Natural Support for Immune System

Has the flu hit your house??  So far this winter I am happy to report that it HAS NOT hit our house!!!

I focus on PREVENTATIVE CARE here in our house which includes lots of SLEEP, GOOD NUTRITION, and protective essential oils!!  I have three small kiddos in school so our family is constantly exposed to the germs that could make us sick.  We do our best to keep our immune systems strong...BUT when or if the flu does hit us I will be prepared!!!

Remember our health is a response to our WHOLE life.  We need to take care of ourselves to keep our bodies functioning properly.  There are so many natural things that we can do to let our body defend itself without reaching for pharmaceuticals to cover up what is really going on with our bodies!!!  The #1 most important thing is to get some SLEEP!!!

With my WHOLE Heart ~
Brooke

Have You Prayed About It?

I am in awe of the power of prayer and the ability it has to change our lives!!!  

We had a great discussion in Sunday School this past Sunday ~ When we finally admit that we are not in control and we give the control to Him amazing things will happen!! We need to trust God and know that He loves us!!! 

I have been praying all of my life but I have not being praying as a way to get closer to God and to really let Him in.  For some reason when I prayed I thought I had to come to Him with a prepared presentation and properly present my prayer to Him.  I was trying to figure out more than He expected me too!!  He wants me to come to Him immediately with all things praises and concerns!!!  Through the open dialogue of prayer he wants me to lay it out, honestly from the pit of my heart.

Now that I have realized that a true relationship with Him involves constant prayer, I am seeing the tremendous power that is in prayer!!!  God wants a relationship with us and that is impossible to have without communication. 

This is so important for kids to understand.  Imagine all of the anxiety and worry they can avoid in life if they can learn early on how to have that personal, deep relationship with God through prayer!!!  Kids need to know that they have amazing power in prayer that they can use and that they have the same access to God as adults.  There are so many times in children's lives that they have no power and no say in what is happening to them.  They need to know what it is to pray continually and they especially need that relationship with God.  It is up to us to show them and the help them!!!

God does not want us to worry or figure things out on our own...He wants us to come to Him with everything!!  Bad and Good...just like a best friend...you share everything with them!!!  He want to see the WHOLE you!!  He already knows you and he loves you!!!  

With my WHOLE Heart~

Brooke

Slow Down and Cook Dinner

Cooking a homemade dinner doesn't have to be a huge heroic undertaking.  But it can be if you want.  

By now most families understand the HUGE POSITIVE impact that eating dinner together can have on kids and parents.  Eating dinner together as a family keeps communication stronger by giving everyone at the table a chance to express thoughts and feelings in a natural way.  It is a time to pray together before the meal.  It gives parents an opportunity listen to all the "little" stories that make up our kids' days and it gives the kids a chance to be heard. Eating meals together as a family is crucial for a strong family dynamic especially in today's world of over-scheduled calendars and technology that has replaced true social interactions.

I am also going to suggest one more piece to consider for family dinner...MAKE IT FROM SCRATCH. WHAT did I just say???  I know you are going to say you are too busy for that!!!  I am not saying to cook homemade lasagna on a Wednesday night between ballet and soccer practice. But you could make breakfast for dinner very quickly (eggs any way your family likes, fruit, yogurt, a quality bread for toast).  Instead of reaching for a frozen bag/ box of chicken nuggets and french fries to quickly make you could have a way more nutritious meal without the creepy ingredients lurking in prepared food. We do this for dinner at least once a week...I usually save it for the busiest weeknight!!

Have your kids be involved with cooking dinner.  If they are with you in the kitchen while you are preparing dinner that is another chance to catch up on important details of their life, you are modeling a healthier lifestyle by cooking homemade food, and you are teaching them how they will to do this for their own families later.  They will learn the value of homemade food and choosing nutrient dense food. Not to mention that when kids are involved in cooking food they are more likely to try new things and like the food more.

So you are saying..."OK, Well give me more ideas for quick homemade dinners", Here are some of my favorites (besides breakfast for dinner) homemade soups, lettuce tacos, salads, spaghetti squash spaghetti, homemade pizzas, and more to follow in future posts!!!  Send me a message for some recipes...I will be posting more recipes too!!!

Where families spend their time and money is what will flourish.
I would like everyone to consider this and think about how you are spending your most valuable resource...time!  It is time that we get our priorities straight!!

Think of the WHOLE picture for family dinner it is not just about one piece...Eating a HOMEMADE FAMILY DINNER TOGETHER has an impact on the WHOLE family's WHOLE life!!

With my WHOLE Heart~
Brooke

Don't just take it from me...

It sure feels great to have Michael Pollan state what I have always thought.  The best diet advice ever...you can eat anything you want-just make it yourself!!!  This has been my way of thinking for sometime now...and it helped me become more healthy.

Please Take 20 minutes and watch this video...
The Dirty Little Secrets Hiding Behind Our Pretty Little Processed Food