Alcohol may calm your nerves + numb your pain? But it is also poison to your brain.

A little sip, turns into a glass or two. Relaxed, right? Seems like a good way to unwind, especially when the health industry has been saying it has quite a few benefits. 

But wait, does it? And if so do they outweigh the harm?

And what does this have to do with the grief process anyway? A lot.

I think many consider wine/alcohol as a natural sedative. After Dave died I must have been brought wine with nearly every meal delivered from friends. And to be fair, there has been a handful of times I have sipped on a glass, but it is far from a normal routine for me. And this isn’t because of the idea of brain damage, because I didn’t have this info from Doctor Daniel Amen and his extensive research yet, but it was more about wanting to feel + be in reality. I knew the depth of my grief would require a deep altering to not feel it, and I just wasn’t willing to take the risks that come with that.

Scans, along with several studies, is revealing the many ways that alcohol impacts the brain. Decreased blood flow to the brain, limited brain cell reproduction, increased risk of dementia, hippocampus atrophy, and more. Add on increased anxiety and brain fog.

So yes, it may calm your nerves for a brief spell but it sounds to me like a very temporary numbing with great potential to lead to much more unsettling conditions.

It just isn’t worth it when there are so many more options out there now. Like natural options that truly help with building overall strength, long term.

It is time to invest in finding your way through your grief , naturally. Know better + do better!

Handcrafted Bath Bombs to Clear Your Mind + Relax Your Body

BEST Bath Bombs EVER

These bath bombs are one of my absolute FAVORITE DIY recipes to make. I love them because they are super simple and extremely effective at RELAXING my brain + body at the end of a stressful day.

And honestly, there is something incredibly relaxing and fulfilling about sitting down to mix these ingredients up in a bowl, deeply inhale the oils while scooping up the mix to form the beautifully imperfectly shaped bombs.

• 1 cup Baking Soda

• 1/2 cup Citric Acid

• 1/4 cup Extra Fine Epsom Salt

• 1 Tbs. Chia Seed Oil

• 20 drops Essential Oil

• dried fruit rind, flower petals, herbs

step ONE: In a large bowl, combine baking soda, citric acid and epsom salt and stir to combine.

step TWO: Using your hands, break up any clumps. If you can’t get them all, you can sift your mixture through a strainer to break them up.

step THREE: Add the chia seed oil and essential oils. Use your hands to combine the liquids with the powders breaking up any large clumps.

step FOUR: Depending on the moisture level of the current mixture, spritz the bath bombs with witch hazel. It usually takes between 5-7 spritzes, and the mixture should be wet enough so when you squeeze the powder in your palm, it will stick together. If you don’t have witch hazel, adding a few extra drops of chia seed oil will also help the powders stick.

{Note: You want to spray enough so that the powders stick together and isn’t crumbly. Be careful though because spraying too much can cause the mixture to fizz prematurely and ruin your bath bombs!}

step FIVE: Firmly press this mixture between both palms and press firmly and evenly from all sides.

It is just that simple! The beauty about these oils are that many can pass the blood brain barrier, so if you are feeling overwhelmed…. well, fear not. Just making these will help, let alone soaking in them. Talk about a brain detox.

And as for the dry ingredients you will add for color - lavender, rosemary, dried citrus rind all work beautifully. As well as rose petals. We like to add the dry ingredient that coordinates with the oil combo we have chosen in the bombs. In the photo we have chosen a citrus and herb, and lavender and balance. One is extra cleansing and one is superior for relaxation.

Let us know what your favorite combos are and why!

Be well,

Kimber