Raynaud's and Winter's Chill

As uncomfortable as is the cold of the winter season, for someone suffering with Raynaud's Syndrome, cold hands and feet just may be a way of life. Anybody out in the cold too long knows the pain one feels in the hands and feet once returning to the warmth of the indoors again. Imagine going through that just by grocery shopping in the frozen foods section, or digging through the freezer looking for something for dinner.

A person may have Raynaud's Syndrome as the primary condition or it may be part of an underlying autoimmune condition such as Rheumatoid  Arthritis,  Scleroderma, or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.  Raynaud's is a very annoying condition in which the constriction of the blood vessels in the affected areas is exaggerated. Usually this involves the fingers and toes but the nose, ear lobes and lips can also be affected.

Attacks are usually triggered by exposure to the cold or even emotional stress. A decrease in blood supply to the extremeties causes discoloration such as the skin turning white. Under normal exposure to cold the body slows the loss of heat to maintain core temperature. Blood vessels which control blood flow to the skin move blood from arteries near the surface to veins deep within. In a person  with Raynaud's phenomenon, this reaction goes overboard. The blood  vessels constrict tightly, starving the tissues of  blood,  however,  circulation  to the rest of the body is perfectly normal. These attacks are quite painful and can last for just a few minutes up to a few hours. When blood flow returns to normal, the white color turns to blue, then red, then back to a normal pinkish skin color.

Of course prevention is moving to a warm climate or by bundling up before going out in the cold weather, but even so, it isn't easy to avoid simple everyday things like air conditioning or holding a cold drink at a social gathering.

There is medication to dilate the blood vessels but usually the physician will first have a patient try lifestyle management. Besides being prepared for exposure to the cold, one must absolutely not be a smoker. We know how cigarettes compromise the circulation system and in a system already not working properly, to smoke is just asking for trouble. Emotional stress is another culprit which can trigger a flair.

A medication used to help increase blood flow to the extremities and heal tissue damage and ulcerated skin is Procardia, generic name being Nifedipine. It is taken at bedtime since it may cause dizziness. Grapefruit juice is to be avoided while taking this medication. Be aware that some people have an allergic reaction to calcium channel blockers. Red, itchy, scaly, dry and sometimes painful red splotches can appear on the face and perhaps any other part of the body. Topical steroids may be prescribed but be aware of the risk of potential damage to the skin when used on the face. Do not continue use of a steroidal cream if no results are seen within the time frame set by the physician. Once the Nifedipine is discontinued the problem areas probably won't get any worse but it may take months for the skin to heal and the red spots to fade. Believe it or not, Viagra had been found to be another option to help increase blood flow to the extremities. The side effects with Viagra could be dizziness and headaches.

 

Besides the pain involved, the fingertips and toes can become chronically tender to the touch and may drive one crazy with itch. This photograph of the toes shows what can happen over time to toes that are continuously irritated. The tips are sore, hard, peel and itch all at the same time. There may be periods of time where just wearing shoes is painful.

It is very important to take care of your toes. Should the wearing of shoes irritate the tips and ulcerated sores develop take measures to help these hard to heal areas. When circulation is compromised we need to pay attention before things get any worse.

To reduce the risk of infection, (this soak is great for wounds in general), Prepare an epsom salt and tea tree oil warm water soak to help reduce inflammation and oxidize the wound. The heat and salinity inhibit proliferation of bacteria. Epsom salts are crystals of hydrated magnesium sulphate.
 According to the Epsom Salt Council, epsom salt soaks can raise magnesium levels and improve blood circulation and skin integrity. Adequate circulation and oxygen saturation are necessary for wound healing. Epsom salt is not like table salt, it will not burn. Don't put salt directly on the wound.

Tea tree oil is known as the Australian wonder, renowned for its unbelievable antimicrobial qualities.  It can be found at most pharmacies and natural food stores. Look for it in 1 oz. amber glass dropper bottles. You want true therapeutic essential oil.

1. Fill a basin with warm water
2. Add a few tablespoons of Epsom salts and stir till dissolved
3. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil
4. Soak for about fifteen minutes
5. Let the area dry thoroughly
6. Repeat the soaking 2 -3 times a day

• Ask your doctor if epsom salt soaks are appropriate for your wound. Do not use epsom salt soaks on an actively infected wound or a wound with nonviable tissue. 

Lavender Honey

 Once the toes are thoroughly dry, apply a dab of raw honey to the pad of a band-aid along with 1 drop of lavender essential oil. Cover the toe tips loosely with the band-aid. If using the lavender honey listed here than additional lavender essential oil isn't necessary.
Be sure to use raw honey, not the pasteurized type found in the grocery store.  Raw honey will help draw fluid away from your wound and suppress the growth of microorganisms. Part of what gives raw honey its antibacterial properties is an enzyme called glucose oxidase, which the worker bees excrete into the nectar. This enzyme releases low levels of hydrogen peroxide when the honey makes contact with your wound. Heated honey will destroy this perishable enzyme which is why you want to only use raw honey for this application.When applied to the skin, honey may serve as a barrier to moisture and keep skin from sticking to dressings.
Lavender has been called the 'mother of all essences'.  A very important property of lavender is that it stimulates the regeneration of damaged tissues.

Heat Holders proved to be a godsend.

Thick and chunky, chronically cold feet or tender, sore toe tips can find relief from cold floors. A tog rating of 2.34, these socks use heavy bulk yarn with extreme thermal qualities. Anyone with either diabetes or circulation problems should have a few pairs of these socks. Even if you find them too thick to be comfortable in your shoes, they are awesome for around the house or to wear with outdoor boots that have more room.
They also carry gloves with the same heat holding qualities to help protect those fingers from the bitter cold temperatures.

Like most of the symptoms associated with an autoimmune condition, these flairs come and go. It is imperative that the patient pay attention and take care of his/her body. Always carry a pair of gloves in your purse or glove compartment. These liner gloves are awesome to still be able to work while wearing them, and these make excellent liners underneath heavier gloves in the winter.

Liniments and massage oils can also be a comfort and offer relief for the numbness and tingling as blood flow returns to fingertips and toes.
Herbs rosemary and peppermint combine with aromatherapy for a blend which helps with circulation and pain relief.
Another option is the benefits of ginger root. Known as one of the "hot" herbs, ginger root helps to bring blood to the surface of the skin. By increasing circulation, ginger's warming qualities help to decrease muscle soreness and stiffness.

Warming Liniment Pain Relief

Ginger Root Warming Massage Oil

Other than the pain associated with the loss of blood flow during a flair, one has to understand that there may also be no feeling and clumsy numbness in the finger tips or toes. This can put one at a very real risk of injury. The fine tactile abilities of our hands and feet are usually not fully appreciated until one loses these functions. Be very careful when handling knives or power equipment while going through a Raynaud's flair. An injury can occur very quickly and without any initial pain until the surreal realization of what just happened.

Running warm water over cold fingers or toes helps increase blood flow but don't let the water get hot. The luxury of a warm bath on cold, winter nights can be therapeutic for both the mind and body. Add a cup of hot tea or hot chocolate and you're all set.

Bath oils, Salts, Scrubs

Coconut Oil - Healthy Alternative

Coconut Cranberry Oat White Chip Cookies

Whether used in the kitchen for cooking or in your collection of skin and hair care products, coconut oil has made a major comeback. Because it is a saturated fat we were told to steer away from it in our diets. We now know that not all saturated fats are the same.
According to Marisa Moore, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association,

“Different types of saturated fats behave differently.
The main saturated fat in coconut oil is lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid. Lauric acid increases levels of good HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, and bad LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, in the blood, but is not thought to negatively affect the overall ratio of the two."

According to an article in the Health section of the New York Times:

"Two groups have helped give coconut oil its sparkly new makeover. One is made up of scientists, many of whom are backtracking on the worst accusations against coconut oil. And the other is the growing number of vegans, who rely on it as a sweet vegetable fat that is solid at room temperature and can create flaky pie crusts, crumbly scones and fluffy cupcake icings, all without butter."

 Most cookie recipes call for either shortening or butter.
We know that shortening is a trans fat known as hydrogenated vegetable oil, and although we are aware how harmful it can be, we often use it for our baked goodies simply because that is what the recipe calls for.
Butter makes for delicious cookies but may not be an option for people trying to avoid dairy.
Now that we know that coconut oil is, in fact, a healthy addition to our diets, using it as a butter or shortening substitute in our cooking and baking is wonderful.

For those who like the coconut taste and enjoy how it can enhance a recipe, they can purchase extra virgin coconut oil. For those who don't want to taste coconut, they are to use the refined or deodorized coconut oil. Be aware though that extra virgin coconut oil may only be found at health food stores and probably will cost more than the refined coconut oil, which can be found at many supermarkets.

Keep in mind that coconut oil is solid at room temperature but will melt at temperatures above 76 degrees F.

Note: The butter or shortening ratio to coconut oil isn't exactly a 1:1 ratio. There is no water content in coconut oil, so being more dense use slightly less. So if the recipe calls for 2/3 cup or 5 oz. of butter or shortening, use 4 oz. of coconut oil.

Here is a very nutritious, high fiber cookie recipe from Ocean Spray made even healthier with a few substitutions: Both versions are below:

OATMEAL CRANBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Ingredients
2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened   or  slightly less than 2/3 cup coconut oil, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour    or   3/4 cup flour and 3/4 cup oat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Beat softened butter or coconut oil and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl till light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

In another bowl, combine the flour or flours, baking soda, salt and sift together. Add the oats.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the oil, sugar and egg mixture and mix well.
Stir in the dried cranberries and the white chocolate chips.
Batter will be stiff.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Baked for 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove to a wire rack to cool.
Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies.


 So, if you want an excellent alternative to butter or shortening and don't mind paying a bit more in comparison, then coconut oil just may become a staple in your pantry.

Healthy, Happy Snacking!

Every New Year we have very good intentions on improving our diets with healthier food choices. Meal planning can be easy enough but the downfall is usually with snacking. If your family is like mine, the first thing they do when they get home is open up the cabinet door and blankly stare. Hungry or not I think it is all part of the de-stressing routine of coming home. 

In our attempts to steer away from processed foods, this involves the discipline of preparation of my part. Rather than just grabbing chips, pretzels and sweets off the store shelves to keep the family in supply, try planning ahead and stock up on supplies in bulk to make some of these healthy snacks. It is so easy to buy all this stuff and then you never find the time to do anything with it. But once you get comfortable with the recipes, making them won't be such a big deal.

Trail Mix

Trail mixes are ideal lunch box, travel snacks or just a healthy concoction to keep handy in the food cabinet.  You can easily find prepackaged assortments at the grocery store, but if you want more control over what is in it then gather the ingredients separately and put it together yourself. 

Some suggestions:

 Raisins, Peanuts, M&M's, Sesame Sticks, Roasted Soybeans, Roasted Sunflower seeds, Roasted Pumpkin seeds, Roasted nuts such as Almonds, Walnuts, or Cashews,  Chocolate covered Raisins, Chocolate covered Peanuts, Banana Chips, Dried Pineapple chunks, Dried Cranberries or Blueberries, Dried Apple bits or rings. 

 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Coated Sesame Balls 

These are wonderful snacks for children and adults alike. They are a nutritious sweet treat without the empty calories of a candy bar.

                                                      3/4 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine these three ingredients in a medium sized bowl.

3/4 cup skim milk powder

1 cup oatmeal

Combine these two ingredients in another bowl.

Gradually add the oatmeal/milk powder mixture to the peanut butter mixture, blend thoroughly, mix will be stiff, may need your hands.

1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds (toast seeds in a preheated 200 degree oven for 20 minutes)

2 tbsp. boiling water

Blend the seeds and the hot water into the mixture.

Using your hands, shape into 1-inch balls. (The mix will be sticky so wet your hands periodically with cold water.)

Roll the balls around in a bowl containing finely chopped nuts, almond meal, wheat germ or ground flax seeds.

Place the balls onto wax paper lined baking sheets. 

Place the baking sheets in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Place a pound of chocolate coating wafers or a 12 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips along with 1 tbsp. shortening into a small microwave safe bowl (or melt using a double boiler).

Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes, stir, another 30 seconds, stir till smooth.

Dip the balls into the melted chocolate using a strong sandwich pick. Place onto the wax paper lined baking sheets to harden.

This batch makes about 3 dozen.

 Homemade Granola

This granola is very versatile. You can add or substitute ingredients to your liking. Granola is an excellent staple to keep in your cabinets. It can be served as a very healthy breakfast cereal, a lunch box trail mix type snack, or a topping for yogurt or ice cream.

6 cups rolled oats

2 cups shredded coconut

1 cup wheat germ

1 cup chopped nuts (almonds or pecans)

1 cup hulled sunflower seeds

1 cup sesame seeds

1 cup roasted soybeans

1 cup raisins or dried cranberries (don't add these until after baking or they may get too hard)

Combine the above dry ingredients in a large bowl.

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup honey

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine the above wet ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat and stir till smooth.

Stir the heated wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and blend well. Spread the granola out onto two greased cookie sheets. If cookie sheets are small use a third, you don't want the granola layers too thick. Bake at 250 degrees F for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, till golden. Stir in the raisins. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Roasted Chickpeas

Chickpeas are best known served on salad bars or hummus but they also make a nutritious snack for guilt-free nibbling.

 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas
2 tablespoons olive oil
Be your own judge with how much to use of the following spices:
Paprika, Cumin, Black pepper, Salt and Cayenne pepper
Some people prefer simply Salt and Garlic powder.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Rinse and dry the chickpeas.
Toss with the olive oil and spices till well covered.
Bake until lightly golden and crispy, about 20 - 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cool completely before storing in a tight container.

Baked Kale Chips

Kale is a cold season leafy green vegetable available at the best price from November through March. It is such a nutritious vegetable that it is called "King of the greens".  It can be eaten raw in salads, added to soups or sauteed in olive oil as a side dish. For those who turn their noses up at this member of the Brassica family, try this healthy alternative to potato chips.

Fresh kale is very voluminous but when cooked or baked, it shrinks down considerably. To make it worth your while expect to use a few bunches. 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Wash the kale and tear the leaves into large pieces. Tear them off of the tough inner stems.
Dry off as much of the excess water as possible. A salad spinner works well for this or dab well with paper towels.
Put kale pieces into a large bowl.
Toss with olive oil, starting with about 1 tablespoon and be your own judge. You want a light coating but not too much or the chips will be greasy and limp.
Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper to your own taste preference.
Layer the leaves onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Lay them in a single layer so as not to be overlapping. They won't bake uniformly if too close.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, checking periodically to toss and make sure they aren't about to burn.
Remove from the oven and cool.


Enjoy

 

Happy New Year and Thank You

                                  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!


A sincere thank you to all of you who showed interest in Meadow Muffin Gardens, from the blog posts to the Facebook page to your support of my shops. I sincerely appreciate all the feedback, which has not only given me confidence in why I'm doing this, but has planted the seeds for new ideas and direction.

Please let me know of any areas of interests you would enjoy reading about with the blog posts. Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and Blogger are all intertwined as a wonderful and powerful means of branching out to people, like tendrils on a vine reaching in every direction. Thank you for your part in my gaining exposure, either by word of mouth or sources such as these.

Enjoy whatever plans you may have for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Wishing 2016 to be an exciting year full of opportunity, fulfillment and good health.

Have a blessed 2016



Stacy
www.meadowmuffingardens.com
www.meadowmuffin2010.etsy.com
www.zibbet.com/meadowmuffin2010
www.meadowmuffingardens.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/MeadowMuffinGardens

Don't Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle

When to Know to Let It Go

The holiday months have to be some of the most exciting, stressful and sleep deprived times of the entire year.  Baking, shopping, wrapping, cleaning, decorating, cooking, entertaining, and probably more last minute shopping, all somehow accomplished on top of all the normal everyday activities.  Add a few over excited children to the mix and many adults just may think about asking Santa if they can hitch a ride to fly away from it all.

Interesting how some people can let things sail right over them, and others have to do the count to 10 trick before daring to even speak. Since we usually let our guard down around those whom we are most comfortable, it is very easy to fly off the handle and say things we may regret.

Murphy's Law says, "If something is bound to go wrong, it will, at the most inconvenient time."
Sounds like a very negative way to view life but we have to admit things usually don't go easy, at least not the first time around.  Maybe it is like that to force us to develop a sense of humor. Laughter is the best medicine and usually once a crisis is past it does become a great story.

So:
If the Christmas lights you so meticulously arranged decide to quit mid-season and it is too cold or there just isn't time to tackle it again, let it go.
If the cat or dog knocks the tree over and delicate ornaments get broken, anchor the tree and let it go.
If you trek from one store to another and just cannot find that ooh aah gift,  or it's out of stock, again, let it go.
If sending cards has become nothing more than a chore, cut back or let it go. Send a note, e-mail, or phone call after the holiday commotion dies down.
If you have to decide on homemade iced cut-out cookies for the cookie exchange or a quick batch of rice krispee treats, make the latter, top with red and green sprinkles, and don't worry about it.
If wrapping is just too time consuming, stock up on tissue paper and gift bags.
If one more party invitation is pushing your tight schedule over the top, learn to politely decline.
Give yourself permission to turn off the phone, close the door and take a nap, bath or start a good book.
Fear you'll miss the good deals if you aren't running ragged on Black Friday? Wait till Cyber Monday and shop online.
Tired of going into credit card debt every year just to get it all over with and please everyone? 
Encourage name exchanges for family gatherings or else set price limits. 
There is nothing wrong with handmade, homemade type gifts, either crafty or from the kitchen.
Stop stressing over expectations, either from yourself or others.
Let it go or maybe Let them go.

Tension affects not only your mental state but ever notice how when you are all key up your back starts to hurt or that headache starts to pound?
Break down the word disease and it becomes 'dis' 'ease'.  Approximately 70% of disorders can be related to stress and nervous tension.  Since every part of the body receives its nerve supply from the spine, abnormal tension causes tightening of the muscles of the spine, causing pain as the nerves are affected and blood vessels are constricted.  Stress in life is unavoidable, but long-term fatigue and anxiety drains the immune system, resulting in the body being vulnerable to illness.

Attitude is the difference between fighting everything and just accepting "what is". There is a saying that goes: "We may not be able to change someone or a situation, but we can change our attitude about that person or situation." Try it and you really will discover a sense of freedom from the grip of frustration and worry.

Learning what is worth a raise in blood pressure and when to take things in stride is definitely a life lesson in not only maturity and wisdom, but your health.

Just about every culture has a version of the Serenity Prayer:


More information and a bit of humor about the Serenity Prayer:

The Serenity Prayer is most commonly attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, a famous Protestant theologian known for his concern for social justice back in the 1940's.

God give us grace, to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

Longer version:
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.


Funny Versions: 
God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change
Courage to change the one I can change,
And wisdom to know it's me.
–author unknown

God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do,
and the eyesight to tell the difference.
-author unknown

When you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed, keep in mind that a lot of our pressure is from expectations we put on ourselves. Family members would much rather have you relaxed and smiling rather than irritable and on the verge of getting sick. All easier said than done, but we can try.
The true meaning of the holidays has to do with cherishing that which we already have, not letting commercialism plant the seed of dissatisfaction and the never enough syndrome. Best gifts are those given from the heart, which may or may not be a purchased item.

Satisfy Your Skin's Thirst for Moisture

              
Our skin takes quite a beating no matter what the season. Regardless of how we choose to heat our homes in the winter, most likely the result will be a lack of humidity and dry indoor air. Get in the car and the blast of the heater seems to aim right for the face. Get out of the car and the wind whips around and further dries out our skin. In the summer, we have the glaring down of the hot summer sun in addition to the effects of the chlorine in swimming pools.

 Normal water weight in the human body varies with age, gender and body composition. The more muscle mass you have, the higher the percentage of water weight you'll have. Water constitutes 65 - 75 percent of muscle and 10 percent of fat.

Water is the key to healthy skin, and in order to function properly our bodies require 2 - 3 liters of water per day to replenish normal water loss. Our lungs expel up to 4 cups of water a day just by normal breathing. Water, called "the blood of life", makes up 95% of a skin cell, therefore for supple, beautiful skin, you need to stay hydrated by drinking enough and through topical moisturizers.

Help your body maintain a beautiful, healthy skin in three ways:
The environmental atmosphere in which you live, the amount of water you drink, and drawing water to the skin by way of moisturizers.

Depending on where you live you can help your skin maintain that 20% level from the atmosphere. A climate with 60% humidity is ideal.

Drinking more water is a must for proper overall health. Water plays an essential role in almost all bodily functions and without it you can only expect to live a few days. Water acts to transport nutrients and gases throughout the body, and also enables cellular reactions to take place. Water carries waste products out of your body, helps lubricate your joints, and helps maintain body temperature. Many times when people suffer from headaches, fatigue and fuzzy thinking, they need to drink more water.  With our blood being about 83%  water, we must daily replace 2.4 litres of water, some through drinking and the rest taken by the body from the foods we eat.

Last, draw or apply more water to your skin by way of oils, creams and lotions. 
Oils can provide rich nourishment, lubrication and protection for your skin. By themselves oils do not hydrate, so technically they are not moisturizers. Yet at times, when hydration is not the issue or when skin is damaged or not producing enough sedum a little oil may be all that is needed. Oils can act as moisture barriers when applied to a damp face that has been cleansed and rinsed.
Olive oil is good for most skin types, with the exception of very oily skin.
Almond oil is good for most skin types.
Grapeseed oil is drying, so good for oily skin
Jojoba oil is good for most skin types, especially for dry, aging or damaged skin.

Creams and lotions combine the hydrating effects of water and the nourishing lubricating effects of oil into one product. The difference between a cream and a lotion is the oil to water ratio. A lotion is lighter due to the higher water content. Look for natural ingredients that include emollients, humectants and reduce water loss by way of occlusion.

Emollients immediately relieve the discomfort of dry skin and include plant oils, lanolin and butters such as cocoa and shea. They penetrate the outer layers of the stratum corneum and function as moisturizers.
Humectants draw water from the atmosphere to your skin and include vegetable glycerin, aloe vera, alpha hydroxy acids, and olive oil.
Occlusion prevents water loss from the skin by trapping in the water, and forms a barrier to prevent evaporation. Desired barrier ingredients to look for in your creams are cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil.

Normal skin is healthy and needs no extensive special care. It can be treated simply with a mild cleansing formula and a day and/or night moisturizing cream or lotion. Essential oils often seen in formulas for normal skin are roman chamomile, lavender, geranium, rose and rosewood.

Oily skin is thicker and tends to form blackheads and pimples. The sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, and the fatty tissue under the epidermis is thick. Sebaceous glands are found next to each hair shaft, providing the hair with sedum, making it smooth and protected from drying out. An overproduction can result in oily looking skin and pores that tend to clog. Although it may sound like a contradiction, oily skin can be treated with vegetable oils.

Cleaning your face with oil may sound unappealing but contrary to popular belief, oil does not contribute to oily skin or breakouts. The sedum that the skin creates is there to protect the skin. When we use commercial cleansers to remove this natural oil, the body reacts by producing more oil.
In washing our faces we want to remove the dirt and bacteria which builds up in our pores but we have to think about the chemistry behind it. Oil dissolves oil, like dissolves like. Water and oil do not mix; commercial cleansers contain ingredients to break up the oils but in doing so may strip away the natural protective layer. Bergamot and lavender help reduce and balance the production of sedum. For breakouts,  anti-inflammatory oils such as geranium, chamomile, lavender, rose, peppermint, myrrh are beneficial. Frankincense, lemon, ylang-ylang, rosemary and sandalwood are also seen in oily skin lotions.

Dry skin is characterized by a lack of fat or moisture caused by inadequate production of the sebaceous glands. Over washing or over use of astringents containing alcohol can strip away this natural barrier which can alter the balance of skin chemistry. It is the same as how our hair adjusts to constant shampooing.The acid equilibrium is off kilter and cannot be restored simply by splashing water on your face. Water cannot penetrate the skin, and in actuality even more moisture is taken from the surface of the skin through evaporation when water is applied. The best way to cleanse dry skin is with a cleansing oil such as almond, olive, hazelnut, a bit of wheat germ oil and a few drops of essential oils that stimulate the sebaceous glands such as geranium, carrot seed, frankincense and ylang-ylang. Add a bit of the oil blend to a cotton square and wipe over your face to cleanse away dirt and make-up. Dry skin is more prone to forming wrinkles so it is imperative the take care of it on a regular basis. Lavender, orange, rose, rosewood, sandalwood, frankincense, ylang-ylang and cedarwood are all wonderful for dry skin care.

Reduction of stress is sure to bring an improvement in the condition of the skin. Stress, fear and life's frustrations are expressed in the skin as a mirror of our inner lives. Various skin disturbances can indicate that the emotional world is not in balance. Remember that our skin is the largest detox organ in the human body. Advancing age, environmental toxins, poor nutrition, hormonal changes all catch up with you and contribute to the aging of the skin. Over time the skin has an increased need for additional moisture and oxygen. Many factors are involved, but for example, as the collagen hardens the skin is less able to take up moisture, thus shrinks and wrinkles. Almond, apricot and hazelnut oils are all beneficial for mature skin. Great skin cell rejuvenating essential oils are carrot seed, frankincense, fennel, geranium, rosewood, lavender, patchouli, myrrh, sage, cypress and neroli.

A few last tips to remember:
Apply moisturizer to damp skin to help trap needed moisture.
It has been shown that permeability is greater at night than in the morning. Applying moisturizers before bed is ideal to allow time for the skin to fully absorb the benefits.
Don't forget to moisturize your neck as well.
Smile! Laugh lines are a lot better than those furrows between the eyebrows. Worry and stress eventually do show up on your face.


Our skin changes constantly, from infancy to our senior years. Take care of it at every stage and enjoy one of the secrets to the fountain of youth.

 Good article on skin care and the effects of the sun.

A few moisturizing options found within the Meadow Muffin Gardens Shop.
Website
Etsy shop
Zibbet shop

Serenity Facial Moisturizer

Vanilla Massage or Body Oil

Shea & Coconut Oil Body Butter Fluff

Heavy Duty Body Butter

Cocoa Butter Hand Cream

SPF Facial CreamSummer sun, Wiinter wind

One With The Sea

'We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came. "
By John F. Kennedy

Neil Shubin, a paleontologist, wrote the book "Your Inner Fish: A Journey Into A 3.5 Billion Year History Of The Human Body".

A paleontologist is a scientist who studies prehistoric life. He claims that the bodies of sea creatures are just simpler versions of our own and to understand their anatomy will cause us to rethink what it means to be human. His mother was a surgeon who had always told him that our own anatomy is unintelligible without a knowledge of its evolutionary origins. She believed all creatures are linked.
One of his discoveries was the unearthing of a fish with elbows and a neck, a long-sought evolutionary "missing link" between creatures of the sea and land-dwellers.
He explains what evolutionary science, i.e. paleontology, comparative anatomy, genetics, embryology and developmental biology have to tell us about the human body, and how it came to be the way it is.
He is careful to say that he see's science and religion in two different spheres, that he is involved in the study of DNA, not getting into the discussion of evolution vs. creation.

Interesting is the fact that the water content of our bodies is a salty water solution very similar to seawater.
Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, discovered the therapeutic qualities of seawater by noticing the healing affects it had on the injured hands of fishermen. The seawater not only restricted infection risks, but patients who followed treatments involving the use of seawater found that it also promoted pain relief. It is now known that sea salt therapy is an effective treatment that assists in the rejuvenation of the cells and also induces a healthy exchange of minerals and toxins between the blood and the water.

Benefits of Sea Water Therapy
1) Immune system: immunity refers to the natural healing power and defense power that is inherent to human beings. It refers to resistance against virus and bacteria, or the resistance against malignant neoplasms.

2) Endocrine system: The endocrine system refers to adjustment of bodily functions that are critical for sustaining life. Thalassotherapy sea water therapy has a potential to recover a low responsiveness of hypothalamic-adrenal endocrine system, which is caused by stress.

3) Relaxation: It appears that mental  changes brought by a stay in a marine environment for the thalassotherapy showed positive psychological effects were noted such as peace of mind, regain of self confidence, improvement of response behavior against stress, and improvement in the quality of sleep.

4) Metabolism: Seaweed helps to balance circulation that improves oxygenation and nutrition of the connective tissues.  Seaweed speeds up metabolism allowing the body's own lipolytic (fat-burning) enzymes to access fat in hard to reach places such as with cellulite.

5) Skin allergies: Sea-bathing gives an antiseptic effect to the skin and reduces histamine that causes inflammation and itching sensation.

6) Anti-inflammatory: Seaweed such as White Algae, flushes out toxins and by-products of metabolism via the lymph system. This is valuable in the elimination of trapped fluids around the thighs, knees and ankles.

SeaAloe is a reputable source of a natural, whole-food, plant based supplementation for those interested in a liquid form of vitamins and minerals.

Salt baths are so common that we often forget the fact that "the simpler the better". A soak in warm salt water has long been used for achy joints and muscles as well as periodic detoxification. The addition of essential oils add their own therapeutic value as well as the pleasure of the aroma.

Epsom salts are not the same as regular table salt. Epsom salts are known as magnesium sulfate.
Magnesium and sulfur are naturally present in sea water. Modern diets consisting of primarily processed foods are often deficient in these minerals. When you soak in a salt bath containing epsom salts your body will benefit as these minerals are absorbed through your skin.

Magnesium is important for combating stress by producing serotonin, which is a mood-elevating chemical that creates a sense of calm. By lowering the effects of adrenaline, blood pressure comes down, sleep is improved and basically the nerves and muscles function properly.

Sea salt is also different from table salt in that rather than being pure sodium chloride which is refined from mined rock salt(halite), sea salt is evaporated sea water. It still contains natural minerals. Examples of the minerals in salt are calcium, potassium, bromides and magnesium. Calcium increases circulation and combats fluid retention. Potassium energizes the body, and bromides ease stiff muscles.

Dead sea salts originate from the Dead Sea, which is a salt lake located in the Middle East. The saline and mineral rich marshes have been used since ancient times for therapeutic and beautifying purposes.
Adding these luxurious salts to your bathing experience will help you understand why even the beautiful Cleopatra demanded rights to these mineral rich natural salts.

Tranquil Lavender Bath Salts

Peppermint Bath & Foot Soak Salts

Soak & Sweat Mineral Mustard Bath Salts

MEADOW MUFFIN GARDENS