Wintertime Indoor Fun

What's Your Herb?

I think that everyone (probably) has a "sister/brother" herb.  What I mean is this:  that there is an herb that was meant for your body.  Maybe it "speaks" to you in a way. 

I don't hear my herbs talking to me.  But I do feel a closeness/greater appreciation for a few herbs in particular.  Comfrey, yarrow, mint but my favorite by far is red raspberry leaf.

This is a wonderful woman's herb.  It tones the uterus, helps to regulate hormones, cleans your blood, is anti-viral and anti-bacterial, and prepares your body for a baby.  I have also read that it can help prevent miscarriage and prepare your body to get pregnant.  It gives menstrual support and also helps with menstrual cramps.  It gives the body much needed iron (in the assimilable form).  It also has a lot of calcium.  It tastes almost exactly like black tea.  This could be part of the reason that I love it SO MUCH.  Since joining the church I haven't had any tea, but once I tasted real raspberry leaf tea, I haven't gone back.  I drink about a quart a day during pregnancy.  And I try to drink a couple of quarts per week while not pregnant to support my milk supply but also just to give myself extra help.  This tea has also been said to help with stretch marks.  My boys drink this early on in life (about a year old) and love to drink this tea.  I think because it is stronger than other herbs (chamomile, etc) the other teas are even easier for them to like.  Please do not confuse raspberry leaf tea with raspberry zinger tea.  NOT the same thing. 

This is not just a woman's herb!  It can help regulate men's hormones.  You read that right!  It also helps during colds and flus.  When you are sick and don't want to eat, go on a raspberry tea "diet" and your cold (I believe) will be shortened dramatically.  Upset stomach?  Raspberry tea.  Canker sores?  Raspberry tea.  Morning Sickness?  Raspberry tea.  Diahrrea?  Raspberry tea.  Inflammation? Raspberry tea.

Do you see where I'm going with this?  This herb is so incredible.  I have read that it can help expel mucus in respiratory illnesses.  Help fevers, sore throats....it goes on and on!

To deny that herbs and flowers are only for food or for looks is denying what Heavenly Father and Mother have given us on this earth.  I DO believe that the Lord has given us what we need to heal ourselves on the Earth.  (Yes, I do think the medical establishment was inspired in some procedures)  I think on the whole,  the Earth can more than provide for the health of our families. 

Do you feel like you have an herb that seems to "call" to you?  One that you use more than others?  Why?  If you don't know, I suggest praying.  Each time I need to use an herb, prayer seems to help me decide if I am choosing the correct herb.  And, hopefully this is obvious, I always re-read uses of the herbs before using them. 

Eating at Snack Time

Please excuse the hair.

 

Christmas Traditions

Now that Rico understands a little more we are trying to create some traditions that stick.  We have been reading the scriptures and going over the nativity almost every day.  We get out our little nativity scene to hopefully give him a mental picture.  (Our nativity scene is one that J got while on his mission in Guatemala.  All the pieces are VERY bright but I love that we can see Guatemalan culture in them)

We are singing Christmas songs nearly every day, playing Christmas music.  Rico loves to go look at the lights and Deddy loves to stare out the window.  I love how lights glisten!

We do three Christmas' per year.  One with my mom and step-dad, one with my dad and step-mom and one with J's family.  With his family we do Bingo on Christmas Eve and buy funny gifts for each other. Then on Christmas day we have a wonderful dinner.  We will also be playing in J's sister's piano recital, going to see his sister in Salt Lake City and we are going to see the lights at Temple Square.  I have never done this and I'm so excited to see how beautiful they are and to feel the spirit of Christmas on temple square.



Rico is beginning to wean.  I have been going back and forth on this for a LONG time.  But we are going down to nursing once per day.  Today was rough.  It was the first day.  It was so rough in fact that he watched Thomas the Tank Engine.  Twice.  I hope it gets easier.  I love the nursing relationship, but I feel like Deddy needs his own time.  Rico is constantly getting involved in Deddy's nursing time and sometimes I just want to hold Deddy close and just be with him.  So before another baby shows up, I would like to have some one-on-one time with Deddy.  Rico had a year and a half. Hopefully it's the right decision!

Here is what Rico sees during Christmas: