
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
Carly's Favorite Things
This is a compilation of items, websites, services, etc, that I would recommend to my clients, friends and family, trying to move towards a healthier lifestyle. I am always updating and adding to this list. Email me with items you love and think others would benefit from as well. Most of these product suggestions are without price checking, so please do your research.
Active Clothing for Men & Women/Mats
I use to spend less money on my pants and they never lasted repeated wear, not to mention, I noticed the dye from some of the pants, transferring onto my skin, which is highly toxic. These not only stand up to repeated wash and wear, but they feel very luxurious and provide so much ease of movement, not to mention these companies focus on sustainability, non-toxic dyes, fair labor and more.
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Manduka- They have the silkiest, most free movement fabric that I have encountered. Micro Nylon knit, or Nylon-Elastine mixes are my favorites. My personal favorite mat is the Manduka Pro Mat. I love the cushion, the grip and non slip, and it provides good insulation against my cold tile floor.
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Prana- I have really enjoyed all their yoga pants accept the ones that are more of a jersey knit fabric. They do not hold up like the others. I love all their clothing because it is soft and durable. I have purchased dresses, hats, pj's, and t-shirts, and more.
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Jade Yoga Mats- Stays put, and does not slip, not so good for insulation on a cold surface. I travel with one of these.
Feminine Hygiene Products/Hygiene Products/Cleaning
Have you ever considered what is being absorbed through your skin, especially the most delicate tissues on your body? Fragrances, dyes and chemicals are in so many of our personal hygiene products. Many chemicals used in our products are banned in other countries, yet we continue to use them. They are huge contributors of Eczema, and other inflammatory responses in the body. Essential oils penetrate every cell of the body within 20 minutes.... What else are we absorbing and what does the accumulated use do to our bodies, over time, and/or genetically? These are brands I like or know of.
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The Honest Company- Tampons, pads, cleaning products, diaper and baby needs, etc. Free of dyes and toxic substances.
Deodorants & Body/Hair Products
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Lavalin- Please shop around for price. This is like a paste that you rub into the underarm area as little as 1 day a week.
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Arm & Hammer Essentials- Please shop around for price. Baking soda makes some people itch, it works fine for me.
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Local Stores- Trader Joe's, Sprouts, Elliott's Natural Foods, The Vitamin Shoppe
Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Soap- Local stores listed above. Trader Joe's carries nice products for very inexpensive. They have essential oils in them as opposed to chemical fragrance.
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Laundry- I use only Fragrance-Free, Dye-Free detergents, softeners and dryer sheets.
Essential Oils/Carrier Oils/Diffusers
Quality does matter in the Essential Oil world. You get what you pay for. Many products try to pass their products off as high quality, when in truth they are toxic synthetics. Shop smart.
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Young Living Therapeutic Essential Oils- these can be purchased through me or another representative.
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DoTerra Therapeutic Essential Oils- You will need to purchase from a representative. This company is a sort of break-off from Young Living.
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Plant Therapy- They carry quality essential oils with lab reports available, carrier oils, body and hygiene products, diffusers, and more.
Foods & Supplements
I believe in balance, not fad diets or ways of eating. I believe in trying to slowly improve our choices and habits, creating long lasting lifestyle changes that last. We cannot eat 100% clean, but we can continually try to reduce our exposure. I buy organic, free-range, grass-fed, hormone-free, non-GMO whenever possible.
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Supplements- I am more about food for nutrition than supplements, but if I do take them, I make sure the brand is very high quality like Garden of Life.
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Produce & Meat- I shop for produce at farmers markets when I can make it, Trader Joe's, Sprout's, or Raley's. I avoid produce and meat from Walmart, as the produce seems to go bad faster... not sure why, and the meat selections do not appear to be high quality in my opinion.
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My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe, By Living Out Loud
Fern's Low Carb Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
( Sugar Free & if you use Almond Flour/meal it is wheat free which makes it lower carb)
1 Cup Butter you can use Earth Balance too ( Softened or melted )
2 Cups of Splenda
2 Eggs
2 Teaspoons Vanilla
3 Cups of Almond Flour or whichever flour you prefer ( Almond Flour is grain free and lower carb )
1 Teaspoon Baking soda
2 Teaspoons Hot Water
1/2 Teaspoon Salt ( I use Kosher Salt )
2 cups of Sugarfree Chocolate Chips ( Hershey's make them) If you cant find sugar free Chips then get
two packages of the Sugar free Chocolate bars and rough chop them to make a chip ( I have used one
bag of Semi and one bag of the milk with caramel filling)
Optional 1 cup of Chopped Pecans ( You can toast these abit to bring out there flavor)
Directions
1. preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Normally you would cream the butter and the sugar together. but since we are using splenda. either
make sure that the butter is really soft or melted and mix it in with the splenda. beat in the eggs one at
a time, then stir in the vanilla. dissolve the baking soda in hot water. add to batter along with the salt.
stir in the flour, chocolate chips and nuts if you desire. drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
3. bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned
Websites & Apps
When trying to improve and change lifestyle habits, tracking is important. It keeps us honest with ourselves, and on track with our goal. Tracking can help us, as well as our health care support team to gain much needed insight, ensuring we are making changes in a positive and healthy way.
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MyNetDiary App- This is the best one I have encountered in years. Everything is customizable, from calorie targets, Fat, Carb, Protein targets, Nutrient targets, Calorie Cycling, Exercise accounting, Blood sugar and blood pressure logs, reminders, medicines, and so much more. $40 per year, or there is a monthly plan and trial period. This app also syncs to it's desktop version.
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Meditation Apps- Calm, Headspace, Insight Timer, Pacifica, Simple Habit
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Yoga Apps- Yoga 108, Down Dog, Yoga Studio, Asana Rebel, 5 Minute Yoga, YouTube
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Analyze Your Products- Think Dirty, Hwahae, CodeCheck
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Glycemic Index apps- Glycemic Index & Load
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Habit Tracking- Habit Tracker, Fabulous Motivate Me!
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Menstrual Cycle Tracking app- Period Tracker
Homemade/Other
I transitioned to homemade cleaning products and safer, non-toxic alternatives in 1988. I don't have to worry about my skin coming into contact with chemicals or the highly toxic smells of commercial cleaners.
Toothpaste Recipe: (Recipe yields 8 ounces of toothpaste) I have used this since about 2015. Do not wet your toothbrush, use a dry toothbrush, and rinse at the end.
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1/2 Cup Organic Extra Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil
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1 Tablespoon Himalayan Pink Salt
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2 Tablespoons Calcium Carbonate
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1/2 Cup Baking Soda
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1/2 Teaspoon Organic Liquid Stevia
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1 Tablespoon Organic Peppermint Flavor
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1. With a mortar and pestle, or using an electric grinder, process the salt into a fine powder. Do not skip this step. If the salt is too large it can cut your gums and cause pain and discomfort.
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2. Mix the salt and remaining ingredients in a bowl until the consistency is light and fluffy.
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3. Add the toothpaste to a 8 ounce jar with fitted lid for storage.
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What Carly uses for Cleaning
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All Surface Cleaner Recipe: ( I have used this for over 20 years)
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In a spray bottle, equal parts of: Water, Rubbing Alcohol, White Vinegar. It is nontoxic, safe for children and pets. Omit the alcohol for a cleaner that you do not need to worry about streaking. Add a drop or two of blue food coloring if you like. The smells dissipate quickly if you are concerned about the smell. I tried adding essential oils, but I felt they were too expensive to use for the quantity I would need.
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- Scouring Powders:
- Borax- I use this as a scouring powder in the toilets, sinks and tubs, as well as to whiten my laundry and remove odors instead of Oxi-Clean, which is full of chemicals and toxic fragrance.
- Baking Soda- I also use this as a soft-scrub/scouring powder to clean my toilet bowls, sinks and tubs.
- Super Washing Soda- I use this in the laundry, or as a scouring powder.
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What Carly uses for Cleaning
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All Surface Cleaner Recipe: ( I have used this for over 20 years)
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In a spray bottle, equal parts of: Water, Rubbing Alcohol, White Vinegar. It is nontoxic, safe for children and pets. Omit the alcohol for a cleaner that you do not need to worry about streaking. Add a drop or two of blue food coloring if you like. The smells dissipate quickly if you are concerned about the smell. I tried adding essential oils, but I felt they were too expensive to use for the quantity I would need.
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Scouring Powders:
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Baking Soda- I also use this as a soft-scrub/scouring powder to clean my toilet bowls, sinks and tubs.
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Super Washing Soda- I use this in the laundry, or as a scouring powder.
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- Pillows- I have used buckwheat hull pillows for over 20 years. Buckwheat hulls give you support and conform to your body giving you proper cervical spine alignment. They take some adjustment to get use to, and they are heavy! They are hypoallergenic naturally, and last what seems like forever. Please shop around for price.