Dads

Readers of great bedtime stories

Protectors from monsters of various sizes

Providers of shelter, hamburgers, hugs and comfort from the storms

Teachers of survival skills, fix-it tricks, hard work and useful know hows

Leaders of our homes, community and country

Visionaries for our future

Worshippers of God

Listeners

Creators

Conquerors

Pranksters

Dad and Bev

Builders

Advocates, counselors

Planters, Growers, Harvesters

Repairers of broken parts

I’ve been thinking about dads lately and how thankful I am for the dads in my life.

Start with Connection for Greater Health

Connection is our Theme for May

It all starts with connection. The whole person- mind, body and spirit- being connected together and in harmony. And to have this harmony inside of us, I believe, we have to first be connected to our Higher power. Everything right, good and living comes from that source. Here are 3 simple actions to start the day that have the power to transform our connection with everything else in our life in a new and wonderful way:

Starting the day with connection with God = solid foundation and intention set before anything else happens.

1. Before leaving bed: saying (in your head or out loud) “thank you for this new and wonderful day.” 

= It’s a day full of undiscovered mystery, adventure, miracles, and purpose.

2. Greet the light – walk outside barefooted as soon as you can = take a few deep breathes and deep stretches, say good morning to the day. This creates grounding and livens the senses.

3. Meditate – in the Word, if only 1 verse, and/or  prayer.

Ask, “Lord, what would you have me know and do today?” Then listen.

“A sound heart is the Life of the flesh.” -Prov 14;30

These 3 simple practices don’t take long.

You may have heard of them before or maybe are already practicing versions of this. How has it helped you? Do you feel more grounded and connected to yourself and your intention?

If you haven’t tried these, I challenge you to try them for 1 week and see what they do for your feeling of connection even to others around you.

Starting the day with connection between  our own heart, mind and soul = feeling of being whole.

Usnea Lichen Throat Spray

Usnea lichen is a powerful antibiotic, antifungal, antimicrobial and antiviral.

Historically, it has been used in treating viral, bacterial, urinary and respiratory infections internally. Externally it may be helpful on skin, wound and fungal infections and has anti-inflammatory properties helpful for pain relief.*

Usnea is useful both internally and externally for irritations, infections and preventions.

May help in ease of sore throat, respiratory and sinus discomfort.

Life or Death?

What leads to living more abundantly, health wise?

As the earth is bursting out with new life, my mind is drawn to how we make life and death choices everyday.

My plants get buggy and my first instinct is to kill the bugs. 

I have to remember that bugs are usually an indication of distress in the plant. If I support the life of the plant more, water, feed and fertilize, the bugs usually disappear. If I work with the plant instead of against it, it gets stronger and can fight off enemies. Using a killing method only weakens the plant in the long run.

I really noticed this when I worked as a behavior counselor for a weight loss clinic: The more clients focused on the diet and losing weight the harder it seemed to lose! I was most successful with my own weight loss by getting excited about other things in life which caused me to lose interest in eating. Fill those vacuums with “life”, and the temptations that “kill” dissolve.

My thoughts follow the same rules- when I want to “kill” the negative thoughts, they grow bigger. When I accept that they are bringing my attention to something that needs looked at, I can take responsibility for them, support myself and resolve the pain point easier. Then shifting focus to positive thoughts, things that I am looking forward to and/or that I am thankful for, causing the negative ones to melt away.

This applies to dis-eases in our own body as well. Choosing to amp up the good and raise the body’s energy frequency, causes life to flourish. We have the natural strength to fight off diseases. 

If we choose to go after the dis-ease and try to “kill” it with poisons and/or drugs, we often just end up making our natural defense systems weaker. And the less power we have to fight the disease and the next “bug” that comes along.

Cleansing our systems of toxins is a great way to help “reset” our defenses. Hence, create favorable conditions for more “life” to flourish.

We love our Spring Tonic for this cleansing action. It goes right to our body’s cleansing systems: the blood, liver and lymphatic system. It’s a quick action to “flush” our body of build-ups of mucus, toxins and chemicals that can make us feel sluggish and more prone to dis-ease.

This principle of supporting Life rather than death can be applied to the macro level and the micro level. To what is happening in our country, our health systems, the earth as well as our own communities, bodies, and cells.

Choose life with every breathe, thought and choice!

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart…for out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”-Luke 6;45

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10

blood tonic cordial with cranberries

Blood Tonic Recipe from 1920’s Prohibition Times

This Blood Tonic “Cordial” has an interesting history. It was served in at least one soda shop in Philadelphia during the prohibition era between 1920 to 1933. Alcohol was not legally allowed to be sold in establishments during that time. Herbal tonics were offered as alternatives. These herbs are truly excellent at cleaning the blood and clearing what “ails ya”.

It makes a beautifully red and tasty drink and is delightful added to some sparkling tonic water! Of course, you can add alcohol if desired. Enjoy!

Blood Tonic Cordial Recipe

1/4 c dandelion root

1/2 c rosehips

1/4 c licorice root

1/4 c red clover

1/4 c grated beet

2 c sugar or 1 c honey

2 c water

1/2 lemon juice

I used dried herbs but fresh are fine, if available, too. Simmer in a pan over low heat on the stove for 20 minutes, remove and strain out herbs, bottle and refrigerate or enjoy immediately. Enjoy added to sparkling water or in hot or cold drinks as desired. It will keep for a few months in the refrigerator.

Herbs to Lighten up, Renew and Recharge

Herbs to help lighten the load of mucus, congestion, stored toxins and system stressors.

fresh chickweed

Chickweed Herb– High in Vit. C and minerals. Helps dissolve fat in the body. Good for cleansing, boils, ulcers, tumors and swelling. Helps stop bleeding and inflammation from lungs, bowels and stomach. Helps remove mucous from respiratory.

Olive Leaf – a natural antibiotic, anti-parasitic and anti-fungal  shown to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, help respiratory response and heart and skin health.

Chaparral– A blood cleanser, strengthens the kidneys and glandular system, good for skin problems, arthritis, allergies. Red Clover and Chaparral combined together help break down growths and tumors in the body. Note: Modern recommendations are use in small amounts or externally. See more on Chaparral.

Red Clover– See above. Especially good to cleanse the blood and calm the nerves. Helps dissolve tumors and growths. 4 Herbs That Help With Environmental Detoxing

Pau’D Arco – A detoxifier. High in iron. Good for pain connected with cancer. Good for digestive system, nervous disorders, skin, colon, kidneys, insomnia. Effective for yeast and fungal overgrowths.

Dandelion Root– Acts as a tonic to the whole system, a blood, kidney and liver cleanser, destroys acids in the blood, good for skin, energy, digestion, low blood pressure, anemia, water retention, and much more. High in calcium and nutrients. More about dandelions: Dandelions, the Tonic of Spring

Nettle is a blood purifier high in vitamin C and minerals, strengthens liver and kidney function.  Helpful for allergies.

Burdock Root is one of the best blood cleansers as well as a kidney, liver and gland cleanser.  It helps to reduce swelling and deposits in the joints.  It is helpful for most skin conditions and is also used for fatigue and nervous disorders.

Mullein Helps dispel mucus in the system.  It is considered the herb of choice for respiratory problems, also is a natural painkiller, helps calm spasms, and helps reduce swelling in the glandular system.  

These herbs and more are included in our Trim and Tone tea! Perfect to compliment your January cleansing efforts. They can also be found in our Spring Tonic, which really is helpful all year long. Enjoy!

January without processed sugars?

I challenge you to do it with me!

If you enjoyed more sugary foods through the holidays than usual like I did, you are probably feeling ready for a January detox too.

I am doing my January detox, which I will share following this, but my hard, set rule this year for January will be No Sugar. What does this look like?

Why?

Because processed sugars block the immune system from working and protecting you properly for at least 3-6 hours after you eat them! Even 1 teaspoon worth! Because, in my opinion, they are what really make the difference in thriving and just surviving health wise.

Natural energy goes up,

Blood sugar stabilizes and remains even throughout the day.

The body can rest and reset.

Better sleep.

Less processed foods in general are consumed.

The brain fog clears.

How to Details:

No processed sugars in foods, no added white or brown sugar.

No fake sweeteners or diet sugars, including monkfruit and/or stevia cut with erythritol. This includes wines and sweet beverages.

Raw honey, real maple syrup, molasses and natural fruits are okay and unlimited. Our bodies can naturally and easily convert and use these sugars.

That’s it. That’s the general guidelines.

When?

The whole month of January.

What else am I doing?

fruit

Lots of citrus! Every day.

Lots of water and herbal teas

Lots of veggies and natural meats

Movement every day

Getting outside every day

Cleansing with herbs

More coming on that coming up!

Internal Cleansing Herbs

It’s getting to be that time of year when we think of cleaning and clearing spaces to make ready for new. Externally we easily see the need, but it may be even more valuable to do some intentional, deep cleaning internally. There are great herbs to get this job done. Think of them as the soap, scrub brush and vacuum for your body! Here’s some quick lists. In January we will deep dive into it all.

Binders (grabs toxins, metals, etc to expel)

Diatomaceous Earth (Intestinal Scrubber)

Bentonite Clay (toxins and metals)

Burdock Root (blood purifier, mercury detox)

Activated Charcoal (Poisons, Toxins, Gas)

Mucus expectorants 

Marshmallow Root (irritable bowel)

Fenugreek (Lungs, throat, coughs)

Mullein leaf (lungs)

Slippery elm bark (throat, stomach)

Digestive Laxatives

Aloe vera

Cascara Sagrada

Senna 

Rhubarb root

Psyllium (“colon broom”)

Flax

Cleansers-whole system

Red Clover (blood)

Burdock root (blood, liver, metals)

Dandelion Root (whole system)

Yellow Dock (liver, blood, skin)

Oregon grape root (infections)

Kelp and seaweeds (scrubbers)

Reishi mushroom (whole system)

Nettles (Blood)

Milk Thistle (liver)

Pau D’Arco bark (fungal/yeasts)

Parasites

Wormwood

Black Walnut

Diatomaceous Earth

Chicory

Mullein 

Plantain

Thyme