How can I stay well during the winter?

How can I stay well during the winter?
Staying healthy is one of my top priorities.  The winter season is here, and that means if we haven't already been actively taking care of our health, it's time to start thinking about how to stay well. There are many things we can do to boost our immunity and keep ourselves healthy, from making good food choices to using supplements to being proactive in our health. Here are some tips for staying well this winter season.

Making Good Food Choices
One of the best things we can do for our health is to make good food choices. That means eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and nuts and seeds. It also means drinking plenty of water and limiting sugar and processed foods.
 It can be difficult to avoid sugar especially during the holidays, but it makes a huge difference! When we make good food choices, we are giving our bodies the nutrients it needs to function optimally. 

Using Supplements
Another great way to boost our immunity and stay well during the winter months is to use supplements. There are many different supplements that can be beneficial, from Vitamins C & D to elderberry syrup to my favorite super juice. The best "weed & feed" supplements I have found are Life 9 & Inner Defense, which weed out the unwanted junk and feed our gut.  Supplements can help fill in the gaps when we are not getting all the nutrients we need from our diet.  I use the items in my Winter Wellness pack throughout the year, but I make sure I have plenty in stock for winter!

Using Essential Oils 
Essential oils are another great tool for supporting our immunity and helping us stay well during the winter season. There are many different ways to use essential oils, from diffusing them in our homes to using them topically on our skin. Some great essential oils for immunity include Thieves oil, R. C. oil, Eucalyptus oil, Lemon oil, and Oregano oil

Being Proactive in Our Health 
Finally, one of the best things we can do for our health is to be proactive in our care. That means getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and managing stress. When we take care of ourselves, we are more likely to stay well during cold and flu season. 

The winter season is a great time to focus on our health. There are many things we can do to support our immunity and keep ourselves healthy, from making good food choices to using supplements to being proactive in our care. By taking these steps, we can increase our chances of staying well throughout the winter season so we have the energy and ability to enjoy all the events and visits with family we have during this time.  Keeping health a top priority during this time will make all the difference in the world!  
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December YL Newsletter


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Any purchase made is a blessing to my family at no extra cost to you!  
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The Wonders of the WavWatch: A Review

The Wonders of the WavWatch:  A Review
As a holistic and natural mom, I'm always on the lookout for new products that can help my family feel our best. When I heard about the Wavwatch, I was intrigued. Sound therapy is not new—sound has been used for centuries for healing—but now we have the technology to have many different sound frequencies in one place and easily accessible. I decided to give it a try to see if it could help with PMS, sleep, and parasites (I don't actually know if we have parasites, but I have heard from multiple people that they had good results with that).

The Wavwatch is a small, wearable device that emits different sound frequencies. It looks like an Apple Watch, only bigger, and with no EMF radiation.  You can choose which frequency you want to emit, and you can also choose how long you want it to emit for (up to two hours at a time).  We have had it for a little over a week, so we are fairly new to it, but I am optimistic so far.

I  decided to try using it at night to see if it would help me sleep better. After a week of using the Wavwatch at night, I can say that it does help and there are several different settings to try.  I'm falling asleep faster and I had been struggling with that before. 

As far as parasites, I know people who have seen things moving in the toilet, but so far, we haven't had that experience. However, I made a playlist of all the parasite settings, followed by detox settings, and in going through, several made me nauseated.  I know that is one of the symptoms of parasite die-off, so perhaps I had some I didn't know about?  I will probably run that playlist once a week for a while and see how it goes.  

One of my daughters has pretty bad PMS symptoms. I wasn't sure if she would notice a difference, but after just a few minutes of wearing it, she said her cramps were gone.  So I took it back for a few hours, and then later, she wanted the watch back as her cramps had returned, and again, it worked!  That is a win in our house!  She didn't even have to wear it too long.  

I am excited to experiment with the WavWatch more and see what other benefits it has!  I will keep you updated when I have more news about it.  But for now, I am happy with my purchase and I would recommend it if you're looking for a natural way to feel your best.  It has helped us and it might just help you too!

One more thing!  When you grab yours, use the code ERIKA100 to get $100 off!  




The Wavwatch has a setting for inflammation which I am excited to try.  If you are looking for nutritional ways to reduce inflammation, check out this Jumpstart!
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Any purchase made is a blessing to my family at no extra cost to you!  
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How to Make Elderberry Syrup

How to Make Elderberry Syrup
Are you feeling a little under the weather or just want to prepare for the cold weather months? You may want to consider making some elderberry syrup. This natural remedy is a great way to help fight off any infections. In this blog post, I'll show you how to make elderberry syrup using just a few simple ingredients. So, if you are looking for an easy and affordable way to fight off the winter ickies, be sure to give this recipe a try!

Elderberry syrup is said to have many health benefits, including supporting the immune system and reducing inflammation. Additionally, elderberries are high in antioxidants and vitamins A and C.  I've been using it as part of our wellness regimen for years!  I like to make big batches and it keeps well in the refrigerator.  (I have a big family, so I always think big - this recipe can be doubled and tripled.)

It’s easier than you think to make your own elderberry syrup! In just a few simple steps, you can create this natural remedy that can help support your immune system. Plus, it tastes great too! Keep reading for all the details. . . .

1.  What You'll Need
To make elderberry syrup, you'll need:
- 1 cup of dried elderberries.  Find my favorite here.
- 3 cups of water
- 1 cup of raw honey (local is best, but if you can't find any, here is my favorite online.)
- 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger (or chunked if you want to save your knuckles)
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon of whole cloves
- 1 lemon sliced with skin on
- 1 drop each of Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil, Clove Vitality essential oil, Ginger Vitality essential oil, Lemon Vitality essential oil, Thieves Vitality essential oil.  Find these here, they add a kick!




2.  Add the elderberries, cinnamon stick, cloves, fresh ginger, lemon slices, and water to a pot and bring to a boil.
Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until the mixture has reduced by half.
To save time, you can cook the syrup in a slow cooker/crockpot on low for about 6 hours.

3.  Remove from heat and strain.
Remove the pot from the heat and strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer.

4.  Add the honey and essential oils.
Add the honey and essential oils to the strained mixture and stir until well combined.

5.  Store in a glass jar.
Pour the syrup into a glass jar and store in the fridge for up to a year. (If it goes in super hot - the jar may seal on its own.)

6.  Enjoy!
Elderberry syrup can be taken daily as a preventative measure, or at the first sign of illness. For adults, take 1 tablespoon per day. For children over 2 years old, take 1 teaspoon per day. If you're taking it for illness, you can take up to 3 tablespoons per day.  I like to add the elderberry to the antioxidant Ningxia Red.  I mix the two, add a little water, and that's what I give my kids every day there is a need for it. 

Moms, now's your chance to make your own home remedy, and save some money! It's a natural way to boost your immune system, the recipe easy to follow, and it's also delicious! So why not give it a try? Thanks for reading!
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Any purchase made is a blessing to my family at no extra cost to you!  
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How do you deal with Anxiety, Grief, and Stress During the Holidays?

How do you deal with Anxiety, Grief, and Stress During the Holidays?
The holidays are a wonderful time for family, friends, and fun. But they can also be a time of stress, anxiety, and even grief. If you're feeling anything other than happiness this holiday season, you're not alone. Here's a look at some of the most common emotions people feel during the holidays that bring them down—and how to deal with them.  I have felt each one of these at different times and know how much they can affect your life.  

Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common emotions people feel during the holidays. There are a lot of things that can contribute to holiday anxiety: financial stress, family dynamics, unrealistic expectations, and more. If you're feeling anxious this holiday season, there are a few things you can do to ease your mind. 

First, try to set realistic expectations for yourself and your loved ones and communicate your expectations. The holidays don't have to be perfect—in fact, they rarely are. Instead of putting pressure on yourself to create an Instagram-worthy Christmas or host the perfect Thanksgiving dinner, focus on enjoying quality time with your loved ones. 

Second, make a budget and stick to it. This will help you avoid overspending and going into debt—which can add to your anxiety. Make sure you are on the same page with your spouse by communicating and making a plan.

Third, take some time for yourself. Whether it's taking a long walk in the park, getting a massage with essential oils, or simply taking a few minutes to meditate each day, find ways to relax and de-stress. This can be hard when there is so much to be done, but even a few minutes to breathe deeply can make a difference.

Grief 
The holidays can be especially tough if you've experienced a loss recently. Whether it's the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or something else entirely, grief can put a damper on even the happiest of holidays.  If you're grieving this holiday season, allow yourself to feel all the feels—sadness, anger, loneliness, etc. It's okay not to be okay during the holidays. Loss leaves a hole that cannot be filled.

First, reach out to your support system—whether that's family members, close friends, or a therapist—for help getting through this tough time. And if you need some extra support, there are plenty of grief support groups available both in person and online. Just having someone to express your feelings to can make all the difference. If your grief leads you down too far and you are in need of emergency help, 988 is the new 3 digit National Suicide & Crisis hotline.  You can also use the number: 1-800-273-8225.  

Second, do things that bring up good memories of your lost loved one, or something that will honor their memory.  This can be donating to their favorite charity, making their favorite cookies, or setting out one of their cherished decorations.  Remember the good times.  

Third, think of ways you can bring happiness to others.  Many times, when we step out of our troubles and focus on serving others,  it helps lessen the emotional burden.  We can be a blessing to others who are going through tough times, too.  Call a friend you haven't talked to in a while, take food or supplies to the homeless, or visit your lonely elderly neighbor.  

Stress 
Like anxiety, stress is common during the holidays. There are many things that can contribute to holiday stress: cooking large meals, hosting out-of-town guests, traveling long distances, attending festive parties—the list goes on and on! If you're feeling stressed this holiday season, there are several things you can do to ease your mind. 

First and foremost: don't try to do it all! Delegate tasks whenever possible so you're not carrying the entire load yourself. 
Reach out for help when you need it! Don't be afraid to ask your family members or friends for assistance with cooking dinner or wrapping presents—they'll likely be happy to help! 

Second. make time for self-care! Whether it's taking a relaxing bath with essential oils before bedtime or squeezing in a workout at the gym (even if it's just 20 minutes), find ways to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. 

Third, remember the reason for the holidays!  Remember that Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and find things daily that you are thankful for.  Remember that Christmas celebrates the birth of our Savior and that He came to save us all.  He came to save YOU because He loves you!  


No matter what emotions you are feeling this holiday season—anxiety, grief, stress—know that you're not alone. There are plenty of people who are feeling exactly what you're feeling—and there are plenty of resources available to help you get through it. From setting realistic expectations to making time for self-care, there are lots of things you can do to ease your mind and enjoy the holiday season despite whatever challenges come your way.

Reach out.  As someone who has acutely felt each of these emotions during the holidays, I know how you feel.  If you'd like to join a supportive group of women learning and working on creating healing homes, and holistic lifestyles, visit us at Holistic Super Moms FaceBook page.  
My blogs contain some affiliate links.  
Any purchase made is a blessing to my family at no extra cost to you!  
Thank you for supporting us!


 
 
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