My interest in natural healing of the body grew out of a place of pain and desperation.
Now I know…
The only path to true healing is through the Designer who sees us in that wholeness and shepherds our restoration. We see ourselves as fractured people, the sum of broken parts, diagnosis, and symptoms. God sees us in our wholeness… and delights in us.
That doesn’t mean that we get to heal from every earthly malady in our lifetime or have every prayer answered our way. We still get sick and die. We suffer. And yet surrender to God’s design always yields some form of healing, whether it is what we have begged for specifically or not. He surprises. And tenderly reveals.
This week’s Quick Takes will be a few practical notes and resources on healing the body by following the gift of design.
Come Holy Spirit… enter into our suffering, and make us new. Lead us to paths of healing in your way, your time, for your glory.
THAT PESKY CHAPTER 10
When I started the process of publishing my book, I was delighted to receive an enthusiastic contract offer from the Catholic publisher of my choice. There was just one stipulation: That I would have to remove Chapter 10, A Case for Plant-Based Medicine.
The editor said that he felt uncomfortable signing off on any discussion of non-pharmaceutical options like herbs. He felt that herbal medicine in any form should be dispensed only by medical physicians and that he didn’t want even the suggestion of it in the book.
I hadn’t prescribed anything, only presented the basic idea of non-pharmaceutical options through the lens of Catholicism. Since I couldn’t imagine my own recovery process without plants, I thought about it for five minutes and then declined the offer.
The editor’s ignorance of and negative response to the topic actually confirmed my purpose for writing the book in the first place—to to help people find healing in God’s design and to bridge the growing gap between modern American culture and the truth expressed in God’s creation.
The eleven short pages of Chapter 10 stayed and I have no regrets. (If you’re curious, you can learn more HERE.)
And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing. - Ezekiel 47:12
BUT I DON’T WANT TO BE AN HERBALIST!
Right. I get that. I am crunchy but not that crunchy. I’m mostly a suburban mom enjoying modern conveniences. But since my body doesn’t process pharmaceutical or OTC drugs well, I have to have options.
If you’ve used garlic, tea, elderberry, eucalyptus, fire cider, lavender, lemon, menthol, soup, oregano, etc. to manage health and mood, you’re already a budding herbalist following your instincts and wisdom of the ages!
If you’re looking for an excellent source for quality teas and herbs (both delicious and medicinal), recipes, and resources, I highly recommend Farmhouse Teas. This family run business has exceptional products and services. They also have two great sales now (and coming next week) that would be a great way to dive in!
Jan. 8th- 13th: Not Coffee Sale
Love the taste of coffee but your health is demanding you stop that caffeine? Try their herbal 'coffee-like" called the Not Coffee line.
Launch of the FREE Coffee Drinker's Guide to Loose Leaf Tea
Buy 1, Get 1 20% off No Coupon Needed -Includes Pound Bags
Jan. 15th- 20th: Elderberry & Elderberry Syrup Mix (bookmark this post to come back for the link and code)
15% off with code STAYWELL15 at checkout
TECHNOLOGY MEETS HERBALISM
When I most needed alternative methods of care, I was too sick to dive into herbs and tinctures, so I turned to their more technologically accessible sibling: essential oils.
Herbs and spices are fresh or dried plants. Essential oils are simply the pure oils pressed or distilled from those same plants, with similar (but more concentrated) benefits.
The molecular structure of plants allows them unique access to our bodies at a cellular level. This is true whether we are eating them, applying them topically, or simply smelling them.
There’s nothing odd or unexpected about the fact that God’s supreme intelligence and benevolence is made manifest through all creation and for our benefit!
But please don’t buy your oils at Walmart or Amazon. Industry watchdogs report that most essential oils on the market are fraudulent, diluted, or contaminated. I can confirm skin and lung reactions from junk oils. So…
This is what I recommend:
I’ve been using doTERRA for my family for 8 years. I recommend them for their quality, purity, sourcing, and ethics both personally and as a certified aromatherapist. Yes, I do sell them. It only makes sense because it is my lifestyle.
You can learn more here and feel free to reach out to me if you have questions.
WHAT I REALLY THINK ABOUT PHARMA…
There is so much goodness and beauty to share regarding God’s gift of our bodies and His design for their care. I try to stay positive. Yet is is sometimes necessary to identify real obstacles to obedience to God’s natural and moral laws in pursuit of health. If you want to know more about what I really think, you might be interested in this article I wrote for Crisis Magazine in 2022: Stop Pharming Out Your Health
Excerpt:
The remedy is that our actions (individually and as a society) must become properly ordered to the will of Christ by rightly observing the principles of subsidiarity and natural law. This demands a humble vigilance over the smallest elements of our lives, down to our very DNA. It is this understanding of stewardship—rooted deeply in gratitude for God’s gifts—that should compel us to jettison our dependence upon the pharmaceutical industry and detach from its bittersweet fruits wherever possible.
DOES LENT MAKE YOU FAT?
Lent is coming and one challenge that Catholics face during the time of fasting and abstinence is WEIGHT GAIN, believe it or not.
It’s not always about quantity. In fact, the desire to eat sacrifically often involves a shift to lower intake of protein, higher intake of empty calorie carbs, and decrease in nutritional value of the food that is eaten.
In a perfect world, a little fasting is not going to mess with us. In a world of epidemic lifestyle related disease—and a food industry which seems hellbent on killing us— we’ve got to think it through.
Fasting without forethought of these things (especially in mid-winter and flu season) can sometimes result in binging after the fast, exacerbation of underlying conditions, or a confused metabolism.
God does NOT want us to make ourselves sick for Lent. He wants us to grow in intimacy with Him. To shed what is not of Him so that we might allow Him to draw near.
Just shooting straight here: Women over a certain age tend to struggle more. Hormones are befuddling to many of us. If you’re already struggling with thyroid, Lent is not the time to take a break from attentiveness, but to strive to honor God’s design with discipline.
Fast traditionally if you can in your state in life. (Fasting is wonderful and I highly recommend.) But you still need healthy fats. You still need protein. You still need to be nourished.
So here’s a no-added-sugar snack for you or your kids to help satisfy your cravings and meet your nutritional needs:
PROTEIN SNACKS FOR LENT AND ALL TIMES
*Warning* Very loose recipe ahead. I don’t really measure much, so they turn out differently every time. I use what I have. I try to use unsweetened and organic ingredients but do what you like. Add or subtract or use in any combination…
If they stick together and taste good, you’re golden.
Ingredients (your choice):
Almonds
Pecans
Other nuts
Protein powder (not necessary but can be helpful with bodily health, energy, and cravings)
Chia seeds
Oats
Coconut (unsweetened)
Honey
Cinnamon (or other spices)
Vanilla
Cacao nibs (unsweetened)
Cocoa powder
Pure maple syrup
Date syrup
Dates (2 cups pitted and soaked in warm water for 10 minutes)
Pinch of salt
Whatever else you like
Combine in a food processor (I found mine at a garage sale years ago) or just chop and mash with your hands.
I usually process nuts and dry ingredients first to make sure they are mixed well. I removed from the processor, process the dates, and then add it all together and add liquids (maybe even water) until I’m happy.
“Until I’m happy” is a probably a technical cooking term. Anyway…
I like to make a chocolate batch by using cocoa powder and pure maple syrup. We call it “chocolate” and the kids love it. We store these in the freezer. They are filling and provide a balanced source of energy.
I’ll wrap up there and spend the rest of the day pondering the definition of “quick” and whether I should change this Quick Takes Friday feature to something more accurate, such as “As quick as I can reasonably be given my tendencies.” Or maybe “We’ll get there when we get there!”
I hope your January is going well and that your resolutions are still on track. If you have any questions related to health or healing (mind, body, or soul) that you’d like to see discussed here, please let me know in the comments or via email. I don’t have all the answers but having the conversations are important.
Deo Gratias!
Melody
All content on The Wild Return is free to you. If you value what I share, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription or donation. And feel free to explore a few of my favorite things. Thank you!
What protein powder do you recommend? I’ve never been a big fan of protein powders but in my season of life in which I need a lot of protein, I’m finding a powder may be needed