Kicked the Ear Infection

The great news is that we have been ear infection FREE for about a month now. It was my prayer that we could come up with some solutions for M (10 mo now) and avoid putting tubes in, if possible. Even though tubes are very normal here in the U.S. , the rest of the world isn't jumping to the conclusion that tubes are best/necessary. Therefore, we opted to try many different things before seeing the ENT. Some of these I think were really helpful:

1) Waiora. Drops that I put in his ears each time he nursed. I also gave a few orally each day. Even though I can't explain exactly WHY this helps, I really do think it was the big gun for us.
2) Elderberry. In the form of JuicePlus+ Vineyard blend. This helps reduce tissue inflammation.
3) Probiotics. These friendly gut bacteria lead to greater health overall and an improved immune system to fight infection. I also feel this is crucial if antibiotics are being used, as they will replace the good bacteria being killed off by the "medicine."
4) Bromelain. Pineapple is in the orchard JuicePlus+. Again, it reduces inflammation and aids healing. I increased M's JuicePlus+.
5) Thieves oil to fight infection and other oils used to soothe.

February and Immunity

It's February now, and we have deceivingly warm days followed by chilling damp. Just when everyone seems healthy, I note a different tone in our daughter's voice, the baby's nose starts to run, and the three year old cries out uncomfortably in the night.

Cold temperatures alone are not what make people sick this time of year. Our immune systems are also impaired by being sedentary, spending time indoors with other sick people, and having limited exposure to sunlight. Researchers know that the majority of immune function (near 80%) takes place in the gut. This is why what we eat and drink is so critically important. There is a recent study that is garnering worldwide media attention on how Juice Plus+® reduces severe cold symptoms. We take extra JuicePlus+ when we feel illness approaching. I also add powerful spices such as garlic, turmeric, and cumin to our foods. We diffuse Thieves throughout the house and use R.C. while we sleep. I keep Colloidal Silver handy, as well.

Still, there may be weary days ahead as we move through the bleak mid-winter and into the blustery spring. . .

Flu Shots or Nots

"Which would you rather risk experience: a week in bed, drinking hot soup, or a lifetime falling asleep at the most inopportune times; in class, during dinner, at work, in your car…

Narcolepsy, a mysterious, incurable neurological condition that causes you to suddenly fall into a deep sleep, is not something you hear about very often.

Yet Sweden and Finland recently sounded the alarm because young patients suddenly developed this abnormal sleeping disorder after being vaccinated with the H1N1 swine flu vaccine.

France, Germany and Norway have also started counting cases, and the EU has launched an investigation." (from Dr. Mercola's website)


It surprises me that Walgreens and other locations advertise flu shots as if they are a completely common, acceptable part of American culture. I guess I'm just not totally on board with that thinking. To me, it is still a shot, a vaccine, an introduction of another substance (or virus) into one's body. And do we have anything more precious than these bodies we were given to use for a time? (Temporally speaking, I don't think so.) I'm not staunchly opposed to vaccines (see other blog posts), and yet they do give me pause.

Dr. Mercola's thoughts on vaccines are interesting to me. I have a friend with narcolepsy. It is a crazy thing and has definitely impacted her life in many ways. (She shouldn't drive with her four kids in the car because she could fall asleep and crash- which has happened. Her children have to know what to do if she suddenly falls down.) If narcolepsy is a "side-effect" of a vaccine, it stops me in my tracks. Really, is the flu all that bad? (It can be!)

Instead of rushing for the vaccine, we'll emphasize strengthening our immune systems. Eating wholesome, nutritious foods and bolstering our health with the whole food supplement JuicePlus+ are key in our home. I'll have my oils on hand, too, and also some natural remedies and homeopathic remedies if/when we do get ill.

Lemon Water

Next to drinking plain purified water, drinking lemon water daily is a simple, yet important thing you can do for your health. Not only do we use fresh lemons in our water, but I love to use lemon essential oil. No buying, slicing and storing lemons; the oil is in the cupboard above my water pitcher, so it is easy to add a drop or two to the pitcher when it is filled.

Some of the benefits of lemon, found at naturalhealthezine.com are:

• lemon juice cleans your mouth
• it controls excessive bile flow
• it dislodges phlegm
• it aides in the digestive process
• lemon water helps alleviate constipation
• it helps prevent vomiting
• it helps with throat issues
• cleanses the liver and kidneys
• works as a natural skin cleanser

And Jethro Kloss reported in his book Back To Eden:

“The medicinal value of the lemon is as follows: It is an antiseptic, or is an agent that prevents sepsis [the presence of pathogenic bacteria] or putrefaction [decomposition of tissue]. It is also anti-scorbutic, a term meaning a remedy which will prevent disease and assist in cleansing the system of impurities.”

KidScents Toothpaste: The Best Alternative

I'm playing around with posting articles I read elsewhere. This is from Gary Young's (of Young Living) blog. Even though we've been experimenting with making our own toothpaste, I can't say I've hit on a winning formula yet. I like this explanation of why we don't just buy name brands off the shelf. Even though we haven't tried KidScents toothpaste yet, I'm thinking it is our next best bet.

KidScents Toothpaste: The Best Alternative

Homemade Gifts

I know it's late, but we did manage to make and give away homemade Christmas gifts this year. The kids helped me make 5 batches of Wholly Granola (recipe is in the food section of the blog) and we put them into containers, labeled them, and gave them to friends and neighbors. (Many of our dear friends already have my recipe and make their own granola, though!) The kids also helped me prepare these spray bottles of Thieves cleaner (from Young Living). Not a gift that everyone would enjoy, but some of my good friends and moms who have a penchant for non-toxic cleaning seemed to be pleased. Thieves smells SO good, and you can use it for practically everything. Just a couple ideas for later!

Homemade Toothpaste

In trying to save money and keep our consumption more local and natural, I've been experimenting with making my own toothpaste. Can't say I LOVE it yet, (the texture takes some getting used to), but I'm perfectly fine with this. It doesn't have the foaming action of store toothpaste, but that is actually better for me during pregnancy, because brushing my teeth often makes me gag. We need to experiment a little more; I think B would prefer spearmint oil to all peppermint, and I'd like to try something fruity for the children.

I mix this together in a small, lidded container and keep it in the bathroom. Because coconut oil is antiviral, anti fungal, and antibacterial, I'm not concerned about everyone dipping their brushes in and I know (from 9 months of experience) that it won't grow mold. (That's always good, right?)

Toothpaste (originally found on Seeking the Old Paths' blog)
2 Tbl. coconut oil (makes it creamier. Is also liquid at higher temperatures.)
3 Tbl. baking soda
10 drops essential oil (5 peppermint; 5 spearmint)
pinch of Stevia (for sweetness)

A Note on Antimicrobial

I have been switching us over to natural cleaning products as well as skin and hair care products that are more natural and less toxic.

One of my friends was assuring me that her brand of skincare products was safe and effective and she sent me to a site that many makeup companies use to "prove" the safety of their products and the "need" to include certain chemicals in their composition. I found it interesting because you don't NEED to use chemicals to prevent bacterial growth. Thieves blend is antimicrobial, as are other essential oils, and even coconut oil (which I use in homemade toothpaste). My toothpaste has no chemicals in it and it does not mold. www.cosmeticsdatabase is still a good source for information.

This is just an encouragement that you don't need to use harsh chemicals in order to kill germs or ward off bacteria in your home. There are simple, healthier ways to do the same thing.

Here is a page from the YoungLiving website that I've found very helpful:

"Cleaning with Essential Oils

It can be daunting to live a healthier lifestyle, and one of the last areas you may think to change is your cleaning products. Most modern cleaning products require certain chemicals and surfactants (or cleansing agents) to make them work, and you should know what they are and their potential affects. It’s also important to find ways to limit your exposure to these toxins, and learn about safe, effective alternatives.

Here’s a quick run-down of some common cleaning chemicals, along with some of the many places you may see them:

* DEA (Diethanolamine)—Found in more than 600 home and personal care products, such as shampoos, conditioners, bubble baths, lotions, cosmetics, soaps, laundry and dishwashing detergents. Suspected of carcinogenic activity (causing or contributing to cancer) or of being potentially dangerous or hazardous to health.
* Propylene Glycol—The main ingredient found in anti-freeze; also common in shampoos, deodorants, cosmetics, lotions, toothpastes, processed foods, baby wipes, and many more personal care items. Implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage, and liver abnormalities; can inhibit skin cell growth in human tests and can damage cell membranes causing rashes, dry skin, and surface damage.
* Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)—Industrial uses include concrete floor cleaners, engine degreasers, and car wash detergents. Also found in shampoos, liquid soaps, conditioners, cleansers, toothpaste, and children’s personal care products. SLS is found in nearly all toothpastes, and is absorbed through skin contact and retained for up to five days.
* Talc—Chemically similar to asbestos, talc has been inked to ovarian cancer. It’s found in many body and baby powders, as well as many cosmetics.
* Alcohol—Most mouthwash products have a higher alcohol content than most alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, etc). Mouthwash products with alcoholic content greater than 25 percent have been linked to cancers of the mouth, tongue, and throat. Alcohol acts as a solvent inside the mouth, making tissues more vulnerable to carcinogens.

Essential Oil Cleaning Solutions


It may not be possible or cost effective to avoid all of these chemicals in your cleaning and personal care products, but there are plenty of ways to reduce your family’s exposure to them. Using therapeutic-grade essential oils, as a natural household cleaner, is a safe, effective alternative to many store-bought cleaning products. Some of the best essential oils for cleaning include cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, thyme, spruce, lemon, lemongrass, and grapefruit."

Oils for the Home

Some of my friends have been asking me for more information on oils, so I would like to direct you to Young Living's helpful site. It is www.youngliving.com .

As I learn more about the history and use of essential oils, I find myself more and more excited. We use some oils directly on our skin, we diffuse some in our home. Citrus oil is great in water to drink; not only does it taste great, but it aids digestion. Peppermint oil has been great to soothe headaches. Lavender is calming for my children and good for our sleep. Thieves has been used all over our home, from toilets to kitchen sink, counters to mirrors- and I have been very pleased with the results (and the scent!). Thieves took old stickers off of a mirror, too, as well as taking care of a few old stains.

Here is some more information on the Thieves household cleaner. This comes directly from Young Living's site (please note the many ways you can use Thieves! I love to have ONE nontoxic cleaner for my whole home and no other bottles and containers under my sink anymore):

"The improved Thieves® Household Cleaner has increased cleansing power and an even safer, more sustainable formulation. The new formula contains ingredients from renewable plant and mineral sources, vegetable-based surfactants compliant with the Green Seal and EPA Design for Environment (DfE) standards, and even more Thieves and lemon essential oils for extra cleaning power. Bottle is 100% recyclable.

Dilution ratios: light degreasing 60:1; medium degreasing 30:1; heavy degreasing 15:1; floors 100:1; walls 30:1; upholstery, fabrics, carpet spotting 40:1; carpet 100:1; glass 320:1; pots and pans; 100:1 hand cleaner 1:1."