My breastfeeding journey and how I weaned my toddler
Taking care of my pineal gland with fluoride-free toothpaste
Ever wondered what’s in your toothpaste?
You may have heard there’s a dangerous ingredient in common brands of toothpaste, called fluoride. What health risks does it pose, and how can you avoid it?
I’ve always taken good care of my teeth and seen a dentist every 6-12 months for checkups. I’m proud to say that I don’t have any fillings, and people often compliment the whiteness of my teeth. For many years, I used common brands like Colgate, Oral-B, Aquafresh, etc. Recently, I decided to eliminate these kinds of toothpaste from my daily routine due to the health risks they pose. Many toothpaste brands contain an ingredient called fluoride, a naturally occurring compound found in drinking water, soil, plants, rocks, and air.
Benefits of using fluoride*
Fluoride is commonly added to toothpaste because it helps to strengthen tooth enamel, reverse the effects of tooth decay, and prevent the growth of oral bacteria.
Risks of using fluoride*
Unpleasant side effects can occur when too much fluoride is consumed:
Dental fluorosis (white spots on the teeth)
Skeletal fluorosis (damage to bone structure and ligaments, causing pain and stiffness)
*Information has been taken from Healthline.
Is fluoride dangerous?
Many researchers believe that fluoride can cause other health issues including impaired brain development and lower IQs in children, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. It’s also believed to calcify the pineal gland in the brain (commonly known as the ‘third eye’).
What is the pineal gland?
A definition of the pineal gland can be found on Medical News Today: ‘a small gland located deep in the centre of the brain. Named for its pinecone shape, this gland secretes melatonin, which plays a role in the body’s internal clock.
The pineal gland was one of the last brain organs to be discovered and has been the subject of much mythology and speculation. The seventeenth-century French philosopher Rene Descartes thought the soul was located in the pineal gland.’
Other suggested functions of the pineal gland include maintaining bone metabolism, mental health, intuition, and spatial awareness.
How does fluoride damage the pineal gland?
Many researchers suggest that high levels of fluoride from toothpaste and drinking water accumulate in the pineal gland and cause it to calcify or harden. When this happens, not only can it cause health issues, but it also blocks your ability to connect with your higher self.
The pineal gland or third eye is associated with clarity, concentration, imagination, and intuition. So how can you activate your pineal gland? According to an article on Gaia, avoiding fluoride is the number one step in awakening your third eye. ‘Developing the third eye is the doorway to all things psychic—telepathy, clairvoyance, lucid dreaming, and astral projection. The illusion of separation between self and spirit dissolves when the third eye connection is cultivated. Metaphysical ways of being are connected to the third eye, such as how to be awake within the dream, to walk between realities, and surpass the limitations of humanity.’
A blocked third eye is said to lead to confusion, uncertainty, cynicism, jealousy, and pessimism. While the physical eyes perceive the physical world, the third eye sees the true world — a unified whole with an unyielding connection to spirit.’
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC64vRojuQg/?igshid=11hb0b290rm72
This video shows you 6 steps to awakening and opening your third eye:
Fluoride-free toothpaste
I’ve tried a couple of brands and settled on one called JĀSÖN® for the time being. The peppermint flavour blows your socks off but it feels like it gives your whole mouth a good clean.
Another brand I’ve tried is Green People. I didn’t like this one as it doesn’t foam up and has little flavour.
I also avoid fluoride (and chlorine) by drinking bottled mineral water. I try to keep my pineal gland active by using essential oils in the bath, and meditating.
Today's thought...
Try to be a happy, kind person and it’ll then reflect back onto you.
I think desperately chasing goals for your own benefit, with a dog-eat-dog mentality, only brings suffering.
Stay at home
Stay at home, they said.
Keep a 2-metre distance, they said.
Shop for necessities only, they said.
Exercise outside just once a day, they said.
Over the years, there have been many things said, and not always for our greater good.
Who knows what there is in store for us? Overthinking only creates an anxious mood.
Being present is what it’s all about.
Being grateful and not pining for nowt.
I’m grateful for my safety, good health, and spirit.
I give thanks to the life I lead, and to all those who are in it.
'Women Who Run With The Wolves' by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
A short summary
What’s it about?
‘Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. Her name is Wild Woman, but she is an endangered species. Though the gifts of wildish nature come to us at birth, society's attempt to "civilize" us into rigid roles has plundered this treasure, and muffled the deep, life-giving messages of our own souls. Without Wild Woman, we become over-domesticated, fearful, uncreative, trapped.’ Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D., Jungian analyst.
I found this book to be a tough read—it took me around 5 weeks to complete it. What made it hard to digest was the whimsical nature of it. At times it felt too fluffy and fantastical. At other times, it had me gripped and I found it so relatable. To put it shortly, this book is a collection of legends and tales that Clarissa has sourced from women all over the world. Each short story/fable/old wives’ tale highlights an important lesson.
I’ve pulled 11 of my favourite quotes from the book below…
Love just is
Love isn’t about holding onto someone tight and claiming them as yours. Love just is.
Love isn’t about losing yourself as a person in a bid to gain the other. Love just is.
Love isn’t about fairytales and happy endings. Love just is.
(My own words)
My laser hair removal
Review of Soprano Ice Titanium Laser
(Not me!)
I’ve been shaving/using hair removal cream/epilating my body since I was about 11 years old. Female hair removal is tiresome, painful, inconvenient, and above all, expensive.
How much does it cost?
Last year, I decided to try laser hair removal after being recommended by a friend. I chose to visit the same clinic as her—HC MedSpa in Barnet. After a consultation, I decided to buy a package deal for my underarms, full legs, and bikini (Hollywood). This consisted of 6 sessions on each area (it’s recommended to have at least 4-6 sessions) and it set me back £1500. There’s no option to pay in instalments unfortunately, and it seems a little steep to part with all the money in one go. However, I convinced myself it was an investment and I would actually be saving money in the long run after the hair was hopefully permanently removed.
How does it work?
The laser used in the clinic is called Soprano Ice Titanium and it’s said to be “virtually pain free”. It also claims to remove up to 90% of hair permanently (although this is subject to hormonal changes).
I started my sessions in May 2019 and had to wait 6 weeks in between each one. After just 2 sessions I really noticed a difference. There was a considerable reduction in regrowth and the hair felt finer and softer in all 3 areas.
For all of my sessions I had Lauren as my therapist. Lauren is great at making you feel comfortable and pays great attention to detail. She made me feel so at ease that I ended up telling her my life story over the course of 6 months! I would highly recommend her if you’re thinking of booking in.
The machine works by gradually heating the skin to a temperature that effectively 'kills' the hair follicle and prevents regrowth. The part of the device that comes into contact with the skin is ice cold to keep the skin comfortable while it targets the follicles. Cooling gel is applied directly to the area before the machine touches your skin, too. You also have to shave beforehand which is better, in my opinion, than having to let it grow long like you do for waxing.
Does it hurt?
Yes and no. I found the pain differed depending on TOTM—sometimes it felt like a hot stone massage and other times it felt like I was being tortured with a hot iron. My legs were the least painful area, especially around the thighs, while the most sensitive area was my bikini. The pain feels prickly and hot but as soon as it becomes unbearable Lauren removes the handheld device quickly and the pain instantly subsides. On a scale of 1-10, I’d say the bikini area was about an 8.5. However, what’s good is that the pain is short-lived as covering all 3 areas takes about an hour in total.
The results
I finished my sessions in October and since then until now I think I’ve shaved my legs only 3 times. They’ve responded really well and I’m so glad I don’t have to shave them every other day anymore! The hairs that do still grow back are so fine I cannot feel them and can only see them in bright daylight. On my underarms and bikini I’ve had about 50-60% hair reduction. The hairs are much softer and finer but I still shave twice a week to keep them tidy. I think I’ll go back for maybe 3 more sessions on these areas to zap away the remaining stubborn hairs.
Overall, I’m really pleased with my results and feel it was money well spent. I just hope that being hairy doesn’t become a fashion movement anytime soon, as there’s no going back for me now!
‘Three Magic Words’ by Uell S. Andersen
A short book review with my favourite quotes
This book takes the well-known notion ‘The Law of Attraction’ and breaks it down into lots of tiny pieces—it takes it so much further and gives an explanation as to what spirituality really is. It talks a lot about ‘God’ but not in a religious way. God is seen as the ‘Universal Subconscious Mind’ that exists within everything.
It covers topics such as faith vs hope, diseases and how they’re linked to the mind, the search for love, the choice of thoughts and how they manifest, plus death vs immortality.
There are lots of meditation mantras to try throughout the book (I haven’t yet), as well as supplementary recommended reads. I feel that this book should be digested slowly and definitely read more than once.
Are you seeing 11 minutes past the hour or 11:11? What does it mean?
I first began noticing 11 minutes past the hour and 11:11 back in May 2018. It started quite suddenly and became a joke amongst colleagues and friends. I always used to shout it out when I noticed it randomly. I’d go to check my phone or I’d glance at the clock and see it. I decided to Google it (as you do with most things these days) and it told me a number of different spiritual things. I decided to take from it that it was a sign of impending change. I often said this to my colleagues and friends and they would laugh it off.
Lo and behold, several weeks later my team were told that a number of us would be facing redundancy. I was made redundant and my first day of unemployment was on 11th June 2018.
The number 11 has had more significance for me recently. A chance meeting on 11th June, a new job on 11th July, and a phone call two weeks ago at 11:11—these all had a huge impact on my life. I still often notice the number 11 but perhaps not as frequently as before. I think the impending change that started last year is still yet to finish…
Some answers from Google:
‘One of the meanings of 11:11 is that the Universe has sampled your thought sequence and whatever you were intensely thinking about will manifest almost instantly in your physical reality. So if you are feeling really good about the thoughts you are focused on, rest assured that the thoughts you are sending to the Universe will soon manifest in your life. However, if you're having a thought that triggers an unpleasant feeling, you understand that you can shift your thought to a more positive one in order to attract a positive experience into your reality.’ - WillowSoul.com
‘When we see repetitive series of numbers like angel number 1111 occurring again and again, it indicates that our guardian angels are sending us an important message.’ - SecretoftheTarot.com
‘According to numerology, the number 11 is a “master number” which signifies intuition, insight, and enlightenment. When paired together, 11 11 is a clear message from the universe to become conscious and aware. Many people suggest that seeing 11 11 signifies that your spirit guides are attempting to contact you. In my experience, 11 11 seems to be the number of spiritual awakening, signifying that you are on the right path and your actions are aligned with your Soul’s purpose. In other words, seeing 11 11 is a good sign! An energetic doorway is being opened in which you will experience spiritual growth.’ - TruthTheory.com
‘When number 11 has to play its part in your life, it will appear again and again and at unusual times. Mainly, it is the indicator that your twin flame is around and you will connect with them.’ - SpritualUnite.com
‘Every time you see this Number, your Spiritual Guides, your Higher Self, are indicating that you have a window of opportunity for manifestation in your life. What were you thinking at that moment? Or you can also align your thoughts at that moment to something you truly crave and that is in sync with your Soul.’ Blog.Spiritualify.com
11:11 and Twin Flames
I’ve obviously heard of the term soulmate but it wasn’t until I started researching the number 11 last year that I came across the phrase twin flame. A twin flame is said to be someone who is your mirror—your souls were created together. Twin flames are also described as two people who are the perfect match due to shared pains or difficulties. A twin flame bond is said to never break and the numerical sign for twin flames is 11 11. We are apparently able to have more than one soulmate in our lives but only one twin flame.
‘…fewer people know the definition of a “twin flame” because, though it bears similar attributes to a “soulmate,” its meaning is a bit more complex, and if you don’t follow astrology, you’re even less likely to know what it is and why it matters. Not to mention, twin flames are harder to come by because in order to have one, you have to have a soulmate, too.
When you meet your soulmate — a friend, family member, a partner, or maybe even one of each (because you can have more than one soulmate) — you can’t help but feel an undeniable pull toward them, almost as if you’ve met them before. And you need to feel the pull of a soulmate before you can ever meet your twin flame.
“When twin flames come together, it is often to achieve something on an energetic level to help expand the consciousness of the planet.” Tanaaz Chubb
There is no way you can find your twin flame (aka your mirror soul) without meeting your soulmate, as your soulmate is the person who awakens your soul. Until then, your ability to find your twin flame remains dormant. Your soulmate is karmic and helps you evolve as a human; your twin flame is also karmic, but they’re someone who comes into your life to help you create something for the greater good.’ EliteDaily.com
I’m not sure whether I consciously or subconsciously chose to write this post today with it being the 11th September. It got me thinking about some significant dates in history though as today is 9/11 Patriot Day and 11/11 is Remembrance Day. I wonder what else 11 11 has in store for me. I often see it as a blessing in disguise…
A French wedding
I've just returned from a week's holiday in the south of France. I had the pleasure of being a bridesmaid for one of my best friends. The happy couple got married in the stunning Château de la Bourlie, in Urval.
It was a lavish three-day event, where we had drinks on the Friday in a village called Beynac-et-Cazenac, followed by the wedding on Saturday, and then a pool party on the Sunday back in the chateau! Almost a hundred people flew to France for the big event and we all had such a wonderful (and emotional!) time. The chateau looked like something out of a film set with a long stony driveway, a large courtyard lit up with fairy lights, pointed turrets, and a small chapel with stained glass windows. Inside, it was a maze of stone walls with ornate decor and modern touches of polished marble.
We spent four nights in a hotel and then three nights at at B&B. Our hotel was called Domaine du Château de Monrecour and it was simply beautiful. The rooms were traditionally French style with wooden beams and shabby chic furnishings, while the pool area and restaurant were spacious and very luxurious. Our B&B, Le Clos des Pelissous, was back towards the airport of Bergerac and was run by a lovely French couple called Lydie and David. Again, it was like something out of a film set in a remote location with beautiful shabby chic decor in shades of pastel green, cream and grey.
We were blessed with lovely weather apart from rain on the last day—France is very green so rain must happen fairly frequently. Luckily, we had a hire car for the whole week, and we would have been lost without it. Although the area was picturesque, it was incredibly difficult to find local taxis and most places to eat were a 20 min drive away. We hired a car through Europcar but I wouldn't recommend as it was considerably more expensive than what our friends had paid with other companies! The car itself was not what we had requested and was fairly dirty with damage, too.
To end on a high, please look through my collection of beautiful photos...
An honest review of colonic irrigation
So, this is a bit of an embarrassing subject, but I want to talk about my experience of regular colonic irrigations. I have been having them 1-2 times a year for about 6 years now and I can't see myself ever stopping. I highly highly recommend them.
The reason I first went for a colonic (or colon cleanse as they're also known) was because I had a bad, erm, blockage. I hadn't been to the toilet for 11 days and I was very bloated, in pain, and physically sick. I had tried all popular forms of laxatives, eating fruit and veg, suppositories etc. I ended up giving Reena a call after finding her website online and went along for a consultation and procedure in the same day.
Reena is a qualified colon hydrotherapist and has been practising it for over 10 years. She's based in Hertfordshire within a doctor's surgery and her practice is called Hertfordshire Colonics.
When I first walked in, she made me feel at ease. She's friendly, down to earth and very matter-of-fact about the situation. After filling in a form and answering a few questions, Reena performed the colonic irrigation on me.
I can't say it's not uncomfortable as you're having a pipe put up your you know what, but, Reena is very gentle, discreet, and great at distracting you from feeling embarrassed. The procedure takes about 45mins to an hour, and Reena is with you the whole time, massaging your stomach. As pressure builds with the water, you can feel gripey sort of pains but they're over within seconds as Reena is able to gauge how much you can take.
After it's over, you just have to nip to the toilet and sit on it for 5-10 mins. After that, you're good to go and Reena always gives me a probiotic pill, plus a salt replacement sachet to drink when I get home.
Benefits
Bloating is gone instantly
Glowing skin
A feeling of lightness, and usually a few pounds off the scale, too
Clogged and built up toxins from food are cleared from the colon—great for your general well-being
It's not painful, just a little uncomfortable
Helps to keep you regular
