Raines Realm

So its definitely that time of year. The time when everyone around us is either in the middle of being sick, starting to get sick, or almost over being sick. Its rough! So, what is one to do when running the gauntlet of illness smack dab in the middle of the holidays? My go-to for getting us through this time and throughout the whole year, is my Thieves blend essential oil. I love it! The smell is amazing and its such a comfort to have this in my toolbox. It smells like the holidays, which then makes me wonder if the holidays smell like the holidays because people double up on these specific ingredients during this time...but I digress... I use thieves literally every way that I possibly can! I diffuse it throughout the day. I make roller bottles with it that we all apply to our spines and feet daily. I make an amazing tea with it, using just one drop mixed with lemon and honey. I mean seriously, if you think it smells amazing, it tastes even better! I love mixing it with my ...

Do you get anxiety every December? Do you find yourself in debt when January rolls around? Do you dread all the chaotic shopping of the holidays? There really is a better way. I used to freak out every year around this time. I obsessed over trying to show my love for others by the price tag on their gift. It took all of the joy out of giving, stressed me to the max, and left me worrying about January's bills. This season is not a competition for who can spend the most money. Its also not about matching the cost of gifts that are given to you. Its about the love and care that goes into choosing a gift for someone else. In our home, we make pretty much everyone's gifts during the holidays now. This ensures that everyone gets personalized gifts that suit them and a lot of thought goes in to each and every one! We also don't go into massive debt. I prepare by purchasing the materials throughout the year, so I don't have to worry about getting everything in Decemb...

Do you ever have mornings where you can't even find the energy to get out of bed? Are they most mornings? Do you dread Mondays and the week ahead? I used to be that way, just kind of existing in life. I felt like there had to be a different way. I didn't want to get to the end of my life and look back feeling like it was wasted. So, I started thinking about the things I was passionate about! What goals and dreams would really fulfill my life. And, then I turned them into a way for me to help others! Its not always going to come easy and you will have to work hard for it. But, it is possible for you to live your dream life! It means not taking no for an answer when you're going after your goals. It means looking at the long-term, bigger picture and going after it with every fiber of your being! It also means believing that its truly possible. That's generally where we trip ourselves up. We say things like I'll try and see. Don't try, don't give yo...

I've recently been trying to add a lot more hygge to my life. Pronounced hue'gah, the Oxford dictionary defines it as  A quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture). To put it simply, its the little moments. Its a hot cup of tea by the fire, its a picnic in the woods, its enjoying the sounds of the evening. Its putting the phone down! (After you read this, of course). When you take the time to truly experience and observe your atmosphere, you create a calming and fulfilling effect that benefits you mentally and physically. Our lifestyles can be very demanding and cause us to have to rush around, rarely enjoying life's little pleasures. It is crucial that we take the time to savor those little moments throughout the day. When you incorporate hygge into your life, your mind will start to be able to focus and concentrate in a more productive way,...

I have been on the most amazing albeit challenging wellness journey for the last couple of years. Its something that I dabbled in pretty much my whole life, but I've been increasingly serious about it after the birth of my child. I have learned some amazing things and I have learned some scary things! It has been a roller coaster ride that has resulted in me being in amazing shape and improving daily. Food is my medicine and I am very conscious about what I put into and on my body. If its not contributing to my health, I pass! Every single food affects you, from your physical state to your mental health. What you eat literally affects every fiber of your being. Its the crucial first step to real health. Healthy choices are self-love and the more you make them, the easier they are to continue. After food, environmental situations should be addressed. Is your environment (the products you use, chemicals that you are exposed to, household items, level of exercise) contrib...

With the weather cooling down, these are a perfect treat for the whole family! You can customize them in so many ways and they are kid-approved, healthy deliciousness.   You will need a dehydrator for this recipe or a warmer drawer on your oven. A high-powered food processor really helps when making the sauce, but its not absolutely crucial for this recipe. Raw Vegan Cinnamon Rolls 5 Bananas 1 cup medjool dates (soaked for 30 min and then pitted) 2 tbsp softened coconut oil 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Pinch of sea salt 1/2 c water 1. Slice bananas lengthwise into thirds and dehydrate until soft and pliable. 2. While bananas are dehydrating blend remaining ingredients until smooth. 3. Spread filling on banana slices and roll onto themselves until you have two banana slices rolled together into cinnamon bun shape. 4. Dehydrate rolls until the consistency you prefer. 5. Sprinkle with cinnamon and chopped walnuts. You can also sprinkle with nutmeg, add shredded coconut...

Chances are, you or someone you know has jumped on the amber necklace train. The question is, do they actually work or is it the placebo effect? Well, today, I am doing my best to answer that question. The science behind the medicinal use of Baltic amber is grounded in succinic acid. Baltic amber has the highest concentrations of succinic acid found in nature. This acid is released by your body heat and absorbed by your skin as a natural pain reliever. It is referred to as an antispasmodic and anti-fever by homeopathic doctors. You can find more information on succinic acid  here . Common medicinal uses for Baltic amber are relief from teething, headaches, inflammation of throat, ears, and stomach, rashes, stomach aches, earaches, fevers, colds, arthritis, carpal tunnel, and fighting infections and respiratory diseases. I can personally attest to the effectiveness of Baltic amber for teething as well as aches and pains. I have used an amber teething necklace for my daug...

Beauty Berry is a relatively hardy shrub located in the southeastern woods. It has purple berries that ripen in the fall. This bush was traditionally used by farmers who would use the branches to protect their horses. They would put the branches in between the saddles and the horses' backs and as the oils were released, the horses were protected. It has since been used for ages on humans as well. Simply crushing the leaves by hand releases the natural oils. The oils can then be applied to the skin giving protection from harmful insects. In 2006, the US Department of Agriculture's Natural Products Utilization Research Unit in Oxford, MS concluded that the extract matches DEET in effectiveness against mosquitoes, ticks, fire ants, and more for three hours at a time. Science, it seems, caught up with what people already knew. Have you ever used beauty berry as an insect repellent? Did you know about beauty berry? Please share your experiences on Twitter using #alacu...

Lammas is a special holiday (aren't they all), that is shared by many belief systems and paths. It is generally celebrated on August 1st, although some start the celebration the day before. Lammas is centered on the beginning of the wheat harvest with loaves of bread from the first harvest being baked and blessed for the celebration. It is also the time when Summer metaphorically dies in preparation for Winter. You can read a very basic description of Lammas  here . This time is looked upon as a time of reflection and new beginnings. The first chills of the change in seasons can sometimes be felt. It is bittersweet. Focusing on the future while acknowledging the past is a wonderful way to celebrate this beautiful time of the year. Traditionally, several cultures will make corn dollys during this celebration in preparation for Spring. It represents the promise of future seed for the next harvest and is typically a shape made of wheat fibers that is filled with seeds from...

It has been a huge process that involved a lot of personal searching, but I am excited to announce that A La Cuisine will be going in a different direction! My goal has always been to help others and I am feeling led to do that in a different and more meaningful way. This is Going to be an exciting time for all of us and I am so thankful to be sharing this journey with each and every one of you! A La Cuisine will now be featuring natural healing information, recipes, and insights. There will also be personal development techniques and support, as well as coaching on common issues as well as some unique struggles. If there is some topic in this range that speaks to you, or help that you would like with a specific manner, I can be reached at alacuisinellc@gmail.com

I have taken some time to test out Elf's Matte lipstick and it performs extremely well! In using this lipstick for the past month, I can now accurately share my experience. The color that I chose was Berry Sorbet . For the three dollars that I spent on it, I have to say that I didn't expect very much. But, I have used other elf products and I have been very happy with them, so it was worth a shot. The color was so vibrant and rich. It went on very smoothly. It is not a dull matte and it didn't dry out my lips either. Because of the shape, I was able to use it to line my lips before filling them in. That was definitely an added bonus. Now, this is not a lip stain, so it will transfer to things like napkins, but I knew that going into this. As far as the transfer, it wasn't bad when it came to things like glasses and cups. It did leave a little mark, but not some huge layer that ends up smearing your lipstick on the second sip. Overall, I would say that this...

If you've ever dealt with trying to find a healthy snack that actually tastes good or an "out of the norm" new vegetable side, this recipe is for you! Kale is often overlooked, but it is a superfood suited for many uses! This amazing vegetable has many health benefits including the fact that it is high in iron, vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, and fiber; easily making kale a guilt-free, superfood addition to your diet. You can add it to smooties, stirfrys, egg scrambles, burgers, salads, as well as many other things, including these delicious chips. Kale chips are incredibly easy to make and only require three ingredients. The are light and crispy, absolutely delicious. If you buy kale already chopped, this recipe becomes even simpler, but it can be done with a bunch of kale with minimal effort. Kale Chips Recipe 3 Cups of Chopped Kale (stalks removed) 1 Tbsp Olive oil 1 or 2 Pinches of Sea Salt Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a cookie...

Going out to dinner can be a wonderful way to celebrate Valentines' day, but it can also be a hassle. Poor food or inattentive waitstaff, even heavy traffic can really put a damper on the mood. Here are some ideas to help you celebrate with your love while staying in. Few things beat the romance of a picnic at home, preferably in front of the fireplace. The coziness and intimacy of it can create the perfect atmosphere. Put on a romantic movie or music in the background, pour some wine, and you've got the right foundation for a special night. Cooking together can be an activity filled with affection and anticipation. Think creativity, such as making a thin crust pizza together. (You don't want anything too heavy.) Keep it simple and buy the crust, sauce, and toppings. That way you can jump right in to assembling it together. If you're looking for something sweeter, you can get a variety of fruit and some chocolate chips. You can cut up the fruit and melt the ...

The library is an often overlooked, yet vital asset to each and every one of us. Thousands upon thousands of books and videos at your fingertips for free. So, how can this help your cooking? Public libraries have an astounding number of books on cooking techniques, recipes, and entertaining guidelines. You can find books on every cooking style, older traditional recipes, newer fusion recipes. All the information for your next culinary adventure at your fingertips! There is nothing wrong with buying books that interest you. My motto is that "you can never have too many books". But, why not try out your public libraries' selection first. That way you can find the books that truly speak to you and then you can buy those. This helps ensure that you don't end up with a plethora of books you'll never use. Most libraries have websites where you can search by title or topic ahead of time. You can peruse the variety of choices and place holds on the books that ...

Flatware used to be very coveted tools that were considered a luxury. In modern times, it seems that a single fork on the table at each place setting is accepted as adequate. This is an injustice that has led to sloppy eating habits and a loss of etiquette as well as manners. At the absolute minimum, a place setting should have a knife and fork. Preferably a bread knife on a bread plate as well if the meal so dictates. Having a dinner knife allows you a "pusher" for getting smaller bites of food onto your fork. This eliminates the need to shovel bites of food off of your plate and into your mouth. Having a separate bread knife ensures that your butter stays clean and that guests can access the butter as needed. Its terrible to use your dinner knife on your dinner only to find out that you were expected to use it on the butter first. If you will not have bread knives, ensure that your guests have access to the butter before soiling their dinner knives. If you have ...

Children can learn so much from making things in the kitchen. Not only does it teach them patience and how to follow instructions, but it also teaches science and builds confidence. The younger that you start allowing children to help in the kitchen, the better. In France, it is customary for children to bake on the weekends. They start at around three years old. They will bake in the morning and enjoy the treats for their afternoon snack. This helps teach patience. It also breaks the cycle of instant gratification. This is a wonderful approach that sets children up for success throughout their lives. One of the earliest recipes that children delve into is the yogurt cake. This cake is perfect for small hands. It uses two 6 oz. yogurt containers that then become the measuring cups for most of the other ingredients. This recipe is very forgiving, so if a cup is overflowing or not filled all the way to the top, the cake will still turn out well. You can allow children to get ...

Have you ever had that moment where you just finished cooking dinner after a stressful, hectic, crazy day, and its much later than your family's normal dinner time, and as you triumphantly announce that its ready, you realize that the table has not been set? Now dinner is getting cold while everyone pitches in, grabbing the plates, saucers, flatware, glasses, napkins, and condiments. Dinner is now cold. What's the solution? Everyone knows that I am a big planner. I am a firm believer that meal planning can make life so much easier. And meal planning is crucial for this habit to work. Its best if you know what the next meal is going to be, or at least have a basic idea of what it will consist. You can find more information on meal planning and prep  here . After you clear the table following a meal, set it for the next meal. Simple right? At minimum, put out the plates, saucers, and cloth napkins. Then, if you have children they can put out the flatware and condiments whi...

We have probably all experienced that moment when our makeup is perfectly applied, only to have it ruined during a dinner party or special occasion. What is a woman to do? I was fortunate enough to get to interview the woman who has all of the answers, Traci with Younique cosmetics! Tracie has been with Younique for about eighteen months now. She has a large number of devoted clients and she improves women's lives on a daily basis. Here are her answers to our most pressing questions. Interview 1. When was Younique founded and what sets Younique apart from other companies? Younique has been around for less than four and a half years. It was founded with the purpose of funding the Younique Foundation to uplift, empower, and validate women. The Younique Foundations serves to provide women and children that are victims of sexual abuse with resources, counciling, and education. 2. What is some advice that you would give women when it comes to choosing the right cosmetic...