Calendula: The benefits and how to make your own

Calendula

Also known as Pot Marigold.

There are so many things you can do with this beautiful flower.

And the unique things about this, is that is maintains it's beautiful color.

It's a disinfectant, antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic.

It heals skin wounds.
Aids in comforting menstrual cramps and vaginal infections.
As a syrup, helps heal sore throats and coughs.
It can lighten hair.
As a balm is helps colic, arthritus, lumbago and rhuematism.
It helps heal ear, bladder and eye infections.
Antidepressant.

Bruises, boils and acne.

Constipation.
It helps skin irrations and insect bites.
Great for sunburn and diaper rash- I like to use it on my cloth wipes.

There are so many things you can do with it.

You can make an infused oil.

There are many different recipes, but the one I use is:
Fill a jar with calendula flower heads.
Pour oil (I use olive, avocado, jojoba oils) over the flowers.  This usually brings it to about 1-1.5 inch left in the jar.
Pour witch hazel to the top.
Shake a few times a day for a week and let it sit in the sun.

I use this for burns, cuts, diaper rash.

To make a salve:

If using fresh flowers, leave to wilt for at least 12 hours.
Make an infused oil (same recipe, minus the witch hazel).
Using 4 oz of infused oil and 8 oz of melted organic bees wax pellets.

So cut your marigolds, before they die!



World Breastfeeding Month 2014

August is world breastfeeding month!

 

 

I do love breastfeeding.

But I know it can be hard.

Breastfeeding is still making a comeback!
3 out of 4 mothers are continuing to breastfeed after they leave the hospital.
It is recommended to breastfeed for at least one year, but only half of mothers are still nursing at 6 months.
AAP recommends exclusively breastfeeding for at least months, but to continue nursing after solids are introduced.
 

 

I encourage all mothers to breastfeed.
There are so many benefits, for both mother and baby.

Breast milk is made uniquely and perfectly for YOUR baby.

Breast milk has 100 more ingredients beneficial to your babies development then cow's milk and formula.
Breastfed babies are less likely to be obese and have higher IQ scores.
Breastfed babies reportedly sleep better and cry much less.
Breastfed babies have higher immunities to common infections like urinary tract infections, ear infections and respiratory.
 

 

You can never overfeed a breastfed baby!

 

Not only is it beneficial for baby, it's also beneficial to you!

 

Breastfeeding helps the uterus contract and assists the body in post partum healing.
Exclusively breastfeeding can act as a natural birth control.
It boosts levels of oxytocin.
Mommies who breastfeed lower their risks of dying of heart attacks and other cancers by at least 33%.

 

 

Breast milk is also a cure all!
It can cure infections, cuts, cradle cap, burns, hemmorids, etc.
It has a high does of anti bodies.  It will fight off colds and other infections in big kids and adults.

 

Your body is amazing.
You can grow and feed a human being!



The Antedote: Activated Charcoal

Something that isn't in most households and should be, especially if you have children.

Activated Charcoal

 

We are talking about activated charcoal, not your burnt toast or what's on your grill.

Activated Charcoal.

Totally different.

 

Activated charcoal powder can adsorb thousands of times its own weight in gases, heavy metals, poisons, and other chemicals; leaving it ineffective and harmless.

 

(Think, when a super curious toddler child, gets into a chemical cleaning product...)

 

Adsorb:  the adhesion of atoms, ions and molecules, from a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid to a surface. This process creates a film of the adsorbate on the surface of the adsorbent. This process differs from absorbing, in which a fluid (the absorbate) permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid (the absorbent).  Adsorption is a surface-based process while absorption involves the whole volume of the material.

 

It's what hospitals use for poisons and overdoses.

It was used in WWII in gas masks.

 

It eliminates gas, created by foods.

It eliminates bad breath.

It can be made to use in a compress, and draws out poison and bacteria.

It aids in digestive healing- diarrhea, spastic colon issues.

It helps heal ulcers.

It's the best reactor to spider and insect poison bites, poisonous mushrooms and snake bites.

 

It's used for jaundice babies.

It's used in water purification.

It whitens teeth.

It cleans pores and heals acne.

It lowers high blood pressure.

 

It acts as a detox for the body.

 

There is no study found that proves it is harmful if accidently ingested.

There are studies out there, proving that lethal doses of poison, mixed with charcoal, left the person or animal completely unharmed.

 

There are some things charcoal will not work on.

Iron, alcohol poisoning (but yes, it will aid in curing a hangover), cyanide and lithium.

 

But as with all things, there are side effects.

If taken on a daily basis, it can cause stomach problems- vomiting or diarrhea, black stools, constipation, black tongue.

Keep in mind, this is if you take a large amount.

The recommended amount is about a teaspoon to a teaspoon and a half, as needed.

Replace Your Medicine Cabinet

Essential oils are a staple in my house.

 

My four year old has asked on more then one occasion "I need my calm" when she gets overwhelmed.
My husband has told me "Please.  Get your oils.  My head is pounding."


Essential oils have been used for thousands of years, quite extensively, directly or indirectly for better health.
Essential oils are made from steaming flowers, plants, bark and roots of plants.  How much more natural can you get?
These are not "oily" oils.

There are so different uses and benefits.
But my top 4 essential oils are definitely these:

 

I'm also a fan of clary sage, patchouli, chamomile and eucalyptus.

 

They can be used to aid as an antidepressant, antifungal, antimicrobial, acid reflux, decongestant, helps asthma, sleep.

 

I use it for my home made wipe solution, I dilute and rub lavender and chamomile on my kids; diluted peppermint and lemon for headaches, lemongrass for allergies.

I love cleaning with orange.

I put some in my wool dryer balls.

I sprinkle some on the sheets.

I diffuse different ones depending on how the day goes.

 

The thing about essential oils is making sure they are used safely!

Almost all of them need to be used diluted in a carrier oil (jojoba, coconut, grape seed, seasame, olive oil, etc). 

Pretty Little Thing For Pain: Baltic Amber

Baltic amber is a pretty, little pain relief secret.

 

 

The active ingredient is succinic acid, which is used in both pharmaceutical and homeopathic remedies.
Baltic Amber has about 5% succinic acid (anywhere from 3%-8%).
It's a super antioxdant, aiding the neural and immune systems.

 

 

 

(Succinic Acid: A colorless crystalline dicarboxylic acid)

 

And there is NO evidence that having "too much" succinic acid is harmful.

 

Cosmetically this is sometimes called "elixir of youth" and is used for anti aging.

It prevents build up of harmful oxidants.
It also supports energy at a cellular level.

 

They work wonders on teething babies!

 

I was a bit skeptical, at first.

A necklace, on a baby?!  Isn't that dangerous!  Look how small those beads are!  Isn't that a choking hazard, for them to chew on?

 

The thing is, they DON'T chew on the necklace.

The succinic acid reacts with the body temperature to relieve the pain caused by teething.

 

The Baltic amber teething necklaces for babies are not supposed to come past their chin.

Each bead is individually knotted, so if the baby (or anything) were to pull on it, it would break and only one bead would break off.
So, the likelihood that it would be swallowed is very slim to none.
In the rare case it does end up in the baby's mouth, they are small enough they will just be swallowed and not choked on.

 

They really do work!

 

Being that the baby can't really tell me if it is or not, I bought one for a family member who has carpal tunnel very bad- to the point is disturbs sleep.

After wearing the necklace (wrapped around to be a bracelet) it does not hurt at all.

 

I wore one.

After pinching a nerve in my back and causing pain down my arm and chest, it felt almost instantly better once I put on the necklace.

 

What Crunchy Moms Do

This whole "crunchy" thing, both makes me cringe and makes me laugh. 

 

The thing about being "crunchy" is it's being made into a fad.
I heard someone say "Oh I just started being crunchy."
What?

 

I think it's a thing that either you are or you aren't.
You don't just become.

 

Even as a child, I remember being grossed out about pesticides (which I didn't know where called pesticides).  I just knew when I went to eat a grape and my mom yelled not to eat it, because she didn't wash it yet, and it had chemicals on it.
What?
Why would they put chemicals on my grapes!?  And then say it's healthy?!

 

 

I also noticed, during conversation with other moms, that things I do (and I think are just normal) would get the response "Oh you're one of those hippie, crunchy moms."

 

Really?

 

So what exactly are "crunchy" things?

 

1. Natural birth/home birth
2. Co sleeping
3. Breastfeeding, especially extended breastfeeding
4. Babywearing
5. Non Vax
6. Delayed/selected vaccinations
7. Cloth diapering, cloth wipes, wipe solution
8. Kombucha & Kefir
9. Make your own kombucha & kefir
10. Make your own diapers and wipes
11. Coconut oil- for everything
12. Essential oils
13. Make your own cleaning products, sunscreen, bug spray, body scrub, coffee creamer, beauty products etc
14. Anti RIC
15. Wool dryer balls
16. Reusable bags
17. Extended Rear Facing
18. Organic food
19. Grows own food
20. Raises chickens
21. Milk, other then cow's milk (coconut, almond, goat)
22. GMO free food
23. Amber Teething Necklaces
24. Baltic Amber Necklaces for other then the baby
25. Frequently uses the term "big pharma"
26. Sewing
27. Spirulina
28. Hypno babies
29. Glass jars- tons of them, eliminating plastic
30. Unpaper towels
31. Knows at least 5 things that will increase milk supply
32. Homeschools/unschools (or has considered it)
33. Bradley Method
34. Canning
35. Lactation cookies
36. Ina May Gaskin
37. Cooks only with cast iron- or primarily

Please add on, for fun!

 

Placentophagia: Why you should eat your placenta

Placentophagia: eating your placenta post birth
Sounds pretty gross, right?

It's not.  And it's actually really good for you.
Many other countries already do this, but for some reason in the good ol' USA, it's usually discarded.  And even sometimes, if a mother asks for her placenta, a hospital will refuse.

Fun Fact:  Most mammals eat their placenta post birth.  This is not just a weird thing humans did.

(It's that pretty?)

 

Now usually, people don't eat it in this form.

It's usually dehydrated and mixed with herbs, into pill form.

 

That bad boy is loaded with good stuff.

 

For one, it's made uniquely and perfectly for the mother, with her own hormones.

Boosting immunity.
Reducing stress levels.
Replenishes (easily absorbable) iron level- which many new moms lack.

Aids in healing of uterus, reduces post partum bleeding and helps aid in uterus returning to pre birth size.

Aids in post partum depression and mood swings.

Boost oxytocin levels.
Boost milk supply.
Boosts energy levels.
Brings hormone levels to a balance.
Filled with a many natural hormones and substances.

 

 

 

 

 



Why Organic?

After having my first baby, something suddenly consumed me that rarely crossed my mind prebaby days.
Organic food.

 

I knew how bad processed and conventional food was for me, but I was an adult.
This was my teeny, tiny baby.  Her body can't handle man made, unnatural crap.

 

So I started researching (as I seem to do obsessively).
And it wasn't so much benefits of organics, but the disadvantages and dangers of conventional food that sold me.
It's been a process, but we are primarily organic now, in our household.  And if not organic, then local.

 

It seems pretty obvious that organic is better, but a lot of people just see dollar signs attached to that word and not so much why organic is important

 

 

 

So here's a few reasons.

 

• Organic food is higher in nutrients.
  Organic food is higher in vitamin C, antioxidants, iron, magnesium, calcium
  
• Neurotoxin Free!
  Neurotoxins, also called pesticides cause brain and nerve damage.
  Children are especially susceptible to toxins, so being free of pesticides is super supportive of their growing bodies and brains.
  
• Buying organic helps our drinking water.  About half of the American drinking water is contaminated by pesticides.
• About 20% of GMO seeds and food that grow from them have been modified to produce their own pesticides.  Even after you've eaten the food, the pesticides will continue to wreck havoc in your body!
• Organic food is sustainable living, earth friendly, saves wild life (because the pesticides affect them too- harming thousands a year) and supports local farmers and their families. 
• Organic farms are safer environments to work at.
• Ripening gas is never used

 

 

• 30%-90% of pesticides/herbicides/fungicides are cancer causing!
• Lessens exposure to antibiotics, synthetic hormones and drugs
• Some pesticides don't just wash off
• Organic dairy has higher Omega-3s
• GMO crops cause auto-immune disorders (celiac disease, allergies, mutagenic affects, etc
• Organic farms are prohibited from using synthetic substances

Now a lot of times, words can be confusing and misleading.
Words like organic and natural.

So what's the difference?

Organic foods are ALWAYS certified by a third party to ensure it meets the standards.  Natural is not.

Always look for the USDA organic seal.

 

 

 

 

100% Organic means it was made with 100% organic ingredients.

Organic means it was made with 95% organic ingredients.

Made with Organic Ingredients means it was made with at least 70% organic ingredients.

 

Have you heard of the Monsato Act?

Crazy to think, with all the hard facts, that GMOs are still allowed.

 

 

 

 

 

Grovia: My New Favorite Diaper

Part One.

 

I'm calling this 'part one' because I am sure I will fall in love with many different diapers, for different stages.

 

Grovia are my current favorite.
 

 

Grovia's aren't a normal cloth diaper, they are like an AI2 and a diaper cover.

Which is awesome, because you can use any prefold or insert (except microfiber, of course).

 

 

 

But I love the snap in soaker pads, by Grovia.
Which also happen to come in hemp and organic cotton.
I'm very big on using organic fibers, so I love these.
You can change out the soaker, reusing the shell.

 

They are very absorbant.
They fit nice and snug around the legs.

A big plus, was that their Velcro is awesome.
I'm very skeptical about Velcro, I prefer snaps, but I get Velcro so if anyone else is watching her, it's easier. 

 

They are so easy to use.

 

 

They will definitely fit a toddler.
I started using them when my baby was about 2 months old, never a problem.

My First Cloth Diaper: Imagine

 

When I first started cloth diapering, I googled "best cloth diaper brands for newborns".

You know all the results I got?

Trial and Error.  To see what fits best on your baby.

 

So what?  I just buy a bunch of different brands?

For one, I didn't have the money to just buy a bunch, especially if they weren't even going to be ones that worked for us.

 

So, I went to one of my favorite little diaper stores.

Motherbaby|naturals

Anxiously, told the woman I wanted to start cloth diapering and had no clue where to start.

And God Bless, that woman.

She was so sweet and informative
Everything I needed to know (or will need to know), she had all the answers.

 

The first diaper I ever bought was Imagine

And I loved it.
I bought a diaper cover and an AIO.
They are really affordable, and cute, and easy to use.

 

 

It had elephants!

How could I not?

 

The snaps that adjust rise, really do get small enough for a newborn.

(At least my hefty newborn)

It just makes her tiny hiney, huge!

 

And they have newborn size, too.

What I loved about it, and was super easy for me, was that the insert snapped in.

And the Velcro is standing up pretty well.

 

It's my "easy" diaper I pack for when someone else is watching her.

 

It's definitely the perfect beginner diaper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIY Laundry Soap (and it's safe on cloth diapers!)

I started making my own laundry detergent after I decided I was going to be a crazy coupon lady.  Which I actually suck at because I bought 5 gallons of detergent to save .50.

I did not need 5 gallons of detergent,  I spent more then double what I normally do, that week.  

Every time I did the wash, I got irritated.  Often mumbling to myself I'm never buying detergent again!

So I started making my own, when I finally ran out of detergent,

This lasts me almost a year.  About 8-10 months.  But some people

And it costs around $25.

What you will need:

4 lbs of baking soda

2 bars of fels naptha or zote

4 lb box of super washing soda

4 lb box of borax

1-2 bottles of Purex or something similar

You will need a large container.  I use a 5 gallon bucket.

Grate the fels naptha bars.

Then mix everything together thoroughly. 

I hope you have enough containers to store them in!

I full the two containers above and 2-3 Purex bottles.

And it smells great and cleans so well!

For drying, I ditched the chemical dryer sheets and made wool dryer balls.

I add a few drops of essential oil.

And they last for years!

Big Families

I'm from a big family.  A REAL big family.

 I'm the oldest of 8 children. the youngest is just shy of 20 years younger then me; 4 months younger then my oldest.  He was born an uncle.

 

My husband has one brother.

We are polar opposites in so many ways but fit together perfectly.

One night, we were watching TV and I was thinking about how I have two kids.  Just two kids.  It was at a point where I was sadly accepting the fact we weren't going to have anymore, that at 22 years old I was done having babies.

That just seemed weird to me.

Without thinking I blurted out "I can't believe we only have two kids."  He looked at me, probably thinking I have some weird rant coming, and looked back at the TV.  "Isn't it weird you only have one brother?"

"Isn't it weird you have 7?"

Touché, my friend.  Touché.

How can it be weird, really?

That's all we know.

(A few short months later, I found out we were having our third.)

But when did having more then two, become a "big" family?

Strangers assume the baby is my first and usually say something about having my hands full when they see my four year old or if I tell them I have three.

Really?  Three is "a lot".

8 is a lot.

Sometimes people ask me questions I think are pretty rude.  Like "oh did you plan that?"  "You should stop now."  "Well now you can get your tubes tied."  Or when we had our third girl, "oh that's ashame."

Seriously.  People are freaking rude.

Why is having babies almost looked down upon after you have a certain number?

Really it's nobody else's business.  It affects nobody else.

Bring back "big" families.

Those Scary Ticks!



Last night, I pulled a deer tick off my seven year old.  It literally looked like a freckle.

 

If anything freaks me out, it's ticks and lice.  None the less, a deer tick. An awful disease carrier!
And this year, is a terrible year for them.  They can be pretty lethal.

 

 

 

Really, it couldn't have been on her more then an hour.  And we are keeping an eye on it, but it's likely OK.

 

But it gave me the heebie jeebies and I have been obsessively checking my kids' heads and scratching and convincing myself I feel bugs crawling on me.

 

So, let's talk ways of keeping those ticks away.

 

Well for one, I found out they love type O blood.  That's also the type of blood mosquitos love too.

 

So, the next route...

 

Natural Tick Repellent.

 

Ticks do not like geranium. eucalyptus or lavender.

First thing you could do, is plant those around.
Or if you are like me, and kill every plant you touch (even though I really envision myself as being this cute little farmer, outside picking my own vegetables), you could make your own bug spray with essential oils.

 

Tea tree oil is also another essential oil that will repel ticks.

 

Tick Repellent for Humans:

In a spray bottle, mix together 2 tsp of a carrier oil (olive, coconut, avocado oil, etc) and 20 drops of geranium oil.

 You can also mix in a few drops of tea tree, or make a mix of lavender and geranium oil.

Taking garlic daily will keep them away.

And often times, our animals can bring them into the home.

 

Tick Repellent for Dogs:

 Rub the carrier oil and 20 drops of any of the following essential oils on the collar.
Geranium, lavender, peppermint, clove, rosemary, eucalyptus.
Also making a shampoo, by mixing 20 drops of a listed essential oil into their shampoo and letting sit for 5 minutes.

 

Neem oil massaged into the animal's fur will prevent ticks as well.

 

 

 

Too lazy for bottles

To be honest, I can be pretty lazy when it comes to food.

I've grown to love my crock pot and hope my kids ask for cereal in the morning.

So breastfeeding to me, was a winning choice.

It was never really a choice.  I never questioned it.  Breastfeeding was just what you did.  That's how babies eat.

So when my oldest didn't latch (and I didn't realize it- because I was just exploding milk so I thought she had to be eatting), I didn't understand and I was heartbroken.

Looking back, I gave up to easily.  But I didn't know there were resources. 

Lactation consultants and Le Leche League are big helps.

With my second and third I was able to successfully breastfeed.  Yay!  Every day was an accomplishment.

Truth is, I'm too lazy for bottles.  Getting up to make bottles, and making sure I pack enough.  

And it's expensive.  I read it costs about $2000 for one year of formula feeding.

I am too lazy, too broke for that.

Breastfeed milk is magic milk.  Really.

 

Not to mention, helps drop that post baby weight!

Plus the health benefits to baby.

And it really creates such a bond between mother and baby.

(I understand there are legitimate reasons some mothers can not.  And all mothers are good mothers no matter how they feed their babies.)