Recipes Archives | Integration for Life

DIY: Healthy Hair

December 27, 2016 0 Comments

Some women have naturally thick, strong and shiny hair. I can’t say that I am one of them. I have fine hair and I’m in the ocean a lot(which can be challenging for the hair), so I was looking for some quick fixes for healthy hair.

I had noticed over the years that the less I wash my hair, the healthier it becomes. That might sound weird and even gross to some of you. But it grows faster and is stronger when the natural oils have a chance to penetrate into the hair shaft.

I use a boar bristle brush that a friend (one of the really thick, strong and shiny hair people) told me about. Brushing from root to end every night truly makes a difference. In fact, I believe it is the real reason behind the myth of “brushing your hair 100 times” that we heard as girls growing up. Women have been using these brushes since the 1800’s, including glamorous old movie stars like Rita Hayworth.

The boar bristle takes the sebum, the oil produced by the scalp, and transfers it from the scalp all the way through to the end of the hair shaft. By coating each strand with a very small amount of sebum, a boar bristle brush repairs dry hair and adds lustrous shine. The bristles also stimulate the scalp, improving circulation and encouraging hair growth. You can get away with more days in between washes because the brush prevents build up of oil at the scalp, which weighs it down and makes it look more greasy.

Hair powder or “dry shampoo” helps the longer gaps between washing from being so obvious. This absorbs any excess oil at the scalp that might remain even after the boar brushing. The only problem is that most brands are filled with potentially harmful chemicals: aerosol propellants, absorbing and conditioning agents and fragrances (which themselves are made up of toxic chemicals that can act as hormone disruptors and cancer causers when absorbed through the scalp).

So I make my own! This is one of the easiest DIY projects ever. If you have light blonde hair, all you have to do is put about 1/4 cup of organic arrow root(or corn starch) in a jar or plastic squeeze tube. If you have medium colored hair, use 1/4 cup of the arrow root and about 2 tablespoons of organic cocoa powder. If you have dark hair, use the cocoa powder only. Yes, your hair will smell a little like chocolate. It’s amazing!

I personally just use a (bpa free) plastic squeeze tube and apply directly onto my scalp and brush it through until it blends in. But if you would like to be more fancy or you have already-styled hair, you can use an old make-up brush and apply it to the scalp with that.

With these two helpful hints, your hair will be sure to grow and become healthier than ever and you will also avoid any harsh chemicals or toxins.

PB&J Chia Pudding

March 14, 2016 0 Comments

I love taking yummy, child-hood memory foods and creating healthier versions.

Eating things that make us happy are literally better for us than eating things we don’t like just because they are “good” for us. That’s a whole other blog for later, but for now let’s just simplify by saying that it’s important to put things in our body that are a) good for us and b) taste good and give us pleasure.

Well this modified recipe from @minimalistbaker does the trick! Who doesn’t like PB&J?!

BENEFITS

wild blueberries– powerful antioxidant, great for the brain and heart, high in B6

chia-good for body and brain, loaded with nutrients and antioxidants, also most of carbs are fiber

coconut milk-builds up body’s immune system, lowers cholesterol, contains copper, magnesium and postassium-all minerals we need to replenish, especially if you are going through some sort of detox program

COMPOTE

1 cup (140 g) wild blueberries (frozen or fresh)
1 Tbsp (15 ml) orange juice (not necessary, use organic if at all)
1 Tbsp (12 g) chia seeds

CHIA PUDDING

1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened plain coconut milk (look for one w/o carrageenan)
1/2 cup (120 ml) full fat, canned coconut milk
optional: 1 tsp vanilla
3 Tbsp (48 g) natural, non-sugared salted peanut butter (creamy or crunchy), plus more for serving
1/3 cup (63 g) chia seeds
optional: Fresh blueberries for topping
I put coconut flakes and almost slivers on top, toasted for a nice crunch!

To a small skillet or saucepan, add the blueberries (and orange juice, if using). Warm over medium-high heat until bubbling. Then lower heat to medium and cook for 2 minutes – stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add chia seeds. Stir to combine.
Divide the compote between three small serving dishes and set in the refrigerator to chill.
In the meantime, add the coconut milks to a blender, along with vanilla (optional) and peanut butter. Blend on high to fully combine. Taste and adjust flavors as needed.
Add chia seeds and pulse a few times to incorporate, being careful not to blend as you want the chia seeds left whole.
Transfer to a liquid measuring cup or jar (or just set your whole blender in the fridge), and set in the fridge to begin chilling.
Wait 10 minutes for the chia compote to cool. Then remove the chia pudding and compote from the refrigerator. Give the chia pudding a stir to redistribute the chia seeds, then divide between the three serving dishes right on top of the compote.
Cover well and set in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1-2 hours (preferably overnight), or until chilled through and pudding-like in consistency.
To serve, top with extra peanut butter and fresh blueberries (optional). Will keep covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Toast and add the coconut flakes and almond slivers only when you are ready to serve, so they won’t moisten.

I took out what I thought was unnecessary sugar and added good fats and crunch…and used organic, wild blueberries for detoxification benefits. We are all exposed to harmful chemicals, EMFs, and pollutants in the air and our environment that affect our bodies and brains… we can mildly counteract these things in a very delicious way! Wild, organic blueberries draw heavy metals out of brain tissue, healing and repairing any gaps created by oxidation when the heavy metals are removed. It is important to use wild blueberries, as they possess unique phytonutrients with special detoxifying capabilities. (Anthony William)

Let me know what you think! I am always interested in what you want to hear about, so please sign up for my emails on the front page of the the landing page…(website is under construction)…and let me know what recipes you would like to see or what you would like to know more about!

In Health,

Elise