My journey to wellness began with wanting a child. I wanted to heal my body, I had a desire to know better and do better. That desire was the launching pad for years of reading, research and connections. And I am still learning! Stepping outside of the Western world of medicine and finding ways to heal over masking symptoms was life changing. The body is powerful and when it needs a boost there are several things we use daily and some we use as a boost, when needed. I share about it all below. While there is a place for Western medicine, my journey has shown me that there is healing beyond what we are often offered.
Before I jump into what we do, I want to touch on what we haven't done/don’t do/haven’t needed to do. We don’t reduce fevers or use antibiotics. Yes, my daughter has had fevers (no febrile seizure issues), she has been sick, but we decided early on to support her with a holistic approach and allow her immune system and gut to build up naturally. When she was unwell she nursed, was held skin to skin, we bathed together to bring her temp down and allowed the body to do its job. What we tend to see in today’s world is a surge of antibiotics and then from there food allergies, attention issues, behavior issues, constant sickness and a vicious cycle…I just want you to think about that. Our gut health plays a huge role in all of this.
Eating well-whole foods, vegetables, fruits and lots of water is part of our journey and definitely something that supports our wellness. When we feel off we avoid all dairy and processed sugar as it wreaks havoc on the bodies ability to heal. Before I became pregnant, we started going to the chiropractor and haven't stopped. When the body is not aligned it struggles to do the job it was made to do! Our home- we have a low toxin home (don't believe you can be 100 percent toxin free) we use one plant based cleaner for our entire home and do our best to be aware of what we put in, on and near our body/bodies. All these changes weren't made overnight, so while it may feel overwhelming, remember the goal and remember it's step by step.
Let ’s talk gut health. Gut health is all the rage right now, but honestly it's always been important, just not as out in the spotlight as it is now. So many companies working to advertise their product as the best and one to have. If our soils weren't so depleted and if we all had access to rich and diverse foods, things would be very different. Taking a probiotic every night (even when we feel great) supports the immune system in multiple ways and yes, at night as that is when your body repairs itself. Did you know 70% of the cells that make up your immune system are housed in your gut wall? That means we need to keep them healthy! So many things can breakdown our gut microbiome-the most common antibiotics! Doctors should be prescribing probiotics with every antibiotic, but…So without overloading you with information here is the probiotic my family uses.
Get Outside
Sunshine, mud, dirt, dirty hands and feet, water. Being outdoors as much as you can. The soil is alive and rich (even when depleted). Stepping outside for most, is healing and hello Vitamin D! We don't use Vitamin D year round, but do use it for a boost, as needed. I buy mine from a small local shop, it's organic olive oil and Vit D, that’s all.
I often get asked about the amount of time we spend in the sun and what I use to protect our body so as a side note we only use mineral based sunscreen with a non nano zinc! So important to not block the negative with harsh chemicals that are known to cause cancer and be endocrine disruptors.
Get outside and get dirty!
Alternatives
Essential oils, homeopathics remedies passed down. All the things your great grandmother or maybe your mom shared with you. The things that seem far fetched, but often worked. My heart has always been drawn to these things. We use essential oils daily to stay well, to support our body when we feel unwell and for everything under the sun. When my daughter had an emergency surgery at 2 we used traumeel and arnica to support the pain. Coughs, congestion, you name it, we have used an alternative for it. If you have a desire to support instead of suppress the body there are answers out there. Mainstream will have you believe otherwise, but I promise you there is support. 
Sleep
Oh sleep. Something that comes and goes in phases especially as a new mama. Sleep is crucial to healing, but when you don't feel good it's hard to rest. Again, we use oils, sleepy tea, tart cherry juice (natural melatonin)and we read and relax. We avoid things that stimulate the body. This is hard with little one. So we do are best, but sleep is key to a strong immune system.
Favorite sleep oils-Roman Chamomile, Calm, Sleepyize, Frankincense, Lavender, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Valerian, Rutavala.
The oils can be diffused, dilluted and applied or even sprayed on linens. So many ways to use them.
Often we miss our sleep window! You may need to be in bed earlier than you think or want.
Vitamin C
Most know the power of Vitamin C. The below comes from whole fruit to ensure you get the full botanical synergy! We take Super C as needed to support our bodies. The added camu camu contains powerful antioxidants that may fight inflammation and rose hips which also contain antioxidants that are anti-inflamitory and protect the immune system especially during times of stress. This is exactly what the body needs when it working hard to heal.
Detox Baths
How I make mine.
Magnesium Flakes 1 Cup-Our body needs magnesium and sometimes we don’t absorb what we need via supplements. The skin does a great job of absorbing this mineral that is used in regulating over 300 enzymes and reactions in the body.
Epsom Salts 1 cup-detoxifying properties, soothes the skin, reduces inflammation, helps you relax…
Himalayan Sea Salt 1/2 cup-another detoxifier that leaves you feeling refreshed and nourished.
Bentonite clay 2 TBS-has sponge like properties and works to draw out impurities, leaves the skin soft
Charcoal Powder 2TBS-detox powerhouse! can leave a black ring and stain, just an FYI!
Essential oils-we love to use Frankincense, lavender, Egyptian Gold, Rose. So many great options. Make sure to add the oils to the epsom salts then pour into tub. This will help the oil so that it doesn't sit on the surface of the water.
It's best to add all this to a warm bath not hot. Soak for at least 20 minutes and then allow your body to rest for at least an hour afterwards.
Wellness Roller
We use this daily. You dilute according to age. I use a 10ml roller bottle and top with coconut oil, but you can use any carrier oil.
20 drops Frankincense
15 to 20 Drops Thieves
10 Drops Lemon
I like to add some Oregano, too!
Diffusing
We have a diffuser in every room. We use them daily. The decision to rid our home of candles, air freshener and all the synthetic smell good things happened years before my daughter. These things are hard on our body and do impact our bodies ability to heal. So instead we diffuse. The house smells wonderful and we are supporting our bodies.
Our current favorites:
1.Thieves, lemon, frankincense
2. Cinnamon Bark, frankincense, Northern Lights Black Spruce, Lavender, Cedarwood and Vetiver
3. Eucalyptus Blue, Orange, Idaho Blue Spruce
4. Basil, lemon, cinnamon
All the woodsy oils to support our respiratory system and wellness! 
Herbs with antiviral properties!
Check out these herbs if you're needing an extra boost. Oregano, cinnamon, basil, clove, peppermint, sage, rosemary, garlic. Look up each one to see just how powerful they are. Add them to your cooking or…
Inner Defense
Our go to whenever we have been exposed to those that aren't feeling well or if we feel off. This stuff is a powerhouse with Oregon, thyme, lemongrass, clove, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary ans cinnamon bark. We take it at night so our body has extra support to do its job. We also have Oscillococcinum on hand to take during the day as needed (it's a homeopathic remedy that can be bought at stores). 
Ningxia Red
A powerhouse of antioxidants and nutrients. A whole body supplement that the whole family will benefit from. 
Elderberry Syrup!
Elderberries have been shown to support the immune system and help the body heal faster. Elderberries naturally contain vitamins A, B, and C and stimulate the immune system. You can make it at home (my recipe at Destinationmommy on IG or buy it at the store. Just look for a syrup without a bunch of added junk!
Remember our thoughts are powerful. Stress, anxiety, worry, they all deplete our body in a negative way. Raising our vibration and remembering all that we have to be thankful supports our wellness journey, too! Wash those hands and remember that your body is powerful! It was made to support you, take care of it.
*I am not a doctor. I am not here to treat, cure or claim anything. This is just what we do to stay well.
We always have an abundance of eggshells and have found several great ways to use them. Our garden and chickens love the calcium. We also use crushed eggshells for our houseplants. There are endless ways to use the shells (I shared an image below).
I remember reading the ingredients in the chalk I had bought my daughter and a lightbulb went on (calcium carbonate and limestone are common ingredients used in commercial chalk).
After a few experiments and some attempts that ended up being gritty finger paint, I finally came up with the magic combination.
Start by saving your eggshells. I typically process 2 dozen eggshells at a time, but I have processed more and stashed the ground eggshells aside for future use! I usually set my eggshells in the sun to dry out and to prevent any smells. Plus, I don't like spending time washing them all out…
After you have enough shells (any amount will do) place them in a pot to steam them. I steam my shells for about 20 minutes. You can skip this step and I often do, but this is for those worried about bacteria. After they have steamed, set them out to dry. The sunshine will do or you can dry on a baking sheet in a very low oven.
After the shells are a fine powder you can measure out 1TBS of eggshell to 1 tsp of flour. If you want to make more than one stick just double the recipe or triple or…
Slowly add very warm water. I do a tsp at a time. You want a thick, toothpaste consistency. If your chalk is too wet, it will take longer to dry.
To add color-After you add water, add in some color using paint or dye. You can see the paint I like to use. I have used plant based pigments before and love them, but the colors aren't brilliant and don't show up that great on the sidewalk. Start with a little color, stir well and add more as needed.
When my little one is making chalk with me I like to have several smalls bowls out for mixing colors. When it's just me, I use the same measuring cup and mix colors from lightest to dark. For example I'll start with a pale yellow, then do a golden yellow, then a light orange and move to red, then add some blue for purple and so on!
Fill tube to the top and leave upright to dry. The chalk takes about 12 hours-3 days to dry, it's a good idea to explain this before you start making the chalk with your little one.
Enjoy and please tag me @destinationmommy if you make the chalk. I would also love it if you shared this post!
Where do you store all the art your little one creates? How do you keep it organized?
When I taught in the classroom, each child had a portfolio to keep their art in. It was a simple 3 ring binder with page protectors in it. Art that wouldn't fit, would be on display and then sent home.
The reason I kept a portfolio for each child~it's like a storybook of growth. One you can see unfold as you look through their creations from day one to the end.
Children's art is so much more than beautiful, it's a peak into where they were at that moment of time. For some it's a relase of how they were feeling. For others art is their why, their purpose and what grounds them. For some art is a time to get messy and be free.
My tips for storing/organizing art!
Frame it and display it in your home. Nothing better than decorating your walls with the work of your little one’s heart. Something to consider before doing a project, am I using paper that is the right size for a frame? If not, am I willing to pay to have a custom frame made or take time to make my own frame? You can find cheap frames and I have found some of my favorites at second hand stores. If they aren't exactly how you want them, paint them! Or just use blue painters tape and stick them up on the wall!
Buy a few portfolios! You can buy portfolios online or find them at your local arts and craft store. I like to have a couple sizes on hand (11x14 and 9x12 are the two we use most), because I am not into art that is all on one size of paper. For our larger art projects, I have a huge portfolio (24x36). It has hard sides. I didn't photograph it, but it's a must have over here. I have stashed a few pieces away to have framed hopefully in the near future.
3 dimensional art is still a work in progress over here. I have a shelf with lots of pieces, but for some art that doesn't last, like amazing chalk drawings or flower creations…I take picture, print them and place in the portfolios. A recent example,y daughter made a rainbow using different flowers and nature finds. I'll press this before the flowers dry and then frame it!
For everyday and the in between drawing times, I like to buy notepads with drawing paper. My daughter draws in them and I simply write the date on her drawing. I have several of these from when she was a baby (we started art/sensory fun as soon as she held her head up) and love looking back
Make a simple string line with clothespins and hang art up! I rotate this often and put the art that is no longer up, into one of the portfolios.
Children's art is definitely my weakness, I may be an art hoarder, but I have come to terms with it!
How do you store art?
In this time, honor the fact that your child is a child. I have been reminded several times that my daughter is sheltered. I disagree. I don't believe she needs to see the news, hear about the sadness or darkness in order to learn about the past. At least not at her current age. What our children need now is to see our actions and growth and to see how we move to love and embrace others.
Books! So many books written that talk about diversity or share a view into another child or families world are written by one race. I discovered this while teaching and wanted to make sure I was sharing diverse literature that was written by those that truly lived what they were sharing. These books aren't focused on racism. They offer a look into the way others live, the way we are born different, and our lifestyles and skin color that may differ from our own.
While I have books on racism, many of them are written by white authors and while I am not judging this (and they are full of great information), I am pushing myself beyond that and don't want to share that right now. A book that I do reccomended that is more recent is So You Want to Talk About Race, by, Ijeoma Oluo. I would start with it to have your heart and mind awakened, challenged and changed.
For our children. Having books on our shelves that share the diversity of our world on a regular basis is one way to support open conversations with our children. To show the beauty that exists and not only the darkness. It's so important to highlight the good when talking about the "bad." But, it's just a piece of the puzzle, don't let books do the hard work.
Here are some of my favorites. Please share yours, but I challenge you to check out the authors and share more than white authors! I'll try to do a story and share a few images from the books, soon!
*LITTLE LEADERS, Bold Women in Black History and Little Leaders, Exceptional Men in Black History By Vashiti Harrison and Kwesi Johnson.
*Saturday By Oge Mora
*A chair for my mother, by Vera B, Williams.
*Mixed Me By Taye Diggs
*Fry Bread By Kevin Noble Maillard
*My Brother Charlie By Holly Robinson
*Imani's Moon By Janay Brown-Wood
*The Family Book By Todd Parr
*A Day with Yayah, by Nicola Campbell (or any of her books).
*Kamik Joins the Pack By Darryl Baker
*My Heart Fills With Happiness By sâkaskinêw nitêh miywêyihtamowin ohci
*The Seeing Stick By Jane Yolen
*Wild Berries By Julie Flett
*This is Ella By Krista Ewert
*The Name Jar By Yangsook Choi
*My Name is Yoon By Helen Recorvits's
*I am Enough By Grace Byers
*Ben's Adventures By Elizabeth Gerlach
