Flaxseed Oil - The Good Oil.

Flaxseed oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and contains double the amount found in fish. The most important omega-3 fatty acid found in flaxseed oil is called Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA). This essential fatty acid cannot be synthesized by our body so it must come from our diet. ALA is important because it lowers blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This helps to reduce fatty deposits in the blood stream that can build up and make the walls of the blood vessels narrow and stiff. As vessels narrow and harden, blood pressure increases and blood supply becomes blocked, causing angina, stroke and heart attacks. One way ALA helps to reduce blood pressure is by increasing cell membrane fluidity and flexibility, and improving the elasticity of blood vessels. It also acts as a natural blood thinner, reducing the ability of our blood to form clots. Studies have shown that, even in healthy young men, taking flaxseed oil daily will decrease this tendency for blood platelets to form. Another function of ALA is to improve the body's inflammatory responses. Our body converts fatty acids into substances called prostaglandins - hormone-like chemicals that control inflammation. There are many types of prostaglandins and some are more inflammatory than others. When the body produces a greater amount of stronger, more inflammatory prostaglandins, it results in conditions such as arthrits, gout and joint pain, severe menstrual cramping, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, and asthma. Prostaglandins that are made from omega-3 oils are weaker than those made from omega-6 oils, so a diet that includes flaxseed oil can 'down regulate' the inflammatory response and improve these inflammatory conditions. Flaxseed oil is an essential addition to the diet, but it is important for anyone who suffers from cardiovascular disease or inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, period pains or asthma. Many people are concerned about the level of heavy metals found in fish these days. (I have found the best cod liver fish oil on Earth for my toddler though. You can read that in another of my blog entries.) If you are a vegetarian or just don't like the fishy taste of cod liver or fish oil enough to take them, you can achieve your omega-3 fatty acid requirements from flaxseed oil. The only thing is that our body has to work a little more to convert ALA in flaxseed oil to EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and then to DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid). With taking cod liver or fish oils, you get EPA and DHA directly. How do we choose the right flaxseed oil?

• Check the label to make sure the oil is cold pressed, unrefined and GMO-free.
• Look for organic flaxseed oil because non-organic ones can sometimes carry trace amounts of pesticides and herbicides.
• A reputable manufacturer will measure the amount of ALA contained in their flaxseed oil, so make sure the one chosen has this displayed on the label. At least 52% ALA is recommended.
• Look for oil in opaque packaging to reduce oxidation.

Note that flaxseed oil should always be taken with food. It can be used in salads dressing, poured over cereals or mixed in yoghurt or smoothies. However, flaxseed oil is not suitable as a cooking oil.

The Magic of JOJOBA!

Jojoba oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the crushed bean of the jojoba shrub. Its botanical name is Simmondsia chinenis. The jojoba shrub is native to the Sonoran Desert of Mexico and regions in Arizona and southern California.

Native Americans have used jojoba for hundreds of years - for treatment of sores, cuts, bruises and burns - as a diet supplement and an appetite suppressant when food was not available - as a skin conditioner for soothing wind/sunburn - as hair and scalp treatments. Jojoba appears to be a very diverse plant indeed.

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The chemical structure of jojoba oil is different from that of other vegetable oils. Rather than being an oil, it is actually a polyunsaturated liquid wax that is similar to sperm whale oil, though without the fishy odour. Jojoba has a nutty smell and is pleasant to apply on the face. Jojoba oil is liquid at room temperature because of its unsaturated fatty acids. It does not oxidize or become rancid and does not break down under high temperatures or pressures. The stablility shown by jojoba oil makes it especially useful for cosmetic applications.

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Jojoba is completely miscible with the natural sebum of the skin, and when used on the skin, it forms a very thin, non-greasy lipoid layer. This layer is partially porous and provides exceptional trans-epidermal respiration and moisture control. This affinity jojoba has with our own natural sebum means that we can apply it even on oily skin, as it will assist in balancing the oily activity and help with blocked pores. It is even anti-bacterial. Compare the chemical structure of our skin's sebum with that of jojoba oil's :

Skin sebum : CH3(CH2)14COO(CH2)24CH3

Jojoba oil : CH3(CH2)18COO(CH2)20CH3

Sebum is secreted by our human sebaceaous glands to protect our skin and hair. When sebum production decreases due to age, pollutants, or environmental stresses, jojoba oil can be used to replicate sebum oil.

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Unlike greasy occlusive materials such as petrolatum, mineral oils and some lanolin products, jojoba oil provides an absolutely non-tacky, non-oily and non-greasy softening to the skin. It also significantly reduces tran-epidermal water loss, without totally blocking the transpiration of gases and water vapour. So, it prevents dehydration and therefore is anti-wrinkle and anti-aging!

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When we use powerful astringents to rid the over activity of oiliness that our skin produces we are in fact making the situation worse. We take away the natural sebum and can interfere with the acid mantle of our skin. We need sebum - a thin sheen of oil on our skin to nourish and protect it from the elements. Without this our skin will become dry, flaky and blemishes will also result. Jojoba can help you create a balance of your own skin's production of nautral sebum.

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The potential therapeutic uses of jojoba oil include the treatment of acne, cold sores and is wonderful for people who suffer from sensitive skin condtions, including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, dandruff (scalp treatment).

The Safest and Most Natural Conditioner on Earth!

We all need some kind of conditioners to give our hair some glow and softness. Shampoos clean our hair of grime but at the same time, they also strip off the natural sebum that gives our hair that healthy glow and silky softness. Most conditioners contain artificial conditioning agents such as dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane. One brand which is made in Japan and specially created for Asian hair has the following ingredients :

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Water, stearyl alcohol, dipropylene glycol, dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, lactic acid,stearoxypropyl dimethylamine, benzyl glycol, fragrance, hydroxyethylcellulose, behenamidopropyl dimethylamine, amodimethicone, bis-isobutyl PEG-15/amodimethicone copolymer, glycolic acid, phenoxyethanol, alcohol, bis-methoxypropylamido isodocosane, dicocodimonium chloride, butylene glycol, toluene sulfonic acid, malic acid, steartrimonium chloride, camellia japonica seed oil, hydrolyzed conchiolin protein, panax ginseng root extract, glycine soja (soya bean) protein, eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, caramel.

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Note that the few ingredients which are natural and probably beneficial are found right at the end of the ingredient list. This means that their amounts are pathetically small. The synthetic chemical ingredients are a whole truckload! That is probably why this conditioner is selling cheap! Another big brand has the following list of ingredients : Water, cetearyl alcohol, cyclomethicone, cetrimomium chloride, glycerin, dimethiconol, ceteardimonium chloride, propylene glycol, hydroxyethylcellulose, lysine HCL, hydrolyzed silk, borago officinalis seed oil, tea-dodecylbenzenesulfonate, potassium chloride, disodium EDTA, DMDM hydantoin, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, fragrance. One natural ingredient found.

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I have found the safest and most natural conditioner on earth! These are the ingredients :

Myroxylon pereirae (balsam peru) oil, certified organic pelargonium graveolens (geranium) essential oil, certified organic pogostemon cablin (patchouli) essential oil, moringa oleifera seed oil, certified organic arctium lappa (burdock) extract, certified organic equisetum arvense (horsetail) extract, certified organic urtica dioica (nettle) extract, certified organic rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, certified organic salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract, certified organic aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, certified organic apple cider vinegar, certified organic citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) fruit extract, non-gmo lecithin sorbitan olivate, cetearyl olivate, panthenol (pro-vitamin b5), aqua (purified water)

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This conditioner hydrates, conditions and protects the hair with nourishing and emollient moringa seed oil from Tanzania. Pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol) and organic herbs in it promote lustre and body. It naturally balances the pH of your hair with organic apple cider vinegar.

All natural ingredients for your hair and no artificial silcones used. It is a wonderful and safe alternative from the normal conditioners you can find. I have used it and will stay with it definitely!

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Shampoos So Safe And So fine!

Shampoos are an essential part of our cleaning routine. But have you ever notice what goes into them to maintain our crowning glory? A typical supermarket shampoo contains the following ingredients : Water, sodium C12-13 pareth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, dimethiconol, dimethiconol/silsequioxane copolymer, laureth-23, TEA-dodecylbenzenesulfonate, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, cucumis sativus (cucumber fruit extract), propylene glycol, metha-aquatica leat extract, sodium chloride, disodium EDTA, DMDM hydantoin, PPG-26, fragrance(synthetic). You can probably find a few ingredients which are natural (in bold) but found at the end of the ingredient list. The product mainly contains synthetic chemicals including silicone derivatives, fragrance and preservatives. Let us look at the ingredients of a reputable 'Made in USA' shampoo which is sold only in salons for about $20. Water, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamide DEA, cocamidopropyl betaine, matricaria extract, nettle extract, rosermary extract, quillaja saponaria extract, tocopheryl acetate, keratin amino acids, panthenol, avocado oil, allantoin, soybean sterol, honey, ceramide 3, wheat flour lipids, polyquaternium-10, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, styrene/mthacrylic acid/itaconic acid polymer, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, magnesium citrate, sodium chloride, polyglyceryl-3 distearate, polysorbate 60, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylsothiazolinone, citric acid, propylene glycol, propylparaben, methylparaben, fragrance (synthetic). You find a few truly natural and wholesome ingredients (in bold) in larger concentrations in this formulation but loads and loads of synthetic chemicals and preservatives. I find at least four in the product above. I have used the above product for years without knowing what goes inside. Finally, let us look at the organic shampoo which I am currently using. Organic aloe vera leaf juice, coco polyglucose, Yucca Schidigera extract, organic rice bran extract, non-GMO lecithin, d-panthenol (pro-vit 5), sunflower oil, organic avocado fruit oil, non-GMO xanthan gum, organic lime essential oil, proprietry blend of essential oils (natural parfum), citric acid, organic horsetail extract, organic nettle extract, organic burdock extract, organic rosemary extract, organic sage extract. I love this Desert Flower Shampoo for several reasons : It is completely safe. It uses natural ingredients. It uses organic ingredients certified to food standards by reputable certification body Australian Certified Organic. This shampoo is meant for normal to dry hair and is ultra mild for daily use. It is suitable for children and babies too. It contains Yucca juice and coco polyglucose which gently cleanse the hair. My husband has oilier hair and he uses Miessence Lemon Myrtle shampoo. He also loves the invigorating aroma of organic lemon. It has the following ingredients : Organic aloe vera leaf juice, coco polyglucose, d-panthenol (pro-vit 5), proprietry blend of essential oils (natural parfum), non-gmo xanthan gum, organic lemon myrtle essential oil, citric acid, organic horsetail extract, organic nettle extract, organic burdock extract, organic rosemary extract, organic sage extract. My little boy uses Miessence Desert Flower Shampoo. However, I love to also use Aromababy's Pure Hair Cleanse to wash his hair. I can be rest assured of its safe and simple ingredients used : Purified Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Orange Sweet Essential Oil, Geranium Bourbon Essential Oil, Hydroxymethylglycinate.

Enjoying Baby Massage

WHY BABY MASSAGE?

It is now well documented that baby massage can play a vital role in aiding relaxation, digestion and to promote bonding. Research has also found massage to be a valuable tool in encouraging weight gain, particularly for the premature baby. Supervised massage is an ideal way for older siblings to bond with a new baby and is a great way to get Dad involved in caring for his newborn. For toddlers who seem unable to lie still, massage time can also be used as ‘sharing’ time or story time and provide an opportunity for quiet and gentle communication. The long, rhythmic and fluid strokes of massage can be instrumental in helping even older children prepare for slumber and are definitely nurturing and soothing to us all.

Massaged babies :

• Gain weight more quickly, compared to unmassaged babies.
• Have lower levels of "stress hormones" cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine.
• Have increased level of serotonin, the "happiness hormone".
• Fall asleep more quickly and easily.
• Do better on developmental tests and interaction assessments.
• Cry less and feel more secure.
• Become more alert and have more motor activity (especially for premature babies).
• Have greater "alert time" in which the baby is awake and quiet but alert - it is thought that infants learn best in this mode.
• Have increased activity in the vagus, the part of the brain related to attentiveness.

Some parents, however, fail to understand the importance of the actual product they use to massage their baby. For a newborns or very young infants, a good choice may be a cold pressed, preferably organic natural oil which is petro-chemical free. Oils such as Sweet Almond or Jojoba are ideal but offer little nourishment to the skin on its own. A pre-blended product that is aroma-free (no essential oils or added artificial fragrance) and contains a simple mix of cold pressed, naturally nourishing oils such as Calendula or Evening Primrose oils may provide additional benefits to dry, sensitive skin. These types of oils are rich in natural fatty acids and vitamins and can help to moisture dry skin whilst providing a medium for gentle, fluid movement. __________________________________________________________________________________________

AROMABABY® have developed massage oils that contain no essential oils, as a result of consultation with various members of both infant massage Associations in Australia, over a period of time. Its Newborn Organic Jojoba oil uses up to 99% certified organic Jojoba oil, an oil with a chemical structure closest to our skin's. Its Mother & Child massage oil is made up of the following ingredients : Cold Pressed Pure Sweet Almond Oil (prunis dulcis), Evening Primrose Oil, Calendula Healing Oil, d-Alpha-Tocopherol (GM- free Natural Vitamin E). Both oils contain an added natural anti-oxidant which is a high grade, certified GM-free natural vitamin E (d-alpha Tocopherol). This ensures a reasonable product shelf life (a rancid oil could go undetected by a novice and can cause more harm to Baby than good).

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I have giving my son more massages during the cold and dry wintry weather and really saw a visible improvement in his skin condition. The massage oils helped in moisturising his skin as well, an added bonus of baby massage.

________________________________________________________________ TIPS TO CONSIDER PRIOR TO BABY MASSAGE

• Prior to massage, take time out for yourself, take a few deep breaths if necessary, and ensure you are totally relaxed and prepared to spend some quality time with your child.
• Always ensure you massage in a warm environment - an infants body temperature can drop dramatically when undressed, so keep a towel/blanket or spare clothes close by for draping over the parts of the body not being massaged.
• Take care when handling Baby as freshly-massaged infants/children can be extremely slippery. I usually massage my son on his mattress, where he will fall asleep for his nap, so I need not worry about having to carry him.
• Avoid any harsh lights (including sunlight) that may be too bright for the infant to look into whilst lying down. A room which is dimly lit or filled with gentle sunlight is ideal.
• Massage with Baby placed on a bed or thick blanket.
• If you listened to some particularly soothing music whilst pregnant, you may like to play this softly. It is very reassuring for Baby to hear your voice whilst being massaged to hum, speak softly or sing to your Baby during this special time as you caress and stroke them.
• Short, clean fingernails are essential and remove any jewellery or rings that may interfere.
• If you have long hair, tie it back and roll up any long sleeves.
• Ensure you keep one hand in contact with Baby's skin at all times - this will help with the flow of energy between you and your child and allows Baby to look around and take in their surroundings without having to keep checking that you are still there.
• Avoid massaging over wounds, surgery or cuts or recent scar tissue. It is not recommended to massage an infant who has a fever, unusual heart condition, blood pressure problems or a contagious disease or you may encourage it to spread.
• Take care not to massage on Baby's abdomen immediately following a feed or when he/she has the hiccups. Massage of other areas during this time is fine.
• Do not massage a newborn infant at bath time as this can be over-stimulating. If your infant is older than four months, and you wish to massage at bath time, it is best to massage after the bath to allow the oils to be absorbed by the skin.
• Never watch the clock during massage you will know when either you, or more importantly your baby has had enough. Infant massage is beneficial to both you and your baby so take the telephone off the hook and enjoy!

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10 STEPS TO BASIC INFANT MASSAGE

1. Always start at the legs for newborns, as this is least intrusive area. Begin by holding Baby's right foot in your left hand, gently stroking up the leg with your right hand, from the outside of the ankle, up over the knee and to the inner thigh, then sweeping down to the inside ankle. Repeat each stroke 2-3 times.

2. Using both hands, apply a gentle 'wringing' action, squeezing up and down the length of the leg, finishing at the ankle.

3. Use your thumb to lightly circle the soles of the feet, gently squeezing and releasing Baby's toes one by one. Gently move one hand off Baby's leg and onto the other leg, then move your second hand over so as not to break the flow of fluid movement. Continue to massage Baby's other leg using strokes explained in Steps 1-3.

4. Move up toward the tummy area and make contact with this new 'space' so Baby becomes familiar with the area to be massaged next. This is an ideal time to introduce circle shapes and shapes of letters, even spelling out words on the skin, making the massage more enjoyable particularly for the older child. Be sure to maintain eye contact as you explain the shape or word you are making to your child. Keep in mind strokes should be in a clockwise direction and should be confined to the abdomen only. Massage Baby's tummy from YOUR left to right, (clockwise) in the direction of their digestive tract, using small circles with fingertips or the flat of your hand and taking care to avoid the umbilical cord area.

5. Complete the front by placing both hands in the centre of Baby's chest and sweep up and out over the centre of the chest, over the shoulders and hugging the entire length of the arms finishing off at the fingertips . Using both hands massage Baby's arms using a gentle squeezing up and down, finishing off at the fingertips. Massage each finger from knuckle to tip but do not attempt to restrain your baby if he/she curls fingers, kicks or moves arms during any part of the massage.

6. Gently turn Baby over and use the whole hand to stroke from the shoulders, down Baby's back to the buttocks - take care of Baby's delicate spinal area and so always work on either side of the spine.

7. Use both thumbs/knuckles to make small light circles around the top of the buttocks using both hands, starting toward the middle and moving out to the sides. Gently knead the buttocks simultaneously with both thumbs/knuckles using a roll-and-lift action.

8. Move onto the back of Baby's legs and use a gentle wring and release action starting at the top of one leg, massaging from the thigh all the way down the back of the leg and onto the soles of the foot. Move hands one at a time gently onto the second leg and repeat these movements.

9. Using long, light and fluid strokes from the head to Baby's toes, finish off the back area.

10. Carefully turn your baby over and stroke across the forehead using fingertips of both hands. Starting in the middle and gliding out toward Baby's temples. Pause for a moment and use feather-light circles around the temple area. Do not massage near the eye/eyelids and take care not to get oil near Baby's eye area.

Remember baby massage is a time of bonding so always maintain an unhurried and relaxed attitude. I have been giving my son regular massages after bath since he was born till now. It is always a wonderful quiet time for him and for me. It is very rewarding to see him enjoying the massage and slowly drifts into dreamland after that. It also encourages him to nap better and longer! Try it today!