There is so much confusion!   The last few years experts and 'normal' people have argued tooth and nail about whether grain (particularly wheat) is good or bad.  Many people are going wheat free.  Others are going gluten free.  And yet others are giving up grains completely!   WHY?  Haven't wheat & other grains been eaten throughout history without any issues?

Wheat (grain) is referred to in the bible as the Staff of Life.  What is a staff?  It bears you up and supports you.  Historically, wheat and other grains have been a main staple in the human dietary.  It's mentioned over and over throughout scripture in various settings.  Here are just a couple of many examples:

*  Exodus 12:34, it says, “And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders."  

*  To prepare for the 7 year famine that swept across Egypt, Joseph collected grain for 7 years.

There are a number of reasons people are having issues with grains - particularly gluten grains, mainly wheat. 

One of those reasons is that modern wheat has been severely hybridized, & our bellies are not handling it in a friendly fashion.  Einkorn wheat is the most ancient form of wheat in existence today.  It's man's first form of cultivated wheat.  It's a lot smaller than modern wheat & looks a bit different...  almost like a cross between wheat & flat  brown rice.  It's classified as a *diploid*, because it only has two sets of chromosomes. Modern wheat is classified as *hexaploid*, because it has six sets of chromosomes due to all the hybridization.  Sigh.....  Kinda frustrating, isn't it.

In ancient times grains naturally sprouted themselves as they were left in the fields under the warm sun until it could be gathered up - (They didn't have machinery to gather it quickly like we do now).  This process automatically broke down the anti-nutrients (natural preservatives) in grains.  These natural preservatives have allowed wheat to stay good for thousands of years.  Wheat has been found in ancient tombs that were able to still be sprouted. 

Natural yeast (also called Pioneer Yeast or Natural Leavening) is where I'm heading now...  It can be used for making regular homemade breads as well as sweet bread, waffles pancakes, cinnamon rolls, muffins, donuts, & more.  It is not always sour dough. This natural yeast is the yeast that has been historically used since the beginning of bread making.  It is liquidy & bubbly...  Not dry & grainy, like 'store yeast'.

Commercial yeast used today IS NOT NATURAL.  "Modern" yeast was created in a laboratory in 1984 (possibly sooner, according to what Caleb Warnock, co-author of "The Art of Baking With Natural Yeast has since found out).  Our digestive systems don't recognize it, & some people are now allergic to the yeast itself!  This is one of the several reasons for the rapid growth of Celiac disease, gluten intolerance/allergies, acid reflux, diabetes, skin issues, & more.

Natural yeast begins the digestion process before the grain ever even hits your mouth.  It breaks down the harmful anti-nutrients (natural preservatives) such as phytic acid ahead of time & turns it into a cancer-fighting antioxidant!  It eats the gluten!  It will not spike blood sugar levels, it's a pre-biotic AND pro-biotic.  It helps your body to absorb vitamins, minerals, & fiber.  It fights weight gain (It doesn't cause it!) & is good for your digestive system.  Some people with wheat/gluten allergies as well as celiac disease have been able to actually eat bread & gluten foods when using natural yeast!  But the best part about natural yeast is that it can prevent these issues from happening in the first place.  You can read more about this on Caleb's blog.

Some natural yeasts are very sour, some are a little sour, & some aren't sour at all.  The best strains have been passed down for generations.  Caleb offers a free sample of a 200 year old strain of natural yeast flakes on his website - as well as instructions on how to activate and use it .  When you grow your own natural yeast, you will NEVER have to buy yeast again.  It is one of the most valuable preparedness foods you can store.  You can even dehydrate or freeze it, and it will not die!  I also highly recommend his beautiful book on baking with natural yeast as pictured at the end of this post.  It is AMAZING. 

Many 'real food' bloggers & websites teach about soaking and sprouting grains, seeds, & nuts.  I've also talked about it & often do it.  This process also breaks down phytic acid & other anti-nutrients.  My choice though, when it comes to recipes that use yeast... are to not necessarily worry about soaking/sprouting if I don't have time - but to use natural 'pioneer' yeast.  For more information, please visit the 2 best websites out there: 

Caleb Warnock's website, www.calebwarnock.blogspot.com & Natural Leavening's website, www.naturalleavening.com are the only comprehensive sites on this subject to date that I've seen.  All you need to know about natural yeast is contained in these 2 sites.  Amy McClean R.D. and Matthew McClean, D.C. (authors of Natural Leavening) have dedicated themselves to educating people about grains (modern, ancient, gluten, & gluten free) & natural yeast.  They also have yeasts available on their website that are made from various grains - including gluten free yeast!  They are also finishing up a book that will be published soon. 

There is hope, people.  Grains (and wheat!) do not need to be - and SHOULD NOT BE - banished from the human diet.  This is yet another modern fad - as well as a very sad health condition that never should have become an issue in the first place.  Grains are a beautiful natural God given food that are extremely healthful.  What is detrimental to us are modern versions of overly hybridized wheat, genetically modified wheat, & modern commercial yeast - as well as the various reasons our guts are suffering from disorders -   (Mostly from faulty nutrition, anti-biotics, & other pharmaceuticals). 

If you have celiac disease (which is an auto-immune disorder), or if you are allergic to wheat, or if you have gluten intolerance, there are often ways to reverse these conditions that have been successful with many people.  The gut needs to be healed.  Gut healing can reverse many auto-immune disorders.  GAPS diet is one successful method.  Energy therapy along with real food nutrition is another.  And proving to be very successful - soaking, sprouting, & natural yeast just might be the solution to your problems :)  Don't give up! 

As I learn more about this, I will continue to share.  I've been studying natural yeast & grain issues for a while now.  I'm SO excited that on June 21st, I'll be taking a couple of classes from Caleb Warnock himself on this very thing!  So I'm confident that this post isn't the end of posts on this subject.  Stay tuned for more!

Just a fun random fact that no one else will really care about, but I feel like sharing it anyway...  Caleb lives in Utah.  I grew up in Southern California.  I learned not long ago that Caleb is now neighbors in Utah with my awesome California babysitter from 30 years ago!  Pretty cool, eh?  I can't wait to meet him :)

NEXT DAY UPDATE:  I forgot to mention a couple of things, duh...  (Must be that end of the school year brain fog.)

Einkorn wheat is more expensive than modern hybrid wheat such as hard white, hard red, etc.  Some people simply can't afford to purchase it.  If this is the case, there is hopeful news.  You can still soak & sprout modern wheat, & you can still use natural yeast with modern wheat - which helps tremendously.  If you've been contemplating going wheat/grain free, don't give up hope thinking you can't eat it anymore, just because you can't afford the good original ancient non-hybridized stuff.  Try the natural yeast (or soaking/sprouting) first & see how you do.

To make & use sprouted flour, simply sprout your berries until they form little tails.  Then spread them out on a dehydrator & dry them at 105 degrees or below, so the nutrients are not killed by high heat.  Once they're completely dry, you can simply grind them as usual in your grinder!

I have many buckets of white & red wheat.  However, I'm planning to slowly add more & more Einkorn to my supply as I can.  Baby steps..... 

If you would like to purchase Einkorn, it's becoming increasingly available & the prices are coming down.  You can find it at these & other locations:

Azure Standard
Real Foods Market
Einkorn Website
Tropical Traditions
Amazon

One of my favorite candy bars used to be Almond Joy or Mounds.  Either one.  Didn't matter.  I'd eat them.

What's a whole food snob (ha-ha) to do?  Well, I decided to play.  These don't taste exactly like the fake commercial totally bad for you candy bars I used to love, but they are super yummy & actually taste...  like wholesome junk food.

If you want to know the truth, I'm actually working on improving this recipe.  I've got a couple of ideas that I think might make them even better.  When I am successful, I'll post the update :)

Remember that if you can't find these items locally, they're all available on Amazon & other great locations online.

1 c. raw almonds, ground (super fine texture like almond flour, if possible)
1/2 c. raw organic agave nectar (I only use Xagave or Oijo) or maple syrup (opt: can add a few drops of stevia extract for sweeter taste)
1/2 c. coconut oil (raw, un-filtered, cold pressed - the solid white kind)
1/2 c. cacao powder (raw cacao, if possible... but if not, AT LEAST a good quality Dutch processed cocoa powder)

In a food processor, grind almonds into a flour (unless it's already ground).  Add agave & coconut oil (not melted), & mix till smooth.  SLOWLY add the cacao powder.  Don't over process, because it can seize if mixed too much.  (((You could also try doing this in your Blendtec or Vitamix.  Just pulse it until it's the right consistency)))

Batter will be thick.  Pour into a pan, sprinkle top with unsweetened coconut flakes (raw if you have them), & freeze or refrigerate.  They'll set fast.

***You could also add a few drops of mint or orange essential oil (100% therapeutic grade), if you like chocolate mint or chocolate orange.  YUMMY!

Store in the fridge or freezer.

One of my favorite essential oil books, "The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy" lists the top 10 most versatile & useful essential oils for any average home. I'll share those as well as a couple of others that I think are ESSENTIAL to any kit. 

This kit, in my opinion, should be included in your home 'farmacy' cabinet - AS WELL AS your 72 hour emergency kit (You know...  the one that FEMA & church preparedness organizations have been recommending for years, & the one we ALL have sitting by the door ready to go at a moment's notice?  Yeah, that one.)  

Other recommendations to add to this essentials kit are aloe vera (for burns, cuts, etc), carrier oil, (for diluting & spreading essential oils), witch hazel (anti-inflammatory & astringent properties), & rose water (for soothing, moisturizing, & as an antiseptic).  Rose water can be purchased from health food stores or online... Or you can make your own by using fresh rose petals with water & vegetable glycerine.  Go HERE for instructions to make your own rose water... 

These oils listed below can be used for health/personal care *as well as* cleaning & sanitizing.

Lavender
Tea Tree
Peppermint
Chamomile
Eucalyptus
Geranium
Rosemary
Thyme
Lemon
Clove

I add to this list:

Oil of Oregano
Frankincense

.....And here's why I think these are the best of the basics:

Lavender
The BEST for burns & great for relaxing/sleeping.  It's a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative, & detoxifier.  It helps prevent scarring & promotes healing, & it is helpful for clinical and psychological shock.  There are so many other beneficial properties, I couldn't begin to list them all.  To be honest, lavender isn't my favorite smell in the world (it used to be, but it's not anyore)...  But I wouldn't be without this oil for ANYTHING.


Tea Tree
Powerful antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, & excellent antifungal.  It's used for treating candida, infections, ringworm, sunburn, acne, athlete's foot, toothache, etc...

Peppermint
Used by many ancient cultures & has many health promoting properties.  Very beneficial to the digestive system, respiratory system, and great for circulation.  It's an excellent anti-inflammatory & antiseptic.  It can be used to treat indigestion, flatulence, bad breath, varicose veins, headaches/migraines, skin irritations, toothache, rheumatism, and fatigue. It's also wonderful for keeping mice, fleas, spiders, & ants away!  I learned last year that 1 drop of peppermint essential oil is as powerful as more than 20 cups of peppermint tea!

Chamomile
There are   a couple types of Chamomile.  The most used are German & Roman.  German is a deep dark beautiful blue color, due to the high content of azulene.  It is also particularly beneficial for skin & in treating skin conditions such as acne, scars, eczema, psoriasis, injuries, etc...

Both chamomiles are wonderful for helping with nerves & insomnia.  They are antibacterial, antiseptic, disinfectant, & anti-inflammatory.  (Rheumatism included).  It is helpful for teething troubles in kids, & it can be added to baths to calm & soothe.  It's used in the treatments of burns, sunburn, psoriasis, eczema, asthma, hay fever, diarrhea, sprays, nausea, fever, & depression.  It's analgesic, diuretic, sedative, & very rejuvenating.  It's reported that anorexia nervosa has been treated with chamomile also.

Eucalyptus
Think chest congestion!  And COLIC!  It is cooling in the summer & helps the immune system in the winter.  It's anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-viral diuretic, analgesic, and deodorizing.  It's been used to treat coughs, colds, cysts, candida, diabetes, & sunburn, & has been useful in veterinary care & as a repellant to insects. 

Geranium
The emotion oil.  Oh, how it helps with emotions...  I LOVE this oil.  Chilblains is a painful, itching swelling on the skin, typically on a hand or foot, caused by poor circulation in the skin when exposed to cold (similar to frostbite)...  and geranium can make this disappear overnight!  It is used in skincare, & for treatment of endometriosis, menopause, diabetes, blood disorders, throat infections, nervous issues, as a sedative & relaxer, and has even been used in the treatment of infertility.

Rosemary
This oil is a great physical and mental stimulant.  It's used in treating muscular issues & is great in morning baths.  It fights sprains, arthritis, rheumatism, depression, fatigue, memory loss, migraine headaches, coughs, flu, diabetes, acne, and cellulite.  Makes for a great oil in cooking too!

Thyme
Another great cooking oil (think herbs!)...  Thyme is antiviral, antibiotic, antiseptic, diuretic, & should be used WITH CAUTION.  It can stimulate the thyroid gland & lymphatic system & should never be used without diluting first.  Moderation is key here.  It's great to use in the diffuser when flu is running through your home.  It also is good for detox, whooping cough, warts, rheumatism, neuralgia, fatigue, & acne.  It is great for warding off parasites & insects, & it's often used in hair & skin care recipes.

Lemon
What isn't there to love?  It wakes me up.!  It makes me smile!  It's great for cooking, great for green smoothies, great for lemonade, & great as a cleaner.  It's an amazing water purifier - THINK PREPAREDNESS!!!  Lemon is antiseptic & antibiotic.  It's used in treating insect bites, fatigue, headaches, cellulite, & wrinkles.  Mix a drop of lemon EO with warm water, raw honey, & a pinch of cayenne pepper for cough, congestion, & if you're cold...  It'll warm you right up & soothe your throat.

Clove
Tooth-ache-be-gone...  Clove has been used historically for numbing the mouth & sterilizing surgical instruments.  It's a super quick cure for aching teeth/gums.  It's antibacterial, antiseptic, analgesic, & is wonderful for disease and infection prevention.  It treats asthma, nausea, sinusitis, & can be used as a sedative.  It's also useful for digestive issues and muscular disorders.

Oil of Oregano
The powerful of the powerful!  As Dr. Cass Ingram states, "Oregano is a medicine chest in a bottle".  His book, "The Cure Is In The Cupboard" has a wealth of information on the healing powers of oregano.  From his book:  "Laboratory research at Weber State University showed it to have a 99 percent kill rate against in vitro colonies of Streptococcus pneumonia, a microorganism responsible for many kinds of lung and throat infections. Oregano is antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic."  It's also an anti-oxidant high in DNA repair activity...  There is literally SO much about this oil, I'd have to give a whole entire page to cover even a portion of it all.  If you'd like to read more on this amazing natural medicine, read THIS.

We have used "OOO" in our family on many occasions to cure strep throat, sinus infections, flu, food poisoning, & other infections/illnesses.  It's the best of the best.  NEVER use "OOO" in its undiluted form.  ALWAYS dilute it.  ALWAYS.  I can't emphasize this enough.  It is so hot that a tiny touch of oil will burn instantly, if not diluted.  Keep out of reach of children, & as usual, use in moderation. 

Note:  EO's should never be taken internally unless directed by a medical professional certified in aromatherapy & essential oil use.  We have used it internally with great success, but we always take the capsules with food (like a little piece of bread), so it doesn't burn once inside your throat/belly.  Again, this is a personal choice, & I do not advocate internal use.  Do your research first!

If weakness occurs when using for illnesses, try taking extra iron or eat foods rich in iron & drop back on your dose a bit.  Large amounts of "OOO" can cause a drop in iron levels on occasion.  I had this happen once, but I quickly reversed it when I got more iron in my system. 

Frankincense
This oil is my heavenly oil.  It is beneficial during meditation and was historically used for religious purposes. Frankincense was after all, given as a gift to our Savior when He was born.  It encourages communication, heals wounds/sores, & is used in treating fevers, coughs, colds, stress, bronchitis, laryngitis, nervous conditions, & tension.  It's also very helpful in treating skin conditions & reducing scars.  Frankincense is often used in "higher end" & natural skin care products.  Many people have had great success in treating cancer with this God sent oil.  I was amazed as I read the story of one young woman who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.  She refused surgery & treatment until she first tried Frankincense oil, which she had recently heard about.  She applied it to her throat 3 times/day & within 1 month, there was zero sign of the cancer.  Her doctors were speechless & had no explanation for its disappearance.  Hm.......  :)  I personally use it in my own homemade deodorant recipe, as this allows it to penetrate into the under-arm & side chest area where breast & lymphatic cancers are so prevalent.  Prevention is the best medicine.

**************************************

I can't help but love how versatile essential oils are.  People far too often underestimate their power, & I truly feel so sorry for those who don't know they exist - and those who don't believe they work.

I'm loving making my own recipes using essential oils.  There are SO many possibilities.

They can be used for every day as well as first aid & emergency situations.  Make your own non-toxic baby oil, baby powder, baby lotion, air-fresheners, soaps, body powders, lotions & creams, breath fresheners, hair products, candles, carpet fresheners, cleaners, laundry scents, mist sprays, massage oils, mouthwash, potpourri, skincare, sunburn relief, sunscreen/suntan oil, tooth-paste/powder, deodorant, furniture polish, gardening, insect bites/repellants, and so much more... 

Baby / Body Powder:

2 Tb. non-gmo corn starch or arrowroot powder
5-20 drops of a single or combination of essential oils such as soft lavender or chamomile,  refreshing citrus scents, beautiful floral scents, masculine forest or spicy scents, or minty scents.

Shake in closed container & let sit for several hours before use.  (Spice shakers & powdered sugar dusters work well for this)

Breath Freshener:
4 fl. oz. purified water
1/2 tsp. raw honey or 2-4 drops of stevia extract and/or 1 tsp. vegetable glycerine
20 drops of EO such as peppermint, spearmint, clove, cinnamon, orange, lemon, etc...

Mix in a mist sprayer, shake well, & mist directly into mouth.

Sunburn Relief:
1 tsp. aloe vera gel (straight from the plant, if possible)
5 drops of single or combo EO such as lavender, chamomile, & geranium.

Combine & gently apply several times per day

***This same recipe can be used for soothing insect bites. 
The above oils - as well as tea tree oil - can be used.

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Click here to go back & read ESSENTIAL OILS - PART 1 -&- ESSENTIAL OILS PART 2

1 cup rose petals (free from pesticides & chemicals...  organic petals can be purchased online & in some health food stores, if you can't grow your own)
2 cups purified or distilled water
10 drops vegetable glycerine

Combine water & rose petals in a pot & cook on low heat for 1 hour.

Strain water into sterile container such as a Mason jar & throw out petals.  Add glycerine drops, stir, & let cool.  ***A drop or 2 of rose essential oil (if you're fortunate enough to be able to afford purchasing it!) can also be added to make it even stronger.

Rose water is a wonderful moisturizer & is great for calming problem skin.  (Think eczema & diaper rash)...  It also helps to soothe injuries & burns.  I love to mist it directly on my face or pillow before bed, as it's very relaxing. 

This review is a stop on the Virtual Book Tour for The Gift of Giving Life.

Enter the virtual book tour raffle, read my personal review, & earn 3 free bonus gifts below...

Several months ago, I took an online 40 day meditation course from Felice Austin, one of the authors of The Gift of Giving Life, & she is how I originally found out about this book.  I then realized that one of the other authors, Heather Farrell, was an instructor at a holistic living conference that I attend every year, & I loved everything about the class I took from her.  A few months later, I found out that yet another author, Robyn Allgood, lives not very far from me & we are now friends on Facebook. 

I feel so blessed to be connected with a few of the great women who took part in writing The Gift of Giving Life.  These 3 women share my LDS Christian faith.  They invited me to participate in their virtual book tour, & I'm grateful to be a part of reading & reviewing amazing experiences from these & the other great women of faith who have shared a portion of their personal lives with the world...

I have had a *comically* beautiful experience with this book.  As I opened it up to start reading the day I received it in the mail, I thought I smelled... A BABY.  (No really, I did).  Then I realized it was coming from the book itself.  So I stuck my nose between the pages & couldn't stop smelling!  I asked the girls on The Gift Of Giving Life's FB page if they put something inside the book to make it smell that way, but they assured me they did not.  So I am convinced that this book is truly Divine & meant to draw the reader in, so that it can be emotionally absorbed.  I haven't heard yet if any one else's copy smells so sweet & baby-ish, but I can assure you - mine does!  :)

The Gift of Giving Life connects each & every woman (no matter your ethnicity, religion, personality, financial status, social status, health status/practices [medical / holistic], size, shape, or location) with each & every other woman on this earth, because we all been given Divine blessings, whether we have children or not.  We all share something in common.  There is no doubt this book was written for ALL women of every faith.

For those women who are not able to get pregnant, I encourage you to also read this book.  There are FAR many more lessons to be learned than just lessons of birth.  And there is a section just for you.  "Something still grows inside a woman who doesn't conceive a baby.  In her grows character that is consumed with confidence, humility, & desire.  A symbolic embryo that is hers to nurture and others to behold." - pg. 128, To All My Sisters Who Still Hope - Courtney J. Kendrick

There are thousands of books on the market today covering many different subjects that come from one author - often with one view.  It's our responsibility to sift through & figure out for ourselves what is truth & what works.  This book is one of the few books available that offers the reader many options for her own unique situation that don't confuse & complicate, but simplify.

I love that researched information is intertwined with sensitive personal experiences from every day women in every facet of life.  I don't think they missed a thing!  It contains endless facts & personal stories of spirituality, nutrition/nourishment before & after birth, breast-feeding, faith vs. fear, intuition, healing, c-sections, VBAC, pain, infertility, death, hospital births, home births, natural births, medicated births, emergencies, meditation, miscarriage, stillbirths, baby showers, blessingways, medication, preparation & preparedness, Hypnobabies, doctors, midwives, doulas, gratitude, guilt, forgiveness, abortion, the Atonement, Epi-genetic Imprinting (which is an awesome topic I'll soon be covering in my Energy Medicine section), baby-wearing, anxiety, depression, life after birth...  It's all there! 

Women share their birth plans.  They share their experiences of having to change them at the last minute.  They share their sorrows in loss, they share their excitement of giving birth naturally and in hospital settings both.  They share their successes & hardships in getting pregnant & giving birth.  They share their fears.  They share their blessings and miracles!  They share their own research & what they learned.  Our young daughters are even addressed, as there is a section on how to prepare them for pregnancy and childbirth. 

One of my favorite chapters says this:  "When we welcome our birthing powers, we can stay relaxed...  Instead of fearing our power, we can harness it." 

In this same chapter called 'Power, Love, and a sound Mind', Sheridan Ripley noted one of Jeffrey R. Holland's most beautiful descriptions of this sacred God given gift.  He said, "One aspect of [God's] divinity given to virtually all men and women is the use of His power to create a human body, that wonder of all wonders, a genetically and spiritually unique being never before seen in the history of the world and never to be duplicated again in all the ages of eternity."  

WOW.  What a beautiful perspective.  And what a beautiful truth.

My own experience:  I gave birth to all 4 of my babies in the conventional hospital setting with common medical intervention.  I didn't know much of anything, & I didn't really research, because I didn't know what to research.  Honestly, I didn't know there WAS anything to research other than the basics.

I thought that all women go to their prenatal visits with their OBGYN each month, then they go into labor, head for the hospital, and do what the doctor/nurse tells them to do - because we, the patient, don't know what we're doing.  Even though I was excited to have a baby, I had basically learned that being pregnant was a medical condition, & that delivering a baby was a series of medical procedures. 

Now, I know that I was not a patient, & I did not have a medical condition.  I was a woman becoming a mother - taking part in the most natural process in all of history...

I did have a wonderful sister-in-law who was my nurse with a couple of my babies, & an amazingly supportive husband who was at my side the entire time encouraging me & cheering me on!  What a blessing they were.  But if I had known better, I would have been well aware of ALL my options ahead of time.  Options for me AND options for my baby.  I would have been in control of my own pregnancy & birthing experience - whether at a hospital, a birthing center, or at home.  If I could go back & do it ALL differently, I would. 

Honestly, I was saddened as I've looked back on photos of me in the hospital holding my babies, because there were very few of me genuinely smiling.  In a couple of them, I was actually frowning.  It made me sad to look at them, because I loved my babies SO much & was so very excited to have them in my arms, but the photos didn't show it, because I was miserable from everything that happened.  Though I was happy to have my babies here, my actual birthing experiences were scary, stressful, full of medical intervention, and definitely not empowering.  No one taught me anything other than to do what I was instructed to do.

I loved being pregnant, but I was scared to death of going into labor & giving birth.  Even after actually doing it, I was still scared to go through it again.  I experienced quite a bit of trauma, especially with my first baby.  Unfortunately, I let the nurses take my babies out of my room A LOT, just so that I could sleep and de-stress.  Now I know that I could have (and should have) had a very... different... experience...  I'm so grateful to know what I know now, so that I can teach my daughters (and share this book with them) so they can have that 'very different experience'.

I've read many many many accounts of women on blogs (& in books like this one), who LOVED their birthing experience and were empowered through the whole process of labor & delivery.  I've seen endless photos of hundreds of women who had huge smiles on their faces portraying the most authentic joy possible, as they hold their beautiful new born babies.  I was not empowered.  But I should have been.  I've learned more about pregnancy & birth in the past 2 years than I learned in the prior 17 years of being a mother. 

This book naturally encourages women to DO their own research, so that they can become empowered & be in control of their experiences - even in case of unexpected emergency.  It helps women to not fear childbirth, but to intuitively allow for the natural processes of giving life to take place with courage, faith, & excitement! 

What I love most, is that it's not a sequential read...  I can read beginning to end, or I can pick a topic, or I can randomly open to a page & read whatever I come too and it still makes sense!  Each section has mini chapters, just a couple of pages long, from individual women - who share their stories & personal insights.  Perfection.

If you're pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or know someone else who is going to be giving birth, this is one of the best all-in-one resources of over 500 easy to read pages.  It will guide the mother-to-be in her journey of researching pregnancy & birth.  It will provide peace and reassurance to every woman that giving life truly IS a naturally Divine gift. 

"Children are an heritage of the Lord:  and the fruit of the womb is His reward." 
Psalms 127:3

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Earn 3 Free Bonus Gifts when you buy a copy of The Gift of Giving Life by May 15th.  Just visit The Gift of Giving Life to find out the details!

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I've pretty much stayed away from Winco since we started eating *real*, because other than produce & a few bulk items, most of their stuff is processed junk.  Not for me.  But they're finally stepping it up!  If you have one close by & weren't aware, they carry the following items at REALLY good prices:

Organic coconut oil in glass jars
COOC certified (California Olive Oil Council) - REAL olive oil (Read more HERE)
By the gallon - Xagave RAW organic agave nectar
Bulk organic coconut flour
Bulk almond flour/meal
Bulk raw cashews, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, & other raw nuts
Bulk organic rolled oats
Bulk flax seed
Bulk chia seed
Bulk brown rice
Bulk wild rice
Bulk dry roasted peanuts (with nothing added) - for making your own peanut butter - - - Or you can use their fresh peanut butter machine & grind it right there in the store for much cheaper than other stores that offer it.

(There IS more...  I just can't remember what else at the moment.  I'll make a list next time I go - along with prices for anyone interested)

Now, if they'll just start selling raw honey, coconut palm sugar, pastured eggs, raw pastured, & organic produce!

When we used to go to doctors regularly, we got sick ALL the time.  When we stopped going to doctors, stopped taking antibiotics & other medications & took our health into our own hands, we stopped getting sick ALL the time.  (Remember, we *do* rely on medical doctors for trauma/emergencies & are grateful for them... but for illness & mild injury - we do everything we can to use natural healing)

We use essential oils, herbs, colloidal silver, raw honey, garlic, ginger, lemon, chiropractors, & other methods of healing now, & when illness does strike, it's usually short lived & less severe. 

Not long ago, my 8 year old son did get very sick.  He didn't feel good the first day & wavered between a fever of 99 & 101.  By that night, he shot up to 103.5 & was going delirious.  We figured it was either strep throat or flu - neither of which worried us too much, because we've battled those head on (naturally) a few times in the past.  No problem...

But what did worry me was when his neck started getting stiff.  Within a few hours it was hurting him enough to cry, & he could hardly move it.  Naturally, after a few hours of it getting worse , I was about to give in & take him to the ER.  I was really afraid of meningitis, & that's what it was acting like. 

Something told me to call a good friend of mine who cured herself of MS through natural means & teaches nationwide about natural healing.  As we talked about it & researched online, I decided to try something I hadn't done yet.  I prayed about it, & I was calm & at peace.  So I knew in my heart it would be ok to do this before taking him in.

Thus far, we had given him several drops of colloidal silver, rubbed "Thieves" oil & Oil of Oregano on his feet, given him lemon juice made with lemon essential oil, raw honey & cayenne pepper, & massaged peppermint essential oil down his spine to reduce the fever.

I felt very strongly after my internet & essential oil book research that in addition to Lemon , "Thieves", & Oregano essential oils - I also needed to get out my Frankincense EO.  I rubbed it onto his feet and massaged it into the back of his neck - at the base of his scull.  I also rubbed it into the crown of his head. 

I kid you not, within less than an hour, he was sitting up, his fever was coming down, & the neck pain was going away.  We continued all of what we had been doing every couple of hours & stayed consistent with it, & by the next day he was fine!

We were truly grateful that day for the knowledge of natural healing.

 

Do your kids love chocolate milk?  Do YOU love chocolate milk?  I do!

Have you ever actually read the ingredients list of powdered (or syrup) chocolate mix?  Here's the list for the "most popular" of name brands out there:

SUGAR, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, SOY LECITHIN, CARRAGEENAN, SALT, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SPICE. VITAMINS AND MINERALS: CALCIUM CARBONATE, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), ZINC OXIDE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), COPPER GLUCONATE, MANGANESE SULFATE, BIOTIN.

First of all - Sugar is the main ingredient (need I say more?). 

Second, the soy lecithin is guaranteed GMO.  (More than 90% of soy products are!)

Carrageenan?  Read the blog post just previous to this one to find out the dangers of that stuff HERE.

Salt - It's the refined table salt that's SO not good for you.

Artificial flavors - BAD STUFF!  (Artificial ingredients are linked to all kinds of health problems.  That'll take a whole separate post in itself)

Vitamins & Minerals - (Almost always artificial versions added into factory foods.  Not even the real thing)

- - - - - - - - - -

Whether you use cows milk, goats milk, almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, or any other kind of milk - you can make yourself a glass of white chocolate milk that's actually healthy!

Here's what to do. 

* Fill a small cup with whatever type of milk you want to use (about 6-8 oz.)
* Add 4-6 drops of pure chocolate extract (we use organic extract sweetened with stevia)
* Add 1-3 drops of stevia extract or a pinch of powdered stevia herb (if the choc. extract isn't sweet enough for you, or if it doesn't already contain a sweetener)
* Stir & drink! 

(If you want it extra super duper chocolately & sweet, just add more!)

My kids & their friends are always amazed that it's white - but tastes just like chocolate milk!  No junk, & takes 30 seconds to make. 

Even better is to find a chocolate extract made with vegetable glycerine instead of alcohol.  OR, you can make your own.  It should only contain the base (glycerine or alcohol), cacao/cocoa, water, & a sweetener such as stevia at the very most.  No other yucky ingredients needed  :)

A few great brands are Flavorganics, Nielsen Massey, Rodelle Organics, & Cooks Organic - all available online (I like Amazon.com) or your local natural foods store.

Let me tell you a great little secret - If you keep powdered milk in your food storage... chocolate extract & stevia will be also INVALUABLE to store.  It will make your powdered milk actually drinkable, & your kids will love you! 

And one more secret...  I have a 2 oz. bottle of extract.  So I attach a 2 oz. dropper (online or health food stores carry them) to my bottle of extract, so I can control the number of drops I put in the milk!  You can do this for any of your extract bottles.  Just match the dropper size to the bottle size.  Cool, eh? 

Whole Green Love posted an EXCELLENT article on what Carageenan is & why it's a dangerous food additive.  Before I learned about ingredients & started paying attention to what real food vs. fake food is, my little naive self thought Carageenan was a spice!  (Little did I know...)  It's in everything from cool whip to cream soups to packaged chicken!

Normally I prefer to post information myself on various topics, but I really liked this article a lot... so I'm sending you straight to the source.  These girls know their stuff, & I kinda sorta love their 'attitude'  :) 

http://wholegreenlove.com/2013/04/07/carrageenan-a-dangerous-sneaky-commonly-used-food-additive/

Everything has a frequency.  An electrical frequency.  A vibration.

All cells vibrate.  

Rocks, trees, water, animals, air, food, people, & even thoughts and words.  

This is basic science.  If you went to school (public, private, or home) - You probably learned about it.

Essential oils range in frequency from 52 mhz all the way up to 320 mhz.  The higher the vibration, the more beneficial...  BUT all non-toxic essential oils are good for you, even if their frequency is lower, because they will raise the frequency in your body.  

The human brain ranges from 72-90 MHz.  The human body (during the day) ranges from 62-68 MHz.  Death begins at 25 MHz.  

When you are in good health & happy, your body is working at a higher/faster vibration/frequency.  When you are ill & unhappy, your body is working at a lower/slower vibration/frequency.  It IS possible to raise the lower frequency to a higher one through the use of EO's and other methods (which I'll soon be talking about on my alternative/energy therapy page)


Essential oil molecules are so teeny tiny that when inhaled (or absorbed), the molecules pass the blood brain barrier & provide oxygen to your body.

I'm not a very scientific person, & I don't like all the technical stuff... so if you're interested in that end of it, you'll have to do your own research. SORRY!  I'm keeping it super simple!  :) 

Did you know that there are 188 references to EO's in the bible?  Myrrh, sweet cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia, Frankincense, & Spikenard are among several of the oils mentioned.  They were used for healing, anointing, & cleansing...  I find it interesting myself, that oils were used to cleanse feet in bible times - because the largest pores on your body are actually on your feet!  This is one of the easiest & fastest ways to introduce oils into your system.  Did they know this?  

Commercial cologne/perfume contains many toxic chemicals.  Using essential oils as cologne/perfume (for women AND men) is not only a safe non-toxic way to smell wonderful - but you're also gaining the emotionally & physically therapeutic benefits of the EO's on your body.  There are various books & websites that teach how to do this & provide recipes for you to try!

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BLENDING:

Of course the easiest thing to do is to purchase pre-mixed essential oil synergies.  (This does not mean pre-diluted.  Don't purchase pre-diluted EO's which have been mixed with carrier oils before purchase...  Do the diluting yourself to assure correct amounts & to make sure you're getting a good quality product that isn't old & rancid.)

Do not mix different synergies/blends.  They are mixed by professionals who know what they're doing & how they work.  Only use one synergy at a time.  Mixing them can cause undesirable effects.

I purchase pre-made EO synergies, & I also make my own (because it's fun!)  For those interested in making their own synergies, here's a little bit of basic information.

It takes some learning/experimenting to correctly blend EO's, and I won't be going into that here, but to give you a little bit of understanding - there is a 4 part sequence to blending, which is outlined below.

The Personifier: 1-5% of the blend - (Sharp, strong, & long lasting fragrances & dominant properties with strong therapeutic action) 

*Some of these oils may include cinnamon bark, clary sage, German chamomile, helichrysm, tangerine, ylang ylang, etc...

The Enhancer: 50-80% of the blend - (Predominant oil which also enhances the properties of the other oils in the blend)

*Some of these oils may include bergamot, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemon, etc...

The Equalizer: 10-15% of the blend - (Create balance & synergy among oils, fragrance is not as sharp & is of shorter duration)

*Some of these oils may include pine, hyssop, lemongrass, tea tree, melissa, rose, etc...

The Modifier:  5-8% of the blend - (Have mild & short fragrance.  Adds harmony to the entire blend)

*Some of these oils may include eucalyptus, grapefruit, myrrh, neroli, sandalwood, fennel, etc...

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MEASUREMENTS:

If you want to create a body massage blend, you can use about 50 drops of EO
to 4 oz. of carrier oil.  

If you're creating a therapeutic blend (healing), you can use about 28 drops of EO to 1/2 oz. of carrier oil.

25-30 drops = 1/4 tsp.
45-50 drops = 1/2 tsp.
75-80 drops = 3/4 tsp. = 1/8 oz.
100-120 drops = 1 tsp. = 1/6 oz.
160 drops = 1 1/2 tsp. = 1/4 oz.
320-400 drops = 3 tsp. = 1/2 oz.
600-650 drops = 6 tsp. = 1 oz.

Essential Oils may seem expensive at first, but considering that you only use a couple of drops per application on average, EO's go a looooooooooong way & when used correctly can last a very long time. 

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TOPICAL APPLICATION:

Feet (fastest area to absorb oils)
Behind Ears
Wrists
Spine
Base of neck above spine & below skull

For relaxation or energy, 3 to 6 drops per foot are adequate.

When massaging to large areas of body, dilute by 15%-30% with a carrier oil.

When applying to infants up to 2 years old, dilute 1-3 drops of EO to 1 Tbs. of carrier oil.  For older children 2-5 years old, dilute 1-3 drops to 1 tsp. of carrier oil.

AURICULAR THERAPY:
Applying oils to rim of ears.  This is extremely beneficial for emotional healing.  (There are physical benefits also, but I haven't learned much on that part yet)  

INHALATION:  (The olefactory method)
Diffusers are the easiest way to get oils into the air for inhalation.  Don't use heated diffusers, because this alters the chemical makeup of the oils.  You can purchase diffusers for your home or car (which plug into the cigarette lighter)

You can also put 1-3 drops into a cloth or towel & hold it close to your nose as you inhale.  This also works great at night, if you apply the oils to your pillowcase.  

Cold vaporizers/humidifiers work well when someone is sick.

Applying oil to a cotton ball & placing in the blades of fans/vents in a house (OR CAR!) is a great way to inhale essential oils!

BATHS:
Apply 3-6 drops to your bath water.  ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO WITH EO'S!!!

You can also apply them to a wash cloth & spread over entire body... Or you can add them to a small spray bottle of water & spray over your body surface.

DISHES, LAUNDRY, & CLEANING:
Add a few drops to laundry detergent, to your dish soap/water, cleaners, and to dryer balls.  I add them to my homemade felted wool dryer balls - (I no longer use toxic dryer sheets.  These wool balls are awesome!  Click on the blue words to learn how to make them.  Less static, less wrinkles, faster drying time, & the EO's make your clothes smell nice & fresh!)

***See the D.I.Y. tab for lots of GREAT homemade cleaner & personal care recipes that use essential oils!

COOKING:
Essential oils can be incorporated into cooking.  Don't forget that they are very concentrated!  Start with only 1 drop (sometimes even less).  You can use a toothpick to help control the amount.  To see which oils are my favorite to use in cooking (and green smoothies!) - scroll down to the bottom of the "Inside My Pantry" page.

PAINTING:
Did you know you can remove paint fumes/smells when painting your house?  I haven't tried this yet, but many people swear by it!  Just add one 15 ml. bottle of your favorite EO to a 5 gallon bucket of paint, mix well, & apply!  If you're using smaller amounts of paint, use less EO.

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Please use caution if you have pets.  Animals are VERY sensitive to EO's.  Remember their sense of smell is many many times larger than human's sense of smell.  There is controversy on whether EO's are safe for use on cats.  Honestly, I'm not sure.  Supposedly, there are those who believe that cats' livers can't handle the effects of essential oils.  But I haven't ever had experience with this, as I don't have cats.

I have however, used EO's (carefully!) on my dogs.  They're toy poodles & only 5 & 8 pounds.  I've used lavender & chamomile to calm them down, & I've used Frankincense & Thieves oil blend to help heal our super sick doggies of what we are pretty sure was PARVO.

More to come...  For Essential Oils Part 1 - Click HERE