Joyfull Living

Cold and Flu season is coming up fast!  Now is the time to be prepared instead of waiting until sickness strikes. I recently made up a batch of honey garlic.  We try this time of year to incorporate more garlic into our diet due to it's wonderful benefits. It is sprinkled on salads, mixed with butter and parsley for a spread, added while cooking to a variety of food dishes.  But sometimes it helps to get a good dose in to ward off an oncoming illness. Garlic is a powerful immune-booster. It is very effective against  bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Honey also has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties, so when you combine the two, you’ve got a great aid to help you fight sore throats, colds or the flu.  When infused in honey, raw garlic becomes far more palatable.   At the first sign of a sore throat (or a cold or the flu), we are ready to start popping honey infused garlic.  One clove a few times a day is an effect...

On a recent morning the sounds of a son waking up with congestion filled the room.  Some over the counter allergy medicine was given but the symptoms continued. Several days later he tells me how a cold was passed on between about 5 of his friends.  Then his dad felt a cold coming on and I knew what this meant, the beginning of cold season.  We better get ready to fight! I love using natural ingredients to build up our immune systems which equips our body to naturally fight off infections. Some powerful ingredients are Lemon, Ginger and Honey.  I put them all together for a powerful immune boosting concoction, ready to be sipped like tea when needed.  Lemon : High in vitamin C, which keeps the immune system strong and neutralizes the free radicals in your body. This reduced the inflammation and swelling. Ginger: Helps you sweat out the toxins in your body, which is helpful when you have a cold or flu. Ginger is also helpful for settling upset stom...

In the middle of two weeks of school Christmas break linked to a week of vacation for sweet hubby and I, with lots of family time spent together, someone came down with a cold!  As in any generous family, it was shared.  Thankfully it wasn't the flu and didn't put us down and out, but complaints about sore throats and congestion were sounded.   A dose of over the counter medication cleared up our son's nose, but totally knocked him out. It was ok at bedtime, but would greatly interfere with daily activities.  As soon as hubby started having symptoms, natural mama here jumped in with some proactive natural remedies! Essential oils rubbed on throat - Thieves and Breathe blends to fight germs and clear nose, then a batch of elderberry syrup to build up the immune system to help it do it's job.  Elderberries naturally contain A, B, and C and stimulate the immune system.  Click HERE to read about some of the powerful benefits of elderberries....

“Everything good is found in ginger,” states an old Indian proverb. Along with its delicious flavor, ginger is one of the healthiest spices in the world. Originally from Asia, ginger has been used for its medicinal purposes for nearly 2,000 years by various cultures.  I've been adding it a bit more into our diet.  Here are some of the benefits it has. 1. Relieves Stress The aroma of ginger tea is both warm and relaxing, which may ease emotional tension, soothe nerves and provide you with the perfect moment of peace amidst your busy day. 2. Eases Nausea Nothing settles an upset stomach like a mug of ginger tea. Drink after the onset of nausea to relieve the symptom, or think ahead. Sip some tea before you travel or fly to combat motion sickness before it starts! 3. Aids Digestion In addition to relieving nausea, ginger tea is renowned for aiding in food absorption during digestion. A cup of tea after a meal can also help prevent bloating and heartbu...

Ginger is one of those spices that bring out the warmth of flavor especially in our fall recipes. But there is a lot more to ginger than a good taste! Ginger is actually an herb. The rhizome (underground stem) is used as a spice and also as a medicine. It can be used fresh, dried and powdered, or as a juice or oil. Ginger is commonly used to treat various types of “stomach problems,” including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery, as well as loss of appetite. Other uses include pain relief from arthritis or muscle soreness, menstrual pain, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis. Ginger helps heal the gut, and protects it too. Ginger is considered a “warming herb” – which increases circulation and can help raise your body temperature. Ginger can destroy viruses and can be used to heal burns. Ginger can be taken in powder form...

Ginger is one of those spices that never got used much in my kitchen cabinet.  When a recipe called for it, I would sprinkle a dash of powdered ginger in, but that was the extent of my ginger use! Currently, I'm taking a deeper look at fresh herbs and spices and the benefits of ginger caught my attention.    Below is a list of the healing properties of ginger and how it can be used to benefit one's health: Ginger has a warming and invigorating effect on the body. It can boost poor circulation, particularly in the hands and feet. Ginger can relieve the pain of arthritic and rheumatic joints, as well as sports related muscle injuries. A ginger tea will promote sweating and lower a high temperature and relieve flu symptoms. Ginger tea can help to clear up congestion, catarrh and chest infections such as bronchitis.   Ginger prevents motion sickness such as when travelling by car, coach or boat. It can also stop nausea and vomiting. Ginger can relieve indiges...