Too much of a good thing

We've spent all week at home.  Not necessarily because we've wanted to (although its beautiful where we live and we could get lost in the woods for days).  

I OD'd on elderberry.

Everything I've read says that too much elderberry can give a person loose stools (sorry for the graphic explanation), but that's not what I experienced.  I got spots.  Not just a few, but spots everywhere on my body.  I felt like a pimply teenager all over again hiding my face behind long hair and big hats.  Thank God it wasn't the middle of summer and at least I could wear long sleeves and pants.  Are you thinking, "how can she be sure it was the elderberry?".  I can't be 100% positive, but I've written down everything I've eaten in the past week, everything I've put on my body, detergents, soaps, lotions, cleaners, and have called every friend I've seen in the past 3 weeks to see if anyone else had these mystery spots.  Nothing.  The only thing different was that I took copious amounts of elderberry for the past week to try to combat the beginnings of a cold.  I took way more than the directions on the bottle told me to take.  Also, last year the same thing happened to Lucian, my son.  

Good news:  I didn't get the cold!  But I will surely follow the dosage amounts from now on!  Lesson learned.

Elderberry For Your Health

For those who don't know elderberry, it is a shrub or small tree that grows throughout the warmer regions of the Americas and Europe.  The berries that form late in the summer are most recently known to be really great at shortening the duration of colds and illnesses.  That's because they contain potassium and large amounts of vitamin c.  Elderberries are also a good source of anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants which are responsible for giving many red and purple fruits their color.  

In our house we've been using elderberry syrup, the most commonly found way of consuming elderberry, for a few years.  As soon as symptoms of a cold appear, we take it and often times the cold doesn't come to fruition, or if it does, it is way shorter than other friends who have the same cold.  It tastes pretty good too.  Even my son loves it (okay, so he eats sprouted lentils and dulse for snacks too.  Normal?)  

Elderberry is not like Echinacea.  You don't take it to keep the viruses away, but rather take it at the first sign of a virus.  I've read that it shouldn't be taken for more than 2 weeks at a time, as a tolerance can be built up against it.

There are a few brands to choose from.  The sweetest brand is "Sambucol".  The nastiest tasting brand is "Planetary Herbals", but its powerful in its punch and has other good stuff thrown into the mix.

The weather's getting colder, so get to your health food store and stock up on the good stuff.  Having it in the house even makes me feel like I have a better immune system!

"There are only two lasting gift we can give our children.: one is roots, the other wings."

-Hodding Carter

I even see this in parenting my 2 1/2 year old son.  I want him to know what home is.  He's always safe at home, welcome home and loved at home.  Yet I want him to experience things on his own, so let him explore as he likes.  I simply stay in one place so he always knows where I (home) am.  

Limitless

If you empty yourself of your own expectations, you will see that your children will never be outside your love.

As my son and I were making blueberry muffins this morning he began tasting everything.  At first, I told him he couldn't taste the flour, the baking soda, the sugar.  But stopped myself and thought, how will he ever know if he doesn't experience.  So the mess ensued.  It was a marvelous disaster.  

And so the days begins...

Today...

Its only fit to begin this blog by starting with the word 'today'.  I'm in the moment.  I find this essential for me in my journey through motherhood.  I cannot spend time wondering what could have been, reminiscing about the past or dreaming of the future.  I then miss out on what's happening right now.  My son standing in a shower of sand in the sandbox as he throws it up and lets it trickle down on his body.  Walking outside to see what flowers have bloomed today  (oh look - the irises and mountain laurels are open!).  

Today I am the best me I can be.  I eat well.  I spend time laughing with my 2 year old son while we play chase.  I keep a song in my heart.  

I write this while eating a big salad that gives me lots of energy to keep me going happily through my day: sprouts, dulse, soaked sunflower seeds, carrots, cucumber, red bell pepper, broccoli, and asparagus spears mixed with some olive oil, lemon juice and bragg's aminos.  Simple and delicious.  Later I will make some raw chocolates - photos are to come.  They are simply scrumptious!

My transformation is underway.  I've been eating all raw foods for 2 1/2 week now.  I feel phenomenal.  I was scared, thought I would be bored with my food, was afraid of detoxing because I'm still breastfeeding my son.  None of that has happened.  The amazing energy I feel has outweighed all those fears.  I really don't know how long I will eat like this.  My philosophy is that I do what makes me happy.  Right now, this is what's making me happy, or at least helping me be happy.  And as long as I'm happy, all is right in my world.  

Welcome to Holimama.  There's much more to explore in the life as a holistic mother.  Stay updated daily as I cover topics that any mother will find interest in - and easy ways of adapting them to your life.

In Health and Happiness,

Stanzi