<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Naturally Knocked Up &#187; Natural Living</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/category/natural-living/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com</link>
	<description>Getting Pregnant Naturally: natural fertility tips, food for fertility information and recipes, herbal and natural living help.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:17:23 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1</generator>
<xhtml:meta xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" name="robots" content="noindex" />
		<item>
		<title>Natural Fertility Manifesto</title>
		<link>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-fertility-manifesto/</link>
		<comments>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-fertility-manifesto/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:00:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>donielle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fertility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Blog Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Food]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/?p=6693</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In living a healthy lifestyle, it&#8217;s important for me to spell out the areas of most importance.
My Natural Fertility Manifesto



Processed foods have no place in a diet meant to nourish the body and balance the hormones. These foods are prepared in ways that denature the nutrients so that they become unavailable to our bodies. They [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In living a healthy lifestyle, it&#8217;s important for me to spell out the areas of most importance.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">My Natural Fertility Manifesto</h2>
<p align="LEFT">
<ul>
<li>
<p align="LEFT"><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/small-change-6-skip-the-packaging/" target="_blank">Processed foods</a> have no place in a diet meant to nourish the body and balance the hormones. These foods are prepared in ways that denature the nutrients so that they become unavailable to our bodies. They also add chemicals to foods to add color, flavor, and preserve them for storage. These chemicals alter the way our bodies see foods, causing us to overeat as well as affecting many different aspects of our natural function. All foods should be “real” and whole foods.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<ol>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">Meats, dairy products, eggs, and animal fats should be preferably from grass-fed animals to ensure nutrient density. Organic is the next go-to preference, and regular store bought last. When you consume grass-fed meats you&#8217;ll find they are higher in fat soluble vitamins that are essential for hormone development.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">Grains should be traditionally soaked whenever possible. By doing do, you&#8217;ll make sure that the nutrients are more readily absorbable by the body and easier to digest making less work for your digestive system.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">Fats should be from wholesome sources, the least processed the better. Many of our current vegetable oils are over processed and rancid by the time we use them. Stick to fats that scientists haven&#8217;t messed with.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">Produce should be organic whenever possible – and eat plenty of them. Eating in season and locally is best not only for your budget, but for nutrition as well. I&#8217;m a big believer that God chose to have certain foods ripen when our bodies are most able to utilize certain nutrients. (ex. Spring is a great time for greens which are cleansing – our bodies are naturally more receptive to cleansing in the spring)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">Milk should be consumed in an uncooked form, from grass-fed cows/goats/etc whenever possible. This ensures that the nutrients are more bio available and have not been damaged by heat. If raw milk is not available, pasteurized milk from grass-fed and/or organic animals is the preferred choice. I choose not to consume conventional dairy milk.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="LEFT">I will choose to make most foods in my kitchen instead of eating out or buying convenience foods. <span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></p>
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="LEFT"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/1281604_79881782.jpg"><img class="aligncenter" title="flower" src="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/1281604_79881782.jpg" alt="" width="554" height="369" /></a></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">I will make an effort to keep the environment I live in free of chemicals.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<ol>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">This means <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/recipes/" target="_blank">making my own cleaning supplies</a> or buying natural products.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">I will make most of my <a title="Recipes" href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/recipes/">beauty care supplies</a> or buy from those who make them.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">I will keep my home clean and <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/detoxify-your-home/" target="_blank">air it out</a> whenever possible.</p>
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">My body needs to move more.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<ol>
<li>
<p align="LEFT"><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/detoxify-your-home/" target="_blank">Daily exercise</a> or an active lifestyle is to be maintained</p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">Yoga at least once per week to help balance the hormones.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">A concerted effort will be made to limit “down time” or vegging in front of the t.v.</p>
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">Holistic health is an important part of healing and balancing the body.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<ol>
<li>
<p align="LEFT"><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-family-planning/" target="_blank">Charting </a>will be a part of my daily routine and I will follow the ideals of <a title="Basics of Charting and Lunaception" href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/basics-of-charting-and-lunaception/" target="_blank">lunaception</a>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p align="LEFT">I will work with my chiropractor and naturopath to find any supplemental needs my body may have and to fix my symptoms by treating the cause instead of the symptom.</p>
</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/1281604_79881782.jpg"><br />
</a>What do you include in your natural fertility manifesto?</h3>
<br></br>
<br></br>
<em>Like what you've read? Use the social media sharing buttons just above to share with others. And thanks so much for your support!! Sharing with social media helps me get the word out about Real Food and Fertility. :-)</em>

 
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>All images and content are protected under US copyright laws, please do not copy and paste.</em></p>

<center>
<em> I am not a doctor and don't even pretend to be one. Use everything you read only to inspire you to do your own research and be an advocate for your own health.</em></center>


<center><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/challenge-468x60-border.jpg">
</a></center>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-fertility-manifesto/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>My GMO Experiment</title>
		<link>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/my-gmo-experiment/</link>
		<comments>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/my-gmo-experiment/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:02:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>donielle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Latest Blog Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Food]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/?p=6417</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;ve read a blog post here and there where someone decides to feed an animal both conventional corn(which is most likely GMO) and organic corn. And the animals ALWAYS choose the organic. It&#8217;s such an awesome concept &#8211; that even the animals can tell the difference between to two! I&#8217;m not a supporter of genetically [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;ve read a blog post here and there where someone decides to feed an animal both conventional corn(which is most likely GMO) and organic corn. And the animals ALWAYS choose the organic. It&#8217;s such an awesome concept &#8211; that even the animals can tell the difference between to two! I&#8217;m not a supporter of genetically modified foods in any way shape or form and avoid them as often as I can. My husband and I even got into a discussion about it with a farmer at church &#8211; ended up leaving it as &#8220;we&#8217;ll agree to disagree&#8221;.</p>
<p>But I&#8217;m not one to take &#8220;studies&#8221; seriously. They really don&#8217;t mean a lot most of the time and everyone has their own bias and wanting different outcomes. The interesting part about people trying this themselves was that it normally showed a big difference in preference.</p>
<p>So of course I had to try it myself!</p>
<p><a title="popcorn trial_081011_01 by Donielle@ Naturally Knocked Up, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallyknockedup/6235223744/"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6113/6235223744_c7bc5e8363.jpg" alt="popcorn trial_081011_01" width="500" height="333" /></a></p>
<p>A couple of months ago I grabbed some of my organic popcorn and picked up some regular popcorn at the store as well. Now, it&#8217;s not labeled GMO, because unfortunately it&#8217;s not required by law for companies to tell us when we&#8217;re eating something that&#8217;s been modified by scientists. But it&#8217;s pretty much assumed that since corn is so highly modified in the US, that if you don&#8217;t buy organic, it&#8217;s a really good chance it&#8217;s had its genes messed with.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve got four laying hens outside (love my girls!) as well as troves of wildlife in the woods right behind my house. So I knew I&#8217;d have pretty good subjects. After popping the corn, I made sure to keep it in separate bowls and marked the bottom of the bowls.</p>
<p><a title="popcorn trial_081011_02 by Donielle@ Naturally Knocked Up, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallyknockedup/6235225042/"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/6235225042_c5de83e96f.jpg" alt="popcorn trial_081011_02" width="500" height="333" /></a></p>
<p>Test #1 &#8211; I placed a half cup of popcorn on paper plates and put them right next to each other in the chicken pen, before I let them out in the morning. The hens were hungry! So hungry in fact that they ran right over the popcorn plates to get to me and it went flying everywhere! I had to go back in and dump the plates on to the ground so they could just eat the popcorn off the dirt.</p>
<p>Fine. Eat off the ground already.</p>
<p>Outcome &#8211; 3 hens ate the conventional first, only one went for the organic. huh.</p>
<p><a title="Slight preference for one over the other. Will test again later. by Donielle@ Naturally Knocked Up, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallyknockedup/6028704331/"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6206/6028704331_2bac1f336e.jpg" alt="Slight preference for one over the other. Will test again later." width="500" height="500" /></a></p>
<p>I also placed two bowls out in the woods to see what the wildlife might do.</p>
<p><a title="popcorn trial_081011_16 by Donielle@ Naturally Knocked Up, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallyknockedup/6234705187/"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6234705187_74ef0368a1.jpg" alt="popcorn trial_081011_16" width="500" height="333" /></a></p>
<p>Test #2 &#8211; Later that day I went out and fed the hens again. This time I learned my lesson and just dumped the popcorn on the ground already.</p>
<p>Outcome &#8211; Again 3 of my girls took to the conventional first, and only 1 at the organic pile. Seriously&#8230;&#8230;? Do I have only one smart hen?</p>
<p><a title="Test #2 on whether my girls prefer conventional or organic popcorn. by Donielle@ Naturally Knocked Up, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallyknockedup/6029826239/"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6029826239_7db006d67d.jpg" alt="Test #2 on whether my girls prefer conventional or organic popcorn." width="500" height="500" /></a></p>
<p>The wildlife had yet to eat their popcorn.</p>
<p>Test #3 &#8211; So far I&#8217;m getting kind of annoyed that this test isn&#8217;t going the way I&#8217;d planned. Is it because my hens are used to conventional corn? (I don&#8217;t always buy organic feed) or is the popcorn not genetically modified?</p>
<p>Outcome &#8211; In this test two went for one pile, and two went for the other.</p>
<p><a title="popcorn trial_081011_15 by Donielle@ Naturally Knocked Up, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallyknockedup/6234703081/"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6234703081_f440674c70.jpg" alt="popcorn trial_081011_15" width="500" height="333" /></a></p>
<p>The wildlife still had not touched theirs.</p>
<p>At this point I was getting bored with the whole experiment. For every test they basically just ate whatever was closest to them and went from one pile to the next. Watching them I couldn&#8217;t see any of them have preference over one type of corn. I ended up just dumping the almost stale popcorn into the pen later that night and this was the only time more of them went for the organic pile first. But then went back and forth between the piles like they had earlier. The next day both bowls in the woods were exactly half gone. Later that day both bowls were empty.</p>
<p>So here I was hoping to be able to tell you that even my lowly chickens knew the difference between good food and bad&#8230;&#8230;and I couldn&#8217;t!</p>
<p>What I still believe though is that we probably shouldn&#8217;t mess with what God designed. I can only think that if he wanted DNA from a salmon in a vegetable he would have put it there to begin with!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Has anyone ever tried this? What was your outcome?</em></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This post is linked to <a href="http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2011/10/real-food-wednesday-10122011.html" target="_blank">Real Food Wednesday</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<br></br>
<br></br>
<em>Like what you've read? Use the social media sharing buttons just above to share with others. And thanks so much for your support!! Sharing with social media helps me get the word out about Real Food and Fertility. :-)</em>

 
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>All images and content are protected under US copyright laws, please do not copy and paste.</em></p>

<center>
<em> I am not a doctor and don't even pretend to be one. Use everything you read only to inspire you to do your own research and be an advocate for your own health.</em></center>


<center><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/challenge-468x60-border.jpg">
</a></center>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/my-gmo-experiment/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>14</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Fertility Herb {Red Clover}</title>
		<link>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/fertility-herb-red-clover/</link>
		<comments>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/fertility-herb-red-clover/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:00:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>donielle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fertility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Blog Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Living]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/?p=5874</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#160;
While on a walk a few weeks ago with my littles I happened to notice a large patch of red clover, wildly growing up a hill across from our home. Much to my husbands chagrin, I headed back inside, grabbed a basket, and my children and I began picking the deep pink blossoms to bring [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><a title="redclover_061111_01 by Donielle@ Naturally Knocked Up, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturallyknockedup/5864166842/"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5192/5864166842_a5046d1c5a.jpg" alt="redclover_061111_01" width="500" height="333" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">photo credit - donielle</p></div>
<p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p>
<p>While on a walk a few weeks ago with my littles I happened to notice a large patch of red clover, wildly growing up a hill across from our home. Much to my husbands chagrin, I headed back inside, grabbed a basket, and my children and I began picking the deep pink blossoms to bring home.</p>
<p>When I was a young girl, I&#8217;d pick the red clover to feed to my horse &#8211; an indulgent treat for a grass eater &#8211; so why pick this &#8220;weed&#8221; growing beside the road?</p>
<p>Red Clover is a herb that Susan Weed considers &#8220;the single most useful herb for establishing fertility&#8221; and it has health benefits for most people.</p>
<h2>Benefits of Red Clover</h2>
<ul>
<li>Dr. Tamminga mentioned in a short talk he did at our local health food store, that red clover is an effective blood cleanser. Though Varro Tyler discredits this notion in his book. Seems to be one of the &#8220;one study says one thing&#8230;&#8221; types of things.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>It has a high vitamin content that supports the uterus</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>High in protein to aid the entire body</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Contains easily absorbed calcium and magnesium (supports the nervous system)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Also has a high mineral content (due to super deep roots)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Alkalizes the body</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Four isoflavones are found in red clover; formononetin, biochanin A, daidzein, and genistein, which have mild estrogenic activity. These may alter hormone production, metabolism, intracellular enzymes, cell production, and growth factors. (this is also an area where one study finds benefits, one may find damages)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Helps to clear mucous in the body</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>It also has antibiotic properties and is effective against many strains of bacteria.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>It&#8217;s a liver stimulant and activates the gallbladder, may have a slightly laxative effect.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Also used as a nerve tonic to calm a person.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Known as a female tonic to strengthen the ovaries</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>How to Harvest Red Clover</h2>
<p>Harvesting red clover is as easy as picking the blossoms. If you gently grab the blossom between two fingers under the leaves at the base of the blossom, a quick pull upward will easily remove it from the plant. After a thorough washing (no bugs!) you can dry them in a dehydrator for a few hours until completely dry. If you don&#8217;t have a dehydrator, set out in the hot sun for the day, gently turning every few hours.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>How to Consume Red Clover</h2>
<p>You can add red clover blossoms to salads as well as make tea.</p>
<p>I often take a handful of dried blossoms and pour 1 quart of boiling water over them, allowing them to infuse for a few hours before I strain them out. A bit off raw honey stirred in makes the <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/bhs" style="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmouseover="self.status='http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/bhs';return true;" onmouseout="self.status=''">tea</a> more palatable, I usually drink it cold for ease in consumption.</p>
<p>I also began adding a bit of peppermint to the blossoms while infusing as well &#8211; this makes it quite palatable without any added sugars. And while I was referring to my Susan Weed book for this post, she also mentions using peppermint as well &#8211; saying that the &#8216;mints&#8217; are also sexually stimulating.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Have you ever used red clover blossoms to eat or drink?</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Sources<br />
The Little Herb Encyclopedia by Jack Ritchason ND<br />
The Wise Woman herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susan Weed<br />
Tyler&#8217;s Honest <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/bhs" style="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmouseover="self.status='http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/bhs';return true;" onmouseout="self.status=''">Herbal</a> by Varro E Tyler PH.D.</em></p>
<br></br>
<br></br>
<em>Like what you've read? Use the social media sharing buttons just above to share with others. And thanks so much for your support!! Sharing with social media helps me get the word out about Real Food and Fertility. :-)</em>

 
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>All images and content are protected under US copyright laws, please do not copy and paste.</em></p>

<center>
<em> I am not a doctor and don't even pretend to be one. Use everything you read only to inspire you to do your own research and be an advocate for your own health.</em></center>


<center><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/challenge-468x60-border.jpg">
</a></center>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/fertility-herb-red-clover/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Electromagnetic Radiation and Fertility</title>
		<link>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/electromagnetic-radiation-and-fertility/</link>
		<comments>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/electromagnetic-radiation-and-fertility/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:00:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>donielle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fertility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest Blog Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Living]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/?p=5864</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[{the following is a guest post by Lloyd of Electric Sense}
EM Radiation Pollution and Fertility
Most people give little or no thought to the electromagnetic radiation or electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in their environment.  But EMFs have worked their way into just about everybody’s daily life.
Twenty years ago, most people did not own a cell phone, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><a title="Radiation Infographic by byDavvi, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawidone/4525902434/"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4525902434_795c1a4508.jpg" alt="Radiation Infographic" width="500" height="436" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">photo credit: dawidone</p></div>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>{the following is a guest post by Lloyd of <a href="http://electricsense.com/" target="_blank">Electric Sense</a>}</em></p>
<h2>EM Radiation Pollution and Fertility</h2>
<p>Most people give little or no thought to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_radiation" target="_blank">electromagnetic radiation</a> or electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in their environment.  But EMFs have worked their way into just about everybody’s daily life.</p>
<p>Twenty years ago, most people did not own a cell phone, they had never heard/seen a cordless phones and they would not have had a clue what WiFi even meant.</p>
<p>All this technology is great.<strong> It has simplified our lives significantly</strong>. But did you know that it also uses electromagnetic fields to make it work and that more and more people are beginning to ask questions about the possible adverse health consequences of these EMFs. Much of the debate centers around cell phone use.</p>
<p>Only a few days ago, the World Health Organization, proclaimed that cell phones were possibly carcinogenic.  They have publicly stated that <strong>as little as 30 minutes per day on a cell phone could have  adverse health consequences</strong>.</p>
<p>But what about electromagnetic fields and fertility? Could there be a link?</p>
<p>You might be surprised to learn that there is a growing body of research pointing to the adverse effects of electromagnetic radiation on human fertility.  Only last month researchers in Austria and Canada found that cell phone use may lead to <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110519113022.htm" target="_blank">lower sperm quality</a> and a decrease in fertility.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho5OkozqvaQ&amp;feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">Tim Ferriss</a>, bestselling author of the Four Hour Work week ran tests on his own sperm count and found it to be low. He started to do some research on the subject and realized that electromagnetic radiation could be the cause. He stopped carrying his cell phone in his pocket for 3 months and his sperm count doubled in three months.</p>
<h2>EM Radiation In The Home</h2>
<p>Here are some other important sources of electromagnetic radiation in the home and what to do about them:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>WiFi</strong> &#8211; some WiFi is now operating in the 5 GHz range, higher than many cell phones (higher frequencies tend to have more harmful health consequences). You can take the bold step of going back to a wired connection.  If you don&#8217;t want to give up your WiFi, make sure it is a good distance from your office chair and switch it off at night when you&#8217;re not using it.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Cordless phones (DECT)</strong> &#8211; these use the exact same technology as cell phones. The dangerous part is the phone base which acts like a mini cell phone antenna. If you don&#8217;t want to go back to a corded phone at  least banish the base unit from your bedroom, where it will do the most damage.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Microwave ovens</strong> &#8211; these wouldn&#8217;t be so bad were it not for the fact that most of them leak (like all the ones that I have tested have done). The problem is the door seals, over time they no longer do their job and the radiation permeates out into the room and surrounding rooms &#8211; EM radiation goes through walls.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Video game consoles</strong> &#8211; the Nintendo Wii, for instance is reliant on electromagnetic emitting handheld controllers. The PlayStation 3 does exist in a wired version but most people buy the wireless version which emits electromagnetic radiation. You are best advised to limit the time you spend using these devices.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you are serious about improving your chances of conceiving a child then you cannot afford to overlook your Electromagnetic radiation exposure. <strong>Limiting your cell phone use is a good start</strong> but if you really want to understand what EMFs exist in your home and work environment then an <a href="http://electricsense.com/1336/is-the-trifield-100xe-the-best-emf-meter/" target="_blank">inexpensive EM radiation meter</a> is a good investment. We all like our gadgets,  EM radiation is here to stay, just make sure you&#8217;re not overdoing it.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Have you taken any steps to reduce electromagnetic radiation exposure?</h3>
<blockquote><p><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/lloyd-facebook2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5865" title="lloyd facebook2" src="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/lloyd-facebook2-286x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="210" /></a>Lloyd Burrell became electrosensitive through using a cell phone about 10 years ago. He started writing about <a href="http://electricsense.com/" target="_blank">cell phone radiation protection</a> on his own website back in 2009. He now blogs on this subject and the dangers of EMFs generally.</p></blockquote>
<br></br>
<br></br>
<em>Like what you've read? Use the social media sharing buttons just above to share with others. And thanks so much for your support!! Sharing with social media helps me get the word out about Real Food and Fertility. :-)</em>

 
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>All images and content are protected under US copyright laws, please do not copy and paste.</em></p>

<center>
<em> I am not a doctor and don't even pretend to be one. Use everything you read only to inspire you to do your own research and be an advocate for your own health.</em></center>


<center><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/challenge-468x60-border.jpg">
</a></center>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/electromagnetic-radiation-and-fertility/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Natural Home Cleaning and Fertility</title>
		<link>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-cleaning-and-fertility/</link>
		<comments>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-cleaning-and-fertility/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 May 2011 10:00:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>donielle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Latest Blog Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Living]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/?p=5741</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[guest post by Michelle of Open Eye Health
While cleaning products may not be something we give a lot of thought to (unless we run out!), what you use to clean your home can actually be very important when it comes to fertility. When you think about it, we are exposed to the products we use [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 610px"><a title="Kane Cleaning Supplies by Collin Anderson, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/collinanderson/2912308728/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2912308728_220efe7b4d.jpg" alt="Kane Cleaning Supplies" width="600" height="400" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">photo credit: collinanderson</p></div>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>guest post by Michelle of <a href="http://www.openeyehealth.com" target="_blank">Open Eye Health</a></em></p>
<p>While cleaning products may not be something we give a lot of thought to (unless we run out!), what you use to clean your home can actually be very important when it comes to fertility. When you think about it, we are exposed to the products we use (some maybe on a daily basis) through contact with our skin, fumes in the air, and cleaned surfaces where chemicals might linger.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, many mainstream cleaning products (including everything from dish soap to toilet cleaners) contain a number of toxic and seemingly unnecessary chemicals. In fact, it might surprise you that out of 80,000 chemicals used for various activities throughout the United States, <strong>only about 5% have been tested for their effects on reproductive health.</strong></p>
<p>So while much uncertainty remains with regards to the true safety of cleaning chemicals and their combinations, research indicates that<strong> certain toxins from cleaning products actually do accumulate in the body</strong> and that exposure to some can even cause hormone imbalances and in turn negatively affect fertility. As a young woman with dreams of a big family, this information was more than enough for me to switch my home over to natural cleaners (which I have now come to love!).</p>
<p><strong>Some of my favorite natural cleaning products are:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Baking soda, an odor absorber that also acts as a mild cleaning abrasive</li>
<li>Distilled white vinegar, my all-time favorite for its many uses, disinfecting properties, and ability to cut grease</li>
<li>Liquid castile soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s, which foams nicely and can be used for dish soap or general household cleaning purposes</li>
<li>Club soda as it can help to lift fresh carpet stains as well as polish a number of household items</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Other great natural solutions to try would be Donielle’s <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-wood-polish/">wood polish</a> or my <a href="http://www.openeyehealth.com/2011/02/homemade-foam-handwash-updated/" target="_blank">homemade foaming hand wash</a>. Once you start minimizing your exposure to cleaning chemicals at home, you might even find that a lot of natural solutions can save money, an extra benefit!</p>
<p>Just remember that the idea is not to feel overwhelmed or that you must change over to natural cleaning products all at once. It can take time to find out what natural cleaners best fit your needs and a great thing to do is simply phase out any chemical cleaners that you have and replace them with safer, more natural alternatives when they run out.</p>
<p>However, if there’s a big change that you really want to make today, avoiding some of very most toxic household cleaners- oven, drain, and toilet bowl- is a great start. This alone could make a big difference to your indoor air quality and overall chemical exposure.</p>
<p>And one last thing you can do to improve your indoor air quality <em>(which is often actually much more polluted than outdoor air!)</em> is to simply open the windows and allow air to circulate throughout the house whenever possible. For most of us, it is finally the time of year where we can do this regularly! If that’s not the case for you though, certain houseplants can also be a great help with removing toxins.</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Michelle-Smallegan.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-5745" title="Michelle Smallegan" src="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Michelle-Smallegan.jpg" alt="" width="192" height="128" /></a>Michelle has a passion for <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/VR" style="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmouseover="self.status='http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/VR';return true;" onmouseout="self.status=''">natural health</a> and green living. She enjoys  sharing ideas for making both of these simple on her  blog,<a href="http://www.openeyehealth.com" target="_blank"> Openeyehealth</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p></blockquote>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Sources:</p>
<p>http://fertility.amuchbetterway.com/toxins-fertility/</p>
<p>http://www.womensvoices.org/our-work/safe-cleaning-products/learn-more/household-hazards/</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<br></br>
<br></br>
<em>Like what you've read? Use the social media sharing buttons just above to share with others. And thanks so much for your support!! Sharing with social media helps me get the word out about Real Food and Fertility. :-)</em>

 
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>All images and content are protected under US copyright laws, please do not copy and paste.</em></p>

<center>
<em> I am not a doctor and don't even pretend to be one. Use everything you read only to inspire you to do your own research and be an advocate for your own health.</em></center>


<center><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/challenge-468x60-border.jpg">
</a></center>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-cleaning-and-fertility/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cleaning Burnt Pans</title>
		<link>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/cleaning-burnt-pans/</link>
		<comments>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/cleaning-burnt-pans/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:00:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>donielle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Latest Blog Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Living]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/?p=5473</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You&#8217;ve forgotten to set the timer and come back to the stove to find dark black cement at the bottom of your pan. Sometimes so bad you contemplate throwing the thing away &#8211; but never fear, there are ways to clean up burned on food out of a stainless steel pan! I wish I could [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You&#8217;ve forgotten to set the timer and come back to the stove to find dark black cement at the bottom of your pan. Sometimes so bad you contemplate throwing the thing away &#8211; but never fear, there are ways to clean up burned on food out of a stainless steel pan! I wish I could say I didn&#8217;t have first hand experience with this, yet being in the kitchen so often, I&#8217;m bound to make a few mistakes.</p>
<p>For awhile this past fall I was a bit more forgetful than normal. I&#8217;m going to blame it on the<a title="3 Ways to Get Adrenal Fatigue" href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/3-ways-to-get-adrenal-fatigue/"> adrenals</a>&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230; But alas, I burnt my lunch twice in the matter of only one week. One day in particular I was re-heating soup, went downstairs and completely forgot I left it on the stove. An hour (<em>or so</em>) later I was just thankful I didn&#8217;t start a fire!</p>
<p>Luckily I had learned just a couple of days before how to remove such a mess.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_3563.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-5474 aligncenter" title="burn" src="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_3563.jpg" alt="clean burned pan" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Placing just a few inches of water in the bottom of the pan and adding in a cup or so of vinegar helped to peel off this stuck on mess. Don&#8217;t get me wrong &#8211; it&#8217;s gonna take a bit of waiting, but it will come off! You bring it to a boil, turn off the flame and let it cool. Repeating as often as needed to remove the burnt cement.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_3565.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5475" title="burnt pan" src="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IMG_3565.jpg" alt="burnt stainless steel" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>Now if someone can just tell me if my stainless steel pot that I started an actual fire in can be saved&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;</em></p>
<br></br>
<br></br>
<em>Like what you've read? Use the social media sharing buttons just above to share with others. And thanks so much for your support!! Sharing with social media helps me get the word out about Real Food and Fertility. :-)</em>

 
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>All images and content are protected under US copyright laws, please do not copy and paste.</em></p>

<center>
<em> I am not a doctor and don't even pretend to be one. Use everything you read only to inspire you to do your own research and be an advocate for your own health.</em></center>


<center><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/challenge-468x60-border.jpg">
</a></center>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/cleaning-burnt-pans/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Natural Beauty Products: What Worked, What Didn&#8217;t</title>
		<link>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-beauty-products-what-worked-what-didnt/</link>
		<comments>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-beauty-products-what-worked-what-didnt/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:00:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>donielle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Latest Blog Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Living]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/?p=5454</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Over the years I&#8217;ve tried a few things here and there switching my beauty products to natural ones. In fact I have some of the &#8220;recipes&#8221; here on the blog. Others never made it even close! I thought I&#8217;d quickly go through and spell out things I&#8217;ve tried;both workable ones and the not so workable [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Over the years I&#8217;ve tried a few things here and there switching my beauty products to natural ones. In fact I have some of the &#8220;recipes&#8221; here on the blog. Others never made it even close! I thought I&#8217;d quickly go through and spell out things I&#8217;ve tried;both workable ones and the not so workable ones.</p>
<h2>Natural Facial Care:</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-face-wash/" target="_blank">Oil Cleansing Method</a> &#8211; The very first homemade beauty product I tried, I still use and love to this day! About 4 years later, my skin still responds beautifully to the oil and it controls the dryness and redness I used to experience. I no longer need to use foundation as &#8216;cover-up&#8217;. One difference I have made is that I use this only once or twice a week now instead of everyday. I also don&#8217;t mix my oils much anymore and choose to leave them separate as I often leave out the castor oil.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-moisturizer/" target="_blank">Moisturizer</a> &#8211; In the last few years I&#8217;ve needed very little moisturizer since switching to the oil cleansing method. But when I do, I just use extra virgin <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/MRH" style="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmouseover="self.status='http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/MRH';return true;" onmouseout="self.status=''">coconut oil</a>. A thin layer soaks into my skin quickly and doesn&#8217;t stay &#8220;greasy&#8221; at all.</p>
<p><strong>Exfoliant </strong>- Every few weeks or so I mix a teaspoon or so of whole cane sugar into my oil mix and massage gently on to my skin to exfoliate.</p>
<p><strong>Honey</strong> &#8211; Many women use a honey facial mask to help clear blemishes and as an all over mask every once in a while, but I haven&#8217;t found it to be that effective for me.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Natural Hair Care:</h2>
<p><strong>Natural Shampoos</strong> &#8211; I&#8217;ve tried a variety of natural shampoos (some worked horribly!!!) and the one that I do keep in the house is one by Burts Bees. It&#8217;s not 100% natural, but it does the job better than others I&#8217;ve purchased.</p>
<p><strong>&#8220;no-poo&#8221;</strong> &#8211; the simplicity behind going without shampoo always fascinated me. But living with curly hair I was very hesitant to try it! But last summer I went completely without shampoo or conditioner for 2 whole months and actually really liked it. Now, I did do the basic baking soda &#8220;wash&#8221;, where you take a bit of baking soda and dissolve it into hot water, apply and then rinse with a diluted bottle of apple cider vinegar. It worked better than I thought, and everything was going swimmingly until&#8230;&#8230;.our water softener ran out of salt. Once it did, my hair got super oily and flat and even after the softener was up and running again, it just wasn&#8217;t right. So I went back to my shampoo and still haven&#8217;t gone back yet.</p>
<p><strong>Gel</strong> &#8211; The one thing I can&#8217;t really get away from with my curly hair is gel. Without it I look like a poodle back from the groomers &#8211; it&#8217;s not pretty. the two options I&#8217;ve come across have been a sugar-water mixture (nixed that right away) and a gelatin mixture. And the gelatin actually worked!! A bit to well. It became to hard and by the end of the day it looked like I had a massive case of dandruff. After just one try at it, I went running back to my very conventional gel.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Natural Skin Care:</h2>
<p>I used to be the one that bought fancy scented lotions, so I began switching to natural options quite soon into my &#8220;natural living conversion&#8221;. I didn&#8217;t like the thought of all those chemicals soaking in all the time, but felt that I had to have them because of the eczema I always struggled with.</p>
<p><strong>Coconut Oil</strong> &#8211; For the most part, I use coconut oil as an all over body lotion. Goes on easily and soaks in nicely.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/mo" style="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmouseover="self.status='http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/mo';return true;" onmouseout="self.status=''">Lotion</a> Bars</strong> &#8211; As an affiliate for<a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=116115&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=122775" target="_blank"> MadeOn Hard Lotion Bars</a>, I was sent a couple lotion bars last fall to try out and have been enjoying them ever since (they last a long time). Made of only coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax the <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=116115&amp;c=ib&amp;aff=122775" target="_blank">lotion bars</a> are soothing to the skin and have helped keep my eczema from completely destroying my hands. (note &#8211; they do not cure eczema as it&#8217;s a systematic issue) But these bars work great for dry patches of skin and are really soothing on the legs after shaving!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Natural Deodorant:</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/homemade-deodorant-tutorial/" target="_blank">Homemade Deodorant</a> &#8211; I&#8217;ve used this basic recipe since last summer and it still works for me. The only changes I&#8217;ve made have been to decrease the baking soda (I began to get a bit of discoloration so it was irritating my skin) and normally use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch.</p>
<p>I also go without it a lot. Yup &#8211; I don&#8217;t wear it, especially when I&#8217;m just going to be home for the day. I found that after the initial switch and my body getting rid of built up toxins, that I actually needed to use it less and less.</p>
<p><a href="http://http://joannaorganics.mionegroup.com/en/product/13303" target="_blank">Miessence</a> &#8211; I also have this deodorant on hand for when I go out and want to smell better than <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/bhs" style="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmouseover="self.status='http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/bhs';return true;" onmouseout="self.status=''">tea</a> tree oil. <img src='http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':-)' class='wp-smiley' />  It works well and the Tahitian Breeze scent I have is beautiful. Joanna from<a href="http://www.actualorganics.com" target="_blank"> Actual Organics</a> sent me some last year to try, and while it is rather pricey, the ingredients are ones that I can pronounce and feel good about putting on my skin.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Natural Dental Care:</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/try-it-tuesday-homemade-toothpaste/" target="_blank">Toothpaste</a> &#8211; This toothpaste works fairly well, but I&#8217;m not completely sold on it. I&#8217;m now back to using a natural toothpaste but would like top head back to the drawing board. maybe a clay based one&#8230;..? I dunno. But this one does work in a pinch.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>I&#8217;d also love to know what you&#8217;ve tried, what you like, and what didn&#8217;t work at all!</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<br></br>
<br></br>
<em>Like what you've read? Use the social media sharing buttons just above to share with others. And thanks so much for your support!! Sharing with social media helps me get the word out about Real Food and Fertility. :-)</em>

 
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>All images and content are protected under US copyright laws, please do not copy and paste.</em></p>

<center>
<em> I am not a doctor and don't even pretend to be one. Use everything you read only to inspire you to do your own research and be an advocate for your own health.</em></center>


<center><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/challenge-468x60-border.jpg">
</a></center>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-beauty-products-what-worked-what-didnt/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>27</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Homemade Deodorant</title>
		<link>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/homemade-deodorant/</link>
		<comments>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/homemade-deodorant/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:54:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>donielle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Latest Blog Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Living]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/?p=5427</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Normally full of ingredients that would make a person squirm, deodorant is probably the one personal care product that the majority of people use. The reasons behind using a natural or homemade deodorant are many, but for me it all goes back to letting the body work the way it&#8217;s supposed to &#8211; sweat helps [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_2897" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 564px"><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/IMG_2615.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2897 " title="Deodorant" src="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/IMG_2615.jpg" alt="" width="554" height="369" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Homemade Deodorant</p></div>
<p>Normally full of ingredients that would make a person squirm, deodorant is probably the one personal care product that the majority of people use. The reasons behind using a natural or homemade deodorant are many, but for me it all goes back to letting the body work the way it&#8217;s supposed to &#8211; sweat helps us release toxins. Using antiperspirants we cause those natural passageways to become blocked, causing toxins to move elsewhere. So while I do want to stay away from conventional deodorants because of aluminum, parabens, and other multiple chemicals, one of the main reasons I choose to use homemade is that it allows my body to work as God intended.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s not easy to change something that is so innately personal. None of us want to stink! Especially as women &#8211; I think we all would rather smell like flowers right? So I get that the thought of switching to a natural deodorant can be scary. For those of you who have purchased natural deodorants and had bad luck, even more so!</p>
<p>But this natural alternative works well and many people use it, including myself.</p>
<h2>Homemade Deodorant</h2>
<p>1/4 cup baking soda</p>
<p>1/4 cup organic cornstarch or arrowroot powder</p>
<p>5-6 tablespoons coconut oil, softened</p>
<p>5-10 drops tea tree oil</p>
<p>Mix all ingredients together and press into an old deodorant container. To use, let it rest against your skin for a couple seconds to soften the coconut oil, do one slow swipe under each arm and use the palm of your hand to spread it around.</p>
<h3>Personal Experience</h3>
<p>I&#8217;ve used this for a year now and actually like it better than any of the &#8216;natural&#8217; deodorants I&#8217;ve tried from the health food store. I&#8217;ve learned I don&#8217;t need to use near as much (too much will start balling up under your arm) and I&#8217;ve actually begun to not only sweat less, but stink less as well when I am busy working. It also doesn&#8217;t stain my clothes. The only times I notice smell are when I&#8217;ve eaten less than desirable foods *cough, sugar,cough* but otherwise it agrees with my skin and my body.</p>
<h3>Tips</h3>
<p>*I like to mix mine with the <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/MRH" style="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmouseover="self.status='http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/MRH';return true;" onmouseout="self.status=''">coconut oil</a> melted as I find the mixture to be more consistent that way. Just place your mixing bowl in the refrigerator or into a sink of cold water to firm it back up with in a couple of minutes. If you&#8217;d rather mix it with the oil in its solid state &#8211; feel free to do so.</p>
<p>*If you live in a warm climate, since coconut oil has a melting point of about 75°, you may want to put it in the refrigerator so it doesn&#8217;t melt. Another option would be to use cocoa butter in place of the coconut oil. <em>(mine melted in the cupboard last summer &#8211; it&#8217;s not fun mopping up coconut oil!)</em></p>
<p>*You may also use another essential oils, I just use the <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/bhs" style="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmouseover="self.status='http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/bhs';return true;" onmouseout="self.status=''">tea</a> tree oil as it is supposed to be naturally antibacterial and will help with any odor. <em>(just double-check to make sure that specific EO is safe for pregnancy or nursing) </em>You can also leave it out without it affecting the final product.<em><br />
</em></p>
<p>*If you experience any itching, it&#8217;s most likely due to the baking soda. Cut back on the baking soda and use more arrowroot powder instead. Since you won&#8217;t know the best ratio for your skin, you can just melt the mixture back down and add more arrowroot powder and coconut oil to the right consistency.</p>
<p>*You may need to go without any type of deodorant for at least a few days when switching from a conventional deodorant to help clear out any toxins that have built up. Actually, I was told by Joanna of <a href="http://www.actualorganics.com" target="_blank">Actual Organics</a> that it may take a couple of weeks for the body to clear out those passageways. In this time you may experience more smell and sweating and this is normal.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Have you been brave enough to try homemade deodorant? How did it work?<br />
</em></p>
<br></br>
<br></br>
<em>Like what you've read? Use the social media sharing buttons just above to share with others. And thanks so much for your support!! Sharing with social media helps me get the word out about Real Food and Fertility. :-)</em>

 
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>All images and content are protected under US copyright laws, please do not copy and paste.</em></p>

<center>
<em> I am not a doctor and don't even pretend to be one. Use everything you read only to inspire you to do your own research and be an advocate for your own health.</em></center>


<center><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/challenge-468x60-border.jpg">
</a></center>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/homemade-deodorant/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>21</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Natural Fertility Workshop 101: Natural Beauty</title>
		<link>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-bath-body/</link>
		<comments>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-bath-body/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:00:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>donielle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Latest Blog Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Living]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/?p=5393</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Beauty products now a days are as common as sleeping. We regularly begin to use them in high school and become accustomed to the &#8216;made up&#8217; face, so  much so that we feel &#8216;naked&#8217; to go out in public without our favorite products on.
Now before you click away, delete this e-mail, or go on to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">
<div id="attachment_5402" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 586px"><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/4593082998_a515d47eac_z.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-5402 " title="lotion" src="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/4593082998_a515d47eac_z.jpg" alt="lotion" width="576" height="432" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text"> photo credit: perspicacious</p></div>
<p>Beauty products now a days are as common as sleeping. We regularly begin to use them in high school and become accustomed to the &#8216;made up&#8217; face, so  much so that we feel &#8216;naked&#8217; to go out in public without our favorite products on.</p>
<p>Now before you click away, delete this e-mail, or go on to the next post in your blog reader because you really don&#8217;t want someone to tell you that you can&#8217;t wear your make-up&#8230;..hear me out.</p>
<p>The skin is your body’s largest organ and very porous, so whatever we place on the skin will be absorbed and <strong>enter the bloodstream</strong>. This includes lotions, creams, soaps, and even makeup. When we absorb the ingredients of our products, we may overload our bodies with chemicals and can cause undue harm to each and every system within the body. In order to keep our bodies able to cleanse toxins naturally, we need to make sure we give it as little as possible that it needs to deal with.</p>
<p>To begin with, it&#8217;s important to know the ingredients in our current products. The Environmental Working Group has <a href="http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/" target="_blank">Cosmetic Database</a> to help us on our search for better alternatives. You can find out what ingredients are in your makeup, lotions, and shampoos as well as find out the risk of each of them and a total score for that specific product. The lower the score, the better it is to place on your body. They also have a <a href="http://www.ewg.org/files/EWG_cosmeticsguide.pdf" target="_blank">cosmetic guide</a> that is helpful to print out and bring with you into a store while you search for better products.</p>
<p>Along with buying more natural products, you could also try making your own at home. The <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-face-wash/" target="_blank">oil cleansing method</a> is a wonderful substitute for face wash, you can make <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/homemade-deodorant-tutorial/ ‎" target="_blank">homemade deodorant</a>, and I regularly use <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-moisturizer/" target="_blank">coconut oil as moisturizer</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Have you ever taken a look at the ingredients in your products?</em></p>
<br></br>
<br></br>
<em>Like what you've read? Use the social media sharing buttons just above to share with others. And thanks so much for your support!! Sharing with social media helps me get the word out about Real Food and Fertility. :-)</em>

 
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>All images and content are protected under US copyright laws, please do not copy and paste.</em></p>

<center>
<em> I am not a doctor and don't even pretend to be one. Use everything you read only to inspire you to do your own research and be an advocate for your own health.</em></center>


<center><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/challenge-468x60-border.jpg">
</a></center>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-bath-body/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Natural Face Wash</title>
		<link>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-face-wash/</link>
		<comments>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-face-wash/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>donielle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Latest Blog Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Living]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/?p=492</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A great way to lower your exposure to toxins is to use a natural face wash. Even better is a natural face wash that won&#8217;t break the bank.
I always, always had dry and blotchy skin. I&#8217;ve always had breakouts. Nothing to major of course, but you still feel like everyone is noticing them. I mean [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A great way to lower your exposure to toxins is to use a natural face wash. Even better is a natural face wash that won&#8217;t break the bank.</p>
<p>I always, always had dry and blotchy skin. I&#8217;ve always had breakouts. Nothing to major of course, but you still feel like everyone is noticing them. I mean for goodness sakes, I wasn&#8217;t 13 anymore! Puberty was supposed to be over!</p>
<p>I also used face <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/mo" style="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmouseover="self.status='http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/mo';return true;" onmouseout="self.status=''">lotion</a> like it was going out of style. I&#8217;d scrub my skin so very squeaky clean and then use half a bottle of moisturizer to try to replenish. Unfortunately no matter what product I bought (and I&#8217;ve tried some pretty expensive ones!) or how I washed my face I was always&#8230;..flaky. And red.</p>
<p>The problem is, all of these conventional face products out there strip our skin of its natural oils, causing it to produce even <span style="font-style: italic;">more</span> oil. And while you are washing your poor skin, it becomes aggravated from the drying effects of the cleansers, and now it&#8217;s vulnerable to the host of chemicals that are actually in the product. These chemicals can include carcinogens, developmental toxins, and endocrine disruptors.</p>
<p>Although the chemicals are supposedly in such small amounts that they <span style="font-style: italic;">&#8220;shouldn&#8217;t&#8221;</span> make us sick, our skin is our <em>largest</em> organ. And what we put on our skin is absorbed into our body. These toxins are stored in our fat cells along as in other parts of our body, and it&#8217;s the fat cells that also produce different hormones our bodies need. If we are filling them full of toxins, how can they correctly balance hormones?</p>
<p>If our bodies are so busy fighting off potential cancer causing toxins, how can it allow our reproductive systems to flourish? A body that is busy multi tasking can only function properly for so long.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<div id="attachment_5363" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 586px"><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/3351821151_5f1b46df49_z.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-5363 " title="olive oil" src="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/3351821151_5f1b46df49_z.jpg" alt="olive oil" width="576" height="384" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">photo credit: jonny2love</p></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Natural Face Wash<br />
</span></h2>
<p>An easy, effective, a not so costly way to go about lowering your exposure to toxins, all the while making your skin look better, is to use something called the Oil Cleansing method (OCM).</p>
<h3>The Basics</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">You are cleansing your face with a mix of castor oil and another oil (I tend to use sunflower, but you can also use extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, etc.).</p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And before you stop reading, thinking I&#8217;m a total looney-toon for suggesting such a thing, let me just tell you that I have used this method for over 3 years and it really works!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">I was even worried that going to a natural cleansing method that my skin would react and breakout until it was used to no more soap, but it did no such thing. <em>(it&#8217;s actually quite common to see more breakouts when you first switch as your skin adjusts to a new cleansing routine)</em> Now my skin is smoother, with no red and blotchy spots that I have to cover up with heavy foundation. I now only use a light organic powder when I go out. Actually, most times I forget so I go out wearing no powder at all.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">In the summer I can actually go completely without moisturizer, and in the winter I use just a bit of extra virgin <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/MRH" style="" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmouseover="self.status='http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/MRH';return true;" onmouseout="self.status=''">coconut oil</a> when needed.</div>
</div>
<h3><span style="font-weight: bold;">Down and dirty</span></h3>
<h3><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></h3>
<p>The best thing about this method is that you can fine tune your own mix and change it with the seasons or your own hormonal fluctuations.</p>
<ul>
<li>Have dry skin? Use 1 part castor oil to 9 parts sunflower oil</li>
<li>Normal skin? Use 2 parts castor oil to 8 parts sunflower oil</li>
<li>Oily skin? Use 3 parts castor oil to 7 parts sunflower oil</li>
</ul>
<p>You can add more or less castor oil as needed. My first batch I used the &#8216;dry skin&#8217; recommendation and now that it&#8217;s winter, I&#8217;ve noticed my face becoming a bit more dry, so my next batch I&#8217;ll mix at 1/2 part castor oil to 9 parts sunflower. You can always adjust and remake your mix, no more heading to the store to buy a different product!</p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Routine</span></h3>
<p><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Each</span> Most mornings I take a hot washcloth and hold it over my face until it cools slightly, repeating a few times, and then a light rinse. Pat dry.</p>
<p>Every other nightish I take a few drops of the oil and massage on to my face. <em>(use your ring fingers, they don&#8217;t have as much strength as the others)</em> I then use a hot, steamy washcloth and place over my face until cooled slightly <em>(about 20 seconds or so)</em>, repeating a few times until most of the oil is dissolved. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.</p>
<p>Every other night, when I <strong>don&#8217;t</strong> use the oil, I just follow my basic morning routine or if I&#8217;ve applied makeup I use just the carrier oil with no castor oil mixed in.</p>
<p>When I feel my skin may be getting a bit to oily or I feel the need to exfoliate I add about a half a teaspoon of sugar to the drops of oil and lightly scrub my face. I actually used this a lot more when I started using the oil cleansing method, as it took a couple of weeks for my skin to adjust.</p>
<p>When my skin starts getting a bit drier, I just smooth on a touch of coconut oil. It&#8217;s a great moisturizer!</p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost Savings</span></h3>
<p>I spent $2.00 on the jar, $2.00 on the castor oil, and $6.00 on the sunflower oil. $10.00 total.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_rgQ9C1I7LK0/SHjm7JU5YWI/AAAAAAAAAoY/LUDj-C4ugI8/s320-R/IMG_0478.JPG" alt="" /></div>
<p>See the amount in the jar? It&#8217;s been four months and I&#8217;m just now needing to make more. <em>(you seriously only need a couple drops each time you cleanse) </em>I&#8217;m thinking I can make at least 5 batches of cleanser from these two bottles of oil, meaning that the $10.00 I&#8217;ve invested will last me longer than a year. Since I used to easily spend that in one month,I figure I save about $110.00 a year. Great for my pocketbook of course, but even better, it&#8217;s great for my body.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">So do you use a natural face wash? If so, what&#8217;s your daily routine?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<br></br>
<br></br>
<em>Like what you've read? Use the social media sharing buttons just above to share with others. And thanks so much for your support!! Sharing with social media helps me get the word out about Real Food and Fertility. :-)</em>

 
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>All images and content are protected under US copyright laws, please do not copy and paste.</em></p>

<center>
<em> I am not a doctor and don't even pretend to be one. Use everything you read only to inspire you to do your own research and be an advocate for your own health.</em></center>


<center><a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/challenge-468x60-border.jpg">
</a></center>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/natural-face-wash/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>44</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

