What This Mama Bear Does To Keep Her Cubs Healthy In An Unhealthy World

 Let's be real, honest....the world today isn't like back when our grandparents grew up. Quite frankly, it's gotten pretty unhealthy with fast food places on every corner and everybody's running around like chickens with their heads cut off, taking on too much and not knowing how to say No. 

  Slow down ya'll. Breathe. Live more simple.

  My story into natural health started about eleven or so years ago, once I was mature enough to take matters into my own hands. Thanks to the internet and my local Health Food stores, I started learning a vast amount of holistic wisdom.
  What drove my passion, is I had gotten mono/EBV at the age of twelve (worse case my doc of 20+ years had ever seen!) and six months later wasn't an ounce better. Got diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and basically that was that. Along with finding out I had sky high levels of mercury and lead and low thyroid! (got my 5 mercury fillings out which helped tremedously! and I had wore a store bought brand of lipstick that I wore daily for about three years, which found out had lots of lead in it!!) But I knew I couldn't live like that. With a lot of prayer over the years, I know I was lead into Natural Health and am beyond grateful for it. I started diving in deep and learning everything I could, because I was going to get better! Over time, I did. Why? Because I educated myself and no conventional Doc was going to help me except try to give me prescription drugs. Um no. 

 
  So fast forward to April 21st 2012 when I became a Natural Wifey to a wonderful hard working man 💙 and then in May 2014 I became a Natural Mama Bear 👶(after sadly going through one miscarriage)..... wow, how I changed once I became a Mama!! I don't say Mama Bear lightly lol. It was don't mess with me or my cubs type attitude!! Then in June 2017 we welcomed our second boy. I had all natural births, the first with a midwife in a free standing birth center, and the second at home, which was awesome! (another blog for the birth stories) But once I became a mama, I knew I had to do everything within my power to prevent my beautiful boys from going through what I had, but also just to stay as healthy as can be in such an unhealthy world. Mamahood sure brings on a lot of worries and anxieties, but especially being a natural mama in a not so natural world. So I wanted to share some things I have done to keep these cubs as healthy as I can!

1.  Breastfeeding...and especially long term. (first baby went to two years and seven months, and still nursing our second baby who is currently coming up on 15 months) Now I understand, not everyone can and I'm not shaming anyone, no way Jose! But please do your research and check into Organic formulas and/or homemade formulas like with goat/sheep or camel milk. (so many sensitive or allergic to dairy- if can tolerate, Raw or lightly pasteurized and non-homogenized is best)

2.  Making their first foods be full of nutrition and not just starting with the cereals and sugary fruits. My fav are avocados, bone broth, grass fed beef, organic veggies, then some organic fruits or a mixture of fruit and veggies. Also can add some super food Liver capsules into their foods as a great nutritional boost. (do your research but kiddos don't need the cereal y'all! Especially the high Arsenic levels in rice ugh) Also Organic!- to get away from those awful pesticides! Look up the Clean 15 list and Dirty Dozen on which ones are ok Non Organic to save money. 🍏🍓🍌🍍🍉

3.  Watching processed sugars, (be a detective, it has many names!) foods and absolutely NO artificial dyes which have totally been linked to ADHD/behavioral problems. 

4.  Giving much needed supplements such as Probiotics, Vit D, and Cod Liver oil (I use this) and getting plenty of Minerals, especially Magnesium.

5.  Get out in the sun for at least 20-30 min a day! Most today think the sun is scary for some reason and slather on way too much sunscreen. Y'all, this is one of our many problems today. Back in the day they were outside all day in the sun. Obviously watch getting burned but otherwise, the sun is your friend! 🌻🌲

6.  Play in the dirt. There is so much beneficial bacteria in the soil that boosts our immune systems. And don't freak out when they put some in their mouth (unless Buster is pooping all over the yard and the kiddos are playing in that area 😂)

7.  Using all natural cleaners. I personally like to make a lot of homemade stuff and add essential oils for added disinfectant properties. I clean most things with half white vinegar/half water and spray that on countertops, mirrors/windows or washing fruits and veggies. For dish soap I just use Seventh Generation. And for a cheaper "thieves" EO, can buy Plant Therapy "Germ Fighter". I also have made our homemade laundry soap with castile soap this one, washing soda, and Borax. I double it and make a huge 5 gallon bucket full. Saves a ton of money too! And please don't use those chemical laden dryer sheets ahhh! 

8. Using bleach free diapers. Seventh Generation, Target Up & Up brand are two good ones. Also using cloth baby wipes with a natural spray or unbleached and chemical free store bought such as Water Wipes. Better yet, try cloth diapers... I did for a while. Shoot, we even use bleach free Seventh Generation toilet paper and facial tissues!

9.  Using Fluoride Free toothpaste. It's best without Glycerin as well. I use this one and this one both are great and work awesome!

10.  Using an Air Purifer. We recently got Air Doctor and love it!! and can tell a major difference. Also love when you burn the bacon for example, it will, if set to, automatically come on when needed!

11.  Staying away from plastic! We love stainless steel cups! Pura and the Munchkin 360 stainless steel cups we personally use. As well as stainless steel trays and on the go containers. Also using and storing food in glass containers. BPA isn't good y'all, and even BPA free I question. 

12.  Lots of Smoothies!! Yum!! This is where Mama Bear really can hide the collagen protein powder (although virtually tasteless) and Kale and superfoods like Spirulina and Turmeric! I don't know how I'd do it without my Vitamix! 😊

13. Using Homeopathic meds and Natural Antibiotics. I love Boiron brand for homeopathic meds. From teething to upset tummy to even natural allergy relief. My fav natural antibiotics that I have used every single time with great success is: Oil of Oregano, Olive Leaf Extract, EO's (safest on kiddos is diluted on bottoms of feet), Raw Manuka Honey, Sovereign Silver, and have really loved all TriLight Health products. Our kiddos have NEVER been on conventional antibiotics. 🌿

14.  Being Dairy and Gluten Free. Both aren't like back in the day. Unless you're getting Raw milk, run. It's dead milk. Also Gluten they've basically shown everybody is sensitive to. Not to mention, the wheat nowadays isn't like it used to be. (just like our depleted soils ugh) Personally myself and my oldest boy have shown sensitive to dairy/casein, and he showed allergic as well. I have noticed such an improvement in my health since quitting both as well. 

15.  Running diffusers with Essential Oils to naturally kill bacteria, freshen the air, and uplift or calm moods. Personal favs are of course Lavender, Sweet Orange and Frankincense. 

16.  Drinking pure water! 💦 We use and love our Berkey. Also when buying any water, make sure glass, one of the best out there, and naturally has minerals, is Mountain Valley Spring water (from the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas-my "second" home by the way!)

17.  Eating quality meats only! 🐄🐓 Grass fed Beef. Free Range Organic Chicken. (arsenic is also hidden in conventional chicken from the feed ugh) Also there's some great Paleo/organic beef/turkey sticks (I buy these and these) for on the go/travel that we use a lot and love! 

18.  Using homemade hand sanitizers with aloe vera, alcohol, essential oils or so. So many recipes can google!! Stay away from store bought. Chocked full of chemicals. Keep in diaper bag/purse and use after the grocery store or wherever when out and about. 

19.  Using natural/organic baby wash and moisturizing with simple coconut oil, jojoba, avocado etc. Oh and don't over bathe btw, we're too "clean" today. (run from the mainstream baby wash brands, you know which ones I'm talking about....)

20. I know this is a major controversial topic, but personally we choose not to vaccinate. With the countless articles/research done over the years, and seeing harm done to even some friends and family members' children,  that's what we've chosen. All I ask, is that you please do your own research! I promise your eyes will be opened. Don't just trust everything your Doc says, ask to see all the ingredients that are in them, that is about to be inserted into your precious child. To each their own. Some don't vaccinate, some do just certain ones, and some give all the vaccines, but regardless, as parents we need to know what we're putting into our children. By the way, the CDC's website even shows what all is in vaccines. Educate. Educate. Educate. 

21.  Again I say, watch SUGAR!! It's basically crack y'all. Highly addictive. And once those babies get the taste for it, don't expect them to love their veggies......this is why people can't believe how my oldest is the one snacking on cucumbers, celery and sweet peppers! That's why 😀 

22. I'll go ahead and end here hehe....sure many many things my mama brain can't think of currently, but lastly, I just gotta add....LOVE! 💗Living in a stress free home, being in nature 🍃🌾🌷 and spending time together creating memories! Oh and LAUGH! 😂

  Are you going to do ALL these? Probably not. It's not about being perfect. It's about doing your best. And all the little things add up. 

  YOU GOT THIS! 

  Here's to healthier children in an unhealthy world!

  Be Blessed! 💕