Practical Fun

I have some cousins that love to play with bubbles. They would love this bubble wand for sure. I guess the guy who is making the bubbles is called a bubble-smith.

Nail Fungus Treatment

Summer is almost here and for those who suffer from toenail fungus, the thought of wearing open-toe shoes makes them wish winter was back.

The Naturopathic Doctor blog has offered the following advise about how to get rid of nail fungus using easy-to-find and natural ingredients. This blog is written by contributing, reputable naturopathic doctors.

Natural Nail Fungus Treatment: The Beer Soak

The basic premise behind this odd sounding natural toenail fungus treatment is to soften nails with beer, create an acidic environment with vinegar which is beneficial to good bacteria and deadly to fungus and then penetrate nails with specific beneficial bacteria to help kill and prevent further recurrences.

Essential Ingredients:

Acidophilus containing a specific strain of 125 billion organisms.

Guiness Stout beer or any other dark beer (Guiness is the one proven to work).

White Vinegar

Basin big enough for your feet or hands

Time

Persistence and Consistency

Natural Toenail Fungus Treatment Procedure:

In tub, pour 1 liter of room temperature beer into a basin

Add 1/2 a sachet which is 60 billion acidophilus and other probiotics.

Add 1 liter of White Vingear

Soak clean feet in the solution for 30 minutes before bed or when best for you.

On removing your feet or fingernails from the basin, file the nails down with a pumice stone or file

After each 3rd day, toss out the entire solution mixture and remake using the formula: 1 liter of white vinegar, 1 liter of dark beer and the remaining half of one sachet. This keeps the solution’s ingredients in active live form. If too old, it will not work.

Repeat for 30 days every day. Do not skip a day for best results.

Do twice a day for faster results

What to look for:
As fungus gets killed by this natural toenail fungus treatment, you will notice new nail growth from the nail base coming in clear. This is a good sign. Some people see clearing at the base within one week and some people see clearing at the base in one month. It all depends on how fast your nails grow and how often you soak them.

It will take about 3 to 6 months for infected nails to completely grow out. As long as you keep seeing the nail base come in clean and grow out cleanly, you are on the right track. If it is not growing in cleanly, keep soaking the nails.

Make sure you do this toenail fungus treatment daily. Make it a routine. Watch some TV, read a book or wash the dishes for 30 minutes. Do not skip a day. If you do, it may take a bit longer than a month but keep at it.

If you know your nails grow slowly, then consider MSM or Silicea 6x cell salts as they have shown to increase nail growth.

This anti-fungal protocol is an excellent way to help prevent liver damage via Lamisil.

If the formula is not strong enough, play with it. Perhaps add some more of the acidophilus to the mix or more vinegar or more beer. Play with the concentrations if necessary.

... if you take the acidophilus sachets internally, you are treating a cause of the fungus – not just treating the nails....

...If you’re debating whether or not to do this soak, don’t. If you are wondering if it works – it does.

Give it a shot – it is safe, effective, inexpensive. Yes it takes some work, but popping a liver toxic Lamisil pill for 3 months daily also takes work – especially repairing the damaged liver. You only get one liver.

The Acidophilus and White Vinegar and the Guiness are the proven ingredients.

People have tried other strains of acidophilus from their health store without result. You may try them to see if they work for you but from I have seen, they do not work well.

One factor is that the sachets contain a variety of acidophilus, not just one form and they also contain a specific strain of those types. Why that matters I cannot say but it seems to as those who used a different product did not have success.

Another reason why other bacteria fail to work was found out by my Immunology professor, Dr Sheryl Berman, PhD. She did a study on about 35 different acidophilus companies and found that only one had the actual amount of live bacteria it claimed in the container – some of the companies stated 1 billion live bacteria per capsule and contained…none. The Acidophilus that I suggest claim 125 billion per sachet and at manufacturing have 170 billion.

Choosing a different dark beer that is less expensive may hinder your success. I have not had reports of other effective dark beers so I am not sure. You can give it a shot but you are only saving a few bucks while investing 30 days of soaking. That is pennies per day extra. Worth the risk? If you have time, it would be good to know if the others worked…if they do, let me know...

...Enjoy healthy nails once again! It’s summer – put on those sandals!

...Please note: Fungus is due to either a weak immune system, trauma to the nail area, high refined carbohydrate diet or recent or long term use of antibiotics.

That said, taking one sachet in a glass of water before dinner for 14 days helps restore healthy gut bacteria which likely has a direct impact on proper immune function, may help combat fungus internally and externally longterm and reduce refined carbohydrate and sugar cravings as the ‘bad’ bacteria which do crave sugar will be wiped out by the beneficial bacteria. So taking the sachets internally for one week, soaking for a few months, changing your diet, building your immune system and not bashing your nails will likely improve your fungus situation.

A mild headache may occur while taking the sachets internally. Taking vitamin C usually helps. The headache is usually due to the ‘die-off’ reaction from unhealthy bacteria being killed by the healthy probiotic found in the sachets.

Natural Tattoo Care

I recently got another tattoo and developed an ointment with products from my kitchen and beauty cabinet:

• Non-scented, all natural vitamin E lotion
• Olive oil
• Lavender oil

In an air-tight container, mix about 2 tbps. olive oil, 1/2 cup lotion, and a few drops of lavender oil. Mix thoroughly.

After washing your skin with mild soap and water and patting dry, apply the ointment liberally. Place plastic wrap over the tattoo and secure with gentle medical tape.

When a tattoo is healing, do not let that tattoo dry out so a hard scab does not form. Scabs or picking at tattoo scabs can make your tattoo look blotchy because doing this can remove the ink for which you paid.

After getting a tattoo, do not soak it in water for a couple of weeks. This means no direct water sprays on the tattoo in the shower, no baths, no hot tub soaks, no swimming in pools, etc. When taking a shower, apply petroleum jelly all over the tattoo so there is less water contact on it. Wash the petroleum jelly off at the end of the shower, before applying the aftercare ointment you made.

Tattoo are cool, but can look really stupid without the proper aftercare.

Note: The tattoo pictured is not of my tattoo. I don't have man-arms.

Make Your Own Beauty Products

When making your own bath products, you know exactly what's in it. These make great gifts.

Homemade Hair Conditioner

Recipe Ingredients:

Apple Cider Vinegar
Fresh Herbs: lavender, rosemary, basil, sage
Citrus Peels: lemon peel, orange peel

Directions:

• Take a sterile jar of any size and fill half way with your favorite assorted herbs and citrus peels, make sure they are pesticide free.
• Next fill the jar to the top with apple cider vinegar.
• Seal, store in a cool, dark place and shake daily for three weeks. Strain & refrigerate the infused vinegar.
• Take 2 TBS of the herbal vinegar and put into a 12 to 16 ounce spray bottle. Top with water.

Spray as much as you need on your hair after shampooing (first wash off the shampoo, shake spray bottle before using), massage into scalp, rinse off. No application of commercial hair conditioner is needed.

This recipe not only helps condition and nourish your hair, it also helps remove much of the buildup from commercial shampoos and conditioners.

*Note: Some herbal combination may affect light colored hair (blondes, grays) or dyed hair color. You should be ok since it’s such a small amount of herbal vinegar that is well diluted in water, but just a heads up to test a small patch of hair first.

Homemade Lavender Water

2 cups water (distilled)
3 TBS vodka
15 drops Lavender essential oil

Directions:

• Mix the essential oil and vodka together then add water. Seal in a jar or bottle, keep in a dark place for 2 weeks before using.

Bath Jelly

Ingredients:

3/4 cup water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup liquid soap (unscented–use shower gel, hand soap or bubble bath)
*Essential oil (choose your favorite–a few drops)

Directions:

• Bring water to a boil, remove from heat then slowly stir in and dissolve the gelatin. Slowly add liquid soap and stir to mix. Add essential oil, stir well.
• Pour liquid into a clean clear jar or container, seal and refrigerate overnight.

Once the mix gels, it’s ready to use. Just add a spoonful under running water in the bath for a bubbling treat (a tablespoon or two will do).

*If you wish, you can skip the essential oil and use liquid soaps that have a fragrance.

Notes: Use within a few weeks. Keep refrigerated and airtight to avoid mold.

Peppermint Milk Bath Recipe

1 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 cups hot water
1/2 teaspoon peppermint oil

Herbal Milk Bath Recipe

1 cup powdered milk
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 TBS dried herbs of choice
2 cups hot water

Almond Honey Milk Bath

1 TBS Almond Oil
1/4 cup honey (*omit honey if mixing ahead, add when using)
1 cup powdered milk
2 cups hot water

Lavender Milk Bath

1 cup powdered milk
1/8 cup dried lavender
2 cups hot water

Brown Sugar Scrub

1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of almond oil
1/4 cup of liquid Ivory hand soap
1/4 tsp of vanilla

Lemon Sugar Scrub

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 TBS lemon zest (grated)

Lavender & Rosewood Scrub

1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup almond oil
1/2 tsp vitamin E
6 drops rosewood essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil

Coffee & Brown Sugar Scrub

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
3 TBS fresh coffee grounds
5 tsp almond oil
5 tsp jojoba oil
2 tsp honey
1 tsp vitamin E
1 tsp vanilla

Tea Sugar Scrub

2 cups white sugar
1 cup honey
2 TBS tea
5 drops vanilla

Yogurt Sugar Scrub

3 TBS baby oil
1 TBS yogurt
1 TBS white sugar

Directions:

• Mix ingredients and use as a body scrub/exfoliator.

Pneumonia

The information posted in this entry is to supplement treatment your doctor has prescribed. If you suspect you may have pneumonia, call your doctor. He or she may prescribe antibiotics that can aid in your healing.

While at home, the following can help relieve your symptoms and help you feel better more quickly:

• Stay hydrated--drink plenty of fluids.
• Get plenty of rest, but make sure to get up out of bed and sit in your favorite chair as often as possible.
• If possible, do not suppress the cough. Coughing is your body's way of getting rid of the infection. Reasons to suppress the cough would be because you are not able to breathe, not able to rest, or coughing is causing vomiting. Ask your doctor what is appropriate for you.
• Use aromatic oils containing oregano, thyme, or rosewood. In studies, these have killed the S. pneumoniae virus. It is not know if the oils are effective in humans, but aroma therapy couldn't hurt and may help you relax.
• Use garlic. It can help lower one's fever, if present. One could even apply garlic paste to the patient's chest (and ward vampires off at the same time).
• For pain relief, rub turpentine oil around the patient's ribs and wrap them with warm cotton wool.
  
• Consume sesame seeds. Put 15 grams of seeds in 1 cup (250 ml) of water water. Add 1 tbsp of linseed, a pinch of table salt, and a teaspoon of honey in the mixture. and mix well. Swallow down this mixture everyday. It will aid in removing phlegm from the bronchial tubes.
• Drink your veggies. Mix 3/4-cup of spinach juice with 1.5 cups of carrot juice daily.
  
• Practice breathing exercises; a.k.a. "chest therapy":
  
  • Use a incentive spirometer. Your doctor can give you one of these or you may be able to find one at your pharmacy. Using this regularly can help improve breathing and loosen sputum.
  • Practice rhythmic breathing and coughing every four hours:
    
    • Before starting the breathing exercise, the tap lightly on your chest to loosen mucus within the lung. If possible, have someone tap on your back.
      
    • Inhales rhythmically and deeply three or four times.
    • Coughs as deeply as possible with the goal of producing sputum.

Below, find some of the items mentioned above (like the incentive spirometer). Click on the arrow at the bottom of the carousel to move through the products:

Make Your Own Pet Food

I found these recipes from Make-Stuff. The advantage of making your own pet food at home is that you know exactly what your dog or cat is eating and it may be more cost effective.

"Animals, because they are color blind, choose their foods by smell. Most dogs like gamey flavors best, as well as liver, fat, garlic, horsemeat, lamb, beef, cheese and fish. Cats enjoy chicken, liver, fish, turkey, lamb, and yeast, and prefer fresh to aged flavors. Remember that cats are fussy eaters and it is not wise to continually feed them their favorite foods. Soon they will refuse to eat anything else; it is your job to see your cat has a balanced diet. Animals do not need salt added to their diet as the natural salt in the food is enough for them. Dogs may eat any vegetable they want, but cats should not have any starchy veggies, like peas and corn. Some dogs and cats even enjoy fruits! Onions are potentially harmful to dogs. It's a good idea to always add a grain, such as Kibble, wheat germ, cooked oatmeal or whole wheat bread to meat dinners. For dogs use 75% carbohydrate foods (grains and vegetables) to 25% meat; for cats use half carbohydrate foods to half meat. You will find, once you begin making your own pet foods, that it is really relatively simple and you will save some money as well. remember that all pet foods should be served at room temperature; don't serve food cold from the refrigerator nor hot from the stove. Incidentally, you should know that cats should be fed three times a day, while an adult dog needs only one meal a day. Here are some pet recipes you can make at home:

SAUTEED LIVER Heat 1 teaspoon corn oil in a pan. Add 1/4 pound beef liver and fry on both sides until cooked but not dry inside. Add 1/2 cup water to the pan and mix it up with all the brown bits. For dogs, cut the liver into pieces and serve; for cats, grind the liver in a blender, using the pan juices.

CHICKEN SOUP Combine 1 chicken liver, 1 giblet, 1 chicken heart, 1 chicken neck, 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley. Cover and simmer until the giblet is tender. Chop all the meat for dogs removing bones and mix with kibble; for cats, you may want to grind the meat in the blender.

VEAL STEW Combine 1/2 pound stewing veal, 1 cup canned tomatoes, 1 cup water, 1 chicken bouillon cube, parsley and a dash of garlic powder in a pot and simmer. When meat is tender, remove all the bones. For dogs, cut the meat in chunks, and mix stew with kibble or some other grain; for cats, grind the stew in blender, adding a tablespoon of wheat germ or 1/2 slice of whole wheat bread.

LIVER COOKIES Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine 1/2 cup dry milk and 1/2 cup wheat germ; drizzle 1 teaspoon honey on top. Add one 3 1/3 oz. jar of strained liver baby food or homemade blended liver and stir until everything is well mixed. Form the mixture into balls; place them on an oiled cookie sheet and flatten them with a fork. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Consistency should be fudgy. Store in a jar in the fridge; freeze if keeping more than a few days.

LAMB STEW Follow the recipe for Veal Stew, using chunks of lamb instead and leaving out the tomato if desired.

MACKEREL DINNER Heat 1 tsp. corn oil in a skillet and fry 1 small mackerel until it flakes apart easily. Remove and cool. Pour 1/2 cup hot water into the pan and scrape the brown bits into it. Remove the bones from the fish and mix with the juice. For dogs, serve in pieces with kibble; for cats, grind with the pan juices.

FISH COOKIES Follow the recipe for Liver Cookies but use instead 3 1/2 ounces of mashed and boned mackerel, either canned or freshly cooked.

BEEF COOKIES Following the recipe for Liver Cookies, using cooked beef puree instead.

DOG MORSELS 2 cups whole wheat flour 2 tsp. garlic powder 2 cups white flour 1 cup skim milk powder 2 eggs water 1/2 cup melted beef or pork drippings (or lard) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix ingredients together with enough water to make a stiff dough. Roll out and cut into Christmas shapes. Bake on cookie sheet until hard.

KITTY TREATS 1 1/2 cups rolled oats 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup tuna oil, chicken broth or beef bouillon Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all ingredients into a dough. Dust hands with flour and form small, 1/2-inch-thick, round "biscuits". Set on greased cookie sheet. Bake 30 minutes (or until biscuits are slightly browned). Cool 30 minutes before serving.

BUDGIE BROWNIES 1 cup cornmeal 1 tsp. finely ground cuttlebone 1 cup hulled millet 2 tbsp. liquid honey 1/4 cup whole wheat flour 2 eggs 2 tbsp. raw wheat germ of coconut 4 egg yolks (for larger birds add 1/2 cup peanuts) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Pat into a greased and floured baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until firm (if edges start to get too brown, cover with foil). Cool and cut into small squares.

The Common Cold

Catch a cold? Let it go faster by following these tips:

• Rest
• Drink a lot of fluids, stay well-hydrated
• Up your vitamin C: take 1-4 grams per day to help make your cold less severe and not last as long
• Echinacea: take 3-5 ml (milliliters) in juice or tincture form every 2 hours as soon as you feel the cold coming on
• Zinc lozenges: use lozenges that provide 13-25 mg of zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate-glycine, or zinc acetate every 2 hours to help stop the virus you have and lessen the amount of time you have the cold.
  

This is not a comprehensive list of everything you can do when you have a cold, but can help at least get you started. Click here for more information.