Decreasing Inches: 5 Focus Points

This June my family moved 3+ states North East. In addition, my youngest son who was our foster son for 21 months went home to be with his family in late May. There has been so much change and I chose not to pay close attention to our diet during this time. I did not add on an extra 20 pounds, but my pants are snug and uncomfortable. In the Spring, I focused on loving my family intensely and this Summer I am focusing on decreasing inches.

We go through times that our life is more important than focusing closely on our diet.

My Goal: Decreasing Inches

Name: Elderberry Tea
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons organic elderberries; 8 ounces filtered water

Today is a new day. I have time to focus on my diet and my health. I have the goal to go from size 10/12 in pants to a size 8 in pants. While I was easily able to attain this in Italy with fresh, real foods, I’ve found it difficult in America with a supermarket full of processed foods and meats with additives.1

My Healthy Lifestyle Methods

When I really want to focus on decreasing inches, here are some of the methods I employ:

1. Decrease sugar and carbs. I begin to read the products I purchase to see if they include any added sugar. Surprisingly, even sandwich meat often includes dextrose (another name for sugar). In fact, there are many names for sugar that need to be identified in order to avoid sugar.

Note: You can find a list in the footnotes below.2

As for carbs, our body uses carbs for energy and for building vitamins and minerals that we are missing. We will […]

By Boholistic Mom|June 24th, 2019|Courtney O., Lifestyle Tips, Natural Lifestyle|0 Comments

Godai Soaps Review

These past two weeks I have had the privilege of testing out the five varieties of –> Godai Soaps. I performed an in depth Boholistic Mom Godai Soaps review! Before even accepting a cooperative reviewing of a companies product, I view the ingredients of their product and I decide whether they are a company that I want to stand behind. If not, I do not even move forward. Why accept products from a company with ingredients that I cannot agree with using? Godai Soaps was a brand that has excellent ingredients, so I proceeded forward to doing a Godai Soaps review.

Scroll to the bottom for my final score on Godai Soaps.

Mail from Godai Soaps

The day I received my soaps in the mail, I was excited. Our family uses limited soap products as we only need soap when we are really in need of dirt removal, washing hands from dirty jobs, or when we are concerned about exposure to germs. So when I buy soaps, I look for the BEST. Why wash dirt off with dirty ingredients?

So when I saw Godai’s list of ingredients, I was impressed: all natural, organic ingredients with herbs and essential oils. This was my kind of company.

Here is the list of ingredients from their Sky Calming Soap and Shampoo Bar:

Saponified oils of sunflower*, coconut*, palm*, and safflower* (with retained glycerin)
Water
Essential oils of lavender*, orange*, and eucalyptus*
Alkanet root
Rosemary extract

*Certified Organic Ingredients

My Experience

As I have used each organic soap bar, I have enjoyed the sensory experience. The bars smell wonderful and […]

By Boholistic Mom|February 13th, 2019|Brooke S., Lifestyle Tips, Natural Lifestyle|0 Comments

Elderberry Tincture Recipe Herbal Remedy

While elderberry syrup is currently the most popular go to for those wishing to arrest the symptoms of colds and flues and to boost immunity before illness arrives, elderberry tincture is another way to achieve the same results. Elderberry tincture contains the same beneficial properties and compounds, but is created without boiling, without honey, and is more shelf stable. I love using tinctures of other herbs, so I was very eager to try this when I heard of another blogger tincturing her elderberries.

Elderberry Tincture Benefits

Elderberries are not new as they have been an herbal supplement for years and have always grown naturally in the United States and in the rest of North America, Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. Why do we hear of them so much more now? As more parents are moving away from medical options with a long list of side effects and risks, they are looking for natural ways to keep their families healthy. Elderberry is one of the solutions to this problem.

The berries of the elder bush contain Vitamins A and C, quercetin, rutin, and anthocyanins, all of which are great for the immune system. What we notice when we use herbs from nature is that they do not create an artificial response within our body, but have a normalizing effect. It is my belief that elderberry works to normalize the immune system rather than make it go in over gear. By giving the body what it needs to succeed against viruses and bacteria, we are not forcing our body to act, but giving it the ability to act.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, Sambucol reduced the duration of flu symptoms to 3-4 […]

By Boholistic Mom|January 11th, 2019|Brooke S., Helpful Herbs, Holistic Remedies|0 Comments

1st Grade Homeschool Curriculum for 2018-2019

1st grade homeschool curriculum was pretty easy after I had made my choices in Kindergarten. I knew we were doing Classical Conversations. I knew we were doing Five in a Row. I knew that we were using Alpha-Phonics to teach reading. However, each year brings different challenges and different life events happen. We had just moved from Naples, Italy to Auburn, Alabama.

What an adjustment!

While I had begun our reading program in Kindergarten with a few pages, we did not get very far. My son loved to listen to books, but he was not very interested in reading. In 1st grade, we made it through the entire curriculum and he still was not reading easily. Sometimes it takes a little while for things to sink in successfully when you are giving children time to learn naturally. All of the sudden at the end of that year, he began to want to read. That changed everything.

1st grade homeschooling will look different for every family and every child. We are doing it again this year with our littlest who is already reading. This 1st grade year will be completely different than my previous experience. Allow your children to be unique. Enjoy the journey.

Our 1st Grade Homeschool Curriculum Choices

Main Curriculum

Classical Conversations in a CC Community – Cycle 1 (Find out more about classical conversations by reading –> The Core by Leigh Bortins)
- Ancient History
- Biology, Earth Science
- The Geography of Europe, Africa, Canada, and South America
- English, Math, Latin, and the History Timeline as well as Fine Arts and Hands-On Science

Pros and Cons of Classical Conversations:

PROS – getting together with other children (apprentice), experiencing […]

By Boholistic Mom|August 14th, 2018|Brooke S., Home, Homeschool|0 Comments

10 Marriage Tools for a Thriving Relationship

Let me be clear ladies. Our marriages are under attack by the enemy of our souls. The good news? God is bigger, stronger, and has every intention of helping us through any hurdle that the enemy presents. However, we need God and we need tools. Why do we need tools? Because God has given us a base of Biblical wisdom and teachers who have walked this path before us. We do not need to come to the battle empty handed, but rather equipped by God’s power and with tools that work because they are a part of His plan.

Marriage tools are a part of God’s plan.

While you could gain these tools through years spent hammering the grindstone with your husband figuring out what works and what doesn’t, God’s intention is that you form relationships with other couples who can teach you to be a better wife. For men, being a part of a relationship with another couple that teaches you to be a better husband. You are NOT intended to be in marriage alone without support. If you are hiding your marriage troubles from other couples, you are not experiencing the support that God has for you. Reach out and get a mentor.

I’ve been in situations where mentors aren’t available. I’ve even asked couples to mentor me and my husband and the mentorship relationship did not happen. This is not meant to shame these people, but for us all to realize that this isn’t an ideal world. We live in a world with busy people who are focused on many different things. If you cannot find a mentor, you can still find tools for your family. Beautifully wise people have written books with marriage […]

By Boholistic Mom|June 22nd, 2018|Brooke S., Faith: Heart, Mind, Body, & Spirit, Natural Lifestyle|0 Comments

Kombucha 101 – Fermented Sweet Tea

If you have found my Kombucha 101 page, you may have heard me talking about the concept of making fermented sweet tea with a SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast). Kombucha tends to come up in many of my conversations with my friends, because I am excited about it! Most people do not ferment their beverages anymore. However, for centuries, traditional cultures have fermented their drinks and their food in order to increase the nutritive value and to protect the food from the wrong bacteria and yeast.

If you have plenty of the right bacteria and yeast, you decrease the chances of your food having the wrong kinds of bacteria and yeast.

How I Started my Kombucha Obsession

I have now been making kombucha for four going on five years. My first SCOBY was given to me by a sweet friend (at the time, barely acquaintance) Claude while I was living in Italy. I took the slick round mass of bacteria and yeast that she gave me and made up a batch of sweet tea. I laid the SCOBY on top and waited! It was fantastic being able to make my own fermented tea.

Why I Continue My Kombucha Obsession

If it was all about making some slightly vinegary tasting tea, then I would not have continued drinking or making fermented sweet tea. Kombucha is so much more than a simple enjoyable drink. Check out the amazing benefits below:

Immune boosting –> Jam packed with anti-oxidants
Contains glucaric acid –> Very important for healing common malformations of cells
Detoxes the body while supporting the liver
Filled with glucosamines –> Important for joints and arthritis
Contains gut healing probiotics

All sorts of fermented drinks have […]

By Boholistic Mom|May 23rd, 2018|Brooke S., Health, Real Food Recipes, Traditional Recipes|0 Comments

Foster Parent – Our Life Thus Far with the Foster Care System

While I have blogged about many topics, for some reason, this one has been much too personal. Training to be a foster parent and taking a child into our home has been something I have kept to myself in many ways. I have shared with my friends and family that my husband and I were embarking on this journey. I have even shared with friends about some of our joys and struggles with fostering, but really I’ve kept so much to myself.

I internalize much of my life while sharing windows in, but they are selective. Today, I’m opening one more window a little wider. My hope is that you will know a little more about fostering, a little more about how God is blessing our family, and a little more about how God is faithful even in the hard places.

Training to Receive

We began our training to become a foster parent in January of 2017. As my husband was still unsure of the process and his feelings about being a foster parent, we were planning to do the training in order to find out if fostering was a fit for our family. I was praying the whole time that God would stir my husband’s heart toward accepting a child into our home. In honest, our infertility has left a place that I was willing to use to bless a child who needed a home. I sincerely wanted my pain to become a blessing rather than a curse.

Packet Mayhem

During the training, we received a packet of forms. This thick packet was to be filled […]

By Boholistic Mom|April 2nd, 2018|Brooke S., Faith: Heart, Mind, Body, & Spirit, Heart|0 Comments

Elderberry Tea Recipe – Reusing Elderberry Syrup Berries

Do you love elderberry syrup, but hate throwing away the used elderberries? This this elderberry tea recipe is for you!

Elderberry Tea

Waste not, want not. Why waste all those beautiful elderberries after you make your elderberry syrup? Use them again by enjoying elderberry tea.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

2 teaspoons organic elderberries
8 ounces filtered water

Instructions

Boil 8 ounces of water.
Place 2 teaspoons of the organic elderberries into the water.
Let sit 4-15 minutes depending on desired strength, add more elderberries if you'd like it stronger.

Recipe Notes

Since this will only use two teaspoons of your wet elderberries at a time, you can dry the used elderberries to keep using them as tea. You have two options for drying your berries.

Drying Your Elderberries

Take the elderberries and place them in a dehydrator and dehydrate them until dry.

Spread the berries across a jelly roll pan (the type with short edges) and turn your oven to its lowest setting. Heat the elderberries until they are fully dry and store in a mason jar.

Supplies

Organic Elderberries - Check out Vitacost for better prices.
Dehydrator - if you purchase this, don't tell me . . . it will make me jealous
Mason Jars

I’m so I saved you from throwing out your elderberries! That was a close call 😉 If you love me every so much more for saving you from this terrible deed, let me know! Comment below or come over and visit me on my –> Facebook page.

Brooke Shambley
THE Boholistic Mom

Affiliate Disclosure

I am an Amazon Affiliate and the links included in this post (including some of the pictures) will take […]

By Boholistic Mom|March 1st, 2018|Brooke S., Holistic Remedies, Real Food Recipes|1 Comment

DIY Elderberry Syrup Recipe – Home Remedies

Have you been thinking about trying your hand at making elderberry syrup? Then this will be a great recipe to help you through your first attempt! I tried a few other recipes and I was so frustrated with the instructions, my hope is that this recipe will make it all clear and help you get it right the first time! Enjoy!

DIY Elderberry Syrup

Elderberries have been used through the ages to help people who are sick and need a boost. Elderberry tonic, wine, and syrup have their place in history . . . and in our cupboards. Use the recipe below to help you and your family build up their immunity and fight off any unwelcome visitors!

4 cups filtered water
1.5 cups organic elderberries
2 teaspoons dried ginger ((or 2 tablespoons fresh))
1 teaspoon cinnamon ((or you can add in a cinnamon stick))
1/2 teaspoon powdered cloves
1 cup raw honey ((local raw organic is best; organic is next best))

Fill pot with 4 cups of filtered water and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Note: Do NOT add raw honey at this point.
Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. The liquid will reduce by half. Note: Do NOT cover.
Remove from heat and let the mixture cool.
Pour the elderberry juice through a colander or strainer into a bowl.
Save the elderberries!*
Let the liquid cool almost completely to keep the raw honey from being heated.
Mix the honey into the elderberry juice stirring until fully combined.
Pour the mixture into mason jars or glass bottles.
Store your DIY Elderberry Syrup in the refrigerator.

Adults can take one teaspoon daily for wellness and children 1/2 to a teaspoon. Increase […]

By Boholistic Mom|March 1st, 2018|Brooke S., Holistic Remedies, Real Food Recipes|4 Comments

Fertility Options – What I Have Tried

It is always strange to announce to the world, “I struggle with infertility!” Yet if I don’t talk about it, I know many women are going to continue to feel alone and not have the information they need. If you are dealing with infertility, you need me to talk about the fertility options that I have tried. You need other women who are TTC (trying to conceive) to talk about what they are doing. Why? Because you don’t have to make the same mistakes and you might find that one of these options helps you skip some of the stress that we’ve endured.

You could try one of these fertility options and have it work for you in the next three months. I would LOVE for you to find fertility options that would work for you and change your fertility journey from a long arduous journey to a quickly solved situation.

Below you will see my timeline of what fertility options I have tried throughout my seven year journey with infertility –>

Fertility Options – My Seven Year Journey TTC

Year 1

Cycle Length – 35-45 days
Weight – 155

OBGYN #1 – Said that we would need to have been trying for a year before getting checked out for infertility (we hadn’t been preventing pregnancy for over a year); I had one positive pregnancy test and then negative tests and they decided to tell me I had never been pregnant

Year 2

Cycle Length – 35-45 days
Weight – 155

General Practitioner – told us to just “do it” every day; finally referred me to the OBGYN

Weston A. Price Wise Traditions Diet – began to make bone broth, eat coconut oil, and cook traditionally; lost 15 pounds of […]

By Boholistic Mom|February 24th, 2018|Brooke S., Fertility & Pregnancy, Natural Fertility and Childbirth|1 Comment

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