This little blog is pretty quiet nowadays as my attention shifts to growing a small business to impact and inspire young families like my own. I do love to check in here and see how things are going. I also think this is the perfect place to share some of those happenings from Early Endeavors.
I'm getting ready to host a free workshop on December 17th! I'm excited to share some tools for parents on how to end nagging, power struggles and tantrums. It's also about honoring our intent as parents - our core values - regardless of where we're at right now.
If this speaks to you then please come on over and register for the live teleconference. In just one hour we're going to shed some light on common behavior issues and what you can do about them!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Winter Immunity Boosters and a Smoothie Recipe
So the winter yuckies have hit our house! Being that I'm 9 months pregnant I REALLY don't want to catch what's going around, know what I mean?
Our oldest currently has a confirmed case of type A flu -I didn't even realize they could test for that- and was given scripts for Tamiflu and steriods. Mind you, he's not having difficulty breathing and his worst symptoms are a headache and fever.
We decided to home treat and fill the steroid prescription later, if needed (he has a history of lung issues, we don't mess around).
Yesterday he looked terrible. He asked to go to the doctor, which he doesn't do unless he really feels bad. Since pneumonia is a problem for him I always listen to his pleas to go and get checked. His eyes were dull, he slept and moaned and threw up a few times. Bad.
This morning, after beginning home treatment for his flu yesterday, he is bright-eyed! He says he feels so much better. His appetite is back and he can read while resting in bed. We're continuing treatment today and I expect he'll be back up and on his feet tomorrow! The doctor we saw at urgent care made sure to tell us that he will be very sick for at least 7 days. We'll see, but I think he is really on the mend thanks to herbs, powerful flu-fighting foods and rest.
I'm always curious about what others do to treat or prevent illness at home and thought I'd share our routine and a recipe!
The stuff we use:
He also got tea or broth once an hour. The tea is steeped extra long and I add a chunk of ginger root to the hot water. Pull out the tea bag(s) - I use 2 in the beginning - and the ginger. Add a squeeze of lemon, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and honey to taste.
The broth is simmered on the stove and I just use the liquid because Jake won't eat the minced garlic or mushrooms. He's still getting some great immunity boosters from the garlic oil. Plus, bone broth is full of nutrition - gelatin, postassium, calcium and more!
Every time he takes the vitamin C he also dissolves one elderberry and zinc lozenge in his mouth.
Add to this routine lots of rest and water!
Since he was feeling so much better this morning I made him an immune boosting smoothie! This recipe is yummy, easy on the tummy and uses things that you probably already have around the house.
Ingredients:
I also took him off any sugar or refined grain as this can make your system work harder to heal.
For the rest of us who are hoping to avoid this crud I do a modified, scaled down version. Rest, water, no sugar. We start drinking the tea right away, washing our hands a lot and eating soup made from bone broth. I also up my dose of vitamin C to about 2-3000mg per day (in comparision Jake is taking about 5000mg per day).
What do you do to boost your immune system during cold and flu season?
Our oldest currently has a confirmed case of type A flu -I didn't even realize they could test for that- and was given scripts for Tamiflu and steriods. Mind you, he's not having difficulty breathing and his worst symptoms are a headache and fever.
We decided to home treat and fill the steroid prescription later, if needed (he has a history of lung issues, we don't mess around).
Yesterday he looked terrible. He asked to go to the doctor, which he doesn't do unless he really feels bad. Since pneumonia is a problem for him I always listen to his pleas to go and get checked. His eyes were dull, he slept and moaned and threw up a few times. Bad.
This morning, after beginning home treatment for his flu yesterday, he is bright-eyed! He says he feels so much better. His appetite is back and he can read while resting in bed. We're continuing treatment today and I expect he'll be back up and on his feet tomorrow! The doctor we saw at urgent care made sure to tell us that he will be very sick for at least 7 days. We'll see, but I think he is really on the mend thanks to herbs, powerful flu-fighting foods and rest.
I'm always curious about what others do to treat or prevent illness at home and thought I'd share our routine and a recipe!
The stuff we use:
- Elderberry - I really want to make my own syrup but we were caught off guard so I made due with some lozenges
- Zinc - came as part of the lozenge I picked out but we do this anyway at the first sign of illness
- Echinacea - in tea form from Yogi teas (along with peppermint, rose hip, mullein and a host of other immunity boosters)
- Vitamin C - the big one! Mega doses of vitamin C are the surest way that I know of to prevent and treat the flu. Use the ascorbic acid form.
- Garlic - fresh garlic in everything!
- Lemon - I use it in tea with honey, ginger and cinnamon
- Bone broth - I make up stock on a regular basis - whenever I have chicken bones to use up - and I use this to simmer fresh, minced garlic, oregano and mushrooms. Salt to taste with sea salt.
He also got tea or broth once an hour. The tea is steeped extra long and I add a chunk of ginger root to the hot water. Pull out the tea bag(s) - I use 2 in the beginning - and the ginger. Add a squeeze of lemon, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and honey to taste.
The broth is simmered on the stove and I just use the liquid because Jake won't eat the minced garlic or mushrooms. He's still getting some great immunity boosters from the garlic oil. Plus, bone broth is full of nutrition - gelatin, postassium, calcium and more!
Every time he takes the vitamin C he also dissolves one elderberry and zinc lozenge in his mouth.
Add to this routine lots of rest and water!
Since he was feeling so much better this morning I made him an immune boosting smoothie! This recipe is yummy, easy on the tummy and uses things that you probably already have around the house.
Immune Boosting Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 clementines - peeled
- 1 cup of echinacea tea infusion - kept in the fridge overnight
- 1/2 cup kefir - probiotics are key in maintaining immunities
- 2 bananas - mostly for sweetness but I'm sure the potassium doesn't hurt
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil - the lauric acid will help fight viruses and bacteria
- 5 ice cubes
I also took him off any sugar or refined grain as this can make your system work harder to heal.
For the rest of us who are hoping to avoid this crud I do a modified, scaled down version. Rest, water, no sugar. We start drinking the tea right away, washing our hands a lot and eating soup made from bone broth. I also up my dose of vitamin C to about 2-3000mg per day (in comparision Jake is taking about 5000mg per day).
What do you do to boost your immune system during cold and flu season?
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Summer Lovin'
Just an update on what we're doing these days!
Summer has finally arived in the PNW and we couldn't be happier about it! We've been at the beach and hitting the parks, visiting family far away and generally making the most of it.
I'm excited to be over at the Early Endeavors site more and more, growing a business that will impact families and bring positive parenting to more people. Just started a series on shifting your parenting paradigm. Come check it out!
Also, on the newsfront, we are expeccting our third baby sometime around Christmas! If you have 3+ kiddos please give me any tips or pointers you've got! Ours will all be about 5 years apart so the spacing is nice (for me) because the older two are very independent and helpful.
What's new in your neck of the woods? I hope the weather is nice yet mild wherever you are!
Summer has finally arived in the PNW and we couldn't be happier about it! We've been at the beach and hitting the parks, visiting family far away and generally making the most of it.
I'm excited to be over at the Early Endeavors site more and more, growing a business that will impact families and bring positive parenting to more people. Just started a series on shifting your parenting paradigm. Come check it out!
Also, on the newsfront, we are expeccting our third baby sometime around Christmas! If you have 3+ kiddos please give me any tips or pointers you've got! Ours will all be about 5 years apart so the spacing is nice (for me) because the older two are very independent and helpful.
What's new in your neck of the woods? I hope the weather is nice yet mild wherever you are!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Weekending - Spring Edition
Ah, the weekend, takes so long to get here and is gone in a flash!
This weekend was kicked off with hunger games and dinner sans little ones
a lazy saturday (we're definitely too old to be staying up past 3am), pizza and catching up with the dvr
a walk and bike ride around the neighborhood to enjoy the sunshine
another row of knitting and pb + chocolate ice cream
wrapped it all up with a clean garage (!) and a mega-trip to goodwill - where things were only donated and nothing bought
basil + tomato pasta for dinner and an early bedtime!
Monday, March 12, 2012
I had such a busy weekend that it didn't feel like a weekend at all! Saturday, I taught a child development class for teachers on partnering with parents that lasted all day. I was able to squeeze in a quick trip to Old Navy and Trader Joe's after but, really, it was a long day.
Sunday I drove about 250 miles to meet with a doula client (not to worry, they are delivering much closer to me). That was 250 miles in rain, snow and hail. I had a harrowing adventure driving 8 miles down their mountain in driving snow that had accummulated to about 4 inches on the road. Have I mentioned that I do not drive in snow? Yeah, I was both completely sure I would die and equally proud of myself for staying alive.
Top off this busy, busy weekend with daylight savings time and you can probably guess how Monday's going! I feel out of it and not quite sure where I need to be and at what time. Gotta love springing forward!
How was your weekend?
Sunday I drove about 250 miles to meet with a doula client (not to worry, they are delivering much closer to me). That was 250 miles in rain, snow and hail. I had a harrowing adventure driving 8 miles down their mountain in driving snow that had accummulated to about 4 inches on the road. Have I mentioned that I do not drive in snow? Yeah, I was both completely sure I would die and equally proud of myself for staying alive.
Top off this busy, busy weekend with daylight savings time and you can probably guess how Monday's going! I feel out of it and not quite sure where I need to be and at what time. Gotta love springing forward!
How was your weekend?
Monday, February 20, 2012
Extended Weekending
Hooray for this long, full weekend!
Hanging out at Kaiya's school early Friday morning
Early pick up for the big brother
Saturday was Thai curry with a good friend, followed by good conversation
Girls' night, hand-me-down Barbies (that mom decided to let her keep)
Mockingjay
Sunday was long and lazy, burgers and strawberry milkshakes for dinner
Watching Griff the Invisible
Monday brings a faraway friend's visit and chat over coffee
A baby in handknits and a (semi) clean house.
I'm looking forward to Tuesday as our weekend continues! Planning to make a fresh batch of playdough,
Get busy on some posts for my business' blog, make mini pizza's with creamy tomato sauce....
Oh! And maybe some knitting too.
Hanging out at Kaiya's school early Friday morning
Early pick up for the big brother
Saturday was Thai curry with a good friend, followed by good conversation
Girls' night, hand-me-down Barbies (that mom decided to let her keep)
Mockingjay
Sunday was long and lazy, burgers and strawberry milkshakes for dinner
Watching Griff the Invisible
Monday brings a faraway friend's visit and chat over coffee
A baby in handknits and a (semi) clean house.
I'm looking forward to Tuesday as our weekend continues! Planning to make a fresh batch of playdough,
Get busy on some posts for my business' blog, make mini pizza's with creamy tomato sauce....
Oh! And maybe some knitting too.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Organic Family Cookbook Love
Oh my, I've been meaning to get this on the blog for awhile...you know how it is with kids and life and all of that, right?
Way back in October I was sent a copy of Anni Daulter's The Organic Family Cookbook and I love it! Our family typically follows a traditional foods-type diet and so I was a little skeptical that the recipes would work for us (we don't really do any processed sugars, including agave nectar). But I'm so glad I checked it out anyway!
I think our favorite recipe so far is the Veggie Parmesan Popcorn. We eat a fair amount of popcorn and this recipe ups the flavor and the nutrition perfectly.
I eat up the Super Green Crispy Kale right out of the oven! Yum!
One of the great things about this book is the little nuggets of info and ideas throughout. Anni talks about food choices, sourcing your food, cooking with a family and "greening" your household. I love her recipe for making your own cleaning solution!
This weekend we're going to make these pastrami and blue cheese melts....they look so yummy!
Has anyone else tried out some recipes from this cookbook? What is a must-make for your family?
Way back in October I was sent a copy of Anni Daulter's The Organic Family Cookbook and I love it! Our family typically follows a traditional foods-type diet and so I was a little skeptical that the recipes would work for us (we don't really do any processed sugars, including agave nectar). But I'm so glad I checked it out anyway!
I think our favorite recipe so far is the Veggie Parmesan Popcorn. We eat a fair amount of popcorn and this recipe ups the flavor and the nutrition perfectly.
I eat up the Super Green Crispy Kale right out of the oven! Yum!
One of the great things about this book is the little nuggets of info and ideas throughout. Anni talks about food choices, sourcing your food, cooking with a family and "greening" your household. I love her recipe for making your own cleaning solution!
This weekend we're going to make these pastrami and blue cheese melts....they look so yummy!
Has anyone else tried out some recipes from this cookbook? What is a must-make for your family?
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
700 Hats to Wear
I am a self-described multi-passionate person...to me this just means that I have about a thousand different ideas that call to me. So many options for work, life and fulfillment, you know?
So this leads to today's post. Today I was feeling rushed and ragged by 9am. I was late getting out of bed (but loved the extra sleep. Ahhhh!), both kids were late to school, and I was running late for a 9:30 appointment for one of my work projects.
After dropping off Kaiya at school and realizing that there was no way I was going to be on time, I sighed. Heavily. Out loud. And then I realized something....it was going to be whatever it was at that point. I could choose to mentally rush the traffic around me, look at the dashboard clock every thirty seconds and work myself into a self-loathing tizzy for being late or I could slow down (mentally), take a deep breath and call the person I was meeting with to let them know I would be late.
I chose the latter of these. Turns out I could relax on the rest of my drive as the person I was meeting with wasn't in yet...running late herself.
Teaching, consulting, coaching, being a doula and being present and open for my family are all things I hold dear; all things that I want to do and be. I'm learning that balance, self-care and concious choice are really important. Whether I am setting out to wear 7 hats or 700, I need to take time to breathe and savor what is good in each moment, even (or especially) when the moments present obstacles or other imperfections.
So this leads to today's post. Today I was feeling rushed and ragged by 9am. I was late getting out of bed (but loved the extra sleep. Ahhhh!), both kids were late to school, and I was running late for a 9:30 appointment for one of my work projects.
After dropping off Kaiya at school and realizing that there was no way I was going to be on time, I sighed. Heavily. Out loud. And then I realized something....it was going to be whatever it was at that point. I could choose to mentally rush the traffic around me, look at the dashboard clock every thirty seconds and work myself into a self-loathing tizzy for being late or I could slow down (mentally), take a deep breath and call the person I was meeting with to let them know I would be late.
I chose the latter of these. Turns out I could relax on the rest of my drive as the person I was meeting with wasn't in yet...running late herself.
Teaching, consulting, coaching, being a doula and being present and open for my family are all things I hold dear; all things that I want to do and be. I'm learning that balance, self-care and concious choice are really important. Whether I am setting out to wear 7 hats or 700, I need to take time to breathe and savor what is good in each moment, even (or especially) when the moments present obstacles or other imperfections.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sharing
We're finally getting some much-awaited snow around here and I've been cooking, cleaning up from cooking and knitting away as the snow falls!
I was also looking back at some family pics we had taken back in October and wanted to share my favorites.
We had such a good time with Linenko Photography. Memories made and captured!
I was also looking back at some family pics we had taken back in October and wanted to share my favorites.
Okay, seriously? I love her faces, gah!
We had such a good time with Linenko Photography. Memories made and captured!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Slowing Down
After all the hustle and bustle of the holidays January sure feels s-l-o-w...and I think I like it. This is the first year that I've really noticed the slow, cozy, unhurried feeling of this season and I am deciding to embrace it, welcome it and enrich it.
Menu plans are all about soups, stews and casseroles. Roasted veggies over fresh salads. Morning soaked oatmeal and tea. Lovely.
The Christmas knitting that didn't get done is actually quite needed right now. Instead of starting something new, it feels like welcoming an old friend; the familiar pattern.
The kids feel it too, I can tell. Jake is devouring the Harry Potter series (watching each movie as he finishes the books - of course)...a nice, long read.
Kaiya is enjoying arranging scenes in her new dollhouse and helping in the kitchen.
Life is just a bit slower paced right now. I'll just go with it because - really- spring is just around the corner and we can speed up then!
Menu plans are all about soups, stews and casseroles. Roasted veggies over fresh salads. Morning soaked oatmeal and tea. Lovely.
The Christmas knitting that didn't get done is actually quite needed right now. Instead of starting something new, it feels like welcoming an old friend; the familiar pattern.
The kids feel it too, I can tell. Jake is devouring the Harry Potter series (watching each movie as he finishes the books - of course)...a nice, long read.
Kaiya is enjoying arranging scenes in her new dollhouse and helping in the kitchen.
Life is just a bit slower paced right now. I'll just go with it because - really- spring is just around the corner and we can speed up then!
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