Blog
Botanical alchemy in a modern world
SACRED OIL
Being immersed in the Mediterranean lifestyle for the last month, I couldn't help but write about the endless uses for this magical and nourishing food!
Olives were discovered (or at least documented) in Crete around 3,000 BCE and they have been the cornerstone of the Greek diet ever since.
Being immersed in olives for the last month, I couldn't help but write about the endless uses for this magical and nourishing food…
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IMPRESSIVE BENEFITS
This classic saying actually has quite a bit of merit!
This classic saying actually has quite a bit of merit! Eating raw apples regularly is great for gout and rheumatism. 2 apples a day can actually reduce cholesterol levels by 10%…
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IN THE MOMENT
For the last couple of weeks I decided to immerse myself in the Greek culture instead of simply writing about it. I left my cell at home and held back from Instagramming every beautiful moment. I didn't want to announce my technology break nor did I want to set a timeline that would be looming over me, I wanted to just let it happen.
For the last couple of weeks I decided to immerse myself in the Greek culture instead of simply writing about it…
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NATURE HEALS
Mud provides your skin with yummy nutrients, restores the pH, pulls out impurities, and even decreases inflammation.
You don't have to go to a spa and spend thousands of dollars to get the benefits of mud! Why not simply go to the source?…
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AMERICAN TWIST
Don't get me wrong, the Greeks know how to make a mean salad but sometimes it's fun to change up old classics!
Don't get me wrong, the Greeks know how to make a mean salad but sometimes it's fun to change up old classics…
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I'm learning that the Greeks do a lot of things differently, yogurt included…
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BREATHE
Maybe the stresses in life have changed dramatically over the years (like you don't have to worry about a bear chasing you) but our stress response still remains the same.
I feel like this is the first time in seriously over a decade that I can actually relax…
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INTO THE BLUE
Salt is essential for life and balances many physiologic functions within the body.
Going back to the basics is the best way to get in touch with the healing power of nature…
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Living in Greece has been so inspiring, peaceful, and pretty much perfect well, except that I don't have any of my usual blogging equipment. Back home, I had everything available to me... an amazing photographer, great cameras & lenses, a dress for every occasion, a car to drive to the perfect location, makeup artists, hair stylists for the perfect wave, and shops to find anything in between. The crazy part of all of this??? I'm way more creative with a selfie stick, Iphone, and limited wardrobe.
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TOTAL IMMERSION
You're more likely to have an authentic experience.
Traveling alone doesn't mean you're a total loner; it's actually quite the opposite! It means that you feel totally comfortable with yourself and enjoy adventure. I've traveled to many countries alone over the last decade and had a blast.. some of the travels where for personal development and others were simply because schedules could not sync up.
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CAROB
These dark brown pods are rich in vitamin A and B vitamins along and have 8% protein.
The first Greek document describing carob was over 4,000 years ago! The Greeks were the first ones to cultivate this plant and discover all the wonderful uses…
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ORGANIC HAIRCARE
Greek women take full advantage of all the wonderful flora around them like olive trees, chamomile, aloe, and avocados.
Greek women take full advantage of all the wonderful plants around them like olive trees, chamomile, rosemary, sage, and dittany. Learn their secrets to gorgeous hair!
They use olive oil in everything including their hair.
Avocados, which are also rich in oils and vitamin E are abundant in the country.
Even though I live in such a small village (population about 150, average age about 75), I feel as though I'm always discovering something new everyday! Simply walking down the streets lined with flowers, seeing the women sitting outside of their homes crocheting beautiful things, and watching all the village people gather in the town square for coffee and conversation inspires me to remember the importance of the little things in life.
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INSIDE OUT
Lifestyle is the foundation for glowing skin and a vibrant life
Well, first off, the Greek women know that beauty comes from the inside out and their lifestyle is the foundation for glowing skin and a vibrant life…
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ANCIENT GREECE
In Ancient Greece at the palace of Knossos, there was information found about extracting the oils of roses inscribed into clay tablets.
The rose essence contains over 300 different chemical substances and was used for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes; many of which are still valid today.
One of my personal favorite things to do with roses is a hydrosol which refreshes and moisturizes the skin. Give it a try!
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CRETAN HONEY
The unique flavor is from all the aromatic plants and herbs in the mountains.
The honey in Crete is internationally known because of its amazing flavor…
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IN THE WILD
Over 2,000 species of plants native to Crete
I decided to forage for wild flowers this morning around the mountains and came home with a gorgeous bouquet! Blue, purple, pink, red, green, white, yellow... and every hue in-between…
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THE HISTORY
Besides being one of the oldest known fruits found in writings and artifacts, it also contains a compound called punicalagin found only in this fruit!
The Greeks have been familiar with this gorgeous fruit since ancient times and in Greek Mythology, the pomegranate was known as the "fruit of the dead" and used to honor the spirits of the dead…
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TAKE YOUR TIME
The Greeks are known for taking their time, enjoying the moment, and valuing relationships… everything that reduces stress. So, with all these amazing health benefits why aren't more of us going Greek???
It was hard to find a more magical place than Ojai, but a village in Crete called Avdou just might top it! Surrounded by mountains and far away from tourists lies Avdou village, the perfect place for inspiration, creativity, and peace.
So, you might ask, why in the world am I going to Greece? Well, I've wanted to write a book based on this blog forever but simply never had the time... until now.
Read MoreMEDICINE WILD. curated by Dr. Michele Burklund. Dr. Michele Burklund perfectly blends the art of natural medicine into beautiful and inspiring health tips in her health and wellness website, Medicine Wild. Learn about natural remedies, DIY treatments, naturopathic lifestyles, and more