Category: Healthy Living

I’ll begin this post like a preacher; “Studying into this was good for me; I need it myself.” Hopefully, it can benefit someone else besides.

We hear a lot about high cortisol these days,  and it’s not a wonder with this fast-paced world we live in. It can get our bodies stuck in the fight or flight mode.

What is cortisol?

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It’s often called the stress hormone. It controls the parts of your brain that affect mood, motivation and fear.

Cortisol:

*Controls our sleep and wake cycles.

*It manages how our body absorbs fats, protein and carbs.

*Regulates blood pressure

*Provides energy in stressful situations as well as helps to balance our levels after the stressful moments. We need this, but too much makes our body feel like we’re always running from that booger man behind us.

So if our cortisol is high, it’s not a wonder we say hello to insomnia, high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure.

For years already, I’ve been prone to run in high gear.  I’m not always doing 90, but when there’s work to be done, I like tackling it with vengeance and speed. It feels like a waste of time to putz around, and it’s hard for me to relax when I see work to be done. But working slow and steady is not a bad thing! I truly need my own advice here. I do better at this on days that aren’t packed full.  Somedays, though, it feels like it’s not an option to putter. Especially when there’s responsibilities outside of home. Like this week. It’s the last week of school and with Jerald being Chairman, I have a good dose of other responsibilities not related to my home. It stresses me considerably! But what other choice than to keep going and plug through? This kind of stuff (and much worse!) for continued lengths of time, is what can really elevate cortisol. At least if you’re an introvert like me and hate being responsible for events.

With a new baby in the house, I definitely feel like my cortisol has been running high these first couple months postpartum. But that’s normal for moms, isn’t it? Google says it is. And between me and Google, what could go wrong? But it certainly doesn’t take postpartum to have high cortisol!

I’m always planning for the most strategic methods for managing my time. But when I’m so focused on my work that I turn the oven on and promptly forget to put supper in, there’s definite needs going on in this brain. Yes, this happened. I came back half an hour later to find the casserole still sitting on the stovetop. Hello mom brain.

The stress of pregnancy and delivery, sleep deprivation, and the 24/7 neediness of a tiny human is exhausting, to state it mildly. It doesn’t mean we as moms are not extremely grateful or that we don’t love our babies. It just means we’re made of dust. And there’s nothing stable about dust or women’s emotions.

I can tell the number of gray hair on my head have increased during my recent stressful pregnancy. I comb my hair in such a way to try covering up most of those silver streaks. Does that sound like pride? I thought so at first, but then I decided to call it humility. I’m covering up how wise I am. 

Back to the high cortisol. For me, there’s always the daily stress of constant decisions surrounding household duties and baby care. When baby sleeps, which is the best choice? Zoom around and prep supper so I can ensure there’s food available at 6 pm? Go to bed myself? Sit down to read while I have a moment? Relax in the sunshine? Go on a walk?

 Some days the answer is obvious. Sleep is high priority.  I go to bed and pray for sleep. But then the little miss wakes up. “Well then, I should have stayed up and worked.” I hate the feeling that I made the wrong choice. Other days, she sleeps like a charm and I also get a nap- hallelujah! Other times, I accomplish my work at high speed. This too, is a hallelujah sort of feeling. The reason I work swiftly is so I can relax afterwards!

Maybe this doesn’t sound like much stress compared to performing surgeries or working for the President. Well, no. But it’s still stress to me. But we can’t compare stress. What is stress to me may not be much anything to another mom. We all live different lives and have a plethora of reasons that stress us out. Some to a greater extent than others. I mean, of course, my daily little stress is nothing compared to seeing a loved one dying, constant, debilitating health issues, relationship struggles and many more awful things. Stress will affect our health if we don’t watch out!

The good man I live with often reminds me to just sit down. Take it easy.  Sit in the sunshine. To slow down. Ahh, such wise words. And I try to comply. I’m trying to slow down instead of always rushing. There is such joy in slow living.  I might zip around my house, but I enjoy my days much more, by a slower paced life. Not packing my day or schedule too full. We must say no to unnecessary things.

It brings joy to live unhurrried and I’m a work in progress. To simply care for my baby and do the laundry. To have time for morning porch sitting. To have time for reading.  To really listen to my children’s stories. To not schedule or attend too many activities that take me away from home every week. (Some thrive on this, but it wears me out) It takes intention to live life in the slow lane.

So where was I going. Oh yes! That high cortisol. With the rate of speed that thoughts cruise through my brain, it’s a good chance they’ll be forgotten if I don’t jot it down. Constantly distracted, that’s what you’d call this.  If there’s important things I must do that involve others, it feels a kin to danger to not write it down. I rest much better if it’s on paper. Which is why there’s a pencil and sticky notes in my nightstand drawer. Not a notes-in-her-phone kind of girl here!

In the graphic below, how many of these can you relate to? Surprisingly, high and low cortisol can have many of the same symptoms, although high levels are most common. And it never hurts to try simple methods for reducing stress. Never have I ever heard someone say, “Wow, I loved that stressful feeling. Wish that season could’ve lasted longer!”

There are simple things we can do to help lower our cortisol.

 ●  Firstly, if you can sleep, sleep! I don’t have pity for those who are sleep deprived from lack of discipline. I have pity on those who go to bed in a timely manner, yet can’t sleep. Or those who wake in the early morning hours, with a speeding brain. That sort of stuff can definitely raise cortisol because neither your mind or body is getting refreshed! But you can’t sleep if you can’t sleep! Been there countless times. It’s brutal.

• Get out in the morning sunshine.  This is much easier done in summer months than winter. Exposing your bare eyes to sunlight first thing in the morning before any screen time will help set your circadian rhythm and help your body produce its own melatonin at bedtime.
• Eat real whole foods along with plenty of protein to help balance blood sugar. Fresh vegetables and fruits. Real salt. Good meat without hormones and nitrates. Raw milk.  Fresh eggs from backyard chickens. Nuts and seeds. Bake with freshly milled flour and good oils like olive, avocado or coconut. Or butter. Or lard from hogs raised from a responsible source.
• Eat a protein filled breakfast before too long in the morning. Intermittent fasting can be done if it’s done properly with adequate protein and food intake during the eating window.  But IF is not for those with high cortisol. It puts undue stress on an already taxed body.  We want to make our bodies feel safe.  Not stressed- because I’m starving!
• Breathe deeply. We underestimate the power of deep belly breathing. Spend 5 minutes deep breathing when you feel yourself getting stressed. It signals your body to relax. Look up Wim Hof breathing techniques. Breathe deeply for a few minutes, hold your breath for a minute, and then breathe deeply again. Each time you do it, try holding your breath a little longer. This brings oxygen to the brain. I’ve done it and it works! I can feel it in my head.
• Wim Hof also recommends a cold water bath or shower. Initially, this makes your cortisol rise, but as you relax and do this regularly, it can help reduce cortisol levels. This takes a substantial amount of courage! Besides making you shriek and shiver, it also helps your overall hormone production in a positive way. 
• Stay well hydrated! Add in a pinch of Real salt to your water for electrolytes. Along with this, follow my example and don’t drink coffee. Ha. Well, at least  limit your caffeine intake! And definitely don’t drink coffee on an empty stomach. 
• Limit or exclude time in front of computers or phones before bed. Blue light disrupts our natural circadian rythm and suppresses melatonin, our sleep hormone. This is hard to do, because if we’re relaxing in our chairs at night, we’ll catch up on our phones, right? At the least, wear blue light glasses and/or turn your lighting waaaay down! But even so, it’s stimulating to the brain- not a conducive way to promote sleep! Read a book or visit with those closest to you instead.

Here are a few more informative graphics in regards to food.

In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength…..

I read this verse in Isaiah 30 this morning and felt like it was exactly what I needed.  I’m asking God to give me a quiet heart in spite of a stress filled week.  Being intentional with our time, and beginning to prepare for events early on, helps it feel more manageable.

If you hear me huffing and puffing this week,  you’ll know why. I’m just trying to lower my cortisol!

This will be a long, gory story about the critters that probably 98% of us host. It’s sick to think about these things inside of us. But to do nothing about them is worse yet. 

Proceed with caution. But rest assured, I won’t be posting any pictures of parasites. Though I admit I took a few shots of mine, for reference.

First off, if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant, do not do a parasite cleanse. It seems everyone should know that much but in case somebody didn’t, now you know. 

Typically, we hear we are more susceptible to parasites if we’re around animals, if we’re not washing hands properly after bathroom use or if someone’s been out of the country. I’ve also read that if you wear shoes in the house, there’s a greater chance of parasites. While these statements are likely true, it’s not an inclusive list. Parasites can be picked up super easy. Yes, even in the USA. You don’t need to go to Africa or Haiti to get parasites in your body! That’s why I highly recommend doing a parasite cleanse periodically.  If you’ve never done one, then get with the program- I mean what are you waiting on?! (Probably me and this post. 🤣)

Wouldn’t we all like to think that surely we aren’t among the population infected with parasites?! But if you are a human being, it’s probably safe to say you have parasites of some sort.  70% of parasites are microscopic. So if you do a cleanse and don’t see any worms, don’t think it did no good. But if you see massive ones like Jerald and I did, you know you’re afflicted with a substantial dose of the critters.  

I mostly dislike animals. I hesitate to say I hate them for fear of animal rightist getting on my case. But I’m certainly not hugging and holding or housing any pets!! And much as I don’t like animals, as much hand washing I do and no wearing shoes in the house, and out of the country only once in my life, I was still infected with parasites. Loaded would be a better term.

Parasites will wreak havoc on our health. You might wonder, as I did, where all these critters were hiding out all these years?! Well, they aren’t scared to dive right into your poop. We have 20 feet of small intestine, which gives ample space to find lodging. But they also get in our bloodstream and organs. They steal nutrients from our bodies, causing multitudes of issues. They store heavy metals and toxins. Which is why, when you begin detoxing, you must make sure all your detox pathways are open: Your bowels, skin, liver and kidneys. Take a bowel mover to keep your bowels open and going several times a day. You want to get those critters out as soon as they die or become more active. You also detox through your skin, so getting yourself to sweat frequently is beneficial. I used my Inferno sauna and loved it. Ideally, your liver and kidneys should be detoxed prior to a parasite cleanse. Because, if you begin cleansing without these working properly, your symptoms will be much worse. 

Back when we were young married, Jerald and I both did a parasite cleanse. It was simply one herbal tincture. We never saw or felt any sort of results like we did with this Para cleanse kit!! I no longer have faith in those sort of cheap tinctures. I was introduced to the Para Kit by CellCore through my nutritional doctor at Spirit of Health and it produces the best results! The specific herbs in CellCore’s Para Cleanse have been used for years for deworming. You start in on a low dose and increase it slowly over the course of twenty days. Instructions should come with the kit. Along with the Para cleanse, you also take a binder of some sort- like bentonite clay, or biotoxin binder. This helps bind up and rid the toxins that are being released as the parasites die. I don’t recommend charcoal for a binder because that binds up both good and bad. 

This kit is not cheap! It costs, and believe me, I took bottles and bottles of this stuff!!

And don’t stop at one twenty day cleanse and think you’re good. You might only be getting started as I was. Even if you feel better initially, if you stop too soon, you will only stir up the worms, causing them to become more active/reproductive. If you’re feeling and seeing results, keep going for a few months at least.  Then take a month break and do it again 2-3 month or however long you need to.  It doesn’t matter to stay on this constantly for months at a time. You can also do a regular dose as the instructions say for the twenty days and then for a week over full moon, increase the dose to a full 6 capsules of both Para 1 and Para 2 twice a day, and 2 droppers of Para 3 twice a day.  Para 3 is a liquid tincture that really targets the long ropeworms. Doing a strong dose hits things hard and heavy along with the gravitational pull of the moon.  Afterwards, you can go back to your regular dose. 

I laugh at the thought of people trying to do a parasite cleanse for a week or couple days. In my opinion, that’s not even enough time to hardly get started killing the old critters, much less do a thorough cleansing!

June of 2022, Dr. Vaughn wanted me to do a parasite cleanse just to make sure that wasn’t part of my health challenges. Although I didn’t feel I had many of the typical symptoms of parasites, I began a 20 day cleanse. I started in on a low dose and gradually increased it. The first week wasn’t bad, but by the second week, I got horrible headaches and was very emotional. I cried and cried over who knows what. My doctor told me this is very common if you have parasites and it started when mine were getting killed off. Outbursts of anger and feeling very irritable are also common. I had all these many times along my journey.😪

It wasn’t until about halfway through the 20 day cleanse that I started actually passing parasites. I had an awful belly ache one night. Terrible. We were at a church picnic and I pretended I was fine but I was having horrible pain. I moved my bowels that night and thought I saw some suspicious, tailish looking stuff. It grossed me out!

The next day I had more bellyache and passed more stuff. I knew then, beyond a doubt, they were coming out!!!

I was off the cleanse then for 3 weeks because we had traveling and other things going on.  I started the second round on August 7 and did it for 30 some days. Then I thought I’d take a little break, but soon noticed I wasn’t sleeping as good, so I went right back on the cleanse and by this time, I was doing a very high dose. Six capsules each of both Para 1 and Para 2 twice a day. Two droppers of the Para 3 twice a day and I forget how many of the Biotoxin binder I took. Bowel Mover you just take as needed. Instructions should come with your kit.

I stayed on that heavy dose the rest of that winter until March sometime. It was rough. I mean horrible rough. Over and over I couldn’t believe the grand daddies I passed on a regular basis. It wore me out physically and emotionally. I was terribly depressed that winter and exhausted to the core!! But there’s no way out but through! You don’t want to just give up the ghost because now they’re all stirred up and mad. You gotta keep chugging!

I have definite stubborn streaks in me,  which can be a good and bad thing both. In this case, it was a good thing because I’d never have made it sloughing through stuff like this if I wasn’t stubborn. But at the same time, I also tend to feel deeply and I’m quickly sympathetic towards others. But when people just give up on something like a cleanse or detox because they think it’s too hard, then is when I don’t feel too sorry for them. I know I sound terrible mean, please forgive me.  But how can you expect anything to get better health wise if you’re not willing to endure some hardship to get to better health?! The only way out is through!

Along with the parasite protocol I was doing, my doctor had me start taking Turpentine with castor oil. Castor oil is powerful binder.  Turpentine is super powerful as well and kills parasites on contact. A super strong remedy!Turpentine was used years ago for deworming, so please don’t be alarmed. Although you must be cautious to start in on very small doses and take a break every now and then because Turpentine is super super strong! I did this for a week or 5 days at a time off and on that winter. Finally, in March, after that exhausting, depressive winter, my doctor recommended I take a break. Then, only for a week right over full moon, I would hit it hard again with a high dose of the Para cleanse. I did that for another 6 months until it seemed I was mostly cleaned out.

It took years, but finally my health caught up with me. I had deteriorating health mentally and physically. Doctoring with nutritional doctors helped, but it wasn’t until I started working with Dr. Vaughn Lawrence in Kansas City a few years ago, that I really got help. He focuses on dealing with root causes, not just addressing symptoms like some nutritionist do. He also does consults by Zoom, which makes it convenient for clients who are not in the area. He’s very knowledgeable and helpful! Look him up if you’d like to get help.

Besides parasites, I also had mold, heavy metals, and glyphosate which I tackled through detoxing supplements. But parasites were a major part in my crumbling foundation of health, so it’s no wonder I didn’t prosper.

And since my experience with horrible parasites, I now wonder about these people that start a new health product of some sort and claim they have such amazing results. I think to myself, well, if you have parasites you’re not going to prosper long term.  You’re simply feeding your parasites hearty nutrition and not getting the full benefits for yourself. Unknown to me, I was doing that for years.

So I’d like to say, do a parasite cleanse first! If you’re struggling with energy, catching every bug around, having sleep issues, or any kind of health issues, DO A PARASITE CLEANSE! If you have animals and especially if you have pets in your house, do a parasite cleanse! Actually, if you’re alive and think you feel good, do a parasite cleanse! You can’t go wrong! Detoxing is so important and then supplement with good nutrients to feed your gut- not the wiggle worms.

Probably not everyone has parasites as bad as I did. One of the things we concluded that I likely had them so bad was because of having cancer as a young girl.  The cancer was in my intestines, so obviously, things were bad then already. After I was back home from the hospital after my cancer surgery, Mom started me on Essiac herb tea and a green shake of some sort. I think alfalfa. Then also a line of supplements. But nothing gut healing like probiotics, bone broth or fermented foods.  Neither did I do a parasite cleanse which I’m sure would have been beneficial! Neither did I watch my diet. For years, I was in relative good health and ate most anything. I craved sweets and even drank sodas. Can you believe that?! I’d never go back to drinking that sugar laden debris for nothing! Parasites will make you crave sweets. I still enjoy a good dessert or cookie if its healthy, but I don’t crave sweets like I used to.

Over the years, I really struggled with insomnia. Parasites definitely play into that and looking back, I feel that was a big cause.  That being said, there can be dozens of causes for insomnia! Whacky hormones, magnesium deficiency, low blood sugar and many other things. I noticed I slept much better after I was on the Para cleanse for some time. But I really noticed a difference early this year when we tested my hormones and saw my testosterone was very low. After supplementing for that, my sleep really improved. So it’s not a good idea to self diagnose. The parasites played a big role, but so can hormone imbalances or a host of other things. 

Parasites also affect your mental health as it did mine. I’m grateful to see a big improvement in that area! Jerald has told me recently that I’m handling this pregnancy way better than I did in my last pregnancy which was about 6 years ago. And I also have more energy than last time too, which is notable, to be carrying a baby at my age! Although I’m not downplaying the oodles of beef liver pills I swallow. That, plus iron capsules and plenty other supplements go down the hatch daily, which I know makes a difference too. Thank God, if we detox and give our body what it needs, it can heal itself!

Jerald did a couple month rounds of this same Para cleanse this summer and fall. He, too, passed astounding twisted globs. It seemed he almost daily battled headaches and bellyaches. He could count on it, if he had a tremendous headache for a day, he would pass some noteworthy globs the next day. Then he’d feel better awhile and repeat the cycle. I had some of these headaches and bellyaches but dealt more with the emotional side of things. Both of us got extremely fatigued.

Ready to order the Para kit and get rid of those critters?! If you’re like me and want to see what’s coming out, here’s a practical tip: get a couple paint stirrer sticks from the hardware store. Dip the end in paint and let it dry. Now you have a perfect poker stick to check out those worms, because you might miss them otherwise. (You store the stick in the trashcan when not in use.) Plus, you may want to stretch them out in the pot as much as possible to estimate their length. I had some that were at least 2 feet in length. I’m not kidding! Of course, that was my estimate. And just to support myself here, my Doctor told me he frequently sees young ladies in their twenties that do this cleanse and pass 2 to 3 foot long ropeworms! I don’t know if females are more susceptible or not. I do know that when I see pot bellied men, I can’t help but think of all the parasites they’re probably hosting!

Another tip in spotting them is that they typically float in the toilet water. Look for floating creatures. They may blend in with your stool or be black in color. Maybe even white, although we never saw white ones.

I know this has probably been too much information, but I believe in being honest! It sounds unreal gross and sick and it is, but I got kinda immune to it. And in that aspect, I could easily poke around to see things.

Once again, I want to encourage you, there’s no way out but through! Don’t despair at what you might be feeling, despair at the thought of hosting these critters for many years, destroying your health! They regularly steal your nutrients. Just like feasting for a birthday party, I imagine the parasites dance and sing for joy at the steady supply of sugar laden, processed foods at their disposable.  DO A PARASITE CLEANSE! It’s not cheap, but it’s cheaper than being in the hospital for a dramatic health crisis. I’m definitely not saying it will cure all problems, or keep you out of the hospital, but you can’t go wrong with trying prevention. Parasites are only a prelude to worse problems down the road.

If you do this Para cleanse, I’d be happy to hear your results! You don’t need to be embarrassed to tell me, because I’ve been through it all! Don’t hesitate to send me an email and tell me how you felt and what you saw.

I have also done a parasite cleanse for the children, though we never noticed anything in their stools. If a child has sleep issues, lots of itches for no reason, irritability, or chews their nails, definitely do a parasite cleanse! The children’s cleanse that I used was this one, also found at Spirit Of Health. There are others too, of course, but I now tend to doubt just any old herbal tincture that claims to rid parasites.

My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome. Job 7:5

Though our lives on earth will never be in perfect health, we as Christians are God’s temple. He wants and expects us to take good care of our bodies as much as possible.  If we willfully disrespect our body’s health, we are not respecting and honoring God.

A chilled morning calls for warming with a hot cup of tea. I can hear you coffee drinkers disagree. Yes it’s tea for me, is it tea for thee? (Did you know I can rhyme?)

This winter I became aware of the potential chemicals and toxins that often come with the packaged deal of teas. I dove into researching typical brands we used and also healthier options to consume. Teas aren’t automatically healthy simply because the box looks bright with herbs and fruits. Looks can be ever so deceiving! I enjoyed the task of trying out a variety of new teas, and I’m happy to share results with you!

For an outcast, non-coffeee drinker such as I, a cup of tea is healthy, right? We tend to assume that since teas are herbs they are nourishing for us. But did you ever slow down your life and meditate on just what might be hiding out in that tea bag?!

Here’s information on what to beware of in your teas. Not that this list is all-inclusive, but it’s a good start.

Avoid teas that have natural flavors, soy lecithin, maltodextrin and cornstarch.  These can all contain GMOs.

Many teas are laden with pesticides, carcinogens, and polypropylene, especially if the bags contain plastics. Plastic leaches before it melts- hello boiling water!  Heavy metals,  additives, and flouride are more bad guys often found camping out in that innocent little bag. And, I’m ever so sorry to deflate your joy but K-cups have got to go!

Things to look for when buying teas:

Choose organic and non-GMO certified teas. These won’t be the cheapest brands either.

Do your own research on your favorite brand of tea and see what information the company shares.  Are they testing for heavy metals? Are their tea bags made out of plastic? How do they package their tea?  Is their bag sealed with a metal staple? Are they transparent about their ingredients?

Here is a list of typical tea brands to stay away from for the above reasons:

Twinnings

Lipton

Luzainne

Celestial Seasonings

Tazo

Bigelow

I know it’s worth groaning over! I’m right there with you, convicted guilty of drinking these teas. But hey, that makes two of us listening to our conscience. Cheers for us! It brings the shudders when I think of the gallons of iced Lipton or Luzainne tea we’ve drank for years! But I’ve found a few kinds to replace that.

Is your cup of tea feeling cold and disgusting yet?! Cheer up; here are safe brands you can choose from. ⬇️

*Traditional Medicinals-  their tea is organic, non-GMO and their tea bags are free of plastic and are compostable.  They perform rigorous testing for heavy metals and microbial contaminates.  Currently I’m in a streak of drinking their Cup of Calm Lavender Mint for my morning tea. Who cares if it’s supposed to be a tea for bedtime; I can drink it when I want. And it is a cup of calm because I drink it at my desk while I read my Bible.

*Choice Organics-  this tea is also tested for chemicals, heavy metals, and lead. It’s made without flavors or additives. It’s packed into natural fiber plastic free tea bags.  The tea string is from organic material. The packaging filteration paper is oxygen bleached using a natural process completely free of chemicals or toxins. We’ve tried their grapefruit honeybush tea as well as their peppermint- both are tasty. Also, their black tea makes wonderful sweet tea to replace the Lipton or Luzainne we used to drink. 

*Numi- this is another clean tea that is organic, non-GMO, and free of pesticides. Their tea bags are made of Manila hemp and are compostable. Hurray for no plastic in their bags! Numi also has a good black tea labeled Breakfast Blend, which makes a good sweet tea.

*Organic India- they test each batch of teas/herbs for contaminates like mold, fungus, bacteria, pesticides, and heavy metals. They don’t add fillers, artificial colors, or preservatives.  Their bags are made out of organic Manila hemp and are compostable and biodegradable. The strings are from unbleached cotton fiber.

*Rishi- this company too is organic and performs spot testing for pesticides and contaminates. They use plant based materials for their bags and are not petroleum based. No glues, staples, or metals on their bags either. The downside is that their price is higher than the previous ones I’ve mentioned. 

*Pukka teas are also organic and super good quality, but same as Rishi, super expensive.

*The Republic of Tea- is another brand of delicious teas. They are tested for pesticides and do not use staples or strings in their bags. Their Peach Ginger tea is one I absolutely love! It’s delighful as a hot cup or refreshing as iced.  I’d love to say it’s 100% safe, but from my research, they don’t quite meet all the requirements. They carry some organic teas, but they are not all. Shop wisely. I also couldn’t find that they’re tested for heavy metals. The bags are unbleached, which is great, but I couldn’t find that they are totally free of plastic.  Another concern was the natural flavors, although they say their natural flavors are free of chemicals. It will be a better tea to drink than the average, but not the best.

Stash, Yogi and Earth Mama are teas that I also researched. They appear like good teas at first glance. But upon investigating further, I couldn’t find that they were completely free of plastics or else not properly tested for heavy metals/pesticides, or didn’t reveal satisfactory information. Drink at your own risk.

All these teas can be found at health food stores or some main line grocery stores. Amazon carries most of these as well. Whole Foods will delight any tea lover with their advanced collection of teas; some healthy and some not so much. Shop with your eyes wide open for pesticides and plastics!

There are definitely more safe brands out there. Some I did not include because the price was fit for kings, not peasants like me.

And yes, you don’t need a fancy tea kettle to make tea. I use my plain-Jane little pan that has ever so many uses.  It hangs on a hook inside a nearby cupboard.  It’s out of sight and doesn’t clutter my stove top like a kettle would. I have an affinity for multipurpose products.

Three tips for your cup of tea:

● Use good water! This makes a difference. We have a distiller and wouldn’t want to drink anything else. It boils the water to a steam, and thus removes all bacteria, chlroine and the like.  It leaves you with the cleanest, thirst quenching water! Reverse osmosis is about the same as distilled.

● Don’t stir in the sugar. Sweeten it with a choice stevia or honey. Raw honey is healthy but remember it’s also calorie laden, which may contribute to fluffiness. 

● Stir in a teaspoon or two of collagen. There’s no taste but it simply adds a bit of protein to help out your blood sugar levels. There’s a wide variety of collagen out there.  I use Anthony’s collagen powder. It’s hydrolyzed, non-GMO and grass fed.

One of life’s simple pleasures is lighting a candle, setting it on a cleaned surface and seeing that cozy glow. Part of what makes a house a home is the cozy atmosphere, right? We need a few throws, pillows and candles burning don’t we?  Of course this doesn’t automatically make it a home but it adds to! There’s just something about a burning candle that speaks life, on a damp, dismal night.

Unfortunately, that seemingly harmless candle might be filling your home with harmful chemicals. Candles are notorious for triggering headaches for many people. This is because of the high levels of synthetic scents, lead, and other toxins being released as the candles burn. Because of this, I have been extremely particular for many years about what candles I burn in my house. There are a few exceptions to the rule; like tea parties or such, that I allow myself to burn tealights, pillar, or taper candles to compliment the decor. Although they’re unscented, they’re still toxic. 🤫 Just don’t use these on a regular basis!

Now a days, soy candles are the rage and most everybody knows how they’re racked up to be so much healthier than the typical Yankee or Woodwick candles. But I’ve heard a few things that made me skeptical of even burning soy candles. I began to wonder if there’s any safe candles to burn! So I began researching a bit.

To be seriously safe, the best candles to burn would be simple beeswax candles. Beeswax is the oldest known material used for candles and one of the cleanest options. It’s natural, free of toxins, and provides a slow burn. They don’t hold scents as well as other waxes, so they’re typically unscented. Except for their original earthy, sweet aroma of honey. Since it’s natural wax, these are quite pricey.

I’ve tried a couple beeswax candles, but the price didn’t fit the quality, practicality, or satisfaction I anticipated. I love me a homey, cinnamon scent, tucked safely in a glass jar! Not a rolled up sheet of beeswax, sitting precariously on the table. You can get some in jars, but the ones I had tried were the rolled up type.

Now on to the soy candles. The most glaring issue with soy wax is that sometimes it doesn’t work on its own, and requires the addition of paraffin. This is better than pure paraffin but certainly has its issues. There are some companies, however, who use 100% pure soy wax, which is good. I’m not saying all soy candles are good or bad; just research them first to see if they are what they claim to be. Make sure it’s 100% soy. Not a blend of oils. I wouldn’t buy any old ‘soy’ candle without information about what the wax is actually made from. Also, are they scented with 100% pure essential oils or do they have ‘fragrance’ listed for their scent? I flee from the word fragrance at rapid speed because fragrance can literally mean any kind of fragrance! It does not insinuate natural or toxic free (especially watch for this in body products!)

A soy candle I’ve burned for many years has been the 1803 candles. This company uses 100% soy, not mixing with any oils or wax. They also have cotton wicks instead of lead as some candles do. Lead cores aren’t quite as prominent as they used to be but you still need to be careful. 1803 candles have a large selection of scents. These are produced with a blend of essential oils and synthetic fragrances. They use synthetic fragrance when essential oils aren’t available such as in Cheesecake, Cookie Dough, or the like. I simply stick with the ones that have essential oils and don’t buy those ‘off’ scents. Generally, use common sense when you’re thinking of scents! My favorite scents that I’ve gotten are Grated Cinnamon and Friendship. These are both cinnamon scented and smell very similar.

I like the 14 ounce wide mouth jars with a matte black lid, but they do have smaller jars available. Direct from the company, the 14 oz. candles are $23. You can check these out here! Some country/gift/antique type stores carry these as well.

My most recent and most favorite candles are the Welsh Mountain Candles. This company uses quality coconut or plam wax that does not emit residual toxins or chemicals in the air as they burn. The wicks are 100% cotton wicks without lead cores. Any coloring in their candles are natural, without poisonous dyes. However, all the candles I’ve gotten so far were white or off white. They’re scented with 100% pure essential oils, or a fragrance oil. This ‘fragrance oil’ made me instantly suspicious. I didn’t notice this at first. I bought one orchard peach scent, which obviously is not from an essential oil. While it smelled delicious like a fresh picked peach, I still don’t know exactly what all is under that ‘fragrance’ label. It didn’t give me an outright headache but kinda felt like it could head in that direction. I will stick with purchasing the essential oil scented ones after this, just to stay safe. They have them clearly marked on their website as to which are essential oil candles.

They have a wide variety of scents available, in tins or amber jars. The tins are 8 oz. for $11.99 or 16 oz. for $18.99. The amber jars are 9 oz. for $16.99 or 16 oz. for $23.99. They also carry black or white jars with bamboo lids, but these are more pricey. You can check out these candles here!

One scent I’ve tried and absolutely love is the cinnamon & clove! This one is essential oil scented. It smells very fragrant yet not overpowering like synthetic candles.

I’m by no means saying the candles I’ve mentioned are the only clean ones available. I’m sure there are more that I don’t know of. This is simply based off my experience and research, which, for an old-school girl like me, isn’t top of the line! 😉

Check out these candles and see if you can put a cleaner light in your window! 🕯

With cold weather coming on and winter being a typical time for flu bugs to sail around visiting homes, I thought this would be a good time to share on some things I like to use and keep on hand. Throughout the winter I regularly give my children herbal calcium, silver and an elderberry syrup or immune booster. Juice Plus chewables are another staple for my children! (At a later date I will blog about Juice Plus, which is an incredibly good product!)

I like to have my cabinets stocked with herbal tinctures especially in winter so I can feel ready for any cough or bug that might creep our way. If you want to use herbal tinctures and remedies, you must jump right on it at the first sign of sniffles, aches or flu. Don’t wait till you have that “ugh” feeling, to place an order of herbs! Keep some on hand so you can begin taking them immediately or sooner! Taking a few droppers full every hour or two is usually a good, safe guideline. You must be consistent if you want results! Once or twice a day isn’t enough if your battling sickness.

Also getting fresh air daily and occasionally fresh air into your house is a real good idea to help battle the germs! (I have a certain set of “fresh air” beliefs) Maintaining a healthy diet will help much in escaping many of those winter flues. Don’t expect to eat a diet void of fresh foods, and then think a few herbs will help you get better in a jiff!

When my children are sick I like to put all the tinctures, essential oils and thermometer in a basket or plate, then I can carry it to the couch or bed and have everything at my fingertips. If the children have fever, I rub peppermint, lavender and lemon essential oils on their spine and feet. Then also, soak a rag in apple cider vinegar and swab or lay it on their foreheads. Of course getting them to drink cold juice or water or suck on ice is also helpful. When I was a little girl, my mom gave me the egg white remedy to bring down fever. Beat one egg white and mix in a little sugar or sweetner and vanilla to make it palatable. Drink down as much as possible. It’s a gaggy texture but it does help bring down fever pretty quick. I haven’t used this on my children but would if they’re fever went pretty high. So far I don’t think mine have had 103 or above and I’ve been able to have success with natural remedies. Did you know it’s beneficial for a child to have several good fevers before they’re 5 or 6 years old? It kills cancer sells and helps the body build immunity to infection/fever. Many people are quick to give Tylenol or something similar as soon as their children have fever. But that’s not good for the body in the long run. However, I don’t mean to carelessly let a fever go too high because it could be dangerous. I keep an eye on their fevers and do all I can but if it would soar too high, then I would give something else.

I used to use a lot of the Doterra brand of essential oils and still really like those, but because of price, I’ve gotten on to using more of the “now” brand. I think they work great but if you want to take it internally, I would recommend the Doterra brand. I really like Doterra’s oil blend called Onguard. It’s a strong combat against germs and sicknesses. I’ve found another place (Ann’s Naturals) carries something very similar, which is called Combat oil. This is a blend of cloves, lemon, rosemary, eucalyptus and cinnamon. You will see this Combat oil right up front in my pictures. I love that oil! I like to rub it on chests or on the bottoms of feet or along the spine. The smell is lovely to diffuse too!

Something I do for myself when I feel like I’m getting sick is drink fire water. Boil a half cup water and stir in 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon sea salt. Then add a half cup apple cider vinegar. Use Braggs brand or one ‘with the mother’. Take one Tablespoon every 20 minutes or half hour throughout the day, or until you feel better. This really burns so don’t give it to children. I don’t mind it too much because I know it works and is good for me. I can take most anything icky- probably because I had to when I was a little girl sick with cancer. Just pinch your nose shut and swig it down! I mean if it’s good for you, why not?! Jerald doesn’t like to take this but if he’s feeling pretty bad he gives in and shivers it down!

One of my favorite places to order health products from is Sun Lite Herbs in Belle Center Ohio. You can call them for a catalog at 937-464-9099. They have reasonable prices and ship quickly! They carry a lot of products for moms/birthing/prenatals etc. as well as for babies and children and much more! Their Infant Tummy Relief works great for baby, but we also keep it on hand for anyone’s bellyaches and it works wonderfully! I also like their Ear oil for ear aches. Side note here, Basil oil is really good for ear ache too. I rub it around the outside of ear, and place a few drops of the Ear oil in the ear. I also like the Horehound Blend that Sun Lite Herbs carries. It works good and is safe for babies with congestion. To give you an idea on their prices, a lot of their 4 oz tinctures are $19.95. And they carry the Be Your Own Doctor books by Rachel Weaver. Very highly recommended to add to your library if you want to learn about caring for your own health! Be Your Child’s Pediatrician is another one she wrote. She covers vaccines and the dangers of them in this book. Very helpful to look up many ailments. I have all of these books and love them!

Another favorite is Ann’s Naturals in Horse Cave, Kentucky. This is a small family business with the best prices I have found! A 4 oz. tincture is $11, an 8 oz. is $19.50, or you can order as large as 16 oz for $38. You can call Annabelle at 270-524-4680. Not a big catalog but yet has a good variety of the normal echinacea, elderberry, cough syrups, immune booster and more. Also, essential oil blends, diffusers and salves. I love her garlic salve and am quick to use that on my children. It works for chest congestion, ear ache, or even just rubbing on their back for extra benefits when fighting any sickness. The Deep Tissue Healing Oil Salve is also a must have for us! It really helps when rubbed in on sore backs, shoulders or any muscles. It could also be used as a salve for congestion. Or if your child falls and gets a goose egg bump, rub on a bit of this deep tissue salve. The second ingredient is arnica oil, which is good for pain and swelling in bruises and speeds up healing. Don’t use on any open wounds because it would burn.

Many of you are likely familiar with Nature’s Warehouse. But in case your not, their number is 800-215-4372. A large catalog with oodles of health and body products, even carrying health foods and THM products. They print informative health articles to read, among their products in their catalog. They send out a catalog four times a year. Any orders over $25 ship free.

New Light Health from Elliottsburg, PA also has a large catalog with many products, as well as printing interesting health articles. It is similar to Nature’s Warehouse. Their number is 855-692-3500.

If you have interest in making your own tinctures and saving money, contact Walnut Creek Botanicals at 320-585-4372. They offer a variety of kits to make your own tinctures! Very nice kits that include specific directions and all you need to make your own, except for the vegetable glycerin or vodka that you will add to preserve your tinctures. I have gotten and made their herbal calcium kit several times. Super easy and heaps cheaper than buying small 4 oz size tinctures! It made approximately one quart of calcium, and the kit then was $19! I haven’t ordered just real recently so I’m not certain if that’s the current price, but it’s definitely affordable!

I hope this has been informative and helpful in your quest to keeping your family healthy!

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live”

“It costs money to stay healthy, but it’s expensive to get sick”