Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry Syrup is a natural remedy used to help colds and flu, reduce swelling in mucous membranes, such as the sinuses, and help relieve nasal congestion. Elder may have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties.

Source: Elderberry | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/elderberry#ixzz2nsTNrgs6

Elderberry Syrup can be found at health food stores.  A recipe is also on this blog.

Immunity Pops for Good Health

Rama Pfeiffer, Founder of Freshly Grown

Used by permission

http://freshly-grown.com/immunity-pops/

It’s December right now, but I’ve officially decided popsicles are great all year round. Who doesn’t love popsicles, right? These particular popsicles are great for boosting immunity or for when you or your kiddos are already under the weather. They are packed full of hydrating and immunity boosting ingredients, plus they taste awesome. Win!

Immunity Pops

Ingredients

10 oz. coconut water

2 large oranges, juiced (should make about 5 oz.)

1 1/2 c. tart cherries (mine were frozen)

1/4th c. raw cranberries (optional, I happened to get these in my weekly box)

2 Tbs. crystalized ginger, chopped or 1 tsp. raw ginger, minced

2 Tbs. Elderberry syrup

2 Tbs. probiotics, powder form

1-1 1/2 Tbs. manuka honey or raw honey

Juice your oranges, they should make about 5 oz., then combine your orange juice with the 10 oz. of coconut water so the total liquid equals 15 oz. Add your liquid to a pitcher so it’s easy to pour. In a blender or food processor add the rest of the ingredients, pour some juice in so it has something to mix with and pulse or blend. Once ingredients are fully blended, you can add everything back into the pitcher. Pour your yummy immunity mixture into your Tovolo popsicle molds leaving a bit of room at the top. Freeze and enjoy. If you have any liquid left, it tastes like a nutrient-packed punch, so don’t hesitate to drink up! Cheers to immunity!

Coconut water = Hydration + Electrolytes
Raw Orange Juice = Vit. C
Tart Cherries + Cranberries = Antioxidants
Ginger = Antiviral, antibacterial, soothes stomach, combats inflammation
Elderberry Syrup = Antiviral, antibacterial, fights colds and flu
Probiotics = Beneficial gut bacteria that boosts our immune system and fights infection

Manuka Honey = Antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal (in different medicinal class than raw honey if you want to really kick an illness and boost immunity, BUT raw honey will work if you don't have manuka on hand.  I highly recommend investing in manuka honey for your holistic medicine cabinet.  Treats a multitude of ailments.  Read more here

For the popsicle molds, I use these. They’re great. To see molds, please go to http://freshly-grown.com/immunity-pops/

When We Don't Understand

by Sharon Jaynes - Sharon@sharonjaynes.com, Copyright 2008 - Used by permission

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."--Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

My son, Steven, was four years old when he contracted a severe case of the flu. He looked up at me with hollow eyes and slumped like a rag doll in my lap. When I took my limp little one to the doctor, he quickly surmised that Steven was dehydrated and needed to be admitted into the hospital immediately.

My heart broke as nurses strapped my baby boy onto a table and began to place IVs into his tiny arms. "Mommy, Mommy, help me," he cried. "They're hurting me! Make them stop!"

"No, honey," I tried to reassure him with tears that matched his own. "They're not trying to hurt you. They are going to make you all better."

He cried. I cried. The nurses cried. 

Standing there, I could only imagine what was going through Steven's little mind: Why are these people hurting me? Why doesn't Mommy make them stop? She must not love me. She's not protecting me. If she loved me, she wouldn't let this happen.  She must not care about me.

Then I had an extraordinary moment with God as He began to give me a glimpse into how He feels when I am going through a painful time that is for my benefit, but I can't understand. I cry out, "I thought you loved me? Why have you deserted me? Why don't You make it stop?" But God allows the painful remedy to do its work. To me it may feel like God doesn't care, but to God, He knows that the temporary pain is necessary to make me whole.

If you are going through a difficult time right now - a circumstance that you don't understand - know that your Heavenly Father is right by your side. He loves you dearly and sometimes allows pain because it is the best remedy for our ultimate good.

Sharon's Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, I am so glad that You will never leave me. I'll admit that sometimes I whine, even cry, because I don't understand why You allow certain things to happen in my life. But I know that You are Sovereign and nothing happens by chance in the life of your children. You are shaping and molding me into the woman that You desire me to be. I trust You and Your ways even when I don't understand.  -- In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Moments for Moms

by Elisabeth Corcoran - info@elisabethcorcoran.com - Copyright 2006 - Used by permission

        I have a girlfriend whose son is about to undergo heart surgery. He's less than a year and a half old and he is one of those kids that just draws you in, that everyone thinks is simply precious. Seriously, I'm constantly telling him that I just want to eat him up, he is that sweet. Now, I  suppose I could be a bit biased, seeing as I love my friend so much that maybe it just overlaps onto her kids or that I had the privilege of being in the delivery room when he was born, but I don't think that's it. In fact, his dad mentioned to me that his father had been praying that people would be drawn to him, and they are.
         But now onto his heart. Can you imagine, really, what my friend must be going through? It's coming up in a matter of weeks. I'm trying to put together a little prayer calendar for her with some of her friends each taking a day, and we're getting them some giftcards to restaurants so they don't have to worry about a few meals, but my hands feel tied. I have no idea how to help her handle this. He will more than likely get through this beautifully, but just the waiting and the unknowing before and during and after - the emotions that she must be experiencing are something I'm having a hard time relating to.
         Then again, maybe, it's kinda easy to relate. Maybe it's just about the same as not knowing how any given situation is going to play out and when you get to that point of realizing that you have pretty much nothing to do with the outcome - with any outcome of any situation. I think we think this only happens in really big situations or when really bad things happen or when you're left hanging in the balance. But we are being deceived when we think we plan out our day or our week and assume that because we've put some thought to it, that's how it'll turn out. We are not in control of the big things in life, but we're not in control of the little things either.
         Sometimes that small fact can tick me off - I want to know that my hard work and organization and Type A status is doing me some good. But if I think about it for just a few moments, I realize that I have no desire really to be in charge of anything. That I'm so grateful that Someone else is in control, even when it doesn't feel like he is. He had things worked out way before I came on the scene and has things pretty much taken care of long past I make my exit. But here's the thing, ladies - we know the very end of the story. All the ups and downs we go through down here - just chapters, not the end all, be all. There will be an eventual happily ever after when all the loose ends get wrapped up, all the questions answered, and all the nonsense will make sense. And that is the bigger hope that we can all hold onto, no matter what our day is looking like, no matter what situation we're called to walk into, no matter what unknowing we have to wait out.   
    

Elisabeth Corcoran: Author of In Search of Calm: Renewal for a Mother’s Heart (2005) and Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Mom’s Weary Soul (2001).  www.elisabethcorcoran.com.