Natural Solutions to Fever & Ear Infections

Posted in DIY, Family, Featured, Health & Beauty, Kids, Nature by

It has been 9+ years since my eldest’s prefered mode of transportation was my hip. I haven’t dealt with the thought of an ear infection since… Well, I don’t remember when. It was, however, long before I was aware of the importance of debate on natural vs man made medicine. So when my daughter started to fuss early this week I prayed it was the new teeth she had peaking through her gums. If not… I was armed with a brand new arsenal of ways to naturally kick some germ butt.

A Few Things I’ve Learned Along The Way:

  • First, let me just say… apple cider vinegar. I remember, as a child,  my mother laying ACV soaked rags over my chest in lieu of a on-coming cold. At the time I thought it was gross. Just another form of torture inflicted upon me to keep everyone far away from me and my cooties. Turns out my mom knew what she was doing. ACV is a great detoxifier, it alkalizes your body and reduces inflammation. As I mentioned, you can soak a rag in ACV and lay it either on the head or over the chest. Some remedies even recommend wrapping the feet as to draw the fever out. An ACV bath, which is what I gave Bailey this time, is also an alternative. 1 cup of ACV in a warm bath is the typical suggestion.
  • DO NOT PUT YOUR CHILD IN A COLD BATH. Though this seems like a logical method to lower their temperature, it is far too aggressive to be beneficial. You do want to lower your child’s temperature, you do not want to lower it so quickly that it may be harmful. You can send them into shock or induce a febrile seizure like I spoke of earlier. Warm baths are always best.
  • Garlic. Garlic. Garlic. This super food has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times, throughout many cultures. Garlic is readily available and an extremely inexpensive way to treat your child’s cold, fever or congestion. There are a few ways different applications when trying to use garlic in place of over the counter medicine. You can make garlic paste [blend fresh garlic cloves with a bit of olive or coconut oil] and apply it to the bottom of your child’s feet in efforts to get rid of fever. Either wrap the foot loosely in gauze or just put socks over the applied feet. You can also put fresh garlic cloves in a small container of olive oil and use it as drops for an ear infection. I was told by a family friend that they have put the garlic clove directly in the ear (not inside, on the surface) of their children, same as you would put a cotton ball into the ear.
  • To cool your child down during a fever it is best do so from the inside out. You can do this with an assortment of cold treats or drinks. There is a great recipe for herbal smoothie freezer pops at www.mommypotamus.com

Reality: kids get sick. Messy and not the least bit conscious of the germs that are ever-present in their lives. This is the way it should be. Kids should be kids. We as parents just have to be prepared for when the germs attack. Antibiotics shouldn’t always be our first line of defense. Sometimes all it takes is a little of what you already have in your kitchen. So keep calm and keep it natural.

 

Below is the link to an awesome article on reasons to treat your children’s ear infections naturally. Did you know dropping breast milk in the ear can help cure ear infections?!

Ear Infections

The Globepainter

Posted in Art, Community, Featured, Inspiration, Kids by

Malland

Julien Seth Malland, also known as Globepainter after his most recent project, is a world-renowned street artist from Paris.

Seth Globepainter- Baton Rouge
Seth Globepainter- Baton Rouge
Seth Globepainter- Baton Rouge
Seth Globepainter- Baton Rouge

Initially Malland caught my eye because of his whimsical, almost romantic images and unapologetic use of color. Only after being entranced by his style did I fall deeper in love with his work once I learned of the message behind it. Malland, since at least 2003, has traveled far and wide (China, Mexico, India etc) decorating the world with his colorful pieces. His often socially charged images now grace the sides of abandoned buildings and otherwise disregarded street corners. He submerges himself in the community, often recruiting those that live there to be a part of his work. Take his recent trip to Baton Rouge for example. Children of the surrounding area helped to paint each individual patch on the dress of a girl pictured with her lantern (forgive me, I can not find the official name of the piece). He takes time to get to know the community and the people in it. Offering them a chance to help beautify the place they live in. I can not get enough of him or his work. His work involves such a love of the globe and the people in it. What an inspiration. I will never be able to get enough of this.

Julien Seth Malland does have an official instagram account if you would like to follow him for updates of his work @seth_globepainter.

70’s Hair

Posted in Uncategorized by

4kq_podcast_september_70shair_cover

I am a big hair advocate. Mostly because I naturally have big hair and I stopped trying to fight it a long time ago. I could be biased, but I think big hair is sexy. Women with big hair are the “ladies in red”… Confident creatures, unafraid of the side eyes and curious glances of those around them. Few have carried this confidence like the women of the 70’s. Rebellion running fresh in their blood. They had a undeniable air about them that has yet to be duplicated. Was it the hair? Possibly.

70’s magazine ad
Cher
Raquel Welch
Donna Summer

Babes and Beignets

Posted in Baking, Eats, Family, Featured, Kids by

unnamed-9

Beignets, how do I love thee.

Remember how I mentioned I will post mostly healthy, occasionally sinful recipes for you all? Well this is one of those sinful recipes. Like, sugar covered crispy fried pastry sinful. Proceed at your own diet risk…

Beignets are a well known staple of Creole cuisine, brought to Louisiana by way of French colonists in the 1800’s. Growing up in the south with a mother from New Orleans, these tasty treats are a dessert I have loved since a tender age. They have the same affect as a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day. They just take you there.

Fairly easy to make, just a bit time consuming. Things like folding, rolling and letting the dough rise do not allow for a rush job on this recipe. Be prepared to wait. Let your kids or significant other help. Baking with someone you love helps to ease the process. And its just fun! My son helped me roll the dough and loved it. He got to show me how strong he was AND stick his fingers in an enormous mushy ball of dough.

I thought this version, by way of http://www.halfbakedharvest.com, was easy to follow and is actually a beignet tiramisu with chocolate ganache recipe. Yes, you read correctly, tiramisu and ganache… I mean we’re already going there. Why not? I only used the beignet recipe this time, everything turned out very well. I’m definetly adding the ganache next go round. The beignets were perfectly sweet and soft on the inside.

My tips: Keep an eye on how quick they cook. Be prepared to flip the beignets often. Don’t cut the pieces too big or they will have a hard time cooking through. Bon appetit!