Andrea Crisp's Health & Wellness Blog

Homemade Heavy Duty Soft Scrub - Just in time for Earth Day!

Andrea Crisp — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:36:23 +0000

Heavy Duty Soft Scrub Ingredients: Baking Soda, Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap, Vinegar & doTERRA's Wild Orange essential oilI've been making some of my own personal care products and cleaning products for a while now, but in 2012 my goal is to do this with everything that I can. So far, I am well on my way: laundry soap, dishwasher soap, foaming hand wash, shampoo, deodorant, various cleaning sprays and more. Essential oils, Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap, vinegar, baking soda and borax have become my friends! Today I mixed up a new heavier duty soft scrub cleaner than what I normally use and thought I'd share it with you in anticipation of Earth Day this Sunday, April 22nd.

My husband and I love our kitchen. Compared to the galley kitchen I used to have this one is spacious and I love the original dark, solid wood cabinets. One of the things I don't love and we keep saying we will remedy are the counters and sink. We live in a 1970s ranch with lots of original "features". Don't get me wrong. We wanted a house like this, there is lots to love, but it was the 70s. You should see the original handles on the cabinets! [[shudder]] I am not sure the counter and sink are original, but they are old. The nice thing is that they are white and not avocado or golden yellow (that's the bathroom tub, sink and toilet!). But the bad thing is that they aren't just white, but old and white. Every little thing shows and I'm not just talking about crumbs. If you put a glass or bowl on the counter it leaves grayish-black marks. The stainless steel food composter really does a number! I figured out a while ago that some of it wipes away easily and the rest is usually good with a little water and baking soda. This simple concoction even works well on most of the sink, so I haven't needed to use Soft Scrub with Bleach or any other harsh, yucky chemical cleaner to make it look decent again.

Andréa's New Year's EFT Candidate Special Offer

Andrea Crisp — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:21:04 +0000

I am currently completing my EFT-INT certification through EFT Universe, which involves Level 1 and Level 2 workshops, working with a specific number of people, submitting case studies, reading books and scientific studies and completing a final exam. At this time I have completed the initial Level 1 workshop & both Level 2 workshops and I've been supervised by my mentoring consultant. I've worked with numerous people on a variety of issues and I am almost done meeting my client numbers! Yay! While I am still an EFT-INT candidate, I am offering a limited number of people individual sessions. This means that you may sign up for one session without first completing one of my standard packages. Depending on your issues one session may be enough, but often people need several sessions to adequately address all aspects of an issue. This will be the last time I offer one-off sessions without a package. Single sessions are normally only available to clients who have complete a package. Right now you can sign up for an individual 90 minute session at my introductory price of $120! This will give you a wonderful opportunity to see us in action, together, before committing to more sessions. When I have filled all of the spots this offer will be gone!

If you are interested in working with me and giving Emotional Free Techniques a try this is your golden opportunity! Please contact me right away. You will receive a free 30 minute consultation, plus the individual session of your choosing via phone or Skype, but only a few spots remain! Contact me today.

Single sessions are normally only available to clients who have complete a package. Right now you can sign up for an individual 90 minute session at my introductory price of $120!

Current Package Price

3 Session Pack - Includes three 90 minute sessions. $360

Contact me today.

Wondering more about EFT?

You can read more about my preferred EFT topics here. Scroll down to the section titled "How Andréa Uses EFT". Or youcan watch this video to find out more about EFT and various issues with which it has been helpful to others.

Making the switch to homemade beauty & cleaning products!

Andrea Crisp — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:38:38 +0000

Finally! I am doing it. I have been concerned about the ingredients in everything - food, lotion, shampoo, cleaning supplies etc. - since paying more attention to my health while attending the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in 2006-07. So while I started to get more picky about some things, like were my food comes from, I was not as picky about other. Especially, because I wanted to use up all of the cleaning supplies or beauty products that I had already purchased. This was in part, because I did not know what to do with them! Throwing them out did not seem right or good for the environment, but also my CPA boyfriend-at-the-time, Dan (husband since June 2008) did not want me throwing out 'perfectly good' stuff. i.e. Wasting money.

Did the definition of "balanced" change?

Andrea Crisp — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:45:47 +0000

I'm thinking that it must have gotten changed at some point. Just like the definition of a vegetable was changed ... You know, by the government? (i.e. a topic for another day, but yes, catsup or ketchup is consider a vegetable in school lunches!) I was just looking at a jar of Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread and comparing it with some cacao coconut butter and was struck dumb by the message on the back of the Nutella bottle. Right underneath the nutrition facts it reads:

"An example of a tasty

yet balanced breakfast:

a glass of skim milk,

orange juice and Nutella

on whole wheat bread."

It features a nice color photo off to the left, which also shows some fruit which isn't even on their list, and "Tasty" and "Balanced" are highlighted in red.

I've news for people. Hazelnuts are not even the main ingredient here. It's sugar. (Note: Hazelnuts are #3) Yes sugar is the #1 ingredient. A standard serving of Nutella has 21 grams of added sugar and a glass of orange juice has 22 grams (or more depending on brands). That alone surpasses the normally recommended, by most Registered Dietitians, amount of added sugar for a 2,000 calorie diet. So it's 43 grams not counting what is in the bread and the milk. And that's if you eat a standard serving, which might be asking a little much. The usual daily recommendation for sugar is 40 grams. (Also note: There is no RDA recommendation for added sugar, because the Industrial Sugar Complex would fire all of the politicians who had anything to do with writing the guidelines.) Another thing is that most kids shouldn't be eating a 2,000 calorie diet anyway, so that means their daily recommend is even lower.

No offense to Jamie Oliver, but "Wow!" No wonder we need a Brit to come to American and teach us how to eat healthy. I long for the day when these companies are not allowed to make false statements like these in the name of advertising. Words like health and balance, along with random pictures of fruit, should not be anywhere on the label.

Really, I long for the day when all first graders know that carrots come from dirt and french fries are from potatoes, but, yet, that doesn't make them an everyday, healthy choice. There is something wrong with schools today, and out country, if we are barely teaching the Three R's and definitely not teaching good, lifelong habits like how to balance a checkbook and what really and truly constitutes a vegetable.

Guest Blogger on "My Life Works Today"

Andrea Crisp — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:32:00 +0000

Check out my guest blogger posting on "Laughter & Auto-immune Disease" at the local Portland blog "My Life Works Today" (MLWT). MLWT is a local non-profit who's mission is to inspire individuals who are living with all forms of lupus and lupus-related illnesses by being a strong resource of opportunities reflecting the potential and well-being of Oregon and SW Washington communities. This is my second guest appearance on the MLWT Blog.

Laughter Yoga Parties?

Andrea Crisp — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:03:00 +0000

Last night I had my first experience with doing Laughter Yoga at a birthday party here in the Portland Metro area. No, not a kids birthday party, although that would be appropriate. It was a 50th birthday party! It was a little bit of a learning experience. The party was outside and we started a little later than planned, just before dusk, so we cut it off a little earlier than I would have liked. Next time I think I would recommend doing it as a before dinner activity ... As the host and I were rounding everyone up the party-goers were like "We're doing what?" "Laughter what?" or "What's laughing got to do with yoga?" Needless to say, just trying to gather everyone got some giggles. In the end, I had a wonderful time and I think most people enjoyed it despite themselves. Evidenced by all of the great conversations I had following the event!

It made me realize how useful Laugher Yoga really is! The topic and act of laughter can really be used at most any event to bring people together; from children and adult birthday parties to holiday celebrations, and even weddings. (My partner and I thought about doing it at our wedding celebration, except that it was 100 degrees that day! HA! I think Laughter Yoga might be contraindicated in extreme heat. It is exercise after all.) I've already seen how great Laughter Yoga is as a corporate workshop, next I am excited to bring it in as a team building exercise. It could even be used as an ice-breaker or energizer for all day trainings and conferences. The possibilities are endless!

Free Articles on eHow

Andrea Crisp — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:41:05 +0000

I have been busy writing and posting various health and wellness related articles on eHow.com. Please check out some of my work. I always appreciate feedback and comments! Below are links to a few of the recent postings, but I am listed as HealthCoach100 if you would like to look at everything. Enjoy!

How to Gain Better Health in 12 Easy Steps

How to Create Positive Affirmations

How to Laugh Your Way to Better Health

Majority of Americans Taking Medication …

Andrea Crisp — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:21:21 +0000

A depressing study, just released by Medco Health Solutions Inc., says a majority of Americans are now taking medication for some type of chronic disease.

The heartbreaking thing is that many of these chronic conditions, such as acid reflux, depression, asthma and high blood pressure can be treated or alleviated through diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, people are programmed to want a quick fix, like popping a pill, by our demanding consumerist, fast-paced lifestyles and the ongoing bombardment of pharmaceutical advertising. It becomes easier to simply ask the doctor about the purple pill Nexim than to wade through the overwhelming choices presented by the health and wellness industry. We want to still be able to stay up late, get up early, eat fat and sugar laden fast food, all-the-while drinking coffee, soda and energy drinks to stay alert, so we can participate in our go-go lives. Popping a pill allows us to think we are “fixing” a problem without actually taking the time to address our stress or lifestyle.

Regrettably, many of our doctors are now trained how to cover up or reduce symptoms versus discovering root causes or facilitating healing. The typical physician is no longer an expert on health and wellness, but experts of pharmacology; drug dealers in disguise, luring you in with “free” samples. The next time you have a symptom or a diagnosis and are handed a prescription without a discussion, don’t feel bad questioning your doctor. Ask what else you can do besides going on medication. There are still doctors that are thrilled when patients ask questions about lifestyle versus walking in demanding a medication they saw in an advertisement. If your doctor is resistant to a discussion and simply wants to push a pill, exercise your power as a consumer and find a new doctor.

As consumers and citizens we must learn to take responsibility for our personal wellness and make tough decisions if we ever expect health care in our country to change. The only way to fix our broken health care system is to change to a system that values and rewards prevention and healing over quick fixes. Popping pills for every ache, pain and discomfort will never lower health care costs or heal what ails. If you don’t believe me, consider why we spend more on health care than any other country in the world, but are only 37th in overall performance and 72nd in overall level of health according to the World Health Organization.

The Fellowship of Laughter Yoga

Andrea Crisp — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:04:37 +0000

Wow! I am just now coming off the high of my week long Laughter Yoga Teacher Training in California with Dr. Madan Kataria that ended on the 11th. What an experience and what a blessing! First, to spend time with Dr. Kataria himself, the founder of the Laughter Yoga movement. He is so down to earth and real. He makes everyone comfortable with his presence and makes it easy to laugh for no reason. (We also had plenty of reasons to laugh! It's not that we discount humor. We had many funny moments, including an entertaining evening with a talent show and costumes! Humor definitely has its place, we just don't need humor to laugh.) Second, the amazing group of people! I made friendships and connections that will last a lifetime. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and parts of the country (or world even!), but laughter is truly the universal language. It is amazing how many ways you can use laughter in your life. After returning home I used laughter with a friend to laugh and breathe for a person with which they were in conflict. After that, it's easier to just let it go! And the ways you can apply the work of Laughter Yoga are countless! With a laughter club, friends and family, an individual practice, corporations, ice-breakers, training, seminars, seniors, kids, churches, spas ... I could go on and on!

I am now starving to start my own Laughter Club here in Portland, OR ... to build a local community such as the community I experienced during training. I'm sure I will be posting more about my Laughter Club a time goes on. So stay tuned! Meanwhile watch a short video on Laughter Yoga!

Yes We Can get out the vote!

Andrea Crisp — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:18:01 +0000

When I started this blog, I had no intention of using it as a platform for politics. Yet, sometimes it is hard to address your own personal health & wellness without looking at the big picture of what is going on in the world around you: environmental degradation, the costs of gasoline, war, genocide, the lack of affordable health care, the demise of public schools and the rising cost of higher education, just to name a few. As the 2008 primary campaign draws closer to an end I am hopeful, because, in the end, I feel like I could get behind any of the candidates that are running. However, that isn't a reason to not get involved. And that definitely isn't a reason to not get out and vote and get others to vote in the primaries and in the general election this fall. No matter who you are planning to vote for, I encourage you to exercise this amazing right and obligation that we have to vote for the leader of the free world. There are still so many people in the world living under dictatorships or daily struggling for survival in war-torn countries that would give anything to have the opportunities to walk into a voting booth worry-free and exercise this right of choice. It wasn't that long ago that citizens of our country risked freedom and even death to fight for or exercise their right to vote. So I invite you to think of the coming election with gratitude instead of looking at it as another annoyance or hassle on your to do list.

For a little inspiration I am including a video of Obama and a few other famous people singing "Yes We Can". It's a good reminder of where we have come from and the possibility that exists in our future as a nation. No matter who you are voting for, it is something to be excited about!