Wake up, try to be quiet so I don’t wake the rest of the house, make coffee, have a quiet time with Jesus reading my bible and journaling, babies are up, change diapers, get boys dressed, make breakfast, pack hubby lunch, change diapers number 3 and 4 of the day, eat breakfast, get dressed, pack the diaper bag, try to get everyone and the dog in the car, chase son around the couch a few times, oops son lost a shoe, everyone is in, drop the dog off at the groomer, dog has anxiety and doesn’t want to get out of the car, he bites me (literally first time ever!), stop by the grocery store to get swim diapers, go to swim lessons, drive home, feed boys lunch, and try to eat a few bites myself and then put boys down for nap time!

Ahhhhh….. THAT was literally my morning! I was in the middle of cleaning the kitchen which is still a mess with thrown black beans and veggies on the floor, when I decided I needed a mommy break to blog (and vent!).  Can you relate?  If you are a mother, then I’m sure you can.  It is stressful at times and the older the boys are getting (19 months now) the BUSIER they are getting.

Stress does wonders for our bodies, breaking down our immune systems.  Just wonderful when we have so many people counting on us to be our best healthiest self!  Thank goodness there is a natural remedy that can not only help build your immune system, but kick the cold and Flu virus’s bum!

During the worst Flu outbreak our country has seen in years, our family decided NOT to get the flu vaccine this year (I know Shocking!)! I’m not going to lie, I was a little scared.  But after much debate, and research, we felt it was best for our family.  Much to my relief, no one contracted influenza.

Of course, toddlers have the famous runny/snotty noses (which are also helping to strengthen their immune systems!).  It felt like every other week I was wiping their poor little noses or sucking out snot, but with each cold, I would up their elderberry dose for the duration to kick the cold quicker!

I am a firm believer in using what the Lord has provided.  Using natural remedies that come from the earth first before more severe actions are needed (antibiotics, prescription meds, etc).

Here is what our family used for a NATURAL Flu “vaccine” this year.  I just finished making my THIRD batch of Elderberry syrup last night to finish off this years flu season.

Homemade Elderberry  (Sambucus Negra) Syrup

• 1/2 c. Elderberry’s 
• 3 c. filtered water
• 1 c. raw honey
• 2 Tbl fresh grated ginger or 1 tsp powderd ginger
• 2 tsp cinnamon or a cinnamon stick
• a nut milk bag  or fine mesh sieve

Instructions

Directions for use: Children/toddlers take 1 tsp daily for prevention and 1 tsp per waking hour if sick with the cold or flu. Adults 1 TBL daily for prevention and 1 Tbl per waking hour if sick.

**NOTE: DO NOT give any honey to infants under 12 months of age!