How do I attempt to keep my family from getting sick (Part 2)

Okay folks,  It's been quite a while.  But, i'm super excited to share with you what i'm about to share.  A huge part of what has been a life changer for my family and our health, is:


essential oils

My family has been using essential oils for a year now.  Our health has totally transformed.  In the past year we have gone to the doctor a total of two times.  One for Owen's ear infection, and one for the shoulder problems I've been having (that's a neat story too- will share later!)  Before using oils, we visited the doctor once a month, no joke.  A ear infection would pop up, or some random virus, all the time.  Sometimes we would go a little longer then that, but especially during flu season we could be there monthly.   

At first, when I learned about doTERRA essential oils i thought, "what's the catch?"  but as I have researched and learned more and more, and used them more and more, I realize that it just makes sense!!!   God designed our bodies to heal themselves, with the right input of the right things!   Back in the bible days, how do you think people helped themselves when they were sick?? They used what God gave them!!! Plants, the earth,  you name it! 

What is an essential oil??

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant. If you have ever enjoyed the gift of a rose, a walk by a field of lavender, or the smell of fresh cut mint, you have experienced the aromatic qualities of essential oils. In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils provide plants with protection against predators and disease and play a role in plant pollination. 

Essential oils are non water-based phytochemicals made up of volatile aromatic compounds. Although they are fat soluble, they do not include fatty lipids or acids found in vegetable and animal oils. Essential oils are very clean, almost crisp, to the touch and are immediately absorbed by the skin. Pure, unadulterated essential oils are translucent and range in color from crystal clear to deep blue.

                                                            How do you use them?
The better question for my family at least, is how DON'T i use them ?? ;)  It's so fun to learn about how each individual plant has qualities that can help us.  At first i was using them for headaches, scrapes on the kids, ear aches, cold sores, inflammation, bruises, etc!  And cleaning- i love using them to clean.   I've recently been using them for my seasonal allergies.  That's right- i've YET to had to take an allegra or allergy pill this year because I just use oils!!! And my most RECENT success with oils has been with my shoulder.  Some of you know, i've been having INTENSE shoulder pain.  I went to the doctor only to have her tell me i have "partially frozen shoulder" and prescribe me a LARGE amount of anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxer.   I know that there are oils that have anti-inflammatory properties, so i went home and did my research!!!  Fast forward to almost 3 weeks later, and i have almost NO pain in my shoulder.  It's so so much better.  It's not totally gone yet, but it is NIGHT AND DAY difference!!!!!   I'm so excited about that!!! I didn't even fill my prescriptions the doctor gave me.  So, what did I do?? I used a combination of frankincense and Thyme oil.  (if you want to learn about frankincense oil and why i might choose that oil, check this out: http://www.everythingessential.me/Oils/Frankincense.html  and thyme; http://www.everythingessential.me/Oils/Thyme.htm)and I used one of doTERRA's blends called "deep blue" for pain & inflammation.  ( http://www.everythingessential.me/Blends/DeepBlue.html )I applied these twice and day, AND- i've been faithfully taking doTERRA's Lifelong Vitality Vitamins.  I would recommend ANYONE with chronic pain or fatigue, or  just anyone who wants to live a healthier life, to try these out!!!!!  There is a 100% money back guarantee if you try them and aren't satisfied.   I was on them for a while about a year ago- then went off of them because I thought they were too expensive & i was trying to pinch pennies.  Well, I'm right back on them and pinching pennies ELSEWHERE, bc these are just so good for me!!! I definitely attribute my lessening of shoulder pain to those as well!   I've noticed that people will pour money into going out to eat, vacations, new clothes, you name it! But, when it comes to ourselves and our health, we become more tightfisted.   Which is why i went back on those vitamins... I've realized that my health is one of the most IMPORTANT things I can do for myself!!!

I truly believe in using natural things to help our bodies heal themselves!!  These products have been so awesome for my family, that I signed up to be a rep.  So, if you have any questions- please email me (lroseburkey@gmail.com) or fb me or whatever!!! I love to discuss them with people and my hope is that I can help other people feel empowered in taking care of their family and health, naturally! :) I'd love to hear some of your health needs and maybe recommend what might be beneficial to you!!!  You can check out products and prices at www.mydoterra.com/laurenrburkey 

ps- if you have used doTERRA oils and have an awesome testimonial to share on this post, in the comments, PLEASE DO! :) 

How do I attempt to keep my family from getting sick ? (Part 1.)

Nobody ever wants to get sick! We all know that.  I have really taken some health measures to keep sickness out of my house.  In fact, we have not had to visit the doctor (besides kids well-checks) since June 2013, when i start implementing some new things into our life that i'll be sharing with you.  We've been so blessed to skip any type of flu this flu season, and have just experienced the occasional sniffle, even though there have been times we have been exposed to people with the flu or other viruses/illnesses. (LOTS of times, actually)

I'll share these things in parts since we do several things at our home. 

A little disclaimer:

i do NOT think my family is invincible of sickness.  that would be totally ignorant.  AND, i realize that there are families who have tried to prevent sickness and have still struggled much of this past winter with sickness.  That happens, and i'm in no way putting those folks down or claiming that didn't do the "right things."  Maybe the things i'll share with you won't even be right for you!  BUT, they are right for my family and I definitely want to share with you all :)

Take it or leave it, no problem either way! 

sooooo.....

Who knows what these little pretty berries are?

elderberries. 

Elderberries have been used for thousands of years in places like north america, western Asia, Europe, and North Africa.   It has been called "a Holy Tree" due to it's what they would call in the middle ages "healing power."   

Now i probably wouldn't myself called it a holy tree, but- there are some definite health benefits that this little berry offers!

They are VERY rich in antioxidants, more then twice the amount of blueberries!

from an article on Dr. Mercola's website:

"Antiviral components of elderberry fruit extract were tested and found to effectively inhibit Human Influenza A (H1N1 virus) in vitro, possibly by blocking the ability of the virus to infect host cells. The extract was so effective, that researchers compared it with the prescription medications Amantadine and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)."

You can use elderberries as a flu-preventative, (or cold), OR, as a treatment when you get sick.  We make it into a syrup that we take DAILY! :)

this is a picture of me simmering my elderberries! 

To make it into a syrup is quite easy, and because it is SO SO sweet, my kids will drink a spoonful of it daily without any fuss!   I also add their liquid fish oil to it and they take it down without even batting an eye!!

It takes about an hour to make, but is very hands off!  

here's what you need:

- 2/3 cup elderberries

-3.5 cups water

-1 cup LOCAL RAW honey

-ginger root (1 tsp-optional) 

-clove (1/2 tsp-optional)

Bring the 3.5 cups water and elderberries to a boil, add spices, then cover and simmer for about 45 minutes until the water has boiled down a bit, and the elderberries seem quite soft.  

Take off burner, and let cool.

Drain the juice off the berries (KEEP THE JUICE!! ditch the berries)  

After the juice is totally cooled, add the 1 cup of raw honey, and store in the fridge!! :)

I keep mine in a cute little glass bottle :)  It stays in the fridge for up to a year! Although my batch usually only lasts 2 months.

Questions?!

let me know!!

Cheers to healthy lives!

My Friend, the POM.

I've decided to start to do some posts on individual food, as well as recipes.  My heart lies in health, and teaching about it.  I'm not perfect.  Not even close.  But i am learning and am continuing to learn more then I ever have before, and I'd LOVE to share some of that info with you all.  (all 5 of you? ha)

The Pomegranate is supposed to be the most POWERFUL of all antioxidants in fruits.

It supports your immune system.

Is Shown to lower blood pressure.

Cancer-fighting agents.

and those are just to name a few!!!

(by the way...feel free to research it yourself too!! I don't know everything, and I won't pretend that I do!!! PLUS, i'd LOVE for any of my readers to learn more on their own!!!)

A big reason people don't buy these beauties are because it's "TOO HARD"

well, you can look up all kinds of "how to eat a pomegranate" online, but it's true, a lot of it does led you back to complicated procedures.  :)

Here's an effective way i've found to eat my pom's!  EASILY.

have a large bowl of cold water ready!

get a cutting board and cut the thing in half, and put in the water.

put another bowl nearby (to put the fruit in)

(i'd recommended doing this in the sink)

at this point, take your hands and just fish those seeds out!! Having it in water keeps in SO MUCH CLEANER!

Then you can strain seeds in colander and put in a bowl, or fish them out with your hands!

ENJOY!

A remember there is some truth to the saying "you are what you eat!"

Yet again another new way of eating.

So, My husband and I have decided to spend 60 days eating "paleo."

This is also known as "the cave man diet"

It's just another way we want to experient with our diets :)

basically, it is NO:

grains

legumes

refined sugars

starchy veggies

dairy.

Let me tell you guys....it is HARD.  I want cheese.   We are on day 9 and some of my cravings for dairy have NOT subsided.  But, I'm glad i'm doing it!

I like switching things up, and trying to become as healthy as I can.

If you know me, you know i Love spaghetti.  Paleo is pretty hard to eat spaghetti on.

So, i made these "noodles"

That, is a bunch of "noodles" made from zucchini.  Tossed in some olive oil and lemon juice.  

and they were 

DIVINE.

I made my own "sauce" (which consisted of tomatoes and lean beef) to go on top.  

My whole family GOBBLED this right up.

here is what I did.

Took 4 large zucchini's and used a julienne peeler to make the "noodles"

I tossed them in a bit of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper and oregano. 

you can eat them just like that if preferred.

But, I tossed them in a pan to make them nice and hot!

I then cooked up onions with lean beef, used a can of crushed tomatoes, spices of my preference, and called it the "sauce."

how easy is that?!

eat.up!

Holidays (Raw pumpkin pie)

Oh the holidays. Generally a "dieters" demise.  BUT, for me, I want to make healthy eating an every day lifestyle, not a strict "diet."
So, for thanksgiving I made a raw pumpkin pie. And holy cow.

It was so amazingly tasty! Dare I say I preferred it over all the other pies?!!!  Because I did!

And it was so so easy too! The nice thing about raw desserts is they generally require no baking.

So here's the recipe!

Filling Ingredients:

• 3/4 Cup Pumpkin Puree
• 1/2 Cup Cashew Butter
• 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 Tsp Ginger
• 1/8 Tsp Cloves
• 3 Packets Stevia
• 2 Tbsp Agave (Honey, Maple Syrup or Stevia to make this no-sugar)
• Dash of Salt

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Shredded Coconut
• 1 1/4 Cup Pecans + Extra for Topping
• 1 Cup Pitted Dates
• 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. Using your small food processor bowl and blade blend all pie filling ingredients until smooth and set aside.
2. Using your large food processor bowl and blade process all crust ingredients until dough like consistency with visible chunks of nut (setting aside extra pecans for topping).
3. Grease an 8×8 baking pan or glass dish with a healthy oil.
4. Press crust mixture evenly into baking dish.
5. Top with pie filling using a spoon or spatula to make sure the filling is evenly distributed over the crust.
6. Add extra pecans over the top. 
7. Cover with saran wrap and freeze overnight.
8. When you’re ready to serve remove from the freezer, cut into squares and serve immediately.

If you try it- let me know how you like it!!! it's delicious!!!!!

Peanut Butter Cookies.

Let me confess.  I have a small giant sweet tooth.  I love sweets.  So, in my journey to become a happier healthier me, i've learned to make some tasty treats that don't lots of yuck in them.

Because holy cow- have you read all the stuff out there lately about sugar?

Here are a few articles to skim if you haven't heard anything bad about this tricky like substance yet:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/08/23/is-sugar-more-addictive-than-cocaine.aspx

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/study-saccharin-and-sugar-found-more-addictive-cocaine

(i encourage you to do your own research as well- please!)

Anyways, these cookies are so yum.  And let me say, EASY PEASY!!!!!

Check out these ingredients:

1 cup natural peanut butter (make sure the only ingredient is "peanuts")

8 oz (1 pk) cream cheese.  (make sure to buy the 1/3 fat kind.)

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 egg

Mix it all together. Bake at 350 for about 12-13 minutes and leave about 2" apart.  

That's it.
kind of a weird shot...but they are so yummy and moist! Not dry at all.

of course they have some fat in them, but SUCH a good choice if you need something sweet (like i often do)  You'll feel so much better having a few of these then if you go through the drive through at the DQ!  (which let me say...that's pretty delicious too. Just not as delicious on the waist linnnnne)

Yet another Soup. Sweet Potato Black Bean.

There are few things that make me feel better then feeding my kids all these colors.

This soup is hearty, delicious, and healthy! And is totally customizable!  Add or subtract spice based on your likes.

It's simple and easy!

Here's what you'll need to do:

1 T olive oil
1 red onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
1 roasted red pepper, chopped (you can use jarred)
2 cans low sodium vegetable broth (15 oz. size)
2 cups water
3 cans low sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
3 cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 T chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
Dash of red pepper flakes
1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

1. In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil. Add in the onion and cook until tender. Add in the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes.
2. Stir in the sweet potato and roasted red pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add in the broth, water, black beans, and tomatoes. Stir well.
4. Add the chili powder, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Stir and toss in the cilantro. Stir again. Let the soup simmer on medium low for 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are soft.
5. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

**You can garnish the soup with cilantro, avocado slices, cheese, tortilla strips, and/or sour cream. To freeze-cool completely and put the soup in freezer safe containers. **

Enjoy.