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T's Tonics

Handmade Natural Products and Organic Herbal Tea

10 Actions for a Strong Immune Defense

My Action List for a Strong Immune Defense

I created this fairly simple list of daily action steps for myself as a reminder of ways to stay healthy. I thought I would share it with some explanation added. It is by no means comprehensive, but it may gives some good inspiration or memory jogging to you too. Stay healthy and happy my friends.

  1. Start the day with thankfulness and prayer. Ask how you can show up today.
  2. Keep Breathing. –Take deep breathes from the belly, consciously, in and out, for 5 or more minutes. Center only on your breathing. This will help calm and focus your mind. You will be able to function better with a more oxygenated brain.And will help to still the noise and anxiety that can build up in our thinking. When you are under stress, you forget to breathe. Keep breathing.
  3. Keep Moving. –Action dispels fear. Not only important for strength, energy and endurance, this is important for your mental well being. Movement has also been shown as important to keep out of depression and/or addictions. Here’s a few simple action ideas if you don’t have your own going.
    1. Go for a walk, jog, bike ride, do sit ups, run your stairs, etc
    2. prepare your ground and plant a garden
    3. spring cleaning, window washing, clearing, vacuuming blinds etc
    4. paint a room or hallway
    5. install a pull-up bar
  4. Take probiotics daily. If you don’t have access to any, eat yogurt or kefir. These little good bacteria are the fighters to the little bad bacteria.
  5. Balance pH– The way I do this is to have Lemon juice or vinegar in hot water with honey or maple syrup daily.
  6. Drink lots of liquids, tea is an excellent anti-oxidant and system booster.
    1. Herbs that cleanse the blood are great for spring tonics: Burdock root, dandelion root, red clover, chickweed, taheebo, yarrow, yellow dock, comfrey, hyssop, licorice root, yellow dock
    2. Herbs that expel mucus: Garlic, cayenne, fenugreek, golden seal, horseradish, mullein, marshmallow root, ginger, comfrey
  7. Feed and sharpen your brain on positive information, learning something every day and laughing at something every day.
  8. Eat Real Foods– fresh fruits and vegetables, foods that have energy and life in them.
  9. Help Others– share generously with love.
  10. Be Creative -It makes you feel alive and energized.

Cranberries Saved Me!

Cranberries saved me from prescriptions!

cranberry benefitsIt’s that time of year that cranberries are in season in the stores. I find myself compulsively buying fresh bags of them to throw in the freezer.

Come to find out that cranberries have a lot more going for them than just vitamin C.

Here’s the story on how they helped save me:

When I was not quite five years old, I became sick and went into convulsions in my sleep. I was rushed to the hospital where I had surgery for a constriction around my bladder. After two weeks in the hospital and an overdose of something that nearly put me under again, the doctors told Dad and Mom that I would need to be on medication probably for the rest of my life.

My parents declined the doctor’s advice and put me on cranberry juice and a wholesome diet.

I have had no problems with my bladder or kidneys and have been relatively healthy without the need for prescription drugs to this day!

I am thankful for the power of cranberries!

Some of their Benefits:

  1. Strengthening to the kidneys and bladder, (perfect for the wintertime when these organs tend to need extra support.)
  2. Can help prevent urinary tract infections.
  3. High in Vitamins C, A and K.
  4. Supportive to the Immune System.

So this time of year especially, I like to indulge on cranberries. If you don’t like cranberries because you were introduced to them by way of canned cranberry sauce, you may want to try them again, fresh. It’s a whole different food.

In Bandon, Oregon, where the majority of Pacific cranberries are grown, you can sometimes find Dark Chocolate covered cranberries at the farmer’s market, which are out of this world. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.

cranberry smoothie

Morning Cranberry Smoothies coming right up!

I love to just throw a handful of cranberries into my morning smoothie. It gives it a little extra punch and it’s so easy.

Morning Smoothie (tweak and vary to your liking), per single serving

1 banana

1 sm. handful of frozen blueberries (or other fruit)

1 sm. Handful of whole cranberries (fresh or frozen)

1 Tbsp. plain yogurt

1 piece 3 inch celery

sprigs of cilantro, parsley, or kale

1 tsp.-Tbsp almond or peanut butter or tahini (sesame seeds)

1 small piece fresh ginger root

I also put in a tsp. maca root powder, or pea protein, tumeric, saw palmetto, spirulina, or other bulk powders/medicinals as I feel the need.

Fill to ½ of container with fresh apple juice or water and blend. Enjoy!

Here’s some other yummy, easy recipes using fresh or frozen whole cranberries:

Cranberry Salad:

making cranberry salad

Conners making cranberry salad for the hundredth time

2-3 cups whole fresh or frozen Cranberries

1 Orange, peeled

1 apple

2-3 Tbsp. raw honey

walnuts and/or chopped celery, optional

chop/blend the fruit together coarsely in a food processor, add honey to your liking as well as nuts if desired. Enjoy!

Cranberry Salsa

3 c cranberries

1 jalapeno pepper

3-4 green onions

½ c cilantro

1 Tbsp lime juice

3+ Tbsp honey

salt to taste

Blend all together coarsely in food processor. Serve with chips or over cream cheese with crackers, etc.

Conner wrote his first cranberry salad recipe when he was 7 or 8. He’s been in charge of the cranberry salad for Thanksgiving ever since.

recipe

Conners original cranberry salad recipe

 

Chaparral for SunScreen?

What is Chaparral and Why do we put it in our sunscreen?

This potent, smelly brush of the desert southwest is an unlikely suspect, but we have been impressed with it’s healing effects for awhile now.

Let me introduce you to chaparral,

chaparral

Chaparral has had many medicinal uses throughout history.

The American Indians used chaparral for arthritis, bowel cramps, gas, colds, and chronic skin disorders.

In the 1940s it was used by the American army as a preservative in drugs because of it’s antioxidant properties.

Chaparral has also been used in cancer treatments, and for digestive problems, respiratory problems, including colds and infections, arthritis, rheumatism, tuberculosis, urinary tract infections, chicken pox, parasites, obesity, and as a blood purifier and weight loss treatment.

The impressive thing to us is it’s remarkable healing of the skin. It is used effectively for many skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis and on burns and scars. It is high in antioxidants which may help prevent and repair damage to the skin. It has also been used as an antiseptic dressing for cuts and wounds.

I was introduced to chaparral as a teenager by my mom for breakouts on my face. We (my siblings and I) were given it internally in capsule form, never topically. The reasoning being that cleansing the blood leads to clear skin. It helped.

But several years ago my sister gathered some in the California desert while visiting there and gave it to me. Stinky stuff she knew I would love.

I had been hearing about the successful use of chaparral for skin cancer and other skin issues. At the time I had a rash below one eye that wouldn’t go away no matter what I tried.

So I infused some of the Chaparral into oil and waited impatiently for the required 6 weeks steep time.

I don’t know if it was that, but the rash went soon after and hasn’t come back.

Precaution: Over usage of this herb internally can be detrimental to the liver. Use caution if taking internally. Topically it is entirely safe but, as always, if irritation occurs, discontinue.

Note: The oil used in our Sun Beater sunscreen has been infused with 10 herbs that are beneficial in healing the skin, including chaparral. Learn more Here

Is Your Mom Adventurous?

A special only for those with adventurous moms!

Get your mom prepared for a summer of adventure with these natural protectors from sun, dry skin, bugs, and germs. She’ll be ready to go anywhere and stay healthy and happy doing it. Solves all nagging mother issues!

On sale now and still time to get it for Mom’s day. Order here today.

Travel Care Kit

9 Herbs to Cleanse and Renew You

T’s Tonics Renewal Green Tea

cleanse and renew

Cleanse, Recharge & Energize your system naturally with this pleasing green tea blend of All Organic herbs. A robust green tea, with the pleasing zing of ginger and juniper.

Here’s 9 herbs and how they Cleanse and Renew your whole being. They work together synergistically to strengthen each part of your system:

Jasmine Green tea has powerful anti-oxidants and tannins shown to strengthen our immune systems, increase metabolism and energy and help fight bacteria.

Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) can help the body cleanse, recharge and respond better to stress. Good for both male and female hormones. Used to treat many conditions including fatigue, insomnia, lethargy, memory, endurance, and immune system.

Pau D’ Arco Cleanses the whole system. It is high in calcium, is a blood purifier and antifungal, and is also helpful in fighting yeast infections and skin problems.

Red clover is high in minerals and cleanses as an excellent blood purifier.

Ginger has been used for digestive disorders, motion sickness, fever and coughing and helps lower cholesterol.

Nettle cleanses the blood and then rebuilds it. It is high in vitamin C and minerals. It also strengthens liver and kidney function. Helpful for allergies.

Olive Leaf cleanses as a natural antibiotic, antioxidant, anti-parasitic and anti-fungal shown to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, help respiratory response and heart and skin health.

Chickweed is high in vitamin C and helps dissolve fat and mucous in the body. Good for skin problems.

Juniper berries act as a diuretic and disinfectant. They strengthen the adrenal glands, blood and kidneys. Good for diabetes. Helps build defense against allergies.

It’s a great way to put a spring in your step and zip in your day! Order Renewal Green Tea Here. Your body with thank you.

Statements are for educational purpose only. Not intended to diagnose, treat or cure and diseases. Created by T’s Tonics.

9 Herbs to Help Repair the Skin

 

9 Helpful Herbs for the Skin

These 9 herbs work together to repair skin on the surface and the cellular level. All of them are helpful individually, but together they are powerful in helping to balance the skin. Good for both dry and oily skin conditions. They work on rashes, sun damage, irritation and inflammation alike. They may help prevent future damage such as cancer also.

  1. Calendula herb*, used on wounds and skin rashes, this herb soothes irritations, reduces inflammation and helps rejuvenate the skin.
  2. Chaparral*, has powerful anti-bacterial, anti-cancerous and anti-viral properties, helpful in clearing skin issues and blemishes.
  3. Sea buckthorn leaves*, according to the WebMD, sea buckthorn is used on the skin for preventing sunburn; treating radiation damage, for acne, dermatitis, dry skin, eczema, skin ulcers, and skin color changes.
  4. Plantain herb*, helps relieve pain and inflammation of rashes and other skin issues
  5. Mullein leaves*, high in minerals, it helps reduce swelling and spasms
  6. St Johns wort*, used externally for nerve injuries and spasms, has pain-reducing properties.
  7. Shavegrass herb*, high in the mineral, silica, which helps build collagen and gives elasticity and suppleness to the skin.
  8. Marshmallow Root*, used for skin inflammation, burns, and dry, irritated skin as well as mucus membranes.
  9. Slippery Elm*, externally used as a contact healer that relaxes and helps heal inflamed tissues

The first 7 of these we harvest ourselves in the Pacific Northwest ensuring freshness and the optimal quality as well as true organic sustainability. We combine these herbs together in a blend of 6 skin loving oils, organic aloe vera and 4 therapeutic essential oils to create a truly lovely blend for the face and body.

It can be found in our Sun Beater, which I have taken the liberty to introduce below:

 

sun beaterSun Beater!

More than your full protector against the sun; Sun Beater works to heal and soothe your skin while you wear it!

  • All natural, full spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen
  • Kid and environment friendly
  • Repairs and soothes skin as it works
  • Sweat and water resistant, yet breathable
  • Good for sensitive skin and skin issues
  • Rubs in clear
  • Reapply after water and/or every 2 hours

“I am truly in love with this blend, it feels so great on the face! I am thrilled to finally offer it.” -Teresa S., Owner

A Full spectrum SPF 30 in a healing blend of oils for daily use. Rubs in clear, leaving skin feeling nourished & balanced. Sweat resistant yet breathable for the active outdoors. Long infusion of 9 skin rejuvenating herbs and 11 oils, help repair as you wear!

Active ingredient: Non-nano zinc oxide 16%, natural titanium dioxide 3% Other ingredients: Pure aloe vera*, shea nut oil* grapeseed oil, safflower oil*, coconut oil*, avocado oil, Proprietary infusion of all organic herbs: calendula*, chapparral*, sea buckthorn*, plantain*, marshmallow root*, mullein*, St Johns Wort*, shavegrass*, slippery elm*, vit.E oil*, essential oils of lemongrass*, lavender*, myrrh* & bay*.                                                                 *Organic

 

“This is the only sunscreen I have found that doesn’t make my face rash up.” – Barbara A., Oregon

What to Pack For Traveling To The Tropics

girls on logWhat to Pack For The Tropics

Our girls went to the Philippines recently. They had to pack light for the tropics. For Asian air travel between islands, their packs could only be 22 pounds.

They were going some places they would need to backpack. And they had some adventures planned; like hiking, camping, scuba diving, snorkeling and general exploring as well as going to Church gatherings. They needed to cover a few different bases as efficiently as possible.

So when they got home, I asked them what they packed that had worked, (primarily focused on first aid items), what didn’t and what they wished they had brought. Here’s the breakdown for any of you going on a backpack trip to the tropics soon.

The first 5 were sponsored by T’s Tonics, of course, but they said they were all greatly needed and used.

What worked (for them) in the Tropics:

Natural Sun Block, waterproof, lots needed

Sun Soother Spray– they used it all and wished they had more

Traveler’s Spray– disinfectant

Skeeter Beater– bug repellent

Lip balm

Band-Aids

Peppermint oil and ibuprofen for pain, headaches, digestion

Nausea medicine – 1 girl got sick and used it all, they needed more

Melatonin vitamins for the long flights and sleeping

Dramamine for rough boat rides

Vitamin A and E for sunburns

Electrolytes- they used Emergen-C and loved having this when they got dehydrated

Liquid soap (= laundry detergent)

Travel packs of tissue (= toilet paper)

Sarong- (= towel, cover up, beach blanket etc)

Travel Bible

ear buds

Zip lock bags

Granola bars and jerky- wanted more of these too

Comfortable, all purpose sandals/flip flops; they wore their Teva sandals everywhere

Snorkel, mask and fins

Things they wished they had brought:

Tropical ear solution (easy recipe below)

Dry shampoo

Hat

More immune boosters

More quick proteins

Their Advice:

Get small change in the airport – most places couldn’t make change for bigger bills

Buy and drink lots of water –it is easy to get dehydrated

Wear a swim shirt when snorkeling

No need for an electrical adaptor there

Bring more Sun Soother!

Ask around and know prices before buyinggirls scuba diving

Tropical Ear Drop Recipe:

1/3 part hydrogen peroxide (kills bacteria)

1/3 part white vinegar (balances pH)

1/3 part rubbing alcohol (dries water)

To this mixture add vegetable glycerin to make 5% of solution (emollient).

 

Why Travel with a Natural Sanitizer?

Hand sanitizers are available everywhere, cheap and easy, so why use a natural option?

Several reasons: While we need quick sanitizing solutions, especially when traveling these days, evidence is showing that regular anti-bacterial sanitizer gels are not good for you. This is why:

  1. The  anti-bacterial ingredients can stop beneficial bacteria from protecting you. They are allowing harmful bacteria to grow into super bugs instead.
  2. The chemicals used in sanitizers can increase the skin’s absorption of some harmful components, BPAs being one of them.
  3. The chemicals used are not friendly to your skin and can create allergic reactions.
  4. The ingredients used are not friendly to the environment and can stay in our bodies, water systems and soils for a long time.

We encourage you to choose all natural sanitizers to ensure you travel healthy and stay healthy.

Here’s some reasons why we choose Traveler’s Spray:

Facts about Traveler's Spray

Facts about Traveler’s Spray

  • Great for hands, surfaces, cars, bathrooms, beds, luggage, and anywhere else germs and odors may be.
  • Skin, kid, pet and earth friendly.
  • Proven to kill 99.96% of surface and air-borne bacteria.
  • Wonderful smelling with cinnamon, clove, orange & more.
  • Easy to carry with you and easy to use as a spray without touching areas first.
Visiting Ugandan kids

Visiting kids in Kiganda, Uganda

Recently we did some traveling in Uganda. While this was an amazing, heart warming experience, I was thankful many times over for having Traveler’s Spray with me.

We westerners can live with a little bigger bubble around ourselves then in other parts of the world. Especially country living folks like me, who are not used to crowds of people touching me constantly.

In Uganda, we handed out suckers to the kids in some slum areas as a way of connecting and sharing with them. It was a great experience and we learned a lot about life there. These people live close to the earth, animals and each other, with no running water or plumbing. They have a great sense of community and connectedness but not much sanitation like we Westerners are obsessed with. Sickness, garbage and lack were evident everywhere.

So when we would hop back in the car, everyone would ask for the Traveler’s spray and wipe their hands. I always want to bring Traveler’s spray with me traveling. I used it in lots of other ways and places too; on my pillow, wrinkly clothes, suitcase, shoes and as deodorant when I forgot it.

Bonus Uses:                                                                                            

Athletic wear: Odor can stay in athletic clothes even after they are washed. The essential oils in the Traveler’s Spray kill bacteria which can help to neutralize the odor of sweaty gear.          

Stinky Shoes:  Liberally spray the insides of shoes with the Traveler’s Spray for added foot health, protection and odor control!                                          

Wrinkly clothes: While you are traveling or just on the go, you can use the Traveler’s spray to help get the wrinkles and static cling out of clothes: just mist lightly over clothes and smooth down!                    

Bed Bugs: Spray pillows and sheets in hotel rooms just in case!    

Mold: This essential oil blend helps kill molds naturally.

Deodorant: A great way to beat smells without clogging your pores from aluminum anti-breathing antiperspirants                                           

Car air freshener: we keep one in the car to spray in the air or on ourselves to freshen up when needed.

Bathroom freshener: Clear the air as needed. Also can be used as a counter and germ cleaner.

If you are traveling soon or use sanitizers often, consider a healthy option. Choose Traveler’s Spray here.

 

Why are Teas so Popular Right Now?

6 Reasons Teas Are Popular Right Now:

Tea is flying off the shelves at an all time high lately. What is making teas so quick to sell when January and February are traditionally slow retail months?

Here are 6 reasons for tea’s rising popularity, just for starters:

  1. Baby, it’s cold out there!

    cold!

    cold!

In these cold winter months, wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of tea is more than comforting! Having a hot drink helps take the frosty edge off the hard work of the day. Tea is a great option to other hot drinks because it is low in calories, yet high in healthy benefits such as anti-oxidants, nutritionally dense herbs and natural stimulants/relaxants. It is easy to get, easy to make, and can be steeped again and again.

  1. Health, health, health

    Basket of Herbs

    lots of goodness

People are becoming educated on the many health benefits of tea. Beyond New Years resolutions to start the year out healthier, people are choosing to take personal charge of their health. Healthier food and drink options, in general, are in demand. Tea is one of the easiest, actionable ways to jumpstart and recharge health, because it is just adding a tasty drink into your routine. Drinking tea is an enjoyable way to lighten the load, energize the body systems, detoxify and cleanse, and increase the anti-oxidants and immune boosters to stay healthy through the winter.

  1. Variety

There are so many different kinds of tea and tea blends now available! Blacks, greens, whites, reds, herbals, chai, mates, concentrates, bubble teas and more. Stimulating blacks to start the day, greens and citruses to continue the day, and mellow herbals for relaxing in the evening, there is tea for every occasion, time and season, hot or cold. When you get bored of one variety, just switch it up.

variety

variety

They are also used in more and more specialty foods, cocktails and mixed drinks. Recipes

  1. Millennials

Consumer reports show that over 87% of millennials (those in their teens and twenties) are drinking tea. They are driving the market on specialty blends; preferring organics, loose leaf, green teas and variety.

In fact, consumer reports show that tea sales- specialty teas and loose leaf teas at the top- have increased over the last few years at a growth rate of 5-10 % each year, more than coffee, sodas or other consumables! (http://www.teausa.com/14655/tea-fact-sheet)

  1. Price

When compared to other drinks, the value of tea far outshines, in both price per cup and nutritional quality per drink. Compare to sports drinks in energy and anti-oxidant levels. Compare to coffee beans and sodas. Compare to alcoholic drinks. Even organic, gourmet specialty teas are reasonable and sustainably priced per cup in comparison and many tea leaves can be steeped again and again!2016-02-17 12.06.47 (1)

  1. It’s just plain Good

Amazing flavor, health, variety, mixing ability, price, popularity (tea is the most consumed drink in the world after water), need I say more?

Simple Health Hacks for a Cold-Free Winter

Staying Healthy This Winter – Simple?

Winter has shown up in Central Oregon! Winter HealthSo much so, in fact, that I joked with my friend the other day that “it’s hard to tell Bend from Mt. Bachelor.”  It’s snowed so much in the past month that I’ve been forgetting what everything looked like without a colossal blanket of white over it. However, if you think that a little snow is stopping locals from getting outdoors, you’re wrong. The residents of Bend are as active as ever, because they’re getting creative. How? Just look outside –Bendites these days are getting their errands done by snowboarding and skiing around town!

While you may be one of these winter go-getters, playing in the snow does have its drawbacks if the correct measures aren’t taken first. During the cold weather season, bodies become more susceptible to catching bugs like the cold, the flu and pneumonia. In fact, as you expose yourself to cold weather, your air passages and skin dry out. This means that you become dehydrated faster which makes it all the easier for viruses to sneak in. Now, I know that I’m not the type of person that likes to spend hours mixing up cocktails of vitamins and supplements to find the perfect cold cure. So instead, I’ve found two quick, and ridiculously simple immune fixes that are easy to administer daily at your own home in under a minute.

This first winter health remedy is one that I’ve been loving for external protection –an incredibly handy organic balm by T’s Tonics. It’s called “Grab Salve” and it works on pretty much everything you want to grab it for.

Grab this salve for dry cracked skin and lips

Grab this salve for dry cracked skin and lips

Enthusiastically built for cuts and burns and infections, this salve has proved itself the perfect winter friendly pocket accessory for chapped lips, noses and hands as well. In fact, I’ve successfully used it in place of chapstick probably more times than I’d like to admit! It’s great for cracked heels too. It can be found in Bend at the Patagonia store.

My other favorite winter hack is easily green tea. Loaded with vitamins and nutrients, I’ve made it a point to drink at least one cup per day since fall began. green teaDid you know that one cup of green tea has up to 10% of your vitamin C for the day? To further the healing properties, I’ve been loving adding in a special Jamaican flower called hibiscus. In addition to boasting beautiful pink petals, this flower is wonderful for helping the body with its naturally high vitamin C and antioxidant content. Besides being warming to the soul, green tea with hibiscus is also the perfect way to give your immune system that vital boost! T’s tonics has made a deliciously health-conscious tea that includes both of these goodies, PLUS orange peel, lemon peel, rosehips and more boosters and you can find the link here: Citrus Hibiscus 

Citrus Hibiscus TeaIt’s easy to stay healthy for all the winter fun, all it really takes is a little know how and a couple quick tricks –like tea and a pocket-sized multi-use balm. If you have any stories or quick natural fixes that work for you, feel free to share them in the comments below. After all, exchanging experiences is what helps us grow and stay healthy for the stuff that matters –like skiing, sledding and snowball fights!

contributed by Isabella Moseley