3rd Grade Homeschool Curriculum for 2017

Throughout our time homeschooling, I have met many kinds of homeschooling families.  Some mothers in those families hate choosing curriculum avoiding the process as if it were their most fearful nightmare and some mothers swim in curriculum as if they were surfing the waves in Hawaii.  I am neither of those mothers.

While I do enjoy looking for my curriculum, I do not like looking through ALL of the millions of choices out there.  It can be overwhelming and counterproductive.  You see other options and second guess what you’ve chosen to do with your children.  How can we assimilate information without becoming lost in the nightmare of too much curricula?

We would all love to be the mother who has researched every single curriculum option and hand selected the best one for her family.  She’s amazing.  How she has the time to read and research all the options is beyond me!  How can we find the best option without spending an enormous amount of time researching each curriculum trying desperately to understand all of the differences?

Two Options for Finding 3rd Grade Homeschool Curricula

Interview other homeschool mothers who are like you in personality and family style

  • Get together for a coffee/tea date
  • Ask each mother about their curriculum choices and why they work for their family  (P.S. Be specific in telling them that you want to know what is working for them, not why it will work for you.  Mothers are so helpful, but they can sometimes push their choices on you.  Be strong and take in the information rather than copying their exact choices.)
  • Ask them to give you the pros and the cons

Utilize a condensed homeschool curriculum resource list and take a quiz to understand what types of […]

By |July 7th, 2017|Brooke S., Home, Natural Lifestyle|0 Comments
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Digital Doula – Finding Pregnancy Support Online

As a woman who serves other women as a doula for fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and post partum support, I have been able to support women in my local community with their tangible needs.  However, many women live far away from where my local businesses exists and still would like doula pregnancy support.  In order to meet these needs, I offer digital doula services.

Hiring a Digital Doula

What is a Digital Doula?

A digital doula is available by e-mail and Facebook PM (occasionally through other technological communication methods) to:

  • answer non-medical pregnancy questions
  • provide educational support for birth plans
  • encourage mothers while they go through the new experiences of pregnancy

How can I hire a Digital Doula?

You can hire me following the steps below or you can search online to find other digital doula services.

I offer digital doula services as I am available.  I rarely book specific appointments, but will spend time answering questions and going over information with clients online.  My digital services are contracted per hour and a client can purchase up to 6 hours at a time.  This means that over the next weeks, as I spend time with my client, I will keep track of the time spent performing digital services and provide the client with a detailed time sheet when the contracted time is expired.

 

If you would like to hire me, you can contact me on my Boholistic Mom Facebook Page –> here or you can send a message to my “Contact Me” Page –> here.

How it works:

  1. I will check my schedule to see if I will be available for the amount of time you request for […]
By |June 27th, 2017|Brooke S., Fertility & Pregnancy, Natural Fertility and Childbirth|1 Comment
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Headache Remedy List for Moms

Gradually, but surely, I hope to share the lists of remedies that I use personally with my Boholistic Mom followers.  Today, I am sharing with you a headache remedy list that will give you some great ideas for tackling situations when you feel your head might explode.  Some of these ideas work within the hour, some will are long term fixes and will take time.  You are in charge of your health and your wellness.  Find out what options there are from this headache remedy list that are not in a medicine bottle and give them a shot!

Headache Remedy List

Headache Remedy List – Natural Relief

  • Magnesium

Magnesium helps blood vessels relax and regulates your blood pressure.1  With all of the stress our bodies go through, most people are very deficient in magnesium.  Deficiencies in magnesium can cause major headaches, but even if you aren’t deficient, magnesium can be a quick relief to minor headaches.  I use –> Ancient Minerals Magnesium Gel.

  • Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is also vasodilator like magnesium, meaning it dilates your blood vessels allowing blood to pass through more easily.  When you have a pounding headache with lots of pressure, this can be a life saver.  In addition, ginger can relieve sinus pressure that can lead to headaches.  I love to use fresh ginger, but if you want to keep a bit of ginger tea on hand for emergencies check out –> Traditional Medicinals Organic Ginger Tea.

  • Nasal Pressure Points

When I was pregnant with my son, I was instructed by a doctor to massage certain points around my nose to stimulate my sinuses to relieve pressure.  However, when I look online for great, solid information […]

By |June 26th, 2017|Brooke S., Holistic Remedies, Lifestyle Tips|0 Comments
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Infinity Glass Jar Review – Do they work?

I recently had the privilege of reviewing a set of ultraviolet Infinity glass jars.  While I had not heard of this particular brand of ultraviolet glass jars before, I had heard about the technology of the deep purple glass.  Basically, they propose that the tint of the glass keeps out harmful light and lets in beneficial light in order to keep the contents fresh.  My question is . . . do they really work?

Miron glass jars - do they work

History of Violet Glass

Purple glass jars have been used since Egyptian times and throughout history for storage purposes.  Some companies (not Infinity) claim that archaeologists have found viable ancient seeds in Egyptians purple jars; however, I was unable to find any documents to support these theories.  We do not know if the Egyptians or later historic peoples understood the scientific attributes of these purple jars, but we do know that violet jars were enjoyed in the past.

Current Science on Violet Glass Jars

Current science has found these jars to keep herbs, salves, and other contents fresh longer than regular glass jars, but let’s look deeper into the science.  According to Infinity Jars, the violet glass jars “slow down the decaying process of organic matter while maintaining the freshness of whatever you put inside.”  They keep out visible light rays and allow infrared and UV-A rays that benefit the fresh ingredients inside.

The effect of the light limitation keeps the contents from getting exposed to the sun rays that do damage and allows in light rays that are beneficial and kill harmful microbes.  Sounds good, want to test it out?

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By |June 5th, 2017|Brooke S., Lifestyle Tips, Natural Lifestyle|0 Comments
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What is a Doula & Why You Need One

Many women are trying to conceive and giving birth without ever asking the question, “What is a doula?”  I must do my part to remedy this missing information so that not one more woman has to give birth without the support she could use.  In this post, I will define what a doula is, what she does, and why you need one.

Definition of a Doula

What is a Doula?

A doula is by historical Greek definition a “women’s servant.”  She serves women.  In our modern age, the term doula is often used to refer to a birth doula – a non-medical birth support person who stays with you during labor, delivery, and right after delivery.  However, many doulas help before birth, during birth, and after birth.

I am personally passionate about helping empower women prior to their birth, even prior to pregnancy.  As a fertility doula, I help women who are interested in considering a fertility diet before birth or women who have had trouble with becoming pregnant.  Through coaching, I help empower women to achieve their fertility goals and I am present and there for them as they go through appointments and walk the road ahead.

As a birth doula, I help to empower women after they become pregnant to work out their birth wishes (birth plan) and to prepare the both parents with ideas of birth positions and massages that will help reduce pain during delivery.  A doula is passionate about birth education!  Rather than first time mothers being thrust into the labor and delivery ward with no idea what to expect, a doula will prepare them to know how their bodies’ work and be with them throughout their birth.  While nurses go through shift changes, doulas […]

By |May 5th, 2017|Brooke S., Fertility & Pregnancy, Natural Fertility and Childbirth, Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Baked Oatmeal Recipe with Black Currants and Walnuts

The BEST Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Today, I made something wonderful.  I made the BEST baked oatmeal recipe that I have ever eaten.  As if that wasn’t great in itself, this recipe has no gluten, no sugar, and no dairy.  I’m ecstatic!

First let me tell you where I found my starting recipe.  Martha Stewart shared a baked oatmeal recipe on her website that she originally found from the cookbook Super Natural Every Day by Hedi Swanson.  My new recipe isn’t really like the original anymore!  When we cook we take our medium and we paint a different picture.  Today, I’m going to tell you about the baked oatmeal recipe that came out of my coloring outside the lines!

The Best Baked Oatmeal Recipe Ever

First, gather these ingredients or feel free to do your own coloring outside of the lines.  Recipes are made to be reinvented and you should always feel free to add your own personal touch.

3 tablespoons of ghee, melted if needed (I make my own, but if I don’t I buy –> this) – Ghee has the milk proteins removed from the fat, so this is not considered dairy to most dieters. However, if you have a milk allergy, substitute with coconut oil/butter or olive oil.

2 cups of gluten-free rolled oats (I use –> these)

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped or just broken

1 teaspoon of baking powder (I use this brand without aluminum –> here)

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon sea salt (I buy –> this salt)

1 cup coconut milk (You want to find a coconut milk with the least amount of extras, I buy them […]

By |March 29th, 2017|Brooke S., Quick & Easy, Real Food Recipes|0 Comments
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Detox Protocol and Avoiding Toxins – Part 3

Detox Protocol - Fibromyalgia

If you have been reading through this series, then you know –> Leah’s story and you have read
–> my story.  What you need know now is the end of my heavy metal story and understand what type of a detox protocol to consider.  You also need to know how to avoid these heavy metals and toxins.

How the Detox Protocol Worked

The first month I began the heavy metal detox, I noticed a real change.  My bad days lessened.  I had more energy.  The first month, I did not actually believe the change.  I had to keep seeing this progress to believe there was a real difference.

The second month, things kept getting better.  James (my husband) and I began to tackle projects around the house that have been undone for . . . should I admit? . . . YEARS.  Rather than dragging our feet and forcing ourselves to do these tasks, we just naturally made things happen.  We had the energy, the focus, and our systems were cleared.

As for pain, I had not previously realized it, but I was plagued by mild pain for years.  I had been struggling with back pain and just a general malaise for a while now.  After those two months, the pain subsided.

Since then, I have started to work through the online classes that Leah McCullough has on her site.  I look forward to moving forward from the Detox to the rest of her 3D Fibro program.  I would have never said “I have fibromyalgia,” but I had no idea how much of an affect the heavy metals that were in my body were taking on my health and on the health […]

By |February 15th, 2017|Brooke S., Fertility & Pregnancy, Holistic Remedies|1 Comment
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How Heavy Metals Changed My Life – Part 2

heavy metals

How Heavy Metals Changed My Life

After listening to –>Leah’s story, I thought about my own story.  In high school, I was that person who popped up out of bed at the first sound of my alarm.  I had unending energy.  Consequently, I received a few vaccines on my way to college and I thought nothing of it.  I wish I had known then that vaccinations contain heavy metals that collect in the body.  At that point, I still had plenty of energy and did many of the things I planned to do.  In essence, this was my “before” era.

After college, I had more vaccinations before going to South Africa for a missions trip.  I abided by the suggested shot schedule from the CDC.  I had no idea at the time that I only needed the vaccinations that were required by South Africa, not those suggested by the CDC.  In South Africa, my energy was definitely lower.  I did many of the things I needed to do, but it began to be a struggle.  While overseas, I was sick about half of the time.  I loved my time there and I gave every bit of energy I had, but I had so much less of it to give.

I began to eat more fish following my college years.  Indiscriminately, I ate fish.  I did not know from where my fish came and I had no idea that eating certain fish could lead to heavy metal toxicity.  Most farmed fish are contaminated with heavy metals and some ocean fish.

After my trip to South Africa, I married.  During this time of my life, I became a lot less productive.  I had multiple jobs, but less energy.  While […]

By |February 14th, 2017|Brooke S., Fertility & Pregnancy, Holistic Remedies|1 Comment
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Fibromyalgia, Infertility, and Heavy Metals – Part 1

fibromyalgia help

Why Do I Care about Fibromyalgia?

Many of you know me and know that I generally seem healthy.  I eat well.  I exercise (well, sometimes . . . ).  I am not too little, not too large.  Most days, I do not look like I am in pain.  So then, why am I concerned about fibromyalgia?

My interested in fibromyalgia began in November of 2016 at the Weston A. Price Conference in Montgomery, Alabama.  After listening to a day full of speakers, they announced the speakers who would present after dinner.  One of the people who were speaking was a lady who had struggled with fibromyalgia for eight years, struggled with infertility (for the same eight years), and had become pregnant after treating the underlying problem that caused her fibromyalgia.

My ears perked.

Many of you know that while I appear to be healthy, I am struggling with secondary infertility.  Although we have a son, we have been unable to have a successful second pregnancy.  We have been dealing with this for six years.  Stories of hope from women who recovered from a fertility imbalance are of great interest to me.

Leah’s Story of Fibromyalgia

I readily showed up at Leah McCullough’s (–> The Fibro Lady‘s) presentation and listened attentively.  She has quite a story.  For eight years, she struggled with fibromyalgia, so much so, that she could not continue to work.  Her husband took on two jobs to help to support them.  She also dealt with infertility and depression during this time.  Finally, she reached the point where she knew she had to do something different.  She reached out to a local natural practitioner who helped her to make choices that changed her life.

This natural practitioner […]

By |February 13th, 2017|Brooke S., Holistic Remedies|3 Comments
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Fertility Health Check – How healthy are you?

Download a health check at Boholistic Mom

As I have studied and explored the world of fertility health, one thing I have realized is that many women have no idea what factors in their lives could impact their fertility.  Many times when we realize that we are having fertility difficulties, we run to the doctor to be officially diagnosed as “infertile.”  What if before the two year point, women had the opportunity to take an objective look at their fertility health and begin to intentionally make changes to their own health to improve their fertility?

This is my mini mission.

My mini mission is to help women before they have received an official diagnosis to improve their fertility by analyzing their own health and making powerful choices for their own body.

My long-term mission is to help women who have a fertility imbalance (who are often diagnosed as “infertile”) to feel empowered to make informed choices toward improving their fertility.

Fertility Resource

The resource I have today is extremely useful for both sets of women.  The Fertility Health Check will help you to think through factors that are impacting your health.  By following the instructions in the health check, you can analyze where you are at with your health and where you can work to improve your health.

Steps to Download this PDF

I cannot stand websites that force me to sign up for their e-mail list in order to download a PDF.  You may want my resource, but not desire to be signed up for yet another e-mail list.  Therefore, I simply ask that you consider following at least three steps below, but I’m leaving it up to you.  I want you to love me for me, not for my resources 😉

  1. Visit my Services […]
By |February 6th, 2017|Brooke S., Fertility & Pregnancy, Natural Fertility and Childbirth|0 Comments
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