The Most Ultimate {Epic!} Snack Cookbook Ever! (100+ Healthy Kids’ Snack Recipes!)

The Most Ultimate {Epic!} Snack Cookbook Ever! (100+ Healthy Kids’ Snack Recipes!)

~ After hour upon hour (truly!) of reading and rereading hundreds of snack recipes … we’ve compiled the ultimate list of healthy kids’ snacks. This is literally a cookbook’s worth of deliciously nutritious snack ideas for practically ever snacking occasion (and, yes, parents … you’re gonna love these, too!). Bookmark it, pin it, save it for later, because you and your kiddos will be coming back to these snack recipes again and again! ~

The ultimate list of 100+ easy, healthy kids' snack recipes! The only snack "cookbook" you'll ever need! (Pssst ... adults will love these, too!)

For those of you who remember our very, very first recipe post, (thanks for sticking right by our sides on this crazy-wonderful healthy eating journey, BTW!), you might recall that one of the main kick-in-the-seat-of-the-pants reasons we started THK was our quest to give our kiddos better-quality, healthier snacks.

Seemed like no matter how nutritious breakfast was, no matter how we planned and orchestrated delicious, healthy family dinners … snack time was where we often fell short. Somehow it just snuck up on us, and left us feeling guilty as we tossed pre-packaged snacks into the backseat while we dashed between soccer practice and dance (and beyond).

We wanted to do better!

We wanted to give our kids the high-quality protein and complex carbs that would fuel them through their busy little lives, the antioxidants that would help to keep them healthy … and also the yummy, satisfying flavors they craved.

We wanted that for our own kiddos, and we want it for yours, too.

And today, we’re making it uber-easy! We have (literally!) a cookbook’s worth of snack ideas … truly the only resource you’ll ever need!

More than 100 easy, healthy snacks for practically any snacking occasion!

• Mid-morning classroom snacks for little ones who are allowed to pack a pick-me-up munchy
• Lunchbox sides (to add to those great lunchbox mains we gave you last week)
• Easy-to-pack, portable after-school snacks for when you’re on the go (also perfect for hiking, camping, and travel snacks, too!)
• Refreshing yet healthy smoothies and popsicle snacks to welcome them off the bus on hot afternoons and help those wilting little ones get re-energized after a long, toasty day
• Heartier snacks for growing bodies and those times they need something a bit more substantial to power them through
• And lots of allergy-friendly, peanut-free and nut-free snacks (although some do contain nuts, so look closely if that’s a concern for you)
• Psssst … some of these even do double-duty as lovely little apps! Adults will love these, too!

We truly have hand-picked these recipes to share with our own families, and with you. We’re not kidding when we say we’ve looked through every single one of these recipes at least two or three times, to be sure it’s something we feel good about sharing – recipes that sound just as delicious as they are healthy … and easy!

So keep your kiddos fueled up all day long with great ideas they’ll love munching on, and you’ll feel great serving!

Snack time? Problem solved!

Consider this your brand-new Healthy, Happy, Totally Epic Snack Cookbook!

The ultimate list of 100+ easy, healthy kids' snack recipes! The only snack "cookbook" you'll ever need! (Pssst ... adults will love these, too!)

~~~ As pictured above ~~~

1 Healthy White Bean Dip from Jen at Yummy Healthy Easy

2 Crispy Oven-Baked Parmesan Green Bean Fries from Denise at Sweet Peas and Saffron

3 Creamy Cilantro Cucumber Dip from Jenn at Peas and Crayons

4 Rainbow Pepper Salsa from Two Healthy Kitchens

5 Easy Garlic Hummus from Amber at Dessert Now Dinner Later

~~~ Even more great ideas ~~~

Healthy Caterpillar Snack for Kids from Anna at In the Playroom

Ants on a Log 2.0 from Two Healthy Kitchens

Vegetable Hummus Bites from Brittanie at Totally the Bomb

Mexican Fiesta Black Bean Hummus from Two Healthy Kitchens

Cashew-Bean Queso from Linda at Cook for Good

Edamame Hummus from Two Healthy Kitchens

Hip Green Dip from Amanda at Heartbeet Kitchen

Italian Cannellini Hummus with Basil and Sun-Dried Tomatoes from Two Healthy Kitchens

Simple Fresh Guacamole from the Garden from Sarah at Creative Ramblings

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus from Julia at A Cedar Spoon

The ultimate list of 100+ easy, healthy kids' snack recipes! The only snack "cookbook" you'll ever need! (Pssst ... adults will love these, too!)

~~~ As pictured above ~~~

1 Very Berry Fruit Leather from Rachel at Baked by Rachel

2 Banana Bites from Susan at Our Family Eats

3 Hearty Fruit and Nut Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing from Two Healthy Kitchens

4 Fruit Caterpillar from Julia at A Cedar Spoon

5 Apple and Cinnamon Fruit Leather from Heather at French Press

~~~ Even more great ideas ~~~

Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Apple Slices from Renae at How to Have It All

Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll Ups from Tiffany at Living Sweet Moments

Fruit Kabobs (and Fun Fruit Shapes!) from Two Healthy Kitchens

Hummingbird Cake Fruit Salad from Carrie at Poet in the Pantry

Healthy Sugared-Vanilla Yogurt Fruit Dip from Two Healthy Kitchens

2-Ingredient Sugar-Free Fruit Dip from Karen at The Food Charlatan

Cat in the Hat Strawberry Fruit Kabobs from Kelly at Typically Simple

Peanut Butter Silk Pie Dip with Greek Yogurt from Two Healthy Kitchens

Pumpkin Apple Fruit Leather from Sara at The Organic Dietitian

The ultimate list of 100+ easy, healthy kids' snack recipes! The only snack "cookbook" you'll ever need! (Pssst ... adults will love these, too!)

~~~ As pictured above ~~~

1 Healthy Yogurt Parfait Party Snacks from Two Healthy Kitchens

2 Healthy 2-Ingredient Strawberry Applesauce from Erin at Texanerin Baking

3 Easy Homemade Applesauce (With a Deliciously Healthy Twist!) from Two Healthy Kitchens

4 DIY “Go Gurt” with Hidden Veggies from Kristen at Make the Best of Everything

~~~ Even more great ideas ~~~

No-Peel Applesauce from Christine at Cook the Story

Slow Cooker Applesauce from Carrie at Poet in the Pantry

The ultimate list of 100+ easy, healthy kids' snack recipes! The only snack "cookbook" you'll ever need! (Pssst ... adults will love these, too!)

~~~ As pictured above ~~~

3 Maple Pumpkin Scones from Amy at Amy’s Healthy Baking

4 Brown Rice Cakes from Tiffany at Living Sweet Moments

5 Roasted Strawberry Coconut Yogurt Bread from Gina at Running to the Kitchen

7 Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Muffins from Two Healthy Kitchens

~~~ Even more great ideas ~~~

Oatmeal Apple Bites from Mandy at Mandy’s Recipe Box

Blueberry-White Chocolate Muffins from Two Healthy Kitchens

{Healthier} Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins from Brianne at Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Cream Cheese Stuffed Carrot Cake Muffins from Sharon at The Honour System

Praline Peach Muffins from Two Healthy Kitchens

Blueberry Beet Honey Oat Muffins from Kirsten at Farm Fresh Feasts

Healthy Apple Cobbler Muffins from Two Healthy Kitchens

Chocolate Avocado Muffins from Shashi at Runnin Srilankan

The ultimate list of 100+ easy, healthy kids' snack recipes! The only snack "cookbook" you'll ever need! (Pssst ... adults will love these, too!)

~~~ As pictured above ~~~

~~~ Even more great ideas ~~~

No Bake Pumpkin Spice Energy Bars from Maryea at Happy Healthy Mama

Playground Granola Bars from Tara at Noshing with the Nolands

Homemade Chewy Granola Bars from Kristin at Iowa Girl Eats

Healthy No-Bake Puffed Cereal Bars from Tina at The Worktop

Homemade Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars from Brittanie at Simplistically Living

Homemade Larabars from Renae at How to Have It All

No Bake Almond Butter Granola Bars from Sherri at To Simply Inspire

Chia Fruit and Nut Bars from Tiffany at Living Sweet Moments

The ultimate list of 100+ easy, healthy kids' snack recipes! The only snack "cookbook" you'll ever need! (Pssst ... adults will love these, too!)

~~~ As pictured above ~~~

1 Peanut Butter Cup No-Bake Snack Bites from Two Healthy Kitchens

4 Cashew, Coconut, & Blueberry Energy Bites from Meredith at In Sock Monkey Slippers

~~~ Even more great ideas ~~~

Quick and Healthy Snack Bites from Two Healthy Kitchens

Tropical Snack Bites with Almonds and Chia from Two Healthy Kitchens

Maple Nut Balls with Flax from Deryn at Running on Real Food

No-Bake Almond Joy Snack Bites from Two Healthy Kitchens

Granola Bar Bites from Holly at Happy Food Healthy Life

No-Bake Maple-Walnut Oatmeal Snack Bites from Two Healthy Kitchens

Peanut Butter and Jelly No-Bake Snack Bites from Two Healthy Kitchens (featured on A Cedar Spoon)

The ultimate list of 100+ easy, healthy kids' snack recipes! The only snack "cookbook" you'll ever need! (Pssst ... adults will love these, too!)

~~~ As pictured above ~~~

~~~ Even more great ideas ~~~

Microwave Popcorn (+ bonus 25 awesome Popcorn Recipes!) from Two Healthy Kitchens

Baked Apple and Banana Chips from Caroline at Taste Love & Nourish

Ridiculously Easy 4 Ingredient Apple Cinnamon Snack Mix from Ari at Ari’s Menu

Homemade Sweet Potato and Kale Veggie Chips from Kelli at Freebie Finding Mom

Crunchy Cinnamon “Sugar” Chickpeas from Rebecca at Strength & Sunshine

Whole Grain Vegan Crackers from Kelly at The Pretty Bee

Homemade Crunchy Apple Chips from Tiffany at Living Sweet Moments

Pineapple Core Crisps from Nicky at Kitchen Sanctuary

Homemade Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips from Carla at Chocolate Moosey

Whole Wheat Peanut Crackers from Heather at Girlichef

Curried Apple Chips from Susan at The Wimpy Vegetarian

Roast Spaghetti Squash Seeds from Jenn at Sweet T Makes Three

Honey Cinnamon Almond Pretzel Granola from Jen and Emily at Layers of Happiness

The ultimate list of 100+ easy, healthy kids' snack recipes! The only snack "cookbook" you'll ever need! (Pssst ... adults will love these, too!)

~~~ As pictured above ~~~

2 Sandwich Kabobs from Stephanie at Eat. Drink. Love.

~~~ Even more great ideas ~~~

Veggie Nuggets from Brooke at MOMables

Strawberry-Peanut Butter Quesadillas from Two Healthy Kitchens

World’s Healthiest Tater Tots from Katie at Chocolate-Covered Katie

Cheesy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings from Jessica at Jessica in the Kitchen

The ultimate list of 100+ easy, healthy kids' snack recipes! The only snack "cookbook" you'll ever need! (Pssst ... adults will love these, too!)

~~~ As pictured above ~~~

1 4-Ingredient Fat Free Chocolate Pops from Two Healthy Kitchens

5 Pineapple-Peach Yogurt Popsicles from Kristine at Kristine’s Kitchen (featured on The Pretty Bee)

~~~ Even more great ideas ~~~

Strawberry Sundae Yogurt Ice Pops from Two Healthy Kitchens

Orange Banana Smoothie Popsicles from Heather at My Life Well Loved

Tropical Popsicles from Melissa at My Whole Food Life

Banana Crunch Popsicles from Produce for Kids

The ultimate list of 100+ easy, healthy kids' snack recipes! The only snack "cookbook" you'll ever need! (Pssst ... adults will love these, too!)

~~~ As pictured above ~~~

~~~ Even more great ideas ~~~

Healthy Breakfast Smoothie from Kelli at Freebie Finding Mom

“The Elvis” Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothie from Two Healthy Kitchens

Peach Julius from Wendy at Around My Family Table

Tropical Green Smoothie from Vicky and Ruth at May I Have That Recipe?

Pineapple Orange Creamsicle Smoothies from Two Healthy Kitchens

_________________________________

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Original article and pictures take twohealthykitchens.com site

The Many Benefits of Kefir

The Many Benefits of Kefir

I may receive a commission if you purchase something mentioned on this page. See more details here.

I am sure you have seen milk kefir at the store. Maybe you have even wondered what it is. I think the best way to describe it is drinkable yogurt. Most of them are flavored (loaded with sugars no doubt), some plain, but ALL store versions I have found are made with low fat milk. BUT! It isn't yogurt. It is a fermented dairy similar to yogurt, but the benefits of kefir are so much more!

Kefir is incredibly nutrient dense

As I said, kefir is a fermented drink traditional made from cow's milk. Kefir grains, cultures of yeast and lactobacillus, turn the milk into kefir! After fermentation, the grains can be removed and used to ferment more milk. It is delightful, really.

A serving of milk kefir is packed with protein, calcium, phosphorus, B12, riboflavin, magnesium, and Vitamin D!

Powerful Probiotic Punch

When most people think of probiotics, they think of yogurt. But did you know that kefir is actually a more potent source of diverse probiotics, containing about 30 strains of bacteria and yeasts. A few of these strains even contain antibacterial properties. Sweet!!

Protect your bones AND your digestion

We all know that milk is a good source of calcium. But did you know that milk kefir is also rich in Vitamin K2? This nutrient plays a central role in metabolizing calcium, which is great for your bones!!

As mentioned before, those powerful probiotics are fantastic for gut health! Milk kefir fills the gut with plentiful friendly bacteria that can be helpful for those with digestive problems. Plus, restoring a healthy balance of good bacteria is essential for a healthy immune system.

So easy to make at home

Milk kefir is my favorite fermented dairy to make at home! It is so easy to make and it is ready to drink sooner than you can fill your freezer with ready-made smoothie freezer packs!

Homemade milk kefir is my favorite base for smoothies. It is easy to make, very inexpensive, and incredibly good for the gut. There are so many great benefits of kefir! Which is your favorite?

Want to learn how to make kefir at home? It is easy!

Oh Lardy! is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Kick start your fermenting with our FREE eCourse & Quick Start Guide! We have everything you need to get you on your way!

Related

Original article and pictures take ohlardy.com site

The Many Benefits of Essential Oils

The Many Benefits of Essential Oils

Beneficial Uses of Essential Oils

An essential oil is actually a pure liquid that contains the true essence of a plant. Here are some of the many benefits of essential oils.

Essential Oils are Products from Nature

These oils have been used for centuries and have many uses ranging from household cleaning products, aromatherapy, personal care products and as natural remedies for all kinds of ailments.

There are many health benefits to using products that come from nature and are processed without using harsh chemicals. They can be diffused, inhaled, applied topically, incorporated into massage, or taken internally.

The oils are distilled by using water or steam and become intensely concentrated. They are usually blended into a carrier oil such as sweet almond or apricot kernel oil in order to dilute them and allow for better absorption through the skin.

Essential oils can also influence your emotional state to one of peace, balance, joy and spiritual awareness.

If you are more down to earth, essential oils can cleanse your skin, body and home.

At one time or another you have probably used some essential oils in your home or for a natural remedy. One of the most common is lavender.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is a lovely way to ease aching muscles in a warm bath with epsom salts. You can also simply rub a few drops into tight muscles or your temples for headache relief.

I use lavender in a coconut oil based cream to rub into my feet before bed. Incredibly, this helps with insomnia. A few drops on the pillow is another way to use lavender.

Lavender is gently enough to use undiluted, yet it also has anti-microbial properties that make it helpful in cleaning products and personal care products.

Tea Tree Oil Essential Oil

Tea tree oil is another essential oil that is commonly used in homes. This is a strong anti-microbial and may be used for cleaning products (gives them a great scent) and also personal care products. It has been recommended for use with acne, boils and other infections.

This oil should be diluted as it is very powerful. I’ve used a few drops of tea tree oil in warm water to inhale and clear sinuses. Warm compresses soaked in tea tree oil in water can be used on any bruise or sprain.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint is also very common and typically used for digestion. It may also be used for nausea, sore muscles, chest congestion, sore throat and headaches.

You may have had peppermint tea which is great for stomach upset. It may also be used for pain relief, inflammation, headaches, relieve PMS and to reduce fatigue.

Clove Essential Oil

Clove oil is commonly used for dental issues such as tooth pain or gum inflammation. I have used a combination that includes clove oil for my gums and it has reduced a pocket!

Moms may rub a diluted clove oil on the gums of teething babies. Clove has antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties and diluted versions help in the treatment of bites, scrapes and cuts.

Proper Use of Essential Oils

In order to properly use essential oils you really need to inform yourself as much as you can. You can read books, go online, or join into a company that sells the oils and also offers training in its use.

You can start small and get more oils as you use them.

Essential Oils are a Good Substitute for Perfume

If you like the idea of having a scent for your personal care products you might want to consider making your own with essential oils.

Essential oils are generally safe, as they are made from plants. Try to get organic essential oils when you can.

Note: If you are chemically sensitive, even some of the essential oils can be irritating. I went to the local health food store where they have samples to smell to figure out which essential oils were irritating to me before I purchased any.

Resources for DIY Home and Personal Care Products:

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Original article and pictures take realfoodforager.com site

The Magical Remedy for Gnarly Moods and Lethargic Bodies

The Magical Remedy for Gnarly Moods and Lethargic Bodies

Can I confess something to you? My family is *not* always in happy, well-behaved, instagrammable moods. Shocker, right? Sometimes we’re just feeling grumpy, out of sorts, lethargic, and brain mushy. (Let’s agree that that’s a new word, k?)

While there are plenty of factors that could be at play with this scenario on any given day, I have discovered one simple fix that has lifted all of our spirits, improved our moods, and injected us with fresh energy – almost every time.

It’s pretty simple: nature.

Yup, that’s it. We go to a local nature reserve space, and play! The kids love to throw rocks into the river, dig with sticks in the sand, play make-believe on the boulders near the water, or tromp through the forest on a little hike.

We enjoy the fresh air, hold hands, and meander along the path behind them, as they run with smiles on their faces and life in their eyes.

It doesn’t have to be a long time, and it doesn’t have to be planned. Nothing is required other than loading up the family and going to a place where you’re surrounded by nature.

(And just to clarify, while going to a children’s playground is always fun, I’m talking about the beach or the forest or anywhere in a natural setting with things like sticks and rocks as toys.)

It’s nothing new, really. We’ve always been a family that loves playing outside, but I recently had a bit of a lightbulb moment.

A few weekends ago we were in deep housecleaning mode. We were tackling some of the remaining moving boxes (finally!) and slowly getting our house more in order. It felt great to be productive, but by late Sunday afternoon we were feeling worn out and tired.

We were quite tempted to sprawl on the couch with a movie for the rest of the afternoon and just chill, but we hadn’t had any outside time all weekend, and agreed that we really should take the kids to our favorite spot down at the river to let them burn off some energy.

We threw some water bottles in a bag, piled everyone into the van, and we headed out. Not only did all of our moods pick up, but our energy levels went way up, too. I felt like a thirsty houseplant that had been neglected, and finally got watered again. (This analogy may or may not play out in my home on a regular basis…)

It was beautifully refreshing, for both body and soul.

My lightbulb moment that day was this: as human beings, we are actually wired to be in contact with nature. Unfortunately, our modern world has disconnected us from nature significantly, but our brains still crave it.

Sometimes we don’t listen, and we try to scratch the itch in other ways.

But when we get outside and surround ourselves with the natural world, our brains are literally invigorated, which in turn invigorates our bodies.

When I got home that day, I did some googling and found that scientists are studying this phenomenon. Being in nature literally changes your brain’s wiring, which I find so fascinating (and cool!)

This National Geographic article describes how Korean researchers “used functional MRI to watch brain activity in people viewing different images. When the volunteers were looking at urban scenes, their brains showed more blood flow in the amygdala, which processes fear and anxiety. In contrast, the natural scenes lit up the anterior cingulate and the insula — areas associated with empathy and altruism.”

Another study measured brain activity on participants after walking in nature versus walking in an urban setting. It showed a decrease in rumination (fixating on negative thoughts) in the prefrontal cortex in those who took a walk in nature. Other studies describe its effects on reducing anxiety and depression.

The mental health benefits of being in nature are amazing. And there can be physical health benefits too! Interacting with nature skin-to- dirt is great for your gut microbiome, and there are also minerals in the dirt that can be absorbed into our bodies, depending on how much contact we have.

The beautiful thing is that the best times are nothing extravagant, and nothing too planned out. We just head to our usual spot (or explore a new one) and let the kiddos loose to play. It’s quite honestly the easiest parenting we do all week because we’re all so content and relaxed, and the kids never get bored.

Now, despite knowing all of this, we sometimes still find it challenging to make time in our schedules. Life remains busy and to-do lists don’t end. Spontaneous trips to the nature reserve for no particular reason are easily relegated to the bottom of the priority list.

However, every single time we manage to actually make it out of the house and do this, I’m reminded of just how soothing and invigorating it is. And of how incredibly refreshing it is to my soul. And how gleeful our kids are to be there.

So knowing this, and thanks to my moment of clarity a few weekends ago, I have fresh resolve to go play in nature on a regular basis. We’re going to designate Sundays as our “get outside day” and make it a weekly habit.

Spending time in natural settings is something I already loved to do, but I’m now officially adding it to my list of natural wellness tools.

How do you use nature in your pursuit of wellness?

Where do you find surprising refreshment? Niagara Water wants to know! Share an inspiring “Refreshing Moment” video for a chance to win $1000. To enter, simply post your short video on YouTube, Instagram or Twitter and use the hashtag #RefreshingMoments. (Thanks to Niagara Water for sponsoring this post!)

Original article and pictures take redandhoney.com site

The Importance of Non-Holiday Traditions in Our Family

The Importance of Non-Holiday Traditions in Our Family

When we think of family traditions the first things that might come to mind are bright lights on the tree and a special breakfast on Christmas morning. Or how it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving if your grandma didn’t make her signature casserole or your dad didn’t make his signature corny jokes. Or maybe it’s that extra-special something you do for your kids on their birthdays.

I love all the special things my family does to make holidays extraordinary. They remind me of what and why we’re celebrating. They give me a sense of comfort as I go through the familiar rhythms with my people. I feel closest to them when we’re carrying out our traditions.

Traditions bind families together and create lasting memories, so why limit traditions to a few days a year?

Each family has a unique history, their own story they’re writing, a dynamic all their own. And I think that should be celebrated.

Ever since my husband and I started our own new family nine years ago, our story has been characterized by international moves and young children. So we celebrate that.

• We celebrate January 9th, the day we moved to Hungary, with a picnic spread we often had there.

• On July 1st we have poutine to honour Canada Day and our son who was born while we lived there.

• We eat ajvar and white crusty bread on September 11th to remember the day we moved to Macedonia.

• When we drive out of town we duck our heads as we drive under the overpass while our two older kids giggle hysterically in the backseat.

• We go camping every summer.

• Friday night is family movie night.

• We have an elaborate goodnight kiss routine with the kids.

• Last week I started a new tradition of taking our kids out for hot chocolate after their first day of school.

Some of these celebrate big, life changing events, others are ordinary and everyday. Both these big and small traditions bring our family together.

When we look back on and remember the events that shaped our family it helps us to remember who we were, who we are, and who we want to become. That’s what traditions do; they tie our present to our past and go with us joyfully into the future.

So, figure out which big events define your family.

Maybe it’s the day you moved into your forever home, or you got your dream job, or when grandma was declared cancer-free, or when your daughter achieved a goal she worked hard for.

Whatever the major landmarks are for your family, remember them and celebrate them.

And find small ways to bring the rhythm of tradition to your everyday life.

Make the same or similar annual trip, keep inside jokes alive, go for a walk in the evening, have a game night, or make family dinners special.

Do what your family loves and enjoys together and do it often enough that it becomes your very own family ritual.

It’s all too easy for everyone to get wrapped up in their own crazy schedule and to just blow through life without stopping to remember the events that shaped them or to truly connect with others in a meaningful way. This gets especially difficult as kids get older.

Finding ways to celebrate family traditions can create a liturgy unique to your family that circles everyone back together and strengthens bonds that will one day withstand the test of time and distance.

Original article and pictures take redandhoney.com site

The Home Herbalist Library

The Home Herbalist Library

I have been studying herbalism and aromatherapy for nearly a year now.

I have enjoyed each and every day, learning new things and putting those things into practice. While this is not an exhaustive list of “must have” books, and my library is sure to keep growing, here are some of my favorite resources that I look to on a daily basis.

All about herbs

The Healing Herbs by Michael Castleman

Backyard Medicine by Bruton-Seal & Seal

find it here

The Herbal Handbook by David Hoffman

find it here

The Essential Guide to Home Herbal Remedies by Melaine Wenzel

find it here

Home Herbal by DK books

find it here

The Complete Guide to Wild Edible Plants by the Department of the Army

find it here

BackYard Pharmacy by Rachel Weaver

find it here

Each one of these books has a lot of information, packed neatly.

They do share a lot of that same information, and for research purposes, it’s nice to have several things say the same thing. There are recipes and how to grow your own herbs tips in each book, and any one of them on it’s own would be a great resource.

Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

I first really got my feet wet in the essential oil world when I got involved with a MLM company selling oils. After learning more, I decided that I could no longer support the company and some of the suggested uses that others were sharing. Some of it was good advice, but some of it was outright dangerous practices when done under certain circumstances. My goal is to now share what I am learning with others, so they can get the benefits of essential oils, while using them safely. Some of my favorite resources so far have been:

The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook by Nerys Purchon and Lora Cantele

The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless

The Art of Aromatherapy by Robert B. Tisserand

Aromatherapy for Everyone by Robert B. Tisserand

The Essential Oils Book by Colleen K. Dodt

These books are chock full of information

about proper and safe usage of different oils, as well as recipes for creating your own bath and body care with essential oils (in The Essential Oils book by Colleen K. Dodt mainly) The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils is full of the materia medica information about each oil, with the botanical name, history and folklore surrounding each oils use. Anything by Robert B. Tisserand is going to be all science based information, and while awesome, can be a bit hard to just lie back and read. They are more “research based” than enjoyment to learn books. However, they are a really great source of information.

Along my path to Master Herbalist, I have also been reading many other books.

It’s been interesting to learn where modern medicine “came from” as well as different ways we got here. I have also been enjoying different stories about real people and their lives. Some of my favorites have been:

Typhoid Mary by Judith Walzer Leavitt

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson

The Dose Makes the Poison by Frank Ottoboni

The Cancer BattlePlan by Anne Frahm

If I could tell you to only read one of these books, I would have to say it would be The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

This is a truly heart wrenching story about a black woman in the early 1950’s with cervical cancer. She was treated for cervical cancer, but wasn’t really told what was going on with her treatments. During the time of her treatments, some of her cervical cells were extracted and not only did they NOT die in labs like others, they actually grew. So much so that her cells were able to be sold to other labs, without her knowledge. Her cell line is referred to as HeLa, and is still in use today, as researchers continue the battle against cancer. How this affected her family will astound you, truly. However, each of the books is a must read to me. In A Cancer Battle Plan, we are taken through Anne’s journey of cancer, and her natural approaches in treatment. Although Anne eventually lost her battle, the leaps and bounds of what was learned is amazing. Of course, we all know the story of Typhoid Mary. Or do we? I was shocked to learn at what really happened to this woman, when it was believed that she was a carrier of this deadly disease. And, The Ghost Map lays out the start of epidemiology as we journey through Victorian England and the deadly cholera disease.

Which books do you want to start reading? BE SURE TO PIN THIS TO YOUR FAVORITE BOARD FOR LATER

Original article and pictures take thehomesteadinghippy.com site

The Hidden Toxins in Your Drinking Water

The Hidden Toxins in Your Drinking Water

Drink up your heavy metals and pharmaceutical drugs, kiddies! Ahhhh, refreshing!

Or not. What’s in our tap water? Isn’t it just… water?? This isn’t a third world country! There are rules about such things, right? The government makes sure it’s safe and clean, of course.

Contamination in Your Drinking Water

Oh, dear sweet innocent self from a decade ago. You are darling, but also completely wrong. You see, your tap water has become increasingly polluted with a variety of toxins. Water is no longer pure and unadulterated, mostly due to environmental contamination.

Instead of filtering all of the yuck out of the public water supply properly, it is simply treated with chemicals to an “acceptable level” of contaminants, and then treated with chlorine to “sanitize” the most harmful germs. So they don’t remove the contaminants – they just use decontamination methods that end up leaving behind other by-products and residues.

Isn’t that sort of disturbing? It is to me. In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group, water utilities testing has found over 300 different contaminants in the tap water that Americans drink.

Lab tests have detected contaminants such as…

• Heavy metals like mercury, lead, copper, aluminum, chromium
• Pharmaceuticals that are flushed down the toilet (both directly and in urine)
• Viruses, pathogenic bacteria, and parasites
• Man-made toxic chemicals like pesticides and herbicides
• VOC’s and organic solvents
• Sewage sediment
• Chlorine

Get this — when I fill up our water filter reservoir with a strong flow of tap water, the smell of chlorine makes my eyes and nose burn. I have to turn away. Don’t you wonder what the long-term effects of that might be for those who drink it every single day?

Dangers of Fluoride

Fluoride is another addition to the water supply that you want to filter out. Unfortunately, most municipalities add it in intentionally! Due to a belief that it aids in dental health, it has been used for years in this way.

But recent studies are showing serious concerns and a myriad of negative health effect risks from fluoride, such as lowered IQ in children (a result that was reached in 43 separate scientific studies! source), and thyroid dysfunction (source).

The talk of thyroid dysfunction especially piqued my own interest — due mainly to the fact that I’m dealing with serious adrenal fatigue, part of which is manifested as thyroid dysfunction.

More excellent info on the dangers of fluoride can be found on this natural dentistry site.

Long-Term Health Effects?

Now most of the time, your tap water won’t kill you right away, of course (except when it has, like the infamous e-coli tragedy in Ontario in 2000.) But the cumulative, long-term health effects of these various contaminants, both the unintentional and the intentional ones, have never been adequately studied.

Proponents of fluoride use this fact as a promotion tactic: they say things like, “studies have shown no long-term health effects”. This is very misleading. As I have come to learn in my health & wellness research over the years, that ‘party line’ is not only a huge red flag, but also a call for caution and further digging.

Despite the fact that health officials do not all agree on the fluoride issue, I believe that there is already enough evidence to warrant concern over regularly drinking tap water, in the same way that I know that high-fructose corn syrup, MSG, and polyunsaturated vegetable oils are detrimental to my health.

The Filter We Use and Love

I came to the above conclusion several years ago after doing hours of research on the topic, and that’s when my family bought our own Berkey water filter.

Prior to that, I only knew about the Brita fridge pitcher, or the super-expensive reverse-osmosis systems that a salesperson once tried to pitch to us in our home. I didn’t really believe that there was anything to worry about in my tap water.

How My Cat Convinced Me

That salesman somehow convinced us to invite him in to our little basement apartment to give a demonstration. We didn’t buy a reverse osmosis system that day (or ever), but his demonstration was compelling. As it turned out, our cat did most of the convincing…

Sales dude told us all about the contaminants in our tap water, and we were somewhat skeptical, so he used our cat, Sophie, as Exhibit A. He took a bowl of tap water, and a bowl of toilet water, and placed them side-by-side on the kitchen floor. He said that animals can tell that the toilet water is cleaner (because the porcelain toilet bowl helps to absorb some of the contaminants).

The cat came over, sniffed both bowls a few times, then started lapping up the toilet water, leaving the tap water untouched. We left it for the rest of the day, but she didn’t touch the bowl of tap water even once.

That little demonstration has stuck in my memory all of these years as I’ve done my research into the facts.

Why Not Reverse Osmosis Water?

Reverse osmosis systems strip out the beneficial, natural minerals along with the yucky stuff, making the water an acidic “hypo-tonic” solution.

Why is that a problem, you ask?

A chemist will tell you that any time a hypo-tonic (de-mineralized) solution comes into contact with a “Hyper-tonic” (Mineralized) solution, the minerals within the hyper-tonic solution will transfer out of hyper-tonic solution and into the hypo-tonic solution until equilibrium is achieved. What this means is simply that when one drinks hypo-tonic water, the minerals in the blood and lymphatic system, which are hyper-tonic, transfer into the hypo-tonic RO or Distilled water that is consumed and the minerals are flushed out of the body upon urination.

In an effort to re-mineralize, the blood and lymphatic systems then begin to scavenge for minerals from other parts of the body, such as bones and other organs, and this process repeats itself every time de-mineralized hypo-tonic water is re-consumed. Several studies suggest that people who drink de-mineralized water (hypo-tonic) over a long period of time tend to be more prone to degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis.” (source)

Berkey: The Best System in Existence

*Giveaway closed*

Original article and pictures take redandhoney.com site

The Healthy Home Series

The Healthy Home Series

I’m so glad you’re joining us for our 7-day interactive series “The Healthy Home”!

You can follow along each day via Periscope at @humbledhome and use the hashtag #thehealthyhome! We will be live Periscoping around 2:00 p.m. EST each day, and you will be able to find the replay to each episode at Katch.me, and I will be updating this page each day with “show notes” from each episode.

I will be sending out the entire series via a FREE email series after the live series ends. This will include links to the Katch.me videos and the blog posts and show notes in an easy-to-read PDF format!

Sign up here to not miss it!

Now, let’s get ready to transform your home!

Day 1: The Laundry Room

In today’s episode, we talked all about the laundry room! If you are tuning it right after the broadcast, check back at 4:00 p.m. EST for today’s show notes!

You can check out today’s video replay by clicking on the embedded video below or by clicking here.

In today’s scope, we talked all about how to transform your laundry room to be healthier.

Later this week, I will publish a more in-depth post to go along with Day 1: The Laundry Room. I will be linking to it here after it publishes!

Today’s scope in a nutshell:

1. Check out EWG.org to get ratings on the very healthier (nontoxic, green, natural) laundry detergents and stain removers.
2. I am not brand loyal, but I try to go with higher-rated brands.
3. The most economical and most natural laundry detergents are homemade.(See links below to recipes to make your own!)
4. You can also make your own stain removers or use the sun to remove stains. (See links below to recipes to make your own!)
5. Wool dryer balls cut drying time and help prevent static.
6. Creating and maintaining a good laundry routine will help eliminate stress and create more mental and emotional health in YOU!

See the entire replay here.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

5 Homemade Laundry Detergents

10+ Homemade, All-Natural Stain Removers

Detox Your Laundry Routine with Wool Dryer Balls

How a $15 Craigslist Find Revolutionized My Laundry Routine

A 4-Step Laundry Routine That Works!

How to Make Soap Nuts Liquid

EWG.org

Sign up below to get the entire series emailed to you at the end!

Original article and pictures take thehumbledhomemaker.com site

The Flu Shot is Big Business

The Flu Shot is Big Business

The CD expanded their recommendations for the flu shot to include everyone in this country 6 months and older. The flu shot is big business!

That recommendation has encouraged pharmaceutical companies to fiercely compete with each other each year to produce the newest vaccine by August, for that season’s distribution. If a company does not have its strains manufactured and available, retailers will commit to the pharma that has them.

Manufacturers have from February to June to try to figure out which strains will be most active during the upcoming season. Once they get that sorted out – which is approximated from the strains that are circulating in the southern hemisphere (where it is winter while we have summer) – they have to rush to get it manufactured, in order to have it available by August, when the buyers are looking for it.

Then it’s business as usual with aggressive advertising, fear tactics and mandatory threats in certain workplaces (like hospitals).

But is the shot safe and is it actually effective?

The Players for the Flu Shot

In the United States, Sanofi Pasteur is the largest, who will be supplying around 65 million doses or more this year. The Australian company CSL will supply up to 54 million doses (after acquiring Novartis’s flu vaccine unit in August), and GlaxoSmithKline, will supply up to 38 million doses.

The How-To of making Flu Vaccine

Most flu vaccines (like some other vaccines) are made within an egg. Interestingly, egg has become one of the top 8 foods that are highly allergenic to some people.

Hmmm. Makes you think, doesn’t it? But Big Pharma is certainly not worrying about creating food allergies when contemplating the multi-billions that they make each and every year from the flu vaccine.

It’s our public health agencies who provide seed viruses to manufacturers. The companies then decide whether to make a trivalent vaccine — including three strains —or even a quadrivalent — including four strains.

According to this article,

The manufacturers take fertilized eggs, check them for infection, make sure they indeed contain embryos — an important element of the egg as a factory — power-wash them, and inject them with virus. The eggs are then left to incubate at 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) for four to five days for the virus to multiply.

The virus is then extracted and killed, and shipped to GSK’s facility in Pennsylvania to be outfitted into syringes.

What they don’t tell you here is that the syringe may also contain:

Beta-Propiolactone, Egg Protein, Neomycin, Polymyxin B, Polyoxyethylene 9-10 Nonyl Phenol (Triton N-101, Octoxynol 9), Thimerosal (in the multidose containers), Thimerosal* (much smaller amounts in the single-dose syringes – if there is no thimerosal, they may substitute it with aluminum). (These are the Ingredients of Fluvirin used in 2013.

Potential Problems With Added Ingredients in Flu Vaccine

• The egg protein may be a trigger for those allergic to eggs.
• Beta-Propiolactone is used for sterilization. Read about the toxicity here.
• Octoxynol 9 is a vaginal spermicide.
• Thimerosal is used as a preservative in the vaccine. It contains 49.6% mercury by weight and has been implicated in many health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, autism, seizures, mental retardation, hyperactivity, dyslexia and many more nervous system conditions.
• The mercury used in vaccines is a powerful neurotoxin that can damage the nervous system of a child.
• If you get this vaccine every year you are getting thimersol and all the other adjuvants and toxic additives as well year after year.
• Don’t rely on Tamiflu after the fact. It has been found to be unsafe and ineffective.

Here’s What NOT To Do

Do not get pressured into getting a flu shot. Think about it and research the risk vs. benefit profile. They are pressuring EVERYONE to get this. These toxic shots are available 24/7 at local pharmacies and even churches. They are enlisting clergy people to push the shot on everyone.

Remember the phrase a chicken in every pot? They are trying for a flu shot in every arm! Don’t fall for it! A yearly flu shot is VERY dangerous and it does not protect you. Do your research first and make an informed decision.

Make no mistake about it – the flu shot is big business. Here are some natural remedies for the flu and ways to PREVENT it in the first place.

Read How I Lost my Job Over the Flu Vaccine from Mindful Mama.

Have you been contemplating the flu shot? Why or why not? Leave a comment and let me know!

Original article and pictures take realfoodforager.com site