This week’s recipe is a simple one, but oh so important! Does anyone feel like during these months we’re just swatting germs away left and right? This thieves tea is amazing to drink to boost your immune system whether you’re sick or not. It’s a perfect tea to sip on a chilly night.
Grab your favorite warm beverage cup, some hot water, organic honey and your Young Living essential oils (the only ones I recommend for consumption!).
Add honey to the bottom of your cup, add two drops of thieves vitality, one drop of lemon vitality and top with hot water. Stir and enjoy!
This tea is packed with immune boosting support to keep you well this season of germs!
Do you ever take a moment to think about what’s in the products you use? Most often times we don’t, but they can have detrimental impacts on your overall health!
So many skincare products on the market today are just chemical filled garbage. Unfortunately, companies can throw so many different ingredients into a product and we don't even know what it is, some of them are pretty alarming.
They don't even have to disclose it all and can mark it under "fragrance" and claim it's a "trade secret." The worst part is that this is perfectly legal and is a loophole for companies to not have to disclose what is in their product.
So what you put on your skin really matters?! Yes! I harp on this and for good reason!
The average woman applies hundreds of different chemical compounds on her body, just before 9AM (think that morning shower, face ‘care’ routine, make up routine) and then it keeps on going - lotion, hand sanitizer, washing your hands every time you go to the bathroom (you do that right?) and the list goes on!
So why the big problem?
Well unfortunately many products out there have some pretty alarming ingredients.
Things like:
- Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen
- Mercury, which can damage the kidneys and nervous system
- Dibutyl and diethylhexyl phthalates, which disrupt hormones and damage the reproductive system
These are just a few harmful ingredients and these aren’t even the full spectrum. With an autoimmune disease it is even more important to pay attention to these as our bodies tend to be more sensitive to it all.
The #1 thing I look for when I’m purchasing a new product is to look for the word “fragrance” in the ingredients list. If it’s listed at all, I’ll move onto the next! Believe it or not, there are companies out there that don’t use it. You just have to be mindful of which ones.
Do you know what’s in your products?
Breakfast is such a hard meal to find yummy, filling recipes, so here's one just for you! There's nothing like a pancake on a chilly day (or any day really!).
Ingredients:
- ¾ cups oats (bonus for sprouted)
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ cup gluten free 1:1 flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ organic coconut milk
- ¼ cup organic coconut yogurt
- 1 banana, peeled and mashed
- 1 pasture raised egg (bonus from farmers markets or a local farm), slightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon local raw honey
Syrup Topping:
- ½ cup pure organic maple syrup
- 2 drops cinnamon vitality
- 1 drop clove
Directions:
- In a large pan, combine the oats and water. Cook on a medium heat until the oats turn tender and creamy. Stir in your honey and coconut oil and set to one side to cool.
- In another bowl, sift together your flour, baking powder, baking soda and ground cinnamon.
- Add the milk, yogurt and banana to the cooled oats and mix until thoroughly blended. Then beat in the egg. Once this mixture has combined, add it to your dry ingredients and mix again.
- Gently fry in a pan using an oil of your choice. To make the syrup topping, warm maple syrup in a small saucepan and add oils. Then, simply pour over your freshly made pancakes.
As a parent this is something that can be sparse at times, but I want to share with you the importance of sleep for your overall health.
🤣I laugh because sleeping with a new baby is always interesting. We have been really blessed with our little one who sleeps really well plus with bed sharing, oils and a somewhat consistent bedtime, it has allowed us to get more sleep than I've heard other parents get.
Sleep is one of the most important things that we can do in terms of self-care for soooo many reasons.
Here's a few 👇
Sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, and it plays a crucial role in various aspects of our physical, mental, and emotional functioning. Here are some reasons why sleep is important:
1. Restoration and Healing: Sleep is a time when the body can focus on repairing and rejuvenating itself especially in terms of tissues and muscles being repaired and the immune system being strengthened.
2. Cognitive Function: Sleep is vital for cognitive function, including memory consolidation, problem-solving, creativity, and learning.
3. Emotional Well-Being: Adequate sleep is crucial for emotional stability and mental health as a leep deprivation is linked to mood disturbances, irritability, increased stress levels, and a higher risk of developing mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
4. Physical Health: Lack of sleep is associated with a range of physical health problems, including an increased risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Sleep helps regulate hormones that control appetite and metabolism.
5. Immune Function: Sleep is important for a strong and resilient immune system. It helps the body produce immune cells, antibodies, and other substances needed to fight off infections and illnesses.
6. Energy and Alertness: Getting sufficient sleep enhances daytime alertness, energy, and overall performance. It reduces the likelihood of accidents and errors in daily activities, including driving.
7. Stress Reduction: Sleep is a natural stress reliever. It helps regulate stress hormones, allowing the body and mind to recover from daily stressors.
8. Physical Performance: Athletes and individuals engaged in physical activities benefit from adequate sleep as it contributes to better physical performance, muscle recovery, and coordination.
9. Hormonal Balance: Sleep plays a role in regulating various hormones, including those that control growth, stress response, and reproductive function. Hormonal imbalances can result from chronic sleep deprivation.
10. Longevity: Research suggests that consistent, quality sleep is associated with a longer lifespan and a reduced risk of premature mortality.
Did you know sleep could do all of this?!
P.S. These are benefits we can all benefit from, even if you are not a parent to a baby or young kiddo.
Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, can impact breastfeeding in various ways, both positively and negatively. Here are some considerations regarding the impact of dairy on breastfeeding:
- Some infants may be sensitive or allergic to proteins found in cow's milk that can lead to digestive issues, skin rashes, colic or other symptoms
- For mother, dairy products can sometimes cause GI issues such as gas, bloating or diarrhea
- Colic or fussiness may occur after dairy is consumed due to the high levels in the mother's diet that baby is then consuming
The most important thing is to monitor baby and yourself after dairy is consumed. Pay attention to your baby's behavior, feeding patterns, and any unusual symptoms (like spitting up more than usual or excessively). If you suspect an issue related to dairy, consult with a healthcare provider or a lactation consultant for guidance.
There are plenty of dairy free alternatives on the market, but be mindful of some of the additives present in certain brands. Options like almond milk, coconut milk and other plant choices can be great options. I actually make my own coconut milk using shredded coconut (this helps keep the additives out and only takes about 15 minutes). Here's the link if you'd like to check it out!
