Natural Remedies - Ancestral Nutrition

Blog October 9, 2015

The Best Natural Remedies For The Stomach Flu

A few days ago I woke up bright and early to wish my husband a happy birthday, only to find out that he was running a fever of 101 and seemingly had the stomach flu. You know – chills, nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, the works. The poor guy. We had plans go out to his favorite restaurant, but he could barely get out of bed. Depsite being called the stomach flu (or stomach bug), it’s not actually the flu. The flu is influenza, a virus that mainly affects the respiratory system. The stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, is actually an infection of the stomach and intestines that can be caused either by bacteria or a virus. Unfortunately, most medical recommendations for gastroenteritis include letting it run its course, hydrating and getting rest. Instead of taking a watch and wait approach, letting the bacteria or virus work its way out of his…

Blog October 6, 2015

Brush This Way For the Healthiest, Softest, Shiniest Hair

Listen, I know it seems weird. Who actually needs a tutorial on how to brush their hair? Chances are, you do. It’s okay. I did too. I had no idea how I was brushing was actually contributing to the seemingly endless amount of breakage I was experiencing as well as the dryness of my ends. If you’re anything like me, you constantly struggle with dry ends and maintaining a healthy, shiny head of hair. I have long hair and want to grow it out – this brush is not only keeping my hair healthy, it’s boosting growth. I stimulate my scalp every time I brush. I also basically deep condition my hair every time I brush, using the natural oils my scalp produces – aka the best conditioner on earth. Watch below for the tips and a demonstration, or just read below for my tips. https://www.youtube.com/embed/f8m0ZRqcsvA Tip #1 Use the…

Blog August 19, 2015

Top Five Tips For Anxiety

I’ve had anxiety for as far back as I can remember. Which is about since I was 4-5 years-old. To “manage anxiety” was not a concept I would understand for a long time. It worsened when I graduated high school, and feelings of terror would overcome me for seemingly no specific reason. Then it got even worse when I was around 21. This was when my anxiety wasn’t just a feeling of sheer terror, it was also a deep-seated feeling of absolute dread and hopelessness. When I felt a panic attack coming on, which about 10-20 times a day, it was like falling down a dark, terrifying, desolate black hole. And I’d live there for a bit until I could pull myself out. And then the process would repeat. I thought I was losing my mind. When I was in the midst of dealing with severe anxiety and I saw…

Blog July 28, 2015

DIY Essential Oil Deodorant (That Doesn’t Suck!)

I am not one of those girls who can sweat and not smell. I live in DC, where summers are hot, humid and gross. I go to the gym. I spend as much time outside as I can. And I’ve tried just about every organic, non-toxic deodorant on the market. And I’m going to be rill rill honest with you – none of them have worked for me. Not a single one. They may help a little, but they don’t stop the stank. This is the only organic and non-toxic deodorant I’ve ever tried that actually works. It’s what I use at the gym and I just made a bunch to take to Key West in a couple days (where I’ll also be sweating my pits off). I’m not exaggerating when I say this is awesome. Take is from a previously smelly girl who finally found a solution to smelling…

Blog May 27, 2015

Wellness Wednesday: Healthy, Non-Toxic Beach Essentials

I know I say I love things a lot, but I REALLY love going to the beach. There’s something so fun and special about going to the beach for me. Scott and I both love it and will regularly decide on a Friday to go to the beach for the weekend. This time around, I rented a beach house with a big group of our friends. I figured it would be an awesome way to kick off the summer. In addition to bringing a ton of food, booze (just organic wine!) and snacks to the beach, I never go without my healthy, non-toxic beach essentials. Everything from suncreen to fake tanner (a healthy version) to lavender/peppermint mist. These are some of the products in my beach bag and I wouldn’t head to the beach without ’em. Yes, I am wearing sunglasses in this video. Yes, I did have bags under…

Blog May 6, 2015

Wellness Wednesdays: Essential Oils 101 – Intro Class For Newbies

It occurred to me that I’m regularly blabbing about essential oils when many of you likely don’t know much about them, their chemistry, their efficacy, or even what they are really. Essential oils are potent, plant based medicine. In this video I explain the basics of essential oils, how they work, why so they’re amazing and why you need them in your life. https://www.youtube.com/embed/dJKQV6lDdMU

Blog April 21, 2015

The Top Seven Ways To Boost HDL (The “Good” Cholesterol)

Let me get this out of the way first: cholesterol and heart disease are weakly linked. Cholesterol has been vilified, but the real villain is inflammation. Cholesterol is absolutely necessary for our health. Cholesterol is necessary for proper hormone function, cholesterol is necessary for vitamin D production, and roughly 25% of cholesterol is found in the brain, we need it for our brains to properly function. It is absolutely essential. So in writing this article, my aim isn’t to vilify cholesterol. I want to make this very clear. Cholesterol is great. But when HDL is low and LDL particle number is high, that can be an issue. Remember that when your cholesterol is tested, you want to be tested not just for basic HDL/LDL numbers, but for particle numbers. This is a much more accurate test of your cholesterol. A low LDL particle number is good, while it’s possible to have low…

Blog April 16, 2015

Easy Immersion Blender Hollandaise

When thinking of what I’d name this post, the first thing that popped into my head was “HOLLER FOR HOLLANDAISE.” Easy immersion blender hollandaise is probably more appropriate. I’m kind of in love with my new immersion blender. You can make homemade mayo in 20 seconds, and you don’t have to strain your arm slowly pouring olive oil into a blender, hoping that the mayo will thicken (and it rarely does for me). The immersion blender ensures perfect mayo every time. You can also really easily make hollandaise with it. Immersion Blender Hollandaise You will not find an easier and more fool-proof method for making homemade hollandaise than this easy Immersion Blender Hollandaise! This recipe is THE BEST! 2 eggs yolks1/2 cup butter (1 stick)saltjuice of half a lemon Separate the egg whites from egg yolks and add to a large, tall cup. If you order this immersion blender, they’ll…

Blog April 1, 2015

How I Healed Cervical Dysplasia Naturally

Find out how I healed my cervical dysplasia naturally after having been diagnosed with CIN 2 cells on my cervix – without LEEP procedure! Edited to add: I am happy to chat and discuss and offer sisterly support, but please do not email or comment asking for medical advice including supplements for you, what I did exactly, how I did it, what you should use, what you should do, etc. I am not a doctor. I am unable and unequipped to offer medical advice. The best advice I have is to see a qualified naturopathic or naturally minded doctor you trust. First off, what is cervical dysplasia? Let’s start with the cervix: The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that leads into the vagina. It’s the cervix that dilates during childbirth to allow the fetus to pass through. Cervical dysplasia is a condition in which healthy cells on…

Blog March 10, 2015

DIY Moisturizing Body Wash

For the past several months, DC has basically been Antarctica. It seems like winter has been so long, so cold, so grey and so unending. At first I love winter, the holidays, the snow. But by February, I’m over it. I just want summer to be here. Especially because winter doesn’t do my skin any favors. It’s been so dry that it itches. Like, really itches. Keeps me up when I’m trying to fall asleep because it’s so freaking itchy. And it doesn’t help that I take a million really hot showers every winter just to warm myself up. In fact, that makes the whole situation way worse. Which is how I got the genius idea of making my soap super moisturizing. This is pretty much the easiest thing ever and I’m not sure how I didn’t think of it sooner. You probably have these items laying around your house,…