Elderberry Cold, Cough and Flu Syrup

It was so much fun picking elderberries with my kids.  We made jars of this for winter and some elderberry desserts too.  Totally worth it! (You can also eat this on pancakes, put in herbal tea, add to warm milk or stir into yogurt if desired.)

Elderberry Cold, Cough and Flu Syrup
2 cups elderberries, washed de-stemmed
1 inch fresh ginger
3 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup of water
Bring all the above to a slight boil and simmer for 30 minutes to reduce.  Strain through a fine strainer into a glass jar.  Add 1 part juice to 1 part raw local honey and stir to dissolve.  1/2 to 1 tsp for children and 1/2 to 1 TBS for adults.  Take as needed.

Home Remedies for a Burn

There must be a reason I went through this tonight. It could be to  make me I realize I haven't posted about home remedies for a burn yet.  I thought I was being Super Woman by wild crafting chokecherry and elderberry syrups tonight.  Really, I was just being Super Messy Woman. I picked up my on-the-stove-juicer and dropped the bottom part that holds boiling water all over my foot.  My left foot and little toe got the brunt of it, because I couldn't get my sock off fast enough.  Again, you have to use your best judgement. See a doctor if need be, and don't sue me if things go south.  I'm not an MD, just a mommy bear.

What I did

Cool water for 10-15 minutes (5 if a small superficial burn). Mine was the whole top of my left foot, especially the little piggy that goes wee wee wee all the way home.

Frankincense essential oil (I told you I use it in emergencies)

Raw Honey -Yes, raw honey.  I read this article in the New York Times. Here's the Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/health/19real.html?_r=0)

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Coconut Oil

Peppermint Essential Oil-This was the kicker! I haven't used peppermint very often before, but boy, it sure took the pain away and quick. I was very relieved. It still feels nice.

And for extra credit: Some aloe gel fresh from my plant.

I then put gauze over the whole sticky mess (It smelled so good I almost wanted to lick my toes,...almost I said....I didn't lick my toes.) and wrapped it with an ace bandage, because I want all this to stay on overnight.  Shockingly, it doesn't hurt thanks to the peppermint oil thus inspiring to make a special post.  Good night.

Pregnancy and Essential Oils

I've had this question come up twice in the last week, so I figured it would be good to make a post.  I love Rose, Frankincense, Lavender, and Balance essential oils to pamper expectant mommies while Foot Zoning. These oils are my go to oils in general because they are powerful, so multipurpose it is crazy, pregnant woman can tolerate the smells and like them, and I haven't seen contraindications with these oils. 
I also used Geranium on my friend once a week for few weeks before she gave birth to help with post-partum depression.  The cool thing was, she was planning on taking Geranium with her to the hospital since her other two children were born with jaundice. Geranium is recommended for the liver. That baby boy born without jaundice. She never even had to use it on him.  We were both thrilled!
Don't freak out if you have done any of my no no list.  Pregnancy already has so many worries.  Just try to take what I say and apply it going forward if you feel that it is the right thing for you.  Please do use common sense, caution and talk to a doctor.  Don't sue me, if things go south. I'm not an MD, I'm just a mommy bear.
Rose-Smells nice! Pregnancy can make you not like certain things.  Used for: Depression, PMS, hormone balancing, skin issues (itchy belly and stretch marks), burns, antiseptic, as a beauty product,  is antibacterial, and is an all around good oil for woman's issues.  I haven't seen any contraindications with Rose, and it can be used neat.  It is powerful, but calming like lavender.
Balance-I have many people muscle test for Balance.  It is good for people with seizures (I know first hand from a friend who has seizures and this is what she uses for Foot Zoning), it smells earthy like pine trees (so most woman can handle it during pregnancy), and it helps to just bring sanity to a insane time.
Frankincense-again a powerful oil, but can be used neat.  It is the most miraculous oil I have the pleasure to own. Oft times I use frankincense and Pose together. When in doubt or I have a question about anything, I go to frankincense, even in emergencies.  It is good for skin, bug bites, and antiseptic, burns, stings, brain trauma, pain, cancer,  beauty purposes, colds, flu, AMAZING FOR EXPECTANT AND NEW MOMMIES for many reasons I don't even understand yet, and the musky earth tones are well tolerated by pregnant woman. 
Geranium-Good for bleeding, hormones, the liver (thus my jaundice story), skin rashes, is a mild antiseptic, depression, post partum depression, and as a skin beauty product (stretch marks, itchy belly, etc.). 
Uplift , Serenity, and other calming blends with chamomile are also OK. 
Oils to use caution with during pregnancy (You will hear many things from others, this is just what I have learned):
Clary Sage-This is the oil I would use to induce labor as well as using reflexology points on a woman who is ready to give birth. It is ok for PMS, but be careful with pregnancy.
Peppermint essential oil-Again, you will hear different things. The essential oil is very concentrated.  What I do know, is my good friends who own an oil company and know I Foot Zone, cautioned me that it can induce labor and dry up a mommy's milk supply. So, I just don't even go there. Be careful when diffusing especially. I would use lemon instead for nausea and lavender.
Any Blend with Blue Tansy-That would be Deep Blue.  Blue Tansy is not recommended to be used on small children because it is poisonous when digested.  I would use the other oils above to give a message to a pregnant lady with stiff muscles and joints like the ones listed above.
Wintergreen-It is just too controversial to use on pregnant ladies.  It is also in Deep Blue I believe.
Lemongrass-Especially diffused. I have seen so many women (including myself) that have had a reaction to lemongrass. Oddly enough, I call it a hot oil now.  Where I used it got bright red (even with a ton of coconut oil), and had a rash for three days. It burned immediately when I put it on.  I had a neighbor use it, and everywhere she put it did the same thing. She showed me her elbows and arms.  Another friend had the same reaction on her hip.  Anything that burns me and that many people I know should not be diffused, in my opinion, or used on sensitive individuals like pregnant ladies. I know it is often used on people with yeast infections and for pain, but I would wait to address those issues a different way.  Lemongrass has it's place, but boy, that was a lot of reactions coming form a lot of people.  I only know one person who can tolerate lemongrass and I tell her all the time she is the only person I know who can do it.
Oregano-Use caution with this hot oil in general. You can refer to my other posts. If you already have heartburn issues, it can really be bad to take it internally as it will come up on you.
CONGRATS!  Hope this helps.

My Letter to My Local LDS Church Leaders about Health (Updated and Revised 6/30/14 to be easier to follow)

Delivered to Stake and Local Leaders (men and women).  This was long overdue.

March 16, 2014

Dear Ward and Stake Leaders,

            We are grateful each week for good Ward and Stake leaders who are entrusted with the care of our children and young women.  We understand that there is great sacrifice that goes into your callings.  We know you love our children and young women, and our children and young women love you.  Thank you.  Because we all love our children, parents and leaders, we would like to enlist your help in feeding our children nutritious foods and snacks.

            We would like to refer you to the recent attached February 2014 Ensign, "Nourishing our Bodies and Spirits" by Beverly Hyatte Neville Heath Educator and Dietitian.  The article makes references to fruits and vegetables being the best desserts and snacks.  It also points out the cultural habits within our own religious community that lead to many preventable illnesses in adults and children alike.   It asks that leaders and parents set good examples for kids to have healthy lives and gives alternatives for Primary and Young Woman 'treats'.  It also acknowledges that our bodies and spirits are connected, and our spiritual health is connected to our physical health. This Ensign article also offers guidance about making wise food choices:

             "Making healthy food choices might be described as casting our nets on the right side of the ship. If we 'fish' for healthy foods listed in the Word of Wisdom-fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and  meats sparingly (see D&C 89:10-17)-we are selecting from those things the Lord 'made to be used with judgment' (D&C 59:20).  On the other hand, looking for nourishment in unhealthy snacks,  candy, and sugary beverages is like fishing on the wrong side of the ship. (Ensign, Feb. 2014)"

            Will you please consider making nutritional choices the rule instead of the exception?  Will you please feed nutritional foods to our children?   Will you please help us drastically curtail the amount of non-nutritious foods our children consume by your positive examples and what you give them in classes and at church events?  When children and teenagers are given the choice between an apple and a candy bar we, as moms, know that most normal kids will choose the candy bar.  But we, as adults, understand more fully the consequences of an apple vs. a candy bar (see Ensign article: obesity, diabetes, etc). We also know that most times kids just need kind words of praise, skillful teachers who have age appropriate, child specific developmental expectations, and positive attention instead of any material reward for desired behavior to be encouraged.   We accept that you have very good intentions, and simply ask that how those good intentions are manifested be reevaluated for the ultimate good and nurture of our children and young women.

            We, as parents, honestly get a little overwhelmed with how often others feel our children need "just a little treat".  Between school, church and other well-meaning adults in our children's lives that seems to add up to lots of treats and lots of occasions and, sadly, at the end of a modern, normal day the kind of overindulgence that this Ensign article asks us to avoid.  We feel it is exciting to be a Church that sets a higher health standard enough to publish it in our official, Church headquarters approved, signed off by the Quorum of the Twelve monthly publication!

            Many children in the Ward and Stake also have diagnosed food and environmental allergies.  The Douglas family is one example.  Often these children are left out when non-nutritional food is the rule not the exception.  Please consider the feelings of these children as well.  As adults we can rationalize the being left out feeling,  children have a harder time with it.  Please see the Sept. 2011 Friend magazine article, "Accepting Allergies".  This Friend article asks us to have the courage to speak up for our own health.  Please also see the attached article about the 13-year-old girl who died from a peanut butter allergy at a summer camp.  This article speaks about how vigilant the family and girl was, 3 epi-pens were given to her, her father was a doctor, but the treats were placed on a tray at camp and even though she spat the treats out immediately, this situation still resulted in a young death.  This article asks that, "Caution and care for those inflicted [with peanut butter allergies] should always be supported and taken."  The Giorgio Family's statement was, "While our hearts are breaking over the tragic loss of our beautiful daughter Natalie, it is our hope that others can learn from this and realize that nut and food allergies are life threatening."

            We are grateful for the encouragement of our Church that warns us, guides us and helps us navigate many aspects of our lives.  We are grateful for a Church that blesses us spiritually and physically.  We are grateful to be a part of a conscientious community of thoughtful leaders.  Please help us to advocate for your children and young women for this worthy and righteous cause.  Thank you for your time and serious consideration of this matter.  Please let us know how we can help!

Sincerely,

 Some fun ideas we thought  up (again, please consider that often kids just need positive adult interaction rather than material rewards).  Do you have any of your own?  What are they?  You could really go wild with your own creativity!

Fruit flower bouquets

Fruits of any kind are always beautiful and delicious (little Mandarin oranges, bananas, apples, etc)

Bless your heart yogurt bar: many kinds of yogurt (non sugar kinds) with sunflower seeds, fruit, raisins, non sweetened coconut, granola, etc.

Little packages of raisins

Fruit and vegetable smoothie bar

Salad and baked potato bar

Fruit only fruit leathers

*PLEASE SEE MY COMMENTS BELOW FOR LINKS TO THE CITED ARTICLES! THEY ARE WORDED VERY BOLDLY AND DIRECTLY DRAWING ATTENTION TO OUR CULTURAL HABITS THAT CAN BE CHANGED. I apologize for the first posting being so crude. I have since edited and cleaned it up to more easily understood.  I hastily posted it previously because this letter was so highly requested. I published it directly from my Word document that a friend passed along to the Bishop, Stake Pres., My High Council Representative, the Stake YW's Leader, the Primary Presidencies Stake and Ward Level, and the RS Presidencies at the Stake and Ward Level.  Sorry if the first edition was confusing, whereas, I had stapled all the reference articles to the letter for my own use.  Please, pass it along as suits your needs. I enlisted other mom's, grandma's and husband's signatures. It was well received, and the response was positive and encouraging.