Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Natural Remedies: Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis

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Symptoms
§  Fatigue
§  Weakness
§  Sore throat (may act & look like strep throat)
§  Fever
§  Swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits
§  Swollen tonsils
§  Headache
§  Skin rash
§  Loss of appetite
§  Soft, swollen spleen
§  Night sweats

Home Preparations
§  Throw away toothbrushes
§  Bleach all glasses, etc.
§  Change bedding

Monday, January 9, 2012

Resting in His Strength

"....And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness...'" (2 Corinthians 12:9


This year has been the happiest in my life with my marriage to my amazing husband and now with the expectancy of our baby coming.  It has also been the hardest.  As I mentioned in my previous post on leaving, leaving my

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Leaving

"....For I will never leave you nor forsake you...."


It is a verse that most of us probably memorized at some point in time.  In the AWANA Bible clubs, you learn it in kindergarten or first grade.  It's a verse that I've always loved, but I was realizing this morning how much more meaning it has taken lately.

When I was a little girl, people would leave from my life.  Friends, extended family -- they came and went.  But I had a constant rock in Him and also my family.  My parents taught us

Natural Remedies: Stomach Aches & Flus

 
STOMACH ACHES & FLUS
  
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Symptoms 
  • Stomach Ache
  • Vomiting 
  •  Diarrhea 
  • Fever/Chills 
  • Body aches/Headaches
 Home Remedies
  • TEAS: Chamomile, Ginger, and Mint/Peppermint teas help sooth both the patient, as well as the stomach. 
  • CHARCOAL: Charcoal tablets absorb all poisons that are causing the stomach ailment.
§        Diet 
  • BANANAS: Ripe or green bananas are known to stop diarrhea.  They also increase levels of potassium and magnesium which are quickly lost with stomach ailments. 
  • LEMON: Acidic fruits should generally be avoided, but one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to one cup of water can help stop diarrhea.  This method is best used as a preventive, however. 
  • SALT: Sodium is rapidly depleted during stomach flus.  Broths are a great way to replenish sodium, but if broths cannot be handled, add small amounts of salt to teas and water to keep sodium levels up. 
  •  RICE WATER: Cook rice until just soft.  Strain rice out of the water.  Drink the rice water.  This is a great way to gain nutrition during recovery, as well as slow diarrhea and vomiting.  If patient cannot handle rice water by itself, add a little honey and cinnamon (for taste) or honey and ginger (to sooth the stomach). 
  • APPLESAUCE: Apples contain pectin.  This absorbs poisons within the stomach as well as slowing diarrhea and vomiting. 
  • BERRIES: Blueberries are high in antibacterial and antioxidants properties.  This absorbs the poisons, while also decreasing the symptoms.  This seems to be especially effective on children.  Blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries also have very similar properties, though blueberries are considered the best. 
  • GINGER: Ginger cookies can help soothe stomach aches. 
  • AVOID: Spicy foods and all dairy.   
  •  DRINK: Drink lots of water, teas, and ginger ale.  If ginger ale is unavailable, sprite or 7up are good second choices.
 Other 
  • REST as much as possible. 
  • WARMTH: keep your body warm, as this will help keep your energy up (instead of your body having to fight to keep you warm!). 
  • MEDICATION: If battling a fever with a stomach bug, only use Tylenol/Acetaminophen as Aspirin/Motrin/Ibuprofen are known for aggravating stomach aches. 
PLEASE NOTE: These are only natural home remedies that no professional has reviewed or written.  This is not to take the place of professional medical advice, it is merely to aid you at home.  If you are concerned, it is best to call your doctor and follow instructions given by him/her.

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Saturday, December 17, 2011


On a strict diet or just want to eat more healthy?


From personal experience I know that it's very difficult to have allergies or health problems that limit a person to a very strict diet.  In simple English - It's no fun!  Besides myself, I have several family members and have many friends who are also on strict diets due to health and have to closely watch what they eat.  And the foods that seem to cause the biggest problems?  Grains, dairy, and eggs.  With so many people who have to avoid one or all of these things, I have begun writing recipes that will hopefully make life easier and a bit more sweet. So if you are a person who is on a strict diet or you just want to eat more healthy, I think I may be able to help.     (As long as you're not allergic to nuts too!)  Below I have posted a  recipe to get you started and give you a special treat for the Christmas season.  And maybe, just maybe, if enough people like this recipe, I may just have to share a few more. :)
- I even have a few recipes for those of you who are allergic to nuts! ... Well, that is unless you're also allergic to seeds as well.... hmm...

Merry Christmas!  

Missy

Chocolate-Cherry Snow Balls

Chocolate-Cherry Snow Balls
Recipe by Missy


2 Avocados
1 tablespoon cocoa powder (or carob)
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoon honey or agave
1 cup coconut or crushed nuts (Plus extra to roll balls in)
Dehydrated cherries


Remove peels and pits from the avocados and mash or blend well.  Add in the cocoa powder and sweetener along with 1 cup of coconut or crushed nuts.  Place a heaping spoonful in the palm of your hand then add 2-3 dehydrated cherries to the center.  Create a ball making sure that the cherries remain in the middle.  Roll the ball in coconut or crushed nuts and place on a cookie sheet.  Freeze balls then enjoy!


Chocolate-Cherry Snow Balls are a fun, easy, and HEALTHY treat just in time for Christmas!  (Avocados... Wow... Who would have thought... )

Make Your Own Almond Milk - It's EASY!

          Making your own almond milk is quick, simple and EASY! It is a great replacement for people like myself who don't drink milk and it is also great used in smoothies and baking!


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Simply place 1 cup almonds in a container and cover with water.  Let them soak for 4-8 hours or over night.  Next, strain the water out and place the almonds in the blender with three cups of water.  Add 1 tsp vanilla and 2-3 un-pitted dates to sweeten. Blend well and then strain with a metal strainer or a nut milk bag. Once you have strained out the pulp - you have almond milk!


Why not just use the water that you soaked the almonds in?  Almonds and many other nuts have something in them that make them hard for people to digest.  Soaking them releases this into the water so it can be then drained.  Some people regularly soak their nuts then re-dry them before using.
So what do you do with the pulp? Don't waste it! Make COOKIES!!! MMM!!!  


Squeeze the pulp to make it as dry as possible, then, crumble it in a thin layer on a cookie sheet to let it air dry (This may be a problem in humid areas) or place it in a food dehydrator.  Once dry, use a food processor or coffee mill to make flour.  Then keep an eye on this blog for fun and easy almond-cookie recipes!


~ Missy