Living Naturally
January 2, 2012
Motivation flagging? Live too far from a gym? No room in the house for exercise equipment? Not enough light before or after work? Feeling sluggish?
A lot of people abandon regular exercise during the winter. If that describes you, I know you have a slew of excuses, because I’ve used most of ‘em myself.
But even the best excuses ignore the cardinal law of physical fitness: Use it or lose it. You only get the fitness you earn today. You can’t store it up until the weather improves and the days... more
December 12, 2011
I’d read about using a slice of raw garlic to remove a splinter when working on a previous post praising the healing powers of garlic. But I didn’t mention it then.
However, I did recall the splinter-removal tip a few nights ago, after hobbling around all day with what I assumed was a sliver of glass stuck in the arch of my left foot. The shard was either too small or too deep to see, but it was extremely painful, sending a shock up my leg each time I stepped down on that foot.
Getting read for... more
November 13, 2011
Family gatherings, office potlucks, holiday buffets, neighborhood cookie exchanges, church suppers, mail-order food deliveries, gifts of home-preserved foods–from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day (and sometimes beyond), Americans go on what seems like a nonstop food binge.
I’ve always loved the special holiday foods and traditions of late fall and winter that have passed down through my family and the local cultures that shaped me. If I can avoid the over-stuffing—always a struggle. Oh, and... more
August 7, 2011
Why throw out what may be the most healthful and flavorful parts of the foods you prepare regularly? Toss them together into the stockpot first to brew up a tasty, nutritious broth that adds a gourmet kick to a soup, stew, chowder, or casserole.
A More Healthy Sstock
You bet! Potato peelings, for example, concentrate most of the potato’s potassium, a nutrient deficient in many American diets. Onion skins and celery leaves contain lots of the anti-oxidant/anti-microbial phytocompound quercetin... more
July 24, 2011
Every spring we welcome a few passing ducks and geese to our small backyard pond. Often a pair or two will hang around for a few weeks.
When the water gets warm enough for swimming, I know I’ll need to take preventive measures before and after my frequent midsummer swims to keep from getting a bad case of swimmer’s itch.
Once you’ve had a case of raised rash that can itch for a couple of weeks (a lot like poison ivy), you won’t want to get it again.
The cause? The larval, aquatic form of a... more
June 15, 2011
A baker’s dozen of safe, cheap, natural, multi-purpose essentials
Most of us keep a few basics on hand: pantry staples, first-aid items, cleaning and laundry products, personal-care items such as soap, shampoo, and deodorant.
Eyeing my list as I headed into town one day, I had to chuckle. Most of the half-dozen staple items on my list that day fell into two, three, or all of the above categories.
Later that day I made a list of my most common household staples. With one or two of the products... more
May 2, 2011
Down HomeFrugal, natural, at-hand: simple ideas for health & household
Welcome!
Dictionaries define the phrase down home as “a simple, wholesome, unpretentious way of life.” That about sums me up.
I’ve always loved the word frugal. It embraces a rich assortment of meanings gathered during its evolution from an ancient Proto-Indo-European root word, which meant both agricultural produce and to use and enjoy. This root gave rise to the Latin roots frux, meaning fruit, with associated... more
March 25, 2011
Have you ever wondered about experimenting with different herbs to make the perfect cup of tea? If so, you’ll be glad to know that it is extremely simple to infuse tea—with our recipe for Lavender and Marshmallow Root Tea.
Tea has many satisfying powers and, in my opinion, has a much more pleasing feel than a mug of heavily brewed black coffee. Tea is a subtle addition to a happy morning, a wake-up during a drowsy afternoon, and a great way to wind down after dinner. Doesn’t everyone need... more
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"Living Naturally" is all about living a naturally healthy lifestyle. Margaret Boyles covers health tips, ways to avoid illness, natural remedies, food that's good for body and soul, recipes for homemade beauty products, ideas to make your home a healthy and safe haven, and the latest news on health. Our goal is also to encourage self-sufficiency, whether it's relearning some age-old skills or getting informed on modern improvements that help us live better, healthier lives.
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