jar in the kitchen.  It looked like a homemade concoction that you might find lurking in one of my own cabinets.  I was instantly curious.  (One of my very favorite parts of travelling, besides trying the food, is learning traditional remedies!)

This is the actual jar of limes in honey in my brother’s kitchen.

This jar of limes and honey was made by my sister-in-law’s mother, especially for the new baby.  In Vietnam, they don’t like to give medicine to newborns, so instead they use this lime and honey mixture whenever the baby is sick.  I found this really interesting since in our Western culture, we avoid giving honey to babies under the age of 1 year!

But it’s not only for babies – she told me that everyone can use this mixture.  Just take a spoonful as needed if you have a cold or sore-scratchy throat, or mix with hot water as a tea, or cool water for a refreshing drink (this is hot, humid Vietnam, after all.)

She made this mixture by taking whole, pink limes (anyone know what these are?), washing them well and scoring the skin with a knife.   Put them in a jar and cover completely in honey.  Put on the lid, and let it sit for 2-3 weeks.  The honey will go slightly liquidy as it is infused with the lime juice.  Take a spoonful of this liquid as needed.  She said you can also eat the limes (just bite out the flesh, which is now sweet from the honey!)  It lasts for several months on the counter, although she said they usually finish the jar before it would go off.

Back in London, I had to try this recipe for myself.  Of course, I don’t have pink limes.  Nor do I need a huge jar of honey-lime syrup, as it’s just me and Zak at home!  So I adapted the recipe for my kitchen.

One risk of cutting up the limes is that the syrup would become ‘too’ juicy.  The honey is the preservative, so if you get too much juice, and not enough honey, the mixture could go off.  So make sure to really cover the limes completely with a thick layer of honey – fill up that jar!

[updated 28 Jan 2013]

Vietnamese Honey and Lime Cough Syrup

Several limes (I used 3)

Honey

A jar, very clean.

The traditional method:

Wash the limes well.  Using a thin skewer, poke holes all over the whole limes.

Place whole limes into jar.

Cover COMPLETELY with honey, making sure the honey gets around all of the limes.

Add the lid.  LABEL (always, always label with the product & date).  Let it sit on the counter or shelf (out of direct sunlight) for 2-3 weeks before using.

My speedy method:

Wash the limes well, and cut into halves or quarters.

Place in the jar.

Cover COMPLETELY with honey, making sure the honey gets around all of the limes.

Add the lid.  LABEL (always, always label with the product & date).  Let it sit on the counter or shelf (out of direct sunlight).  Start tasting the honey everyday.  If you have juicy limes, you should start tasting a strong citrusy flavor in the honey after 1-2 days.  Just keep using until it’s gone!

Enjoy!

Storage & how to use:

You can store in a cool, dry place for 1-2 months as long as the honey always covers the limes.

Use your senses (and common sense!): if it grows mold, smells funny, or if the lid ‘pops’ or ‘hisses’ when you open it, throw it out and make a fresh batch.

How to use: Take a spoonful to soothe a scratchy throat.  Mix a spoonful or two with a mug of hot water for a soothing drink (add whisky or brandy for a hot-toddy!).  Add to your tea.  Drizzle on yogurt or over fruit or cake.  Eat the flesh of the lime straight from the peel!

There have been so many interesting comments on the Onion Cough Syrup post – I’d love to hear from readers about this recipe too!  Did you grow up with Limes in Honey?  How did you use it at home?  I’d love to hear your stories!