I love making elderberry syrup with essential oils for my family, especially during the winter months when germs seem to be on the prowl.

At the beginning of our road to better health, I found myself looking for more natural alternatives to over the counter products.  In my search, I came across an article about a powerful natural elixir that not only helped boost your immune system but just might wipe out influenza!  Sounded a little cray-cray if you would have asked me…

But, with the seasons changing and cooler weather ahead, I decided to order the ingredients and make my very own Elderberry Syrup.  For years now, I have made certain I kept the ingredients on hand!  As we learned about the benefits of cooking with essential oils, we tweaked our recipe and traded out some of the dry ingredients for what we felt were a better option.

Andy and I have learned that it is worth being proactive with our health and not exhausting our bodies by playing catch up when our immune systems are under attack.  This isn’t always possible as things just happen sometimes no matter how well you take care of yourself.  But, overall, our families wellness has drastically improved by taking this different approach and changing how we have viewed our health, our whole life.

So, during the cooler seasons, this is great to keep in your refrigerator. I like to always have a bottle of homemade Elderberry Syrup.

Purchasing the syrup can be costly and for our family of five, it is more cost effective to make our own. Of course, you get the benefit of feeling all Susie-homemaker when you whip it up yourself! So, go for it!  Impress your family and keep them well!

Also, I have found that store-bought syrup includes cane sugar.  By making your own elderberry syrup, you have the option to choose the resource of your ingredients.  We only use local raw honey which is more beneficial to your health and naturally antimicrobial. 

Having our own bees over the years has created little honey snobs of me and my family (and honey hoarders!).

Now, elderberries are these little dark-purplish berries that grow on the elderberry bush or the elder tree. Elderberries are very high in antioxidants, including Anthocyanins, which is one of the most powerful antioxidants known to man. Elderberry is also a good source of Vitamins A, B, and C as well as Potassium and other needed nutrients. The medicinal use of elderberry is nothing new and can be dated back to ancient history.

So, how do you make this awesome sauce?

Here’s what you need…

Here’s what you do…

• Store your elderberry syrup in the refrigerator to stay fresh.
• Use 1 tbsp per day for adults and 1/2 – 1 tsp for children.
• For more support take more often throughout the day, until feeling healthier.

Find your elderberries here!

When it comes to the raw honey…  I recommend you find nearby beekeepers and purchase locally.  Andy and I get our raw honey from our own beehives or our families.  Beekeeping can be a real adventure…  but that’s another story for another time. #savethebeees

Enjoy and be well!
xo,

First published on November 21, 2015. Updated July 6, 2020.

I was talking to a friend about life and pain and chaos and why things happen to those that love the Lord. I wanted to share my heart with you guys in case you might be wrestling with these same words. Nothing fancy, just what God has shown me through my struggles. I believe things happen because sin happens. Flesh to often gets in the way and when it does, things get gray, we get confused and life feels chaotic. Fleshy things happen to faithful folks. That’s why it so crucial to constantly be in God’s Word, renewing our minds and protecting our hearts. Like many of you, I have faced trials that seemed hopeless from my perspective. The praying. The waiting. Wondering if my circumstances could ever be restored, redeemed. Addiction grabbed hold of my life in very pivotal seasons. My dad allowed God to break chains over 20 years ago. I can remember twenty years ago and I can tell you I questioned if there was an end. Over those twenty years, God continued to be found faithful. Time and time again. When addiction again reared its ugly head I knew what my God was capable of doing and I knew I just had to believe. It was that simple. Again, restoration. This month I’ve been intentionally camping out on the pages of Ruth. Soaking up every word. A couple of things about Ruth… She chose God and she remained committed. God allowed me to see these victories over addiction. But I believe He will continue to do mighty things through my families decision to choose Him and remain committed. Freedom was just the beginning. Ruth was redeemed and experienced restoration but the best was yet to come. Always know He is up to something, working out all things for those that love Him. If you are struggling with life and failing to see His hand. From my experience and Ruth’s, I would say choose Him. Like REALLY choose Him and remain committed. Believe He is at work on your behalf. And how cool that the unity of Ruth’s redeemer would bring forth our Redeemer. Greatest Book EVER. Keep it simple. Like Peter & Andrew, no longer hesitation. Immediately they put down their life and followed Him. Take Him at His word. He is Jehovah Jireh. Why should you remain committed to Christ? Because, He makes a way. ♡

I like food and fancy but without all of the fuss and this recipe is just that…  Einkorn Granola Stuffed Baked Apples is what you need in your life.  Really, you do.  This recipe is sassy but super easy and one you can make with your kiddos.  Don’t be fooled with simple though… it’s packed with some serious goodness.

Granny Smith Apples + YL Einkorn Granola + YL Vitality Oils

My girls and I had a little fun playing in the kitchen and putting together some of our favorite things… organic Granny Smith apples, Young Living Einkorn Granola, honey from the backyard, and some our favorite Vitality Oils.

So, can I just tell you that Emma Mae is a dream in the kitchen?  Seriously.  I told Josie that her sister was gonna be the one to teach her how to cook if she would just pay attention.  Then I made her promise that she would name their restaurant “momma’s kitchen” and she told me she would.  Bless her.  Then she told me if Emma acted up and wanted to change things she would just fire her.  You can always count on one.

Really though, those two are a good team and they can whip up a mean batch of chocolate oatmeal cookies that will make you slap your momma.  Wait.  No, they don’t need to slap their momma.  But, they do need to cook their momma some cookies.  Okay, sorry… SQUIRREL!

So, for a long time, I have given Emma free reign in our kitchen to do her thing.  Like, she’s been cooking meals since she was seven.  Call it irresponsible mothering, but this decision or lack of is paying off.  This girl is passionate about baking and she truly thrives in this space.  One afternoon we had a lot of fun together with JoJo whipping up our Granola Stuffed Baked Apples.  So delicious!  You need to go and grab these ingredients and plan to WOW your family with this divine dessert!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Core apples and place in a small baking dish. In a small bowl, mix together the granola (if you know what’s best and you don’t want junk… you will use Young Living’s Einkorn Granola), 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality, 1 drop Nutmeg Vitality (use more if you fancy) , 2 tbsp of melted butter and 2- 4 TBSP local honey. Now, have fun and play with these measurements if you need to… you can’t go wrong with this list of ingredients.  Trust me.  Now, spoon the granola mixture into the apples with a bit of honey over the top. Loosely cover the dish with foil and bake until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork, about 30-45 minutes.  Remove the dish and drizzle just a little more honey because obviously you can’t have to much honey and it plates up so pretty.  Serve individually or put it on the table and let your folks dig in!

You are ever so welcome.

xoxo,

Purchasing one of our Word Warrior tees lets you play a part in sharing God’s truth and supporting local ministries as well as a Work & Witness mission trip we will be going on this year.  Friends, it’s a win/win!

This Spring we wait with anticipation to travel together out of the country on a Work & Witness mission trip.  I am literally beside myself.  We will be returning to the same area where we helped bring down a building once used for sacrifices and voodoo worship to create space for a growing church community. Only God.  Only God’s people.  Amiright?

So.  Head over to Our Shop.  Purchase one of our groovy tees and become a part of the mission.

And seriously. My girls are pure sunshine and they love sharing His truth…  God is good.

xo,

I woke up this morning with this overwhelming desire for more of God. This longing that honestly I haven’t felt in a while. I came across this verse in Psalms…

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”

Today, I’m a kid in a summer rain, mouth wide open, head to heaven… I hunger and thirst for His righteousness and I KNOW I will be filled. Longing for more of Him and praying that we His people will celebrate Christ every single day and be filled and overflow for His glory. Listen my friend. If you are finding yourself in this funk. I get it. I know. But, please hold tight and set your eyes on Jesus. I am believing that those of us who are desiring more will always find Him.

Wanna go outside and stand in the rain? ♡

One of my favorite songs, talks about the mightiness of God. Every time I hear it, I just listen and let the words soak in and I am overwhelmed by His power. “Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning. And who told the ocean, you can only come this far. And who showed the moon where to hide till evening. Whose words alone can catch a falling star.” I mean, just picture this! How awesome! He really did do that. He can move mountains! Anything is possible with God. Anything! He showed the moon where to hide till evening. He is that big! So, whatever you are facing today, KNOW THIS…”For nothing is impossible with God.” I repeat…”For nothing is impossible with God.”

Whatever you guys are dealing with right now, just give it to Him. “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 (NIV) 

What a beautiful truth to hide in our hearts and believe on days we find ourselves in the valley, facing a giant or soaring on the mountain top.

xo,