Ironically, many children raised in wealth demonstrate the same tendencies as those who are raised in extreme poverty: depression, despair, attempted suicide, drug and alcohol use, and shoplifting.
Why this behavior?
The parents, who are often too busy making money sacrifice meaningful time with their children.
Admittedly, raising children in a world obsessed with stuff is a tough, tough job.
As savvy advertisers target these kids from early youth, and as their peers are quick to sport whatever the latest and greatest may be, the parents must be vigilant in teaching their children that such possessions do not make one happy, and, in fact, are detrimental to true happiness.
So . . . in this materialistic society, how does one go about raising non-materialistic children?
These tips will help:
1Practice What You Preach
If you buy cars to impress others, shop regularly just to be shopping, and “have to have” whatever the latest electronic gadget might be, don’t bother reading the rest of this article. Why? Because what you do screams to your children louder than anything you can ever say.
Albert Schweitzer said it well, “There are only three ways to teach a child. The first is by example; the second is by example; the third is by example.” Your first step, therefore, is to purge materialism from the person you see in the mirror.
2Spend Time With Your Children
Do you find yourself giving gifts to your children to make up for lack of personal attention? If so, you are instead sending the message that you think stuff is more important than a close relationship. Let the “Cats In The Cradle” lyrics resonate deeply. This Harry Chapin classic is a haunting reminder that once those child rearing years are gone, you will never get them back.
Cherish every moment you can spend with your children.
Somehow, someway, many parents missed the memo: “Christmas is not a license to overly indulge your children.” No matter how you justify it, overspending on your children just because it is Christmas is still overspending on your children (be sure to get on a Christmas budget). Try celebrating the true spirit of Christmas with your children instead of piling up stuff for them.
Our children, who are now grown, still have fond memories of the hours we spent together baking cookies and making homemade Christmas cards to give the inmates at a local prison. Create your own family traditions that involve time together and giving to others. Your children will cherish those memories.
4Help Them Prioritize Their Own Money
As your children become old enough to have their own money, help them prioritize that money. A very simple plan is to give some, save some, and spend some.
If you emphasize giving, you will be helping your child develop a heart for others. Because giving is the opposite of materialism, you need to constantly demonstrate a giving spirit.
5Support a Child in a Poverty Nation
Need something for that “giving” money to go for? How about supporting a child in a third-world country. Children have a natural empathy for other children, so if your kids can support a child with real needs, they will not only learn to love that child, but will also appreciate whatever material possessions they already own.
6Take Them on Foreign Mission Trips
I have been fortunate enough to accompany all four of my children on short term mission trips to Mexico. Three went while in high school; the fourth as an adult.
Nothing, absolutely nothing will impact kids more than seeing poverty up close and personal. Amazingly, the lesson my kids came back with over and over again was how happy those people (who had nothing) were. Talk about an antidote to materialism . . . these short-term mission trips have been firsthand proof that stuff doesn’t equal happiness.
I borrow this idea from Randy Alcorn’s book, Managing God’s Money. Show your children all these piles of “treasures” that were once Christmas and birthday presents. Discuss how everything we own today will likewise end up in a junkyard like this one. Read 2 Peter 3:10-14 together (a passage that tells of how everything in this world will some day burn), then use this teachable moment to discuss true riches which transcend life here on planet earth.
Ask them this question: “When everything we have ever owned is someday burned, what, in your lives, do you think will last forever?”
In what ways are you helping your children avoid materialism? What could you be doing better? Leave a comment!
Original article and pictures take christianpf.com site
I used to hate folding laundry. I had no problems washing it and throwing it in the dryer, or even hanging it outside when the weather was fine. But folding it and putting it away? No thanks.
But one day, I decided that every time the dryer was done, I’d take items out one-by-one, fold them and put them in my basket. It was super simple and they didn’t get stuck on my couch or bed for hours (or days) at a time. I kept on, and soon found that it felt weird not to fold my clothes immediately. And then, one day a few months later, something happened.
I realized I’d created a habit that I now actually enjoy.
What does folding the laundry have to do with fitness? Not much. But the fact that I created a new habit has everything to do with physical activity because that’s also how I made fitness a must-have in my life.
If you need help making fitness a habit that sticks, read on for 7 helpful tips that’ll help you keep it super simple.
1. Think movement, not exercise
This simple shift in my mindset revolutionized fitness for me. Before, it was all about fitting in time to workout — which often was pushed way to the bottom of my list. Now, rather than dreading workouts, I make it a game of seeing how much I can move my body each day.
Now I walk, hike and do yoga. Sometimes I dance around with the kids or we play tag. These are all enjoyable and get me moving.
The key is to get used to moving your body and enjoying it. You don’t have to feel physically exhausted to get fit.
2. Track progress
I’m one of those people who loves to track their progress because I find it encouraging. I don’t keep spreadsheets or anything, but I do take note of certain things:
Steps: I’m slightly obsessed with my Fitbit pedometer. In a good way, I promise. I used to spend way too much time on my rear, but now I check my pedometer periodically throughout the day and use it as motivation to go on a walk or get off the computer so I can hit my goal of 10,000 steps each day.
Goals: I love goals and have certain ones set when it comes to my fitness level like being able to do 10 pushups, touching my toes and fitting into my lonely smaller jeans.
3. Have options
Do you ever get bored doing the same thing over and over again? Yeah, me too. One problem I’ve run into with fitness is that I’ll start doing a video and love it for the first week or so and when I think about doing it again the next week, I have no desire to.
That’s why it’s good to have options.
So don’t just pick one workout video or one activity and call it good. Make a list of things you like to do and keep it handy for those days when options A,B,C and D don’t sound appealing.
4. Start small
I’m one of those all or nothing people who likes to go from not being active at all to trying to workout 6 days a week. Guess what? It never works. Instead, I’ve found that by choosing one small, simple goal, like walking each day, and focusing on it for 30 days, I’m much more likely to succeed.
As tempting as it is to want to do it all, resist. Once you’ve created that one simple habit, you can build on it, or work on building a new habit.
It works.
5. Pick enjoyable activities
The chances of sticking to something, no matter how awesome the program is, are dismal if you can’t stand it. [Tweet “Being active should be fun.”] Or at the very least, not something you dread.
Choose activities you love.
6. Get a buddy
As an introvert, I love my alone time. Love it. But sometimes I crave time with people. Like when I exercise. If the thought of working out or even taking a walk by yourself sounds lame, invite a friend. Not only do you have that fellowship, but I also find I’m more likely to push myself when someone else is there.
Also, consider exercising with your spouse. It can be a lot of fun and is another great way to spend more time together.
7. Bust excuses
If you’re anything like me, it’s really easy to make excuses to avoid physical activity. But it’s got to stop if you want to make it a priority. These are my top 3 excuses and how I bust them before I can use them:
Money: I’ve had numerous gym memberships. They usually did nothing more than drain my pocket book. Exercise now consists of yoga, walking, YouTube videos and the (very) occasional jog. I usually use my own body weight, but I also have a yoga mat and kettlebell. That’s it. I even workout barefoot most of the time. Fancy clothing and equipment just isn’t necessary.
Time: My husband is a paramedic with a weird schedule and we home school. So I often don’t have time to leave the house to workout. Instead, I choose shorter, more impactful routine — like my no-excuses, 15-minute workout. When I do yoga, I opt for a faster-paced Vinyasa flow that gets my heart rate up and builds strength.
Kids: With four kids, it’s easy to let them be an excuse. But. They don’t have to be. Sometimes, I let them workout with me. Others, I’ll get up early and exercise with a quick video. And, of course, I’m grateful for my husband’s days off when he tells me to get out of the house and go to a yoga class.
I realize that these are all simple suggestions. And that’s what a healthy, active life should be: simple. It just takes the decision to do it and the determination to persevere and create those new habits.
Do you have any suggestions for making fitness a habit that sticks?
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through our links, we earn a small commission, which helps to keep this site going so that we can continue to offer free and useful content, so thanks!
Original article and pictures take keeperofthehome.org site
I talk quite a bit here about my commitment to healthy eating and exercise. As a mother of young children I know it is so hard to make time for yourself in these areas. Most of your time and energy is spent getting your kids to eat a single vegetable, turn off the tablet, and not go on a sugar rampage. If there’s any time leftover after you’ve hauled in groceries from the car and wiped yet another butt, you probably just feel like popping in a frozen pizza and eating it stretched out on the couch.
While it does take a little extra time and energy to make wellness a priority, I believe a few simple steps can help make it simpler.
1. Meal plan
Spend a few minutes each week before you go to the grocery store to set a general meal plan and make a list. Then stick to it. It’s a lot harder for me to order take out when I know those vegetables in the fridge are just going to go bad if I don’t eat them.
2. Don’t buy the “bad” stuff
Whatever your vice is, just don’t buy it. You can’t eat the junk food if it’s not in the house (or at least you have to make the commitment to drive to the store to get it – maybe you can walk there?).
3. Have a healthy breakfast
I find that I make much better choices throughout the day when I start with something good. Maybe it’s the snowball effect – “Well I already ate donuts this morning so today isn’t going to be a healthy eating day. I might as well eat whatever I want and get it out of my system.” Instead, choose yogurt and fruit, eggs and avocado on toast, or a fresh smoothie made of soymilk, fruits, and vegetables.
4. Keep busy
Try to plan one hard working activity into your day such as scrubbing the floors or raking leaves. If you work outside the home park a little farther from the building or consider biking to work.
5. Work little exercises into your day
You may not feel like you have time for a full work out during the day, but you do have time to do ten push ups. Right now. Do it. See? Do squats when you’re folding laundry or dance while you’re making dinner. Make your movements count by keeping your core tight. You can also hold something heavy (like a baby or a sack of flour) while doing something like lunges to pack a bigger punch.
6. Track your progress
If you’re like me, striving to do your best can be very motivating. I track all my runs because it motivates me to push a little farther and a little faster every time. If you’re not a runner, consider investing in a gadget that tracks your steps or monitors your heartbeat to motivate you to get moving.
7. Don’t do it alone
Find some like minded friends who want to live a healthy lifestyle and build each other up. Start a Facebook group to keep connected or plan a day of the week to meet at the gym. Everything is more fun with friends plus it helps you think twice about how many scoops of ice cream you take when you know you’ll have to report it to someone later.
These are just a few simple changes you can make today to start towards a healthy lifestyle. You can visit Silk Soymilk to find more ideas for incorporating soy protein into your healthy lifestyle, learn about their products, or visit them on Facebook. What are some of your ideas for getting healthy?
This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.
Original article and pictures take theliveinkitchen.com site
Phew! Can you believe we are headed into the winter season already? It feels like we just started fall but time seems to be flying by way too fast.
We are in the trenches of school work right now, trying to get it all done….work, field trips, activities, dental appointments, all while trying to avoid germs.
Yes, we are ushering in the ‘germ season’ as I call it at this house.
Over the years though, I have learned many tricks and tips how to keep germs away and even lessen the severity of illnesses.
I know that natural remedies can get overwhelming which is why I like to keep it simple. If it is isn’t simple, let’s face it, it’s easy to skip it. However, it much better to take a few minutes to pick up a few of these healthy habits to avoid being down for the count with the cold or flu.
Having young kids, I sympathize with adding more things to an already busy routine, which is why I make it a family habit.
Teaching kids at young ages to be healthy will be lessons that they will always carry with them.
My kids often remind me, “Hey, we didn’t wash our hands yet!”
They don’t want to get sick and they understand the WHY behind what we do.
Here are my tried and true, SIMPLE steps to help keep the germs way!
Seven simple steps to help keep the germs away:
1.) Wash your hands
I know, I know, we hear this all the time but it really is the best first defense against germs. This is especially important with small kids who touch EVERYTHING. (Ick!)
What I can also tell you is that it is good to wash your hands BEFORE you go somewhere and after. This helps reduce spreading your germs as well.
We use homemade soap infused with essential oils because it will naturally kill germs without harming your immune system.
2.) Diffuse essential oils
I honestly feel that this step has made a huge difference in the amount of colds we’ve gotten. Before we go anywhere that we will becoming in contact with people (or dirty waiting room toys), I diffuse oils that will help build the immune system. I love lavender and tea tree oils for this. (If you have older kids, peppermint and eucalyptus are great as well.)
I also diffuse when we get home. This helps clean the air and will fight anything we may have picked up. If you have kids bring home coats and backpacks, diffuse where they also will be around. That way you are killing anything that might have been carried in.
3.) Drink water
Drinking water is something that is important year round, not just in the summer. While it is easy to get dehydrated in the summer, during the winter months our lymphatic systems can become stagnate because of lack of activity.
Keep things moving by drinking water. This will help stimulate your immune system during an illness because it helps your body flush the germs.
4.) Keep your gut happy
A happy gut is a healthy body. The main part of your immune system is in your gut, so keeping it supplied with good bacteria will help make a stronger body. There are a few ways to do this but a good probiotic and/or fermented foods in your diet will help populate the good bacteria in your body.
5.) Rest
There is a reason why some animals hibernate in the winter. Your body needs rest! That means getting to bed on time and getting in a full night’s sleep. This gives your body time to replenish, repair, and fight those germs off.
This is super important for kids that are growing. Their bodies absolutely need the time to rest!
6.) Eat a healthy diet
Keeping the junk food away will help keep the germs away. Build healthy bodies with healthy foods. You can make it fun by adding a variety of colorful veggies and fruit, which will help supply the minerals and vitamins your body needs to fight germs.
7.) Supplements
Winter is a time of supplements for our family. I like to make sure we are getting enough of what we need during times of illness. This comes in the form of cod liver oil, collagen/gelatin, food sources of vitamin C and grassfed beef liver (Did you know you can get a capsule or powder of this?).
I add those super foods to smoothies with some berries, steamed greens and coconut water every day to make sure we are starting off on the right foot. That way I know we have nourished bodies.
Keeping our children’s bodies healthy is a good foundation for them to stay healthy and be successful!
Original article and pictures take redandhoney.com site
Over the summer I was struck with how much I take for granted in regards to teaching my children safety skills. I’ve taught them not to play with scissors or knives. We don’t play with Daddy’s razor. We learned how to FaceTime Daddy if something ever happened (they love that one!). We keep the medicines and essential oils out of their reach. But if they were faced with a dangerous situation, I wasn’t sure how they would react.
We started with the basics and worked from there. These safety skills are continually talked about throughout the day and week at our house. I want my children to internalize these skills so if they are ever in the situation, they don’t have to think about it, they will just do it.
7 Safety Skills to Teach Your Child
1. Know how to call 9-1-1
And know what info the dispatcher will need (name, age, address, what happened). Every week, we practice our phone number and address. I don’t make it scary. They think it’s fun.
2. Make a Fire Plan
If there was a fire in your house, would you and your children know what to do? Where to go? I would love to think that if there was a fire, my children would run straight to the door to get outside or grab the fire ladder to climb down to safety. But the reality is that my kids would be scared and hide somewhere. Especially my youngest who cries when we go out to eat and they bring fajitas to the table.
3. Take a field trip to your local fire station
Call your local fire station and set up a time to take your children and invite your friends. The kids will be able to see the trucks up close and personal. While you’re there, ask if one of the firefighters would mind putting on their full gear in front of the children. This was huge for my kids, and we need to do it again.
If there happens to be a fire and your child is hiding in a closet scared, if a firefighter comes looking for them, the child needs to know they are safe. I’ll admit, the fire gear is a little intimidating. All three of my children were scared. The three-year-old warmed up to him enough to give him five, but the five-year-old and two-year-old were terrified. We need to go back so that the firefighter in their gear is safe and comfortable, not intimidating and scary.
4. Most strangers are good
The keyword here is most. This one gets tricky. I want my children to be polite to new people we meet, but I want them to stay safe. We stay away from using terms like “stranger danger” because not all strangers are dangerous. What we have taught them, is that no adult should ask a child for help. If an adult needs help finding their puppy, or directions to the nearest frozen yogurt place, they will ask an adult. If they ask my children for help, my children know they are to run away and find me or my husband.
5. Only eat candy with Mommy and Daddy’s permission
While this may seem a little silly, hear me out. Go take a look at your medicine cabinet and see it through the eyes of your children. Bright colors. Little pieces. Yummy looking liquids. Obviously you’re going to try and keep medicines locked and out of the way at your own home, but what happens when they go to someone else’s house? Teach them if they see medicine or candy out, stop, and go get an adult.
6. No one should ever touch your child in their private areas unless Mommy and/or Daddy is there
Even at the doctor’s office, you should be there with your child if the doctor has to examine that area. Please also teach your children that this should never be a secret. We don’t keep secrets from Mommy and Daddy. I try to stress that. I don’t want someone touching my child and my child be afraid to tell me because that person told them to keep it a secret. The whole thought makes me sick to my stomach, but we have to talk about this.
7. Let your child know that it is never too late to tell someone
Whether there is a bully on the playground hurting your child with words, someone they know touching them in places they shouldn’t, a friend trying to get them to eat this “candy” because it makes them feel funny, or someone trying to get them to keep a secret. It’s never too late to tell you. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Would they really lie about something like that? Ask questions, but never make them feel small. It probably took a lot of courage to get that secret out in the open, and they need to know that you love them no matter what.
Teaching these safety skills is ongoing. My children are 5, 3, 2, and 5 months, so the depth we go into each one is up to the maturity of each child. Like I said, my two year old is terrified of fire and firefighters in full gear. So we watch kid’s shows that talk about fire safety, try to find books that show fire and talk about fire safety. Anything to get them familiar with all things fire safety.
I hope you have found this list of safety skills helpful. By no means was this meant to scare or overwhelm you. There are just some topics that don’t come up in every day conversation that need to be addressed sometimes.
What safety skills would you add to the list?
Whitney is a lover of Jesus. She is a wife, mommy, lover of pumpkin spice lattes with a side of gluten free pumpkin bread, Disney addict. In her free time you can find her browsing Etsy or meandering through an antique store. You can check out her reviews, tips on using essential oils, and thoughts on motherhood at http://beautyinthemess.com. You can also follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Disclosure: I have included affiliate links in this post. Thank you for supporting my site!
Original article and pictures take thehumbledhomemaker.com site
In yesterday’s post, Sarah wrote about how she discovered that her son’s skin problems were related to severe food allergies. Today she shares what she learned about food allergies through the process.
Since the doctor had told me my son could eat anything not on his list of allergens, I decided to give him some cow’s milk. It dripped out of his sippy cup onto his skin and he had instant swelling and itching.
Who knew that cow’s milk could cause such a reaction? I certainly didn’t. Thankfully it subsided after a dose of Benadryl (and a panicked call to the doctor). I added dairy to the list of allergens. A couple weeks later, we tried eggs – same awful result – itchy face and scratchy throat.
I have since learned that allergy testing doesn’t reveal every allergy, especially in babies.
My baby’s list of allergens grew to include tree nut, coconut and barley. Hmm – that explains why my homemade coconut oil lotion didn’t help him. Tomatoes seemed to bother him. Ditto for citrus.
My son still has occasional reactions but they are no longer an every day occurrence.
Continued trial and error in identifying his food allergens.
We stumbled along, making many mistakes and learning tons about food. Have you ever noticed how many things are made from corn? It’s everywhere! I spent tremendous amounts of time experimenting with allergen-free recipestrying to find things my little man could safely eat.
I have always loved baking and it was so difficult keeping him (and myself since I was breastfeeding) away from the treats I made for the other kids. Thankfully there are many excellent cookbooks available now that show how to cook without exposure to allergens. (One of my favorites is the Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook.)
Healing from food allergies.
My son is now 2 ½ years old. He weaned at the end of last year (such a celebration for me!) and he has since outgrown his dairy and corn allergies. I am hopeful that he will outgrow the rest of his allergies in time. In the meantime, he has lots of homemade things he can safely eat. He is used to not having the same things as the other kids. We always make sure to have a safe substitute for him.
No more allergic reaction! My littlest child (on the right) remains free of major symptoms as long as we keep him away from his allergens.
Lessons I learned about food allergies:
1. Just because you’ve never had food allergies in your family doesn’t mean they won’t crop up.
None of my 3 older boys have any food allergies.
2. Food allergies truly can be life-threatening.
Fortunately, my son has never had a life-threatening reaction, but we are prepared should that happen.
3. Allergic reactions can occur as respiratory problems, rashes, hives, swelling, digestive problems or vomiting.
4. Peanuts aren’t the only serious food allergy.
Kids can have a severe reaction to any allergen. Initially milk and eggs were quite severe for my son.
5. Reactions can be immediate or they can be delayed up to several hours.
Just because a person doesn’t react immediately doesn’t mean he is out of danger.
6. Keeping a child safe from allergens goes beyond what he puts into his mouth.
Exposure can also occur from cross-contamination. No more double-dipping serving spoons. Kitchen sponges and washcloths need to be changed frequently. Since my son has so many allergens, we have chosen not to eliminate all of them from the house and therefore, we have to be very careful about cleaning up after using eggs, nuts, etc.
7. Allergens should be avoided in non-food products too, like lotions, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.
Having a child with food allergies is a scary thing, but over time it does get easier.
And every time I see my son enjoying one of his favorite foods, I am so grateful that he is no longer suffering those horrible reactions. I thank God that he is able to safely eat so many things.
What’s one thing you wish you could tell people about food allergies that they might not know?
Resources and Further Reading:
Enjoy Life Foods has a line of snacks and treats free of the top 8 allergens
Sarah Mueller is a wife and homeschool mom to 4 boys. She writes at Early Bird Mom about how you can afford a healthy lifestyle while living beneath your means.
Original article and pictures take thehumbledhomemaker.com site
With Winter right about the corner, it is time to begin to focus upon building up an arsenal of remedies to get us through the cold and flu season. Not surprisingly, these are not traditional over the counter meds but rather a variety of herbal remedies that you can concoct yourself from inexpensive ingredients not the least of which are herbs that may be growing in your yard or in the surrounding locale.
For preppers, the importance of learning to use herbal remedies is that if the time ever came when traditional medicines were not available, sickness would spread and we would be left on our own to treat even the most common viral and bacterial infections.
7 Herbal Remedies You Should Have In Your Arsenal | Backdoor Survival
What are these herbs and how do you use them?
In today’s article I call upon the expertise of Sally Thomas who has compiled a list of her favorite herbal remedies along with how to make them as well as special applications for children. In this exclusive article for Backdoor Survival. Sally will list 7 herbal remedies – all of which will stop a cold or flu in its tracks before it takes hold.
Stop A Cold (or Flu) in its Tracks Before It Takes Hold
Want to know how to annihilate your cold or flu before it sends you into a deep pit for a week or more? You will be happy to know that there are several herbal remedies that can totally wipe out your viral or bacterial infection before it grabs hold of you. The key here is – BEFORE IT GRABS HOLD OF YOU!
7 Herbal Remedies You Should Have In Your Arsenal | Backdoor Survival
But even if you aren’t able to stop the sickness in time, using these remedies can help shorten your cold or flu and make the symptoms more bearable (which is good too).
First of all, you need to begin listening to your body’s signals in order to catch your cold or flu virus BEFORE it gets a running start. For this, you need to be very aware of your symptoms and what they mean.
Symptoms That Sickness is Coming On:
• Are you extra tired, especially for no known reason? • Is your throat scratchy or sore? • Do you feel extra phlegm when you swallow? • Are you sneezing or coughing?
Many of us don’t take these early symptoms seriously enough, but this is the key to fighting off a bug before it has you out of commission for a week or more.
Secondly, you need to give your body extra assistance in fighting the symptoms. You see, the symptoms you’re experiencing indicate that your body is beginning to fight off the germs that have invaded. If you work with your body’s own immune system by supplementing with certain herbal remedies, you can potentially ward off the sickness altogether.
Along with lots of fluids like water, herbal teas, and fresh juices as well as plenty of rest and daily sunshine, these remedies will either prevent a full-blown cold or flu attack or they will greatly shorten and reduce the misery. Either way, you need to learn how to prepare them and keep the ingredients on hand now so that they become familiar to you during.
7 Herbal Remedies You Should Have In Your Arsenal
1. Oregano
The first and most powerful herb I can wholeheartedly recommend is oregano.
7 Herbal Remedies You Should Have In Your Arsenal | Backdoor Survival
Oregano is a powerful antibiotic and antibacterial – perfect for fighting tough viruses and bacteria. I have taken 5 drops of oregano oil at first sign of symptoms and woken up completely well in the morning.
This herb is only recommended for adults and children who can comfortably take capsules, as oregano is a very spicy, strong-tasting herb. My 6-year-old son is able to take it without problem, as he is able to take a few drops in capsule form without trouble. If your child is about 5 or older and able to swallow capsules without a problem, this herb will be a very beneficial herb in your arsenal.
Taking 2-5 drops in a capsule (depending on the severity of the symptoms) can knock out a cold or flu virus overnight. Make sure to take with food, as it can irritate an empty stomach.
HOW TO USE: Add 2-5 drops to an empty capsule. Take with food. You can also grow and cook with fresh oregano. It won’t likely pack the same powerful punch when symptoms start, but it will surely keep you more consistently healthy. When first taking, add only 1-2 drops until you know how your body reacts to the oil.
HOW TO STORE: Purchase therapeutic quality oregano oil, which should stay fresh for years. Store in a cool, dark place for best results.
PRECAUTIONS: Oregano is a “hot” oil and should be handled with caution. Can burn skin at full strength. Use with a carrier oil if using externally. Not to be used during pregnancy or for very young children who cannot take capsules. Check with your health care provider if you have adverse reactions that concern you.
Note: It has just recently come to my attention that oregano essential oil and oil of oregano are different. The essential oil is much more concentrated (and is the form I have been using). If you are using the oil of oregano, please be aware that it is not as potent when using as I have advised above, but may be more suitable for external applications. Check your label if unsure to see if any other ingredients are added (such as another oil).
A close second in my cold and flu arsenal is garlic. Garlic is a wonderful antiviral/antibacterial herb that I happen to love in my cooking. My first tip is to use fresh garlic as much as possible in your cooking, especially during the winter months. If you like to make soups or sauces, and garlic is a pleasing flavor to you, all the better!
7 Herbal Remedies You Should Have In Your Arsenal | Backdoor Survival
If you feel extra tired or your throat feels scratchy or sore, you can chew on a garlic bulb and wash it down with your favorite beverage (I usually just simply use water). Garlic is very spicy and hot, but even if you don’t particularly like the flavor it’s worth it to know that it’s “medicine” as well.
An extra by-product when consuming a lot of garlic is that it will make you smell like pizza to strangers that you pass (especially, I suppose, if you’re also taking oregano).
I make a special syrup mixture each year that was passed on to me from an elderly friend of mine. She called it “garlic potion,” so I do as well. I concoct this remedy mainly for my children as well as for my husband and me. It’s especially good for coughs that get into the lungs, as it helps break up the cough to make it more productive. It’s also great for prevention when you experience the first signs of sickness coming on and is a good companion to either elderberry or oregano.
It is very potent and strong, so beware. However, my children don’t seem to taste the strong garlic flavor – all they seem to notice is the honey (strange!) Make sure that your children are at least one year of age before giving them this remedy, as honey is said to be unsafe for those under one year.
Here’s the simple recipe for the garlic potion syrup. All ingredients offer antiviral/antibacterial properties to help your immune system.
GARLIC POTION SYRUP
What You Need:
• Fresh garlic bulbs • Raw apple cider vinegar with the “mother” (I use Bragg’s brand) • Raw local honey • Two clean quart jars • small tea strainer • knife for peeling garlic cloves
First, peel the individual garlic cloves and place them in the empty jar. You are removing all the skin on each clove, therefore allowing the garlic properties to be released into the vinegar solution.
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Next, you will add the vinegar. Add just enough to cover the garlic. I highly recommend raw, unfiltered, organic vinegar and consider Bragg’s to be the best. Let the garlic and vinegar mixture sit in a cool, dark place for 5 days, shaking gently each day.
After 5 days, the garlic will have some bluish tint to it, which is normal. You will now filter the garlic cloves with a tea strainer (make note of the level where the vinegar liquid came to). This will leave you with liquid in the jar that is a little less than half of the quantity you started with. You can discard the garlic cloves or use them in vegetable broth, compost them, or feed them to your chickens (mine loved them). If used in vegetable broth, be aware that it does leave a fairly strong vinegar flavor in the finished broth.
Next, you will add raw, unfiltered, local honey to the liquid. Add to the level where the vinegar reached. Shake briskly for 5-10 minutes, or until fully combined. Let sit on a counter top overnight or 12 hours and then refrigerate. Will keep indefinitely, but it’s best to use up within one year. At the first sign of a cold or infection, take 1-2 tablespoons throughout the day, depending on how forcefully you feel the virus coming on. The more vigorously you dose yourself early on, the more likely you will overcome the illness before you are affected in a significant way.
HOW TO USE: As above.
HOW TO STORE: Can be stored for a year or more in the refrigerator. I simply make enough for one season, and it’s usually gone by the end of the winter months. I’m not sure if it can be canned or frozen, as I haven’t tried these methods.
3. Elderberry
Elderberry is especially effective for preventing flu viruses. Before I moved to my current location, I purchased the ready-made syrup, but since I have moved to an area with abundant elderberries growing in the wild, I am able to pick as much as I need (and no one seems to know that these wonderful berries are so valuable!).
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I live in Zone 5, and elderberries are very prolific here. Check to see if you have them in your area. They tend to be ready in late summer and early fall. You can keep an eye on them from spring through summer so you know where to pick when they’re ready. They grow on tall bushes along roadsides or along water areas. The flowers bloom in spring and are an off-white in large clusters that somewhat droop.
For the syrup and frozen blocks, first place the berries, stems and all, in the freezer for an hour or two. I had read that this would make the berries easier to remove from the stems, and indeed it worked well. I had my young sons help me pluck the berries, which they were happy to do.
After plucking them off, I then washed them thoroughly in a colander. Then I just covered with water in a saucepan and brought the water to a boil on medium heat. I cooked them, simmering lightly, until they were soft and the liquid turned very dark purple (almost black). I then strained the berries from the liquid and set the liquid aside to cool. For the amount not used right away, you can either pressure can or refrigerate for up to two weeks. The liquid can also be frozen in ice cube trays for single servings.
HOW TO USE: Use as hot tea with honey added, or add honey to make a syrup and take by the spoonful in about 1:1 ratio.
HOW TO STORE: I store some of my berries whole in the freezer, but I also make up some of the syrup and can it in small jars. If you freeze the berries, you can simply remove the amount desired and cook up a batch of the syrup when needed.
PRECAUTIONS: Don’t consume the seeds, as they’re said to be toxic. Some also say the stems are toxic. It’s easy to avoid both with the above methods. Make sure to pick only the dark purple, almost-black berries, as the red variety is said to be toxic.
4. Rose Hips
I like to gather my own rose hips in the fall of the year when the temperatures begin to drop and the rose hips are bright red on the bushes. Make sure to collect rose hips that haven’t been sprayed. Rose hips are full of vitamin C that helps prevent colds and flu and also helps your body fight off the germs once they produce a full-blown sickness.
7 Herbal Remedies You Should Have In Your Arsenal | Backdoor Survival
I make frozen rose hip juice blocks to add to hot tea. This is especially good for children, as the frozen block cools down their tea nicely so they can drink it more quickly. Along with the nutritional benefits, rose hip tea has a very delicious, light flavor and can be mixed with other herbal teas easily if desired. My two boys (currently ages 4 and 6) truly enjoy their frequent rose hip tea in the wintertime. Provide remedies early on for your kids, and even let them help you make them, and they will utilize them readily without complaint.
No one else seems to know how rich rose hips are in nutrients, or perhaps they simply don’t want to bother to do the work involved with picking and processing their own rose hips for the vitamin C benefits. I thoroughly enjoy the whole process. But if you don’t, or if you don’t have access to wild rose hips in your area (or hips that have not been sprayed with pesticides), you can instead purchase dried rose hips for processing.
Make sure that you pick rose hips only from areas that you’re certain have not been sprayed with chemical pesticides or herbicides. I pick mine in fairly remote, wild areas from wild rose bushes.
Make sure to pick the hips when they are red but not shriveled. This would be in late summer, early fall when temperatures are cooling somewhat but no hard freeze has occurred. I picked mine in late August in the Northwest US.
Making Rose Hip “Juice”
The next thing you want to do after harvesting is to remove the blossom ends and stems of all the rose hips. The blossom end is the leafy-looking end where the bloom once was. Be aware that your fingers may get a little stained during this process, so you may want to wear gloves. After rinsing, I put them in a medium-sized saucepan and add enough water to just cover.
Bring the pan to a simmer over medium heat, pressing the hips gently with a spoon. Once the hips soften and begin to break apart and the liquid is a nice rich amber color, you can begin to scoop out the liquid. Be aware that you may see some worms among the rose hips You will also see seeds from the insides of the hips. They are both white, but the worm is long and thin and the seed more rounded. No need to worry with either. You can scoop them out as you see them, but you will also be filtering the liquid through a strainer before use.
As you begin to scoop out the liquid, place a tea strainer over a quart-size jar and pour the liquid through to catch any particles. As you remove the liquid, squeeze the measuring cup or spoon down into the rose hip mixture in the pan. Then add more water and continue to simmer, stir, and gently press the mixture. Once you have a jar full, let it cool to room temperature before proceeding to freeze into blocks. Then, I like to pour a small amount at a time into a measuring cup or other container with a spout for easier pouring into the ice cube trays.
Once the blocks are frozen, remove them and place in a freezer bag or other freezer-proof container.
When ready for use, simply drop a block in a mug and pour boiling water over it. This makes the tea a perfect temperature for a child to drink fairly quickly. I like to add raw, local honey to sweeten. The flavor is mild, so it blends readily with other flavored teas as well.
HOW TO USE: Rose hips can be used as above, or you can dehydrate them after removing the blossom end and washing. The dried rose hips can be made into tea by pouring boiling water over them or you can make the juice above from the dried hips.
HOW TO STORE: Rose hip blocks would be stored in the freezer, or you can dry the rose hips and store them in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place. You could likely can the rose hip juice the same way you would can other juices, but I haven’t tried it myself.
5. Echinacea
Echinacea, also called “purple coneflower” due to its color and the cone-like center of the flowers, is a worthy herb to have around to help fight off colds and allergies.
7 Herbal Remedies You Should Have In Your Arsenal | Backdoor Survival
It is advised to not use Echinacea for more than two weeks at a time. Gather in the wild when you can, or grown your own, but don’t take it all so it can re-seed for the next year. My favorite use of Echinacea is for tea. Simply crush the flower heads and add to a tea strainer to make hot tea. Blends well with mint varieties.
HOW TO USE: As a tea.
HOW TO STORE: Store dry flower heads in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place.
PRECAUTIONS: Don’t use for more than 2 weeks at a time. If pregnant or nursing, consult with your health care provider.
6. Mullein
Mullein grows in the wild with gusto where I live in zone 5. It’s quite an unsightly “weed” some might say, but it’s a very beneficial herb, especially for lung issues and earaches.
7 Herbal Remedies You Should Have In Your Arsenal | Backdoor Survival
Pick the leaves when the plant is flowering in late summer and early autumn. Pick green healthy-looking leaves and flower heads. Dry the leaves and flower heads and pack in an air-tight container (I use a quart jar).
When using for tea, make sure to filter through a coffee filter, as there are “hairs” on the leaves that can get into the tea and just ruin the mouth feel of the tea. Add honey to taste. Mullein can also be made into an infused oil that is very powerful for earaches (especially prevalent in young children).
HOW TO USE: Use as tea or infuse in oil for earaches You can purchase the dried leaves or you can purchase mullein essential oil to use if you don’t have access to wild mullein in your area.
HOW TO STORE: Store the dried leaves and flower heads in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place.
7. Cayenne
Any kind of hot foods are great for preventing and getting rid of sickness. Cayenne is no exception, and it’s easily stored in its powder form for use when needed.
7 Herbal Remedies You Should Have In Your Arsenal | Backdoor Survival
Along with adding it to foods and soups for spiciness and flavor, you can also add it directly to chicken broth along with some chopped up fresh garlic as a soothing remedy for congestion and overall yuckiness. The broth is nourishing when you don’t feel like eating much, and the spiciness of the cayenne and garlic will zap those germs and aid your body in getting well.
HOW TO USE: Add to foods and/or broths, adding as much as you can tolerate.
HOW TO STORE: Store powder in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place.
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Other Home Remedies
In addition to these 7 herbal remedies, I have a few additional tried and true home remedies to share with you.
Vinegar Tea(for sore throat)
1-2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (with the “mother” – I use Bragg’s) added to a cup of hot water. Drink as hot as you can take it without burning your tongue. Will help soothe and heal a sore throat as well as aid in germ-fighting (vinegar has antibiotic properties as well).
Lemon & Honey (for sore throat)
Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice if possible and raw local honey. Add the juice of one lemon along with a tablespoon of honey to warm water, stirring until dissolved. You can also use this without water as a syrup by the spoonful. My mom gave this to me as a child, and I thought it was very tasty.
Prune Juice (for constipation)
Prune juice is a fairly common constipation remedy for occasional irregularity. Strong doses of vitamin C can also provide the same effect.
You don’t want to be all clogged up when you’re sick or your body is fighting off a cold, as the germs are more likely to build up in your body and you’ll have a harder time fighting it off. Get yourself cleaned out regularly, and this will go a long way toward staying well and fighting off sickness once it takes hold.
Zinc Lozenges
Zinc lozenges (while not exactly an herbal remedy) are also good to have around for soothing a sore throat and shortening a cold. Zinc is very beneficial for strengthening your immune system.
Gaye’s Note: You might also be interested in the following articles:
Conclusion
With each of the above herbal & natural remedies, make sure to use caution until you know how your body will react. Discontinue use if any troublesome symptoms occur and seek medical attention.
Let me know down below in the comments you are using any of these remedies currently or have others to share. And be aware that this is definitely NOT an exhaustive list.
Sally is a “Do It Yourselfer” loves to get creative in the kitchen and utilize herbal remedies as much as possible to help keep her family healthy. She has been an avid prepper since 2008 with a particular devotion to foraging, food storage, and herbal remedies. She shares her knowledge and experience on her blog at ThePantryPrepper.com where you can sign up for her free e-course “Jump-Start Your Food Storage in 30 Days.”
The Final Word
During a grid-down emergency or disruptive event, getting sick from a viral or bacterial infection can be serious and even deadly. None of us wants that, so learning how to prevent and remedy these seemingly innocent “bugs” now, and stocking up on the ingredients to stop them seems prudent.
I don’t know about you, but I now reach for herbal remedies or essential oils before I consider taking pharmaceuticals. I firmly believe that making natural remedies a habit now will go a long way toward keeping you and your family healthy and safe when an emergency does strike.
To me, it just makes good sense.
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Bargain Bin: Below you will find links to the items mentioned in today’s article.
Bigelow Mixed Herb Teas: I love Bigelow teas with my favorite being lemon-ginger. Made especially for herb tea lovers who like to enjoy a variety of flavors, this mixed case includes 20 tea bags each of the following 5 caffeine-free herb teas, cozy chamomile, mint medley, sweet dreams, orange and spice and perfect peach and 18 tea bags of my favorite caffeine-free lemon ginger.
Nature’s Way Sambucus Elderberry Immune Syrup: For centuries the dark berries of European black elder (Sambucus nigra L.) have been traditionally used as a winter remedy. In recent years, medical researchers have proven its efficacy in clinical trials. Read the reviews and decide for yourself. Better yet, make your own.
Starwest Botanicals Organic Cayenne Pepper Powder: Purchasing cayenne powder in bulk is the way to go and is so much cheaper than purchasing those little bottles at the supermarket. As a matter of preference, I like the organic and have never been disappointed with the Starwest Botanicals brand.
Wedderspoon Raw Manuka Honey: The Queen of medicinal honeys is Manuka honey. It is such a powerfully antibiotic that it’s been recognized scientifically and the active substance has been isolated. More expensive than normal honey, it definitely has its place in the emergency survival medical kit.
Tropical Traditions 100% Organic Raw Honey: This is my favorite honey; I purchase a dozen jars at a time. I guarantee you will love this honey even if you do not typically enjoy honey. The taste is difficult to describe. So good poured over a bowl of Greek yogurt and sliced bananas! These are the same folks that make my favorite Coconut Oil.
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Emergency Essentials | Backdoor Survival
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Did you know there are over 200 synthetic chemicals found in the cord blood of newborns, influences of civilized society with unknown effects that our children are exposed to even before they are born?
Pondering the number of foods, chemicals, products and other environmental influences that are in our children’s world that weren’t even around thirty, fifty, or a hundred years ago is mind-boggling.
Do you know what the research says about foods your kids probably eat regularly? These 7 foods not proven safe for kids - or adults!
I was thinking along those lines one wintry Saturday in January, finding myself absentmindedly staring at a young girl guzzling a neon blue G2 (low calorie Gatorade) while munching a clown-nose red licorice twist as she sat in the crowd at her brother’s basketball game.
The thought hit me like a brick: Do we have any idea what effect some of those ingredients have on pre-pubescent girls as they grow and develop?
The list of possible offenders in this one mid-morning snack:
artificial food dyes, as unnatural in color as if they were cartoons on a screen
high fructose corn syrup, a controversial but relatively new sweetener in the whole scheme of history
electrolytes added to the G2, which are supposedly beneficial for athletes after a massively taxing workout, but how do they impact a young body who is…just sitting?
and the one that always bothers me the most of all, artificial sweeteners. In our family, my kids know that Gatorade and G2 are completely different (one is a dessert and the other a no-way-Jose-throw-it-away), but I have a funny feeling that much of the world hasn’t a clue. (This is the one non-food that is put into things people eat that I will never, ever allow my kids to consume, although we unfortunately compromise on all the others on today’s list.)
I started scribbling notes on a scrap of paper in my purse for a post with a great title that popped into my head as the blue juice disappeared into a still-developing body: “Things That Have Never Been Tested on Kids.”
I know that testing products on children is kind of a no-no and not done as often as animal tests or adult human testing, so I assumed that there were likely no studies on the safety of many “food products” that children regularly consume. I couldn’t wait to start researching the idea.
What I found out was equally if not more disturbing than the idea that children might be regularly ingesting unknown, untested products.
A number of the items on my list actually DID have studies tracking how they impact young bodies, and the majority of those demonstrated frighteningly negative effects – hence the title you see today being different than the one I expected to write this winter.
What’s worse – that we might feed our kids fake foods with completely unknown effects on their developing systems, or that our kids are regularly consuming “foods” that have already been proven to cause problems, and those studies are simply ignored or downplayed?
Let’s dig in!
This post is sponsored by Squooshi reusable food pouches, a company that encourages homemade food and makes it fun. Thanks for helping get this information in the hands of parents who need it!
Fake Food #1: Food Dyes
Do you know what the research says about foods your kids probably eat regularly? Unknown is scary enough, this is often worse. 7 foods not proven safe for kids -- a must read
verdict: Tested – Both problematic and unknown
The basics: Artificial colors have been added to countless food products in America even as they are banned and removed from foods in Europe. Our consumption has increased 5x since the 1950s and is ringing in at 15 million pounds of the stuff per year added to processed foods, in 8 different colors.
Studies have shown: Food dyes are linked to hyperactivity in children specifically as well as cancer, allergies and ADHD in all age groups. They require warning labels in the E.U., which means most brands remove them from their products rather than slap a scary-looking label on the box. The FDA in the U.S. doesn’t think that’s necessary.
The basics: MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a substance that was discovered naturally in seaweed about a hundred years ago. It excites the fifth sense of taste: umami. Incorporating umami in a dish, which can be done with something as simple as sauteed mushrooms, enhances all of its flavors.
Scientists learned to isolate the MSG only and created a powerful food additive, one that makes everything taste better (and more addicting). Many think of MSG as being something you find exclusively at Chinese restaurants, but it’s in everything from sausage to Goldfish crackers. It is unfortunately also hidden (often as free glutamic acid, which responds similarly in the body) under over 20 different names on ingredients lists. (Anything with “autolyzed,” “hydrolyzed,” “yeast extract,” or “glutamate” is a good start to watch out for.)
Besides the obvious obesity component of foods exciting the tongue and being very addictive, MSG also excites some other areas of the body, to our children’s detriment.
Studies have shown: MSG is classified as an excitotoxin, which means it stimulates (and quickly over-stimulates) receptors in the brain, causing hyperactivity, loss of focus, and ultimately slow brain damage as the cells literally burn out from overuse. Early research only told part of the story, because humans demonstrate higher glutamate in their blood than any other animal when MSG is consumed, and the levels stay higher for longer, resulting in much more toxic levels in humans than animals (i.e. lab rats).
Children under three and unborn babies are most susceptible to the effects of MSG partly because their brains are less protected from the environment at that age.
Even though as people age they become more resistant to its toxic effects, once exposed to MSG consistently, the body may permanently lose its ability to control weight gain, further contributing to the obesity epidemic and all the awful “diseases of civilization” that come part and parcel with that (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, even Alzheimer’s).
Do you know what the research says about foods your kids probably eat regularly? Unknown is scary enough, this is often worse. 7 foods not proven safe for kids -- a must read
Verdict: Tested, Somewhat – Problematic and Unknown
The basics: Artificial sweeteners include all non-caloric sweeteners that were created in a lab, and all of them are dangerous or suspicious at best, with the possible exception of the white powdered form of stevia (the liquid is real food, not created in a lab).
Although kids should be in an age group where they don’t have to “watch their calories,” 12% of children drink artificially sweetened beverages, and I don’t even want to know how many regularly consume things like light yogurt, “less sugar” juice, sugar free Jello and popsicles and more. I’ve even found artificial sweeteners in regular old drinks that my kids bring home from parties at school – NOT the “less calorie” or “reduced sugar” kind, which means most parents are surely completely unaware of what’s going into their children’s bodies.
And if anyone in the house chews gum? Good luck finding one without artificial sweeteners. It’s not just the “sugar-free” kinds anymore, unfortunately. I’ve only found gum without it at health food stores (Glee brand, can be found on Amazon) and maybe ONE national brand out of the 20 I read three years ago preparing for an airplane trip. They’re hiding everywhere!
There’s such an ignorance on the artificial sweetener issue that when I emailed my 3rd grader’s teacher about the root beer floats they were having the last week of school, the umpteenth celebratory “treat” in those final few weeks, we had a misunderstanding that hurts me to my bones.
I had quickly asked if perhaps it wouldn’t be too much trouble to remind the parent bringing the soda to choose one of the many caffeine-free brands of root beer, for the sake of the children and the parents they were being sent home to. The teacher then forced my son to choose the diet soda, telling him that his mom “wanted him to only have sugar-free kind.” I nearly fainted when I found this out just this weekend. My son knew better, but how is he going to argue with the teacher? Kills. Me.
Studies have shown: Ignorance cannot be bliss on this one, folks. If your child is consuming artificial sweeteners, whether you know it or not but especially if it’s a regular occurrence, they are, according to the chair of the department of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health earlier this year, “participating in an uncontrolled experiment.”
Our kids are the lab rats on this issue, because no one can guess how artificial sweeteners will impact development and health over 40-60 years of consumption, and I was right – people aren’t doing widespread testing (that I can uncover) on the effects of no-calorie sweeteners on young children.
We do know that there are many risks to Nutrasweet, Splenda and the others, including headaches, asthma, GI distress, obesity, weight loss, hypoglycemia, irritability, depression, brain tumors and a much longer terrifying list. Aspartame in particular (Nutrasweet), one of the more common no-calorie sweeteners, at least before Splenda/sucralose came onto the market, has been proven to be an excitotoxin and a neurotoxin linked to birth defects, cancer, brain tumors and weight gain – again, having a greater negative impact on the very young, whose brains are more susceptible.
Before aspartame was approved by the FDA, an MD by the name of Dr. John W. Olney made a statement to the board of inquiry recommending that aspartame be deemed unsafe for all populations, particularly children: “We can be reasonably certain there is no margin of safety for the use of aspartame in the child’s diet.”
So the research – or at least the medically educated conjecturing – has been done, and it’s not good news. Parents, please read labels for this one! It needs to be non-negotiable in your home that children do not consume aspartame, sucralose or other artificial sweeteners!
Avoid artificial sweeteners in low-cal yogurt tubes by putting your own yogurt, flavored with fruit and honey if you must sweeten, into the Squooshi pouches. Not only are they safe materials filled with safe food with known ingredients, but they look cool enough for even the most socially conscious school kid to pack in their lunch with them:
Squooshi pouches with homemade food
Our sponsor understands that in order to prioritize healthy food for your family, sometimes you have to learn about the unhealthy stuff in processed, pre-packaged foods – thanks again to the company for sponsoring this post to help get the important information out there and encourage more parents to make from scratch for their kids!
Fake Food #4: Genetically Modified Organisms
Verdict: Untested in the long term
The basics: Genetic modification is the process of putting a gene or part of a gene from one species into another species, such as deepwater fish into tomatoes to make them more cold-resistant or insect into corn to make it pesticide resistant.
Most of the corn, soybeans, canola and sugar beets grown in America are genetically modified (GM), which means that almost any processed food you buy (maybe all of them!) contain some GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Beyond that, there’s not much else to worry about in the produce section.
Studies have shown: Contradiction after contradiction. Some say there’s plenty of research showing no harm from GMOs whatsoever: 10 years of research and 1800 research papers. Clearly far too much to sift through in a sitting, but I always wonder: Are there any 10-year studies?? 20 years of studying the same person? Since GMOs have only been around for decades, not centuries, do we have any idea of the true long-term effects?
And if we don’t, guess who’s most at risk? Because their bodies are constantly changing and still developing, children and especially adolescents are at the greatest risk of any potential health risks yet unknown with GM food. (Demonstrated potential risks in lab rat studies include immune suppression, gut disorders, liver and kidney disfunction and infertility.) And at the rate it’s being used in processed foods and the percentage of U.S. society who subsist on those foods, we’re all joining the big unregulated GM experiment.
Genetic modification proponents say there’s no reason to worry, because the genes from GM foods cannot get into nor impact the human person. On the other hand, new research came out two years ago that may prove that genetic material does pass from food to eater, something previously thought to be impossible. That would be a major game-changer for perspectives on GM food.
At best, the jury is out on the safety of GMOs, which most children consume daily. At worst, organ damage and toxicity at unknown levels.
When ingesting something, I’d much rather hear that it was proven safe rather than, “We haven’t seen anyone get sick…should be fine.” It’s called the burden of proof, like when someone is taken to court – it must be demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that they committed the crime. This “innocent until proven guilty” concept that I appreciate very much in the court system should not be applied in the same way to food, since what I don’t know can certainly hurt me!
Should we do more tests on humans, on kids? Here’s what the company getting the big money from GMOs has to say: “There is no need for, or value in testing the safety of GM foods in humans.” Thanks, Monsanto. Glad you’ve got everyone’s best interests in mind and accept the burden of proof.
Further reading on GMOs:
Fake Food #5: Soy, Served American Style
Verdict: More Studies Needed, May be Harmful
The basics: Soybeans have been eaten for thousands of years, although that was mainly in fermented form as miso and tempeh.
Now in America, thousands of new products are created using soy or have soy added to them each year in the form of the relatively “new” soybean oil or soy protein isolate, both of which have come about in the last few decades.
Studies have shown: More confusion. Some studies show that soy may negatively impact the immune system and reproductive health or even contribute to the rise in peanut allergies. Some say that soy protects against breast cancer and may lower cholesterol and fight obesity.
The most balanced reports seem to agree that there simply isn’t enough data, yet, to say that the 40 years of soy formula have been necessarily safe, and would recommend caution for the 20-25% of U.S. babies who receive soy-based formula in their first year. (And remember, nearly all soy consumed by Americans is genetically modified, with that set of potential unknown risks.)
“We know that too much genistein [created in the body after eating soy] is not a good thing for a developing mouse; it may not be a good thing for a developing child,” said Retha Newbold, a developmental biologist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (source)
If you want to know all the potential health risks of regular soy consumption, usually based on the approximate amount of a cup of soymilk or less per day, here goes:
thyroid suppression (hypothyroidism)
increase in cancers
lowered testosterone/decreased sex drive
reduced mineral absorption from other foods (can cause anemia)
possible increase in seizures in autistic children
premature puberty
disruption of fetal development
*babies on soy formula may be subjected to the equivalent of 4-10 contraceptive pills per day, when the estrogenic effects are adjusted for age and body mass.
The basics: Carrageenan is a substance used as a food additive, thickener, emulsifier, etc. in a plethora of everyday products like ice cream, soy and almond milks, cottage cheese, creamer, and more. It’s derived from seaweed, but like MSG, the additive is typically quite far from the actual natural plant.
Studies have shown: Carrageenan has actually been quite widely studied over its 50 years in the food supply. The results are, of course, contradictory and confusing, partly because many research studies used the wrong kind of carrageenan that doesn’t behave the same way as the food additive. Results from animal studies may not be able to be extrapolated because the substance is very species-dependent when it reacts. There also have only been in vitro experiments on human cells, isolating compounds without the rest of the food or the human person, which may not demonstrate the way the whole thing reacts in our bodies.
That said, there is some related risk of inflammation and gut health issues, which can be a major deal for something hidden in so many foods.
Fake Food #7: High Fructose Corn Syrup
Do you know what the research says about foods your kids probably eat regularly? These 7 foods not proven safe for kids - or adults!
Verdict: Somewhat tested, Not Very Positive
The basics: High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is an inexpensive industrial sweetener derived from corn. It is about 55% fructose and 45% glucose, slightly different than white table sugar (typically beet sugar) which is just about 50/50.
When considering whether HFCS will hurt you or your children, here are all the facets of the issue to consider:
All sweeteners add calories without nutrients to a food
All sweeteners raise the blood glucose/blood sugar
HFCS is pretty much always genetically modified…if that makes a difference (but so is most white table sugar)
Studies have shown: Although the corn producers want us to call HFCS “corn sugar” and be not afraid of it, there is much to hesitate about. High fructose corn syrup has been demonstrated in studies to cause obesity at greater rates than fat or table sugar, thus linking it to diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Corn syrup has also been shown to increase hyperactivity in children.
Could there be more than seven items on this list? Certainly. Far more. This list of 9 cancer-causing chemicals includes a few more that we try to avoid in my family, but you have to realize that cookingfrom scratch and avoiding most processed foods (at least without careful and educated label reading) is a must if you want to truly avoid these toxic additives even most of the time.
Kitchen Stewardship provides the resources you’ll need to get started on a more whole foods lifestyle, including:
Do you know what the research says about foods your kids probably eat regularly? These 7 foods not proven safe for kids - or adults!
Disclosure: The post was sponsored by Squooshi. There is an affiliate link to Amazon from which I will earn a small commission. See my full disclosure statement here.
Original article and pictures take www.kitchenstewardship.com site
