If you are anything like my family, fall weather and the sniffles often brings on some good homemade chicken noodle soup "just like Grandma's". But, have you ever stopped to wonder why that is? Is it because she had the BEST recipe and it just hits the spot? Or is there more to it than that?
One thing's for sure, you can't beat a nice warm, homemade soup on a chilly day. But I've learned over the years that there's actually a LOT more to it than that. So, let's take a look at some of the main ingredients you'll find in "Grandma's Chicken Soup".
Onion - high in flavonoids (including quercetin and kaempferol), polyphenols, and allicin. They are antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, immune-enhancing, and anti-inflammatory. Onions can also enhance the action of vitamin C.
Garlic - has allicin and alliin, 2 compounds that are responsible for its antibacterial, antiviral, antiprotozoal and antifungal properties.
Celery - (seed) is an antioxidant and anti inflammatory. It also contains magnesium (benefitial use for the nervous system and muscular system), vitamin K, folate, potassium, fiber, and small amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, and some B vitamins.
Carrots - has vitamins A, K, and C. They are high in fiber, beta-carotene (an antioxidant), alpha-carotene (anti-inflammatory), lutein (helps maintain healthy eyes), and zeaxanthin (protects eyes from harmful UV rays & blue light exposure).
Bone Broth - this one can very depending on where your broth comes from. But a good bone broth will contain all of these:
Magnesium, Phosphorus, Gelatin, Collagen, Glycine, Glutamine, Protein, Iron, Potassium, Calcium, Glucosamine, Chondroitin sulfate, Calcium.
It can help improve digestion, protect your joins, clear your skin, improve your sleep, and help support a healthy immune system.
Add-Ins:
Lemon - The juice and flesh have many health benefits. But did you know that the peel also has many health benefits? The white pith of the peel is considered a bitter and can help with digestion and liver function. Lemons are also high in vitamin C, vitamin A, beta carotene, calcium, folate, magnesium, and potassium.
Ginger - (fresh) helps stimulate the immune system, allowing it to fight bacterial and viral infections. It stimulates circulation of the blood (which helps to remove pathogens from the bloodstream). It also thins mucous and supports expectoration, and warms the body.
There's nothing like that extra cozy feeling when you are feeling a bit under the weather.
Herbs - You can find a list of herbs for the cold season here.
So, as you can see, there very well may have been a LOT more behind Grandma's chicken soup.
Here's one of my favorite ways to make a good chicken noodle soup.
Resources (with recipes!):
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I have been a homemaker for over 20 years now. I haven't worked outside the home since I was pregnant with my oldest, who will turn 21 this year. The idea of doing so now is a scary thought for me.
Every child has a dream of what they want to be when they grow up. For me it was a wife and a mother...mission accomplished! And I have no desire of changing that dream now, even though my kids are quickly all becoming young adults. But that doesn't mean that I won't be working at all...far from it!
With the times we are in, it seems even more important to be a diligent homemaker and saving money where we can as a family. As my sons have gotten older, they have both expressed a desire to live off the land, grow our own food, and care for livestock. My daughter is happy to be the recipient, lol. And my husband is thrilled with the idea of being able to work the land with our sons.
We have slowly worked towards this goal over the years. I do my best to preserve our harvest from our small garden each year. I support local friends and purchase meats and produce from them as often as I can. Our dream is to own acres of land and be able to grow our own food for our family (and if we are blessed enough, to share our bounty with others too).
My youngest has wanted goats for a few years now, both meat and milk. He worked with goats as a young teen and the desire never left him. Fastforward a couple of years...and we find ourselves with 12 soon-to-be momma goats, meat goats!
Having goats also means that we need a good livestock guardian dog (LGD) or two. Luckily we have a friend who was needing to rehome a couple of Great Pyrenees pups. My boys and I spent some time over the past week getting to know them so that they will trust us and have an easier transition when we move them to start caring for the goats. We have made some great progress, so moving day for the pups is coming soon!
However, we do not currently own our home or any land. So, just how are we going to manage becoming a homestead when we own nothing?
Follow us on our journey and you'll see! If you find yourself in a similar situation where you long to provide for your family but, like us, do not own your home or land, you will find some great tips in following our journey.
I will be sharing updates on my blog, in my Facebook Group and, eventually hope to add a YouTube channel. If you would like to receive updates, please click here to be added to the list.
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
Do you ever find yourself on a path that you totally geek out on? If you have followed me for long, you know that I love continual education. I have spent the past 5 years or so growing my knowledge and certifications. It truly brings me joy. But when I first started down the path of certifications, I had NO idea it would lead me here.
Then I take a moment, step back in time, and realize that I actually started on this path over 10 years ago! I really don't know what year it was. I know my youngest was a baby (who is now 15 yrs old 😳) and we lived in a different area, which was over 11 yrs ago. Wow! How time flies!!
Now that I took that little jog down memory lane, I realize that my path to natural health and wellness began way back then. It all started with trying to treat headaches. I discovered essential oils and dug into experimenting and learning. I'll admit, I wasn't using PURE essential oils as I should have been and therefore didn't get the desired results (but that's a topic for another time). My point is, that was the start of the path I'm currently on...and thankfully I have now found some PURE essential oils that I LOVE and use daily!
Add to that the need I had to cater to my daughter's strict dietary needs (another story for another time) and I had to do a TON of research and learn all I could about how to supply her needs...naturally.
Now, fast-forward to August of 2023. I was scrolling FB and an ad caught my attention. I usually ignore them but there was something about this one. It was about herbalism. I jumped on it and purchased a short course because it was super cheap. And that was it...I was all in. I quickly got on my computer and searched up Herbalism Courses and Certifications. After a little research I landed on one that seemed reputable and full of all the things I wanted to learn.
Thankfully my husband supports me in all of these endeavors...in more ways than one! He was all for me continuing my education, knowing that it will benefit our whole family. And my goal is to not stop there! My goal is to take my knowledge far enough that I can help other moms with natural remedies.
I am thoroughly enjoying this course and geek out more and more every day as I grow my knowledge and my herb collection.
I can't wait to share little tid-bits with you along the way. This is also part of what I will be offering my my HomeMaker's Haven Membership. It's a great place for me to share the knowledge I'm gaining and help as many moms as possible!
Now, please excuse me while I go geek out a bit more about all that God has given us in nature!
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
Having a hidden illness can be quite challenging at times. On the surface, everything may look just fine. But on the inside there is so much turmoil that is going on. Maybe you are good at putting on that happy face and getting through the day, making it hard for others to see that you truly are struggling. I have dealt with a few different "hidden illnesses" like anxiety, depression, and lyme disease. Here are a few things I wish others understood about these "hidden illnesses".
1."You don't look sick" - So many times it is assumed that we are faking our illness, just because it can't be seen. I have even been told, "you're faking it" straight to my face. Just because I don't constantly complain and tell you everything that is happening inside my body, doesn't mean that it isn't real. Just because you can't see it on the outside doesn't mean all is well.
2. Guilt - This is a big one. Guilt for not being able to do as much at home, at work, etc. Guilt for not having the energy that is expected. Guilt for not being able to 100% be there for your partner. Guilt for sucking all of the finances for your treatments. The list goes on and it can really wear on you if you let it. It can easily be a constant feeling of "I'm not enough".
3. Fatigue - Wearing out easily, needing a nap in the afternoon, needing a solid 8 hours of sleep to be able to fully function the next day..our society today really doesn't work that way, which makes it hard when it's something you are facing. You are seen as lazy and no good.
4.Special dietary needs - Just because I look like I'm healthy doesn't mean I can eat anything I want. So many people are surprised when they hear that I have a special diet. They often say, "you don't need to be on a diet." Well, yes, I do! Being conscious of what I put into my body plays a huge part in how well I do (or don't) handle things. I've also had it held against me that I can't eat everything that everyone else eats. Not because I complain. In fact, I often tell people not to worry about me. I'm pretty good at fending for myself and making sure I haven something I can eat. I never expect others to cater to me.
5. Unexpected pain - I can't tell you the number of times I have asked someone to lighten up their grip while holding my hand. Often times it's seen as me being a wimp and as someone who has a low pain tolerance. This is one of the things that upsets me the most. If people only understood the amount of pain I have on a daily basis, from head to toe, they would understand that simple things hurt. But it's not because of a low pain tolerance. I like to explain it like this: if you are in such pain that something so simple hurts and it's that simple thing that pushes you over the edge, doesn't it make sense to control the one little thing you can by asking them to loosen their grip? It's kind of like that piece of hay that broke the camels back.
6. Brain Fog is real. You may tell me something and I may seem to comprehend. But that doesn't mean that 5 minutes later I will fully grasp what just happened. Being in the kitchen and making a meal that should be simple, is also often complicated because I forget that I had butter on the stove to melt so that I can saute some onions. Then suddenly there's smoke on the stove and I remember what I was supposed to be doing. The struggle is real!
7. "You should be doing more" - This one kind of ties in a few of the ones I mentioned above. I often feel that people think I'm not doing enough. After all, I am a stay-at-home mom. Shouldn't I have all the time in the world? And on another note, since I have all this supposed time, why don't I go out and get a job and help with the finances? Didn't I just say that I feel guilty for sucking all the money to help with my treatments? And since I "appear" to be healthy, then I should just go out and get a real job...right? The truth is that no one knows that someone else is going through. Often times, even when it's the same illness, everyone handles it differently. So offer grace. Just because you do not understand that doesn't mean it isn't true for the one going through it.
So, to sum it up:
I look like I'm fine. If I don't tell you I'm having a bad day, you may assume all is well. What I'm not saying is this:
I'm in constant pain from head to toe.
I'm always tired.
It takes me at least twice (sometimes three) times a long to do a simple task as it should.
Things often don't register in my head like they should. So it may seem simple but it isn't.
I'm not saying all of this to complain or for sympathy. I just want to be a voice for the loved one in your life who may be dealing with some of these things. Yes, some take things to the extreme and maybe could do more. But if someone appears to be doing just fine, but you know they have an illness/condition they are dealing with, maybe give them a little grace and offer a helping hand when you can.
We all have trials in life. God never told us this life would be easy. But if God can offer grace to a sinner, then why can we not offer grace to each other when we are going through different trials in life?
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
It’s no secret that antioxidants are incredibly beneficial to good health. It’s believed the antioxidants in food can help prevent cancer, reverse or slow aging, enhance your immune system (which we could all use this time of year!), increase your energy and improve heart and other organ health.
With all the information we have about antioxidants and their benefits, it’s amazing that more people don’t get enough in their daily diets. It is recommend to have at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, but to really pack a punch getting 7-10 servings is best.
Here are 10 ways you can get more antioxidants into your diet.
1.Breakfast
Breakfast doesn’t have to be a hurried pop tart on the way out the door. Try throwing some fruit, 100% juice and yogurt into a blender for a delicious smoothie. Then pour your smoothie into a cup and sip on it as you go. This can add one to three servings of fruits to your daily intake. Or add some berries into your cold or hot cereal.
If you are making a stop to grab something on the run, try ordering a fruit and yogurt parfait or a fruit cup.
2.Snacks
How about a handful of raisins for a snack, or some fresh red grapes? Or dip some strawberries in yogurt. The berries will provide the color you’re looking for. Remember to eat the colors of the rainbow!
Need crunch? How about some baby carrots dipped in hummus? Or have a handful of pecans for crunch and a nice antioxidant boost.
3.Lunch and dinner
Adding a salad to each of your main daily meals can add loads to your overall health and well-being. They don’t have to be boring and they don’t have to be just salad greens. If you’re going classic, add some red pepper slices to your green salad, some tomatoes to the Greek salad, or tart cranberries to your field greens. Whip up a broccoli or carrot salad for lunch, or be adventurous and mix up a rice salad with some fresh vegetables like string beans, tomatoes, peppers and red onions.
4.Dessert
Berries, with or without whipped cream or chocolate are a wonderful way to end your day with a healthy, antioxidant-rich treat.
5.Beverages
Replace your soft drink with tea or coffee, both of which boast antioxidant compounds. Or for a real change of pace, pour a glass of chai tea.
6.Think outside the box
Did you know that powerful antioxidants can also be found in a variety of other foods like russet potatoes, artichokes, and small red beans. The beans, in fact, may have more antioxidant power than blueberries. So try adding some beans to your rice bowl full of vegetables for even more antioxidants.
7.Cook lightly
You think you’re on the right track by preparing vegetables each night for your family’s dinner. But if you’re overcooking the vegetables, you’re cooking out a lot of the beneficial properties of the antioxidants. Steam (don’t boil) vegetables and stop cooking them when they have all of their bright color and most of their bite.
8.Plant a garden
People who plant and harvest vegetables from their own gardens are far more likely to eat more vegetables and fruits than those who buy their produce from the store. So plant a garden, watch it grow and eat the fruits (literally) of your labor. (Check out the link below for info on how you can grow some amazing produce from inside your home, year round!)
9.Take your healthy diet on vacation
We often consider going on vacation an opportunity to take a vacation from everything, including healthy eating. Instead, use vacation as a way to be introduced to new foods. Order an interesting vegetable dish in a restaurant and maybe even find a new favorite dish to add to your menu at home.
10.Learn to cook
If you’re cooking, you’re not opening bags and boxes. Cooking involves scrubbing and peeling vegetables, preparing whole foods and paying attention to how things are cooked. If you’re ordering out every night, you’re far less likely to be eating the whole foods and natural fruits and vegetables that provide the base for your antioxidant intake.
Following these 10 steps can help set you up for great success in adding all of those amazing God-given antioxidant rich foods to your diet.
Want to be able to grow your own food year round? Check out this tower garden. I absolutely LOVE mine!
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
