Living Naturally
January 8, 2020
Trillions of “good” bacteria live inside our body. There’s an entire ecosystem—or, microbiome—in our gut! And gut health matters; it’s intertwined with our immune system, which is linked with diabetes, weight loss, and allergies. Learn more about gut health and how to take steps to keep those microbes healthy and happy!
What Is the Microbiome? What Does It Do?
The microbiome is the colony of microorganisms that make up the ecosystem of our body. Yes, our body is home to many microbes—bacteria,... more
January 6, 2020
A midlife reincarnation through exercise changed everything for me. And here’s some good news: A new study shows that even people who don’t start working out until middle-age enjoy a longer life, similar to those who start younger!
My “getting fit” story starts about 6 weeks after my 40th birthday and hasn’t ended decades later.
We had a freak April storm that dropped 18 inches of wet, heavy snow. My car had broken down, so I trudged the mile and a half to my daughter’s elementary school,... more
December 19, 2019
Make homemade deodorant for men or women that really works, especially in a pinch! It’s also easy to make a homemade shaving cream, aftershave, and toner. See our simple recipes using natural pantry ingredients.
Most DIY body care articles seem to aim exclusively at women. But both men and women may have similar concerns about the products they use on their bodies, and like women, some men have taken to making their own.
Lose the flowery scents, add a spicier one (or not), and the homemade... more
December 10, 2019
Feeling sick to your stomach? Overindulgence in holiday goodies might not be the culprit. ‘Tis the season for stomach bugs. And, by the way, there’s no such thing as stomach flu.
No Such Thing as Stomach Flu
First, let’s get this out of the way: Although it’s commonly called “stomach flu,” stomach bugs are NOT the real flu (influenza). Both strike more often in winter than at other times of year, but they’re not the same.
Flus are respiratory infections with symptoms such as fevers and ... more
December 6, 2019
Maybe you’ve read that most Americans get less than half the fiber they need for optimal health, and thought, “Oh, boy, they’re going to push more husks, groats, skins, rinds, seeds, stringy and raw stuff at me.” Well, maybe, but that’s not all.
For most people, the word “fiber” conjures images of thread and yarn; it seems out of place as a term for describing components of food. Nutrition scientists used to call it roughage (“scours your colon like a scrub brush.” Ouch!), or bulk (because it... more
November 19, 2019
If you’ve moved into middle age and beyond, it happens with increasing frequency: You see an old acquaintance and you can’t remember her first name. Or, you open a closet, then you can’t remember what you came to retrieve. Most of us find these lapses annoying, sometimes frightening. Is it normal?
Is My Forgetfulness Normal?
Many people worry that their forgetfulness foreshadows dementia. But it’s actually quite normal to forget things from time to time. Furthermore, neurologists tell us this... more
November 19, 2019
Pain brings more Americans to their doctors than any other complaint. Yet doctors can’t just apply a pain monitor like they can check your blood pressure. How would you communicate your pain? It can be a challenge. Here are 7 tips for talking to your doctor about chronic pain.
What is Acute Pain?
Most all of us have experienced what pain experts call acute pain—pain that arises from a serious cut, an injury, a broken bone, appendicitis, a strep throat, and so on. Acute pain alerts us that... more
October 23, 2019
Do you grunt, groan, and ratchet yourself to a standing position as you get out of bed in the morning? Then, after stretching and moving around for a few minutes, do you feel the achiness and stiffness abate (at least some of it)? There’s a reason for this …
The Body’s Natural Ibuprofen
Scientists have discovered that we wake up stiff and achy because our body’s natural ibuprofen has not kicked in yet. As day darkens into night, the circadian clocks in joint tissue suppress inflammation and... more
October 22, 2019
After water, tea (Camellia sinesis) is the world’s most popular beverage. Knowing its many benefits, this shouldn’t come as a suprise! Here are just a few—for health and more!
The Benefits of Tea
You’ve no doubt seen references to the research suggesting that tea, especially unfermented (green) tea, may deliver many health benefits.
Researchers say that regular tea-drinking (2 to 3 cups per day) may help lower cholesterol, manage blood sugar, promote weight loss, protect against several forms... more
October 20, 2019
Black walnuts fall rat-a-tat-tat onto the metal roof of our (now uninhabited) chicken house; acorns litter my walking paths through the woods. The sight and sound of them falling makes me think of…well, nuts! Not only are they healthy, but they also help with weight control and so much more. Let’s get nuts about one of nature’s most perfect foods.
Nuts and Weight Control
If you love nuts of any kind as much as I do (providing you don’t suffer from allergies to them*), you’ll rejoice at recently... more
Pages
"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.
FREE BEGINNER'S GARDEN GUIDE!
BONUS: You’ll also receive our Almanac Companion newsletter!
