We love coconut oil!

FINALLY!

After searching and searching … I think we finally may have found a product that we can feel good about using and that really works. I try to buy the best healthy pesticide free, non GMO food for my family (Blue Bell is an exception for me … my kids - I make them pureed frozen strawberries for ice cream) :) , I try to use the best non-chemical cleaning products, we use air purifiers in every room, whole house water filtration system, etc. And now I think I FINALLY found a skincare line that I can feel good about using on myself, my husband, my kiddos, and on my belly … because it's going to the baby. :)

The brand is NYR Organics. And they are made in China. HA! KIDDING!!!! It's all made in London. Europe is so much healthier than us. WOW. So, we need to drink more wine and eat less processed food. Yay! Wine and Gelato. Perfect!

Ok, really. So this company is way cool! It's a family business that's been around for 30 years. They have store fronts in other parts of the world, but only use consultants in the US. And they are new to the US … thankfully my aunt introduced me to the products. Just did the White Tea Face Mask … awesome! And now I am eating my third dinner of the day. Gosh … our grocery bill just doubled! :)

They also have make-up! Love the lip gloss. They have more, but this is the only picture I had. 

So, if you have been searching for a pure, organic, no nothing added skincare line … check it out:

https://us.nyrorganic.com/shop/skh

Check out this site to see if the products you use are pure: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

Then type in NYR Organic and check out their scores. Good stuff! 

Enjoy! Please let me know if you would like a catalog or samples. 

Really?

Well, long story shorter - I took our son to the ENT last week because for most of his life he has had not clear breathing (not sure how to describe). I just thought he was always congested because maybe he has allergies like his dad or whatever. Well apparently he has enlarged Adenoids and fluid in his ears. That would explain why he is SO loud! She immediately recommended tubes and adenoids out. I kinda didn't know what adenoids were, so I was not equipped with the right questions. At all. And she didn't explain or ask questions.

So, basically this is what I learned:
http://amyeaustin.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/tonsils-and-adenoids-surgery-is-not-the-answer/

So my question is: Why are his adenoids enlarged? Why is their fluid in his ears? Seems like common sense to me. There is a reason WHY! Although some kids may just have enlarged adenoids for no reason. So what's the reason? Is he allergic to something? What's irritating his adenoids to keep them enlarged?

I have a plan - we eliminated dairy. We'll see if that works, and may also get him allergy tested.

We will also try acupuncture to see if that helps drain his ears. Just talked to my acupuncturist today to try and understand how in the world they do that on a 2 year old. She said they don't leave the needle in … they just lightly prick and take out. And the needles are even smaller than they ones they use on adults … somehow. Those are real small.

And I have read article after article about chiropractics and how that works miracles for kids. Especially with this particular issue.

The next is cell salts - very fascinating! http://joettecalabrese.com/transcripts-give-away/
Take the time to read through it … makes so much sense. A little about them here: http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/for-clued-in-moms-fever-is-a-friend/
Hopefully I can rid my home of all drugs for me and my kiddos.

Another great article I just found:http://www.drpalevsky.com/general_guidance.asp
Awesome!

I am all about finding other people's articles! HA!

Will update what works and what doesn't. Say a little prayer for our buddy. He sleeps fine, eats fine, just sucks his fingers and has noisy breaths.

Peace!

Optimal Diet and Nutrition for Pregos (and everyone really)

This is a great post along the same lines of my previous post. Just so ya know I'm not making this stuff up. :)

Optimal Diet and Nutrition for Healthy Pregnancy

KATIE - WELLNESS MAMA62 COMMENTS

http://wellnessmama.com/2462/optimal-diet-and-nutrition-for-healthy-pregnancy/

And on that note, I need to make a veggie/protein smoothie! :) The other thing … start saving now for a Vitamix if you don't already have one. It will annihilate ANY veggie to nothing! Your kids … and your husband will have no idea! I use mine everyday - not only for smoothies, but a big treat is ice cream. Not really ice cream but the kids think it's fantastic. Put frozen strawberries, frozen bananas, frozen anything - and puree. It's amazing! You can mix or just do a single flavor. And this morning I ground my own coffee in it. I use it every single day. And it's worth double what I paid! And no … I do not work for Vitamix. Although I could. Love it!

Peace!

And ….

We are pregnant! :) I have been looking into morning sickness remedies for my sister in laws for a while now. Not at all thinking I would need them. I wasn't sick for my first two … so why would I be sick with my third? Well, the past week or so - hmmmmm … not feeling so great. It's NOTHING like what other women go through, at all. But I did get a taste of it. And it's NOT fun! So, all those little remedies I was working on - I get to try them.

Here's the first:

Yes, the labels are ghetto. Didn't have time to make cute ones. I had to get this stuff together so I could start taking it! It consists of: 

Morning Sickness Herbal Blend:

Wild yam has many effects on the body, among other things, its very good for the liver and endocrine system, by toning and nourishing the liver it helps to balance hormone production. Wild yam is very well known for its steroidal saponins (chemical constitutes in the plant) contained within particularly diosgein, an important hormonal precursor for progesterone. Precursors provide necessary elements or building blocks to produce and balance the hormones progesterone and cortisone."

Ginger: Ginger is one of the most popular remedy for this sickness. It has a long history of being a quick remedy for nausea and vomiting. It also helps to soothe the digestive system and heals its related infections.

Meadowsweet Herb: This herb is a customary natural treatment basically for two kinds of general diseases; morning and motion sickness.

It's a herbal tincture blend and you take 2.5ml in the morning and the same in the evening. It's basically 2 droppers full. I mix with the blend below in the morning and take. So far so good. I don't have that feeling in my head anymore. Maybe it worked … maybe it's mental. Either way - I don't care! It's working!!!!!! 

The second blend is one that I derived from another site but I didn't have all the herbs. So I used the ones I had. They all have fantastic properties for momma and baby. Each of the following can be taken very easily as a tea. But, since I can't seem to steep the tea the night before and actually drink it the next morning … decided to make this instead. Super easy to take a dropper full once a day. And if you go to HEB or Sprouts or Whole Foods and look in the Tea section … check out the label for the Pregnancy Teas. Same stuff. :) So I didn't make it up. HA! 

Momma and Baby Blend:

Red Raspberry Leaf – Rich in iron, this herb has helped tone the uterus, increase milk production, decrease nausea, and ease labor pains. Some studies have even reported that using red raspberry leaf during pregnancy can reduce complications and the use of interventions during birth

Oats & Oat Straw – Rich in calcium and magnesium; helps relieve anxiety, restlessness, and irritated skin

Chamomile (German) - High in calcium and magnesium; also helps with sleeplessness and inflammation of joints

Nettles (Stinging Nettles) – High in vitamins A, C, K , calcium, potassium, and iron. Used in many pregnancy teas because it is a great all around pregnancy tonic.

There ya have it! Also while pregnant and always - diet is extremely important. A balanced diet of WHOLE FOODS is key! A while back I cut out dairy and most grains (not including ice cream) - but, I don't drink milk, eat cereal, waffles for breakfast every morning like I used to, sandwiches for lunch, etc. Do I occasionally have bread, yes. But my diet has drastically changed over the past 2 years. We eat lean protein, veggies, nuts and seeds, and lots of fruit. My glucose levels for the first two kiddos were border line both times. Excited to see where it's at this time around. 

There ya have it! 

Enjoy! 

Teacher Gifts!

A little something Madeline and I made for their teachers. They may or may not think I am crazy! :) I love the hand soap … it's just a few ingredients and feels awesome! The roller ball of essential oil is a blend for stress relief and relaxation. I feel like they really need that one after spending the day with 2 and 3 year olds! Gosh … they are amazing women! The room spray is really cool. It's just water and a blend of essential oils - it's anti-viral, anti-bacterial, great smelling and I put their class name on it. I have a lavender blend I keep by my bed and spray before we go to sleep. 

Check it out:

It was all really easy and fun to make! The room spray recipe is (based on 8 oz water):

Lavender Air Freshener Spray
- 15 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
- 8 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
- 4 drops of Geranium Essential Oil
- 4 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil

Fill the spray bottle with water, add drops, and shake before each use. 

Enjoy!

Peace!

Natural First Aid and Illness Kit

Natural First Aid & Illness Kit

See … this is one of those times - reading other people's blogs and I come across this one. Today is a tincture making day over here … and I have a box of herbs to make tinctures with, just needed some recipes. Found this site and all the goodness she does. Awesome! Now my list of 10 things to make turned into 30! What the world!!!!???

Now can someone come babysit so I can make stuff!? Thanks!!!!!
Check out her link below:

http://wellnessmama.com/3516/natural-first-aid-kit/

Peace!