A Soup That Restores Health

Lately I have gotten tired and run down and have not stopped and taken the time to care for myself.  I noticed the first signs of a sore throat but just made sure to cut back on sugar.  A few days later I could feel something really coming on.  Being pregnant and caring for a two year old doesn't make sickness very easy to live with so I immediately pulled out all my health boosting remedies that are safe during pregnancy.  I took some homeopathic remedies, drank lots of water with olive leaf complex mixed in and made a pot of this soup.  I also had my husband and daughter pray for me and I got to bed a little earlier (not that I could sleep, but that is just pregnancy I guess).  Now it is two days later and I feel completely fine!  I am sold on this soup for whenever my immune system needs a boost.

As usual, I don't measure anything (especially not when making soup!) but here is the general idea.  I strain my soup before drinking it so I don't worry about cutting things uniformly and even leave the thyme leaves on the stem.

Combine the following in a pot and simmer until desired doneness:

• Chicken broth (home made bone broth is ideal)
• lots of garlic, roughly chopped
• diced onion
• lots of crushed red pepper and freshly ground black pepper
• salt to taste
• fresh thyme (or dried is fine)
• bay leaf

Once everything has had time to mingle, add fresh lemon juice to taste.  You can also add more (minced) garlic towards the end of the cooking for an extra garlicky kick (yes, you will have horrible breath!).  I like to drink mine strained in a mug.  It stays warmer this way and is easy to drink a lot at once.  It will be spicy (the peppers and garlic make it therapeutically hot) but should not be uncomfortable to drink.  Dilute with water if necessary.  I like mine really spicy and strong and feel like I have really helped out my immune system after a few cups of this soup!  Enjoy!

Keeping a Healthy Snack Close at Hand

Isn't food in Summer wonderful!  I have been in awe lately of all the fabulous produce we get every week from our farmer's market, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and even our own garden.  It feels so good to eat such perfectly ripe foods just moments or days after they are harvested.  With a fridge full of delicious fruit I decided to start keeping a fruit bowl on the counter every day to encourage us to eat more of it.  I know it is helping us eat healthier snacks by keeping us out of the pantry.  We all could use a little more fresh in our diet and this has really helped!

Cloth Diapering- Easier Than You Might Think!

Audrey at Two Months Wearing Fuzzi Bunz!

I love cloth diapering!  I have been diapering Audrey in cloth since she outgrew newborn disposables.  We do use disposables for times when we run out of cloth, when she is in a nursery or when carrying around dirty cloth diapers would be inconvenient.  I imagine she is in her cloth diapers 85-95% of the time. 

Like many new moms, I was very interested in cloth diapering but was afraid it would be a mistake.  I was afraid it would be so gross that I would regret spending so much up front for my diapering system.  I knew once I invested a lot in diapers there was no going back!  I was also unsure about their performance- I was not interested in spending a lot on leaky diapers!  My fears were put to rest however when we took the plunge and tried Fuzzi Bunz pocket diapers.  I spent hours reading and comparing all the available options and found Fuzzi Bunz to be the best fit for us.  They are pricey (I paid between $18 and $20 per diaper) but with proper care, certainly pay for themselves over time.  Fuzzi Bunz were similar in price to other pocket diapers and all in ones (AIO).  They are far more expensive then classic prefolds that are used with diaper covers, but for the convenience and comfort to baby I think the pocket diapers are worth the extra cash.  I have since tried an AIO diaper and another brand of pocket diapers, both of which I was unhappy with.  My daughter refuses to wear the particular AIO I purchased as it is rougher against her skin than the fleece of the Fuzzi Bunz.  The other pocket diaper I tried is acceptable, but the proportions make it not fit as well as Fuzzi Bunz.

Pocket diapers are made of two layers between which you insert the absorbent pad (or pads) that will determine how much the diaper will hold.  The customization is great!  For smaller children who wet less at a time, the single liner or insert is perfect.  For overnight use you can add a doubler or soaker pad to hold more moisture.  Now that my daughter is 2, I find that the single insert is not enough and I use two inserts or an insert with a doubler around the clock.  This does make for a bulkier diaper, but I don't think she minds.  Each diaper comes with one insert and doublers are sold separately.  Of all the doublers I have tried, I love my hemp ones (BabyKicks Hemparoo Joey Bunz) the most because they are very absorbent.

Fuzzi Bunz are made with a soft fleece layer on top (against baby's skin) that rarely stains and helps to keep baby a little drier.  They have snaps rather than Velcro which is nice during laundering and the snaps are harder for little hands to open- a huge plus!  When I purchased them, the one size fits all option was not available so I purchased smalls and now Audrey is wearing mediums.  I did buy one of the one size diapers recently and really like it.  It has elastic in the leg that can be easily adjusted for a snug or loose fit.  I can't imagine this diaper on a tiny newborn, but I am sure it will continue to fit my daughter until she is no longer wearing diapers.  If I had it to do over, I would probably still have purchased the smalls and then the one size diapers once she outgrew the smalls.

One problem I have encountered is the elastic not standing up to so much washing and wear.  I found a tutorial online showing how to replace the elastic.  It was a pain to do, but will add a not of use to my diapers.  Compared to spending $18 or more per diaper again, I can spend a few hours replacing the elastic! 

Another thing I love about cloth diapering is using cloth wipes!  They are so thick and so much cheaper than disposable wipes.  Also I use half as many cloth wipes getting her really clean than I do with disposables.  I found the thicker terry cloth wipes to be the best.  I simply wet a handful of wipes with tap water and store them in a wipes warmer.  I found no need to make a cleaning solution to soak them in.  I sometimes will add a few drops of tea tree oil to the wipes (making sure it is diluted with the water).  When I feel she needs a little more than just the wet wipes I will use a diaper spray such as California Baby to get her extra clean.  I use a large trash can with a lid that can be operated with a foot pedal.  Inside the can I use a cloth diapering pail liner that I take out and wash with each diaper load. 

Washing cloth diapers isn't that bad.  I find that if you don't have too many diapers you will wash more often and the smell will not get as strong.  When Audrey was little I remember being pleasantly surprised at how her diapers did not smell that bad.  Especially for exclusively breastfed babies this is true.  Now that she is older, the ammonia smell is pretty tough but I think it is still worth it.  I would strongly recommend using disposable gloves for processing your diapers!  I don't separate the liners from the pockets when I am changing diapers so wearing gloves to do it as I put them in the washer is a big help.  I add all my diapers and wipes to the load and run a prewash cycle with no soap before adding the pail liner to the main wash.  I use Charley's Soap because it doesn't have any fragrances or garbage that we try to avoid in laundry detergent and it leaves no residue to irritate baby's delicate skin.  It is also very economical and concentrated.  So after the prewash, I run a heavy wash cycle on hot with vinegar in place of fabric softener and a second rinse at the end. 

To dry them I throw my diapers, wipes and liner in the dryer and run them on low heat for about 20 minutes.  Then I take out the diapers (usually almost dry at this point) and the liner and dry the inserts and doublers a little longer.  Usually the doublers will still be damp so I hang them to finish drying.  I store everything in a large basket in the bathroom (where I change diapers) and sort them into smaller baskets when I have a minute.  It really is convenient and not throwing so much away just feels good.
One of my biggest fears about cloth diapering was what to do with poop!  I didn't want to get a toilet sprayer attachment- that just seemed so messy and gross.  When Audrey was not on solids yet, the poop would simply wash away in the laundry.  Once she got older I started changing her in the bathroom (more convenient for practicing early potty training or elimination communication) where I could dump any solids into the toilet.  Now that she is 2, she is pooping in her diaper less and using the toilet more and when she does mess up and use her diaper it is usually easy to just plop it in the toilet.  The poop aspect of cloth diapering is not pleasant but for me it was not a deal breaker.  Also, it is your child's poop and as a mom God gives you a special grace to deal with it!

To determine the number of cloth diapers to purchase count (or estimate) how many diapers you use within a 24 hour period.  Then determine how often you want to wash and give yourself a cushion to allow for the washing and drying time.  We started out using 12 diapers and then felt the need to add 6 more.  Eighteen was certainly enough for our frequency of washing.  To determine the number of wipes to buy estimate how many wipes you use at each change and multiply that by how many changes you will need between washings.  You really never can have too many cloth wipes as they can be used for household cleaning as well as for diaper changes.  While my daughter is on the toilet I will often grab a wipe to clean the mirror or wipe down the counter and just toss it in the diaper pail when finished.  Cloth wipes are so economical and are such a step up from disposable ones!

Websites selling cloth diapers abound!  I have found that larger sites such as Kelly's Closet are a one stop shop, often offering free shipping with a minimum order.  They also carry all the accessories you will need such as doublers, diaper pail liners, etc and even cloth products for mommies too!

"I really need to nurse, Mama!"

Marguerite Gerard, The Breastfeeding Mother

While rocking my daughter this afternoon before her nap she hit me with, "I really need to nurse, Mama!"  It struck me as funny considering most people don't even consider nursing into toddlerhood, when a child can express themselves so clearly!  Yes, I am still nursing my 2 year old.  Nursing a two year old is so different from nursing a baby! She no longer nestles comfortably in my arms but rather lays across my lap or beside me in bed. She is not still for long but it is nice that I can now tell her how to adjust her latch when it gets uncomfortable.

Nursing while pregnant has created some changes to our nursing relationship, mostly the tenderness I have been experiencing and also the decrease in milk production.  But I am so glad to still have those special moments of closeness with her.  She is so very independent now and our occasional nursing times together are special.  Some days she is distracted and forgets to nurse all day and others she "needs" to nurse quite a few times.  I am thankful to be able to comfort her in this way and knowing that my milk is still a source of excellent nutrition is a plus. 

When I first found out I was pregnant with baby number two, I made a list of things to do to get Audrey ready for this next phase of life.  At the top of the list was weaning and potty training.  I have since put that list aside.  I no longer have the desire to wean.  Who knows what her nursing will look like 4 months from now, that is if she is even still interested in nursing.  Children change so quickly!  I just want to go with the flow and offer her what she needs from me at each stage of life. I don't want to miss out on something special just because it isn't a cultural norm.

I don't know any other moms who have nursed their children well into the third year of life (I am certain they are out there!).  I know extended breastfeeding is not for everyone, but I wish our culture would embrace breastfeeding as an important part of childhood.  I think the nursing relationship between mother and child should not be limited to a given period of time but rather allowed to persist as long as mother and baby are benefiting.  Not everyone has success with breastfeeding and not everyone's lifestyle would allow for extended breastfeeding, but for those who are able it can be such a blessing!  It saddens me to see how convenience oriented our society has become.  Aren't our children worth going the extra mile and giving them access to such a perfect food for as long as they would like it?

Easy Composting

When we moved to our new home in December, my sweet husband built a stacking compost bin into which we had been happily discarding our kitchen scraps and yard clippings.  Our compost was coming along nicely and was getting quite full when the flood hit!  We live in Nashville and were hit by a record breaking flood at the beginning of May.  Though our home suffered very little damage (we are so very grateful!), our compost bin was almost completely washed away.  Only the bottom tier remained after a river flowed over our entire back yard for 24 hours.  Discouraged by our loss of 3/4 of our compost, we stopped our usual collection of kitchen scraps in order to wait until a new compost bin could be built.  Weeds began to pop up in the bin and as they grew we realized they were mostly not weeds but rather tomatoes, potatoes, and a vine we think is a squash plant.  I had started my garden from seed weeks before the flood, but the plants coming out of the compost bin were healthier and much bigger than my seedlings that had been given far more care and had more time to grow.  I was amazed at how much the richness of the soil impacted the plants. 

Now I am more passionate about our composting than ever!  I am always looking for things to add to the pile.  I hope to have lots of mature compost to spread over our entire garden next year.  Composting is so easy!  If you have the space there is no reason to not do it.  I always thought it would smell and attract undesirable animals or bugs but this has not been our experience.  There is no odor whatsoever (unless you are turning the pile, then you will notice the smell of things breaking down).  And other than the cost of the bin, the collection container and tool used to turn the pile it is absolutely free.  I have been using a composting pailwith a charcoal filter in our kitchen to collect scraps each day.  I am so happy with it!  It has no odor and it a convenient way to transport things to the compost pile.

Tips for composting successfully:

• compost plant material and egg shells only, avoid meat, dairy and bones as these will attract unwanted critters
• keep a pile of grass clippings or other yard waste beside the bin and cover each addition of food scraps with it in order to cut down on flies
• pile can be in a bin or standing alone, make sure it gets plenty of sun and stays slightly moist.  Turn the pile every few weeks to allow air to circulate
• the smaller the pieces added to the pile, the quicker they will break down.  Smashing egg shells and cutting up citrus rinds will help them to decompose more quickly.
• I found a good resource with more detailed info here.

Cheap Seventh Generation Diapers and Wipes!

In a previous post I mentioned how much I enjoy Amazon's Subscribe and Save program- such a great deal!  Then today I received an email letting me know that their Seventh Generation diapers and wipes were an additional 15% off when you purchase them through their Subscribe and Save program.  That makes them 30% off of their already low case price.  I ordered two different sizes and a case of training pantsand wipes.  I purchase the travel size packages of wipes because they are small enough that they don't dry out before we use them up. They were only $1.69 each! The diapers ended up being $6.99 per package!  I think they are closer to $12 at my grocery store.  We use cloth diapers and wipes 80% of the time, but there are always times when we need to have disposables on hand and I have been really pleased with Seventh Generation.  It is great to know you aren't putting harsh chemicals like chlorine against your child's delicate skin.

Amazon indicated that this was a limited time promotion, so I don't know how long it will last.  Enjoy the savings!

Amazing Garlic Croutons

Here is an excellent use for bread ends or bread that isn't as moist and fresh as it used to be.  These croutons add an incredible pop of flavor to any salad or soup.  They are a great way to sneak more garlic into your diet.  Start to finish they take about 25 minutes and are very hands off.

Ingredients:
Stale bread or bread ends (any kind will work)
Fresh garlic cloves (to taste, going a little overboard will make them extra tasty!)
Butter
Pepper
Parmesan Cheese

Start by preheating the oven to 350 and dicing the bread into little cubes.  While the oven is preheating, throw a generous amount of butter into a heat proof dish and stick it in the oven.  Once the butter has melted, mince the garlic into the butter and stir to combine.  Next throw in the bread cubes and toss to coat them evenly.  Sprinkle them with pepper (they really don't need salt) and then transfer them to a baking dish (glass works well for this).  Make sure they are not too crowded because you want them to crisp up nicely.  Bake for about 20 minutes or until desired crispness.  Grate some Parmesan cheese over the top and allow to cool if using on a salad.  Enjoy!

Swiss Chard Even a Toddler Will Eat!

I am new to cooking greens and sometime feel intimidated by them.  I know they are so very nutritious but I wonder how they will taste and if my family will actually eat them.  Swiss Chard (or Rainbow Chard) however is easy and tasty!  I am sure there are many ways to prepare this green but here is what worked for me.  As you can see, I don't really use measurements when I cook things like this.  Just put the amount that looks right and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• one bunch chard (I used Rainbow as you can see above)
• 1/2 red or yellow onion
• fresh garlic to taste (3 cloves for us)
• Butter or Coconut Oil, be generous!  It adds such good flavor.
• Salt and Pepper, other seasoning to taste
• Frozen Corn
• Precooked sprouted lentils (optional)
• Parmesan Cheese for topping

Thoroughly clean your greens then separate the stalks from the leafy part.  Chop the stalks and the onion and saute in butter or coconut oil for a minute.  Add in the garlic and salt and pepper as well as any other seasoning you like (crushed red pepper, granulated garlic, dried thyme, etc) and cook until just tender. 

 Meanwhile, roughly chop the leafy greens and add them once the stalks are slightly tender.  Continue to stir and cook until the greens are wilted. 

Then add frozen corn and lentils if desired.  The corn adds a sweetness that balances the earthy flavor of the chard and the lentils add protein and make this dish more satisfying.  Test for doneness and for flavor and top with Parmesan Cheese if desired.  If only it ended up as pretty as it started!

Delicious and Nutritious: Smoothies

One of the biggest challenges of being a mom is getting nutritious, whole foods into our children.  It is especially hard to get them to eat a variety of healthy foods when they are small and don't have all their teeth yet.  I introduced smoothies to my daughter a little before her first birthday and it was a hit!  For the last year we have been sharing a smoothie for breakfast almost every morning.  She learned to drink from a straw very quickly and will drink quite a bit! 

Here is how I make our smoothies:

Start with a whole, peeled orange and blend it up with either yogurt, kefir, raw milk, hibiscus or other herbal tea, or fresh juice of your choice (I don't recommend juice unless it is fresh juiced from organic, whole foods because of the sugar content and pasteurization of commercial juices).

Once this mixture is smooth add any or all of the following:

• organic frozen berries or fruit (I use blueberries, strawberries, peaches, cranberries and pineapple)
• fresh organic spinach or other green (spinach is mild and doesn't really change the flavor)
• banana or other fresh fruit
• green powder (we like Garden of Life's Perfect Food Berry)
• ground flax seeds
• spirulina, beet powder, olive leaf complex, zinc lozenge or other healthy supplement
• for a treat you can also add cocoa powder, cinnamon, or vanilla extract

Your smoothie will be loaded with fiber and vitamins!  It tastes great and will help you get more fruit and veggies into everyone's diet.  When my daughter is sick I love to add supplements to our smoothie that she would not take alone.  Recently she had a runny nose that she just could not shake and we tried olive leaf complex.  Within 2 days of introducing it into her smoothies and mixing it with her water she was completely better.  Try to use organic ingredients when possible to reduce your exposure to toxins and to get more nutritional bang for your buck.  If your budget limits your organic choices try to stick with organic for the most contaminated fruits and veggies.  A helpful list is located here.

Make at Home: Refreshing Mouthwash

I have been making my own personal care products for the last few months and have had mixed results.  Occasionally something will turn out better than what I have been buying.  There have also been times I have had to throw my concoction out and start over, or repurpose it (for example sticky lotion can become shaving cream).  I mixed up this mouthwash yesterday and am so happy with it!  It really left my mouth minty fresh with a slightly herbal taste.  It is made of simple ingredients and you can tweak it to fit your individual preference.  Here is what I combined in a glass jar:

• water
• baking soda (aluminum free if possible)
• aloe gel
• vegetable glycerin
• peppermint oil
• clove oil
• lemon oil
• tea tree oil

I did not measure the ingredients, but this is roughly organized by largest quantity to smallest.  Once combined, shake well and try it!  I had to tweak mine a few times to get that strong peppermint flavor I was looking for.  Make sure to use organic or high quality oils that can be used internally (not labeled external use only).  I found my peppermint oil and baking soda in the baking isle of my grocery store and the rest I have purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs or Whole Foods.  It is so fun to make your own products, especially when they really work well!  I would love to hear what adjustments you have made to make this recipe work for you!

Nasty BPA

Are you aware of how awful BPA is? Bisphenol A is a toxic chemical used in plastics that disrupts hormone levels in our bodies. I think most people have heard about them in plastic disposable water bottles and nalgene type reusable ones. Not surprisingly they are found many other places as well. After reading this article on Civil Eats, I was so sad to see that canned goods are such a huge contributor to BPA in our food. I have been giving my toddler organic canned beans and heart of palm (good source of minerals) on a daily basis. Now I know that she has been ingesting chemicals from the lining of the cans! I called the manufacturer of the heart of palm and they were aware of the BPA in the cans and had phased it out of some of their other products, but not the ones we buy. This is so frustrating! It is not enough to buy foods that are organic, we can not trust that these manufacturers are concerned about anything other than their bottom line. It seems almost everything that is convenient and modern has a dangerous flip side. I am now being more diligent to soak my dried beans, which gives me a chance to sprout them, cook and freeze them. I know this is healthier anyway as sprouted legumes and grains are more easily digested an their nutrients absorbed. Other countries have banned BPA from anything that comes in contact with food, but not the US. It seems the corporations who profit from cheaper plastics that contain BPA have too much power in our legislature.

Eden Foods is one brand of canned organic foods that is willing to pay a few cents more per can in order to package their goods more safely. I think I will still avoid canned foods now but will certainly purchase theirs in a pinch. After all, who knows what they will find next in plastic to be harmful? This is yet another wake up call to avoid plastics altogether and opt for glass, wood and safe metals and ceramic in the kitchen. Also this reminds me that we live in such a greedy, polluted world and can not possibly avoid everything that is a threat to our health. I am so thankful to know Jesus and to know that I can pray and trust Him with my health and the health of my family. We make a point to bless our food and give thanks for it at every meal and I know that God does bless it when we do this. I am so thankful that I can rest in Him! With that being said, I still strive to do all that I can with the knowledge I have been given to make the best choices for my family but my trust is in Him.

If you would like to find out more about BPA here is another good resource.