Joyful, Healthy Living

Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose... Got allergies? Homeopathy can help!

Years ago when I first started using a slow cooker, I was repeatedly disappointed by overcooked, dry chicken. It took me awhile to figure out that, unlike beef roasts which benefit from slow cooking over a long period of time, chicken is best if slow-cooked for only a few hours. One of my favorite chicken recipes is chicken and mushroom soup. The earthy flavor of mushrooms contrasts nicely with the light flavor of chicken. The herbs and vermouth give this soup outstanding fl

Here's a recipe for natural and effective homemade tooth powder that we've been using for 10+ years! Have you looked at the ingredients in your toothpaste? Let's dig into some of the unhealthy ingredients in Colgate Total toothpaste: Fluoride: associated with lower intelligence and IQ scores in children Sucralose and sorbitol: artificial sugars linked to weight gain, inflammation, negative impacts on the gut microbiome, liver damage, and glucose intolerance (precursor to diab

"Measles Outbreak!" It's all over the news again, but is there really cause for concern? Here is info about: illness severity, nutritional support, safety and risks of MMR vaccines, and homeopathics that have been found to be effective at treating the illness. DISCLAIMER: This information is not to be construed as medical advice and is intended for educational use only. Measles Symptoms According to Physicians for Informed Consent, *Measles symptoms include a prodromal (init

Like most Americans, I had my share of processed foods and subsequent dental cavities as a young adult. My diet growing up in the 80's and early 90's was fairly standard, with lots of canned foods, Kool-Aid, cereals, PBJ sandwiches, processed meats, fat-free dairy, margarine, etc. Then, for a few years while I was in high school and college, I worked long hours at a pizza shop, at which I ate lots of pizza and drank many sodas, day in and day out. I didn't really know any bet

Looking for a healthier replacement to processed breakfast cereal? This sprouted granola recipe is for you! Since my teens have been raised on a real food diet, boxed cereals haven't generally been part of their breakfast routine. Most boxed cereals are filled with processed ingredients, artificial food dyes, and preservatives. We've avoided most of the organic boxed cereals, too, because of the phytic acid in whole grains. Phytic Acid - Whole Grains' Dirty Little Secret Whol

Teaching kids to become independent learners is one of the foundations of our homeschool philosophy. This means that, while my kids are in high school, they pursue their own independent studies in addition to our 3x/week all-together schooling time. Now that my daughter Alina has graduated from high school, she will no longer be joining our school time, but nonetheless she will be pursuing her own studies and has asked for some help with accountability. Here's a snapshot of

When life's everyday stresses hit, homeopathy can help! Using homeopathic remedies to treat emotional stress not only helps you move through the emotions and regain balance quickly, it also helps prevent emotional stresses from contributing to long-term chronic health problems. Resistance to Treating Emotional Injuries Many people resist taking homeopathics to help with emotional stresses. People seem to think that they need to suffer through grief and hardships, and that suc

For over a decade, my family has purchased grassfed beef in bulk from a local NM rancher every year. Once we get our half beeve, our freezer is happily stocked for the upcoming year with ground beef, roasts, steaks, organ meats, and more. The ground beef is quick and easy to cook up, but many of the other cuts require long cook times and some require special preparation. One cut that I consistently struggled to know what to do with was the ribs. Year after year, they would li

This is one of my favorite ways to make steak. Rosemary, thyme, and garlic combine with beef for a fabulous taste. We enjoy our steaks cooked medium or medium rare and beautifully red inside. Pair the steaks with a simple side salad and perhaps crispy fried potatoes: dinner is served! Garlic and Herb Pan-Seared Steak Serves 3-4 Three 1-inch-thick beef steaks, such as Rib Eye or T-Bone, or 4 smaller 1-inch steaks such as NY strip (preferably grassfed) 4 cloves garlic 1 Tb co