Did you know that the key to that new you, lies in the health of your gut? While we’re not huge fans of New Year's Resolutions, as they seem so temporary and often fail, we are HUGE fans of a lifestyle change. After all, that’s pretty much the only way a long lasting positive impact is going to happen.

If you’re like many, you want to get healthier in one way or another for the new year.  Did you know that having a healthy gut is the key to your weight loss, improving your mood, enhancing memory, easing your body aches and pains, eliminating brain fog, treating autoimmune diseases, boosting immunity, and pretty much any other health related New Year's goal you could have?  

In our upcoming course 'Improve Digestive Health with Herbs' we’ll talk about:

• Why a healthy gut matters to your overall health
• How you can get to a happy healthy gut
• Our favorite herbs to enhance the health of your gut
• Along the way, we’ll be sharing gut...

The health of your gut is the underlying foundation to the health of your entire body.  Did you know that the tiny bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that make up your body’s microbiome, outnumber your body’s cells 10-1!?  That means you’re made up of more tiny bugs than cells!  Woah, crazy, right!?!  Research has been showing that the health of your microbiome is playing a major role in your overall health, both physically and mentally.  Here are just a few examples of the way your gut health affects your overall health.

Mood Disorders, Depression, & Anxiety 

Have you ever had that “gut feeling”?  Well, it’s true, scientists have discovered that you have a “second brain” in your gut.  It’s called the Enteric Nervous System, or ENS for short. Your ENS is made of more than 100 million nerves cells, lining your entire digestive tract from your esophagus to your rectum....

Be prepared to combat cold season with this plant-powered recipe

There's a lot of people rolling around our neck of the woods suffering from dry hacking coughs.  I figured it would be great to share a recipe to make your own cough lozenges.  It's so empowering to be able to create your own medicine just how you need it, specifically for yourself and  your family. I've said it before and I'll say it again: there should be an herbalist in every family!  

So, maybe you've done something like this before, or maybe you haven't, either way I encourage you to try this recipe next time a sore throat creeps your way.

Dry Throat Herbal Lozenges

Ingredients

• 3/4 Cup Water
• 1 TBL Marshmallow Root
• 1 TBL Echinacea Root
• 1 TBL Elecampane Root
• 1 TBL Peppermint
• 1 tsp Orange peel
• 1 TBL Thyme
• 1 TBL Anise Seed
• ½ Cup Marshmallow root powder plus an extra ¼ cup for rolling
• 2-3 TBL raw honey

Directions 

1. Combine marshmallow...

Sure, Elderberry Syrup is super yummy, but what about Elderberry Syrup Popsicles?! This is a summertime favorite around our house and a really great way to pack in some nutrition and immune-boosting elderberries. You're going to love them!

My daughter loves these popsicles so much, she wants to run around and share them with all of the neighborhood kids and set up a popsicle stand outside.  This kid is on to something, maybe she’ll be a businesswoman like her mama?

No clue what Elderberries are, and why people would make popsicles of them? It's ok! You can learn more about Elderberry's immune-boosting properties over here.

Anyway, I’ve tried to make these various ways, and I think I finally came up with a super rockin’ recipe! Check it out, try it, and let me know what you think.

Immune Boosting Elderberry Popsicle Recipe

• ½ Cup Elderberry Syrup (I made mine from our DIY Elderberry Syrup Kit Here)
• 1 Cup Farm Fresh (or...