As a health-conscious mom, I tried to get my young girls to choose healthier options, but the oldest refused almost all veggies. One fateful day as we wandered around Whole Foods, there was a man demonstrating a Vitamix blender*, showing how to make fabulous and yummy fruit shakes - with spinach! My girls both drank it up! We rearranged the budget on the spot and got the blender. I had no idea what I was about to get into. I was about to follow the beanstalk so far up after that magical seed was planted.
After researching recipes for my new favorite appliance, I came across info on different diets, including the raw diet. After 2 weeks on the raw diet, I felt amazing yet soon had rebounding fatigue. I decided that my body needed more balance. Adding back carbs, but fewer and healthier, and occasional animal products worked best for me.
Adding veggies was a great trick for littles and a boost for my husband and me, but I was still caught up in doing things the way I was brought up. I was supposed to go to the doctor regularly, take OTC meds for any little symptom, and do the same with kiddos. I believed I was doing the best for them but being the obedient follower didn't prove to be prudent.
After my third child had an MMR shot at his 5 or 6-month check-up, he had a febrile seizure. When I connected one with the other and was told how common and expected it was, I sat in that surreal moment and started connecting other dots. The trust I had completely given over to the medical establishment got its first chip in it. After that, I happened across a magazine, Offspring, which was a one-edition wonder that had a controversial article about vaccines (FYI, if you search for it now, there's a magazine with the same name that has blindly pro-vaccine articles). I'm grateful for it to this day as it opened my eyes to the fact that the medical community while being full of good individuals, did NOT always know how to protect their patients or even have our full well-being as their main objective.
Confusing at first, all the conflicting data, opinions, and stories of harm had to make their way through my existing frame of reference and years of deference. Who was I? I had no medical degree. I did have a college degree, a BS, with multiple genetics classes, but I couldn't possibly be able to read the information all by my lonesome to make a decision different than the pediatrician's recommendation, could I? (Oh, and it's not that little paper that tells you what the vaccine is good for, it's a LOOOOOONG piece of paper full of tiny print that includes actual ingredients and warnings. Don't sign the vaccine disclaimer the nurses give you 2 seconds to read until you get it.)
I found that I could read and comprehend the info. I have. I will help you to see, understand, and plant a magic bean so that you can also look down from a higher vantage point and see your family's path to better health. Empower yourself.
Start with a smoothie.
Here's the basic recipe that started all this:
2 cups of hemp milk (or almond, or oat milk, coconut water, or filtered water)
1 cup of spinach
1/2 ripe banana
2 cups of frozen strawberries
Get a bit more complicated:
2 cups of hemp (or other) milk
1 cup of sorrel or dandelion greens
a handful of grapes or raisins
1 or 2 scoops of protein powder
2 cups frozen peaches
1T of honey
1-2 drops of Lemon Vitality essential oil
dash of cinnamon
Basically, you can add frozen fruit to a milk choice and go wild with little additions and single drops of citrus essential oils. Blend in order because the softer foods blend better BEFORE the frozen fruits. We like to add cinnamon to balance the sugar in the fruit and milk. I love grapes or raisins in my smoothies because it changes the texture and makes it smooooth! My daughter always adds honey for taste.
Share your own recipes here! I love trying new ones.
*For the sake of transparency, I do receive a commission for qualified purchases from these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I spend a good amount of time pulling together research to get people easier-to-digest chunks of information and only recommend those items I personally have owned or used. We still use that same Vitamix 15 years later!
Your immune system is EVERYTHING. Let's go through some easy-to-incorporate ways my family helps our immune systems so you can help your own. Be sure to read to the end to get Two Immune-Boosting recipes that are easy and get results.
Sleep
Easier said than done, right? It is important to get at least 7 hours of sleep a day! When your body does not get enough, it has a tougher time fighting off infection. We consider it "Vitamin S". Many studies even suggest that poor sleep causes weight gain. Stick to a nightly routine, power nap if you need to, just make sure you and your family are catching ZZZ’s! (See link to "guide to better sleep" at the end of the blog).
Eat healthier and eliminate processed food
Before we had our eyes open to our self-sabotaging health practices, we fed ourselves and our children many regretful things. I'm gonna tell you a little story here:
This is an example of how clueless I was about the effects of foods on wellness. For my son's 5th birthday, we got him a whole container of bubble gumballs. You know, the kind that are in gumball machines? So, what do you think he wanted to do? He chewed and spit out about 20 of them! We were on the way to a movie for his bday. We had to change plans when he started wheezing and couldn't breathe. So many nasty chemicals in those gumballs that his body went, "NOPE". We had our final food awakening at Whole Foods shortly after (Read about that in my Vitamix blog).
You know what NOT to do, and here's where I'll tell you what TO do:
When you add fruits and vegetables as well as eliminate (or reducing) processed food, it can naturally boost your immune system. Fruits and veggies are packed with antioxidants that slow down aging, maintain heart health, lower the risk of infections, and strengthen the immune system. Processed foods have the opposite effect; they decrease our immune system and can contribute to becoming ill or having asthma attacks. These foods are not nutrient-dense, but rather filled with preservatives, artificial ingredients, and even toxins!
Don't completely ban comfort foods (unless they are truly toxic). Graze in moderation and up your veggie and fruit game! Slowly add more veggies and eat them first, then have your normal meal. Eat a fruit smoothie for a snack, and munch on veggies or fruit in between meals! It's amazing how your body adapts and starts to crave fresh and healthy over junk food. Pay attention to how you feel before making the switch and possibly keep a journal to be completely honest.
CONSUME AN ANTIOXIDANT DRINK
Find a drink high in antioxidants to kick off your morning and start on the right foot! Every morning we drink one ounce of our red antioxidant drink for all the reasons listed above! During the winter months, we double it. I pop it in my family’s orange juice or add it to smoothies. Our red drink supports brain health, a healthy weight, and our immune systems. We don’t want to go without it! Hubby attributes his ability to pass his BP test during physicals to this one ounce a day!
Exercise
Exercise helps boost your cells in your body that target harmful bacteria. A daily walk, bike ride, pilates/yoga/stretch, or playing catch with your kids, are all great activities to stay active! Just do not overdo it. If your body is overworked, it can have the opposite effect. Find a balance and get moving!
Be proactive rather than reactive
Being proactive is essential! We seemed to be stuck in that cycle of illness every six weeks or so before we made different choices. Do not wait for sickness to strike and then try to recoup! Stop losing days and money stuck in bed due to illness or caring for your sick littles. Be proactive and consistent. START to eat healthy on a regular basis, exercise a few times a week, consume an antioxidant drink daily, get your sleep, apply oils to support your systems, and remove toxins like dangerous cleaning products, and hormone-disrupting facial and body care products. It's easy to incorporate into your daily routine (or I wouldn’t do it). Don't fret about what you've done in the past. Start today. Start small and add things slowly. It's easier to stick with it if you don't shift EVERYTHING in your life all at once. You can do it. You will. You and your family are worth it!
Two of our favorite recipes for immune system support:
IMMUNE BOOSTING TONIC:
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (We use Braggs)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup Honey (local is best)
2 Tbs lemon juice or 4 drops Lemon essential oil
1 Tbs grated ginger (OR 1 tsp ground ginger)
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 grated clove of garlic
Mix all ingredients in a glass jar.
Take 1 Tablespoon/day for daily boost or 2-3 Tablespoons throughout the day as needed.
WELLNESS ROLLER BLEND
15 drops of Thieves
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Purification
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Purification
10 drops of Peppermint
5 drops of Frankincense
5 drops of Oregano
Add oils to a 15 ml roller and top with a carrier oil.
Roll on your spine and/or feet before leaving the house and before bed.
What are your immune-boosting tips? I'd love to hear your ideas! 😊
Have you struggled to get good sleep? You'll LOVE my guide "Get Better Sleep Now". Check it out here!
If you'd like to hear all about how to Ditch your toxic cleaning products and find natural cleaners that WORK, click here.
