New Season, New Journey

Well, a lot has happened in our lives since the last time I wrote a blog. We have a new addiction to our little family, baby Charlotte. She is such a delight and almost six months old.

This fall we are about to embark on new journey as my oldest is turning five this summer and will be ready for kindergarten. I am going to teach her at home following the Classical Education Model and we will be joining the Classical Conversations coop in our local area. I am excited but also feel challenged as I want to give her the best of my strength.

                                                                     (Buy Book Here)

We also just started a modified Body Ecology diet as a family as both my four year old and two year old had health concerns that needed to be addressed. I have a lot of thoughts and am learning so much every day as I do research. Hoping to see results quickly. I will blog more on this.

                                                                  (Buy Book Here)

My Kids, My Heart

My awesome friend Aaron James just took these pictures of my kids last week and I wanted to share them with you. I love how pure his work is and how he just captures moments. You can check out his work here: http://aaronjamesimagery.com/sample-page/.

                                                                      She did not want to have her photo taken

Preventing the Flu: Cod Liver Oil

(Photo Cited)

I can not recommend Cod Liver Oil specifically Green Pastures, highly enough! If you are going to take one vitamin/supplement this is the one you should take! 

Why Take Cod Liver Oil?

1. High levels of Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA
2. High levels of natural Vitamin A 
3. High levels of Vitamin D


Cod Liver Oil: The Number One Superfood

"There is hardly a disease in the books that does not respond well to treatment that includes cod liver oil, and not just infectious diseases but also chronic modern diseases like heart disease and cancer. Cod liver oil provides vitamin D that helps build strong bones in children and helps prevent osteoporosis in adults. The fatty acids in cod liver oil are also very important for the development of the brain and nervous system. "If you want to prevent learning disabilities in your children," said David Horrobin, distinguished medical and biochemical researcher, "feed them cod liver oil."

Cod liver oil contains more vitamin A and more vitamin D per unit weight than any other common food. One hundred grams of regular cod liver oil provides 100,000 IU of vitamin A, almost three times more than beef liver, the next richest source; and 10,000 IU vitamin D, almost four times more than lard, the next richest source. Of course, cod liver oil is only consumed in small amounts, but even a tablespoon (about 15 grams) provides well over the recommended daily allowance for both nutrients.

In addition, cod liveroil contains 7 percent each of the elongated omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. EPA is the precursor of important prostaglandins, localized tissue hormones that help the body deal with inflammation; and DHA is extremely important for the development and function of the brain and nervous system. So it's no surprise that in numerous studies cod liver oil has proven to be a powerhouse in fighting disease." (Source)

Flu is Vitamin D Deficiency Disease, is an excellent article written by Sarah of the Healthy Home Economist back in 2010. She talks about how very important Cod Liver Oil is in preventing the flu and really does a good job in breaking down how your levels of Vitamin D play such an important part in keeping you happy and healthy during flu season. If you have time, please read this article!

The Words of MLK, Jr.

 

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“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” 

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” 

“Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals...That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies."

                                                                     (Photo Cited)
                                                         "Symphony of brotherhood"

“Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.”

“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But...the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” 

Cookie Time: Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Coconut

Almond Meal Cookies with Chocolate Chips and Coconut

with a glass of raw milk on the side

Ingredients
from the Sprouted Kitchen Cookbook (which I just got for Christmas! Its amazing, buy it!) and very slightly modified by Me

• 1¼ cups almond flour meal
• ¼ cup dark chocolate chips (Sprouted Kitchen used cacao nibs)
• ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ⅓ cup sucanat (Sprouted Kitchen used muscovado)
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together almond meal, dark chocolate chips, coconut, baking powder, salt and sugar.
2. In a separate bowl, beat egg until uniform in color and doubled in volume.
3. Whisk in the coconut oil and vanilla, then add to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
4. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or even overnight.
5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
6. Shape dough into 1-inch balls, place on baking sheet with 1-1/2 inch space in between each. Press down slightly to flatten a bit.
7. Bake until edges begin to brown, 7-10 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and let cool before serving.

                                                       Kids Approved!

Preventing the Flu: How to Make Elderberry Syrup

                   Elderberry: Preventing the Flu & Common Cold

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Why Take Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)?

"Extensive research show that elder stop the production of hormone-like cytokines that direct a class of white blood cells known as neutrophils to cause inflammation, especially in influenza and arthritis. On the other hand, elder increases the production non-inflammatory infection-fighting cytokines as much as 10 fold. Elder berries are known to be effective against eight strains of influenza. This suggests that elder be superior to vaccines in preventing flu, because flu vaccines are only effective against known strains of flu, whereas the virus is continually mutating to new strains. Vaccines have another draw back: over half of people who get them report side effects. Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, of Hadassah-Hebrew University in Israel found that elderberry disarms the enzyme viruses use to penetrate healthy cells in the lining of the nose and throat. Taken before infection, it prevents infection. Taken after infection, it prevents spread of the virus through the respiratory tract. In a clinical trial, 20% of study subjects reported significant improvement within 24 hours, 70% by 48 hours, and 90% claimed complete cure in three days. In contrast, subjects receiving the placebo required 6 days to recover." (source) 

                                                      How We Take Elderberry

My kids and I have been making our own elderberry syrup for about two years and I honestly feel like it has helped us stay healthy during flu season. I have been buying my dried elderberries in bulk from MountainRoseHerbs and a one pounds bag lasts us roughly around 8-9 months. We each take a tsp daily as a preventive and up to a T three times a day when we are feel yucky. My one and three year old even ask for it! They have never done that with the store bought band and I am saving $$ which is always a win!

I love knowing exactly what is in the syrup and we always use raw honey in our syrup from local bees for the added natural antibiotic properties. I have taken it while pregnant and nursing and have been giving it to both of my kids as well. I wouldn't recommend it for children under one year of age due to the amount of honey that is in it! Perhaps you could leave that out and give it to them but I definitely recommend asking your Pediatrician about that.

This is the best how-to video on making elderberry syrup I have found on the Internet. Instead of making another one or posting pictures, it made sense to just show the best! Enjoy!

Preventing the Flu: Part One

                                                                                               (Photo Cited)


Its influenza (flu) season and this year has been particularly awful. Yuck. I am working hard at keeping these germs at bay and keeping my kiddos healthy and happy. I wanted to share a couple supplements and things we are doing to stay healthy.

1. Eating wholesome and fresh foods! Eat the rainbow!!

2. Washing our hands! I have been religiously washing my toddler's hands, getting under their finger nails. We are also working on learning to sneeze into our shoulder not our hand. Also, we use natural soaps not anti-bacterial soap, specifically stay away from triclosan. Stephanie at Keeper of the Home has a great blog where you can read more about hand-washing here: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2010/10/harmful-handwashing-the-dangers-of-antibacterial-soaps.html.

3. Cod Liver Oil/ Butter Oil (most important supplement I believe you can take!)

4. Vitamin D (we need sunshine around these parts!- you will get this in the CLO/BO I recommend)

5. Elderberry syrup. We make our own and save lots of $$$. I also know exactly what is in ours and feel comfortable taking it while nursing and giving it to my baby.

6. Vitamin C (my kids get a half of emergen-c packet every day and I take a whole packet)

7. SLEEP (it is so important and with that I am signing out)