Written by Kari @ Living Strong Wellness, Contributing Writer 

It seems these days that good, restful sleep is hard to come by. Not only with adults, but children as well. As this is not an exciting fact, it is a reality and I believe we have a wonderful variety of natural options to help us.

For instance, there are herbal teas, essential oils, supplements and something I want to share with you today – magnesium butter.

Ahhh, this stuff is amazing. Why do I love it so much? Because it provides our body something that is lacking so severely in today’s generation – magnesium.

There are many benefits of healthy magnesium levels. To mention just a few:

1. Magnesium helps muscle and nerve function. Serving as calcium’s vital partner, magnesium will allow calcium to do it’s job to build muscle growth.
2. Magnesium plays an important role in gut health. Without good levels of magnesium aid in the absorption of copper, potassium, vitamin D and zinc. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, which will lessen the risk for diabetes.
3. Magnesium can help lower blood pressure or keep blood pressure low by allowing your muscles to relax, contract and push blood through the arteries and veins without force.
4. Magnesium helps melatonin (the sleep regulating hormone) stay balanced, which allows for more peaceful sleep.
5. Magnesium can help balance stress hormones, eliminating stress and tension and allowing for a more relaxed state of being (which in return will help with rest as well).

The list goes on and on, but those five points alone should get people’s attention when it comes to supplementing with safe sources of magnesium. Data from 2012 stated that 48% of the American population, 79% over the age of 55, were deficient in magnesium. This isn’t good, especially when it is such a vital mineral and nutrient for our bodies.

Along with taking a liquid mineral supplement, we use magnesium butter every evening before we go to bed. We just spread a thin layer either behind our knees or on our inner arm (where the skin in thin) and that’s it! I have made this for several family members and friends and they all love it and can tell a huge difference in their quality of sleep (especially the adults…go figure)!

The recipe is simple and last a long time on the shelf! We always use it, so we go through a 4 ounce container in about 3-4 months (three of us use it). Since the recipe doesn’t contain water, it would probably last a good 6-8 months if kept clean (wash hands before using the butter) and can always be extended to 12-18 months or longer if refrigerated!

You can make this recipe ‘naked’, meaning adding no essential oils, or you can add your favorite calming and sleep inducing oils such as lavender, cedarwood, vetiver, ylang ylang or sandalwood! If you are using therapeutic grade essential oils, only use a total of 40 drops of oils combined for this amount, which is one cup.

The end result with the color will vary depending on the type of shea butter you use. We use a raw shea butter that has a deep, deep yellow tone and rich scent and amazing benefits that trump refined and bleached shea butters.

Whipped Naked Magnesium Butter

What You’ll Need:

• 3/8 cups virgin coconut oil
• 3/8 cups raw shea butter
• ¼ cup magnesium oil (how to make it yourself)
• ¼ cup almond or jojoba oil

What You’ll Do:

1. Melt the virgin coconut oil and raw shea butter over low heat just until it’s all liquid.
2. Add the almond or jojoba oil, pour into a medium glass bowl and allow to cool to room temp. You can leave on the counter for an hour or so or you can stick it in the fridge to speed up the process. I like the fridge :o)
3. Using a hand mixer or immersion blender, take your room temp oil mix, turn on the blender and slowly add the room temp magnesium oil.
4. Mix or blend this until it is creamy. You can’t have any separation, which means, no water droplets anywhere. This can take a few minutes if the oils are room temp. If they are too warm, it will take longer.
5. Place the bowl in the fridge for around 30 minutes. You want to see it starting to harden and solidify.
6. Once it’s solidifying, remove the bowl and using the mixer or blender with a whisk attachment, whip the mixture until light and fluffy! If you are adding essential oils, do it during this step.
7. Store in a glass jar or container and place in a cool, dark place.

I hope you enjoy the wonderful benefits of this magnesium butter that is safe for you and your entire family!

What is your favorite natural solution for calming and peaceful sleep?

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**Please meet Reelika, a new contributor… she would love to hear from you! -Rachel

You are a great mommy. You want the best for your kids and family. It is the hope of many families to be able to provide organic veggies, fruits and berries to their family and especially to the kids. Unfortunately the downside of organic produce is the cost. But what if I told you there are ways that you can still provide the best organic produce to your kiddos without breaking your budget?

As a mom to an allergic toddler and having been diagnosed with hypothyroidism myself, I have done lots of research about the benefits of organic food. I am not a health care advisor, but I can share what has worked for our family and how you can do it too. 

Organic produce has been very beneficial for our family. Since my toddler is allergic to many things, I provide him with several organic veggies, fruits and berries. He loves this delicious organic produce and is not a picky eater anymore. He used to be very hyperactive, but since switching to organic food, we don’t seem to have much of a problem with it anymore.

We cut back on other things, but invest into our health, so it keeps us away from pharmacies, doctor’s office and hospitals. Being healthy means also being more productive and happy at preschool, home and work.

Top 3 Tips on How to Afford Organic Produce

Tip # 1 – Organic Produce as an Investment

Don’t look at the price tag of the organic produce as a number; instead, see it as an investment. Compare it to the costs of medications, health care and doctor’s visits.

Chances are you have heard that non-organic food can contain pesticides and cancer-causing hormones or even GMOs. Research shows that pesticides can cause not only cancer, but also allergies, skin and neurological issues, ADHD, birth defects and much more.

Children are especially sensitive to pesticides due to their development and growth. You can either pay the farmer or the pharmaceutical business. 

It is time to invest into your and your family’s health. The truth is, many people don’t think about it until they have some kind of health problem. I have to admit, I am completely guilty as I was one of them.

I never felt the need for organic food, until I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Since then I have invested into my health instead of the medications I had to use. In fact, medications were more expensive than my investment in organic produce, and I am so much healthier now. 

 Tip # 2 – Prioritizing Organic Produce

Take a look at what other monthly expenses you have – a new iPhone, expensive jewelry, eating out several times per week, new fancy toys, etc. If you can afford any of them, you can also afford organic produce. Find ways to cut back on monthly payments and use the money instead for quality organic produce. 

I am always looking for ways to cut back on our monthly expenses. Saving water and lowering heating costs increases our grocery budget. A monthly budget gives you a crystal-clear overview of your highest expenses so you can make your own choices of where to cut back.

Tip # 3 – Making the Right Choices

It can save you big bucks if you are making the right choices. Be aware of when and which organic produce to buy. 

Here is what to keep in mind while choosing fresh organic produce:

• If you bought expensive organic veggies yesterday, then find less expensive produce to buy next time you do groceries. It keeps your budget in balance.
• Meal plan and create a grocery shopping list. Buy the amount of veggies you are planning to eat so you won’t be wasteful.
• Be creative with organic veggies that are close to expiring. You can use them for smoothies, baking, or soup.
• Buy what is on sale or close to its expiry date. It can save huge bucks when the expiration date is close by. Just make sure you use it as soon as possible.
• Buy local. Any organic local veggie is always cheaper than an imported one.
• Prefer seasonal. Prioritize what is in season as it tends to be cheaper, and you can also freeze these for the non-seasonal time.
• Don’t buy pre-washed and packaged food, as these cost much more.
• Prefer healthy veggies and berries for snacks. Leaving chocolate, cookies and chips out of your grocery list saves you money for organic veggies, fruit and berries.
• Frozen organic veggies are great choices as well. Buy them in bulk and while on sale.
• Grow your own organic herbs that you can use for meals. You don’t need a yard to grow your own green leafs. All you need is a small space in kitchen or on a balcony to have your own organic herb section. I also have mini-tomatoes growing in my kitchen.
• Wash the produce just before using it so it will last longer.
• Citrus produce can last at least a week longer when stored in the fridge.
• Don’t forget coupons! Find the best deals and use them.
• Negotiate if possible. When buying directly from a farmer, use your negotiation skills. Offer to buy in bulk and don’t be afraid to ask for a discount. Most likely the farmer will be more than happy to offer you a discounted price when selling more. You can freeze the extra for later and will have saved big bucks.

Fresh organic veggies, fruits and berries are always going to be expensive, but investing into our family’s health and cutting back on our monthly expenses has made a difference for our well-being. Making the right choices keeps us on budget and provides a quality lifestyle. You can do it too! 

Did I miss anything? How do you make organic produce affordable for your family?

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Coconut oil is a natural and healthy oil that has been utilized all the way throughout history by different cultures. People utilize it for a variety of completely different uses such as cooking and/or preparing wholesome dishes, beautifying and enhancing the complexion, and to attain health benefits.

You’ve probably have heard a lot about it since it has become mainstream on health websites, blogs and you might have even seen it on pinterest, sharing its advantages.

When you go to the beauty aisle of your favorite store, it’s almost undeniable that you’re going to notice that a lot of brands have used this oil into their products, but I think buying the real the deal is the best way to go if you want to get all the benefits to the max.

Coconut oil is one of the cheapest oils on the market which is great for all of us on budget and don’t want to chance spending a lot of money on something that you might want to try out first- which once you do you’ll wonder why you never tried it to begin with.

This helpful oil has so many things to offer but there are 5 benefits specifically that I want to share with you today. 

Top 5 Health Benefits of Coconut Oil that Can Transform Your Health for the Better:

1. Coconut oil has an excellent kind of saturated fat which can help raise your good HDL cholesterol.
2. It can also give you a significant dose of antioxidants. Antioxidants are well-known for blocking free radicals, which basically means that they are able to help your pores and skin look more youthful and healthier.
3. You can boost your immune system with coconut oil because it contains caprylic acid and antimicrobial lipids, which have antibacterial and antifungal property. Basically that means coconut oil can support in preventing sickness and rid the body of harmful bacteria in our insides and outsides. 
4. Coconut oil can help us absorb essential minerals that the body needs in order to be well. The components and fat that are found in coconut oil can also help our body absorb magnesium and calcium, which are extremely necessary for the health of our bones.
5. For people who suffer with their blood sugar levels, coconut oil is an incredible option to try because it helps regulate blood sugar levels by improving blood glucose and the secretion of insulin. 

In order to start benefiting from these five benefits, use coconut oil as your every day moisturizer and in your cooking as much as possible. Your dishes will without a doubt will be tastier and your skin, it will feel amazing. The next your at the store, make sure you put some coconut oil in your cart!

What kind do we use?  We usually buy Carrington Farms Organic Coconut Oil from Costco or Spectrum Naturals Organic Coconut Oil at our local grocer or online.

Do you use coconut oil? Do you mainly use it for skincare or cooking?

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Since my oldest son was born, he has dealt with eczema/psoriasis issues.  Some cases/times of year are more severe than others.  However, since moving to Florida two years ago, his skin has fallen in love with the Florida humidity and salty seasides.   Since then his struggles have not been nearly as severe as they were in the cold, dry Illinois winters.

He turned ten years old this month, (still can’t believe that!) so we have been ’round the block many, many times with trial and error attempts at solving these skin issues.  When his doctor noticed a couple small dry patches of skin at his recent well visit, I knew it was time to dive into my eczema list archives and deal with it before it could grow into another serious issue.

I keep an outline for myself of all the natural solutions that have been effective for us over the years as a resource to go back to when we come to that point again.  It has been almost three years since his skin has really flared up and now when there is even a hint of eczema, we have a plethora of ideas to fall back on.

As my list is about eight pages long… I’m going to condense it for you into my top three tips today!

Winter Eczema Tips:

1. Water is your friend

You can’t be hydrated on the outside, if you’re not hydrating your inside!  Drinking plenty of water removes toxins, balances ph levels, moves nutrients through our bodies and so much more.  A salt water bath can bring quick healing and relief (or a dip in the ocean is even better!).  Just add 1-2 cups of epsom salts to a warm (not hot) bath to remove toxins, exfoliate, reduce inflammation and increase blood circulation.  

2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

Not all creams and lotions are created equal!  In fact, many can do more harm than good.  Unscented products with fewer ingredients are best.  My favorites are Aquaphor, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and topical Vitamin E.  We make our own healing lotion bars that can be used daily for skin irritations, cuts, bug bites, burns and more.  

3. Supplement

Just as we need water to moisturize from the inside out, certain supplements provide the essential fatty acids our bodies need to maintain moisture.  Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that also helps fight asthma and other allergy issues.  Omega 3’s provide a natural emollient, reduce redness and swelling and repair skin cells.  Probiotics and prebiotics help the body to retain nutrients/enzymes that hold water, can reduce itching and strengthen the immune system.  We use this brand of supplements because of their guarantee of purity and potency!

These ideas are a great start towards healthy skin!  Other things to consider are diet changes, using natural household cleaners, getting plenty of sleep, etc.  There is always an answer and it’s different for each person.  If you are struggling with eczema and psoriasis, there is hope and healing!  

What are your best tips for healthy skin?

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Written by Christy @ Fresh Mix Momma, Contributing Writer

Hello 2015! It’s nice to meet you!

Although I love to meet a bright and shining New Year, I am not thrilled with the cold & flu season that seems to come with it!

Just like many others, I had recently come down with a nasty cold. Of course, just my luck it was the same day my husband went back to work, leaving just me & my little one (isn’t that the way it always goes?)

I will be the first one to tell you, I can’t stand taking medicine! I can take a good multivitamin with no problem, but I just don’t like medicine. I feel like most the time over the counter medicines just mask the problem for a little bit and don’t actually help treat the issue. I also pretty much refuse to go to the doctors unless I absolutely have to.

So, what do I do when I get sick?

On the rare occasions that I do get sick, there are always a few things that I do to knock out my cold quickly.

Here are my tips for treating a cold without medicine:

1. Rest

I know this one can be hard, since we are all busy, but it is very important to try and get as much rest as you can.

2. Water, Water, Water

You need to be sure to keep your body hydrated when you aren’t feeling well. As much as you might want that Tea, Gatorade or Sprite nothing will help hydrate you better than just plain ol’ H2O!

3. Steam it up!

This is one of my first go to tricks whenever I feel like a cold may be coming on. I steam up the bathroom and just go in, relax and breath in the steam. Not only can a steamed room be nice and relaxing, but by inhaling the steam it can help you breath better and loosen any congestion you might have.

4. Take your Vitamins

Taking a good multivitamin can do wonders! Many times when you aren’t feeling well, you don’t feel like eating very much so much sure that your body is getting extra vitamins that it needs. Taking in some extra Vitamin C doesn’t hurt either. Rachel recommends these women’s multi’s. 

5. Tea with honey please!

Another go to for me is drinking some Green Tea with honey. Although, I am normally a coffee person, when I am not feeling well I go straight for the hot tea. Drinking hot tea will help open you up as well as loosen congestion. The honey can help soothe a sore throat and adds a little extra sweetness (added bonus!)

I hope that these tips help you, if you are feeling under the weather.  Here’s to a healthy & Happy New Year! 

What are some natural ways that you treat a cold?

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Written by Contributing Writer, Kari @ Living Strong Wellness 

Now that summer break is winding down and kids are heading back to school – we need to start becoming more proactive with our children’s health.

Don’t get me wrong, we should be proactive year round, but during the summer we’re outside more getting fresh air, we’re getting loaded with Vitamin D, getting more sleep and getting more exercise. With school back in session, our children are sitting in air conditioned schools, windows closed, anti-bacterial soap flowing down the halls, little outside time, little exercise and lots of germs.

Germs…

That one word freaks a lot of people out. This is why anti-bacterial soap is a multi-million dollar business. Think about it, though…if it really worked, why are schools filled with scores of sick kids and teachers all the time? I’m not an advocate of this ‘miracle’ germ cure. Not only does it kill bad bacteria – but it kills good bacteria as well, making you and your children more susceptible to germs, viruses and infections.

I’m also not a fan of the toxic ingredient, Triclosan, in the majority of these anti-bacterial soaps. Good ole hand soap and water works just fine. In fact, my son and daughter opt out of using anti-bacterial soap at school. They have been informed the past 4 years that they are to only use soap and water. They literally stand at the door as kids come in from recess and squirt that dangerous and hormone disrupting junk on the students hands. Not good.

It’s not bad hygiene that’s an issue (although it may contribute to some children’s constant sickness). It’s the internal health of the person. This is what will determine if sickness occurs or not.

Plain and simple: we need to boost the immune systems of our children and ourselves as we get back into the school routine.

We will all be surrounded by more germs, viruses and infections and our bodies will need the extra boost to keep the immune system strong and ready to fight any foreign invaders that enter the body!

There are many ways we can aid our immune system in remaining strong throughout the year, especially the school year and winter season. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather be proactive, daily taking care of my body and my child’s body to keep sickness from taking root, than having to do all I can to bring health back where sickness came in and took over.

This recipe is easy, quick and yields approximately 12 full strength servings (adults) and 24 half strength/diluted servings (children). I am fortunate to be able to purchase all these herbs in bulk at our local Vitamin Cottage/Natural Grocers. If you are not able to purchase these locally, you can purchase them online at places such as Bulk Herb Store and Mountain Rose Herbs! If you aren’t into making teas yourself and don’t want to order bulk herbs – you can also order the herbal tea blend from my Etsy shop – Glowing Mama. Each bag contains 12 adult servings or 24 youth servings. Each serving is 1 tablespoon of the herbal tea blend to 8 ounces of water.

It’s a great addition to your daily routine to help keep the immune system strong and functioning at optimum levels! This blend can be served hot or iced. It is always best to get organically grown herbs when buying in bulk, but if it’s not possible, get what is available to you. When ordering from Mountain Rose Herbs, you will be getting high quality, organic dried herbs that you can use safely and without worry of toxins. The other option is to grow what you can as well! That’s always an added plus and you know exactly how it is grown from seed to completion.

Kari’s Immune Strengthening Herbal Tea Blend

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 3 tablespoons dried Elderberries
• 3 tablespoons dried Rosehips
• 3 tablespoons dried Peppermint (use in adult blends) or 3 tablespoons dried Catnip (for children blends)
• 4 teaspoons dried Lavender
• 2 teaspoons dried Sage
• 2 teaspoons dried Hibiscus
• 1 teaspoon dried cut Ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Thyme

Here’s What You’ll Do:

1. Thoroughly combine all herbs in a large jar or large bowl.
2. Store in a sealed container (glass is best), but a sealed bag or other container will work.
3. Keep in a dark, cool place – such as the pantry.
4. To use, in a glass jar steep 1 tablespoon of herbal blend in 8 ounces of boiling, filtered water. For a tea, steep for anywhere from 3-8 minutes. For a stronger more potent beverage, you can make an infusion by steeping for around 20-30 minutes. You can place loose herbs in a muslin tea bag, tea ball or leave them loose in the jar.
5. When steeping is done, remove bag, ball or strain the herbs using a find mesh strainer.
6. Add RAW honey to sweeten and enjoy! ***

*** Adults can drink this directly after steeping. If making for children 12 and under, fill cup half way with tea/infusion, then add RAW honey, then add water to fill the rest of the cup.

What do you add to your daily routine to help keep your immune system strong and thriving?

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Written by Kelly, Contributing Writer

In the summertime it is so natural to consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables!  The warm weather, farmer’s markets and picnics in the park all call for fresh fruit and vegetable salads.  However, winter comes along and it usually includes weight gain, depression and cold/flu season.

Fall comes with its share of immune boosting fruits and vegetables.  We just need to be aware of what is currently in season.  Keep our love for fruits and veggies going throughout the year to protect and boost our immune systems.  Prepare your body to get through the upcoming seasonal changes.

Fall Fruits and Vegetables to Boost Immunity!

1. Apples

This is an obvious fruit that we associate with Fall, but aside from the fresh, crisp crunch what other benefits do we receive from this tasty fruit?  Apples are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C and reduce chances of asthma and diabetes. Also, a good source of fiber and potassium!

2. Pumpkins

Another produce we associate with Fall are pumpkins and pumpkin seeds!  They contain Vitamins A and C, zinc and potassium for more immune boosting power.  The seeds are a good source of omega-3’s for heart health.

3. Sweet Potatoes

Betacarotene in sweet potatoes helps the body absorb iron and protects from sensitvity to sunlight.  It may also reduce the risk of arthritis.

4. Carrots

Another provider of betacarotene and also Vitamin A for healthy eyes, skin and immune system.

5. Winter Squash

Yet another vegetable full of betacarotene!  The darker the color, the more nutrients it contains.  Also, a great source of fiber and Vitamin C.  Protects against cancer and type 2 diabetes.

6. Broccoli

Full of calcium and vitamin C and can also reduce the risk of cancer. Try this broccoli & chicken recipe! 

7. Cauliflower

Contains Vitamin K which helps avoid the loss of calcium.  Good to to team up with broccoli!  Promotes bone strength and health!

8. Cabbage

Also has cancer fighting abilities and may calm stomach issues and ulcers.

9. Dark leafy greens

Leafy greens offer a wealth of benefits!  Packed with folate, calcium, vitamin C and many other vitamins.  The darker, the better!  A good portion of our menu should include greens.

10. Garlic

A must have for cold/flu season!  Garlic is a natural antibiotic and antioxidant, to protect and promote health.  Add to soups and sautee veggies for flavor and health benefits!

Check out Kelly’s blog for more of 31 days to Natural Health

*this post is linked to: Encourage One Another, Titus 2sdays, and WFMW*

What is your favorite Fall Fruit or Vegetable??

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I must admit I have a slight addiction to honey…At least twice a day I have a cup of green tea with honey and rice milk.  It’s like holding a little cup of heaven…mmm. Makes me feel so warm, cozy and content.  I have tried other natural sweeteners, but honey always wins!

Besides being tasty in a cup of tea, honey has a long list of amazing health benefits. Awhile back I shared that one of those is healing eye allergies and pink eye with a simple Honey Eye Wash.

So what else can we use this amazing natural product for?

1. Maintain blood sugar and energy

With another year of school starting, we can all use an energy boost!  Honey contains glucose and fructose so it gives a quick energy boost and maintains it unlike the crash of regular sugar.  It is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and is more easily digested than regular sugar.

2. Immune booster

Honey can act as an immune booster, especially when using local honey.  Local pollen will be in the honey making it a natural immune booster.  Even if it is not local, honey contains antioxidants to strengthen your immune system.

3. Clear and soften skin

A skin mask of pure honey left on for 15-30 minutes can soften and clarify the skin.  Wash off with warm water and feel the difference, instantly.  To lighten and brighten the skin, mix a honey and lemon mask.  Or for irritated skin mix a honey and milk mask. Check out this Holiday Honey Face Mask great for your skin as well as an frugal homemade gift.

4. Hair conditioner

A simple mix of honey and water worked into the hair conditions and cleanses.  It can also lighten dark hair roots. Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 6 tablespoons of warm water and coat hair.  Rinse with warm water after 15-20 minutes.

5. Soothe an upset tummy

Drinking a warm cup of water with about 2 tablespoons of honey can calm an upset tummy.  Antimicrobial properties in honey can kill bacteria and infection.

6. Soothe cough and sore throat

A spoonful of honey coats and soothes the throat.  For cough, mix 1 tablespoon of honey in 1/2 cup of grape juice.

7. Cleanse and heal cuts, scrapes and burns

The antiseptic properties of honey clean out the wound and promote healing.  Dab honey directly on the affected area.  Mix with a small amount of olive oil if desired.

The antifungal, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties of honey make it such a powerful natural remedy!  Remember, the darker the honey, the better.  Never give honey to an infant under the age of one and be cautious about using raw honey under the age of three.

What is your favorite honey remedy?

*this post is linked to: Encourage One Another, Titus 2sdays, and WFMW*

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Written by Kari, Contributing Writer

This is a transitional time of year for almost everybody out there. School has started up again, summer is almost over and the cooler months are on the way. All of this means that we are going to have to pay more attention to keeping our immune systems strong so those ever present germs and bugs don’t have a chance to wreak havoc inside our bodies!

Even healthy families and houses can experience the sniffles, coughing and that ‘yucky’ feeling, but do we have to resort to the Cold/Flu aisle at the local grocery store to get us through these times?

Absolutely not!

I can’t tell you the last time I bought OTC medication for my family when those runny noses, sore throats and coughing made an appearance. I made a decision eight years ago, after my daughter was born, to take care of these issues in a better and more safe way. First and foremost my husband and I pray over our children and ourselves and speak healing scriptures over us. That is always our main defense – then we attack the natural symptoms in the body so we don’t have to just ‘wait it out’. We usually get things nipped in the bud quickly and these symptoms never go longer than a day or two.

Often times adults and children alike have weakened immune systems due to a myriad of reasons, including antibiotic use, poor nutrition, lack of activity and exercise and stress – just to name a few. Along with addressing these issues, there are several things that are in my go-to ‘health arsenal’ that are natural and safe and I feel comfortable in giving my family knowing they are beneficial to our bodies and not harmful or toxic.

How To Keep Your Immune System Strong and Treat Symptoms Naturally

1. A  healthy diet

This is extremely important. If your body isn’t getting nutritious food that support the functioning of the body, your natural immune defenses will be down and this makes it so much easier for germs, viruses and bacteria to enter in and take root. So, eliminating or decreasing processed foods, eating fresh and living foods, drinking plenty of water and eating a good variety of macronutrients (healthy carbs, healthy fats and protein) is a sure way to keep the immune system strong. We also like to make our own ‘Spa Water’ around here that livens things up a bit while adding some healthy goodness to our water intake.

2. Vitamin D

When sunshine decreases in your area and you’re not spending as much time under those beautiful rays – then supplementing with Vitamin D3 is a must. Now, D3 is a fat soluble vitamin and is better assimilated by the body when taken with a fat. This is why it’s best to take Vitamin D3 with Cod Liver Oil (which contains concentrated vitamin D, vitamin A and is the #1 source of EPA and DHA). As an added note – we also lay off the sunscreen for the most part. Unless we’ll be outside in 100 degree weather for hours on end – we don’t use sunscreen. We welcome the healthy sun to do it’s job and give us natural Vitamin D! Instead we just use coconut oil or a special oil blend I make specifically for time in the sun.

3. Probiotics

The health of your gut can determine your overall health. It’s important to keep our gut populated with good bacteria and eating probiotic-rich foods is the best option. Full-fat yogurt, dairy kefir, coconut kefir, amasai, summer sun pickles, water kefir, kombucha, kimichi and beet kvass are good examples of cultured food alive with good bacteria. If needed, supplementing with a high quality probiotic is the next best option.

4. Herbs

Used since the beginning of time, herbs are amazing and there are so many things you can make with them that strengthen your immune system or attack the bad invaders if they’ve already settled in. A few of my favorite recipes that we use all the time are Elderberry Syrup, Safe Cough Syrup, Natural Remedy for Sore Throats and Immune Strengthening Herbal Tea Blend. I also like to incorporate essential oils for even better results. Even simply combining eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender essential oils with some almond oil makes a good rub when you have congestion and a stuffy nose.

5. Juicing

I am a huge advocate of juicing and for many reasons. I have experienced nothing but positive results with my family ever since we began juicing 5 years ago. Regular juicing removes toxins, cleanses on a cellular level and gives your digestive system a break! If you need to treat symptoms you see coming on – add ginger, garlic, beets, parsley or wheatgrass! Here are some of my day to day recipes we like in our house.

Choosing to make our own products has not only saved us a lot of money, but I also believe it has saved our bodies from untold amounts of damage. I have always valued the remedies of years gone by that were used by old-time grandmothers from the farm, civilizations that only had the substance of the earth to rely on and just good old common sense!

There’s no reason to fall prey to these transitional symptoms that try to show up this time of year. Start with a solid foundation of a good diet and include the other beneficial goodies as a way to keep your immune system strong and to treat symptoms naturally!

Take charge with your family’s health and make a quality decision to only take care of them using safe and natural methods! Doing this is a long term investment that pays off with long and healthy lives!

Make yours a LIFE WORTH LIVING and be confident in the fact that it is possible when you realize the reality of HEALTH MADE EASY!

Some good points to remember:

In what ways are you creating your families health arsenal?

*this post is linked to: Encourage One Another, Titus 2sdays, and WFMW*

The post Create Your Own Health Arsenal: Build A Strong Immune System & Treat Symptoms Naturally appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

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Stress and F.E.A.R. (the allopathic/vitalistic response)

Not controlling your surroundings has severe consequences to your health. I want you to know that you are in control. We all have circumstances in our lives that we can choose to live in fear, pain and hurt. But you are in control of your thoughts. Don’t be afraid to do your own research and don’t live in fear when you or your child starts to run a fever, has a sniffle or a sneeze. Be thankful that you have a symptom. Symptoms are your bodies way to let you know something needs to change.

90% of people that find out that they have heart disease find out by having a heart attack. Your mindset is everything.

Rest & Recovery

Sufficient rest keeps your immune system at it’s highest levels. You get the best sleep when you have cave-like darkness in your bed room. Also try to not use any electronic devices in the bed, cell phone, ipads and even the TV, they keep you stimulated well beyond an hour after use.Research shows that 8 hours a night with a regular sleep/wake time is what is needed.

Poor Nutrition or Deficiencies(and bad fats)

Diet is so key to your health. We know that sugary foods like grains, sodas and even some fruits with high fructose levels effect your your immune system. Recently my wife and I went to a restaurant and saw a three-year old drinking a soda and we just looked at each other in disbelief. Anytime I see this kind of thing, I can guarantee you that the kid is going to the doctor every month or every other month with some type of infection or sickness.

That’s because sugars and acids increase rates and decrease your chances of being healthy. That’s just a simple truth. I have listed below some proper supplementation for a Titanium Immune System:
• B- Complex: B2, B6, B12
• Folic Acid
• Glutathione
• Selenium
• Vitamin D3
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E

And be sure to eat breakfast to start you day off right!  

Lack of Oxygenation

Exercise is effective way to warming up your body, increasing hormonal function and regulating your immune system. I recently wrote an article on Burst/Surge training, you can read it here.

Toxicity (meds/vaccines/environmental)

The hardest thing to change is your mindset. You literally have been trained that treating a symptom is the best thing to do for your health but the truth is that if you are having a symptom, then your body is telling you that something is wrong. There is a cause to the symptom and fortunately for us, its not a lack of medication. Remember the motto. You were created wonderfully made, you were bought with a price and God doesn’t make junk.

In the Lancet Journal an article was written and the statement that rang loudest for me was this. “…The largest historical decrease in deaths caused by infectious disease was not from the modern antibiotic and vaccine era, but from the introduction of clean water and effective sewer systems.

Some other research articles are:

The truth is this:

AT 102 DEGREES BACTERIA ARE KILLED
AT 103 DEGREES VIRUS’ ARE KILLED
AT 103 DEGREES YOUR BODY MAKES INTERFERON, necessary for killing cancer

Dr. Tamara R. Kuittinen, Director of Medical Education at the Department of Emergency Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City states that, “These medicines can do more harm than good. The ingredients in children’s cough and cold medications do not help. They are not effective, especially the decongestant, and part of it is because children’s anatomy is different. The risk margin is high.” According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), over-the-counter cough and cold medications should not be given to infants and children younger than 2 years “because of the risk of life-threatening side effects.”

The AAP also points to the fact that several studies show that cold and cough products “don’t work in children younger than 6 years and can have potentially serious side effects.” Antibiotic use -associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Authors found that the more antibiotics the women in the study had used, the higher their risk of breast cancer. -National Journal of Cancer Research6/05

Hand Washing

Regular hand washing with NON-antibacterial soap and hot water for 20 seconds is good enough.

Simple hand washing with rigorous scrubbing destroys bacteria naturally by breaking their cell membranes effectively killing them. Recently there have been several articles have linked triclosan, commonly used in antibacterial soaps to heart muscle damage. These are serious chemicals, please be careful with this stuff.

A 2004 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine investigated household use of antibacterial products and the incidences of bugs like the common cold. The researchers found that people who used antibacterial products developed just as many colds, runny noses, sore throats, fever, and stomach bugs as did people who didn’t use them.

Harmful Nerve Interference

Every single cell, tissue and organ in your body is controlled by your nervous system. That includes your immune system. There are thousands of articles that agree, spinal misalignments cause the immune system to malfunction and decrease a regular immune system response. At our office, this is the primary focus of the practice. There is nothing more important for your health, or your child’s health than getting to a wellness based physician, specifically a Maximized Living doctor.

RESEARCH ON THE Nervous System:

If your first spinal bone is misaligned, the less energy we have for metabolism, healing and thinking -Sperry 1982 NPP

Immune System boosting effects of chiropractic care: T and B lymphocytes numbers, natural killer cell numbers, antibody levels, phagocytic activity and plasma endorphin levels are positively influenced by spinal correcting adjustments (CJA 1993)

Research shows that a loss or increase in spinal curves, increases mortality (speeds up death) and takes up to 14 years off your life J. BONE JOINT SURG. AM 1981 JUN;63(5):702-12 Weinstein Sh, Zavala DC, Ponseti IV idiopathic Scoliosis: Long-Term follow-up and prognosis in untreated patients

98.7% of children with A.D.D. have subluxated Atlas bones (Burl Pettibon, 2005)

Uncorrected cervical subluxations cause the patient to suffer from loss of balance, along with additional side effects (Cailliet and Gross, 1987)

A study, published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, says that out of 1250 infants chosen at random, 211 of them suffered from nervousness, vomiting, muscular abnormalities, tremors and insomnia. 95% (200) of those children had abnormal cervical (neck) muscle strain indicating vertebral subluxation.

When the subluxation was adjusted and the muscle strain removed, an immediate calming often resulted, the children’s crying stopped, the muscles relaxed and the children fell asleep.

Action Steps for a Titanium Immune System:

1. Immune systems should be battle tested, the more drugs you take the longer you stay sick, regardless if your symptoms go away. Dirt is dirty, not germy. Let the kids play.
2. Nutrition is huge. Vitamin D3 and a quality multivitamin are musts.
3. Get adjusted. The proof is in. People under corrective chiropractic care are healthier. Period.

The post How to build a Titanium Immune System appeared first on Day2Day Joys.

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