There is no command in the Bible to celebrate the birth of Jesus on any particular day. In fact, we don't even know the day or the year Jesus was born. Why then does our family still celebrate Jesus' birth on December 25th? Isn't this some manmade tradition we should avoid? For many in the church, Christmas isn't just a time of year to celebrate the birth of Jesus: it's a time of year packed with nostalgia and sentimental good will. We love the Thomas-Kinkade glow of our decorated homes as we're soothed by the sounds of Bing Crosby and the taste of hot cider. We love the parties and the presents. But it's ...Read More
Foods Your Guide to Kefir: What Is It and Why You Should Use It
The first time I heard about "kefir," I thought someone was talking about the actor who played on the TV show 24. (Turns out, its a totally different spelling and has no relation to the drink I'm writing about now.) As I learned more, I found out it is not only delicious, but nutrition-packed drink that's super easy to make myself. What is Kefir? Kefir is a probiotic drink that is made using kefir grains—which are not really "grains," but a combination of yeast and bacteria in a symbiotic relationship. Sounds yummy, right? Stay with me! Two Types Making and maintaining kefir is quite easy. The grains can be ...Read More
Are Animal Fats Good for You? The Science is Clear
Lard. Butter. Tallow. Bacon Grease. Duck Fat. We know these are bad for us, right? Think again. When asked, "Are animal fats bad for you?" many of us grew up with the rather cartoonish answer: Of course—haven't you heard of cholesterol? The truth isn't nearly so simple. Why have animal fats been demonized? Long story short: Animal fats got a bad rap because they are high in saturated fats. And the reason why this was a problem was because of the now-debunked cholesterol hypothesis. The cholesterol hypothesis, in a nutshell, hypothesized that saturated fat and dietary cholesterol gunked up the arteries and ...Read More
Natural Remedies for Milk Blebs and Plugged Ducts
Nothing is quite as painful as milk blebs and plugged ducts when you're breastfeeding. How do you treat these things naturally? Searing pains radiating throughout your breast is every breastfeeding mama's worst nightmare, but unfortunately it is quite common. The pain is often caused by a plugged duct or milk blister (or milk bleb) creating inflammation in the breast tissue. These painful complications are the last thing a busy, sleep-deprived mama wants to deal with. Luckily milk blebs and plugged ducts can be treated with some easy, natural home remedies. After experiencing plugged ducts and milk blebs, I ...Read More
5 Reasons You Should Eat More Fat
Creating a healthy diet often means reducing and removing certain foods from meals. This approach is not a one-size-fits-all solution. While sugar doesn’t offer any nutritional benefit, many fats actually do. Here we will go over 5 reasons you should eat more fat. Understanding the effects that foods have on your body is key when creating a helpful lifestyle. Previously we talked about why you shouldn’t fear many animal fats, and I encourage you to increase natural fat intake and cut out fake fats. Let’s talk more about why adequate natural fats are imperative to brain function and optimal nutrition. We’ll ...Read More
10 Reasons to Give Up Sugar Today
Oh, Sugar…we have a sweet, sweet love affair with you. You’re in so much of our food—you taste so good, you make us feel good, and we constantly seek you out. If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad. Right? Wrong. Here's the truth: giving up sugar is one surefire way you can positively impact your health and the health of your whole family. Sugar has no nutritional value—there is nothing that your body needs found in sugar. There are no vitamins, minerals, or enzymes that can benefit your body in any way. Furthermore, sugar can wreak havoc on your body in many, many ways. The consumption of sugar has ...Read More
Family Adventures in Northern Michigan: 7 Places You Don’t Want to Miss
In the fall of 2019, our family took a trip into northern Michigan, spending most of our time in the Upper Peninsula. Northern Michigan is a heavily forested area—lots and lots of nature—so if you plan to take your family there, let us help you chart these waters. It's probably best we show you want northern Michigan is like, not just tell you. Below you'll see 7 really short videos with highlights from our trip. First, a couple things to know about Michigan geography and culture. 1. Michigan is two peninsulas. Ask a Michigander where they're from, and thanks to our state's mitten-like shape, they might hold up ...Read More
5 Ways Modern Wheat is Different than Biblical Wheat
When we were preparing to write our book, Weeding Out Wheat, we were asked by many people: "I don't get it. Wheat has been cultivated and consumed for centuries. It was a staple of life for men and women living in Biblical times and is part of many ancient cultures. How could wheat be bad for you?" Part of the the answer to that question is looking at how modern wheat is different than biblical wheat. What often drives this question is a natural and good desire to be connected to the past: wanting to live the way our ancestors lived, wanting to pass on our culinary heritage, or wanting to eat a "Biblical ...Read More
