My secret weapon against colds and flu!

This post could actually be a 3 parter because my secret weapon is comprised of 3 parts.  However, who knows how long it would take to get it posted if I had to do 3 separate posts so I will try to consolidate and fit it all in because I really want to get this out there before cold and flu season gets into full swing. 

This is a long story, be forewarned but I will try to shorten it as much as possible.  First, I started drinking water kefir a couple years ago.  Great source of probiotics, vitamins and minerals.  Easy for homeschooling mom of 4 to keep up with (unlike kombucha and milk kefir).  Makes great lemonade and is ingredient # 1 in my secret weapon.  I purchased my water kefir grains from www.culturesforhealth.com.  You can also find information about water kefir there.  On a side note, I put something in my buggy (I have an account) and left it and they sent me an email for 10% off to come back and checkout with what was in my buggy.  Just so's you know.  So, # 1, water kefir.

This is someone else's awesome picture.

Next, I make my own elderberry syrup but you could also purchase some already made.  It won't be as good.  I use raw, local honey in mine and add the honey after the syrup has cooled so that nothing beneficial in the honey gets killed.  I'll post my recipe for that also, later, hopefully.  If you need it before I post it, just post a comment reminding me to post it.  So, # 2, elderberry syrup.

Lastly, once when I was sick, I remembered a friend talking about how she had used fulvic acid and it was like a natural antibiotic.  I had some minerals which are derived from fulvic acid on hand, so I began taking them at the rate recommended when you need a little extra and got better within a day after having been battling the illness for 10 days with no improvement.  I became a believer and have since had success using it when I feel like I'm going to get sick and also giving it to the kids either before they get sick (they usually don't) or after.  It really shortens the length and severity of the illness.  So, # 3, Morninstar Minerals Vitality Boost.

Having had such success with each of these ingredients individually, I decided to combine them into one powerful, cold and flu-fighting combination.  You might just call this the super hero of natural remedies.  Really, it is that good. 

I mix about 1/2 cup to a cup of water kefir with 1 tablespoon of elderberry syrup and 1 capful (about 2 oz) of minerals and drink it down.  In addition to this, I also mix up a regular jug of my water kefir (about 2 cups water kefir, 2 cups water, juice of 1 lime and stevia to taste) and add about a tablespoon or 2 of elderberry syrup to that and drink on it throughout the day.  I might make up 2 of those over the course of the day.  Sometimes, I do, sometimes I don't.  Depends on what's happening that day.  I take the secret weapon at least twice a day, but preferably 3 times.

My theory on this is that the water kefir helps open up your cells and makes it easier for the minerals and vitamins in the others to be absorbed.  Just my thoughts, no scientific data to back it up!

Now, if you also have a cough or some kind of lung congestion, I also recommend these products, Air Power and Clear Lungs.  Both have worked wonders for us.  They recommend taking them every 4 hours so we alternate, taking one at 8am, for example, then the other at 10am, then back to the first one at it's next scheduled dosage of 12pm.  For little ones who can't swallow pills (or adults with one of those coughs that keep you up nights), I recommend any of the Boericke & Tafel cough syrups, just remember no zinc with a fever.  The nighttime one is a blessing! 

As I've said before, I am not a doctor, not even an herbalist or doctor of natural medicine.  Just a mom, who devours info on natural medicine like I devour chocolate, experimenting on my family and finding what works best for us.  What works for us, might not work for you.  There are things my own mother uses that do nothing for me and vice versa.  Do your own research.  Don't be afraid to try things and don't be afraid to scratch things when they don't work, even if they worked for someone else.  

I have found the best prices on Iherb.  If you happen to order from there, use my code CAN094 to get $10 off your first order, plus, I think I will get some kind of reward!  

Here's hoping you and your family have a healthy cold and flu season!

A year without Dad...

My Dad and Me

One year ago today, I lost my dad.  He was killed tragically in a freak car accident.  He was 60 years old and healthy as an ox.  It was the first time in my life that I had lost someone in such a shocking, unexpected way.  My grandmother had died 3 years before from cancer and I was actually there when she died, but she was sick before and we had time to adjust to the fact that she wasn't going to make it.  There was no warning, no preparation with dad.  He was here one minute and gone the next.

My dad was often described as being bigger than life.  Over 1,000 people tied in by phone or attended his funeral and he had impacted every single one of their lives.  He was generous and kind.  He was the king of the catch phrase and he had a nickname for everyone, at least if he liked you.  He always brought me fruit in the summer, his favorite being strawberries for strawberry shortcake.  In the winter, it was pilau (pronounced per-low), a rice dish with chicken, sausage and bacon.  He loved it with soy sauce. 

Have you ever heard that song by Tracy Lawrence called "Find Out Who Your Friends Are"? (video)
That song describes my dad to a tee!  I can't begin to tell you the number of times he jumped in his truck to go rescue someone on the side of the road or to help someone get into their car after locking their keys inside.  He was the guy to call because people knew that he would not hesitate to help out.  He also volunteered much time in helping people learn about the Bible and on building projects like the Orangeburg Assembly Hall.  He was the Food Overseer and was known far and wide for the fun and laughter he brought to anything he was involved in.

Papaw and his favorite grandson

I miss my dad.  I firmly believe in the Bible's promise that the dead will live again, right here on this earth, and that death will be no more. (John 5:28,29; Revelation 21:3,4)   I do.  That's what keeps me going.  But it still hurts.  I still think about all that he is missing now.  9 grandkids, 6 of which he saw almost daily, are growing a little each day and he is missing it.  His "favorite", as in only, grandson grew 6 inches in the past year.  He's starting to become a man and Papaw is missing it!  He would be so proud of all of them.  

There were so many times in the past year when I wished I could have just one minute with my dad.  Or a DeLorean.  Wasn't that what the car in "Back to the Future" was called?  If I could just go back and tell him not to take that road.  If only someone had distracted him for 5 minutes or not distracted him.  Any little variance in the events of that day and my dad would be here.  It is truly as the Bible says, "Time and unforeseen occurrence befall us all." (Ecclesiastes 9:11)  We definitely did not foresee this happening.  Quite frankly, on the road is the last way I would have envisioned losing my dad.  He was a professional driver.  He had even driven straight through to California from the east coast at one point.  He'd been hauling trailers since he was a teenager working on the carnival.  That he would die in a car accident, unfathomable.  Yet, it happened and we can't go back, we can't have a minute and we can't change anything that happened that day.

I have lived in a bubble the past year.  I did okay at first.  I think the shock kind of envelops and protects you for a while.  Then I just lost interest in life.  Not in living, I wasn't suicidal or anything.  I just didn't care whether I was part of my life or not.  It was easier to bury my head in a book and read about other people's lives than to live my own.  I guess that is a form of depression.  I wasn't sad or crying all the time.  I just didn't have any motivation to do anything.  Couple this with serious health problems and it just leads to a lot of time in bed and a messy house!  My husband was quite patient through it all though he had his moments.  My kids were really a big help, more than they know.  And my mom, she has been the glue that has held us all together.  She, who lost her husband of 39 years.  I know she's had it worst of all but she keeps moving forward, keeps busy and keeps focused on the Bible's hope for the future.

Anyways, I'm back.  We had our district convention this past weekend.  It was another milestone in a year of milestones.  First convention without dad with the 1 year anniversary of his death just 4 days later.  The convention was so upbuilding though and the drama Friday was our life this past year.  It really helped me to refocus and I came back feeling like a weight I didn't even know I'd been carrying had been lifted off my shoulders.

One year.  It took me a whole year to get here.  I'm sure to have days now and again but I feel like I've turned a corner.  With the continued support of my family and lots of prayer, things will only continue to get better.  We'll be giving Dad/Papaw hugs and kisses before we know it!  We'll look back at these dark days and be happy that we made it through to enjoy the wonderful blessings Jehovah had in store for us!
 

If you would like to learn more about the Bible's hope for the dead, click here: www.jw.org