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reading time: 4 min



It's been almost five years at this point since I talked about toothpaste – or more specific, homemade toothpaste – on this blog. Back than I shared my DIY healing turmeric and tea tree toothpaste that works wonders for cleaning and naturally whitening your teeth as well as for preventing caries and even potentially reversing enamel damage and tooth decay.

However, it is an oil-based toothpaste which means that
a) your mouth is going to feel oily while brushing it, and there is no foaming effect. Some people don't like this.
b) you cannot spit the oil into the sink, but must spit it into the bin, or else the oil will clog your drain.

The toothpaste also contains turmeric, which makes for a wonderful natural brightening effect, but can also stain your clothes, fingers, mouth and toothbrush. I do still use the turmeric and tea tree toothpaste (usually a few times a month, for that wonderful cleansing and whitening effect), but I've found an alternative that does not contain oil and therefore doesn't come with the "disadvantages" listed above.

Enter my favourite DIY toothpaste!

It is made with only 4 natural ingredients that all have a remineralizing and tooth-strengthening effect. It's basically a mixture of finely ground minerals and liquid:


  reading time: 8 min




Did you know that Yao women cut their hair only once in their lifetime? And that they never use shampoo on their hair?

If you are wondering what the Yao women have to do with this rice water recipe, and who the Yao women are in the first place, let me explain: The trend of using (fermented) rice water to achieve long, strong and healthy hair has been going around on the internet for a while now. The use of this method was first recorded in the Heian period (794–1186), when Japanese women use the water leftover from washing rice to attain beautiful floor-length hair as well as soft plump skin. Today the Red Yao women of the Huangluo Village in China are known for keeping their hair long, strong, shiny and jet-black even at the age of 80, using the fermented rice water method. The Yao settlement actually received a Guinness world record certification for the "world's longest hair village", with an average of 1.5 meters and a record of 2.1 meters of hair.

Like I mentioned at the beginning, the women of Huangluo only cut their hair once in their lives, when they turn 18, as part of a coming of age ceremony. After that, the Yao women wear their hair in a "twist and tie" hair style where they twist their hair into a long rope and wrap it around their head. This protects their hair from wind, tangles and split ends.

What's So Great About This Rice Water Method

Rice water contains a lot of
nutrients beneficial to our hair and scalp, including amino acids, minerals, antioxidants, selenium, magnesium, folic acid, vitamins B1-B6, vitamins C & E, niacin, vitamin K and inositol. The inositol carbohydrate has the ability to penetrate into the hair and repair cuticle damage, adding shine and reducing frizz. Rice water helps promote hair growth due to the amino acids, reduces dandruff and scalp problems due to the healing properties of the starch, and makes your hair stronger, smoother and shinier.

The pomelo or grapefruit peels in this rinse contain antioxidants that help promote hair growth by increasing the blood flow to the surface of the scalp, as well as being anti-septic, anti-allergic and anti-fungal, making them a mild treatment for dandruff, an itchy irritated scalp and scalp infections. They also help getting rid of product build-up, and bring shine to dull, dry, lifeless hair.

In short: This boiled and fermented rice water promotes hair growth, nourishes the scalp, cleanses and conditions your hair with only 3 ingredients! In fact, you don't have to use a conditioner or even shampoo when using this recipe. Plus, it gives your hair an amazing orange smell!

So stop tossing away the water from washing or boiling your rice, and start making this wholesome hair conditioner! (No really, I always use the rice that I am about to cook anyway 😃)

Below I share with you a quick version that is ready within a day, and the traditional version that takes 1 week but is my recommended method.


  reading time: 5 min




After watching Galatea's witty and insightful video on Why Are Christmas Movies So Bad? and the kind but fierce Warrior/Magician archetype of Santa Clause or rather Father Christmas last week, which really inspired me in an unexpected way, I felt called to celebrate the dark and cosy, mysterious atmosphere of Christmas once again. (Honestly, go watch her videos, she's awesome!)

A close relative to the pesto flower bread, which I have made before but never shared on the blog so far, I have been wanting to make a sweet variation of this twisted pull-apart bread for a while now, which uses sweet, buttery, caramelized cinnamon as a filling instead of pesto.

This festive cinnamon snowflake bread is not only super cute, but also very delicious. And, of course, vegan!

It's warm, sweet, soft, doughy, with a crunchy exterior, and a fragrant Christmasy interior. It's similar to cinnamon rolls, but in a pull-apart style and also generously dusted with powdered sugar to give it that characteristic snowflake look!

Looking impressive, but actually
being not that hard to make, it's the perfect recipe for the holiday season, but also for any other dark and gloomy Sunday morning or afternoon, and a fun thing to make on snow days – or on winter days where I wish it would actually snow. So basically any day, lol!

I highly suggest serving this with some milk tea or hot chocolate, too.

TIP: The dough can also be made a day in advance and can be kept in the refrigerator before proceeding with the assembly. This is very handy if you want to serve this fresh and warm for a brunch.

 reading time: 4 min





Episode 13.

Today's blog post is all about my favourite of all the various daily self-care practices in Ayurveda, ever since doing my Ayurvedic cleanse last spring: Abhyanga! 
 
Abhyanga is a full body Ayurvedic self-massage using warm oil. Not only is it said to balance the doshas (the Ayurvedic elements in our bodies) by pacifying vata and pitta and stimulating kapha, but also to enhance well-being and longevity, providing a feeling of stability and warmth. To me, it is a powerful expression of self-love.

This practice is also great for glowing skin, and it's just the most luxurious way to start your day – or to end your night. It's best to do this before showering, either on an empty stomach in the morning, or in the evening shortly before bedtime.

So if you've got some time on the weekend and really want to pamper yourself, then treat yourself to this deeply soothing self-massage with warm oil!

This massage can last as short as 10 minutes and as long as 60 minutes.
Although it is quite time-consuming I really love doing this once or twice a month, or even once a week, especially during the autumn and winter months when the ungrounded vata energy is particularly high.

It is no coincidence that the word sneha in Sanskrit translates to both "oil" and "love", which teaches us that through the act of oiling our bodies, we are also practising self-love through loving touch and care. So enjoy this time of self-love and nourishing! Plus, the oil will provide your dry skin with extra nutrition, and protect it against the harsh winds.


DISCLAIMER:
I am not a physician, and the information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.




  reading time: 4 min




A great smoothie is not only delicious, but also healthy, containing valuable vitamins and minerals from the fruits and vegetables used, and easy to make. However, most people – me included – usually only drink smoothies during the summer time when you need something light, fresh and cooling.

Today I want to show you four ways to enjoy your smoothies during the cold months as well!

Especially when it's cold and uncomfortable outside, a delicious and nutritious winter smoothie is exactly what we need. I have found that there are three ways to "winterize" your smoothies:

1) use warm liquids such as warmed up milk, coffee, or water, especially when adding frozen ingredients to your smoothie
2) use warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, turmeric, and chili
3) use anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich ingredients such as turmeric, ginger, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and almonds that will boost your immune system
4) use dense, nourishing ingredients such as nuts or nut butters (for fatty acids and protein), bananas, (nut) milk, and leafy greens (for secondary plant compounds, antioxidants, vitamins and fibre) to keep you full and grounded

All of the following recipes meet at least three, if not all four criteria for a warming winter smoothie!

My personal favourites would have to be no. 3 and 4, but all of them are amazing ☺️

*


 reading time: 7 min




HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIENDS!

It is the time of making new year's resolutions, of creating vision boards, setting intentions and working on better habits. It's the perfect time to practice manifesting, if you ask me.

Manifesting can take a number of different shapes. Whether it's visualizing, praying, scripting, using positive affirmations or creating a vision board, the method of manifesting is a wonderful and powerful tool to create the reality of our life. (If you are wondering how this is possible – how we humans are able to not only shift, but actually shape our own reality –, I recommend listening to the lectures of Dr. Joe Dispenza who explains this matter on a scientific basis.)

Today, I want to share
with you three simple tips that will help you manifest your desires into reality.

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THIS IS ME

Well, hello! My name is Maisy (pronounce: macy) and I’m the creative spirit behind this blog. You are welcome to join me on my journey to a more natural, slow-paced & healthier life!

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