Diatomaceous Earth- Yum!

Well, lol, I wouldn’t say diatomaceous earth is “yummy,” but it isn’t lousy, either. It has no taste.

I wrote about my big purchase of the stuff on my New York Renovator blog. Food grade diatomaceous earth (DON’T get this stuff confused with the pool filter or garden pest killer products, which are toxic!) is safe for human and animal consumption.

Some websites tout it as a pseudo miracle-making product– fat burner! Acne cleanser! Colon cleanser! Get whiter teeth, brighter eye, jump higher and think faster, woooooo!

Me, I’ll be happy if it improves my joints. Which it supposedly does.

Food grade diatomaceous earth is 94% silica, and important component for good health. As we age, we lose calcium. Taking calcium supplements alone won’t help much, because the calcium needs “stuff” to “stick” it to the bones. Enter silica. Also, silica is good for blood health, and for killing any intestinal parasites (which is why I’m giving it to our animals). Diatomaceous earth is a terrific pest killer– it will kill fleas and ticks and other pests. But beware, because it will also kill beneficial bugs like bees and earthworms. So I only use it for consumption, for sprinkling on the animal bedding, and for slug treatment around my hostas.

Oh, and we add it to our orange juice every day, as well. Just a teaspoon or two to the OJ.

You can’t taste it or see it when it’s added. Diatomaceous earth is the consistency of flour.

I put a little powder in my mouth, to taste it. It’s got an immediate, sharp taste, barely noticeable.

Down the hatch.

My daughter has been drinking it much longer than we have (another family we know drinks it). I’m new to this. I’m going to keep it up for a month, and I’ll get back to you with the results, to report if I am leaping over buildings with a single bound…

Well, here’s hoping I get SOMETHING– I’m gutting and rebuilding my kitchen in a few months, and I’m going to need all the strength I can get!