The Greek Island Amorgos- Discover the superb natural beauty

The Spring has sprung, has finally sprung – well kind of. Looking outside just makes me dream about the sunny days by the beach reading a good book wile breathing the fresh air from the sea.

One of my favourite destinations is Greece. I love the traditional blue & white (hm maybe that’s why I love to wear stripes and this simple combination is one my favourites for clothes?!); oh the delicious fresh organic food, where the tomato it really tastes like tomato; the smell of pure fresh air; the friendly people… It is a place that makes me want to stay and come back, makes me desire to  visit every single island. Oh they are so many!! Probably the best thing to do would be to sail around for a couple of months. That would be amazing! I do love the well known glamorous Santorini or the party island Mykonos, but I also like to escape from the massive tourist areas to enjoy my moments of tranquility and discover high gems that are well known just by the greeks and a few people.

Last Summer I went to explore the  island of Amorgos, another piece of paradise on earth, with beaches where you don’t find more then ten people or if you are an explorer you can find your own private unique beach. Can’t wait to explore more greek islands this upcoming summer 🙂 🙂 🙂

Which one is you favourite greek island?

ONE TWO

THREE FOUR FIVE 

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Jordan & the health benefits from the lowest point of earth I

I do love to travel. It’s my hobby, my addiction, my H2O. My favourite destinations must include warm weather, sea, beach and a pool. Sometimes I like places with good nightclubs and other times I’m in the mood for something more zen. Now, my favourite destination for a zen moment is Jordan. There’s something special about this country that makes me want to come back every year.

Despite the amazing cultural and Biblical history that Jordan offers, there’s much more beyond that. That includes: relaxation, hot springs and all the natural benefits from the Dead Sea minerals. Of course I could buy some of this products but it’s hard to find 100% natural so for maximum benefits, however, what’s better then going straight to the source?!

The Dead Sea area is warm even in the winter (expect chilly nights), making it a perfect destination spot 365 days a year. Spas have indoor pools, including salty water swimming pools, so even if the weather is a bit chilly, you can enjoy it. This is why I always go during the winter, and I choose the party destinations for summer.

So I am going to float  in the dead sea, get muddy and shower under waterfalls!!  If you have the opportunity, it’s better to do it now, before it’s gone in the next 40 years, since is dropping by around a meter per year  😦

 

On my way to the lowest point on earth 

At the airport a car hire driver is waiting ready to take me on the 80-minute drive towards the magical Dead Sea. It’s Friday – a weekend day – so along the road I see so many families having a pick-nicks and BBQ by the roads, because   they sit on any green space they can find and now in March, it’s already perfect to sit, eat and have fun. 

While driving on the unfinished roads, and passing by dirty villages that looks destroyed from some war, I start to wonder if something is really happening after the rainbow.

In the middle of nowhere, I finally get to the hotel, that from its looks could be a hotel anywhere in the world, no original features. After a long flight I don’t dream about relaxing in my hotel  room, but to go to the Dead Sea as soon as I can. Turning my head around and trying to have a sneak from the windows while checking-in I look out for the sea, but I couldn’t see any water. In my room I put on my beach clothes. Finally I go outside. I can feel the fresh pure air in my lungs, the sun on my skin, the silence…  Now I can relax.  It was a long way to get here. Well, I guess all the precious things  are not easy to get, thats why they are so special.

Why everyone is crazy about Oil Pulling, and so do I?!

Every morning I battle with the alarm clock. I may snooze for more ten times when finally I go straight to the kitchen and take 1tsp of coconut oil and I start to swishing it. I go back to my room where I meditate by the window for 20 minutes, while swishing around the oil around my teeth. Some days I do spit mucus after it, what is a good sign, it means it is working and cleaning out all the toxins off my body. After I brush my teeth with my homemade toothpaste I continue with my normal daily routine having my morning warm water with lemon to keep detoxing.

Yes, 20 minutes! You read well! It’s the recommended time for the oil pulling. It may sound toooo long, but believe me time flies! Doing my research, my first concern was about the length of time: When could I take 20 minutes for ‘mouthwash’?! But I have found the perfect time to do it. Not everyone has the same routine, but I am sure you will find your own time do it. There are some people who do it while showering or reading emails, be creative!

After one week of oil pulling I noticed an improvement on my acne, my teeth becoming brightener and I feel more energetic, which I think is pretty good.

I know, you are still wondering what the hell is oil pulling…

For years that ancient Ayurvedic natural medicine knows the benefits of oil pulling, but just now became popular by word of mouth. Everyone says thats really works. It doesn’t costs a thing once is another ingredient that should be already on the shelf.

Oil pulling consists swishing oil in the mouth (much like you would do with mouthwash) with a goal of detoxing, rejuvenating the body and allowing the benefits of it to take hold. I recommend you all try it for a month to see what it does for you!

Which oil should be used?

It is preferable to get the highest quality oil you can find. Cold pressed (raw) oil is often said to be critical to the alleged effectiveness. Sesame oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil and olive oil are the most recommended for oil pulling, but any vegetable oil will work. I prefer to use coconut oil not only because it has more benefits but also because of the pleasant flavour. I have tried olive oil but I didn’t like the strong flavour.

Want white teeth, gorgeous gums and one seriously healthy body? This is how to do it:

1. First thing in the morning (before brushing and in a empty stomach),  – I do spit even before, since I remember I do that and I guess logical of things it should be good, because I am already spitting out some bad stuff – then pour yourself a tablespoon of the oil of your choice;

2. Put it in your mouth, and swish it around for anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes. Push and pull the oil back and forth, left and right, drawing it between your teeth;

3. Do NOT swallow it;

4. Continue swishing. As you continue swishing the oil, it eventually gets much more thin, and even turns white. Spit out a little into the sink. If the color is not white, it means you are not done. So continue until the color of the oil is white;

5. Spit it in the trash  (because it can solidify and clog your pipe, so spitting into your skin is not a good idea);

6. Rinse your mouth out with water;

7. Brush your teeth as normally you do in your daily routine.

If you are curious to know more about it, I truly recommend you to read ‘Oil pulling – Therapy Detoxifying Cleaning’ from Dr. Bruce Fife . You can buy it at:

You can also watch the video.

Another good reading.

Homemade toothpaste – The benefits

Did you ever think about what’s inside your toothpaste? I never questioned that before. Since  I remember I use the same brand every time just because mom and the dentist taught me that we need so to keep our buddies healthy. I loved so much my toothpaste that I used to eat it from the tube when I was a little girl, and listening  to my mom: ‘That’s not to eat. It’s to brush.’  So I can’t eat..but I can brush with it?!

Toothpaste cleanses teeth and removes plaque, which is beneficial, but if your goal is to maintain healthy teeth through a proper diet, mainstream toothpastes will work against your efforts.

I am not a dentist or a doctor. But I do care about my health not only when there is something wrong with me but to prevent being ill. On my new path of discovery about this ‘new’ world of chemicals free, organic, natural and so on…I started to read the labels to find out about the ingredients used. But did you ever think about reading the toothpaste, shampoo, the make-up remover ingredients?! Well, it never crossed my mind before either besides the popular ‘paraben free’ and a few years ago also the ‘fluried’ started to be a popular subject, but I didn’t pay much attention back then. Now it’s different and I want to find out more.

Like in food, in the toothpaste you can find all this synthetic ingredients and strange names: triclosan, FD&C Blue Dye, sorbitol and other ones including the fluoride and aspartame. Yes! you do have a sweetener in your toothpaste, it’s everywhere! That’s why we are so addicted to it. Lately I’ve thinking about all this strange ingredients: Do you know what they are? Would you eat them?! I don’t think so. if we can’t eat them maybe we shouldn’t use this products at all. It’s just a thought, it doesn’t mean I will be that radical, maybe I can be half way.

First I started looking for a safe alternative to the common toothpastes. I found out that there are many alternatives but very pricy and some of them still containing some of that bad ingredients like sodium lauryl sulphate.

Realising that in my pantry I have all the ingredients necessary to make a homemade toothpaste, I decided to experiment and make my own without spending a fortune on store-bought brands. It is so easy and quick to prepare.

First I started with small quantities and adjusting to my taste. I must confess that the colour is not that appealing, but the most important thing is that it cleanses gently, leaving the teeth feeling clean and polished.

Do you have your favourite homemade toothpaste recipe? please feel free to share it! I’ve been experimenting with my own homemade toothpaste recipe for a while now after realising how easy it is to make it. And my next step is to get myself a bamboo toothbrush and start with oil pulling.

But be aware that the home made version doesn’t foam up like conventional paste and bicarb soda imparts a salty taste, but can be flavoured any way you like. It can take some time getting used to it. Also, due to turmeric the tooth brush will be yellow dye.  Just warning you!

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil

• 3 tablespoons baking soda

• 1 turmeric

• 1 clay

• 1 xylitol

• 3 tablespoon distilled water

• 20-25 drops of peppermint oil (start with half and adjust for taste preference)

It is important not to use metals when making this recipe, because the bentonite clay can absorb the metals.

How to prepare:

1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a ceramic bowl and stir with a ceramic spoon or chopsticks;

2. Add the wet ingredients and stir;

3. Storage in a glass container.