Decadent Treats & Delicates
Small gifts, reduce dry cleaning with a vodka spray, guidance from natural health advocate and teacher, Barbara O' Neill, and some final thoughts on gratitude.
TREAT OTHERS (or yourself)
This 14k gold-plated lighter case adds a special touch, disguising a regular lighter that’s usually in a less-than-desirable primary color (just slip a standard sized Bic lighter in the case). I’m treating myself with one that reads, “Be The Light” — a needed reminder.
Spring & Mulberry Best Sellers Collection - Dark Chocolate Bars
These bars are both gorgeous and clean with minimal ingredients and sweetened only with dates. Yes, they’re almost $12 a bar, but I love the idea of gifting — or receiving — something someone will savor but may not buy themselves.
HOLD THE DRY CLEANING
My social media algorithm clearly knows I have a thing for cleaning, serving up this video about the Nationale Opera & Ballet using vodka on their costumes.
A vodka spray helps reduce dry cleaning visits and the chemical use and exposure involved. It also helps extend the lifespan of garments since washing can break down fabrics.
NOTES:
Vodka neutralizes odor-causing bacteria by disrupting the microbe’s cell membrane. It evaporates quickly when sprayed on fabric, taking some odor molecules with it. Ideal after light wear and/or exposure to smoke or cooking smells.
Rubbing alcohol (usually 70% or 90% isopropyl alcohol) has a higher alcohol concentration than vodka (about 40% ethanol). Yes, rubbing alcohol is more effective at breaking down microbes and sanitizing, but because it’s stronger it can fade colors and damage delicate fibers.
Keep it mind, this doesn’t technically “clean” soiled or dirty clothing but for lightly worn garments, it certainly helps extend the time between dry cleaning or hand washing.
DIY: spritz bottle + cheap vodka = easy enough
WORTH A WATCH
Q&A with Barbara O’Neill
Barbara O’Neill is a health advocate and educator with an extensive video library on natural remedies.
While she’s been criticized for her holistic practices, I think it important to note her husband is part of the Informed Medical Options Party in Australia which advocates for informed, free medical choice (remember how Australia’s Covid overall response and lockdowns were among the harshest in the world). It doesn’t seem coincidental that she was targeted after speaking at one of the party’s events and subsequently banned from teaching in Australia. The Assassination of Barbara O'Neill was written in response.
While O’Neill promotes a plant-based diet (I personally find nutrient-rich animal fats critical — see last month’s newsletter), I think it’s important to be exposed to a range of views and take away what serves you.
MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
Boosting Hydrochloric Acid to Aid with Digestion: Lemon juice, pause eating between meals, and avoid drinking while eating
Drinking while Eating: Inhibits digestive process. Stomach has to stop digestion and absorb fluid to bring back to a more acidic state before returning to digestion
Liver: Is a recoverable organ. Milk thistle, dandelion, gentian root all support its function. Lemon water serves as tonic water for liver
Dry Skin: Evaluate if you’re eating adequate oils (avocado, olive oil)
Vitiligo: Eliminate gluten, dairy, refined sugars, peanuts, wheat, and oats
Peanut Problem: Peanuts are usually stored in silos, a perfect environment for aflatoxins to grow. Most people are sensitive to the mold on peanuts as a result of this storage approach (not the actual peanut)
Eczema/Psoriasis: Every skin disease has an allergy component. To alleviate the irritations, eliminate exposures to the 5 main allergens: dairy, wheat, oats, peanuts, and refined sugar. It can take two months to see benefits (residual gluten can stay in your system for weeks, for example)
Female Hormone Imbalance: Anna’s Wild Yam Cream can address imbalance & menopause
Male Hormone Imbalance: Can be a result of mother being on pill for years before son was born, plastic exposure (food warmed up in plastic containers), and more
Imbalance symptoms: Low-sperm count, penile dysfunction, prostrate problems
Can also use Anna’s Wild Yam Cream
Stimulating Joint Cartilage: Comfrey cream or dried comfrey as poultice
Tick Bite: Applying charcoal to the bite helps absorbs and neutralizes the poison
Cooking Beans: The Plant Paradox by Dr. Gundry recommends pressure cooking beans to remove inflammatory lectins (side note: this book is a great read for anyone dealing with anything autoimmune related)
Sleep: “An hour before midnight is worth two after midnight.”
Recommends 7.5 - 8 hours with reference to Why We Sleep by Mathew Walker, PhD — cleaning and filing systems at work while we sleep
Yeast Overgrowth: Use garlic to combat. Avoid sugar, including high sugar fruit, and peanuts
Mouth Breathing: Usually a result of build up of mucus in the nose. Build up is an allergy response (avoid the 5 allergens mentioned above) or breathing in mold or chemicals
The nose: Purifies, warms, humidifies, and pressurizes air. The mouth does not and not meant for breathing
Cayenne Pepper Benefits:
Cayenne is a blood stimulant. Blood is the “life of the flesh.” Provides oxygen, carries nutrients & water, transports white blood cells, and carries away waste
Cayenne pepper can help deliver blood to parts of the body that need healing. Cayenne compress used externally (e.g. to address loss of feeling bottom of feet) or internally to boost hydrochloric acid production to support digestion
Morning Sickness: Smell peppermint essential oil, drink fresh ginger tea, and ensure adequate magnesium intake
Tinnitus: Castor oil in ear as remedy
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m choosing to remain hopeful we will see changes on these fronts (as stated by RFK Jr. below) in the coming years.
On that note, I’m grateful you’re here.
I love sharing my discoveries and have found this little weekend and evening hobby enriching. Thank you for following along and for the encouraging notes. Substack doesn’t promote newsletters without a paid subscription option, so I’m grateful when these are shared with others who may find them helpful.
- BB
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