Friday, October 19, 2012

Beauty (and not so beautiful) uses for Bentonite!

What is bentonite??? The below information was taken from the Bulk Herb Store...

Bentonite Clay:
Bentonite clay has been gaining popularity in resent years as an internal and external cleanser for very good reasons. However with every good page of research there are ten more pages of nonsense, so we have worked hard to bring you the best information and the finest product on the market.
Why our Bentonite Clay?
Not all Bentonite Clay is created equal, most of it is not mined for internal use or sifted as finely as it should be. But here at the Bulk Herb Store we carefully select Bentonite Clay that is unsurpassed in purity, quality and is mined with only stainless steel equipment to keep it from adsorbing heavy metals while it is being harvested. Our Bentonite clay is a naturally forming clay (not processed) and all Bentonite, is made of minerals that are a part of the smectite class of clays. Bentonite clay is primarily composed of the mineral, montmorillonite which, if it contains sodium as an exchangeable ion, can swell up to six times its size when wet; this makes it the most adsorbent and absorbent of all the clays. Calcium Bentonite clay is only slightly swelling or non-swelling this allows the clay (if it is as finely sifted as ours) to pass uninhibited through the colon wall, were it will go on to clean the blood and give vital minerals to the bones. Our clay is a natural mix of both sodium and calcium Bentonite, this will allow it to do twice as much as either one by itself.
How It Works:
Bentonite Clay is a very unique substance, formed primarily of Montmorillonite, which is an extremely flat crystal flake, that carries a relatively strong negative ionic charge. The negative charge is compensated for by adsorbing a cation (either Sodium or Calcium) to the interior of the molecule, this is what makes it either Sodium Bentonite or Calcium Bentonite Clay. To put it another way think of the Montmorillonite crystal flake resembling two pieces of bread, with a strong vacuum pulling the lunch meat in between them, whatever lands there (Sodium or Calcium) determines what kind of sandwich it will be. Now when you activate this clay sandwich it will magnetically grab the junk in your body (heavy metals, toxins, acid, etc.…) and trade them for the” lunch meat” taking the toxins out in your waste. The two different clays although very similar in their inert state (dry) have very different applications when activated (mixed with water).
Sodium Bentonite
The Sodium Bentonite has the highest Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and the higher the CEC of the clay the stronger the negative charge. This means that Sodium Montmorillonite has a stronger vacuum for pulling in heavy metals and toxins that it comes into contact with. Furthermore the Sodium Bentonite swells more giving it the ability to adsorb and absorb more toxins pulling them into the interior layers of the clay and carrying the them out of the body through the feces. In order to enhance this process we have put together a herbal mix called Detox+
Calcium Bentonite:
Calcium Bentonite does not swell as much as Sodium Bentonite and while that makes it less effective as a detoxing agent it is more effective as a remineralizer. Because it dose not swell as much, Calcium Bentonite will have some tiny particles small enough to pass through the colon wall into the bloodstream. There it will scavenge out toxins and leave behind vital minerals. Montmorillonite is a Silica based mineral and it is silica that allows calcium to pass through the outer portion of the bone to the interior where it is most needed.
Bentonite Clay and your pH Balance
Another factor that makes Bentonite Clay Powder so indispensable is it’s ability to elevate your body’s pH. The Bentonite will absorb some of the hydrogen from your cells enabling them to fill that space with the oxygen you so dearly need.
Bentonite Clay and wildlife:
Peruvian Macaws seem to somehow know the benefits of Bentonite clay. Macaws are entirely dependent upon wild fruit for there main source of food, but at certain times of the year only poisonous fruit is available. So they will fly to the nearest clay lick and eat the clay in the morning which will adsorb the alkaloid toxins found in the poisonous fruit they eat during the day. Its highest power lies in the ability to absorb toxins, impurities, heavy metals and other internal contaminants. Bentonite clay's structure assists it in attracting and soaking up poisons on its exterior wall and then slowly drawing them into the interior center of the clay where they are held in a sort of repository. To state it another way, Bentonite is swelling clay. When it becomes mixed with water it rapidly swells open like a highly porous sponge. From here the toxins are drawn into the sponge through electrical attraction and once there, they are bound.
Bentonite Clay Toothpaste:
We at the Bulk Herb Store, decided to make an all natural, organic, toothpaste that would neutralize acid, remove bacteria filled organic mater, leach out infection and promote healthy gums. And we did just that! Check out our Bentonite Clay Toothpaste
Bentonite Clay Mask:
A clay mask made from Bentonite draws excess oils and debris to the surface of your skin, boosts circulation to tighten the skin and stimulate blood flow, and whisks away dead skin cells that can clog pores.
Bentonite Clay for skin irritation:
To control itching: A simple “mud pack” made with bentonite clay powder and enough water to create a thick goo can help control the itch and dry up blisters, herbalists say. Spread the clay over the affected area and let air dry. Keep it on until the clay wears off or gets itchy. Wash off the residue.
For first-aid: To make a healing pack, mix Bentonite clay powder or baking soda and oatmeal with water and an anti-infection herb (such as garlic, thyme, or calendula) or an herbal tincture. Apply to pimples, boils, or wounds.


Now, I could have said most of that, but it sure is easier to copy and paste!! LOL!

I have been experimenting with bentonite, using it in different scenarios and such. Every night for the past three weeks I have been making a bentonite clay mask. I don't use water and facial soaps to clean my face, instead I use raw coconut oil to clean off makeup and dirt. After I've cleaned my face thoroughly, I make a paste (very thick) of bentonite clay, homemade vinegar or raw yogurt. I stir these ingredients together in a plastic bowl with a plastic spoon. Using ANYTHING metal will immediately activate the bentonite and cause it to clump up. Believe me, you will NOT be able to use it if you use metal...lol!
After everything is mixed into a nice smooth paste, I apply it to the clean skin and let it stay there until completely dried. After it's dried, I rinse clean with lukewarm water and wipe off with paper towels. I then apply organic flaxseed oil and massage well. Your face will be slightly red, but that's ok! The bentonite stimulates blood flow to the surface of your skin causing it to look like you just went running for three hours! That's a good thing though because the extra blood stimulation to face brings oxygen and healing properties to the face causing it to repair itself, detoxify, and shed old skin cells.

You will awake the next day to a face that feels so fresh and new! You've got to try it!

I also take bentonite periodically for metal detoxification since we live in an environment that is NOT sympathetic to our desire to refrain from ingesting metals and chemicals:-) It's also a good thing to use for a few days after you've used paints, carpet cleaners, or any other type of harsh chemical to help your body expel those toxins.

The best use for bentonite though happens to be for instances relating to pesky insects and bugs that like to bite or sting you! My 6 year old went outside to play with her older sister by the woodpile today and was taking some wood off to "build something creative" when she, very unknowingly, dropped a piece of wood on what I'm assuming was the entrance hole to a yellow jacket nest:-) Thankfully, she only came away with two stings, but if you've ever been stung by one, one sting feels like a million wasp stings. She came hollering into the house and I immediately made a paste of bentonite and homemade vinegar, applied it to the stings, and covered it lightly with gauze, and applied an ice pack. Within 20 minutes, the swelling was almost gone and she was back to her normal self and was trying to get the bandages off because they "were bothering her":-) I asked her if the stings still hurt, and she said "not really!" I'm so glad I have this stuff!!!  Excessive stings can cause severe allergic reactions in just about everybody, so this is a must have for your household medicine cabinet.

Now, being slathered in greenish gray clay is not the most beautiful thing in the world, but whether you use it on your face or use it to heal a sting or bite, the results are always beautiful! So, get yourself some and try something new! I promise, you won't be disappointed!
 I always buy mine from the www.bulkherbstore.com and I've never been disappointed with any product I've ever bought and I've been buying there for about six years!
Have a blessed day!


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

A simply home remedy for the Winter Woes!

Here is a simple home remedy that I make and use all winter time long to keep our family healthy! This is one of those simple things that makes you say after you make it, "Now why didn't I do that before!!!" lol!

Here's what you do....
 Ingredients:
  3-4 cloves of fresh garlic
  1 ginger root
  1 lemon
  Raw Honey (not found in grocery stores - what's in the store comes from bees fed sugar water that is more times than not, sweetened with a sugar substitute!)  

On the finest side of your grater, grate 3-4 whole cloves of fresh garlic and a good sized chunk of freshly peeled ginger root. You'll have to scrape if off the outside and in inside to get it all because it will be very juicy when you're done. Next, using a hand juicer, juice 1 whole lemon. Pick out the seeds....duh...lol!
Combine lemon juice, raw honey equal in volume to the amount of lemon juice you squeezed, the garlic and ginger. Mix it all together and store in a glass jar in your fridge. Take 1-2 tsp. per day in a glass of warm water!

Now, if you are a brave person who likes their gizzard to feel like it is on fire, then you can take the stuff straight!! I licked my mixing spoon after I was done stirring everything up together (like I normally do, but I don't double dip;-) and WHOA! That stuff has a bite! Then, I mixed it in warm licorice root/fennel tea and it was just perfect! It warms your insides but doesn't burn:-)

This will keep for one week in the fridge, but I doubt it will last that long:-)

Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Why all the bronchitis??

Anyone wonder why we are having so much pneumonia, bronchitis, and respiratory infections this year? Could it be because we're ingesting the diseases through our food? "Food" that has been injected with numerous amounts of pneumonia, bronchitis, cholera, herpesvirus, hepatitis vaccines and then consumed by the individual must have some play in this, right?

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/nutrition_and_management_poultry/vaccination_programs_in_poultry.html

Check out this link and see what your food is getting injected with and then ask yourself this question, "Is this what is making me sick?". If you're eating ANYTHING commercially grown (chicken, beef, pig) then this is what you're intaking.

See why it is so important to eat local meat that is grown and cared for without these injections, horrible living conditions, and diseases?

There is a saying "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT". If you're constantly sick with something or another, you are the product of your food consumption. 70% of your immune system is based off of what lives in your gut. Sorry to be so blunt, but if you don't have healthy bacteria and flora in your gut from consuming lacto-fermented foods, raw yogurt, raw vegetables (NOT FROM ANY "grocery store" - those are pseudo vegetables - meaning, they are made to look like a vegetable, but have NO nutritional properties of a vegetable) clean grains, and fresh meat from your local farmer, you are consuming absolutely ZERO vitamins, minerals, nutrients of which are ABSOLUTELY necessary for the functioning of a healthy gut system.  You then in turn will be sick. Your kids will be sick. Nothing will seem to work, no medications, no herbs, no nothing. You will simply go from one sickness to another. Until you change WHAT YOU EAT, you will continue to be sick.

You say to yourself "Ok, then where can I get something clean?" Well, from the farmer. "Any Farmer?", you say? NO. Not just "any farmer". You must do the research, you must ask questions, you must observe the farm and it's practices, you must know what they do and how they do it. When all meet satisfactory requirements for clean practices, you can then buy from them. Eating clean takes work. LOTS of work. It never ceases to amaze me how little "work" Americans are willing to put into what goes into their mouth. So long as it comes cheap or free, they'll eat it. Most of what Americans consume, other countries have outlawed.

http://www.naturalnews.com/037328_Russia_GMO_Monsanto.html

There are a lot of interesting articles on the link above that you should read. Just because something is on a shelf and has the label of "organic or natural" on it doesn't mean that it is safe either!

Let the world see that we as believers are true to the Scriptures that we so loudly declare to be Truth...."whether therefore ye EAT, or DRINK, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God"..."what? know ye not that your body is the TEMPLE of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God IN YOUR BODY, and in your spirit, which are God's."

Our bodies are a gift from God. How can they be effective for Christ if we can hardly get out of bed because of all the sickness we have? God did not create the GMO's, vaccines, antibiotics, drugs, artificial anythings. These things are man's way of rebelling against the things that God has created to provide a way for this dying old body to take care of itself and bring glory to Him while it lives here on this earth. God's way doesn't make anyone to be master. Man's way does. God's way doesn't make it possible for a man to be ridiculously wealthy. Man's way does. BUT, God's way is perfect. It makes us useable, fit for the master's use. It makes what we say about the Scriptures believable and effective. We say we believe God, that we trust Him, that He provides for us, but then everything in our lives links us back to dependence on the Government. Everything we consume comes from that institution because it's CHEAP OR FREE, (not really, it just seems that way) and yet we tell others that God provides for us???

God wouldn't give us things to make us sick, diseased, starved, afflicted....He is also under no obligation to be "our genie in the bottle" when we insist on following man's design, and then in our sickened state cry out to Him to "heal us" to do anything of the sort. He does do that at times because He is a loving and merciful God, but it seems to me that more and more Christians are taking the "genie in the bottle" approach to God. I believe that this country is facing chastisement for their sin of this approach to God.

I am so thankful that God has answered our "knock and the door shall be opened unto you" and our "seek and ye shall find". When man truly turns to God to be their sole provider and forsakes the ways of man, God WILL provide the way. Just Trust and OBEY!

How are you letting God be the sole provider of your earthly needs? Do you trust Him to lead you to the right and healthful resources, or are you depending on the Government to pay for your "needs" so you can "live on less" and "serve" God? Something was said to us one time when pursuing a ministry opportunity, "We can pay you this much less than what you're asking and here's a list of all the Government Aid stuff you can sign up for to make up the difference". This was coming from someone who was looking to hire my husband for a ministry position!! We turned it down. We've never looked back and God has ALWAYS taken care of us and we haven't had to eat "socialized food" in order to keep serving Him. I believe God honors the man whose God is the Lord and trusts Him with all his heart!

JUST TRUST and OBEY!

Friday, October 5, 2012

September/October happenings

It is so hard to believe that September is gone and October is here! Now that my favorite month of the ENTIRE year is finally here, I've been busy with WeeRuns for the kids clothing, organizing for the winter, planning weekend activities, and such. Here are some pictures of what all has been happening!
My Big boy!




Getting ready for the campfire!

Busy watching the fire! Don't worry, Caleb has been sufficiently trained on not touching "HOT!"





So handsome in my yellow boots:-)



Tents are set up and we're waiting to roast the homemade marshmallows!

Such a studious child I have....



Sweet sibling love:-)

Hanging out while Audrey takes pictures!

Good grief! He just has to have his finger where it doesn't belong!!




Kaylah's 3rd birthday cake...didn't have the writing on it yet, but it was fun to make!

I have discovered the "love" of homemade fondant! It's the best!

JD's 5th birthday cake!!! I made several "baseball" cupcakes that went along with this. All in all, the cakes turned out super yummy thanks to the rapadura that Pastor Deatrick brought back from Brazil this summer!


I'm sure you're wondering "why in the world did she put a picture of suitcases on here?"

The story behind these suitcases is pretty amazing:-) A couple of years ago someone needed to borrow our suitcase. We always let people borrow with the mindset that we don't expect it back....ever. In this case, they needed to just keep it to help make their life easier at the time! Well, that meant we were down to one 15 year old suitcase of mine that wasn't big enough to really hold all our stuff when we travel, but we just made do! Last night we took the kids out to do some shopping with the money I made from Weeruns, and we decided to stop in at Value Village in Gastonia. You just never know what you'll find there:-) Well, obviously someone had bought these suitcases and decided they didn't want them because theses cases ALL had original tags on them and paperwork inside them!!!! All three together retailed for $400!!!! and we bought them for only $30.00...ALL TOGETHER....FINAL PRICE!!!  Isn't that amazing! It is true that when you give, God ALWAYS gives back to you more than what you gave. You don't always know the time frame, but He always gives it right when you need it! Now, Audrey and Adalyn have a large suitcase, we have one, and we got a garmet bag to boot!

Tomorrow is the Columbus NC Farm Festival so we'll be taking lots  more pictures, so stay tuned!!! It's going to be a super fun day tomorrow and I know the kids will just have a blast! Wish our family could be here to enjoy the day with us!