ALL NATURAL DOG EAR CLEANER

COCONUT,  LAVENDER, & TEA TREE OILS TO CLEAN YOUR DOG'S EARS

I don't know about you, but my dog's ears can get purty STANKY from time to time. I used to use some "secret" concoction I paid a fortune for from their vet's office, to clean them. That is, until I started seriously changing ALL of our lives using Coconut Oil & Essential Oils.

I have done so much in the last month or two to go around the house & REALLY look at what we are putting on & IN our bodies, my dogs included!

I did a lot of research on looking into healthier, more natural, ways to keep my dogs well. And before I put ANYTHING into my furry babies ears specifically, I Googled my brains out, of that you can be sure!

I found a lot of information, some of which I didn't agree with, and some, I thought made a lot of sense.

So...Here is the recipe for their all natural ear cleaner/maintenance oil. And links to information as to how I came to my decisions to use what I did.
(just click on the ingredient itself to get more information about each one)

INGREDIENTS
1 Tbls Organic, Extra Virgin, Unrefined Coconut Oil
5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
4 drops Tea Tree Oil  
(the last link  for Tea Tree Oil, will take you to a page that has A LOT of information on using essential oils for pets)

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Melt the Coconut Oil in a small bowl. I use a pan to heat water & put it in the pan. DO NOT microwave (click here to find out why)



Wait for melted oil to cool down to ROOM TEMPERATURE, then add your essential oils.


The reasons I used the two I did are because it was a very basic recipe I was after. I like simple & affective. I don't need bells and whistles! I thought the antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, etc., properties of all three ingredients would be awesome. If you have other oils you know to work well for your pet, certainly you can add them. BUT always research & RE research your choices! Some oils are toxic to animals. They are NOT like humans. DO NOT assume if it works for you, it would be fine for them! That is NOT NOT NOT the case. Also, my Beagle/Rottie mix is extremely sensitive to EVERYTHING, so that's why I only did 4 drops of Tea Tree, as it can irritate & burn sensitive people/dogs.


I can tell you too, this was the first ear cleaner I've ever used on both dogs & they didn't flip out! They seemed to enjoy its slight warmth, and when I was massaging it in, they looked like they were REALLY relaxing. The Lavender works great for that as well, relaxing an anxiety filled dog. Rub some straight from the bottle, into your hand, warming it a bit, then massage the ear flaps, or paws or right under the ears....Taking care, AGAIN, to make sure it is not irritating to your dog in full strength. Mine are SOUND asleep right now after their ear cleaning/coconut oil on the fur & belly, massage of the day. :)
 

I used (about 1ml) in each of my larger (50 lbs) dog's ears, and half of that in my smaller (15 lbs) dog's.
Then, just keep the leftovers in an amber bottle with a dropper top.
I only make this small of a recipe because I like to know its strength & potency.

When using the remaining oil, for their next cleaning, simply boil the water in the pan again, take off the heat, allow to cool slightly, then put the bottle in the water to warm it back up. (Coconut oil will solidify at any temperature under 76 degrees). Taking care again to make sure it is only SLIGHTLY warm when you put it in your dog's ears. Just warm enough to be liquid. Always be careful of what you put into your dog’s ear. The ear is a very tender and delicate organ that is sensitive to chemicals and temperature. Do not use anything too cold or too hot in your dog’s ears.

This is safe enough to use whenever you feel your dog's ears need a cleaning, but I am just going to do it at the first of each month. With warmer weather coming, it is wise to keep their ears as bacteria free as possible, so no mites, or other unwanted "critters" take up residence there.

***I forgot to mention!! You can also use this on a cotton ball to gently wipe the ear itself, not just dropper it down in...as always, be gentle***


And that's it. Doggies with clean, purty smellin' ears. :)

Let me know if you try this & what you think about it!

Morning Sunshine Breakfast Drink

A BREAKFAST DRINK TO REALLY START YOUR DAY RIGHT

Ingredients

1 Coffee Mug full of warm water
1/2  of an Organic Lemon
1Tbls Coconut Oil (Organic, Extra Virgin, Unrefined)
1Tbls Organic Honey

Mix all of this in a big 'ole coffee mug & enjoy! I recommend boiling the water in a teapot first, then adding all the ingredients after you put the warm water in a mug. Microwaving it just seems...wrong...lol

 ~ ~You can absolutely change around quantities of ingredients to fit your own taste too. Nothing is written in stone here...I just like it to have a good KICK in the morning.


After Oil Pulling  I started to feel like my regular cup of coffee in the morning tasted funny & that I was just putting GUNK right back in my mouth. So I decided to do some research & find an alternative for what I drink directly after pulling...Here are a few reasons why I choose this recipe....

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, choices that you make regarding your daily routine either build up resistance to disease or tear it down.

Ayurveda invites us to get a jump-start on the day by focusing on morning rituals that work to align the body with nature's rhythms, balance the doshas and foster self-esteem alongside self-discipline. 

Your mind may say you have to check emails, take the dog out, get the kids out the door, that you can't be late for work or that you just don't have enough time to cultivate your own morning rituals.

But, if you can only make time for one ritual that will improve your health, let it be this.....

Start the day out with a mug of warm "sunshine"

It's so simple and the benefits are just too good to ignore.

Warm water & lemon in the morning helps to;

1. Boosts your immune system 

Lemons are high in Vitamin C and potassium. Vitamin C is great for fighting colds and potassium stimulates brain and nerve function and helps control blood pressure.

2. Balances pH

Lemons are an incredibly alkaline food, believe it or not. Yes, they are acidic on their own, but inside our bodies they're alkaline (the citric acid does not create acidity in the body once metabolized). As you wellness warriors know, an alkaline body is really the key to good health.

3. Helps with weight loss

Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. It also has been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster. And, my experience is that when I start the day off right, it's easier to make the best choices for myself the rest of the day.

4. Aids digestion

The warm water serves to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and peristalsis—the waves of muscle contractions within the intestinal walls that keep things moving. Lemons and limes are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen toxins, in the digestive tract.

5. Acts as a gentle, natural diuretic

Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Toxins are, therefore, released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy.

6. Clears skin

The vitamin C helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes. Lemon water purges toxins from the blood which helps keep skin clear as well.

7. Hydrates the lymph system

This cup of goodness helps start the day on a hydrated note, which helps prevent dehydration (obviously) and adrenal fatigue. When your body is dehydrated, or deeply dehydrated (adrenal fatigue) it can't perform all of it's proper functions, which leads to toxic buildup, stress, constipation, and the list goes on. Your adrenals happen to be two small glands that sit on top of your kidneys, and along with your thyroid, create energy. They also secrete important hormones, including aldosterone. Aldosterone is a hormone secreted by your adrenals that regulates water levels and the concentration of minerals, like sodium, in your body, helping you stay hydrated. Your adrenals are also responsible for regulating your stress response. So, the bottom line is that you really don't want to mess with a deep state of dehydration!

Benefits of adding Honey are;

Hot water mixed with lemon juice and honey may provide temporary relief from some cold and flu symptoms. Hot water, lemon juice and honey may be taken as often as necessary to reduce symptoms. If symptoms continue for more than a week, consult a doctor for additional treatment.

Sore Throat

Hot water with honey and lemon juice added to it may help reduce the soreness and irritation of a sore throat. Lemon cuts mucus in the back of the throat that may cause soreness, while honey coats the throat.

Cough

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Honey is an effective remedy for cough. Cough may be caused by congestion forming in the lungs, or irritation from a sore throat. Honey will help coat the back of the throat, soothing the irritation.

Congestion

Congestion may build up in the chest, the back of the throat and in the nasal passages. To help clear congestion, inhale the steam from a cup of hot water, lemon and honey. Slowly inhale through your nose and mouth while cupping your hands around the top of the cup to guide the steam into your nostrils and mouth. Sip the mixture slowly to help reduce mucus in the back of the throat.

Also:

Energy Source: According to USDA, honey contains about 64 calories per tablespoon. Hence honey is also used by many as a source of energy. On the other hand, one tablespoon of sugar will give you about 15 calories. Further the carbohydrates in the honey can be easily converted into glucose by even the most sensitive stomachs. Hence it is very easy to digest honey.

Weight Loss: Though honey has more calories than sugar, honey when consumed with warm water helps in digesting the fat stored in your body. Similarly honey and lemon juice help in reducing weight.

Improving Athletic Performance: Recent research has shown that honey is an excellent ergogenic aid and helps in boosting the performance of athletes. Honey facilitates in maintaining blood sugar levels, muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration after a workout.

Source of Vitamins and Minerals: Honey contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. The type of vitamins and minerals and their quantity depends on the type of flowers used for apiculture. Commonly, honey contains Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron. Check for the vitamin and mineral content in sugar from any source, you will find it to be either nil or miniscule.

Antioxidants: Honey contains nutraceuticals, which are effective in removing free radicals from our body. As a result, our body immunity is improved.

And I'm sure if you know me, you know the reason I added Coconut Oil, but if not, you need to go to my Pinterest page & click on about a bazillion links to the many UNBELIEVABLE health benefits Coconut Oil can provide your body.

That's it. Warm it up, enjoy & have a great day!!! :)

Coconut Jasmine Rice with Black Beans

Ingredients

1 Tbls Coconut Oil (extra virgin unrefined)
1 small Shallot, minced
1 cup uncooked Jasmine rice
3/4 cup Coconut milk
1 & 1/2 cups water
1 tsp Nutmeg
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed & drained

Directions

Melt the Coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the shallot, and cook until the shallot has softened and turned translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and stir until coated with the oil. Pour in the Coconut milk and Water; season with Nutmeg. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender, about 18 minutes. Stir in the black beans, and cook a few minutes until hot.

So easy & SO YUMMY!!!!