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How many times have you heard that as a mom? 

Usually the first sign of illness is a sore, scratchy, sometimes hoarse throat. It’s that uh-oh moment that tells you that you had better build up your immune system quickly if you want to stay well.

There’s a joke in my house that if anyone sneezes, they had better run because mom will be coming after them with some remedy or another. 

One of my favorite ways to soothe a sore throat is DIY Sore Throat Tea. It combines warming, soothing herbs to help ease sore throat pain. This blend is great for kids and adults, but leave out the sage and licorice root if you’re pregnant or nursing. This tea is best taken warm or as hot as one can stand, to really soothe the throat.

Here’s what herbs you’ll need. I get the Frontier brand or purchase from Mountain Rose Herbs.

• Cinnamon Chips – Used in this blend for its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Marshmallow Root – Very soothing, especially to dry, scratchy throats. 
• Sage Leaf – Traditionally used as a throat soother (don’t use while nursing)
• Wild Cherry Bark – Helps soothe cough and cold symptoms.
• Licorice Root – Has antibacterial and antiviral properties, and is also very soothing to the throat (not to be used during pregnancy or while nursing.
• Calendula Flowers – Can help reduce inflammation and calm a cough. 
• You can even throw a little Ginger Root in if you’d like for additional relief.

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Blend all herbs together in a bowl and transfer to a glass jar with a lid for storage.

Mix 1-2 tsp herb blend per 1 cup hot water.
Allow to steep for 5-20 minutes.
Drink as-is, or sweeten with a small amount of raw honey or stevia.

Not to be consumed by pregnancy or lactating mothers.

​So the next time you or your child has a sore throat, have a batch of this prepared and ready to go! My kids ask for it now so I make sure to always have some on-hand!

Don’t want to make it yourself. Purchase it already blended at my 90210 Organics’ Store. 
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Many women overeat because they are stressed out or emotional about something going on in their lives. They find comfort in food and eat even when they are not really hungry. Usually their food choices are sugars and carbs which causes weight gain. This can lead to even more stress which leads to more emotional eating…it’s a vicious cycle!

Herbs can help nourish the body and bring harmony.  They can aid digestion and elimination, help balance hormones, relieve stressed organs, and gently detox the body. 
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The herbs chosen for this particular blend are:
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• Nettle – My number one herb for nourishing the body with bioavailable vitamins and minerals.
• Chickweed – A common, little weed that can do big things! Great for aiding weight loss, nourishing, and anti-inflammatory. 
• Dandelion Leaf – Another common weed that most people use weed killer on. Nourishing, bitter herb that aids digestion. Great for detoxing the liver. 
• Ashwagandha Root – An Ayurvedic, adaptogenic herb which means it is very soothing to the nervous system. Helps calm the adrenals and relieve stress. 
• Shatavari Root – Another Ayurvedic, adaptogenic herb that relaxes the nervous system which can encouraging healing of stressed, hormone producing organs, like the adrenal glands. 
• Marshmallow Root – Soothing to the entire digestive tract, from the throat through elimination. 
• Slippery Elm Bark – As slippery as its name implies. Helps digestion and elimination, and also soothes.
• Sweet Cinnamon Chips – Adaptogenic in nature, and works as a catalyst between other herbs.
• Orange Peel – Another catalyst herbs that bring synergy to the blend as well as flavor and essential vitamins like C. 
• Fennel Seed – Wonderful digestive aid. Relieves gas and bloating, as well as stomach inflammation. 
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While this blend is gentle enough to drink daily, it’s best used as a 21-30 day detox type tea. Drink 1-4 cups daily while cutting back on sugar and refined carbs (like bread, muffins, cakes, etc.).
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All of these herbs are also available at Mountain Rose Herbs or the Bulk Herb Store.

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links won’t cost you anything and purchases made through them simply provide me with a small commission. This helps me keep my blog up and running. Thank you for your support! I appreciate it very much!

Disclaimer: I am an herbalist but I am not a medical doctor or nurse. The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Information presented here is not intended to be construed as medical advice or to prevent, treat, or cure any disease. Please check with your health care provider if you are taking any prescription medication. I am not responsible for misuse of herbs by consumer. Drinking this tea is not a guarantee of weight loss. Individual results may vary.  

Self-Care is important for health and stress management. When we practice it, we take care of our emotional, mental, and physical health. But with everything we do every day, it’s something we too often overlook.

Summer is the perfect time to do something for yourself that benefits you. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. Take care of yourself.  You deserve it!

One simple yet rewarding way to do just that is by taking care of your lips. The best treatment for soft lips is an all-natural lip scrub. I have a recipe for a DIY organic honey lip scrub that you can whip up in minutes and will leave your lips feeling oh so soft again.
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For one, they allow cosmetics to adhere longer and go on more smoothly. When you use a lip scrub regularly, your lipsticks and liner will last longer and be more effective.
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Also, regularly scrubbing your lips will help them retain moisture longer and prevent dry, cracked lips. How? When you use a scrub, you exfoliate the dead, dull and lifeless skin from your lips and bring out new skin cells, leaving you with smooth and soft lips.
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You want a scrub that contains both moisturizing and exfoliating agents. I’m a huge fan of all natural products, so my recipe uses inexpensive organic ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

It’s best to use a lip scrub once a week or every other week year-round and once or twice a week in the winter. It only takes minutes to whip together a small batch, so the whole thing is a very low maintenance way of pampering yourself.
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The ideal time to use the scrub is just after getting out of the shower while your lips are still soft.
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Honey and coconut oil provide the moisturizing aspect. If you don’t have coconut oil on hand, you can substitute with almond oil or extra virgin olive oil. As you mix the ingredients, make sure to saturate the sugar well with the oil.

The skin on your lips is thin and can be sensitive, so although you can essentially use any sugar for a scrub, I recommend a fine grain sugar like brown or cane sugar. Alternatively, you can grind down the sugar crystals until they’re less coarse for a finer textured scrub. A quick way to do this is to use a coffee grinder.

Although it’s not necessary, you can add lavender essential oil or any other oil of your preference. Lavender essential oil, in particular, helps promote healthy skin and adds a lovely scent to your scrub. I get my essential oils here.
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It will keep well in an air-tight container such as a glass jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. Label the jar with a date so you can keep track of how long you’ve had it. Take it out 15-30 minutes before use to allow it to soften.
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Prep Time: 3 Minutes
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​by Chaya @ Pantry Paratus

This is a powerhouse of a tea to perk you up and calm your digestion at the same time, it is almost as effective as the teas from lumitea skinny and it tasted very good! Build your immune system and fight inflammation in the most delicious way—tea!

I had to wrestle my cup back from the 8 year old, but he didn’t save any for me. Between the flavor he enjoys and health benefits he so desperately needs—I couldn’t be upset! Now, if he (or I) had any medical complications or were taking medicine, we’d consult our health professional before making this a part of our routine. Please do the same, as herbs are strong enough to interact with medications (especially in the case of diabetes and hormonal medications).​
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The anti-inflammatory compound found within ginger is so notable, it’s even named after it—“gingerol”—that is often suggested by physicians (such as these naturopathic oncologists) to those suffering from inflammation.

Ginger has another fascinating quality that leads to sweating out bacteria! This is one of those weird-cool factoids that you can use to your advantage: Dermcidin is produced in your sweat glands and its job is to push out bacteria, fungus (including Candida Albicans) and many other illness-inducing attackers. While your sweat glands produce Dermcidin, you can find it as a natural component in ginger! This means that it’s a purifier and probably the most natural way to detoxify your system. This detoxification property is what gives ginger tea a “warming” sensation.

Everyone knows the whole ginger-for-upset-tummy factor. I passionately hated ginger until morning sickness overwhelmed me. I would carry around a bottle of the essential oil to waft under my nose every time a smell overcame me; I’ve enjoyed it ever since. Other smell you can enjoy is the lumitea skinny tea at any hour.

Best known for its anti-nausea properties, doctors encourage patients to take ginger after surgery, after chemotherapy, for motion sickness, and other digestive problems. Just remember that there is a limit on how much of a good thing is good. There can be contraindications for overdoing it.
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Dandelion Root is easily found in your health food store, but believe it or not, I actually dig my own up! Some people see them as weeds, I see them as an extension of my herb garden.
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Dandelion Root runs about $20 a pound, but you only need a few ounces so you can choose which source (purchasing it or digging up your own roots) works best for you. I figure that I’m lowering my overall population, give the impression to my neighbors I actually care, and nourishing my family at the same time.

Everything about the dandelion is medicinal; and if you’re a geek like myself, you’ll find it interesting that the real name for dandelion is Taraxacum officinale…”Disorder” and “Remedy” in Greek. The flowers are very high in vitamins; the dandelion greens are too, but you have to harvest early in the season or they are way too bitter.

Several Native American tribes called it the “Spice Flower” because of its use to flavor drinks, and there are several coffee substitutes on the market made from it.

Along with delivering vitamins A, B, C, and D, you’ll get a healthy dose of iron, potassium, and zinc, too. Like ginger, dandelion root is anti-inflammatory and also alleviates many digestive problems, including gall bladder and liver trouble.
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Herbalists use the root to detoxify both the liver and gall bladder, and for overall improvement of the immune system. It is used to alleviate water retention (it’s a diuretic) and works as a laxative if your quantity is large enough of it, so please be modest. Don’t make a whole pitcher of this as iced tea for hot summer days, or anything!
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We’re carrying on the anti-inflammatory trend by adding some cloves, which are also excellent to help with digestion, among other things!
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v Not all cinnamon is created equal; in fact, not all cinnamon is even cinnamon! Ceylon cinnamon (“true cinnamon”) is my favorite, although all cinnamon will give you some of that great anti-inflammatory assistance you obviously need, if you’re still reading this far into the blog! You’re also getting some more anti-oxidants to help, which is probably why it’s also shown to protect against cancer. Bacterial and viral infections both hate cinnamon—so if you’re having digestive problems, this addition to the tea just might be the final one-two punch that you need to deliver to whatever is ailing you!

Cinnamon sticks are just comforting to me, anyway. It feels elegant and indulgent in some ways to me, and reminds me of holidays, too. I let them dry out and re-use them numerous times, so I find that they’re quite cost effective for me in the end when I’m getting them from Pantry Paratus in bulk.
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​Always add honey. Just do. Antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and perhaps nature’s most perfect food, honey also evens out the slightly bitter tone to this healing tea and, depending on how heavy your hand, will make it perfectly sweet.

I wondered when you’d ask. Well, I’m biased. So I asked my 8 year old to take a sip. He downed it. “I like it!” But then again, my kids are really quite used to herbal tea. And if yours aren’t, you can typically get them there going the Bubble Tea route!
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The amounts given in this recipe make a fairly light tea. If you want to drink more in volume than a traditional teacup (going for the “Go-Big-or-Go-Home” morning coffee cup), then you will want to double it.
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• 1 “stick” dried dandelion root, dehydrated & broken (approx. 1 tsp)
• 1 oz dried ginger or ½ oz fresh ginger
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 Tbs Raw Honey

Steep in boiling water for up to 2 minutes; remove your tea ball, but keep the cinnamon stick in there if you’re feeling fancy!

I am excited to present this “looking forward to summer” post from Recipes to Nourish’s Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri!

Did you grow up drinking the non-alcohoic Shirley Temple or Roy Rogers? I did. If you’re not familiar with them, traditionally the Shirley Temple is made with ginger ale and the Roy Rogers is made with cola. Both have a splash of sugary grenadine syrup and maraschino cherries.  

As a kid I LOVED getting to the bottom of the drink so I could devour the maraschino cherries {more than one, because I always asked for extra}. Such a fun little extra special treat just waiting for you at the end of the drink. 
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Soda, maraschino cherries and food dyed sugary syrups are not for me anymore though. These are not things that I would feel comfortable serving my family. 
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They’re perfect for every day drinks and wonderful for special occasions like spring parties, Easter celebrations, birthdays, baby showers, weddings, dinner parties + more. Kids love them too!

you can really make them however you’d like. All you need is the basics – water {or herbal tea, coconut water, maple water, etc.}, fresh organic berries or other fruit, fresh herbs, and some fun ice cube trays. I love using these perfect square cube trays and these are large sphere cubes are fun too. 
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You Will Need: Ice Cube Trays
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Natural electrolyte drinks are perfect for hydrating and replenishing the body. Usually my go-to is homemade strawberry Switchel, but I don’t always have the time to wait overnight for it to be ready.

​We all get depleted at some point. I know mamas out there can relate to this. Really, everyone gets stressed from time to time. Our culture does not focus on self care enough and often that means we run ourselves into the ground.

Lack of sleep, stress, poor diet, intense exercise, not knowing how to say “no” to overdoing it on YourEllipticals and on and on all can end up leading to weakened immune system and mineral depletion.

When these times come up it’s so important to take care of yourself and help your body by replenishing and nourishing it.
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There’s really no need to load your body up with those ingredients when it’s so easy to make your own, healthier DIY Natural Electrolyte Drink. 
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I also recommend to check https://www.greendivamom.com/ where you will find plenty of reason why it is beneficial to go green.

• Yield: About 4 cups
• Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
• Stevia is a great alternative to sugars, but if you would prefer to use something else, I would recommend using 1-2 tablespoons of raw honey or organic maple syrup.
• I use *Taste Nirvana coconut water. I prefer this brand to others for several reasons: 1) I can buy it in glass bottles, 2) It’s organic and harvested from young coconuts even though it’s not labeled as organic, 3) It tastes so much better than other brands in my opinion and 4) It’s considered one of the healthiest coconut water brands. For more info on how to find the healthiest coconut water brands and avoid the worst, read here.
• You can replace the coconut water with filtered water if you don’t care for the taste of coconut water.
• If you have a little one who is not open to sipping on this all day, try freezing the mixture in popsicle molds instead.
• This drink is not intended for babies under 1 year of age due to the citrus.