Let's talk about the flu shot. We skip the flu vaccine, but I know not everyone makes that choice. For our family the benefits simply don't outweigh the consequences. If you are one that has decided the best option for your family is to receive the flu vaccine, I want to give you some pointers to help reduce the damage of the vaccine. I also know there are some of you that are required to get the flu shot in order to keep your job (don't even get me started on that!) so you may also find these tips helpful as well. 4 Tips for Those Who Choose to Get the Flu Shot 1. Stay away from Tylenol, Ibuprofen, ...Read More
7 Steps to Avoiding the Flu without a Shot
Let's talk about the 7 steps to avoiding the flu without a shot. Boosting your health is always a great idea, no matter what decision you make about the flu shot. Some people label us "crunchy." A few years ago I had no idea what that term meant. I now know it refers to folks who are health-conscious, environmentally-sensitive types. It seems to have become a junk-drawer term for anything that sounds remotely hippie-ish: wearing babies in a sling, owning chickens, breastfeeding a 6-year-old in public, thinking coconut oil is the nectar of the gods, drinking black-market raw milk, thinking circumcision is heinous ...Read More
Flu Shot Facts: Hidden Truth in the Fine Print
Let's talk about flu shot facts. One, two, three, four little boys fall prey to the flu. I begin to cough. The congestion descends upon like a vice. I feel a little queasy and my temperature begins to rise, I wonder if maybe I should have taken our pediatrician up on her suggestion to get the flu shot. She and the nurse both asked us about it when we were in for the well-child visit. I declined. I received not one but two phone calls from her office after that visit asking me if I changed my mind. Nope. But now I was wondering if I made a mistake... When I made the decision to decline the flu ...Read More
{DIY} Immune Bomb: plus 5 more immune system supporting essential oil recipes
Time to stock your bathroom cabinet to support your immune system! The season where we need a little extra immunity support starts up in October and peaks in December and January. With a few simple essential oils recipes, you can make some wonderful natural products that will help keep your family healthy through the fall and winter. This post is not intended to treat, prevent, or cure disease. Learn more about my favorite essential oils in this post. Here are the main immune system -supporting essential oils we love. Immune Strength Blend* Melaleuca Lemon Oregano Lavender Peppermint ...Read More
{DIY} Immune Bomb: Plus 5 more Essential Oil Recipes to Boost the Immune System
Time to stock your bathroom cabinet! The season where we need a little extra immunity support starts up in October and peaks in December and January. I’m so glad you asked! With a few simple essential oils recipes, you can make some wonderful natural products that will help keep your family healthy through the fall and winter. This post is not intended to treat, prevent, or cure disease. Here are the main immune-supporting essential oils we love. Immune Strength * Melaleuca Lemon Oregano Lavender Peppermint ...Read More
A Christian Parent’s Guide to Halloween: Activities & Events
Recently, I found it important to make this Christian Parent's Guide to Halloween. The thought occurred to me a while back that I'd like to throw a Halloween party at our home. I pitched the idea to some other parents. By the looks on some of their faces, you would think I just said that I wanted to date Satan. Indeed, as I peeled back layers of their opinions, this was not far from the truth: to them, to enjoy Halloween is like climbing in bed with the devil. As I've written before, Christians should have a "theology of reclamation": it is good to look for the truths latent within various traditions and customs in ...Read More
All Hallows’ Eve Party Ideas – A Halloween Alternative with a {FREE} Printable Party Pack
My kids have always loved Halloween—what kid doesn't like dressing up and getting candy? But for many Christian families, the idea of participating in something so associated with evil rubs their conscience the wrong way. It is important to remember that Halloween is a derivation of "All Hallows' Eve," as in, "All Saints' Eve." In its purest form, All Saints' was a time for the church to remember the saints and martyrs who have come before us, and with this in mind, we can use Halloween to this effect. Here are some ideas. Party Invitations and Saint Costumes Use the free printable below for party ...Read More
Reformation Day Party Ideas – A Halloween Alternative with {FREE} Printables!
Every fall the the Halloween decorations hit the shelves of the stores. Costumes fun, scary, gross, and cute line the racks. Whatever your take on Halloween may be, you may long for a more meaningful alternative, something that can help your children focus more on Christ and a more meaningful lessons than simply costumes and candy. October 31st is not only Halloween. It is also Reformation Day, the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses on the door of All Saints' Church—an event that eventually sparked the Reformation. For a Protestant, this time of year can be a wonderful time to celebrate how the ...Read More
