Home Remedies

Found this on a facebook page

We normally think of natural remedies come winter time, fending off and treating colds, flus, and those terrible little stomach bugs that get passed around.

But what about summer?

The warm weather and a new season can bring about problems of its own, and with a few basic natural remedies on hand, you can meet the summer months with confidence that you can treat your family and any minor issue naturally.

Six common summer ailments and their remedies

For Sunburn
Cold water – this works just like how cold water can help relieve a burn you receive on your hand from a hot pan; it lessens the burn by cooling the skin. So after a long day out in the sun, if you or your kids are feeling the heat, finish out your day with a nice cold shower or bath.

Cold cucumber can help cool the skin as well. You can also blend the cucumber and apply to the skin as a mash if you’ve burnt a larger area of skin.

100% aloe vera gel is a common go-to remedy for sunburns and great to keep on hand, just make sure the only ingredient is aloe. (this video from Vintage Remedies includes both aloe and cucumber to make a gel for sunburnt skin!)

One thing to make sure to remember is that the skin will also need healthy nutrients to heal, so use some natural oils like evening primrose oil or coconut oil as a moisturizer. This can prevent peeling and also speed healing, but use caution if the skin is still hot to the touch – it may keep the heat in.

Bites

Plantain – one of the best herbs to use for bug bites is plantain as it tends to pull out the toxins and irritants the bug injects into your skin. You can make a paste of plantain and warm water, or think ahead and start now to make your own salve, oil, or even an apple cider vinegar extract with plantain. If you’re out hiking and and need something fast – just look around, plantain tends to grow everywhere!

Comfrey and calendula can help speed healing, though use comfrey only if a puncture wound is not present.

Bentonite Clay – mixed with a touch of water or apple cider vinegar to form a paste, this is also helpful in pulling out irritants. (Renee at FIMBY also makes an herb powder with plantain, comfrey, and clay)

And of course the best remedy for mosquito bites are prevention! Look for natural bug sprays (check out the Environmental Working Groups list of safer alternatives) and choose products like MadeOn Hard Lotions Bug Block Bar or if you’re camping you might want to check out the Don’t Bite Me Patch.

Help for Poison Ivy

While you’re out playing in the poison ivy…….if you actually happen to notice it while you’re busy gardening or hiking, take a look around for jewelweed and bring some home with you. It almost always grows right near poison ivy and it’s a great herbal remedy for the itch and future sores that accompany it. Just split open the plant stem and apply the liquid from inside.

Sore Muscles

Summertime often brings busy schedules and strenuous activities. You can easily sooth those sore muscles at home without worrying about chemicals. And you definitely don’t have to “tough it out” like my husband usually tries to do. Cause you know, he’s all tough and what-not.

Peppermint makes a great sore foot soak. I love to make a strong ‘tea’ with it and (after straining) mix it with some nice sea salts in a warm foot bath.

Make your own sore muscle oil with arnica, ginger, and calendula.

Salve for Scratches and Sores

When treating a minor cut (always head to the doctor for anything seemingly major) always make sure to rinse the cut clean, allowing the blood to flow for just a bit to also push out any dirt that may be trapped inside.

Follow up with some plantain or calendula salve if you have it premade or just use crushed plantain and enough water to make a paste.

Stress Relief

Ahhh…..the fun of summer. Also tends to bring out a bit of stress, whether it’s because your toddler has skipped naps everyday this week or a wrench got thrown into your weekend plans. Stress happens.

My favorite go-to remedy is called Rescue Remedy, a bach flower remedy. I don’t know how it works, but it does.

You can also head to the tea aisle and grab some chamomile. Sip it warm with a touch of honey (hopefully after that toddler finally falls asleep) or brew and chill to have over ice if you end up stuck at home instead of the beach.
To Recap

If you have at least plantain, calendula, chamomile, jewelweed, peppermint, and apple cider vinegar you have a great start to a natural summer care kit!

If you’re not the “do-it-yourself” type, you can easily purchase a ready made natural first aid kit to have on hand.

And of course, use common sense along with any natural remedy – if symptoms get worse or life threatening, call a doctor immediately.

I'm all about natural!

Some days!

Some days I just want to go crawl back into bed and SLEEP; that rarely ever happens unless I'm not feeling well (and even then I don't stay in bed; nap only!) or I'm getting depressed (which is so infrequent now THANK GOD).
It's another beautiful day here in Loveland, CO - blue skies everywhere.  Have Sydney on my lap sleeping, Rosie just jumped down and is probably all swaddled in her blanket bed in their pen.  She is the silliest little dog; if you can't find Rosie, lift up a blanket and if it is has weight to it - you will find her there.
I have my days when I think to much; sometimes I still think everything that has gone on over the last few years isn't real and I'll wake up to a very bad dream.  It took a lot of intensive introspection but I'm so over that biggest mountain and now it's tying up loose ends, one end at a time.
I can't believe I was played a fool the way I was by a predator, that is the only name for it.  I fell for it all hook line and sinker.  ENOUGH.
I'm giving up my house in Texas, trying to sell but it needs so much work, I don't forsee it happening.  I still have 3 donkey's, 2 horses and about 4 dogs that need homes plus a couple cats.  I have so many of my babies laid to rest there but the main thing is that they are all over that Rainbow Bridge playing together and that part makes me smile even with a little sadness.

Oh wow this sounds depressing and I'm not depressed!  Let's move on to the next subject, shall we?

I'm hoping to get to go see my boy Ben up in Bridgeport, NE next Saturday <fingers, toes and eyes crossed> lol   Trying without fail to get him some bookings to breed but it's slow go and I have him listed all over the place.
I'm also trying to get back into the workforce doing what I used to do which is US Customs House Brokerage import/export.  Denver doesn't seem to have as many jobs as other ports.  Due to my neuropathy I will need to move closer to my place of employment when I get hired so I won't have to drive as far.

Let's see here are a couple pictures to share of me with Rosie (Chi) & with Sydney (Chi-chi)

!

Found this page and OMG so many great quotes!

Check out this Facebook page; I stumbled upon something POSITIVE!  Have a great day (okay evening).

Good morning from sunny Loveland, Colorado

I look outside and just want to go get lost in these awesome mountains; we are on the eastern slope of the Rockies; so easy to get mesmerized with the view.  I find myself driving along to who knows where and watching the moutains as I go, one day I am going to take a drive up there and go on a mini-exploration.

This is one of my views as I'm driving to Berthoud, Colorado from Loveland; pure raw beauty.   It's almost like sitting watching a fish tank, you relax so much just viewing them.  Problem is if you are driving you have to keep your eyes on the road or uh oh!   Another thing is that Colorado is full of bicyclists and at any given moment you can come upon them.  Keeping your eyes on the lookout is a big undertaking for everyone's safety.  I'm not really sure I care for these bike routes right next to your driving lane, so dangerous in my opinion.  One day I came upon a huge group of riders, they were in some sort of tournament, can you imagine having to navigate safely around them on a 2 lane road with oncoming traffic?

I have to say that being up here in Colorado has given me a sense of peace I haven't felt in a few years; super therapeutic.  I keep thinking I'd like to buy myself a bike and start riding a couple miles a day 

(one day?)  who knows?   My life has come full circle so many times, I can't keep up with it. ha

Enough for this morning; just a nice GOOD MORNING to everyone.

What do you say to a blog?

Dear Blog, bloggee, blogger or bloggette;

I have no idea what to write about so I'm just going to say "I'm ME, I am 53 years old!  My life started over just about 4 years ago when I had Gastric Bypass Surgery and since then I have lost a total of 153#"
THEN my life started over again on March 28th, 2013 when I got divorced for the 2nd and last time.

I'd like to talk about EVERYTHING but for now I'm going to leave this post as is!  Plus introduce you to my boy 'Ben'   Ben - Belgian Draft Stallion .  Isn't he fabulous?

My name is Kim by the way; I've a life time of things to talk about if you have the time to read?