Soaked, Spelt, Biscuits

These biscuits will knock your socks off! (So you may want to go bare foot before trying them). Also, they are soooo simple to make you'll get addicted to 'em quick!

Ingredients

3 cups of spelt flour (you can use wheat but spelt tastes better)
1 Tsp baking powder
1 tsp natural salt

1/3 cup plain, whole milk, yogurt
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup olive oil or melted butter
1 Tsp apple cider vinegar

Sift dry ingredients together, set aside, in a another bowl mix wet ingredients well. Add wet to dry, mix until just barely mixed together. DON'T OVER MIX. Cover with a towel and leave in a warm place for 12-24 hours. Gently pat out biscuits (I like to pat them out thin and then stack two together so they open easily for buttering), place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, pop in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

We use them for breakfast, egg sandwiches, hamburgers, sides to salads, picnic snacks, etc. They are perfect with grass fed butter and lacto-fermented jam!

Finding Your Sweet Voice

Feminine Friday is a semi regular feature on A Wise and Glorious Purpose aimed at promoting a culture where women embrace their womanhood as a divine and eternal characteristic.

If eyes are the window to the soul than the voice is it's banner, proclaiming to everyone how we esteem ourselves as well as others.


How do you use your voice?

In Jane Austen's Mansfield Park we read that young Fanny, though not rich or educated, makes a decent first impression on her new family because she, "was not vulgar, her voice was sweet, and when she spoke, her countenance was pretty."

Is your voice pretty? I know that growing up rather Tom-boyish I didn't spend much time on developing a sweet voice. I learned to speak rather harshly, in the manner of those around me, and certainly public schooling did noting but worsen my voices tempo as well as the vulgar words I would use.

For a long time I was of the opinion that using curse words, talking in lower class slang, and arguing in public were all just parts of me and that people around me should deal with this. I was a brave, strong, independent woman and I thought rough speech testified to this.

Once I had children I could hear my voice coming out of them and I didn't like it. I didn't like the way I sounded. I wanted to sound like the beautiful, sweet women I respected in literature. Not snobby, but kind and respectful. I wanted people to think well of me.

It's still a struggle to remember this trait and to practice it. I have successfully stopped cursing, I do not yell or argue in public (except in an emergency) and I speak in order to understand and be understood, not to incite debate but I still raise my voice too often, whine and slip into slang more often then I would like.

It will mostly likely be a life long repair job however I am excited about the ripple effect it will have on my children who are often spoken well of in regards to their speech and politeness.

My husband enjoys it as well. He thinks it's cute when I refuse to cuss, or when I pout instead of shout. He adores the way I speak kindly of others and struggle not to gossip.  Men want to look upon women as if we are fairy like beings of grace and beauty, they want to respect our sweetness so they feel they have something pure to protect and provide for..

Here are some things I have found helpful in my quest to cultivate a gentle voice...

1. Watch my media intake.

I try and stick to sweetness in my environment. I watch movies and read books were people are civil and respectful in their speech. Classics always come to mind here, Peter Pan, Jane Austen, Little Women, Little House on the Prairie, etc.

2. Practice

When I hear words and manners of speaking that I like, I practice using them.

3. Substitute

It was hard for me to quit cursing, I couldn't just *not* say anything in moments of great joy or sorrow so I used substitute words that are cuter and sweeter. Some popular substitute words include, fetch, flip, holy moly, jeepers creepers, jimany petes, and well-I-declare!

It's amazing the ease and grace that comes from good speech. It improves the mood of your life when you limit the amount of negativity you're willing to let spill from your lips. A sweet voice can cultivate a sweet life. 

You'll also be pleasantly surprised how well your children will speak when you, their mother, show them a good example.

The Importance of Sleep for Children

 

Newborn Avi enjoys a nap while nursing.

Benjamin Franklin famously said; "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." I can testify that this is true for children as well as adults. In the Waldorf method of education and lifestyle early bedtimes are a crucial part of a healthy home rhythm.

Sometimes as adults we don't fully appreciate how much sleep children need to thrive. We place them on our own sleep schedule or struggle endless hours to get them to go to bed a little earlier than us. We can see the results in their tired eyes, their cranky behavior and their bedtime fussiness.

Our Papa has been working more evenings lately and has been out of town a lot so our bedtime routine has seen me struggle to get the boys to bed on time and while I aim for the recommended 7 pm bedtime the boys are often not asleep until 8  or 9 pm.

Our rates of whining, irritability, and over all grouchiness have increased in response, prompting me to do a little research into how much sleep children need and suggestions for bedtime routines.

First let's look at how much sleep your children need by their age...

Newborns, 1-2 months old need 10.5 - 18 hours per day, waking often to eat.

Infants, 3 - 11 months old need 9-12 hours of sleep per night, waking often to eat as well as several naps throughout the day.

Toddlers, 1-3 years old need 12-14 hours sleep in a 24 hour period.

Preschoolers, 3 - 5 years old need 11 - 13 hours of sleep per night.

Children, 5-12 years old need 10-11 hours of sleep.


A few important points to remember is that even though your child may need 11 hours of sleep that doesn't mean that sleeping from midnight to 11 am is an optimum schedule. Rudolph Steiner, the creator of the Waldorf method, taught that every hour of sleep you get before midnight is worth twice as much as sleep you get after midnight - thus an early bedtime is best for children (as well as adults).

So, in our home my children usually wake up between 7 and 8 am, this mean that Ronan should be in bed, and asleep around 7 pm and Nykki no later than 9 pm. When you factor in brushing teeth, putting on jammies, reading a few stories, our bedtime routine really should begin no later than 6 pm.

As I write this, my sleepy Ro Ro is dozing while laying on my shoulder. He fell asleep around 9 pm last night and the several meltdowns he's had today are telling me that I need to adjust our dinner time to 5 pm so that we can begin our bed routine at 6 pm.

Our preferred bedtime routine (which has been off since I had Avi) is to get teeth brushed and jammies on right after dinner. We then snuggle in bed and read a few pictures as well as a few chapters from our chapter book by candle light.

What is your bedtime routine? What bedtime have you found to work best?

3 Reasons Not to Get a Flu Shot

Photo Credit



As we explored in yesterday's post, it's cold and flu season. I'm starting to lose count how many friends of mine have ended up in the hospital in the past month or two over flu related conditions. Every year when and if I get the flu my father always tells me, "You should have got your flu shot."

I've never had a flu shot, nope, not a one. I'm grateful that flu shots didn't become popular until I was already an adult and could make a choice for myself. After much research I choose not to get the flu shot for a few crucial reasons.

1. It doesn't work

The CDC's (Centers for Disease Control) own findings have found that you are just as likely to get the flu whether or not you've gotten a flu shot. Yep, that's right, just as likely. The flu shot does not work. Hence the flu shot, at best, is a waste of money, time, energy, and skin poky-ness.

2. Adverse Reactions

Some adverse reactions to getting the flu shot include; fever, rash, headaches, hives, and even seizures. Some people have been permanently disabled. I don't know about you but I don't feel like playing rush n' roulette with my quality of life.


3. Brain Damage 

Many flu shots contain thimersol, which is 49% mercury. Yep, the same stuff that use to make hat markers "mad as a hatter." That's because it's a nero toxin, which means, quite simply, it dulls and injures your brain. Don't know 'bout you, but I really, really, like my brain.


Fairly good reasons, eh? Yes, I know that having the flu is terrible. I hate it especially because I usually end up needing an IV to stay hydrated but the flu is also part of the human condition. It builds our natural immunity that we then pass down to our children, making them stronger. That's how the human race has survived.

So, the next time someone in medical clothing comes up to you and says, "Me like flu shot, flu shot gooooooood." Back away slowly, never run, and go take some Vitamin D. It's been shown to be 800% more effective than the flu shot.

Works Cited

Why You Shouldn't Get a Flu Shot

Read This Before You Get the Flu Shot, CNN

Why the Flu Vaccine Doesn't Work

Vitamin D Proven Far Better than Vaccines

Preparing for Cold and Flu Season

Photo Credit

We all know it's coming and for some of us it seemed to come much to early. Cold and flu season are differently upon us and here in Northern California we are getting hit with some nasties just on the tail end of a summer flu season that was unusually yucky.

There are many things we can do to prevent colds and flues and while nothing is 100% effective these remidies have taken a girl (me) from about 10 colds and flues per yer (yes, I averaged nearly one per month at age 20) to about 2 per year.

Here are my top picks for preventing colds and flues:

1. Eat healthy. 

So simple yet we all forget to do it or some are confused on how. For those who read my blog you know that we follow a traditional foods diet. To translate that in a nutshell I will say this; shop the outside of the store. Fresh fruits, veggies, meats and dairy. Buy organic, local, raw - as unmessed with as possible. Eat real food, real butter, real fat, not hydrogenated oils, no boxed, sugared grains. Eat real meats and real, whole fat, dairy.


2. Get lot's of rest. 

Reduce your stress by simplifying your life. Be sure you have one full day per week where you are relaxing 99% of the day.


3. Drink lots of pure water. 

At least 8, 8 oz glasses per day and more if you can. If you hate the taste of water try adding a little lemon juice to it, or drink lot's of watered down, caffeine free herbal teas.


4. Drink Super Hero Juice. 

What's Super Hero Juice, you ask? Here's the receipe:

2 Tsp dried Elderberries
2 Tsp Ginger
2 Tsp Slippery Elm Bark


Add to two quarts of water, simmer for an hour, add 1/2 cup of raw honey, stir. Let sit overnight. In the morning strain the tea, add to the tea 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar. Store in the fridge, drink liberally, everyday.


5. Make chicken soup at least once per week. 

Here's my favorite recipe from my sister's blog



6. Take your Vitamin D3!

In the summer time we make Vitamin D 3 from the sunlight. But during winter we cannot make any Vitamin D 3. This vitamin is CRUCIAL in immune system function and a whole host of other body functions including keeping us from getting depressed and helping us with the absorption of calcium.

Back in the day we use to get a lot of Vitamin D 3 from wholesome animal products. Be sure to eat full fat meat and dairy from naturally raised, grass fed animals. Eat organ meats like liver too. I cannot stress this enough. Vitamin D 3 is the most important kind of Vitamin D and is only found in sunlight (from March 21st to September 21st) and quality animal products.

Be sure to take a Vitamin D 3 supplement, I like Source Naturals. Take it everyday.



7. Wash your hands often.

We have all heard this again and again but really it's the simplest, easiest way to keep from getting sick. Remind your children to wash their hands and check up on them, make sure they are doing a good job at it. Warm water, scrub while you sing the ABCs, rinse thoroughly. 

Okay, so you've done all that and you're still sick, now what? Really the only thing you can once are sick is to rest, drinks lots of water and wait to get better. Some things, like taking Zinc and garlic, can help speed up your recovery time but for the most part, you're in it 'til it's over.

By why suffer more then you have to? Before you get sick put together a Wellness Kit!

Items for your Wellness Kit include;

Self directing activities for the kids such as crayons, coloring books, movies, books on tape, etc.

Natural remedies you like to have on hand. I like to be well stocked on yarrow, oregon grape root, coliodal silver, oregano, vitamin C, vitamin D, garlic, zinc, ginger, nux vomica (for stomach flues), Herb's for Kids Temp Assure (my FAVORITE kids tinctures because my little guys run hot) etc. If you are new to herbs you can always buy cold and flu season, pre-packaged blends in teas and tinctures.

Extra household items you may not be able to get to the store to pick up such as toilet paper, paper towels, pads or tampons, diapers, wipes, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, etc.

Tylenol (use sparingly), thermometer, and hot water bottle.

In your freezer - pre-made chicken soup, several loaves of sprouted bread, grass fed butter.

In your cupboard - peanut butter (so the kids can make their own sandwiches), oral rehydration drink like Recharge.

A chart describing who has what chore responsibility while mom is sick plus treats to motivate the kids to do extra picking up around the house.

I  urge you to get you kit together today if you don't already have one.

Be healthy, be prepared and beat cold and flu season!

Boy in Action!

 

Over at Home With the Boys everyone is linking up to show off their favorite shot of their boys in action. Here's mine. Beach day...what can I say? It's so much fun they just have to roll around in it!