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Natural Oral Care Recipes & Coupon

12/20/2012

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Hello Friends,
Lots of cool coloring pages, puzzles, word searches related to dental health in grades K-5.
http://www.dent.umich.edu/media/teachoralhealth/activities.html#worksheets

     I have recently been on a homemade toothpaste kick that has changed the way I think about my daily dental regimen. I have always HATED brushing my teeth at night. That awful slimy, dry-mouth icky feeling in the morning makes me skip proper dental care more often than I should at night. I have used natural fluoride free or fluoride containing toothpastes for several years and still suffer with the same lack of desire to brush and floss twice a day.  My son loves the Weleda salt toothpaste and it does great for him, but it is very expensive and only found at natural grocery stores such as Whole Foods.

   A few weeks ago I was searching for some information about fluoride and thyroid function interference for a friend and searching for oral care alternatives at the same time I happened to receive an email from one of my favorite blogs about natural cosmetics showing how she makes homemade tooth powder (http://toxicbeautyblog.com/healthy-teeth/healthy-teeth-the-natural-way/). Check it out as Robin has a great video of how she makes her tooth powder.

     Well, geeky scientist that I am, I had to experiment with the right homemade toothpaste recipe that suited my preference for taste, texture, appearance, dental needs and SCIENCE to back it up. Simply mix the ingredients using a popsicle stick and store in an airtight container. I like to make smaller batches that last 2-3 weeks rather that big batches. While the essential oils inhibit bacterial growth, I like each family member having their own personal favorite version of toothpaste/powder to use (basically I don’t want to share with my kids- yes, I admit it)

     So spend the holiday break experimenting with your favorite natural toothpaste recipe. Whether you want to avoid fluoride toothpaste, need an addition to your oral care routine, want to save money on oral care, want a fun project for your family or just need something when you run out of toothpaste, have fun with these favorite recipes of mine.

For fun or stocking stuffers, sign up for the Glee club to receive a buy 2 get 1 free coupon in your email for Glee Gum. The sugar-free peppermint is sweetened with xylitol and tastes great. They also have the only natural bubble gum flavor without artificial colors or sweeteners. Find it at Whole Foods, EarthFare or natural grocery stores for $0.99 per box.

-Renee
www.thetakebacktour.com

Toothache/sensitive tooth toothpaste recipe
1/3 cup baking soda
1 TSP coconut oil
1 TSP xylitol
2 pinches sea salt
2 drops tea tree oil
5 drops myrrh oil
7 drops clove oil
¼ cup aloe vera gel

Everyday whitening/fresh breath toothpaste recipe
½ cup baking soda
1 TSP coconut oil
1/8 TSP sea salt
2 drops tea tree oil
5 drops myrrh oil
2 drops clove oil
12-20 drops peppermint oil (if no access, try 16-25 drops pure peppermint baking extract)
2-3 TSP xylitol
¼ cup aloe vera gel

Everyday whitening/fresh breath tooth powder recipe
½ cup baking soda
1/8 TSP sea salt
2 drops tea tree oil
5 drops myrrh oil
2 drops clove oil
12-20 drops peppermint oil (if no access, try 16-25 drops pure peppermint baking extract)
2-3 TSP xylitol

 
SHOPPING LIST
Tea tree oil- CVS, Lowes Foods, Kroger, Whole Foods, EarthFare, online
Xylitol- baking aisle at Whole Foods, EarthFare, natural food stores, grocery stores
Aloe Vera gel- Fruit of the Earth brand in Wal-mart, Target
Baking soda- baking aisle of most stores
Sea salt- baking aisle of most stores
Myrrh, peppermint, clove essential oils-Whole Foods, EarthFare, natural food stores, online at wfmed.com or amazon.com

SOME SELECT REFERENCES
Herbs in Dentistry Int Dent J. 2011 Dec;61(6):287-96. Epub 2011 Nov 3.

Xylitol has been shown an effective fluoride alternative as it does not promote tooth decay and inhibits plaque causing oral bacteria. It’s use is being considered increasingly for clinical use by dental professionals to treat global dental caries issues.

Pickett FA. Nonfluoride caries-preventive agents: new guidelines. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2011 Nov 1;12(6):469-74.

Coconut oil is a natural antioxidant. Coconut water has been found to be better than standard media for storing avulsed teeth (knocked out teeth) until they can be re-implanted. Comparison of coconut water, propolis, HBSS, and milk on PDL cell survival. . J Endod. 2008 May;34(5):587-9. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2008.01.018. Epub 2008 Mar 19.

Sugar Alcohols, Caries Incidence, and Remineralization of Caries Lesions: A Literature Review Kauko K. International Journal of DentistryVolume 2010 (2010), Article ID 981072, 23 pagesdoi:10.1155/2010/981072Mäkinen
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijd/2010/981072/

George J, Hegde S, Rajesh KS, Kumar A. The efficacy of a herbal-based toothpaste in the control of plaque and gingivitis: A clinico-biochemical study. Indian J Dent Res [serial online] 2009 [cited 2012 Dec 18];20:480-2. Available from: http://www.ijdr.in/text.asp?2009/20/4/480/59460

11 Comments

Walgreens natural medicine deals.

12/18/2012

1 Comment

 
Similasan Cough or Cough & Fever medicine on sale for $5.99 with a $2 off coupon attached. Final price: $3.99Zarbees natural Cough medicine on sale for $5.99.
Stock up now to have a natural dye free delicious tasting alternative to give our precious children when they are ill that actually works and you don't have to fight to get them to take it. You can also find these natural cold medicine brands at CVS and select Wal-mart, Food Lion and Target stores.

Don't forget to  share.
-Renee
1 Comment

Natural Hair FREEBIE

12/18/2012

0 Comments

 
 Try the newly formulated with organic ingredients Cashmere Curls product. I am eager to try this as I have seen these products at Target and Walgreens for a reasonable price.
http://www.curls.biz/index.php?page=cashmere-curls.html

Renee

www.thetakebacktour.com
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Skin-free rice krispy treats recipe

12/5/2012

1 Comment

 
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Porkskin is a significant raw material source for production of edible gelatin in the United States. (Page 5) Gelatin Handbook compiled by Gelatin Manufacturer’s Institute of America http://gelatin-gmia.com/home.html

"How is the gelatin considered Kosher if it's derived from Pork?
—      Royal gelatin dessert products manufactured and distributed by The Jel Sert Company are certified Kosher by Rabbi Sheldon D. Goldsmith and carry the letter K as an indication of the certification."  http://jelsert.com/FAQs/

Yes, the majority of gelatin in North America is isolated from the collagen in the skin of pigs. I have found brands of gel dessert products similar to Jell-O that I can enjoy. But since I found out even some brands of kosher gelatin are made from porcine gelatin (see Royal gelatin above), I have missed my rice krispy treats. I tried using the marshmallows made from fish skin gelatin but it did not hold as well as I thought it should. Vegan marshmallows are insanely expensive so I had to experiment to find an  affordable alternative.

SUCCESS!  I found a new delicious way to make them that tastes as good as the original version. Marshmallow crème or fluff is made mostly from regular corn syrup. If you want a corn syrup and egg white free version you can use Ricemellow Creme found in the baking aisle of stores like Food Lion and Harris Teeter. Jet-Puffed brand has artificial blue color added so I avoid that brand of marshmallow crème. Oddly enough I found a simple ingredient version at Dollar Tree. Enjoy this recipe that you can also form into holiday shapes using a cookie cutter or place in a pie pan for “pizza slices” when topped with dried fruit or coconut nu.

Skin-free, Rice Krispy treats
6 cups Kellogg’s Gluten Free Rice Krispy (made from crisp brown rice)
7oz marshmallow crème or RiceMellow creme
1.5 TBSP Spectrum Organic butter flavor shortening (palm fruit oil)
Olive oil spray ( optional)

  1. Melt the Spectrum organic butter flavor shortening in a pot. This takes about 35 seconds
  2. Spoon out the marshmallow crème into the pot and stir until well mixed with the shortening. This takes less than 1 minute.
  3. Turn off the heat. Leaving the pot on the stove add the brown rice krispies and stir until well mixed.
  4. Scoop into a pan coated with olive oil.
  5. Let cool and enjoy.
Renee
www.thetakebacktour.com



1 Comment

Kid, natural beauty, diabetic, & gluten-free YAAH gift ideas

12/4/2012

1 Comment

 
Hello Friends,  As many begin or think about shopping for love gifts this holiday season, I ask that you think about the way to show real love- by not purchasing products known to cause or worsen health problems. For example, if you have a loved one who is a sweet-a-holic diabetic and struggling to keep blood sugar in check, DON’T buy them a big box of chocolates or make them a whole cake to eat. If you have or know a child with ADHD or other behavior issues, DON’T’ buy them artificially sweetened and colored candy to contribute to them behaving worse. Try the suggested healthy tasty gift basket ideas and you won’t be sorry. They will thank you all year long. Kids will remember you as the one that loved them enough to give that tasty healthy candy or cool organic lip balm. There are other organic items available, but the items in the lists below are ones I feel  are available for the majority of the US in mainstream national stores and local grocery stores ( remember YAAH= yummy affordable available healthy). For items in which I have only observed it in one store, I have listed the availability. I have observed Madhava organic coconut sugar in Wal-Mart Supercenter and Whole Foods. If one or more of these items are not in your local store yet, please see management to request it. I have also listed items that are currently on sale. If you have a store reward card, it is a great way to stock-up on gifts for a group and earn reward points at the same time.
Enjoy and share the love this season.
-Renee www.thetakebacktour.com  

Diabetic friendly gift basket ideas
  • Coconut sugar
  • Agave nectar
  • Stevia in the raw
  • Dreamfield’s, Ronzoni or Mueller’s brand 100% whole grain pasta
  • Coconut oil
  • Whole natural almonds or walnuts: full can or Emerald 100 calorie packs
  • Whole cashews, lightly salted or unsalted
  • Better Oats oatmeal
  • Hodgson Mills ground flax seed travel packs [ less than $2.50 at Wal-Mart or Kroger]
  Natural Beauty gift basket ideas-male or female, adult or teen
  • Olive oil
  • Honey
  • Dr Bronner’s unscented castile soap liquid [Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, Earth Fare, co-ops]
  • Kirk’s Castile soap, bar 3 pack ( Wal-Mart) less than $3.50. Whole Foods $5 per bar
  • Coconut oil
  • Everyday Shea bubble bath [Whole Foods, Earth Fare, co-ops, amazon.com]
  • Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus lotion, soap or hair products [Target, Walgreens; 90% are $10 or less]
  • Crystal Light Pure Fitness (made with Truvia brand stevia and natural vegetable colors; use to make colored/flavored lip gloss or as a naturally sweetened/colored water flavoring)
  • EOS egg organic lip balm – on sale at Harris Teeter for $2.50 each until Christmas
  • Burt’s Bees lip balms (Buy the 4 pack holiday special for $10 for even more savings to help spread the soft lip love to 1 or 4 people)
  Kid Friendly natural gift basket/stocking stuffer ideas
  • EOS egg organic lip balm – on sale at Harris Teeter for $2.50 each until Christmas; CVS & Walgreens $3 sale
  • Yummy Earth organic lollipops [Marshalls, Whole Foods, Earth Fare, co-ops, amazon.com ]
  • Crystal Light Pure Fitness (made with Truvia brand stevia and natural vegetable colors; use to make colored/flavored lip gloss or as a naturally sweetened/colored water flavoring)
  • Thermos Funtainer 12 oz. thermos cup
  • Jif Natural to Go peanut butter, 4-8/pk
  • PB& Co. peanut butter or almond butter packets $0.65-99 each
  • Florida Naturals Organic Fruit Nuggets, ~$4 per pack/24 Wal-Mart, Target
  • Organic Valley, Horizon Organic or Silk Almond or Silk Soy milk singles: available in flavors regular, chocolate, vanilla
  • Emerald 100 calorie packs: almonds, almonds & walnuts, walnuts
  • Beeswax lip balm ( no petroleum or mineral oil) Dollar General brand $1.50 each, $1 at Dollar Tree
Gluten-free gift basket
  • Coconut sugar
  • Agave nectar
  • Stevia in the raw
  • EOS egg organic lip balm – on sale at Harris Teeter for $2.50 each until Christmas; CVS & Walgreens $3 sale
  • Hodgson Mills ground flax seed travel packs [ less than $2.50 at Wal-Mart or Kroger]
  • Coconut oil
  • Quinoa or  DeBoles brand rice pasta
  • Whole natural almonds or walnuts: full can or Emerald 100 calorie packs
  • Walgreens Good & Delish Cashew Crunch on sale for $2 until Dec 29 2012
   The Take Back Tour is the health ministry of the Philadelphia 7th Day Adventist Church in Burlington, NC. Take Back the Love-Take Back your Health- Take Back the Fun-Take Back your Faith. www.thetakebacktour.com email questions to : [email protected]


 
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    Author

    Renee Lea-Currie, Ph.D.
    email: [email protected]
    A Bit About Renee
    Renee is a married mother of 2 with a Ph.D. in Nutrition Science. Renee currently serves as   Senior Manager of Technical Operations for Zen-Bio, Inc located in Durham North Carolina. Renee is also the Health Ministries Leader for Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church in Burlington, NC, Renee was one of the coordinators of the first community diabetes programs in North Carolina.  Renee continues to help coordinate church-based community health programs in North Carolina and surrounding areas to educate and empower others to improve their health.


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