Boosting Your Child's Immune System

OK I am no expert. But I am a mom who loves her kids and would do anything for their health.

With the diseases that are occurring in the States now and the respiratory illness that hit my town (!) I have been searching the net for help!

Well after learning tons about essential oils and herbs, as well as homeopathy, I came away with a list of items for my medical arsenal.
Then hubby dropped the bomb- we have no money for extras til January! Not even $10.

Well. That . Bites.

I was beginning to get a bad attitude. So I prayed.
God let me know that my kids are not sick right now. And all the things I was looking at were for those who were sick. Except a few that helped beef up the immune system. And I could do that with food!

So I began looking more into foods that would boost the immune system.

Oats. Who knew? Yep oats will boost your immune system! So I planned oatmeal for two breakfasts. And oatmeal blueberry muffins. Plus blueberries are one of the best antioxidants out there! And oatmeal raisin cookies for a treat. Raisins are good for remineralizing teeth too.!

Yogurt . Since I live off grid I have not attempted to make yogurt as I did when I lived on grid. So I have been buying Stoneybrook.  Turns out that is the only brand that has the strain of lactobilius that actually helps your body. Guess what breakfast is!

Salmon. Seems salmon protects your lungs!! That will be helpful in keeping a respiratory illness at bay.

Black tea. Easy- we drink it every day anyway.

Barley- remember when I wrote this post about our favorite meal? Well Sunday supper it is!

Mushrooms- these little buggers act just like echinachea!!! Amazing! I planned a lunch with mushrooms as a side dish and will be adding them to all sorts of dishes!

Coconut oil- a spoonful here and there. Cooking and baking with it. ( tortillas heated in coconut oil are soooo good!)
May I suggest Tropical Traditions? There's a handy link in my left sidebar if you wish to order any ;)


Garlic and onions. You can stir these two in anything!! Now what I was reading says you need to eat two cloves of garlic daily to get the most benefits but every little bit helps!

Chicken soup. Again, remember my post?  My chicken barley soup to the rescue! Yes it really is true that chicken noodle/barley soup has immunity boosters and is great for whatever ails ya!

Oh and an hour a day in the sunlight gives us all the Vitamin D  we need. Now I know in the winter weather you may not get enough sunlight to matter so I give my kids Animal Parade Gold. It is one of the only brands that contains vitamins D and K. Both help remineralize teeth- which is how I discovered is-and there's that vitamin D we need!!

OK, like I said I am not a doctor or anything. But these are a few things I have learned and wanted to share with you. Hope I have helped a little!

 

Linked with Teaching What Is Good.
And  Front Porch Friday

Storms

Knowing that bad storms were coming our way I started to prepare.
I ran to town to stock up on a few things. Yes, I like to prep but money doesn't always allow that and now is one of those times.
First I had to see what all I had. A bag of basmati rice that screamed for a chicken to mix in.
A bag of potatoes that I thought some cheese would go on for a great lunch.
Oatmeal that needed syrup. I had cornmeal that could make cornbread. Beans I could simmer on the fire.

I also planned pancakes, tuna salad,potato soup, rice topped with brown sugar and butter for a quick breakfast and a few bags of nuts for snacks. We will make cookies too.

I also made sure I had all the animal feed, propane and gas for the generator.
A trip to the library supplied us with a few more DVDs and books. Cabin fever bites bad sometimes!

Why so much prepping for a few thunderstorms?
Well dear readers,  when it rains here I am positively stuck in my house!

My quarter mile driveway is impassable! Hubby parks his truck on the nearby dirt road and treks in thru the mud and sludge. While I can make the same trek it is very difficult and carrying groceries and gas etc is impossible!
And I like to leave my van parked up to the house if possible so I can charge my cell phone and give myself a place to sit and have a private phone call. :)

So yes living in the country can be difficult sometimes. Once my van is up near the house it can't be moved down for days! And hubby doesn't always make it home at night- he's a trucker. So I need to be ready for anything.

So I like to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before that first bolt of lightening!

What is it like when it storms at your place? Comment and tell me!

my living room

Linking with Farm Blog Hop

Cooking on a Campfire Only

I took the leap! I am cooking on an open fire only! No propane!

The other day I realized we had no propane and I didn't panic. I simply built a fire and scrambled eggs.

Rebekah stirring the eggs

The finished product

So far we have cooked hamburger casserole, cheeseburgers, mashed potatoes- real not box-, sausage and lentil stew, chicken noodle soup - homemade of course!- and two loaves of banana bread.  Wish I had pics of the bread!! They were a little darker than I am used to but the inside was moist as could be! Yum!
I used an old grill top to place on the fire for the bread to bake in. More oven-like.
So.... That is how I am starting off National Preparedness Month. Learning more about cooking on an open fire.

What are you doing? Tell me, I want to know!

Linked with Barn Hop, Farm Blog Hop

Reviewing the Nourishing Diet

 Overwhelming! That is the word Melissa Naasko uses and she is so right! It seems when you want to change your family's eating habits you get overwhelmed with all the information out there and end up dazed and confused.
No more!
With Melissa's book, The Nourishing Diet, you get the background behind the "real food movement" but you also get information on what real changes you can make easily for your family.
First Melissa will introduce you to a new way of thinking about certain foods, like salt, and then she will take you deeper into the subjects, giving you information on exactly how you can incorporate these new ideas into your way of life. You will get step by step instructions, like exactly how to make bone broth . (and why you should!)
And if you think Melissa is leaving you hanging out to dry she even includes a list of resources! So no excuses! You can switch your family to a healthier diet, one of real foods . One that will leave your family healthier and happier!

And right now this terrific little ebook is on sale for only $2.99. You'll see my link on the right sidebar for orfering info :). ( or you can use my handy dandy Amazon shopping button on the top left sidebar)

For more great info and tips check out Melissa's writings at  Dyno- Mom, absolutely , hands-down, one of my favorite blogs!!

Proverbs 31 Woman Via The Message

A good woman is hard to find,
    and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
    and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
    all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
    and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
    and brings back exotic surprises.
She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
    for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
    then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
    rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
    is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
    diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
    reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
    their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
    and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
    when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
    brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
    and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
    and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
    and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
    her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
    but you’ve outclassed them all!”
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
    The woman to be admired and praised
    is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
    Festoon her life with praises!


While I don't hold the Message "Bible" up as scripture it is interesting to read it and see someone else's perspective sometimes.

Free Magazines? How?

It's no secret that I don't have a lot of money. If I did would I ask you to please please please make your Amazon purchases thru my link on the top left sidebar?
Anyway, I digress. What this post is about how I still manage to get magazines which I love to read but not pay for them.!

Here are a few links that are always freebies.

Above Rubies-  A fantastic Christian  keeper at home magazine that encourages women on their sometimes difficult journey in a world of a different culture.

Good News Magazine- the biblically based flagship publication of the United Church of God,tho I am not Church of God I have never found anything to disagree with in this publication.

Lego-- yep , for the kids.

Living the Country Life- all the same good stuff the bigger magazines write about but you can get it for free!


Now these are free magazine subscription sites that may or may not have what you are looking for but they are worth checking about once a week to see what new ones pop up.

All Free Magazines-- I have gotten many good magazines from here . The categories are on the sidebar. Have fun!!

Mercury Magazines- Don't be fooled! Even tho they want you to receive the free business magazines too , they still offer the ones you and I are looking for, totally free. My daughter receives every horse magazine that is written  for no cost to her every month! And I enjoy my Better Homes and Gardens.


Rewards Gold- Even tho this site asks you to jump thru a few hoops it is more than worth it.  By answering some questions about your shopping habits, eating habits etc you earn points and those points equal vouchers for freebies. Not hard at all and you learn to not get bogged down in detail when answering the questions lol   I have received Martha Stewart totally free each month for 3 years or more and never paid anything. Of course I have gotten other great titles too, including bridal mags for my girls to flip thru!


By using these sites I am able to get 30 magazines a month totally free!!! Now keep in mind that I have been at this for years! But it is possible! These sites don't limit you to one subscription so load up!

Please comment and let me know which mags you picked out!

This birthday girl loves to read!

He's Home!

After a longer drive than we anticipated we arrived at the farm to pick up our second pig, Max.

Here he is riding home in the van. We laid a tarp down and covered it in hay since we didn't have a cage. It worked well.

Here he is in his pen. He sleeps in a doghouse and loves it.

It's taken Bella a little while to warm up to Max but she's getting there.

So happy he is here!