Natural Living Monday

Welcome to Natural Living Monday where we share all our natural living tips, tricks, and fun ideas.

Thank you for joining us on Natural Living Monday!  I am excited to see the great things you have been doing to live a more natural, whole, holistic life.

Your Hosts:

Amanda from Natural Living Mamma

Katie from Nourishing Simplicity

Angela from Mama Rosemary

Andrea from Homemade for Elle

Last weeks most popular posts were:

 

 

 

Congratulations on being featured! These amazing posts (and a few others) will be tweeted, shared on my Facebook page and pinned on my Pinterest boards!

Are you ready to link up?

From this week forward the list is in random order!

Here are the rules: Your blog article must fit these categories: sustainable living, homesteading, DIY, herbs, home-made body and skin care, real food (no processed ingredients, Weston A. Price Foundation guidelines are a good place to start to define “real food”), and all things “natural“.

Link back to this week’s blog hop post so that everyone can see the other amazing posts.

Show some love! Go check out and see what others have posted. Share the hop and the posts you love!

Not required but I would love it if you would grab the button and share share share!

What are your best natural living posts this week?

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Natural Living Mamma

Natural Living Monday

Welcome to Natural Living Monday where we share all our natural living tips, tricks, and fun ideas.

Thank you for joining us on Natural Living Monday!  I am excited to see the great things you have been doing to live a more natural, whole, holistic life.

Your Hosts:

I would like to introduce our newest host, Andrea from Homemade for Elle. Andrea has a wonderful blog about natural living, parenting, real food, essential oils and homemade personal care and cleaning products. Check out her wonderful blog and say "hi".

Amanda from Natural Living Mamma

Katie from Nourishing Simplicity

Angela from Mama Rosemary

Andrea from Homemade for Elle

Last weeks most popular posts were:

Congratulations on being featured! These amazing posts (and a few others) will be tweeted, shared on my Facebook page and pinned on my Pinterest boards!

Are you ready to link up?

From this week forward the list is in random order!

Here are the rules: Your blog article must fit these categories: sustainable living, homesteading, DIY, herbs, home-made body and skin care, real food (no processed ingredients, Weston A. Price Foundation guidelines are a good place to start to define “real food”), and all things “natural“.

Link back to this week’s blog hop post so that everyone can see the other amazing posts.

Show some love! Go check out and see what others have posted. Share the hop and the posts you love!

Not required but I would love it if you would grab the button and share share share!

What are your best natural living posts this week?

Please Note:  To add a post and see all the wonderful posts linked up this week, please hit Click here below!  Thank you!

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Natural Living Mamma

Natural Living Monday

Welcome to Natural Living Monday where we share all our natural living tips, tricks, and fun ideas.

Thank you for joining us on Natural Living Monday!  We are excited to see the great things you have been doing to live a more natural, whole, holistic life.

Your Hosts:

Amanda from Natural Living Mamma

Katie from Nourishing Simplicity

Angela from Mama Rosemary.

Last weeks most popular posts were:

 

 

Congratulations on being featured! These amazing posts (and a few others) will be tweeted, shared on my Facebook page and pinned on my Pinterest boards!

Are you ready to link up?

From this week forward the list is in random order!

Here are the rules: Your blog article must fit these categories: sustainable living, homesteading, DIY, herbs, home-made body and skin care, real food (no processed ingredients, Weston A. Price Foundation guidelines are a good place to start to define “real food”), and all things “natural“.

Link back to this week’s blog hop post so that everyone can see the other amazing posts.

Show some love! Go check out and see what others have posted. Share the hop and the posts you love!

Not required but we would love it if you would grab the button and share share share!

What are your best natural living posts this week?

Please Note:  To add a post and see all the wonderful posts linked up this week, please hit Click here below!  Thank you!

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Natural Living Mamma

Natural Living Monday ~ Sweet Viola

Viola odorata
Viola odorata

Any moment now she will wake!  Each day I check the garden peering from my window into the shady places where she grows hoping to see her blossoming purple flowers, a sure sign of Spring.  I love this sweet powerful little plant, resplendent with the loveliest little flowers full of gorgeous aroma.   She is a good friend I look forward to spending time with each and every Spring.

Violet Flower And Leaf

Viola odorata

Violet's flowers support the heart like a compassionate and kind friend, and are wonderful for helping people through times of grief and heartache.  The flowers also help ease coughs and soothe scratchy throats.  My favorite way to prepare and preserve the healing power of violet flowers is through making a simple violet honey.

Traditionally used as a nutritive food, Violet is a wonderful nourishing plant that eases and soothes with it’s gentle sliminess.  Use as a vitamin rich food, which supports digestion, making it even more healthful.    Violet soothingly eases headaches and nervous tension by gently cooling and supporting the body and the nerves.

Violet acts on the reproductive system, nerves, lungs, and immune system with a unique alliance with the breasts.   Useful for respiratory aliments especially those associated with coughing and thick, yellow catarrh.  Helps fight to cancer of the breasts, lungs, lymphatic glands, urinary tract and GI tract.  Violets will decrease swellings and soreness in breast tissue, for instance, in mastitis, cancer, fibrocystic breasts, PMS, and lumps.  Externally, use the leaves to treat all sorts of skin problems, like: abscesses, wounds, pimples, swellings, persistent purulent wounds, chronic skin diseases including herpes, and red tense eyes.

Find this and more information about other amazing herbs in my Materia Medica section.

More ~

Violet Equinox ~ A Children's Solstice Celebration ~

Sources ~

Healing Wise by Susun Weed

Flower Power by Anne McIntyre

A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve

Notes From Class With Herbalist Ann Drucker

And now for the hop...

Welcome to Natural Living Monday where we share all our natural living tips, tricks, and fun ideas.

Natural Living Mamma

Thank you for joining us on Natural Living Monday!  I am excited to see the great things you have been doing to live a more natural, whole, holistic life.

Your Hosts:

Amanda from Natural Living Mamma

Katie from Nourishing Simplicity

Angela from Mama Rosemary.

Last weeks most popular posts were:

Congratulations on being featured! These amazing posts (and a few others) will be tweeted, shared on my Facebook page and pinned on my Pinterest boards!

Are you ready to link up?

From this week forward the list is in random order!

Here are the rules:Your blog article must fit these categories: sustainable living, homesteading, DIY, herbs, home-made body and skin care, real food (no processed ingredients, Weston A. Price Foundation guidelines are a good place to start to define “real food”), and all things “natural“.

Link back to this week’s blog hop post so that everyone can see the other amazing posts.

Show some love! Go check out and see what others have posted.  Share the hop and the posts you love!

Please Note:  To add a post and see all the wonderful posts linked up this week, please hit Click herebelow!  Thank you!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click hereto enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Natural Living Monday

Welcome to Natural Living Monday where we share all our natural living tips, tricks, and fun ideas.

Natural Living Mamma

Thank you for joining us on Natural Living Monday and Happy New Year!  I am excited to see the great things you have been doing to live a more natural, whole, holistic life.

Your Hosts:

Amanda from Natural Living Mamma

Katie from Nourishing Simplicity

Angela from Mama Rosemary.

Last weeks most popular posts were:

 

 

 

 

Congratulations on being featured! These amazing posts (and a few others) will be tweeted, shared on my Facebook page and pinned on my Pinterest boards!

Are you ready to link up?

From this week forward the list is in random order!

Here are the rules: Your blog article must fit these categories: sustainable living, homesteading, DIY, herbs, home-made body and skin care, real food (no processed ingredients, Weston A. Price Foundation guidelines are a good place to start to define “real food”), and all things “natural“.

Link back to this week’s blog hop post so that everyone can see the other amazing posts!

Show some love! Go check out and see what others have posted. Share the hop and the posts you love!

Please Note: Use the "Click Here" button below to link up and view all the posts folks are sharing.  Thanks!

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Natural Living Monday

Welcome to Natural Living Monday where we share all our natural living tips, tricks, and fun ideas.

Natural Living Mamma

Thank you for joining us on Natural Living Monday!  We are excited to see the great things you have been doing to live a more natural, whole, holistic life.

Your Hosts:

Amanda from Natural Living Mamma

Katie from Nourishing Simplicity

Angela from Mama Rosemary

Last weeks most popular posts were:

 

 

Congratulations on being featured! These amazing posts (and a few others) will be tweeted, shared on my Facebook page and pinned on my Pinterest boards!

Are you ready to link up?

From this week forward the list is in random order!

Here are the rules: Your blog article must fit these categories: sustainable living, homesteading, DIY, herbs, home-made body and skin care, real food (no processed ingredients, Weston A. Price Foundation guidelines are a good place to start to define “real food”), and all things “natural“.

Link back to this week’s blog hop post so that everyone can see the other amazing posts. It is just basic common courtesy.

Show some love! Go check out and see what others have posted. Share the hop and the posts you love!

Not required but I would love it if you would grab the button and share share share!

What are your best natural living posts this week?

Please Note:  To add a post and see all the wonderful posts linked up this week, please hit "Click here" below!  

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Natural Living Monday ~ Helpful Elder

Have you heard of elder? Of the tasty flu fighting syrup made from its purple blue berries?

Of the fever healing properties from its lovely lacy cream colored flowers?

If you haven't you are in for a treat!

Ripe berries on Sambucus Ebulus (Dwarf Elder) ...

Elder Flower 'n' Berry

Sambucus nigra

The usefulness of elder as a source of medicine is amazing.  Every part of the plant has medicinal actions with the flowers and berries being the most gentle and useful.  Tea made from elder flower drunk hot helps to alleviate anxiety and restless at the onset of colds and flu while also helping the body to sweat and resolve the illness.  It is specific for flu and upper respiratory issues as elder flowers assist the body in healing and relaxes spasms (coughs) in the lungs as well as assisting in removal of mucus.  Studies have found elder berries to protect against the flu virus.  We use elder berry syrup every year as a preventative.  Elderberry also helps ease coughs and colds.  Drinking elder berry tea is another delicious way to experience the benefits of this amazing plant.

Some cautions with elder: the seeds can irritate the digestive tract in some people.  Only the blue elder berries (Sambucus nigra) should be used as the red ones are toxic.  Elderberries are generally considered to be quite safe though they can be drying and irritating for folks suffering from migraines.  The bark and roots are an emetic and therefore cause vomiting.   If you have a reaction, stop taking it immediately.

Find this and more information about other amazing herbs in my Materia Medica section.

More ~ 

Elder Berry Syrup

Elderberry Day ~ Herbs for Kids ~

Sources ~

Elder by Brigitte Mars

And now for the hop...

Welcome to Natural Living Monday where we share all our natural living tips, tricks, and fun ideas.

Natural Living Mamma

Thank you for joining us on Natural Living Monday!  We are excited to see the great things you have been doing to live a more natural, whole, holistic life.

Your Hosts:

Amanda from Natural Living Mamma

Katie from Nourishing Simplicity

Angela from Mama Rosemary.

Last weeks most popular posts were:

Congratulations on being featured! These amazing posts (and a few others) will be tweeted, shared on my Facebook page and pinned on my Pinterest boards!

Are you ready to link up?

From this week forward the list is in random order!

Here are the rules: Your blog article must fit these categories: sustainable living, homesteading, DIY, herbs, home-made body and skin care, real food (no processed ingredients, Weston A. Price Foundation guidelines are a good place to start to define “real food”), and all things “natural“.

Link back to this week’s blog hop post so that everyone can see the other amazing posts. It is just basic common courtesy.

Show some love! Go check out and see what others have posted. Share the hop and the posts you love!

Not required but I would love it if you would grab the button and share share share!

What are your best natural living posts this week?

Please Note:  

To add a post and see all the wonderful posts linked up this week, please hit Click here below!  

Thank you!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Natural Living Monday ~ Spicy Warm Cuppa Ginger Tea

On a cold, windy day there is nothing better than a nice hot cup of ginger tea, in fact this is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this amazing herb.  So to start this week’s wonderful blog hop I want to share one of my simplest favorite herbal remedies!

Here is how I make the perfect cup of ginger tea, it is so simple!

  • Slice 1" of fresh ginger rhizome into thin pieces.  Use more or less depending on your taste.
  • Place in a pan with 2 cups of water. 
  • Lightly simmer for about 15 minutes.
  • Pour it all into a cup (including the ginger slices) and serve with honey or maple syrup if you feel so inclined.
  • Drink hot and munch on the spicy ginger pieces if desired.

This a great beverage for relieving chills, headaches and soothing cold/flu symptoms.  Stimulating circulation, ginger tea warms you from the inside!

Latina: Zingiber officinale. Русский: Имбирь.

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

Ginger is one of my all time favorite plants.  It is useful for many different things and tastes great too so it is easy to give to my kids, as long as I don’t make it too spicy. Ginger assists the immune system through stimulation of circulation and digestion. This warms the body and improving nutrient absorption thereby increasing overall health.  It is excellent as a preventative or at the beginning of an illness.  Ginger helps to alleviate cramping and so can help a gassy stomach, menstrual cramps and headaches. I use ginger very effectively as a migraine preventative.  As soon as I feel a migraine starting or see visual disturbances, I make a hot cup of ginger tea, even using ground ginger in hot water if that is all I have on hand.  I sip this and also drink two packages of Emergen-C.  This and a bit of yoga, for me, typically stops a migraine in its tracks.  It is great for motion sickness. Ginger increases the effectiveness of other herbs in combination.

Ways to use ginger:

  • Use in syrup making
  • Drink on it's own as a as tea or in combinations like chai
  • Use in foot and body baths
  • Add to food when cooking or candy it to eat as a treat  which is yummy in baked goods!  (I sneak crystalized ginger into my older daughter's lunch box when I think she needs a bit of a boost at school).

More please....

Ginger Day ~ Herbs for Kids ~

After School Teas

Elder Berry Day  ~ Herbs for Kids ~ 

Find this and more information about other amazing herbs in my Materia Medica section.

And now...

Welcome to Natural Living Monday where we share all our natural living tips, tricks, and fun ideas.

Natural Living Mamma

Thank you for joining us on Natural Living Monday!  I am excited to see the great things you have been doing to live a more natural, whole, holistic life.

Your Hosts:

Amanda from Natural Living Mamma

Katie from Nourishing Simplicity

Angela from Mama Rosemary

Last weeks most popular posts were:

 

 

Congratulations on being featured! These amazing posts (and a few others) will be tweeted, shared on my Facebook page and pinned on my Pinterest boards!

Are you ready to link up?

From this week forward the list is in random order!

Here are the rules: Your blog article must fit these categories: sustainable living, homesteading, DIY, herbs, home-made body and skin care, real food (no processed ingredients, Weston A. Price Foundation guidelines are a good place to start to define “real food”), and all things “natural“.

Link back to this week’s blog hop post so that everyone can see the other amazing posts!

Show some love! Go check out and see what others have posted. Share the hop and the posts you love!

Not required but I would love it if you would grab the button and share share share!

What are your best natural living posts this week?

To see all the wonderful posts this week and link up

please use “Click Here” below.  Thanks!

Powered by Linky Tools

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Natural Living Monday ~ Stop And Smell The Roses

I admit it, I have roses on my mind.  It is almost Valentine's Day!  I adore roses, fresh or dried.  I delight in making tea with rose petals and hips; crafting with sweet little baby buds of rose; and making body care products with anything rose ~ rose water, rose petals and rose essential oil.  With all this rosiness on my mind I wanted to start this week's wonderful blog hop with a little informative herbal tidbit about roses.  Of course Summer is a wonderful time to collect and use fresh rose petals yet even during the cold of Winter we can enjoy the bounty of roses by using dried petals and fruits (hips).  Roses are helpful for supporting immunity and lung health.  They bring a ray of happiness to folks feeling sad in the during gloomy months of late Winter.  Plus they are great for crafting with especially with kids who really love the little dried baby rose buds.

Rose Petals and Hips

Rosa spp.

Roses, in their beauty, open the heart and speak of love.  Yet they offer so much more than meets the eye.  The petals are edible and are lovely added to salads, desserts and even made into rose butter.  They also make a tasty tea (use fresh or dried) that I have found to be quite popular with children.  All that deliciousness brings with it immune enhancing properties as well as soothing coolness for the urinary system, nervous system and heart.  The petals ease cold/flu symptoms and lung congestion increasing lung strength and vitality.  Roses are also helpful in cases of PMS and fullness in the pelvis.  Emotionally roses sooth broken hearts and aggravated nervous systems.  Rose hips, the fruit of a rose, are very high in Vitamin C.  They make a tasty sweet sour addition to teas and foods helping to prevent infections.  I love to soak the hips in apple juice until they are soft and use them as jam on my kids' PB & J.

Roses are often heavily sprayed so be sure to use organic roses.

More please....

Valentine's Day Crafts:

Using Roses With Kids:

Find this and more information about other amazing herbs in my Materia Medica section.

And now....

Welcome to Natural Living Monday where we share all our natural living tips, tricks, and fun ideas.

Thank you for joining us on Natural Living Monday!  I am excited to see the great things you have been doing to live a more natural, whole, holistic life.

Your Hosts:

Amanda from Natural Living Mamma

Katie from Nourishing Simplicity

Angela from Mama Rosemary.

Last weeks most popular posts were:

9 Ways to Waste Less and Save More by A Proverbs 31 Wife

Congratulations on being featured! These amazing posts (and a few others) will be tweeted, shared on my Facebook page and pinned on my Pinterest boards!

Are you ready to link up?

From this week forward the list is in random order!

Here are the rules:Your blog article must fit these categories: sustainable living, homesteading, DIY, herbs, home-made body and skin care, real food (no processed ingredients, Weston A. Price Foundation guidelines are a good place to start to define “real food”), and all things “natural“.

Link back to this week’s blog hop post so that everyone can see the other amazing posts. It is just basic common courtesy.

Show some love! Go check out and see what others have posted. Share the hop and the posts you love!

Not required but I would love it if you would grab the button and share share share!

What are your best natural living posts this week?

To see all the wonderful posts this week and link up

please use “Click Here” below.  Thanks!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click hereto enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Natural Living Mamma

Natural Living Monday #20

Welcome to Natural Living Monday where we share all our natural living tips, tricks, and fun ideas.

Thank you for joining us on Natural Living Monday!  I am excited to see the great things you have been doing to live a more natural, whole, holistic life.

Your Hosts:

Amanda from Natural Living Mamma

Katie from Nourishing Simplicity

Angela from Mama Rosemary.

Last weeks most popular posts were:

Congratulations on being featured! These amazing posts (and a few others) will be tweeted, shared on my Facebook page and pinned on my Pinterest boards!

Are you ready to link up?

From this week forward the list is in random order!

Here are the rules: Your blog article must fit these categories: sustainable living, homesteading, DIY, herbs, home-made body and skin care, real food (no processed ingredients, Weston A. Price Foundation guidelines are a good place to start to define “real food”), and all things “natural“.

Link back to this week’s blog hop post so that everyone can see the other amazing posts. It is just basic common courtesy.

Show some love! Go check out and see what others have posted. Share the hop and the posts you love!

Not required but I would love it if you would grab the button and share share share!

What are your best natural living posts this week?

To see all the wonderful posts this week and link up

please use “Click Here” below.  Thanks!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Natural Living Mamma