Nourish Your Soul - Feed Your Body Night

It was a great night with YUMMY crockpot creations and sweets!!  We also had an uplifting discussion led by Jen Denning on 21 Days to Get Closer to Christ and a very informative discussion led by Lisa Hawks on natural remedies for what ails you.  I am including some of the notes from last night.   Click on the RECIPES tab on top for the recipes from last night.  I will post those as I receive them.

 Natural Remedies for common ailments that are found this time of year.

1.     Symptoms of the common Cold:
a.    Sinus congestion:
i.    At the first sign of congestion, place hot, wet towels over whole, upper face, as hot as you can stand.  Keep applying them for 15 minutes as they cool, or place a hot rice/corn bag over towels.  Repeat 3-4 x/day.
ii.    thyme, pine, lavender and clove essential oils (2-3 drops of each) in about 2 T. coconut oil—rub on sinuses, above and below eyes, making sure to not get IN your eyes.
iii.    eucaplyptus essential oil (4-5drops) into hot water. Cover head  with towel , lean over pot and breathe in the steam.  Also good for cough; it helps to loosen mucus, soothe the lining of the bronchials and encourage healing.
iv.    Neti pot—thins mucus and flushes it from the sinuses
v.    Avoid dairy products and sugar—diary contains casein, which promotes production of mucus and sugar suppresses your immune system.
b.    Head and chest congestion:
i.    Garlic Lemonade.  Garlic is anti-viral and anti-bacterial.  Strengthens your immune system.  You can eat 2 raw cloves of garlic/day, or drink this tea.  Bring 2 quarts of water, 8-10 cloves of peeled, whole garlic cloves and one chunk of peeled, raw ginger to a boil.  Cover and simmer for 2 hours.  Strain, add juice of one lemon and honey to taste (about 1-2 T. per quart of water).  Lemon is cleansing; honey is anti-bacterial and soothing to raw throat. Ginger is warming, improves your circulation and soothes an upset stomach.
c.    Umcka Cold Care-- Umcka is made from the roots of a South African plant used in traditional Zulu medicine to treat coughs and respiratory ailments. Unlike other remedies that simply mask symptoms, Umcka speeds recovery time.  Doctor recommendation and high user satisfaction make it a leading European medicine.
d.    Esberitox:  Contains two types of echinacea, plus a blend of immune-enhancing herbs to boost your natural defenses.  Thuja and white cedar push out things that don’t belong.  Start taking the moment you feel imbalanced.
e.    Drink fluids and get lots of rest.  High doses of Vitamin C (up to 5000 mg. /day) and zinc lozenges also good.  Avoid Zicam-- could cause loss of smell.
f.    Sore Throat:
i.    Gargle with ½-n-1/2 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water 4x/day.  Warm Saline water gargle also works well to kill germs and soothe throat.
ii.    Slippery elm lozenges.  It restores normal mucosal lining on irritated tissue.

2.     Flu
a.    Oscillococcinum:  (o-sill-o-cox-see-num)  Homeopathic medicines are therapeutically active micro-doses of mineral, botanical and biological substances.  It has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce both the duration and the severity of flu-like symptoms.  It helps with Body Aches Headaches Fever Chills Fatigue.   MUST START AT FIRST SYMPTOM.
b.    Elderberry extract (Sambucol is the most studied)  It has an unknown mechanism of action, but research suggests it inactivates the flu virus.
c.    Stomach issues:
i.    Ginger for nausea, motion sickness.  Capsules, tea or chews if on the road.
ii.    Peppermint tea soothes stomach upset.  Steep in a covered pot so you don’t lose volatile components.
iii.    For lower GI pain, enteric coated peppermint pills make it all the way there where the oils can soothe irritation.
d.    Headaches:
i.    For tension, which usually begins early pm, manifests with pain in neck and the back of the head.  Muscles in neck and shoulders are sore and tight.  Take some time to relax.  Avoid caffeine—it increases muscle tension and anxiety.  Get a neck and shoulder rub with birch essential oil.  It is helpful in reducing pains of joints, muscles from shoveling snow, etc. It is also anti spasmodic and relieves cramps.  It contains component similar to aspirin, so avoid if on blood pressure meds, pregnant or have seizures.
ii.    Sinus headache—peppermint and lavender essential oils in carrier oil rubbed on sinuses, around eyes not in.

3.     Diarrhea:  is simply the body’s way of trying to throw off some toxin or pathogen before they can produce even more serious complications. If it does its job and the bowels return to normal function, then we can be thankful. But too often the diarrhea does not shut off and brings the body to the point of severe dehydration and loss of essential electrolytes.
a.    Activated charcoal acts like a sponge to absorb the fluids and give form back to bowel movements.  Wait an hour before taking other drugs—it can absorb them as well and make them less effective.
b.    Probiotics:  increase the number of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. They can help to keep the digestive system in balance and functioning optimally, restore normal flora, and may support immune system function, especially when a person is taking antibiotics, which can wipe out intestinal bacteria indiscriminately, including those that help keep the intestinal tract healthy.  Without adequate normal flora, the immune system can't work properly, lessening resistance to infection.  (yeast infection=imbalance in good/bad bacteria in gut)  Look for CFUs in the billions.  Take before bed.

4.     Dry skin:
a.    Coconut oil: Claims against heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, cancer, etc.  I like it for skin care and cooking.  Coconut oil is a safe solution for preventing dryness, flaking, sagging and aging of skin. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections.  Leave- in treatment for dry scalp (1 T. overnight).  Also works well as a personal lubricant and massage oil, for diaper rash and cradle cap.
b.    Most oils oxidize when heated.  Coconut oil does not, so it can be used at higher temps.  Can be subbed for oils in baking as well and because of its sweeter flavor, sugars can often be decreased.  Buy Virgin or expeller-pressed  and organic to avoid chemicals.
c.    Cracked heels:
i.    Essential oils of peppermint for omega-3 fatty acids, lavender for promotion of healing and eucalyptus for any bacteria or viruses-- mix in coconut oil or shortening, apply and wear socks for overnight.
d.    Fish oils and evening primrose or flaxseed oils provide fatty acids to help alleviate dry skin.  Best if taken before bed.

5.     Earache:
a.    Garlic oil.  Steep 3 crushed garlic cloves in ¼ cup olive oil for 3 days at room temp.  Strain and keep in fridge.  Warm jar in a cup of hot water  then put a few drops in ear while lying down, wait for 5 min. then plug w/cotton.  Repeat every other night for up to two weeks.
6.     If you get frequent viral or bacterial infections, strengthen your immune system.
a.    Improve your diet—follow the word of wisdom.  Avoid sugars and simple carbs.  Fill your diet with fruits and vegetables and whole grains and limit your intake of animal fats and proteins.
b.    Get enough rest and drink enough fluids
c.    Medicinal mushrooms.  Can add Asian mushrooms to your diet or take a supplement (Immuno-DMG by FoodScience of Vermont.
d.    Astragalus—a Chinese herb that is a tonic to your organs and helps your body fight colds and flus.  It is the root of a plant in the pea family long used in China to prevent illness and strengthen sick people. You can get slices of dried astragalus root at Chinese groceries and some health-food stores. Simmer the slices in tea or soups (they'll add a pleasant sweet taste). Or, buy extracts of astragalus in liquid, capsule or tablet form. Follow the dosing directions on the package. This herb is nontoxic and can be used long-term to increase resistance.

Lisa said,  "I remembered this morning that I have a permanent coupon code for iherb.com for any first-time buyer from their site.  So, if you decide to order anything we talked about last night from them, the code to be used at checkout is SOC889.  It's not much, but it will give you a little bit off your purchase, which helps!"

21 Days Closer to Christ


 1)    Come...Read the account of the fishermen in Mark 1 : 16-18 and in John 1: 38-39.
a)    Determine what fills your nets.  Are everyday challenges such as time constraints, demands from work or home, or feelings of inadequacy or fear holding you back from developing a relationship with Christ?
b)    Today try to listen for the quiet invitations from the Lord to come and see!

2)    Covenant...Read the account of the Last Supper in John 13:4-15.
a)    As you go through this day, find ways that you can bring honor to Christ's name by letting the walk of your life exemplify Him.  On this day, try to remember Him always.
b)    This twenty-one-day journey will introduce different names of the Savior.  Every chapter contains one name that relates to a scripture story or gospel principle.  Take a moment each day to reflect on how each name describes a way that He blesses your life

3)    Keep...Read 2 Nephi 25:21-26.
a)    Do you have a written copy of your testimony of Christ?  Take time to write one today.  You might want to include your belief in Him, your gratitude for Him, or an experience that has strengthened your testimony of Him.
b)    Obtain and keep a journal of your journey, recording the treasures and discoveries that come to you as you follow this path.

4)    Search...Read the account of Jairus in Matthew 9:18-26.
a)    Think back on a time in your life when you had to search for the savior to find strength beyond your own.  Try to remember the process you went through in that search.  Was it scripture study, more meaningful prayers, or another avenue that led you to Christ?

5)    Discover...Read the account of the Samaritan woman in John 4:1-42.
a)    Prepare to receive a simple learning moment, a "pearl in the field," as you go through your day.  Let your search be constant. Try to discover, "in every hour," some heavenly blessing that will bring your closer to Christ.  A treasure--God's gold.

6)    Hope...Read the story of the Blind man found in John 9:1-38.
a)    Attempt to analyze through different eyes a situation that has been troubling you.  Pray that the savior will tough your eyes so that you will see what you need to do differently.
b)    Now take some time to write down some of the good things that have come to your through Christ.  how does recognizing these blessings bring your hope?

7)    Pray...Learn to recognize the steady rhythm of the One who accompanies you along the race by reading Moroni 7:26.
a)    Ponder the five characteristics of prayer given in this verse.  How will remembering these make your prayers more meaningful?  Choose one step that you would like to focus on.
b)    As you kneel to pray tonight, thank your Heavenly Father for His Son, Jesus Christ.  Share with Him the reasons why you are grateful for the Savior.  Let Him know what your knowledge of Christ means to you.

8)    Listen...Read the parable of the Good Shepherd in John 10:1-18.
a)    Think about how you have learned to recognize the voice of the Shepherd.  How has His "voice" come to your?  make a list of the moments when you have heard that voice and have heeded the call.  Some ideas may include going to the temple, visiting someone in need, attending church, studying the scriptures, preparing a lesson, praying with a special purpose, or listening to the prophet.   Find one way to "hear" His voice today.

9)    Follow...Read the account of King Benjamin's address in Mosiah 2 and focus on verses 5-6.
a)    What counsel do you remember most from the last general conference?  Write down counsel given and place it somewhere that you will see it often. How can following that counsel strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ?  What is one way you can apply inspired counsel to your life today?

10)    Stand...Read Luke 22:31-32
a)    When you see the battle raging, where do you see yourself in the fight?  Consider your church calling, your role as a parent, or your role as a friend.  Do you give some, or do you give all?  Find one way that you can strengthen someone today.

11)    Focus...Read the account of Peter's focus on Christ in Matthew 14:22-23 and John 21:1-19.
a)    Today, remember to focus on Christ.  Allow Him to become part of your conversations, your celebrations, your teaching moments, and your thoughts.  Long to be near Him.

12)    Change...Read the account of the lepers in Luke 17:11-19.
a)    Identify a change that you would like to make in your own life.  It could be something amiss in your family, your work, your relationships, or an individual weakness.  Write down a plan that will enable you to make that change.  Approach the Lord in prayer and ask for His help.

13)    Reflect...Read Isaiah 50:10-11.
a)    Write down some ways that you have been able to turn to the Lord for direction and support.  Write down some of the ways you have learned to trust Him.  Today find one way to share your testimony of these two principles with someone who is struggling.

14)    Do your Best....Read the Story of Martha found in Luke 10:38-42.
a)    Remember who you are.  What are you best at?  What gift can your offer?  How can that gift bring more joy to the people around you?  Choose to give the better part today. Find one way that you can use your gift to serve someone else's needs.

15)    Be Still...Read the story of Zacchaeus found in Luke 19:1-6.
a)    First, find your sycamore tree, or the quiet place you can go to focus on the Lord.  Second, make haste and invite the Lord into your home. How will you prepare to receive Him?

16)    Develop Faith...Read the account of the pleading father in Mark 9:17-27.
a)    Take time to identify and write down an area in which you feel you are not enough. This could be physical, temporal, spiritual or emotional.  Take it to the Lord.  Plead your case in prayer.  Don't be afraid to acknowledge your weakness and ask for greater faith.  then be still and listen to the promptings that will come.

17)    Give All...Read the account of the rich young man in Mark 10:17-22 and the widow's mite in Mark 12:41-44.
a)    Think of someone you know who has given all in service to the Lord.  What lesson can you lean from that person?  Commit today to give all you have in your service to the Lord.  What changes will this require in your daily routine?

18)    Understand Grace...Read Ether 12 and look for the blessings.
a)    Remember, grace comes after all you can do.  Take time today to analyze a trying situation in your life.  After you have done all that you can do, place it at the feet of the Lord.  Keep a written record of the greater things and the unspeakable gifts that will come as he leads you to the promise.

19)    Seek...Read the account of Mary Magdalene in John 20:1-18.
a)    Examine your life.  What is your greatest need?  Sometime today find a way to seek the Lord.  Find in Christ the answers you long for.  Dare to reach a new level of understanding.

20)    Abide...Read the account of the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus, found in Luke 24:13-32.
a)    Learn to use the scriptures to receive personal revelation from the Lord.  Take some time to find a scripture that speaks to you.  Let His Spirit abide in your heart by reflecting on that scripture throughout the day.

21)    Remember...Read the story of Joshua and the crossing of the river Jordan in Joshua 3 & 4.
a)    Either figuratively or literally, gather twelve stones.  Assign each stone to represent a blessing that you have recognized in your journey toward Christ.  Share these blessings with your family.

















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