Via http://www.lucieslist.com – A survival guide for new moms.
One Minute Meditation for Those Who Think They Can’t!
Is not having enough time your big excuse for why you can’t meditate? How about not being able to quiet your mind? Well guess what? Meditation problem: solved! You can get so many of the benefits of a regular meditation practice from just 1 minute a day of breathing. Just breathing! I think a big part of the anxiety people have around meditation is that it is this big hard thing that takes years to master. When you stop thinking about it as Meditation with a capital M, and start thinking of it just as sitting quietly and breathing with intention, so much of that anxiety and aversion goes away! Below, you’ll find a sequence of two types of breathing that you can do in conjunction with one another for just one minute… Or extend the meditation for as long as you want. Harnessing the powerful Bhastrika breath described below is all you need to bring your attention back to your breath when your mind starts to wander. And it’s really as simple as that!
Sit comfortably, upright in your chair, with your hands in your lap.
Start by breathing for about 30 seconds using a Bhastrika or bellows breath: Breathe deep through your nose, in and out, using all five lobes of your lungs like a big bellows. Use your lungs in and out as much as you can, only in and only out through your nose. You do that for about 30 seconds. Our upper lungs have stress receptors that get activated when our breath is shallow, which is how most of us breath throughout the day. When we use our lower lungs, like in bhastrika, we activate calm receptors that soothe our nervous system.
Next, breathe for the next 30 seconds doing an Ujjayi breath: This is kind of the classic yoga breath where you actually do a snoring or ocean sound through your nose. Constrict your stomach muscles and force that snoring sound out through your nose. You do that for about 30 seconds. You can repeat this one-minute sequence as many times as you like. Do bellows breath as deep in and as deep out as you can for 30 seconds and follow this with 30 seconds of silence breathing through an ujjayi or ocean breath.
Extended Meditation: If you would like to meditate longer, you can start by doing Bhastrika breath for 30 seconds.Then use Ujjayi breath and sit quietly until you start thinking again. When you feel thoughts resurfacing do Bhastrika for 10-20 seconds to quiet your mind. Sit quietly again using Ujjayi breath until thoughts arise and follow once again with Bhastrika for 10-20 seconds. Follow this cycle until you feel you are done meditating.
Inspiration for the year ahead…
“And now let us believe in
a long year that is given to us,
new, untouched, full of things
that have never been.”
-Rainer Maria Rilke
Magical Natural Cough and Sore Throat Remedy!
By: It seems like everyone is walking around hacking up their lungs these days, so I thought what better time to share my amazing, all-natural cough and sore throat remedies remedies! Unlike Robitussin and other over-the-counter cough medicines, these remedies are perfectly safe to take throughout the day, are safe (and healthy!) for kids, and are also super yummy. And they’re ridiculously easy to make! Below are my recipes for the cough syrup as well as sore throat tea.
Natural Homemade Cough Syrup
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp raw, grated ginger
1 tbsp raw, organic apple cider vinegar (Bragg’s is my personal fave)
2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice (for maximum potency) or filtered water for a mellower potency
1 tbsp raw honey (organic, if possible)
Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and lemon juice. Add honey and shake well. Take as needed for cough. Always shake or mix up before using. If you’d like, you can add more honey to make it palatable for the kiddies (over 1 year)!
Or, if you’d prefer a more warming version, which is also amazing for any cold or flu, try the tea!
Honey-Lemon-Ginger Cough and Cold Busting Tea
Juice of 1/2 of an organic lemon
2 tsp fresh grated ginger (or about 3/4 inch of ginger thinly sliced)
1 tbsp raw organic honey
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
(optional) Add 1 tbsp of raw apple cider vinegar for even more healing!!
Combine ingredients in a teapot and pour boiling water over the mixture. Cover and let steep for 3-4 minutes. Strain, sip and enjoy! This recipe makes 2-3 cups.
Best Organic Beauty Products of 2012
It’s that time of year again! We are so lucky to have been able to try some of the best in organic and natural beauty and self-care products, and we’re thrilled to present the Organic Beauty Talk Best in Green 2012 Award Winners, featuring so many of our favorite brands. A lot of these products and brands are featured in our ebook, Four Steps to Naturalizing Your Life, which you can download for free by signing up for our newsletter!
Using healthy, natural products for your skin, hair, body, and home is just as important as what you eat and how often you work out. And by using the products below, you don’t have to sacrifice effectiveness or ease of use!
Have a favorite from the list below? Leave a comment and let us know!
Face
- Best Natural Facial Line for Problem Skin – S.W. Basics (formerly Sprout Skincare, $24-$32)
- Best Natural Facial Line for Normal & Dry Skin – Grateful Body ($22-$36)
- Best Natural Facial Line for Sensitive Skin (can also be used on all skin types including blemish-prone) – Pai ($35-$55)
- Best Holistic Facial Line for Normal & Dry Skin – Dr. Hauschka ($26.95-$89.95)
- Best Organic Anti-Aging Facial Line – Intelligent Nutrients ($24-$55)
- Best Organic Facial Line (including sensitive and blemish-prone skin) – Spiezia ($37.50-$85)
- Best Natural Value Facial Line – Zum Face ($9.50-$24)
- Best Up & Coming Natural Facial Lines – Sequoia Beauty ($24-$50) & Stark Skincare ($22-$48)
- Best Natural Face Moisturizer – Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer ($100) & Izlla Fresh Sweet Carrot Facial Day Creme ($29.95)
- Best Organic Facial Scrub – HollyBeth Organics Grits & Honey Scrub ($25)
- Best Natural Facial Mask – La Bella Figura ($60)
- Best Natural Face Serum – Lina Hanson Global Face Serum ($85)
- Best Natural Eye Cream – 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream ($19) & Tata Harper Restorative Eye Treatment ($90)
- Best Natural Facial Sunscreen – Erbaviva Sunscreen SPF 30 ($22)
Makeup
- Best Natural Mineral Makeup Line – Alima Pure ($11-$22)
- Best Natural Liquid Foundation – Vapour Organic Beauty Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation ($48)
- Best Natural Luxury Makeup Line – Kjaer Weis ($44-$54)
- Best Natural Tinted Moisturizer – 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer ($32)
- Best Natural Bronzer – 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Bronzer ($25)
- Best Natural Creme Blush – Youngblood Luminous Creme Blush ($27)
- Best Natural Eyeliner – Lavera Soft Eyeliner ($14.50)
- Best Natural Mascara – Josie Maran GoGo Instant Volume Argan Mascara ($22)
- Best Natural Lip Color – 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze ($15) & Ilia Beauty ($24)
- Best Organic Lip Gloss – Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Lip Delivery Antioxidant Gloss ($24)
- Best Natural Lip Exfoliator – Ilia Beauty Balmy Nights ($24)
- Best Natural Multi-Stick – Ilia Beauty ($34)
- Best Eco-Friendly Makeup Brushes – EcoTools (6.99-$15.99)
- Best Natural Makeup Remover – Desert Essence Jojoba Oil ($5.89)
- Best Eco-Friendly Nail Polish – butter LONDON ($14) & Priti NYC ($13.50)
Body
- Best Organic Body Bar Soap – Dr. Bronner’s Soap ($3.99)
- Best Organic Luxury Body Bar Soap – Osmia Organics Handmade Bar Soap ($12)
- Best Natural Body Wash – Patyka Absolis Body Wash ($45)
- Best Natural Body Oil – Indie Lee Moisturizing Oil ($34)
- Best Natural Body Lotion – HollyBeth Organics Geranium Jasmine Lavender Body Lotion ($37)
- Best Natural Value Hand & Body Lotion – Jason Vanilla Hand & Body Lotion ($5.79)
- Best Natural Body Butter – Moksa Organics Body Butter ($16)
- Best Natural Body Scrub – Indie Lee Coconut Citrus Body Scrub ($42)
- Best Natural Hand Soap – Avalon Organics Glycerin Liquid Hand Soap ($4.89)
- Best Natural Hand Cream – Weleda Pomegranate Hand Cream ($12.50)
- Best Natural Value Body Care Line – Deep Steep ($6.95-$10.95)
- Best Spa Private Label Line – St. Julien Spa
- Best Natural Perfume – Tsi-La Organics ($38-$95)
- Best Natural Solid Perfume – Ituri ($30)
- Best Natural Deodorant Cream – Soapwalla Natural Deodorant Cream ($12)
- Best Natural Deodorant Spray – Blissoma Natural Deodorant Spray ($10.99)
- Best Natural Sunscreen – Soleil Organique ($18-$55)
- Best Natural Cure-All – Pratima Healing Neem Oil ($29)
- Best Natural Essential Oils – Mountain Rose Herbs Essential Oils ($1.75-$45)
Hair
- Best Natural Shampoo & Conditioner – Acure Organics ($10)
- Best Natural Hair Styling Products – Intelligent Nutrients ($12-29)
- Best Natural Styling Products for Kinky, Curly & Wavy Hair (including color treated hair) – Shea Radiance ($16-$18)
- Best Eco-Friendly Must-Have Product for Curly Hair – CURL-ease ($19.99)
Men
- Best Natural Facial & Shave Line for Men – John Masters Organics Men ($22-$28) & Ursa Major ($24-$36)
- Best Holistic Organic Line for Men – Dr. Alkaitis ($40-$80)
- Best Ingrown Hair & Bump Preventer – SheaMoisture Tea Tree Herbal Bump Preventer ($9.99)
- Best Natural Fragrance for Men – Tallulah Jane Yiska Natural Eau De Parfum Pour Homme ($48)
Children
- Best Natural Lines for Children/Baby – Erbaviva ($10-$22) & Weleda ($7-$17)
- Best Natural Line for Ethnically Diverse Children – Cara B Naturally ($8-$10)
- Best Natural Sunscreen for Children/Baby – Erbaviva Sunscreen SPF 15 ($22) & Alba Botanica Kids SPF 45 Sunblock ($5.16)
Fashion
- Best Eco-Friendly Clothing Line for Men – Threads For Thought ($14-$268)
- Best Eco-Friendly Basics for Women – Threads For Thought ($10-$48)
- Best Eco-Friendly Fast Fashion Clothing Line – H&M Conscious Collection (prices vary)
- Best Eco-Friendly Jeans – AG Denim ($148-$215)
- Best Organic Work Dress – Elsa & Me ($240)
- Best Eco-Friendly Casual Shoes – Toms ($44-$69)
- Best Eco-Friendly Women’s Boots – Naya Shoes ($200-$265)
- Best Eco-Friendly Underwear, Tees & Socks – PACT ($10-$30)
- Best Eco-Friendly Jewelry – Kyler ($48-$138)
Home
- Best Natural All-Purpose Cleaner (even cleans tough grime in bathtubs & can be used as a laundry detergent) – Savon Noir 100% Natural All-Purpose Olive Oil Soap ($20)
- Best Natural Homecare Line – Seventh Generation ($3.99-$22)
- Best Natural Aromatherapeutic Household Cleaning Line – Mrs. Meyers ($3.99-$15.99)
- Best Natural Candles – Red Flower Petal Topped Candles ($34)
- Best Natural Air Freshener – Intelligent Nutrients ($40-$68) & Neom Luxury Organic Room Mist ($26)
- Best Natural Value Air Freshener – Pure Citrus Air Freshener ($4.97)
- Best Natural Reed Diffuser – Neom Luxury Organic Reed Diffuser ($56)
- Best Eco Savvy Paper Products – Ecojot ($4.75-$17)
Pet
- Best Natural Pet Shampoo & Conditioner – John Masters Organics Lemongrass & Flaxseed Pet Shampoo and Conditioner ($20)
- Best Natural Dog Spritzer & Deodorizer – Cloud Star Buddy Splash ($5.95)
- Best Natural Dog Treats – Cloud Star Soft & Chewy Buddy Biscuits ($3.99)
