 Hey there. Marla here :) I am so excited to be sharing this much requested recipe for homemade elderberry syrup! If you're a visual learner, I have a Youtube video tutorial to make this syrup below! Read on for all things elderberry plus the full recipe!  MAGICAL ELDERBERRIES Elderberries are pretty amazing little berries! They have been used throughout history in folk medicine as a go to for keeping the immune system strong and healthy. Making this syrup and having it on hand is a wonderful secret weapon against colds and flus and for boosting overall immunity. John Evelyn, a British researcher, declared, “If the medicinal properties of its leaves, bark, and berries were fully known, I cannot tell what our countryman could ail for which he might not fetch a remedy (from the elderberry), either for sickness or wounds.” Elderberry Benefits Contains anthocyanins that boost the production of cytokines in the body. Cytokines boost our bodies immune response! Anti-bacterial and anti-viral High in Vitamin C which further supports immune system Helpful for allergies and offer allergy symptom relief Helps heal urinary infections Ingredients 4 cups water 1 cup dried organic elderberries 1 cup raw local honey 1-2 tbs fresh minced ginger 1-2 cinnamon sticks 3-4 cloves Instructions Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Place on stove and bring to a light boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until the liquid is reduced by half (you should end up with 2 cups of liquid), Strain berries through fine mesh strainer or thin cloth and press down on berries to release all the liquid! Allow to cool until slightly warm or room temperature. Add honey and mix well until the honey is dissolved. Store in a glass mason jar and label it with the date and contents! Store in the refridgerator. It should keep for about 6 months but you should be using it up before then! How to use Elderberry Syrup For immune system maintenance, take 1 tsp per day. You'll want to drink the whole the jar so control yourself! :) For sickness: take 1 tsp. 3-4 times per day when you feel a cold coming on or while you are sick! Take this along with lots of water, rest, and nutrient dense foods. Alright guys, go now and make your syrup! I'd love to hear how yours turns out! Peace and Love, Marla
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 Hello there! Marla here :) Today we're going to chat about something I discovered fairly recently and have been implementing in my life. I am so excited to share it with you. Herbal infusions are an amazingly simple and cost effective way to reap all the wonderful benefits that herbs have to offer. What is an herbal infusion? An herbal infusion is basically a tea that is steeped in water for 6-10 hours. When allowed to infuse for a long time as opposed to just a few minutes like a tea, it has time to extract all it's plant benefits into the water for you to drink! Herbal infusions are a wonderful source of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and protein in their most absorbable form. Herbs have an endless amount of nourishing qualities all of which I couldn't list here. But here are just a few examples! Herbs are helpful for osteoporosis, anxiety and depression, adrenal fatigue, eczema and other skin problems, diabetes, sinus problems and allergies, hormonal imbalances and female reproductive issues, infertility, joint pain and stiffness, & high blood pressure, and so. much. more!! Aside from being extremely beneficial for health issues, herbal infusions are a wonderful addition to any healthy lifestyle to serve as an extra vitality boost! Here are my favorites: Increased hydration Improved digestion Increased energy Increased Immunity Reduced Inflammation Improved Mood Improved Sleep Extra nutrients = Extra vitality! You may be wondering what herbs to use, so here's a list to get you started. You can find dried herbs at most health food stores or online. Get organic if possible!  Oatstraw Nettle Comfrey Red clover Chickweed Burdock Hibiscus Red raspberry leaf How to make an herbal infusion This couldn't get any simpler which is why I love it! I also have a youtube video showing how to make these. CLICK HERE! Begin with a nice large mason jar. Mine is 32 oz. Heat water over stove top until very hot but not boiling. Place 1/2-1 cup of dried herb into jar and pour the hot water over it. Cap jar and store on counter top for a minimum of 6 hours. I make this at night and let it sit overnight. I use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain. Drink immediately or store in refrigerator and drink within a day or two. I make these several times per week and it is now a part of my healthy living self care routine. I hope you give this a try for yourself and I would love to hear what herbs you use to make yours! Peace and Love, Marla Moreno  Hey guys, Marla here! Over the past few years, I've become very passionate about holistic health and all that this beautiful earth has to offer. I guess you could say I'm a big "DIY-er" and love to create things using plant based ingredients that are not only beneficial for our bodies, but that also protect our animal friends and support the health of our planet! So, I decided to turn this ever growing passion into a business so I can share these beautiful creations with the world :) I became a licensed esthetician and learned all about skin health. I had a lot of skin problems, mainly acne and dryness, so I decided to educate myself on how to heal. Along with proper nutrition (most important!), what we put on our skin is crucial for our internal health. So why natural soap? You've definitely heard the term "you are what you eat" which is so true! But what about what we put on our skin? Our skin is an amazing organ, and whatever we put on it is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. Sadly, most store bought conventional beauty care products are LOADED with all sorts of icky TOXIC chemicals. These chemicals build up in our bodies and over time and have now been linked to all sorts of health ailments including cancer, endocrine disruption, and a myriad of skin problems. . We take huge pride in the fact that every ingredient we use to scent, color, and even preserve our products are organic, wholesome, and natural botanicals from the earth. This is how skincare should be! Here's why natural organic soap is a must!! SKIN HEALTH: natural soap is loaded with moisturizing oils and butters (ours is vegan- always!) that are wonderful for cleansing the skin but not stripping it of it's natural oils which are necessary to avoid dryness! Essential oils are like liquid gold when it comes to almost ANY ailment, and when used on our skin they are wonderful for aromatherapy, stress, scars, and so much more. OVERALL HEALTH: Our overall health depends on more than just nutrition. Of course nutrition is crucial (plant based nutrition info coming soon!), but we must also consider the chemicals we are using on our skin, in our homes, what we inhale, the energy we are around, our sleep quality, and much more. our natural soap contains no questionable ingredients. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH: bar soap is non toxic so it reduces the toxic buildup in waterways and streams. It is also naturally more eco-friendly because of the minimal packaging needed as opposed to liquid soap in plastic bottles. The packaging we use to wrap our bars is all recycled, eco-friendly, and encourages sustainability. SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT: By purchasing handmade soap and other handmade items you are supporting an independent small business which encourages entrepreneurship, helps support local communities, encourages creativity, art, and traditional methods of making items. You are receiving a truly "one of a kind", made with love item.....and that is something truly special! If you're eager to try out my handmade soap, head over to the SHOP page to check out the beauties I have available :) In the future, I'll be providing more information about specific ingredients to avoid and the harms that come along with them. Education is power baby! I'm so happy you are here with me, come back for more great things like this! Peace and Love, Marla Moreno |
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