Taking care of colds and flu's quickly and naturally! I promise.

Maybe some of you know that Caden was sick a few weeks ago and I cured him naturally without taking him to the dr. I am still pretty proud of myself. I ordered some herbs with a friend and decided I would make my own elderberry syrup. Its cheaper and I can add what I want to it. Thought I would share the recipe and the ins and outs of it all. xoxo enjoy!

Lets start with

"What is an Elderberry?"

Great question!

Elderberries contain organic pigments, tannin, amino acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, sugar, rutin, viburnic acid, vitaman A and B and a large amount of vitamin C. They are also mildly laxative, a diuretic, and diaphoretic. Flavonoids, including quercetin, are believed to account for the therapeutic actions of the elderberry flowers and berries. According to test Elderberry's are powerful antioxidants and protect cells against damage. Elderberries were listed in the CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs as early as 1985, and are listed in the 2000 Mosby's Nursing Drug reference for colds, flu, yeast infections, nasal and chest congestion, and hay fever. In Israel, Hasassah's Oncology Lab has determined that elderberry stimulates the body's immune system and they are treating cancer and AIDS patients with it. The wide range of medical benefits (from flu and colds to debilitating asthma, diabetes, and weight loss) is probably due to the enhancement of each individual's immune system.

I know right! Who knew?

This stuff is powerful and it doesn't have the nasty reactions as most drugs. I also am in favor of anything that is God given.

So here we go.

Here are the herbs. They are from Bulk Herb Store and they have had pretty much anything I have looked up. If not, they have an option where you can sign up to be notified when they are back in stock. LOVE that option.

This is the mixture. The colors are so beautiful.

Brought to a boil and then simmered uncovered for 20-30 minutes.

 After its done cooking you strain the mixture through cheese cloth. SQUEEZE that juice out!

Add some raw honey...and there you go! Its the best flu syrup you can get! promise!

Here is the recipe:

1/4 cup dried Elderberries

2 Tablespoons dried Rose Hips

2 Tablespoons dried Echinacea

3/4 Teaspoon dried ginger root

1 cinnamon stick

1 Cup filtered water

1/2 cup local raw honey.

Bring first six ingredients to a boil, then let herbs simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes. The water will reduce by half. Pour mixture through a mesh strainer or cheese cloth. Press the mixture to squeeze juice out. Discard the herbs. Let syrup cool until you can touch it. Then add honey.

Note: for children younger than 1 year, honey isn't recommended. You can substitute maple syrup or agave nectar.

Dosage: Children take 1-2 tsp a day. Adults take 1-4 tsp a day.

Enjoy!

xoxo

Menu Planning.

In order for me to feel like I am a good mom and wife I try and cook dinner every night. (because we think we have to eat every night.) Seems pretty simple. WRONG. Maybe I am the only one that has this issue, but just like going to the store, my brain comes up short when it is time for dinner. Unless it is screaming at me or it is planned, I really have no idea what we are having for dinner. Then I am lost. When this happens we have cereal for dinner...True Story.

When I decided to stay home I needed an easy way to plan for dinners, without it taking me hours upon hours to plan. --It has taken me up to 5 hours to meal plan before--I over complicate EVERYTHING.

So I made a template.

Sundays--Crockpot

Monday--Meatless

Tuesday--Toss it!

Wednesday--Pizza

Thursday--Chicken

Friday--Meat

Saturday--Pasta

Oh the possibilities are endless, however, this gives me a great foundation to meal plan. Also its helpful so I don't have pasta three times in one week, or chicken more than one time a week. Gives me variety and is easy if I have to make a run to the grocery store without a list.

 (I don't recommend it)

This was brilliant on my part. I don't have many brilliant moments, but I think this one is my favorite.

Here are a few printables I use to help me out.

Menu

Menu Planner

These are not my originals. They have the owners name on them. These are just the ones I use. xoxo enjoy.

That darn list!

Yesterday we had company and I had to run to the store and get a few things for dinner. Nothing fancy just spaghetti. I didn't have Caden so I knew I had this...without the list.

--The lies I tell myself--

First stop. I thought I did great. Until I started driving off and making dinner in my head and thought "CRAP I forgot the spaghetti noodles!!" So the entire time on the way to the next store I said.. "spaghetti, spaghetti, spaghetti-Don't forget the spaghetti!"

I even attempted to write it on my hand while I was driving. I didn't feel safe doing that and driving so I just told myself. "I wont forget"

LIES 

I arrive at my next destination. I don't know what it is about getting to the store and forgetting your name. Seriously. Is it the overwhelming task of finding what you need? Finding what you came for? Or not wanting to be seen by those you possibly may know? OR is it that you spend way to much time looking at the lady with the tight pants on, wondering how she squeezed into the size 3 jeggings when she CLEARLY was a size 22....no idea. Maybe it is all of it. But how does one forget the spaghetti TWICE and then not remember until you are half way home? "I wont forget it"

LIES 

What WAS suppose to be a 30 minutes trip out of the house turned into an hour! What has happened to my brain? Needless to say I continue to leave the house without a list. WHY!?

Are you one of those list bound people? I wanna hear your story.

I thought I would add my first printable just incase you are like me and NEED one. Its not an original. Give me time. You are welcome.