Winter Archives - Beckoning Harmony

Posted on November 15, 2017 by beckoningharmony — Leave a comment

10 Comforting Hot Drinks for the Winter

Two weeks into November here in Middle Tennessee area and we are experiencing some chilly weather. Especially today when it’s rainy and dreary, I crave a warm drink to sip on while I type at my laptop or read to myself or my children.

Soon, we will be in a warmer climate, but I still enjoy a comforting, warm drink.

Here are 10 comforting hot drinks for you to enjoy too!

https://draxe.com/recipe/turmeric-tea-recipe/

Oh, try out this ghee:

Vanilla Bean Grass-Fed Ghee Butter by 4th & Heart, 9 Ounce, Pasture Raised, Non-GMO, Lactose Free, Certified Paleo(this is an affiliate link) for the ghee in the tumeric tea recipe above!

https://wellnessmama.com/25946/apple-cider-recipe/

Yes, I do drink bone broth warm and so does my oldest daughter.

http://www.raisinggenerationnourished.com/?s=instant+pot+bone+broth

This one is perfect for holiday time when we are exposed to extra germs and sweets:

http://www.healthhomeandhappiness.com/ginger-tea-for-gaps-and-sore-throats.html

A classic with a twist:

http://nourishedkitchen.com/mexican-hot-chocolate/

I love a good Chai Tea and this one is perfect to make up extra to give out as gifts!

https://www.mommypotamus.com/masala-chai-tea-recipe/

I’m all about a homemade pumpkin-spiced latte!

http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-pumpkin-spice-latte-even-better-than-starbucks-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-96277

My little sister got me into these:

http://thebusybaker.ca/earl-grey-vanilla-tea-latte-london-fog/

A little night-time drink:

https://minimalistbaker.com/chili-cinnamon-bourbon-hot-toddy/

Yummy Matcha green tea latte!

https://rootandrevel.com/matcha-green-tea-latte-recipe-vegan/

Yummy ways to get your stomach bug fighting vitamin defense on

The other day I listened to a webinar from the Franklin Institute of Wellness on the stomach bug and ways to combat it along with pertinent information about it.

There are so many misconceptions about the stomach bug and what works effectively to protect yourself from it and how to keep form getting it. One of her recommendations was vitamin A. I never really think of vitamin A much. I’m typically looking at vitamin B, D, or C frequently. Vitamin A is so important to our health though!

It helps specifically with inflammation and boosting the immune system, two key factors to fight and build defense against illnesses like the stomach bug.

It is best to get your daily intake of Vitamin A with food as it is easy to get too much by supplementing with it. I have a couple recipes below for you to try out that has some vitamin A rich nutrients, such as carrots and sweet potatoes. Ginger is great for inflammation and boosting the immune system as well, so it is incorporated into these recipes.

Here is the link to the webinar: https://franklininstituteofwellness.com/free-stomach-flu-webinar/

I believe she leaves it up for a year.

Gingered Carrot Soup

I modified an old recipe card I had from Williams Sonoma.

Ingredients:

1 Tbs. coconut oil

6 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

1 onion, thinly sliced

2 celery stalks, thinly sliced

3 Tbs celery leaves, chopped

2 cups water

2 cups vegetable broth

1 Tbs tapioca flour

1/4 cup coconut milk

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions

2 Tbs grated fresh ginger

In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the carrots, onion, celery, and celery leaves and sauté for 5 minutes.

Stir in the water, broth and tapioca flour. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the carrots are tender, about 2o minutes.

Transfer the soup, in batches, to a blender or food processor and purée until smooth.

To serve hot, return soup to pan and stir in milk and green onions. Reheat for a moment over low heat, not letting soup boil, then stir in ginger.

To serve cold, pour into a large bowl and stir in milk, green onions and ginger. Cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled thoroughly, at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.

Serves 6.

The next recipe is Orange Creamsicle Smoothie. It is so delicious! It’s from a Clean Eating magazine. Here’s the link to the recipe though: http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/recipes/orange-creamsicle-smoothie

A couple of things I did differently; I used a whole orange in place of the orange juice and I didn’t have fresh turmeric, so I used dry powdered tuneric from my spice shelf.

Have fun trying these out and stay healthy!

Posted on January 13, 2017 by beckoningharmony — Leave a comment

Moisturize your Body

If you live in a colder climate, during the winter months it can be extremely harsh on your skin. I know my skin suffers during these cold months. I have a few favorite moisturizers that I stock up on for the winter months. I also make sure to drink plenty of water, eat healthy fats and oils. My threee favorite moisturizers are Jason aloe lotion, Plexus body cream, and Trader Joe’s moisturizing cream.

The Jason aloe one is nice with the aloe in it to help seal in moisture and its unscented.

The Plexus body cream has spirulina and activated charcoal in it. The activated charcoal helps work against age-advancing toxins and impurities. The spirulina aids in detoxing. It has a light feel and I will use it on my face.

The Trader Joe’s moisturizing cream is very emmolient and keeps my hands soft for quite some time. I like to use it on very dry areas of my body and my hands are one that needs the extra moisture! With all the hand washing from taking the toddler to the potty, to washing dishes, to cleaning up messes all day, my hands are in water all day long it seems.

Drinking half your body weight in water is vital, especially in the winter when the heat is blowing dry air constantly and when the skin is exposed to the harsh, cold air outside.

I try to make sure to consume good quality olive oil(don’t cook with it, only use it in salads or to drizzle some over foods!), avocados, unsalted nuts, and salmon are all great to help keep the skin healthy.

What are your favorite ways to stay moisterized in the winter?

*these are affiliate links listed. they do not cost you anything to click on them, but helps maintain this site.

www.awesomelife.myplexusproducts.com for the plexus body cream