Pizzeria Style Pizza

I got this recipe from my Mom.  It's by far my favorite homemade pizza recipe!  It's like pizzeria pizza only better.  No one will notice that the crust is whole grain.  And the sauce.....well the sauce is super tasty best pizza sauce ever and also a wonderful dip for bread sticks.  Put on your favorite toppings and you might just think you were at Pizza Hut or something!

Pizzeria Style Pizza Crust

2 cups warm water
2 Tablespoons honey or Sucanat
2 Tablespoons active dry Yeast
1/2 cup Vital Wheat Gluten
2+/- cups whole hard white wheat flour
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/2 Tablespoon Real Salt
Corn Meal

In a large bowl place warm water (about 110 degrees) and Sucanat or honey and stir.  Sprinkle yeast on top.  Let mixture foam (about 10 minutes).  Add gluten and mix until smooth.  Add 1/4 cup of flour at a time mixing well after each addition.  Add just enough flour to have a nice dough but still kind of sticky.  You may add  more or less than the two cups flour, just get the right consistency.  With the last addition of flour add the oil and salt.  Cover Bowl and let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes.  Split into 2 pieces and roll into 2 large size pizzas, place on pizza pans sprinkled with corn meal.  Top and bake at 500 degrees for about 10 minutes.

NOTE:  To avoid soggy crust in the middle you will want to bake the pizza on a pizza pan that has holes in the bottom on the bottom rack of the oven OR use a pizza stone that is already hot (be careful not to burn yourself putting the crust on) OR pre-bake the crust for about 5 minutes before adding the toppings (again be careful not to burn yourself)!

Pizzeria Pizza Sauce

(enough for 2 pizzas with some left over for dipping)
4 Tablespoons Olive oil
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
1 Onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (29 ounce) can tomato puree
2 teaspoons dried basil
3 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon real salt
1 teaspoon Sucanat
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 bay leaves
2 1/2 teaspoons crushed fennel seed

In medium pot or skillet, melt coconut oil with olive oil.  Saute onion, celery and garlic until soft.  Add tomato puree and stir well.  Add the rest of the ingredients, slowly simmer for about 10 minutes or time desired (longer will bring out more flavor, just don't burn).  Remove the bay leaves and spread on prepared pizza dough.

My Favorite Pizzeria Type Pizza Toppings

Thinly sliced onion
Thinly sliced GREEN bell pepper
canned mushrooms
sliced olives
pineapple
Cheezy Sauce thinned with rice milk so it can be drizzled on pizza
Artichoke hearts (opt.)

You can use any toppings you like these are just my favorites!

Banana Cream Pie

Just like we used to have only BETTER!

Yummy things happen when I have my Mom around to inspire me!  She claims she isn't a good cook but I think she is excellent!  She or I will get an idea and try it, the one or the other of us will say you know what I think this needs to make it really good.  Then our husbands pipe up with what they think would be good (sometimes this is helpful other times not so much......No Dad cool whip won't make it better!;)  After a few tries we come up with recipes like this.  Enjoy!

Banana Cream Pie

2 regular or 1 deep dish pastry or graham cracker crust, prepared in pie pan
2-4 ripe bananas sliced
1/2 cup dehydrated cane juice crystals
2 heaping Tablespoons arrowroot powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
4 cups canned coconut milk (takes about 2 1/2 cans on the third can I use the thick half)
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon natural butter flavor (optional)
2 drops natural banana flavor (optional)
1/8-1/4 teaspoon turmeric, more or less for desired color (optional)

Sir cane juice crystals, arrowroot powder, optional turmeric and salt together in medium sauce pan and mix well.  Add coconut milk slowly while stirring, continue to stir on medium low heat until pudding thickens.  When thickened add lemon juice, vanilla and other flavorings.  Pour into prepared pie crust(s) with bananas sliced and laid in the bottom and around the sides.  Cover and refrigerate for at least a few hours to set up.  Top with My Favorite Whipped Creme.

Garlic Feet

This is by far the best way I have found to get a lot of garlic into a child who doesn't like or can't eat garlic yet.  I have even used it on my babies just be careful to not use too much garlic and lots of olive oil on their feet before applying the garlic because garlic is hot and can burn their sensitive skin.  The skin is amazing at absorbing things it needs when given the chance.  Especially the feet, from what I understand the feet have almost twice as many pores per inch as the rest of the body.  Garlic is amazing itself but the way the feet will absorb it is pretty darn cool.  I would put this on my sick baby who was having a high fever that was lasting for a while.  I had them wear it at night to sleep in and by morning there were only flakes or garlic left (the feet had absorbed the "juice") and my baby was usually better or at least much improved depending on how sick they were.  I do remember using it a few nights in a row with Curtis more than once it always seemed to help a lot!  An easy, simple, cheap thing to know how to do that can be very healing!  I love garlic.

Garlic Feet

Olive oil
2 Tablespoons Petroleum Jelly (or other thick Jelly like stuff if you don't want petroleum based)
1/2 Tablespoon Fresh Garlic Minced (about 2 cloves)
2 rags one to wrap around each foot
Pair of old socks that fit well and you don't care if get ruined


Mix Petroleum Jelly and garlic to make a paste.  Take Olive oil and rub all over entire foot up to the ankles.  Take half the paste and spread on thick on JUST THE SOLE of the foot (not on the sides or top of the foot).  Take a rag and wrap up the foot, place the sock over the rag to keep it in place.  Repeat the process on the other foot.  If using this on an adult you will probably want to increase the amounts especially the garlic (about a one to one ration of Petroleum jelly and garlic).

Best Yet Whole Wheat Bread, Big Batch

Do you like my bread mixer!?!?!  My Mom gave it to me she has had it for years and years.  It's pretty awesome, all stainless and it's a workhorse.  So what's my excuse for not having fresh homemade bread around our house all the time?  Ummmmm......I've been really busy with moving and getting ready to move again....yeah that's it.  Besides whenever I make that much dough very little of it gets made into loaves of bread we have to make at least one batch of cinnamon rolls if not more and bread sticks will go great with dinner, oh and speaking of dinner....dinner rolls are great too and maybe some pretzels.  Have I mentioned I love how versatile this recipe is!  Now with a big batch recipe and a awesome bread mixer the possibilities are endless!




Note:  Homemade bread is always much better with flour that has been freshly ground from whole wheat.  My favorite wheat for bread is Hard White Wheat it is much less heavy then the Hard Red Wheat or Winter Wheat.  I have used a number of wheat grinders and/or grain mills and by far my favorite is This Wonder Mill!  It is the least loud machine out there, in fact it is almost quiet compared to the others.  It is also faster then the others I have tried yet still grinds the grain nice and fine.  I love it!  I have had mine for over 16 years, I use it all the time and I have never had a problem with it!  I highly recommend The Wonder Mill!

Best Yet Whole Wheat Bread, Big Batch

(yields 5-6 loaves)
2/3 cup honey
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 cups warm water
3 Tablespoons Yeast
1 ½ - 2 Tablespoons Real Salt
16-20 cups fresh whole wheat flour
3 Tablespoons Vital Wheat Gluten

In large bread mixer, combine the warm water, (110 degrees) yeast, and 2 cups of fresh ground whole wheat flour.  Allow to sponge for 15 minutes. Add the honey, oil, salt and 12-16 cups of flour until the dough begins to clean the sides of the mixer.  Dough should be smooth and kind of sticky.  Don't add so much flour that the dough gets too stiff, this will make for dry crumbly bread.  Beginners often add too much flour.  Have mixer knead the dough for six to ten minutes.  For the dough into 5-6 loaves, place the dough into greased loaf pans. Allow to rise in a slightly warmed, THEN TURNED OFF oven until doubled in size (about 30-60 minutes).  After the dough has risen turn on oven to 350 degrees. Bake the loaves for 30 minutes or until  done. This bread recipe is very versatile! Use it to make cinnamon rolls, pizza, bread sticks,
and more!

Fever

When I first became a Mother I was afraid of fevers.  When my first child had a fever over 100 degrees I just thought that it meant she was really sick, had an infection of some sort so I needed to take her to the doctor and get her on some antibiotic...and in the meantime I needed to keep the fever down with Acetaminophen or something.  Alright so I was quite ignorant back in the day, but isn't that what we are taught?  I'm sure many of you already know the things I'm about to share on fevers but I'm sharing it for those of you who are young, just starting out or who just don't know.  I hope the info will help you as much as it did me.  Again remember this is just what I have learned and my experience so take it for what it's worth and use your own common sense and read the disclaimer at the very bottom of the page.

Fevers are not something we need to be afraid of.  Yes they make us feel rotten, and it's not fun to have one but they are a very big part of a well functioning immune system.  When the body comes under attack by viruses or bacteria, many times in order to take care of the problem, the body will turn up the heat.  Basically it's pretty simple, if the immune system is struggling to get on top of some tough bug it will tell the body to warm up.  Not only will this slow us down and pretty much force us to rest, it will also "burn up" the bug.

So what are we doing when we give our kids Tylenol and then 2 hours later Advil to be sure to keep the fever away?  (Aside from taxing their little livers.) Well if you are like me when I was young you thought the fever was the enemy and if the fever was gone the child was better.  What I have learned and experienced since then is that all I was doing was prolonging the problem, even though they seemed to feel better when I gave them the medicine the fever would stick around for days and days.  I was literally fighting against the bodies immune system, making it take longer and have to work harder to conquer the problem.

When I signed up for The School of Natural Healing Courses and started my studies as a Nutritional Herbologist the book "How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of your Doctor" was part of the required study.

I found this book to be not only very helpful but also very comforting.  It's my gift of choice now for all new Mothers.  Anyone with children should read it.  I think I found it so comforting because I had come to rely and trust Doctors a lot more than I should have. (kind of part of our culture you know) So as a young Mother, who trusted Doctors, I found comfort in having a Pediatrician.... with over thirty years experience, teaching about the role of fevers in the body and backing up things I was being taught and that made sense to me.  In his book he mentioned that all Doctors are taught the role of fevers and I knew this to be true because I had had more than one Doctor tell me the same thing but then in the same breath tell me to give my child fever reducers........????? I don't know it still bugs me to this day. ;)

Okay back to what Dr. Mendelsohn, in his book taught me about fevers.  I wish I had the book with me so I could just quote him from it but I'm sorry to say that it's in storage right now.  But FYI we did sell our house and we are in the process of purchasing a new home.  I'm pretty excited it's only 11 minutes from Ryan's work!  Sorry off subject. ;)

Basically though the book said that Fevers work just as I mentioned above and that we should let them run their course.  He said that unless there has been a head injury the brain has a built in thermostat and will not let the fever ever go higher than 107 degrees.  So there is no need to constantly be taking the sick child's temperature hoping that the fever doesn't get "too high" because it won't. He said that convulsions can happen if the fever rises too quickly, that it is also a safety mechanism in the brain that causes the body to shake so then it will sweat so then the fever will break.  He said that convulsions although very scarey to Mom are not dangerous and that you just need to be sure they do not fall and hurt themselves or knock something over on them.  I personally have never had a child do this.

Dr. Christopher did teach though that a dry fever can do damage and that we should always be sure to keep the fever moist.  Meaning drinking plenty of fluids and humidity (so showers, baths, sweating etc.)  The more I learned and studied about fevers the less I fear them and in fact I have come to really appreciate the role they play in helping the body combat disease.

So what do I do for fevers at my house:

The first thing I always do when my children are really sick is ask them if they want their Father give them a Priesthood blessing.  It's part of my religion, something I personally believe strongly in.  More often than not they want one.  Then it's really pretty simple.  Mostly lots of rest and liquids.  I will make my child warm vegetable broth, red raspberry leaf tea with some peppermint so they will like the taste,100% grape or apple juice and lots and lots of water.  If their forehead seems really hot and dry, (I quit using a thermometer and just use my sense of touch, it scares me less and seems to direct me better in the case of high fevers.  But that's just me.)  I will give them a warm bath with Yarrow in it.  And even more to drink.  I will give them Kid-E-Well and I have even been known to give them a little cayenne and garlic too depending on age.  For my little ones who couldn't take herbs I would do what we affectionately call garlic feet (details soon to come) after their bath then bundle them up in bed with lots of blankets.  I try to get them to sweat.  Again being sure they have had plenty of liquids going.

Unless they have caught some really nasty bug the fever is usually gone within 24-48 hours and they are all better.  Before when I was giving them medicine it seemed their fevers would go for days and days and then within a month they would be sick again.  For a really high persistent fever one that is making them miserable and making me a little nervous I have not hesitated to give them a warm (body temperature) catnip tea, enema.  Enemas are a excellent way to bring a fever down.  A lot of times a child will have a fever just because they are constipated,  getting things cleaned out is a great way to help the immune system clear up the problem.  I have used the cold sheet treatment when I had a really sick child (luckily that hasn't happened very often) and was glad to know I could be proactive and help the body more quickly work through the problem.

I hope that helps again remember to use common sense and do what you feel best about.  Remember when dealing with any illness there is some danger involved.  Be sure to be informed and know the signs for things like Menigitis and diseases that have TRULY been known to cause death.  It's about being informed yet wise enough to know when you need competent professional help.  Dr. Mendelsohn talked about how penicillin is unnecessary in most cases but is for sure a life saver when it comes to Menigitis.  So learn the signs and be aware.

In Health,

Coconut Oil Touted as Alzheimers Remedy

There are lots of reasons I love coconut oil.  I use it for so many things.  You can read more about coconut oil here and check out the video link below the picture to see a video of how it is helping a man with Alzheimers.  Even though prices have come up quite a bit Mountain Rose Herbs is still consistently the most affordable place I have found to get it. (Click here to buy some now!)

Click here to watch the video..."Coconut Oil Touted as Alzheimers Remedy"

Rashes, Stings and Bites

For Rashes:  I try to determine why there is a rash and what kind it is.

Is there an allergy?  Did they get into or eat something that they could be allergic too?  If I know it's allergy related I stop the allergen and use Plantain and/or Itch ointment on the rash (if the rash isn't bothering them I sometimes will just watch it, many times it goes away on it's own) and I give them Kid-E-Soothe since it helps to calm and strengthen the immune system.  A allergy is usually the immune system overreacting.

Is it a rash that comes and goes in the same general area?  The skin is the largest organ we have, it is really amazing when you think about it.  Often the body uses the skin as a way to cleanse.  Many times if we are overly toxic or the liver is over worked rashes will appear.  The body will do whatever it can to keep toxins away from vital organs.  Sometimes yeast overgrowth and/or fungus will cause chronic rashes in places.  Ring worm or parasites can also be the cause of rashes.  Whatever may be going on I have found it best to try to let the body do it's job and to just assist it.  Coconut oil is my first choice with about any rash that seems persistent and that I'm not sure of.  I choose coconut oil because it's great for the skin, absorbs quickly, is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.....so pretty much all my basis are covered.  I have found that coconut oil clears up most rashes.  Obviously if it is an internal problem we need to get to the cause, a liver or colon cleanse may be helpful to clear the body of toxins, a parasite cleanse may be what's needed or we may need to get rid of yeast.  It can sometimes be a guessing game I have found it helps to ask someone who has had experience with rashes, usually a Mother with a number of children. ;)  They just seem to know these things like if it's a raised hot rash with scabby little pimples it's probably a yeast type rash.  If it's a scaly peeling rash it could be fungal or maybe even eczema (which we will talk about in another post).  If it's tiny little pimples spread out over a large surface it's more than likely heat rash.  If they look more like mosquito bites instead of pimples it's probably hives.  Things like that.....;) nothing teaches like experience.  I have found that a few drops of lavender oil in a carrier oil like almond or coconut is very soothing and healing on a rash.  I'm sure there are other things you can do but we have found the coconut oil works well and being sure to keep things nice and clean on the inside through cleansing and nourishing.

Plantain

Stings and Bites:  My all time favorite remedy for bee stings and mosquito bites is Plantain.  Plantain is a herb I have used it both fresh and in ointment form.  I always have some ointment in my fridge just in case.  Also if you know what it looks like (it's a weed and grows all over) or you are weird like me and you transplanted the weed from your lawn to your herb garden.....You can take a leaf and chew it up a bit and stick it right on the bite.  The sooner you can apply it after being stung or bit the better.  If you get it on soon enough that is all you will need to do.  If not I have found a drop of lavender essential oil works great!  Obviously if you are allergic or bit by something poisonous get proper medical attention immediately. 

I hope that helps I do plan to cover other skin issues but thought I would just start with the basic rash, stings and bites.  Feel free to comment and ask questions or share what works for you!

Can't wait to get me one of these!

Just thought I would bring this post forward and let you know about a Valentine Special Blendtec is having. Just click here and use the coupon code HEARTDAY at checkout and get $40 off the new Blendtec Twister Jar!!!!

Blendtec has a new twister jar that is supposed to help it easy to make thicker things like nut butters, hummus, dressings and more!   I've been hoping they would make a smaller jar that would work good for those smaller, thicker things!  It's going to be perfect for pureeing beans and making My Favorite Whipped Creme in.  I can see me using it for so many things!  I'm pretty dang excited and know what's going at the top of my wish list!  Check it out!

Earache

I'm sure most of us have had them and we all know they are NOT fun! If you are a mother you know that kids only get them late at night! ;) If you were like I was you probably think that the only thing you can do for an earache is to go to the doctor and get an antibiotic. In fact when my oldest child was a baby we were in the doctor's office many times and I was told she had a ear infection. After repeated visits and stronger antibiotics each time. I remember hearing the word tubes! I was not impressed to say the least I felt like there had to be other answers. At the time I remember praying for help and knowing tubes in her ears were a LAST resort! Around that time my mother was studying about health and had learned a lot of interesting things about cow's milk and the role it can play in children's health. Also my pediatrician recommended giving her a decongestant every time we traveled. It actually seemed to help but deep down I knew It was just treating symptoms and I didn't like a lot of the ingredients in the decongestant. I still had lots to learn about ingredients but I knew I did not like artificial colors of ANY kind. My mom had figured that one out when my younger brother was just a kid! Anyway to not bore you with too many details and to make a long story short. A few years later I read this book!

I highly recommend this book ESPECIALLY to young parents! It has so much great info and it was written by a experienced pediatrician who was not afraid to challenge the status quo. I learned so much from this book and changed my thinking on so many things that I had just accepted as "the only way!" I still wonder why we put so much trust in a system that will go broke if they help us to truly be well. But I won't go off on that it's just earaches I want to focus on this time! Before I go on and tell you what I would do for an earache I want to quote from Dr. Mendelsonhn's book he has a whole chapter in it called "Earaches: Painful, Yes; Dangerous, Rarely!" Here are just a couple of highlights from that chapter.

"Allergies are also a frequent component in the production of ear infection. They may predispose your child to bacterial infection. The most common culprit is cow's milk, in its natural form or as found in infant formula. It causes a swelling of the mucous membranes, which interferes with the drainage of secretions through the eustachian tube. Eventually infection results because of the accumulated secretions."

"A series of controlled studies have revealed that the use of antibiotics for treatment of ear infections makes no difference in terms of the important outcomes--hearing loss, spread of infection, or mastoiditis. Their use may slightly shorten the duration of pain and infection, but the trade-off is that the antibiotics also reduce the body's natural immune response. Consequently, in order to slightly reduce the duration of the infection, you increase the possibility that the child will have new infections every four to six weeks."

Interesting stuff isn't it. But I like to have my cake and eat it too. I don't want to use the antibiotics and reduce the body's natural immune response, but I also want to shorten the duration of pain and infection. So I turned to herbs. With the study of herbs that I have done this is what I have used for earaches with great success. Before I found that you can buy an oil combination with all three herbs I used to put a drop of each in the ears. I now have a favorite E-3 ear oil that is made in my area. I love it! If you are really ambitious you can make your own oils. But I won't go into how to do that right now.

Ear Oil

it is simply Garlic oil

Garlic will kill infection if there is any

Mullein oil

Mullein helps loosen and break up the congestion

and Lobelia tincture

(usually comes in a vinegar or alcohol base)

Lobelia will help with the pain

You can usually find ear oils at a health food store. I would just look at be sure it has those three ingredients usually in a base of pure olive oil. Or you can find each individual product and mix them on your own or put a drop of each in each ear. With earaches I always put the oil in both ears even if only one is hurting.

Just a side note: I do not remember the last ear infection we had around here. It's been AT LEAST 6 years! I blame that on our giving up cow's milk. There have been a couple of times where one of my kids will wake up and say their ear hurts usually I will just rub some of the ear oil behind each ear and down the neck and if they want I will put a drop in each ear. But for the most part in our family earaches are a thing of the past and I couldn't be happier about it!

Tummy Troubles

There are two things that I use first when my kids have tummy trouble.  The first one is Kid-e-Col, if there is throwing up, diarrhea, bloating or just general tummy upset, this stuff works great!  I always used it for colic and teething with my babies and loved it for that.  But as I was learning about the herbs Catnip and Fennel and how good they are for most upset stomach problems I thought that since these were the ingredients in Kid-e-Col that I should give it a try.  I found not only did it work excellent with the children but Ryan and I also found it work great for us too.  I now always have some on hand.

My other favorite is Di-gest essential oil blend.  This stuff is awesome! We have found not only does just smelling it help with a tummy ache, but rubbed on the stomach helps with indigestion, heart burn, bloating,  and most any upset stomach trouble you can think of... even over eating.  These are my favorite most used remedies for stomach upset, sometimes I use just one or the other sometimes both.  They are both excellent!

Here is a list of other good tummy trouble remedies that we have used before and found to work well.

• Red Raspberry Leaf and Peppermint tea:  Great for nausea and also adding good fluids back when someone has been throwing up.
• Lobelia:  A tincture of this is good to have around in case someone starts to throw up violently and can't stop.  This helps to calm that so they can keep fluids down and not get dehydrated.
• Ginger:  Also good for nausea and excellent for motion sickness.  Candied ginger or ginger candy is the best way to get kids to take it.
• Peppermint Gels:  You can find these at a health food store they are little gel-caps that contain peppermint oil, fennel and other good things for tummy upset.  I like that it takes a while to dissolve so you can get it down to the problem area if you know what I mean. ;)
• Plenty of liquids and green smoothies:  If there is a lot of throwing up I wait to have them drink anything heavy until that is over with.  So to start just water, raspberry leaf tea and other clear liquids. Coconut water is excellent for this because it's full of electrolytes. (I never use drinks like Pedialyte or Gatorade because they are full of bad ingredients like refined sugar, food coloring and many times Aspartame aka NutraSweet)  Once they are able to keep clear liquids down for a day or two I will give green smoothies with Young Coconut Water in them, I have found all the nutrition in a easy to drink for really helps them bounce back to themselves again quickly.

There you go!  That's just what we have found works for us.  I have loved that you are leaving comments about what works for you!   Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience please continue to share away!  We learn so much for each other!   And don't forget if you would like me to post about a certain condition you can put that in a comment too.  Also please don't forget about the disclaimer at the bottom of my blog.  I'm not licensed or prescribing anything here just sharing what works for us.

In Health,

X-Ceptic for Pink Eye

X-Ceptic is something that, after using it a few times, I have never wanted to be without it.  I have found it to be great at clearing up some tough stuff.  First I will list a few things I have used it for then I will "show" you how I use it for pink eye.

I buy my X-Ceptic here at Dr. Christopher's Herb Shop online.

• It is excellent to use on the belly button of a new born baby to keep the umbilical cord place clean and to help it dry up and fall off quickly.  I just swab it on with a Q-tip.
• I have diluted it with water and used it as a gargle or mouthwash when I had a really scratchy sore throat.  (I would only use this for adults though I don't think children will appreciate it.)
• I have used it lots when my kids had a bad cold or cough.  I rub Glandular System Massage oil on first then the X-Ceptic.  I rub it behind their ears, on their back, chest and sometimes feet.  The Glandular oil helps to break up congestion and the X-Ceptic helps to fight off the bugs.  
• If I was worried about a bad cut or something getting infected I would add a few drops (not much cause it could sting) to Complete Tissue ointment and use it like a triple antibiotic type ointment.    
• It's known as Natures prefect antiseptic, full of natures most potent bacteria and germ fighters.
• My very most favorite use is for Pink Eye.  See what I do below.  You want to be careful because it does contain Cayenne and will sting if it gets in the eye.

Using X-Ceptic for Pink Eye:
I take just a small drop and lightly rub it on my finger.

Then I gently rub it under the affected eye being very careful not to get it in the eye.

With older children I will then rub my finger on their eyelid.  I have actually rubbed a little X-Ceptic in my eye when I had a bit of pink eye, it does sting pretty good although it cleared up the problem in one application it isn't at all what I recommend especially for children as they will not every let you near them with it again. ;)  My experience has had pink eye clear up most every time with only one or two applications.  A couple of times we had a stubborn case that took a few more applications than that but still cleared up in less than a week.  I have even used this on infants with pink eye you may want to dilute the drop (although I didn't) with a little water before you rub it under their eye and only rub under their eye not on the lid just to be sure you don't get it in their eye.  Be sure to wash your hands good afterwards so you don't spread anything.

I have also learned that placing Chamomile Tea Bags (I'm assuming wet ones) on the eyes helps to clear up pink eye and would be much more mild if you are worried about stinging or oversensitivity.  I have never tried this because the X-Ceptic works so fast and is easier than trying to keep tea bags on the eye.  But it is supposed to help too and is used quite a bit so I figured I better mention it.  There are probably other natural remedies for pink eye it's really about just helping to kill the infection without having to use prescription antibiotics especially since more often than not Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is viral.

Either way I hope my experiences can help if pink eye ever shows up and your house and that I have  convinced you that having a bottle of X-Ceptic in your first aid kit is a good idea!  I'm sure glad I have it!

In Health,

Hot Honey for Strep Throat

I only remember having strep throat once in my life but oh my I will never forget it.  It wasn't too long after we started out on our health journey.  I had recently signed up for the School of Natural Healing Courses and had done quite a few of the assignments.  I had never had such a sore throat in my life I did all the usual things plenty of water, Orange juice, etc. but it didn't help a bit.  After a day or two, wondering what the heck was going on and what I was going to do to get rid of this awful sore throat, I noticed that I had white spots on the back of my throat.  I realized that it was a tell tale sign of strep throat, I also knew that strep throat wasn't something that you messed around with and that it didn't just eventually got better like most sore throats.  It needed strong treatment!  So what did I do?  I of course called my Mom.

She had recently borrowed a few of my School of Natural Healing Videos and I told her I thought I remembered David Christopher teaching about what can take care of strep throat in about 24 hours.  She found the video where he talked about it and gave the recipe below.  I of course had all of the simple ingredients and so I made some up and took it faithfully.  My strep throat had gotten pretty bad so it did take a couple days of taking the hot honey (what we affectionately started calling it) before my throat was completely better.  But I got better, just from simple ingredients I had in my pantry.  I didn't need antibiotics and when the kids started complaining of a sore throat I immediately started giving them some and it nipped it in the bud.  It didn't get near as bad as mine did and they were better within 24 hours.  Since then we haven't ever had strep throat again but we have used the Hot Honey recipe for other things.  When the kids were younger and couldn't swallow capsules I would make up a less potent version when they got a really tough bug they liked the sweet taste and would usually take some and every time it helped to get rid of the bug.  Note that I have heard raw honey can be given to children under one year old but even though I used raw honey I stilled didn't give this to my babies under one.  After they were one I didn't think twice about giving it to them.  Please choose what works best for you and study up on it.  Also did you know that 4 cloves of garlic is like one adult dose of penicillin!  Ryan is allergic to penicillin and quite possibly some of the kids (although I wouldn't know for sure, most of them have never had an antibiotic) but they are not allergic to garlic.  I hope that this recipe can bless your family as much as it has mine.

Hot Honey

4 cloves of garlic, Minced
1-4 Tablespoons of Honey
1/8-1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Stir ingredients all together in a small bowl.  Take about 1/2 a teaspoon ever half hour or as desired.  For sore throats be sure to let the mixture sit for a few minutes on the back of the throat, do not wash down with liquid.  The Cayenne helps bring blood to the area for healing the garlic helps heal quickly and the honey holds it all together and also contains healing properties when raw.

Herbs and Oils Our Family Uses

Since we are at that time of year I thought I would bring this post forward.  I'm also going to take the next few weeks and address specifically what we do when someone in our family is sick.  If you want me to address something specific (like I was asked about Strep throat in the comments of the last post) just ask in the comments of this post and I'll see what I can do.  I want to have a series of helpful posts that can be easily referenced.  For now I hope this post is helpful!

Since we are in the thick of Cold and Flu Season and February can really get us all down.  My children have been notorious about getting sick in February!  This year their timing was much better and they had their round of sickness in January.  I thought it was a great way to start the New Year by cleansing and strengthening their immune systems so they can be well for the rest of the year! ;)

There has been some BAD bugs this year.  My kids did well and were only down in bed for a day or two (depending on the child, some were not really even "down").  As you know it's been over 11 years now since they have needed a M.D. I thought you might find a list of herbs and essential oils our family uses to be of some use to you!  I like using things that are pure and natural, created by God, and that..... well have a really long track record!  These things have been around and been used all through the ages.  Even modern medicine can't say that, it's too....... "modern."  They have what maybe 200 years under their belt?  Like I have said I'm grateful they are there but for me and my family they are the alternative.  I really want something that has stood the test of time when it comes to my health and the health of my family!

Be sure to note my disclaimer at the bottom of this site! Can't forget the fine print!;)  Note that this is just what I do and what I have found works for me.  Don't be afraid to find what works good for you and your family!  I am also ALWAYS sure to ask God to direct us in each individual circumstance and I try really hard to listen, be humble, open minded and teachable.  Even if it's something that doesn't make sense to me I trust that God knows and will direct us!  Also note that I don't do everything every time it just depends on the person, what they have etc. and again what I feel inspired to do.  I know real scientific but it has worked well for me for quite some time!

Remember I'm pretty picky about who I trust and what brands I buy!  And I ALWAYS read ingredients!

I get my Herbal Formulas at:



Dr. Christopher's formulas are EXCELLENT we have used them for over 11 years.  I highly recommend them!



My Single Bulk Herbs, along with lots of other great cut herb blends, oils and butters (like Coconut oil, and Shea butter), natural beauty care making supplies (like beeswax, citric acid etc.) and other supplies from:
















Such a great company!  I have been so impressed!

I get my Essential Oils from:



I haven't used better oils at a better price!

I have these links along with others that I like on my sidebar and also on my "I Recommend" Page.  For easy reference!

Onto my list. I hope you find it easy and fairly self-explanatory.  If not, feel free to ask questions!


Dr. Christopher Formulas I have on hand for my little ones:

• Kid-E-Mune:  5-10 drops every 30 minutes - 2 hours, when they are sick in bed.  I also give them this a few times a day if they seem under the weather or if there is something going around.  I do about 10 days on 4 days off.
• Kid-E-Soothe:  I use this in place of Kid-E-Mune for Curtis who has Asthma.  If you have a child who deals with an autoimmune issue, Echinacea seems to rev the immune system up to much causing it to overreact even more.  Kid-E-Soothe helps strengthen yet calm the immune system it also works great for his cough.  This one we also use for allergies it works great to calm the system when it's overreacting to an allergen!
• Kid-E-Col:  If there's a stomach ache, bloating, or throwing up.  It's also great for teething and colic!
• Kid-E-Reg:  If they have not pooped in a while.  A good bowel movement seems to really help with fever among other things.
• Glandular System Formula:  We like the ointment and the message oil.  If they are congested and coughing,  I rub this on their chest, back, neck and behind ears after a warm bath.
• X-Ceptic:  I rub this on them AFTER the Glandular Ointment it helps kill germs.
• Ear Oil:  For Ear Troubles. 
• Oil of Garlic:  I love this to rub on my kids feet and well pretty much all over them when they are sick!
• Anti-Plague:  (Also known as Super Immune Garlic Formula) The taste isn't really kid friendly but it's so great for really tough bugs.  I couldn't have made it through Curt's Asthma issues without it!
• Lung and Bronchial Formula:  The glycerine extract is my favorite!  This is WONDERFUL for coughs!  I use it whenever my kids are coughing a lot especially at night.  I feel like this formula (along with the good diet of course) is what kept us from needing a inhaler for Curt.
• Anti-Spasmodic Formula:  I use this one with the formula above if a cough is keeping them up at night.  I just rub it on their chest (it has cayenne and is too hot for a kid to take internally) it helps quiet down the coughing spasms. 

Dr. Christopher Formulas for our older kids and the adults who can swallow capsules:

• Cold Season Formula:  One of my favorite formulas.  It's great for kids and adults I take it myself if I am feeling like I'm trying to get sick or if there is lots of crud going around.
• Lymphatic Formula:  I use this formula with the one above every time I'm sure that I'm trying to come down with something.  It usually stops it right in it's tracks.  I am very rarely sick I blame this.  It's also great for all types of infections!  Another favorite of mine!  I wouldn't be without it!
• Chest Comfort Formula:  Another favorite I buy in bulk!  It's a great mild yet hard working formula wonderful for cold and flu season!  I especially like it for coughs or tight chest.  It helps loosen things up quickly!  I use it a lot of times in conjunction with the other 2 formulas above.  I have also noticed a big difference since Curt has learned to swallow capsules and can take this formula when he has a cough.  His cough seems to clear up faster!
• Sen-Sei Ointment:  This one is great for when you are stuffed up and can't breathe it helps open things up so you can breath! 
• Complete Tissue and Bone Formula:  We mostly use the ointment but I also like the massage oil!  This is by far our most used ointment.  We use it like you would an anti-biotic neosporin type ointment.  We find it works great on cuts, scrapes, bruises and I'm told even broken bones luckily we haven't had any of those.
• Sinus Plus Formula:  We like this one is for colds and allergies, runny nose, watery eyes etc.  I like the extract because it works quickly but the capsules are great too!
  
  

Dr. Christopher Formulas I don't use as often but wouldn't want to be without:

• Black Ointment:  Not one I typically use but I will never be without it.  I had blood poisoning from a cut that got infected once and my Son had a boil that also got blood poisoning.  This ointment quickly pulled out the infection and saved us emergency room trips!
•  False Unicorn and Lobelia:  I was grateful to have this around when I threatened to Miscarry with Curt!
• Iron Assimilation Formula:  I love this one for helping rebuild my iron after I have had a baby or if I feel at all anemic during pregnancy.  (I'm usually not as long as I'm getting my greens!)
• Itch Ointment:  This one is what we used when my kids all had the chicken pox!  We also use it on itchy rashes or bites.
• Plantain Ointment:  I love this one for mosquito bites!  It's also a drawing ointment and helps get out slivers.
• Kid-E-Trac:  This one is supposed to be for kids but I got it for me.  It's supposed to help bring mental clarity and emotional balance.  It's very helpful for those times I seem to be emotionally out of balance and/or overwhelmed!
• MindTrac Formula:  I have found this one is wonderful for depression and those times where you just want to run away, even from yourself.  It helps keep you grounded and thinking clearly!  I haven't had to use it very often but when I do I'm really glad that I have it.  My daughter also found it is very helpful for period cramps, and I only gave her one capsule!
• Kidney Formula:  I like this one with cranberry concentrate and gallons of distilled water for Bladder Infections.
• Vitalherbs:  I like to get my "vitamins" in the form of a green drink or green smoothie but sometimes it's hard to get enough especially when I'm pregnant or under a lot of stress.  This formula really helps give me the added nutrition I need all from whole foods!  Not synthetic!  
• Herbal Cleansing Kit:  We all need a good "cleaning" once in a while!  It's all about cleansing and nourishing so the body can heal itself.  It's like Dr. Christopher always said there is only one disease and that is constipation so lets get it cleaned out! ;)
  

Single Herbs I love having around and use lots and lots:

• Chaste Tree Berry Powder (aka Vitex): I take 3 capsules of this everyday and have been for about 9 months now.  I find it really helps with all that girly type stuff.  I'm trying to get my oldest daughter in the habit of taking it to I have found it to help so much.  Less cramps, less mood swings, less heavy flow.  A great women's herb! 
• Red Raspberry Leaf:  Both cut and powdered.  Great for colds and flu, pregnancy, nausea, and all sorts of female stuff.  Another one that I take daily and try to get my teenage daughter to also.
• Cayenne:  Would never, ever, ever be without this herb!  It's so good for so many things!  My favorite is how quickly I have seen it stop bleeding.  Great for bloody noses etc.  Study up on this herb it's AMAZING!
• More Herbs I Wouldn't Want to Be Without!

Essential Oils that my family uses and I make sure to keep on hand:  These oils are wonderful and I'm finding them to be the icing on our cake of herbs! ;) I believe the two together can help with even very serious conditions!  I'm just going to list my absolute favorites.  You can really break the bank trying to get all the great oils at once.  You know me I like to keep it Simple and I'm already afraid you are overwhelmed and that I should have saved the oils for another post. 

• Spice for Life:  This is probably our most used essential oil blend! (I have found I like it better then the Thieves formulas or On Guard type formulas, maybe it's because it has multiple citrus oils.) The whole family uses this one especially during cold and flu season!  I will give them a lick of it or put it in a carrier oil and rub it on them, feet, chest, neck, back.
• Spice Spray:   (At least that's what we call it)  I make this one myself by taking 30-50 drops of Spice for Life essential oil blend and put it in a 4 ounce amber glass spray bottle and fill it half way with water and half way with vegetable glycerine.  It works great as a sore throat spray or I line the kids up and give them a spray before we go to church or somewhere that I know will have lots of people coughing etc.
• Di-gest:  This is great to rub on upset stomachs or for heart burn, bloating, or any other digestion issues.
• Breathe:  This one is great for allergies and I like to diffuse it in Curt's room at night if he is coughing it really helped him when he was wheezy.  He doesn't get wheezy much at all anymore but I'm still glad to have this formula.
• Lavender:  I keep this one in the kitchen to quickly put on burns.  It's AMAZING!
• Defence:  I use this along with Breathe and Spice for Life in a carrier oil when the kids are really sick or Curt is wheezy.  I usually put it in almond oil as a carrier but olive oil would work too.
• Mars and Venus Blends:  These are great for Hormone balancing I'm glad I have them!

Thousand Island Dressing

Thousand Island Dressing

1 cup Vegenaise
¼ cup Ketchup
1/2 Tablespoon Agave
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
1 Tablespoon fresh onion or 1 teaspoon onion powder
Real Salt to taste (optional)
2 teaspoons Shoyu or healthy Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup Raw Cashews, soaked and drained (optional)
¼ cup Better Bread and Butter Pickles and 1 Tablespoon of the juice


In blender place everything but the pickles, blend until nice and smooth.  Add pickles and pulse until chopped up good or just chop them up and add in after all done blending.

Broccoli Salad

Howdy Folks!

While harvesting loads of broccoli from our garden, I tried to find new and tasty ways to use up the green goodness.
I was trying to imitate the broccoli salad that hosts bacon, which I used to love...back in the day.
Since it was Christmas time, I decided to throw in some dried cranberries and pomegranates.
It's funny how most everything I add pomegranates to, ends up being a big hit 'round here!
Hope your family enjoys it as much as we do.

Broccoli Salad:

1 head fresh broccoli cut into bite size pieces
1/4 cup red onion chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup pomegranate {seeds}
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Dressing:

1 cup vegenaise
2 tablespoons organic cane sugar {or agave nectar}
3 tablespoons coconut vinegar {or apple cider}

Mix together all salad ingredients.  In a separate container mix together dressing ingredients until well blended.  Pour dressing mixture over salad and toss to coat.

Quick Last Minute Gift Ideas

Just thought some of you might like a few ideas on some easy, quick, last minute gifts that are sure to please!  Especially since you can show how much you care by making them yourself but with minimal effort on your part!  Like with most everything I like to keep Christmas Simple too!  Here are a few links with ideas and recipes from past posts.  Then be sure to look below to see something you can make while NOT in the Kitchen!

• During dry winter skin time who wouldn't love this cream, or these hard lotion bars or this lip balm.
• Or what about some Cookies, Candy, or Popcorn all healthified of course!  But only you need to know that! ;) 
• Of course who wouldn't love a book from my shop or even a bundle of books!  On sale now until the New Year for 20% off!  A super great deal especially when you buy in bundles!  Discount automatically deducted in shopping cart.
• Or how about a warm Winter Rose Headband! (Look below for more details)
  

It's cute, stylish, super simple and fun to crochet and it only takes about an hour to complete.  (You do need to know some basic crochet of course!)  I made up this pattern the other day and I already have 3 or 4 made up for gifts and plan to make a few more!  Yeah Crochet is the only craft I claim to be any good at, and boy do I love it!

Winter Rose Headband Pattern - Comes with both adult and child size patterns!  Get yours now!  Instant download!
price: $3.20

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas!!