Venison Recipes

Venison Back Strap Recipe #1

soak back strap in red wine, preferably organic, overnight or for two nights. cook bacon pieces until crispy, leave bacon fat behind in pan and add chopped onions, cook until brown. cut back strap into medallions and place in pan, cook on medium for a few minutes per side, you don't want them to be tough! cook until slightly pink inside. serve medallions over rice, add bacon and onions over top. put red wine in pan and reduce, then pour over venison and rice. enjoy! 

Venison Back Strap Recipe #2

marinate meat in red wine for a night or two, put in crockpot with the wine and a cup of beef stock. add onions, garlic, and mushrooms and cook on low for about 6-8 hours. serve with winter squash. 

Nature: Unfiltered

OCEAN

It's probably my favorite part of nature, I always feel more healthy and vibrant when I'm at the beach. The combination of the sun, the sand and the ocean is magical! Ok, not really magical, but it sure feels like it! So what is it that makes me (and probably you too!) feel so healthy at the beach? It's a combination of the things in my previous posts; being in direct contact with the earth (sand is an excellent conductor for earthing), getting getting a good dose of the sun, and much better air quality. All this with one special addition: the ocean. 

The ocean is full of magnesium and other minerals. Magnesium is amazing for our health and since the best way to get magnesium is transdermally (through the skin) then swimming in the ocean gives you a good dose. Most people are at least slightly magnesium deficient if not severely. In ancient times we would bathe in magnesium rich oceans and rivers and our soil was full of a variety of minerals. But since then we have moved inland, started filtering our water and adding harmful chemicals, and depleting our soil of its rich minerals. There are also things that we do that deplete out bodies like drinking soda, coffee, alcohol, or eating sugar and even overexercising! Because of this we have to be vigilant. Swimming in the ocean is the best way to get this precious mineral. 

Prove it you say? Simple. Magnesium is most helpful for deep and restful sleep, ever notice how you sleep better at the beach after a day of swimming? It's magnesium! I always sleep so well after a day at the beach, another reason I love being there. 

Now of course we aren't all lucky enough to live near the ocean so there are other ways to get your magnesium. The best option is to make magnesium lotion or spray -http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2012/12/17/monday-health-wellness-magnesium-lotion/ . This is my favorite home remedy and I use every night before bed! 

You can also use a product called "magnesium calm", it's a drink mix and while I don't use it personally I've heard all good things about it. You can also eat raw cacao and dark leafy greens. 
So get to the beach this summer! Swim in the ocean! And in the mean time make sure you are getting this precious mineral at home as well. 

Nature: Unfiltered

AIR

You may wonder why I would do a post on this, people aren't scared of air! Well, not most people anyways. What I want to address is not the fear of air but the actual air quality. Your body is basically a filter for the air around you; the dust, the bugs, the pollutants. Now you're scared of air right? You shouldn't be. Our bodies are resilient. 

But there is still an issue. As resilient as our bodies are, having to filter out the harmful pollutants of our modern day environment can take its toll on our health. This is especially true of people who still use chemical cleaners, every time you clean with them chemical particles end up floating around in the air and then you breathe it in. This can weaken and damage your lungs. There are also chemical pollutants in the air outside, especially in crowded city areas. These can be from cars, chemical plants, pesticides, etc. 

So how can you avoid all this? 

The best thing to do is make your home your sanctuary. Ditch the chemcial cleaners and opt for more natural options. Open your windows and doors to let cleaner air circulate through your house. Buy a high quality air filter to get rid of dust particles, pet hair, and any pollutants that make it inside. 

Now you may be wondering why I would advise opening windows when the air outside can be so polluted... The fact is the air outside, in most cases, will be 10-100 times cleaner than the air inside. The air inside is full of dust, pet hair and other particles all of which have been recycled multiple times throughout your house. 

The fact of the matter is, we need air. Its all about getting the best quality air you can. The more rural your surroundings the better. If you live in a crowded area your best option is to buy a high quality filter, open your windows, and get out to a more open area as often as you can. Breathe deeply! 

What Your Exercise Routine is Missing

Exercise has been on my mind lately. Mostly because I need to do it, I move my body a lot and keep active but I want to really focus on muscle groups and start biking again. 

But there are two things I do exercise regularly that most people don't even realize they are missing!

These two things are your immune system and your skin. Bet you didn't realize you could exercise those things did ya? Well you can! And it's important that you do. 

Exercising the immune system keeps you healthy, it keeps you illness free or at least shortens the duration of your illness's. If you're not exercising you immune system you are weakening it! So how can you exercise you're immune system? 

First, dump out ALL of your chemical antibacterial wipes, sprays, sanitizes, etc. Throw them out! Not only do these products coat everything with a layer of harmful chemicals but they also destroy any good bacteria that may be present. The good bacteria is what builds your immune system and keeps you healthy! 

Second, walk barefoot everywhere! Inside, outside, on the grass, everywhere. Especially outside in the dirt. You can see why in my last post about earthing :) 

Third, eat fermented foods. This includes yogurt (not from the store, that yogurt is pasteurized and therefore has no probiotics), sauerkraut (again, not from the store, make your own - so easy!), kimchi, etc... You can also take probiotics.

Use essential oils, specifically doterra oils! Onguard, oregano, and clove are good examples. 

Did you know your skin has tiny muscles in it that help keep it from sagging? Yep! And you can exercise them too which helps keep your skin looking beautiful. This one is super easy. Basically what you want to do is at the end of every shower slowly lower the water tempature until its as cold as you can handle. You will notice the small hairs all over your body standing on end, this is because the tiny muscles in your skin are at the base of each hair. By ending your shower with cold water you are causing these muscles to contract. This helps keep your skin taught and pretty. 

Give it a try! 

Nature: Unfiltered

SUN

No one can deny that they love the sunshine. It just makes us feel good, the warmth on our skin, the summer glow, and relaxation it brings. It's all wonderful! Unfortunately the powers that be have instilled in the general population an irrational fear of the sun. They claim it causes cancer and speeds up the aging of our skin. Basically, they strike us where it hurts the most, our health and our beauty. Surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) these are both false assumptions. I want to dispel these fears once and for all. 

First, lets address why people say that the sun causes cancer. It all starts with diet. As a people our diet is, on average, absolutely terrible. The highly processed food we indulge in every day and our irrational fear of good and nourishing fats creates an ecosystem in our bodies that is out of balance. When our bodies are healthy they have a good balance of alkaline to acid. When we eat the standard American diet our bodies tend to be more acidic which is the perfect breeding ground for all manner of disease including, but not limited to, cancer. The other factor we have to take into account is the sunscreen we are so adamantly encouraged to use. Conventional and even more natural sunscreens are a mixture of toxic chemicals that we slather all over our bodies every chance we get! Our skin is our largest organ and it soaks up everything we put on it! Not only is it soaking up all the toxins that we put on it but sunscreen actually blocks vitamin D which is a potent anti cancer vitamin! A SPF 15 sunscreen blocks an average of 90% vitamin D! So you can only imagine that anything even the slightest bit stronger blocks it all. And I will hazard a guess that Any vitamin D you happen to actually collect on your skin when you use sunscreen you will simply wash away with harsh chemical soaps before it even has the chance to absorb into your body. Basically it's a chain of events that ultimately leads to the very cancer that you are scared of. 

So what can you do? 

There are several things. First of all, take a look at your diet. You want to be eating a whole foods diet (I personally recommend the WAPF diet). This diet will create the optimum internal environment and your skin will be less susceptible to burning and if you do burn your body will know how to handle it. Your body was created and designed to be able to not only withstand burning but also to use the suns vital nutrients but only if we eat the diet we were meant too. 

The second most important thing you want to do is build up your skins tolerance to the sun. Go out every day and expose as much skin as you can for thirty minutes and slowly work your way up in time. Your skin will adjust. Now I understand that everyone is different. Some people have fairer skin than others. You have to decide what's right for you. Some people will only be able to start with ten minutes a day, others will be able to go out for an hour with no problem. It's all about listening to your body. 

The third thing you want to do is take in specific nutrients when you know you are going to be exposed to a lot of sun, at the beach for example. Eating a lot of omega 3 rich fish is great for avoiding burns. Salmon, sardines, and trout are great examples. I want to go off on a little tangent here... Isn't it awesome that the one place you can really get burned and happen to need extra protection is the same place where fresh fish is readily available? You can be sitting on the beach getting some sun and then go inside and sit down to a fresh caught plate of seafood. Now of course there are different fish for different regions but the concept is still the same: seafood rich in omega 3's is a great protector against 

sunburn. Ok, tangent over. Coconut oil is another great superfood in the fight against skin cancer, both internally and externally. Coconut oil makes a great all natural sunscreen! It not only protects the skin but helps you to tan faster and deeper and who doesnt want that?! (and again, coconut oil is a tropical food, its found where the sun is at its brightest and where we need the most protection!) Green tea and raw cacao contain antioxidants that also protect against sunburn and fight free radicals.

Ok so now you know why you don't what to wear sunscreen and what you can do instead but the question still remains, what is so awesome about the sun? 

Oh. So. Much. 

First lets look at the most well known reason. Vitamin D. Its known as the happy vitamin because it increases serotonin, it helps us absorb calcium and other vital nutrients, it protects our bodies against illness. When we are deficient in D we tend to be sickly and sometimes we can suffer from something called S.A.D or seasonal affective disorder. I, personally, suffered from this disorder almost every winter growing up and it's no joke. It makes you depressed, prone to sickness, and even chubby. 

Another reason you want unadulterated sun is it can help fight skin disorders. The sun is naturally anti bacterial and healing, exposing your skin to the sun can help with these disorders. Not only that but it can give you a healthy glow!

Sunbathing also enhances liver function and circulation. It helps to break down toxins and increasing your blood cell count. 

Hormone balancing is another great benefit of sunlight. It will ease the symptoms of PMS and menopause. 

 Being in the sun also stimulates the pineal gland of the brain, regulating its secretions, which may allow for more creativity, insight, and mindfulness, as well as helping to improve your mood.

The last thing I want to talk about is how the sun can help correct your internal clock. Being in the sunlight helps to reset this clock which is in your brain and helps your body produce melatonin more effectively. It is very helpful for people who suffer from insomnia to sunbathe regularly. 

Shall I go on? The benefits of unfiltered sunlight are absolutely incredible and cannot be overlooked. Follow these steps and you will see the many great benefits it has to offer! Just remember that everyone is different. Listen to your body, it does communicate with you, you just have to be clear headed enough to hear it (which ironically, the sun will help with). When you have been in the sun too long your skin will tingle which means you are starting to burn and its time for a break. 

I would encourage you, if you have small children, to start building their tolerance now. The younger they are the easier it is to start them on a healthy diet and reverse what small amount of damage that may have been done. Just keep an eye on them in the sun. I'm not saying that getting a sunburn is ok, it's not. But it's all about prevention and not reaction. Prevent the sunburn from being able to happen, don't just slather chemicals on your already weak skin. 

The sun can be your best friend or your worst enemy, you do have a choice.

Nature: Unfiltered

EARTH

I will readily admit that I am not a winter person. I only know a handful of people who really enjoy the winter and the cold. Not me though, spring, summer, and fall all the way! Since we are right around the corner from glorious weather and ample chances to enjoy the outdoors I want to talk about some common misconceptions that come hand in hand with these seasons, namely our attitudes towards nature and our persistent need to guard ourselves from it. 

I've broken it down into three main topics (and one bonus one!) that are the subject of much controversy. I call them my three best friends because really, that's what they are, contrary to what most people believe. Theses topics are the earth, the air, and the sun. 

Lets start with the earth. Along with the industrial revolution and and the discovery of germs and microbes came an immense fear of being unclean and anything that could potentially render our bodies as such. This included the earth, namely dirt. What people fail to realize is that the whole premise for things like hand sanitizers and antibiotics is that our bodies are supposedly sterile! This is completely untrue. Don't freak out. Your body is the host and environment for millions on happy little bacteria that sustain you and keep you healthy. Bacteria is not a bad word. Although it has become taboo in our society it can refer to very good and helpful creaturs or bad ones. One of the greatest sources of good bacteria is the dirt. But to take advantage of these we must come in contact with the dirt and not be afraid of it. We must nurture it as well so that it may nurture us! Although that is a whole other topic. I would suggest spending as much time as possible barefoot and outdoors so that you feet may come in contact and collect these little helpful organisms. Another advantage to this is that it exercises your immune system by sometimes coming in contact with harmful bacteria that your body has to fight off. Your immune system needs to be exercised and worked out to function properly, the same as your muscles and mind. If it is not exercised it will become weak and you will not be able to fight off anything! Coming in contact with the ground also purifies the blood and balances our nervous system. 

We must also take into consideration something called "earthing" or "grounding". I know what you're thinking, what kind of hooky kooky thing is earthing?!? Let me explain, it's not magical or spiritual (although it can be spiritual, coming in contact with the bare earth may indeed remind us of what an amazing creator we have!), rather it is quite scientific. Basically, the earth is electrical. Our bodies are made up of 60% water which is very good at conducting electricity. The earth has a negative ionic charge and when we connect ourselves to the earth we gain this negative ionic charge. Negative ions are used by our bodies for  detoxifing, calming, reducing inflammation, synchronising your internal clocks, hormonal cycles and physiological rhythm. They are essential for healthy living. Things like computers, cell phones, and other common electrical devices suck these negative ions right out of our bodies! When our bare skin comes in contact with bare ground we are gaining these ions and through them positive energy (again, not hooky kooky energy, real energy) from the earth. This is perhaps the most taken for granted but also the most effective treatment for everything under the sun. Being disconnected from this energy can cause problems ranging from minor sleep issues to chronic fatigue and chronic pain! In the old days people slept on the ground, they went without shoes or wore shoes made of leather (which doesn't block energy) but these days we live in a rubber insulated world and have little contact with the earth. It is vastly important to become grounded and connected with the earth. Try it! Spend 30 minutes or more a day with your bare feet on the bare earth and I know you will feel a difference! I definitely do! Best of all, earthing is safe for everyone! 

Walking and even running barefoot also has many more health benefits including free reflexology, strengthening and stretching the muscles, tendons and ligaments in your feet, ankles and calves but again, that's another topic. 

So give it a try this spring and summer! Toss those flip flops back in your closet and dig your toes into the ground as much as you can. Make it a point to have some quality time with the earth
unfiltered and unadulterated. Don't be afraid of the earth, learn to love it! 

DIY Adventures: Clean Your House For Less 2

I believe the key when it comes to cleaning is simplicity. Simplicity of ingredients, simplicity in the directions, simplicity in the task. So even though making your own house cleaning products may not seem as simple as buying them, you're getting the simple, bare minimum ingredients and spending the least amount of time as possible with these recipes. Trust me, as a person who likes simple, these recipes are great. 

The bathroom is my least favorite room to clean, it always has a smell and somehow, no matter how much I clean it, it's always dirty. But the toilet always seems to be especially bad. So I wanted a quick and easy way to get it cleaned out without the harsh chemicals (not to mention the harsh chemical smells - headache anyone?) and here's what I came up with. 

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

what you'll need:

- 1/2 cup baking soda (absorbs smells, mild abrasive)

- 1/2 cup white vinegar (cuts through all the yucky stuff)

- 5 to 10 drops tea tree oil (disinfecting + I love the smell! You could also use lemon here)

how to do it:

Pour baking soda into toilet along with your tea tree oil. Then (this is the fun part) pour the vinegar on top. It will be just like one of those science experiments you did as a kid! Don't worry, it won't overflow. Scrub this mixture around the entire inside of the bowl and let it sit for about 20 minutes. 

Some of the most toxic chemicals enter our homes as seemingly innocent and sometimes very pretty airfresheners in the form of candles, plug ins, sprays, etc... Some even shower you with chemicals and synthetic fragrances every time you walk by them! Lovely. But lets talk about what these "air fresheners" are really doing, the science behind it if you will. Air fresheners emit harmful nerve deadening toxins into our air that temporarily coat the inside of our noses and block our sense of smell. So they aren't actually freshening the air at all! They are simply keeping us from smelling it. These toxins can also make their way to our brains and cause all sorts of maladies from headaches to cancer. 

So what are some alternatives? There are so many! Ranging in price from free (just open some windows!) to semi expensive (natural wax candles with essential oils, although with a little know how you can make these). So what are some of the cheap options? 

Baking Soda Air Freshener

what you'll need:

- 1/2 cup to 1 cup baking soda (absorbs and eliminates odors, how much you need depends on the size of the room) 

- 10 drops of your favorite essential oil or a combination! 

how to do it:

Just put your baking soda in a dish or a jar with a wide opening and add the oils! Put is where the smells are the worst and give it a shake, this will help the essential oils diffuse faster. The baking will absorb most odors. Personally, I put this by my cats litter box and it works really well! 

Air Freshener Spray

what you'll need:

- 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil or a combination (I would recommend adding tea tree or a citrus as they are great at disinfecting the air) 

- Water

- Spray Bottle 

how to do it:

Add all ingredients to your spray bottle. Just fill it with water and choose how much essential oil to add based on the size of the bottle and your preference for how strongly it smells.

The other option you have is to buy an essential oil diffuser which is basically a candle holder with  a small glass bowl on top where you mix essential oils and water. It heats up the water and the essential oils diffuse into the air, I love this one too! You can also always buy incense (which I also love) but this doesn't disinfect the air. 

I want to talk really quick about the word "disinfecting". This word probably brings hand sanitizers and Lysol and the doctors office to mind. I want to challenge you to think about these conventional disinfectants before buying them. They are made based on the theory that we, as human beings, are supposed to be a sterile environment; void of bacteria, germs, dirt, etc... This is not true. We are not even close to being sterile! And this is a good thing. Our bodies have a delicate balance of good bacteria that defend us and keep us happy. The problem with conventional disinfectants is that they not only kill the bad bacteria, but also the good bacteria which does leave us with a sterile environment. But not for long! With no good bacteria on our hands and houses to protect us the bad bacteria move right in and take over. I've always noticed that the people with the "cleanest" and most sterile houses are the sickest and the weakest. We need to have an army of good bacteria surrounding us and in us! And every time you disinfect with conventional cleaners you are giving yourself and your family an antibiotic. Not to mention the terrible effect these cleaners have on the environment! 

The difference between conventional or artificial disinfectants and the ones found in essential oils is that essential oils work with our bodies, not against them. They disinfect but instead of leaving a sterile environment they assist the good bacteria in fighting off the bad bacteria. Think about it, plants need to survive in the wild. They grow in the midst of dirt and bacteria but also need to fight off any invaders. This job falls to the oils in the plant. And when we use these same oils we get the same effect. Kind of brilliant isn't it? 

So forego the harsh smells of those chemical cleaners and ANYTHING that says antibacterial on it and let nature do the work. Your immune system and all those happy bacteria inside you will thank you. 

One last little bonus recipe... Remember in the last post how washing soda was one of the ingredients for laundry detergent? Well, turns out you can make it! And that's one less thing you have to buy. 

Washing Soda

what you'll need: 

- Baking Soda

Yep. That's it! It's made from baking soda! And if you are making the other recipes I've suggested you already have plenty of that. 

how to do it:

Spread your baking soda on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven for about an hour on 400, stirring occasionally. Remove and let cool. You will be able to tell that's its now washing soda because its not  wet and clumpy, but rather dry and flaky. Tadaaa!