Little Wife in the Woods

How to Make Your Own Breadcrumbs From Scratch

*This post contains affiliate links.

Simple instructions on how to make your own breadcrumbs from scratch. These breadcrumbs can be made using bread ends, stale bread, or even fresh bread. This recipe is my go to zero waste kitchen hack! Get all the info you need in this post…

breadcrumbs from scratch with bread ends for zero waste kitchen recipe

My Favorite Zero Waste Kitchen Recipe

I would love to say I have a “zero waste” kitchen, that is the goal! However, I rarely achieve this goal to perfection. This recipe is one of my favorite ways to use up all of our stale, from scratch bread. I make all of our bread from scratch. If you know the world of sourdough you know this bread can take a while to make, sometimes up to twelve hours. While we usually eat all the bread with no problems, occasionally we will end up with the last bit of a loaf going stale or on the verge of molding.

That is when this recipe for breadcrumbs really comes in handy. The process of making the breadcrumbs masks all taste of staleness. You can also use this recipe with any kind of bread like hamburger buns, whole wheat bread, etc.

What Bread is Safe to Use?

While this is a great way to use up all that bread, there is a time when you have to trash the bread instead of using it. For instance, you should not use bread that has the visible appearance of mold. Bread that looks, or even smells moldy should be trashed instead of turned into breadcrumbs.

Any bread that has no visible mold or rancid smell can be used safely to make breadcrumbs.

Making Your Own Bread From Scratch

You can definitely make this recipe with store-bought bread. However, if you are interested in learning to make your own bread from scratch that is what we are all about around here! Making your own bread is an easy way to start incorporating more from scratch recipes in your kitchen.

All you need to start making your own sourdough bread is some flour, water, a jar, and about a week! You can learn all about how to make your own starter here. We also love sharing our dehydrated starter with you! You can get that over in our Etsy shop (here!).

Making Breadcrumbs

Making breadcrumbs is very simple. They take just around 15-20 minutes to make from start to finish. Here are some basic steps to follow…..

  • Collect all the bread you would like to turn into breadcrumbs- sandwich bread, buns, biscuits, etc.
  • Crumble the bread on a parchment lined sheet pan. (The breadcrumbs cook much more evenly if you crumble them up before baking. You can do this by hand or using a food processor.)
  • Pour butter and seasoning mixture over the crumbs. Mix well by hand.
  • Bake at 250 F for about 10 minutes then stir. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the crumbs are golden brown and completely crispy.

Storing Your Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are best stored in a glass jar with a lid in a cool, dry place free from moisture. They can be stored this way for six months to one year. Use within four months for best freshness.

Note: I am constantly adding/using breadcrumbs that I keep in the same jar. If you are using the breadcrumbs on a semi-regular basis this is totally fine and you should not have to worry about dating the jar or using a separate jar for different batches.

Making your own breadcrumbs with quality ingredients has never been easier! Thrive Market is my one stop grocery store for all things snacks, pantry staples, cleaning supplies, and more! Thrive partners with 1,000s of all-natural, clean label products from hundreds of trusted companies. Click my link below and get a free gift up to $60 when you sign up!

Click here to Shop

Using Your Breadcrumbs

What good is a zero waste recipe if it just sits on your shelf? That is why you need some recipes in your regular routine that use them up. You can make some really delicious dishes with these breadcrumbs! Here are a few I would recommend….

  • Meatloaf. We have personally used these from scratch breadcrumbs in meatloaf and they are absolutely delicious. They add great flavor!
  • Fried Chicken
  • Burgers
  • Topping for casseroles (broccoli, chicken, etc.)
  • Salad topping (used in place of croutons)

Have more ideas to use these breadcrumbs in? Share them in the comments!

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breadcrumbs from scratch with bread ends for zero waste kitchen recipe

How to Make Breadcrumbs From Scratch

A simple recipe for breadcrumbs from scratch for a go to zero waste kitchen hack!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Course bread, dinner, Salad
Servings 1 jar

Ingredients
  

  • Leftover, bread ends, or stale bread
  • 1-2 tbsp melted butter or olive oil depends on how many breadcrumbs
  • 2 tsp seasoning of choice salt, pepper, Italian, garlic, etc.

Instructions
 

  • Crumble bread up by hand and spread on a parchment lined sheet pan.
  • Pour melted butter or olive oil, and seasoning over breadcrumbs then mix in well by hand.
  • Bake at 250 ℉ for 10 minutes then remove from oven and stir. Place pan back in the oven and bake an additional 5-10 minutes or until golden brown and completely crispy.
  • Allow to cool completely and store in a glass mason jar, Tupperware container, or a ziplock bag.
Keyword breadcrumbs, easy bread recipe, from scratch recipe, how to make breadcrumbs, no waste, salad topping, stale bread recipe, zero waste recipe
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Gut Health and Its Effects on the Whole Body

*written by Anna Bourdess

We’ve been talking a lot about immune health on the blog lately. We all want to boost our immune health but what most people don’t understand is that our immune health is a direct reflection of our gut health. Today we’re going to talk about how our gut health affects not just our immune system but our whole body health.

blog post about how your gut health effects your body

Gut Health and the Immune System

Our gut health is tied to multiple functions in our bodies. You probably won’t believe them all, actually. To get us started, let’s rapid fire some gut health facts at you to blow your mind.

•Up to 80% of your immune system lives in your gut.

•Your gut plays a huge role in regulating your metabolism. Stubborn weight? Might want to look into gut health. Proper gut health balances hormones. Hormones that control things like energy, blood sugar, and fat storage. This directly affects the metabolism. 

•Allergies can be a direct result of our gut health. Again, because the gut contains most of the immune system, if gut health is poor it can create an attack response where there shouldn’t be one. Which are autoimmune issues, such as allergies. 

•Joint pain/inflammation can be linked to our gut health. Poor gut health sends out inflammation throughout the body causing aches and pains we may not have otherwise. 

•Skin issue like acne, eczema, etc. can all be linked to gut health. A few reasons are an unhealthy gut isn’t absorbing nutrients properly. Things like vitamins A, E, and C that support skin health. Another potential cause is the weakening of the immune system doesn’t allow it to fight problem causing bacteria for the skin. 

•Fatigue, feeling sluggish, or brain fog? Because of the gut- brain axis (how your gut communicates to your brain) your gut health plays a vital role in your cognitive function. 

Have you heard of Earthley? Earthley Wellness is a U.S. company dedicated to providing affordable, completely natural remedies with absolutely no junk!! If you are looking tired of the dyes, chemicals, and other toxins that are in mainstream medicine Earthley is a great place to start. Treat everything from colds, fevers, teething, digestion issues, and more! Use my link below and the code LITTLEWIFE10 to save 10% on your first order!

Click here to Shop!

•If you’re pregnant, and worried about testing GBS positive, your gut health can play a huge role in the results. (Ladies, get on a good probiotic, especially while pregnant.)

•If you have trouble sleeping it may be because of your gut health. The majority of your body’s serotonin, which affects mood and sleep, is produced in the gut. 

•Autoimmune issues like thyroid problems and rheumatoid arthritis can be triggered by poor gut health. If your gut health is poor, your gut could be leaking. This causes particles in that weren’t meant to be anywhere but your gut. This can trigger an attack response from the body causing autoimmune issues. This is just one potential cause relating to gut health. 

•Migraines have been linked to poor gut health. Caused by the gut-brain axis, an imbalance in our gut bacteria can trigger an inflammatory response causing migraines.

I could literally go on forever. Did you know your gut controlled all of that, and much more? So you see just some of the many systems gut health is a direct reflection of but, how do we support our gut health? What makes up this powerful balance in the gut is something called the microbiome or gut flora.

The Microbiome

 Here is a great definition of the microbiome:

   “The gut microbiota, also known as gut flora or gut microbiome, is the community of microorganisms that live in the human digestive tract. It’s made up of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, averaging over 100 trillion microorganisms in a 150lb person. The gut microbiota functions almost like an organ in itself, weighing around 7 ounces, and containing 150–200 times more genes than all human cells combined.”

We can disrupt this balance many different ways but the main ones would be our food and medications. When we consume processed foods and/or excessive sugar we are destroying our microbiome and feeding the bad bacteria, allowing it to thrive. Our bodies give us back what we put into them and if we’re putting in junk, we’re going to get junk. If you’re struggling with any of the issues mentioned above (or many others), it’s probably time to start working on your gut. 

Antibiotics and the Microbiome

Did you know that one round of antibiotics can completely wipe out the microbiome. Depending upon factors such as which one, length of dose, and age it can take anywhere from a few weeks, up to a few years to repair the microbiome. Potentially making you more susceptible to disease in the long run, rather than helping.

Don’t misunderstand, I am not advocating against antibiotics. We should just understand how they affect the systems in our bodies and weigh the benefits vs risks for ourselves and our situation. There are certainly times when they are needed and I am so thankful we have access to them. It just seems we overuse them for things that could have a more supportive solution for our bodies. We may consider other methods if we were presented with all of the facts. 

Supporting Your Gut Health

Now, how do we support our gut health? The same way we can destroy it.

Food. Nutrition has such a vital role in our health. Specifically our gut health. Consuming whole, nutrient dense foods is the best way to support your gut. Limiting sugar, cutting out processed foods, and adding in nutrient dense, whole foods will help your microbiome thrive. Another beneficial way to support your gut health through what you consume are foods rich in probiotics. Foods such as kefir grains, sourdough (this is controversial since it is cooked so do your own research), sauerkraut, and yogurt. These are considered living foods and support a healthy microbiome when prepared properly. 

Click here for a gut healing bone broth recipe!

Supplementation. Our bodies are designed to get our nutrients from our food. This will always be the best way. However, due to modern farming practices many of our foods grow in soils depleted of nutrients. So even if you’re eating well, there can still be gaps in our nutrition. We personally also enjoy take out on occasion, which we all know is most likely not the most nutrient dense option. I’m not going to feel guilty about that, but I do understand that because of the times I make those choices, and environmental factors like the soil, pesticide exposure and even things in our environment beyond my control, I need to fill in some of the nutrition gaps to support my body.

I do this by taking a prebiotic, a probiotic, and a gentle gut cleanse daily. These have impacted my gut health greatly. I’ve seen drastic changes in my own health since putting more of a focus on my gut health. If you only take one supplement for your gut, I highly recommend a probiotic. You want to make sure your probiotic contains the right bacteria and is prepared correctly to actually survive digestion and make it to your gut. Otherwise you’re wasting your money. 

plexus

Click where to check out the probiotic we love and trust!

So you see, supporting your gut is even more than just supporting your immune system. It can be the key to unlocking your best health yet. 

If you would like more information on some of the suggestions mentioned above like sourdough, kefir grains, or the gut health regime we use you can reach out to littlewifeinthewoods right here on the blog or find us on Instagram and Facebook. 

We hope we helped give you a glimpse into the powerful key to health that is your gut microbiome and hopefully caused some curiosity for you to do even more research for yourselves. 

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How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

These delicious white chocolate cranberry bars are topped with a from scratch cream cheese frosting and drizzled with decadent dark chocolate! Get the full recipe here…

white chocolate cranberry bars

What You Need to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars

These bars are easy and made with simple ingredients! The only cookware you need is a 9×13 sheet pan. If serving to a crowd or party you may want some parchment paper for easy, clean removal of your bars.

When it comes to sourcing the best ingredients and healthier options I use Thrive Market! They are the most affordable place to source organic, zero chemical ingredients. They have thousands of products to choose from and hundreds of trustworthy, clean label brands.

I especially love Thrive’s dried cranberries for this recipe! They are some of the best I have tried and I can have piece of mind that no chemicals or toxic preservatives went into the processing. I also source my organic cane sugar and vanilla extract from Thrive.

Click here to join Thrive Market and get a up to $60 in FREE groceries!

Ingredients

• 2 sticks salted butter (add 1/2 tsp salt if using unsalted)

• 1 cup cane sugar (regular sugar is fine but cane is more natural and gives a much better flavor!)

• 1 egg

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

• 3/4 cup dried cranberries

• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional- for drizzle on top)

*See “How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting” for ingredients for that.

Variations and Substitutions

Here are a few ingredient substitutions for your cranberry bars…

Butter. This recipe is best made with salted butter. However, if you do not have salted you can use unsalted and add 1/2 tsp salt. If you prefer to not use butter you can substitute two sticks of butter for 1 cup of melted coconut oil.

Cane Sugar. Cane sugar can be substituted for equal parts white granulated sugar. You can also make them healthier using equal parts of honey or maple syrup.

White Chocolate Chips. You do not have to add white chocolate chips if you do not wish or if you do not have white chocolate chips you can substitute them for dark or milk chocolate chips.

Dried Cranberries. The cranberries can be substituted for any kind of dried berry or raisin you have on hand.

Dark Chocolate Drizzle. The dark chocolate drizzle is completely optional but delicious!

A few variations of this recipe would be to make them without the cream cheese frosting or without the chocolate drizzle on top. Both of those are completely optional and the base tastes very good on its own! You can also make them as drop cookies instead of sheet pan form. Sheet pan is definitely easier and will give you “bars” but if you are just wanting a few cookies you can drop a heaping tablespoon onto a sheet pan and bake at 350 degrees for 7-9 minutes.

How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting

My cream cheese frosting recipe is pretty basic and customizable to your taste. Here is what you need….

  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1 1/2-2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix all these ingredients together using your Kitchen Aid or a hand mixer. If you prefer sweeter frosting you will want about 2 cups + of powdered sugar (go slowly after 2 cups and add with your heart!). If you prefer your frosting more tangy/cream cheese flavored use less sugar (around 1 1/2 cups or less).

How to Make White Chocolate Cranberry Bars

Making white chocolate cranberry bars is so easy. It is even easier with a Kitchen Aid stand mixer and dough hook attachment. Regardless if you have a stand mixer you can definitely mix this cookie dough up by hand in a flash!

  1. Combine melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and egg in a large mixing bowl. Add 2 cups flour and baking powder then add 1/4 cup flour at a time until the dough is thick and pliable. Stir in 1/2 cup dried cranberries (the rest are used for topping) and 1/2 cup white chocolate chips.
  2. Place the dough on a 9×13 sheet pan and gently press until the pan is filled with the dough.
  3. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. (The texture may seem a bit doughy but it will be perfect for the bars once they have cooled. You do not want to overtake these or they will be crumbly.)
  4. Allow the bars to cool completely (about 20-30 minutes).
  5. Apply cream cheese frosting if desired. Sprinkle with leftover cranberries. Make chocolate drizzle by melting 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips. Place in a piping bag (or ziplock with tip cut off!) and drizzle lightly over the bars. I like to do it at a slight angle for looks!

Storing and Freezing

Your white chocolate cranberry bars can be stored in a Tupperware or glass dish with a lid for up to 3 days on the countertop or 5 days in the refrigerator. These bars can be frozen after baking by cutting them and freezing individually on a sheet pan then storing in a freezer safe Tupperware with a lid. I prefer to layer them with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. The dough for these bars can also be pre-made and frozen. Frozen bars and dough will keep fresh up to three months in the refrigerator.

Other Sweet Treats to Try

Thank you for taking the time to click on my recipe! I love sharing from scratch recipes with you along with homemaking, natural wellness, and mom life. If you want more post and recipe updates and great discounts from my affiliates go ahead and subscribe to our email list!

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white chocolate cranberry bars

White Chocolate Cranberry Bars

Soft and delicious bars filled with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, topped with from scratch cream cheese frosting, and decadent dark chocolate drizzle!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Servings 16 bars

Equipment

  • 1 9×13 sheet pan

Ingredients
  

Bar Base Ingredients

  • 1 cup salted butter softened
  • 1 cup cane sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1½-2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping (optional)

  • ¼ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips melted

Instructions
 

Bars

  • Combine butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl. Mix then add 2 cups flour and baking powder. Add flour ¼ cup at a time until the dough is thick and pliable.
  • Gently press into a greased 9×13 sheet pan (line pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean up if desired).
  • Bake at 350℉ for 10-12 minutes.
  • Allow bars to cool for 20-30 minutes.

Frosting

  • Using stand mixer or electric hand mixer, blend softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a medium sized bowl. Spread on top of cooled bars.

Topping

  • Sprinkle remaining cranberries on top then apply melted dark chocolate using a piping bag or a ziplock bag (fill with chocolate then cut a tip off the end) drizzle over top of the bars.
Keyword cranberry bars, cream cheese frosting recipe, easy dessert recipe, from scratch dessert, sheet pan cookie recipe, white chocolate cranberry bars
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7 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas in Under an Hour

These seven easy from scratch dinner ideas are perfect for your weekly meal plan! As a busy mom of two littles I love prioritizing our health through nourishing, delicious meals. However, I rarely have hours to devote to this one task! That is why I am all about simple meals I can make from scratch in under an hour. Get a week’s worth of simple from scratch dinners in this post!

easy from scratch dinner ideas

My Meal Planning Strategy

Let’s just say- it is not a strategy at all. I honestly hate meal planning. I always end up wanting something besides the meal I planned for the day! When it comes to meal planning I would much rather wing it. However, I do notice that when I go about it without some sort of plan I end up over-spending on the grocery budget. I had to figure out a way to get the best of both worlds so we could eat well while also being kind to the budget!

Necessity is the mother of invention! So I came up with a “strategy” that provides us a very loose plan and I build my grocery list off of that. Here is how it works.

I plan what meals sound good for the week choosing about ten that sound best. Taking the meals I chose I will then build a grocery list off my ideas. Sometimes it is easy to come up with ten, other times I just come up with as many as I can (seven minimum) then add things to my grocery list for easy, generic things like chicken breast, ground beef, pasta, etc.

Another great way to come up with the ten meals is to shop your refrigerator or pantry. What do you have? What meals could you build off what is available? Think of it as one of those cooking game shows where you are given several random ingredients to use and you have to come up with a meal from it. This also limits food waste!

Cooking Dinner From Scratch Every Week

We currently eat most of our meals at home (minus a few times eating out for lunch or dinner per month). This means a lot of cooking from scratch! If you are not used to this it may seem like a lot of work but the benefits are well worth it! First, it is much more affordable to cook meals from scratch than to eat at restaurants throughout the week. More importantly the health benefits far outweigh all the work it takes to put a meal together.

As a homemaker and mama it is so fulfilling to provide my family with nourishing food throughout the week. It is even more rewarding to make from scratch meals with quality ingredients. You can do this affordable over at Thrive Market! My friends at Thrive Market have been stocking my pantry with the best quality products for my family. They offer thousands of products from only clean brands giving you options for healthy food, snacks, non toxic cleaning supplies, and so much more! Thrive is offering you a free $60 gift when you sign up using my link. Check out Thrive Market here!

10 Easy From Scratch Dinner Ideas You Can Make in Under an Hour

1. 30 Minute Stromboli Pizza

quick and easy sourdough stromboli

This delicious stromboli pizza is a great way to do a simple, from scratch pizza night! You can make a simple dough using sourdough starter or yeast (our post has instructions for both methods!). Use any combination of mix ins you prefer- pepperonis, cheese, turkey, sausage, and veggies then add a bit of pizza sauce for dipping. This recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish and makes two strombolis that feed eight people. Get our recipe here!

2. One Pot Chicken Vegetable and Rice Soup

This simple, quick recipe for chicken vegetable and rice soup is a one pot (busy mom) favorite! Nourishing chicken broth, whatever vegetables your family prefers, and rice all cook in one pot in under 45 minutes. Add in your favorite seasonings and herbs for a truly delicious customized meal for your family. Get the recipe here!

3. Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

A classic spin off the of a classic chicken pot pie but easier! This recipe uses biscuits on top instead of the traditional pie crust. You can make the biscuits from scratch with our easy recipe or make it even easier with store-bought dough. This recipe takes just under an hour (even with making your own biscuits). Get the full, completely from scratch recipe here in this post!

chicken pot pie casserole recipe

4. Our Favorite From Scratch (ish) Pasta

For a quick, easy and delicious pasta I use boxed noodles and canned sauce. Does that make this a truly from scratch meal? Probably not but you can make this with good quality ingredients from Thrive Market! We get all our organic, gluten free pasta noodles from Thrive and we love them. They make sure this easy meal also gives my peace of mind knowing that the ingredients I am feeding my family are the best quality.

Here’s how we make this quick and easy pasta…

  • 1lb ground beef or chicken breast
  • 1 box Jovial brown rice penne rigatoni pasta
  • 1 can pasta sauce
  • 1 can alfredo sauce
  • 8oz mozzarella cheese

Cook the meat and pasta fully. Add pasta, meat, pasta sauces and alfredo to a 9×13 casserole dish. Top with shredded mozzarella. bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese has melted. We love serving with easy sourdough discard breadsticks when I have the time.

5. Creamy Spinach Chicken

This thirty minute recipe is so flavorful and packed with nutrients! Chicken cooked in a homemade creamy sauce and fresh spinach served over rice or with other vegetables. Use whatever herbs and seasonings you prefer to add all the from scratch flavor. Get the recipe here!

6. Taco Night Featuring From Scratch Tortillas

We weekly have some form of taco night whether it is chicken or beef tacos, burritos, quesadillas, etc. Regardless of what we make I love adding fresh made tortillas to the menu using this recipe! These tortillas can be made with a tortilla press or rolled out thinly to make in a skillet. They are easy to make and require no rise time! Make eight tortillas in just 12 minutes!

7. Hamburgers with From Scratch Honey Hamburger Buns

Who doesn’t love a good hamburger? Serve them with a from scratch hamburger buns and they become irresistible! Our recipe uses sourdough starter for a delicious, soft honey hamburger bun. However, the recipe can be adapted for yeast users as well using 2 tsp active yeast and one cup of warm water instead of sourdough starter.

dehydrated sourdough starter

Want to start making your own sourdough goods but don’t know where to begin? Try our dehydrated sourdough starter! Or get access to our mini e-guide on how to make and maintain your own sourdough start. Our motto when it comes to sourdough is simplicity. No complicated instructions or stressful information- just sourdough done simply! Go check out our shop for more resources and products!

Click here to Shop

Stick around for more of my from scratch meal inspiration posts! I enjoy sharing all about natural wellness, homemaking, and real food recipes with you. Make sure you join the email list so you never miss a post!

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The Best Natural Vitamin Brands We Love in 2025

These natural vitamin brands and products we are loving in 2025! Natural supplements and affordable products are hard to find but we are here with all of our favorite that we have been using and trusting for years. We love these brands and we know you will too!

natural vitamin brands we love

The Problem With Natural Vitamin Marketing in 2025

The world is using natural product marketing as a way to make millions in the last several years. Natural food, ingredients, and supplements are the trendy thing now and thankfully so! However this up tick in the natural world provides a marketing scheme that many companies are taking advantage of. Many of these “natural” supplement companies are marketing to us based off of a couple ingredients. Here is what to look for and avoid when it comes to natural supplements…

  • Can you pronounce and recognize ALL the ingredients? In a truly natural supplement you should be able to easily recognize all or nearly all of the ingredients. Anything that you do not recognize or that feels suspicious should be researched.
  • Sugar content and dyes. In kids vitamins especially big vitamin companies are marketing to us as “natural” when they are actually full of sugar and some of them have dyes in the ingredient list.
  • Avoid gummies. The process of making gummy vitamin (even ones with natural ingredients) make them less effective, not to mention many are filled with sugar.
  • Are the ingredients derived naturally or artificially? This information can be found in the ingredient list. If your natural supplements are derived from synthetic ingredients are they actually natural? The vitamin or supplement should be made from the direct source- the herb or the mineral itself.

Getting Nutrients from Our Food

The truth is that most of our food should be where the majority of our nutrients are coming from. However, with the quality of foods today it can be hard to get all these nutrients through diet alone. While this should not keep us from trying to feed our families well I am glad we have options in the form of daily supplements to ensure we are getting what we need.

Trying to eat better quality food can help our bodies get what they need overall. Eating a well balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein, etc. will help keep your body functioning best!

Sourcing Natural Vitamins from Brands You Can Trust

So where can you source natural vitamins you can trust for your family? There are two main places we currently get our vitamins. Both places provide only natural, herbal brands so you can be sure that what you are getting is the best quality without having to weed through the junk!

Earthley Wellness. Earthley is my top favorite for sourcing vitamins and 100% natural supplements for the whole family! They provide herbal, only clean ingredient products like vitamins, hormone support, and natural remedies. You can trust that when you purchase products from Earthley that they have zero chemicals, preservatives, or toxic ingredients- just herbs and natures medicine! Save 10% off your first order when you use my code LITTLEWIFE10 at checkout.

Thrive Market. Another favorite place to get natural brands without all the junk is Thrive Market. They are a market place with thousands of clean label products to choose from. Every brand and product they sell has been vetted to make sure you are getting the best quality! I source brands like Mary Ruth and Ancient Nutrition.

Thrive provides more than just supplements. They are a one stop grocery store where you can get all organic, clean ingredient pantry staples, cleaning supplies, and more! Click my link and get up to $60 in FREE products to save on vitamins, supplements, and other organic products!

Our Basic Daily Vitamins and Supplements

Prenatal. As a young mom with kids back to back I have discovered that having a great prenatal onboard is key! Most midwives and OBs recommend taking a prenatal consistently throughout the child-bearing years. I found Pure Synergy’s Prenatal vitamin through my midwife and I have been taking it for over a year now. The difference I notice in my over-all nutrition and energy is huge compared to the mainstream drugstore vitamins I used in my first pregnancy!

Kids Multivitamin. Finding a kids multivitamin that is not filled with sugar, dyes, and chemicals is tricky! Even the brands that market as more “natural” alternatives are not truly the best option. That’s why we trust Mary Ruth Organics to source our kids multivitamins, immune support, and more! We find the best deals on Mary Ruth’s over at Thrive Market- my one stop grocery store for all things clean ingredients from snacks to cleaning products. Use my link above to subscribe to Thrive Market!

Adult Multivitamin. A great vitamin for adult men and non-pregnant/nursing women is Nourish Me Naturally from Earthley Wellness. Nourish Me Naturally is a multivitamin for adults that is completely plant based with zero preservatives or chemicals.

Daily Supplements for Pregnancy

Here is everything I take daily for a naturally healthy pregnancy!

Herbal Iron. I take herbal iron and B vitamins from Earthley’s Energy Plus tincture. I found that liquid iron in herbal form is much easier for my body to handle versus the mainstream iron most OBs and midwives recommend. I have been using this iron throughout my pregnancy and the contrast between how my body processes the other iron supplements is way different! The proof is in my numbers- my past two pregnancies have indicated lower iron levels even while taking an iron supplement. After taking this herbal iron tincture my levels have remained consistent throughout his entire pregnancy!

Magnesium. Taking magnesium during pregnancy helps with sleep, headaches, and pregnancy aches. I get my magnesium from Thrive Market (link above).

Daily Probiotics

Another great thing to add to your daily nutrition needs is a good quality probiotic! When searching for a probiotic you need to look for one that is proven to make it to the colon. A lot of mainstream probiotics are absorbed in the upper intestinal tract, this means they are not actually making it to the gut- therefore making it ineffective. The majority of the body’s immune system lives in the gut making it super important to keep the good bacteria flourishing.

I use Plexus to keep my gut happy and healthy! ProBio 5 is proven to make it all he way through the intestinal tract ensuring that my probiotics get to where they matter most. Go check it out here!

Supplements for Hormone Balance

If you feel constantly drained, sluggish, have trouble sleeping, dietary issues, moodiness, excessive weight gain or weight loss, or other symptoms of hormone imbalance you may need a basic supplement to help keep your hormone levels where they need to be. I personally have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition that causes my body to need a little help with supplementation at times. I use Earthley’s (yes, them again!) Oyster Mineral Capsules to help keep my hormones regulated.

Oysters are high in selenium and zinc that are required to keep the thyroid (the main hormone producing gland) working properly. Earthley’s Oyster Mineral powder also contains herbs that help reduce inflammation, support heart health, and more! Oyster Mineral Capsules are also safe to take while pregnant or nursing making them a great supplement to add to your prenatal and postpartum care.

Speaking of postpartum, another great Earthly product for hormone balance is their Postpartum Balance tincture. This can help blanche those whacky after-birth hormones and keep your body functioning at the right levels to reduce risk of postpartum depression and even general symptoms like moodiness!

Natural Supplements for Immune Support

Whether you need immune support throughout the winter months or a steady, natural support for an auto-immune condition I highly recommend sourcing things like vitamin C, elderberry, and zinc through companies like Earthley Wellness and Thrive Market! They both offer some really great natural options for whatever immune support you might be needing.

Mary Ruth Organics (I purchase from Thrive Market!) has some great immune support supplements for babies and toddlers that I always give my children throughout the winter months. You can also find Mary Ruth on Amazon for fast delivery! Read our post about How to Support Your Little One’s Immune System here.

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Natural Remedies for Sick Babies and Toddlers

*This post contains affiliate links from trusted companies we use in our homes and love!

This winter season is no joke when it comes to sick babies! We are here for you with all our favorite natural remedies for supporting your babies and little ones through the sick season. Get them all in this post!

natural remedies for babies

Disclaimer. We are not doctors, nurses, or medical professionals of any kind- we are moms, just like you! We are in the thick of it with three under three between the two of us. Our goal is to share with moms while we are in the middle of this thing. We enjoy sharing all about pregnancy, birth, and babies from a fresh motherhood perspective. We are in no way making medical suggestions- that’s what your doctor is for! These are just some things that we do to care for our baddies naturally during sickness. We believe there is a time and a place for medical intervention when necessary.

Some Advice on Sickness and Babies

Occasional sickness is a normal, natural part of life. Yes, we as mamas want to avoid and prevent sickness as much as possible. However, getting sick as babies and toddlers is a natural part of life, even for the healthy, well nourished kiddos. Do not beat yourself up as a first time or young mom when kids get sick. Build their immune system, feed them nutritious meals, and leave the rest to God!

You can read here all about what to do to build your little ones immune system to help prevent sickness!

Fevers are good! The temp station as a first time or young mom is to freak out when you see the first sign of a fever. Of course you should always go with your gut, however most fevers are not dangerous and actually help your baby to fight the illness effectively. Because of this I usually do not use medication like Tylenol or Ibuprofen that mask a fever and other symptoms. If there is something going on in their body I want to know it is going on. As long as the fever is not extremely high (103 +) or lasting for several days I just let their body do what it needs to do.

Stock your medicine cabinet BEFORE the sickness comes! When your baby is sick is not the time to be scrambling for these natural remedies we are about to mention. You need to prepare for the “storm” ahead of time, not when it is already upon you! I have provided a much more condensed list at the end of this post so you can start purchasing what you need today!

Speaking of stocking up…Have you heard of Earthly Wellness? If you continue reading this post you may notice that we recommend several of their products and we are constantly referencing them. That’s because they are our number one go to for stocking our natural medicine cabinets with affordable, quality products we can trust! Be sure to check out our list at the end of this post and stock up your cart. Use code LITTLEWIFE10 at checkout for 10% off your first order!

Shop Here!

Standard Remedies for Baby Sickness

Here a few standard things we do for our littles wherever they do not feel well….

Sleep/rest. As with adults, one of the best remedies for sick babies is sleep! Let them sleep as much as they will let themselves sleep. Try to keep the environment as cozy and comfortable as possible. Newborns and babies up to a year are good at this! One year olds start to get tricky and two year olds are harder to keep down but try to encourage rest as much as possible.

Hydration. Dehydration is one of the leading causes for hospitalization in sick babies. If you breastfeed I highly recommend nursing on demand (when baby wants too and without any schedule) if possible. You can also bottle feed on demand. Try to encourage electrolytes if they will not drink milk. Add a fun colored (no dyes!), natural electrolyte drink mix to your toddler’s water to encourage hydration. Fruits and vegetables with a high water content like berries, watermelon, celery, and cucumbers are a great way to get extra hydration in them as well.

Sunlight. Vitamin D and fresh air are so healing. It is tempting when littles are sick to stay indoors but that is one of the worst things you can do. Sitting outside with them for even a few minutes will help boost their immune systems back up and fight whatever sickness they are dealing with.

Nutritional Food. Avoid super sugary snacks and desserts while sick. Instead try things like yogurt (watch the sugar content!), applesauce, and fresh fruit. Soups and bone broth are a great way to support the immune system and they are easy on the digestive tract.

Elderberry. I cannot say enough good things about elderberry to treat just about any common sickness your babies may have! Elderberry is safe for ages six months plus and safe for breastfeeding mother (you can take it yourself while breastfeeding for babies younger than six months to get the benefits). Elderberry is one of the best and safest remedies for colds, flus, respiratory illness, stomach bugs, and more! The biggest benefit is it’s ability to support the immune system so your little one can fight off sickness quickly and effectively.

Natural Remedies for All Kinds of Sickness

Cold Remedies

The most common sickness you should probably expect your baby to get is a cold in their first two years of life. Minor colds can be tricky to recognize in littles because symptoms can mirror things like teething, allergies, etc. The good part about this is that they usually require no treatment on our part because they normally just run their course without any complications. Some things you can do to help support them are…

  • Saline for stuffy, snotty noses helps to dry up the extra snot. An infant nasal aspirator with saline drops works amazingly (sounds gross but totally worth it!).
  • Elderberry for immune support (6 months plus or through your breastmilk).
  • Feel Better Fast from Earthley Wellness for colds, fever support (not suppression!!), and congestion, and immune support (safe for ages 6 months plus and breastfeeding mothers). Note: The combo of feel better fast and elderberry elixir from Earthley is hands down the most effective remedy for several sicknesses I have dealt with in my babies up to this point- colds, stomach bugs, etc.
  • Extra sleep.
  • Warm baths.
  • Hydration. Sometimes babies struggle with feeding when their little noises get stuffy. Try timing your saline/snot sucking treatments before they need to eat to help them breathe well as they eat. This eliminates the frustration they feel! Feed newborns and young babies on demand.

Flu and Stomach Bugs

  • Hydration is key. Stomach bugs/flus that involve throwing up or diarrhea can be the worst for keeping up with hydration but it is so important! Follow all the tips in the “hydration” section in the beginning of this post.
  • Infant Tummy Relief from Earthley (safe for all ages) for gas, bloating, and upset tummy.
  • Warm baths can be so calming.
  • Sleep.
  • Elderberry Elixir and Feel Better Fast Combo from Earthley.
  • Probiotics help replenish the good bacteria in your baby’s gut and helps support the immune system.
  • Activated Charcoal. If your little one has had diarrhea/vomit for several days you can administer a little activated charcoal (1/4-1/2 capsule depending on age) by way of mixing with apple sauce or yogurt. The charcoal binds to the toxins in your baby’s system and will help remove them so their digestive systems do not have to work alone.

Remedies for Ear Infections and Irritation

If your baby is unusually fussy (especially when you lay them down), they grab or tug at their ears, and they have a low fever you are probably dealing with an ear infection. As a first time mom this was reason to go to the pediatrician asap for antibiotics because they were miserable and I was miserable! I did not know you can easily treat most ear infections at home. Here’s how…

Breastmilk. Sounds crazy but if you put a couple drops of breastmilk in your babies ear it can help heal an ear infection (you should never put anything in your babies ears if you see extreme drainage or they are in severe pain as this is a sign of a ruptured ear drum).

Earthley Earache Ease. This remedy from Earthley is safe for all ages and works great! I have occasional issues with ear pressure, fluid, and infections so I have personally tested myself with this one. It relieves the pressure so effectively almost right away. Click here to check it out!

Warm washcloth. A warm washcloth can help ease the discomfort of ear pain.

This fall season, refresh your pantry with affordable, organic staples from Thrive Market! This ship to your door grocery store offers thousands of organic, clean label products. Things like organic flour, coconut oil, cane sugar, and so much more for fall baking without the junk! Get access to snacks, cleaning supplies, and all things chemical and toxin free over at Thrive!

Click Here to Shop!

Remedies for RSV, COVID, and other Respiratory Illnesses

Respiratory illness in infants and toddlers can be so scary! However, they are naturally treatable and often easily recovered from in most cases. Here’s what you can do….

Humidifier. Keeping a humidifier running can help your baby breathe better while trying to fight a respiratory sickness. Keep it close to them while they sleep, play- basically at all times.

Hydration. As always, keep them hydrated!

Sleep close. When my baby had RSV at two months I found it was most comfortable for both of us to sleep close. This allowed me to keep an eye on her and gave her comfort.

Feel Better Fast and Elderberry.

Cough-b-Gone from Earthley. This is safe for ages six months plus and helps clear a cough up, not by suppressing it but by helping support the lungs and respiratory system.

Cold air/Bathroom Sauna. The rotation of cold air and a warm, humid bathroom can help support breathing issues (especially at night!). I do this by going outside with baby (or standing in the door) when the nights are a bit chilly or placing them close to the open freezer during the summer/fall months. Create a bathroom sauna by allowing the hot shower water to steam up the bathroom (no fans). This allows for a humid environment that calms baby and assists their breathing.

Breathe Well Salve. A great, natural alternative to vapor rubs. Safe for 6 months +

As always, follow your intuition. If you think your baby needs medical assistance call your pediatrician or go to the ER immediately. If your baby has chest retractions (the skin sucks in between the ribs, belly sticks out while breathing), their color looks blue, or their skin feels clammy these are all signs of respiratory distress and you should seek medical help immediately.

Things You Need on Hand to Treat Sick Babies Naturally

Here is a master list of everything we keep on hand in our natural medicine cabinets to treat our babies with natural remedies! This can feel overwhelming if you are new to the natural remedy world. I have listed these items in order of importance (according to my experience!) and each item is linked for your convenience.

Elderberry Elixir from Earthley Wellness. Immune support for all illness. 6 months +

Feel Better Fast from Earthley Wellness. For immune support, fevers, headache, congestion, and upset stomach. 6 months +

Probiotics. We keep these on hand and give them to our babies regularly. 6 months +. Mix 1/2 capsule with applesauce or yogurt. The largest part of our immune systems are housed in the digestive system so keeping the good bacteria plentiful is very important. We use Plexus ProBio5 because it is proven to make it all the way through to the colon where it needs to go before being absorbed.

Infant Tummy Relief for upset tummy, gas, and bloating.

Electrolyte Mixes. Dye free, natural ingredient electrolytes for healthy hydration support. Thrive Market has some really great organic options to choose from! Click here to sign up and get $60 in FREE organic groceries.

Saline/nasal aspirator. For a clear nose to assist breathing during colds.

Humidifier for keeping the air moist for easy breathing (may help kill germs).

Earache Ease for pressure, fluid, and ear infections. Safe for all ages.

Cough-b-gone from Earthley, especially good to keep on hand during the winter months!

Breathe Well Salve from Earthley.

Lavender essential oil. Can be used to rub on the feet or added to bath water to calm a sick, fussy baby and may assist them with sleeping.

These are our go-tos! What would you add to the list? Share in the comments to help other moms. Don’t forget to subscribe to the email list for more mom tips, natural living, and real food recipes!

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The Best Quick and Easy Sourdough Stromboli Recipe

This sourdough stromboli recipe is a great quick and easy dinner. Fluffy, buttery sourdough stuffed with meat, cheese, veggies- whatever you are feeling or have on hand! Get all the details about this 30 minute meal in this blog post.

quick and easy sourdough stromboli

Sourdough Stromboli

This recipe is so versatile in every way possible! You can make it with sourdough discard or active starter. You can even convert it to an active yeast recipe quite easily. Here’s what you need to know!

Sourdough Discard. Using sourdough discard or less active starter to make this recipe is super easy! The dough does not require much rise at all so you do not need that extra yeast the active starter brings. If you want to make it a little softer/fluffier you can add about 1/2 tsp of baking powder.

Active Starter. If you happen to have active starter on hand that works best for this recipe and does not require any extra leavening agents like baking powder.

Dry Yeast. If you do not have a sourdough starter you can still make this recipe with a little more time added. Replace the sourdough starter with 1 tsp dry yeast and 3/4 cup of warm water. Follow the instructions exactly the same (you may need to adjust flour measurements; start with one cup and add in slowly until the dough comes together).

Stuffing Your Stromboli

This recipe is also super versatile in what flavors and ingredients you choose to add! Choosing your own adventure has never been easier. I personally prefer making this recipe when I have several meats, cheeses or vegetables that are soon to expire because it is such an easy way to waste less food. If I notice that I have several ingredients to use up for this recipe I will even prep things ahead of time like cutting vegetables, cooking meat, etc.

Here are a few ideas for stuffing your Stromboli…

  • sausage, cream cheese, and onion
  • buffalo chicken
  • three cheese
  • bacon chicken ranch
  • veggie (peppers, onions, and spinach)

Fermentation

This recipe does not require any fermentation but this step can be easily added. I would definitely add this step if you have a gluten sensitivity, intolerance, or you eat sourdough for health reasons. Fermenting the dough maximizes the benefits of sourdough. To ferment the dough for this recipe you can make the dough and allow to ferment in the refrigerator about eight hours ahead of time (or overnight). The dough can ferment in the refrigerator up to eighteen hours ahead of baking. If you want to speed up the process you can let the dough ferment in a warm place for four to six hours.

Ingredients You Need for Stromboli Dough

As already discussed, the ingredients for the stromboli filling are very diverse and dependent on what you have on hand. Here is everything you need for the dough….

  • 1 cup sourdough starter
  • 1 cup warm water
  • ¼ cup butter melted
  • 2 tsp honey or sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder optional if using active starter 
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2¼-3 cups all-purpose flour

I trust Thrive Market with all my quality, organic ingredient needs! The everyday things for my from scratch kitchen like organic flour, oils, unbleached parchment paper, and more! Get all the ingredients you need to make this recipe and more over at Thrive Market and get $60 in FREE groceries when you use my link below!

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Thank you for taking the time to view this recipe! Let us know what you think in the comment section below and don’t forget to join the email list for more quick from scratch dinners.

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quick and easy sourdough stromboli

Sourdough Stromboli

No rise, quick, and easy 30 minute sourdough stromboli recipe!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, dinner, Pizza
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup sourdough starter
  • 1 cup warm water
  • ¼ cup butter melted
  • 2 tsp honey or sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder optional if using active starter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2¼-3 cups all-purpose flour

Egg Wash (optional)

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tsp water

Filling

  • 8 oz pepperoni
  • ½ lb mild sausage cooked
  • ½ lb deli meat turkey, ham, salami
  • 1 sautéed onion
  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup marinera sauce

Instructions
 

  • Add sourdough starter and water to a large mixing bowl. Stir.
  • Add melted butter, honey, salt, baking powder, and 1 cup flour. Mix with a whisk or on low speed in a stand mixer.
  • Add flour ¼ cup at a time until the dough is firm and pliable.
  • Place dough on a floured surface and shape into a ball. Divide the dough in half.
  • Roll the dough out into a rectangle with about ¼ inch thickness. (Roll out on parchment paper for easy transition to pan.)
  • Stuff the dough with meat, veggies, and cheese placing the ingredients in the center of the rolled out stromboli dough.
  • To fold the stromboli, begin by folding the ends (the short side of your rectangle). Fold one end of the long side of the dough over the filling ingredients. Fold the remaining end over the dough. Cut a few slits in the top of the stromboli.
  • OPTIONAL EGG WASH: The egg wash gives the dough a slightly crispy top. Mix egg yolk and water then brush on top before baking.
  • Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until top turns golden brown.
Keyword 30 minute dinner, beginner sourdough recipe, easy sourdough recipe, easy stromboli, from scratch dinner, from scratch recipe, no rise sourdough recipe, no rise stromboli, quick and easy dinner, quick dinner, sourdough stromboli, stromboli
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How to Make Gut Healing Bone Broth From Scratch

*This post contains affiliate links.

This gut healing bone broth is rich in vitamins and minerals that help promote a healthy microbiome for optimum health! Whether you have serious health issues, just need a little extra boost for your gut, or simply want a new super healthy soup recipe you have come to the right place. Continue reading this post for more information on how this bone broth will benefit you or skip on down to the recipe!

gut healing bone broth from scratch

Bone Broth and Gut Health

Let’s talk real quick about just how this bone broth works when I say that it is “gut healing”.

  • Magnesium. Magnesium is a key ingredient in bone broth. It has a very important role in digestive health such as helping move food through the digestive system, controls inflammation of the gut, helps relieve constipation, and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.
  • Potassium. Potassium is also found in bone broth. It helps signal the brain to move the muscles in the digestive tract to help food move through efficiently.
  • Collagen. The super ingredient that makes bone broth gut healing is collagen. Collagen comes in many forms today but among the most healthy is directly sourced collagen found in the bones of beef and chicken. Beef collagen contains high levels of amino acids that strengthen and aid in rebuilding of the colon. It also assists in water absorption, balances stomach acid levels, and heals ulcers in the digestive tract.
  • Gelatin. Bone broth also contains gelatin which helps to heal AND prevent inflammation in the gut lining making this bone broth great for keeping issues away as well as healing already present problems.

Who should use bone broth?

Bone broth is especially good for those who have health issues concerning the gut. IBS, UC, Chron’s and other digestive diseases/disorders may greatly benefit from using bone broth, along with a well balanced diet. Individuals with food intolerances to things like gluten, dairy, etc. may find that bone broth can help after being exposed to foods that harm them.

Because of the preventative nature of bone broth I highly recommend adding bone broth as a staple in your family’s diet! I like to up our intake around stressful seasons or sick seasons to boost our gut health. Your gut greatly effects the health of every other part of your body- the immune system being one of them. Bone broth, along with other good sources of probiotics in sourdough (learn how to make your own sourdough starter here!), fermented veggies, and supplements is always a great idea during seasons when you may need some extra support.

Want to start making your own gut healthy carbs? My Beginner’s Guide to Simple Sourdough is a mini e-book that will take you through all the steps of making and maintaining your own sourdough starter, baking bread, and more! It is everything you need to know to get started on your own sourdough journey without all the complicated instructions. Try this fail-proof, stress free method!

Get the Guide!

Sourcing Good Ingredients for Bone Broth

Why make bone broth from scratch?

You may be thinking- “Why can’t I just go buy the $2 bone broth from the grocery store and call it good?”. If you have been around long you know that I am huge advocate of all things “from-scratch”. Not because it is trendy or because everyone says it the best but because I have a conviction that it truly is what is best for us!

Maybe this idea is new to you. Maybe it intimidates you! Perhaps you really do not care and that is completely your call

That being said, here are a few reasons to think twice about grabbing bone broth from off the shelf instead of making it from scratch…

  • Removal of the natural structure. The process of mass production of bone broth greatly tampers with the natural structure of the broth. In other words, the gut healing properties mentioned above (magnesium, collagen, etc.) are no longer the same in quality or quantity- if they remain at all.
  • Adding of preservatives. Along with removing a lot of the good stuff the mass production companies add things like preservatives, chemicals, and toxins to keep the broth shelf stable for months and years.
  • It tastes better. Now maybe it’s just my semi-crunchy brain playing tricks on me but I truly do think that homemade broth tastes much better compared to the mass made brands. Knowing where it came from, how it was made, and every step from bone to broth- the peace of mind tastes amazing!

Sourcing Bones

The very best way to source organic, quality bones is to raise your own cow or meat chickens.

But let’s be honest- most of us cannot do that.

So the second best option is to buy a cow, or half a cow, from your local farmer. Ask what the cow is being fed, and make sure they use a small town (not large production) butcher. A lot of the labels in grocery stores these days have gotten extremely tricky. Words like- “organic”, “grass-fed”, and “pasture raised” have become so commercialized. The best way to make sure you are getting quality meat is to support your local farmer or homesteader.

That being said, this can be a big expensive up-front. Maybe you just do not have the means to be able to afford the best option. Between the best and the worst there is always a “better” option! Maybe you can not afford the half cow, go ask your grocery store butcher for bones! Many local grocery stores with in house butchers are more than happy to sell you the bones. True, they might not have been fed 100% organic grains but it is still FAR BETTER than purchasing the processed broth.

If you have tried to source all the other options and you just are not having any luck, there are brands that provide broth that is non GMO certified, organic, and have much cleaner ingredients. My friends over at Thrive Market are dedicated to providing customers with affordable, clean ingredient products for your family! When I can not find an affordable option locally I can always count on Thrive to have just what I need shipped directly to my door. Click here to use my code and get $60 in FREE groceries!!

Join Thrive Market for healthier choices! Sign up now and get a FREE gift up to $60!

Using Bone Broth to Heal Your Gut

Using bone broth as an ingredient or for preventative maintenance versus to heal your gut looks a bit different. There are a few steps/procedures you need to know about using broth to optimize gut healing.

Cleansing Remgiment

My husband suffers from ulcerative colitis. That is partly what lead me into my study and knowledge of bone broth in the use of gut healing. After researching the side effects of a medication my husband was taking for his UC we decided that the long term effects were not worth the short term benefits. (DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and am in no way suggesting you come off your medication. Everyone must do their own research, communicate with their healthcare professionals, and do what is best for themselves.)

As part of this decision came the responsibility to treat the disease with diet and to handle flare ups naturally. He has been off all medication for almost two years now and we have gotten through many flares by following this regiment…

  1. Find the source and eliminate triggers. The first thing to do is to find the source of the flare. Gut health can be greatly affected by stress, sleep, and diet. Some of these you may not be able to control but do your best to find the cause anyways. (My husband’s greatest triggers are any form of unnatural sugar, processed foods/fast food, caffeine, and stress.) Do your best to eliminate the cause.
  2. Cleanse the gut. The next step is to “de-stress” your gut. You do this by offering food that is easy for the digestive system to handle. Give it a break. During a flare things like smoothies, bone broth, and lots of water are the main go tos. (Smoothies and bone broth often replace 2/3 of my husband’s meals- he will often do this cleansing step for 4-7 days.)
  3. Rebuild the gut lining. After eating mostly broth/smoothies for several days the next step is to re-introduce foods that promote a healthy gut. High protein/low carb, broth, and fermented foods are a great place to start. These support the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and helps to gut lining to be restored to optimum health. Continue to avoid triggers! It can be tough but worth all the benefits.

Herbs that Optimize the Healing Process

Along with the natural things found in bone broth that help aid the healing of the digestive tract herbs are another great way to help symptoms of poor gut health. We like to add herbs such as yarrow, turmeric, garlic, ginger, cayenne, and oregano are all great to add to the broth. Here is a quick guide to herbs that are great for gut repair…

Looking for great herbal products you can trust? Try my friends over at Earthley! They are providing U.S. made herbal remedies for the whole family. Everything from non-toxic deodorant, teething aid, cold and cough medicine, hormone support, and SO MUCH MORE! My favorite thing about Earthley is that they are offering affordable options making it easier to ditch mass produced/less healthy options and switch try medicine cabinet to a holistic, toxin free approach to wellness. Use code LITTLEWIFE10 when you use my link below to get 10% off your first order!

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  • Yarrow. You do not hear about yarrow much but I came upon it in my studies as a way to stop the bleeding from my husband’s UC. Yarrow is also an antiseptic which is great if you are dealing with ulcers because it can quickly stop bleeding and keep the tissue from becoming infected/inflamed further. Yarrow is also extremely easy to grow indoors throughout the winter and thrives well in most outdoor climates during the summer.
  • Cayenne. Along with yarrow we always add cayenne to our gut healing bone broth. It fights infections, heals ulcers, and eliminates unhealthy bacteria in the gut lining.
  • Garlic. Garlic greatly aids the production of good bacteria in the gut making it a great way to add healing, as well as flavor to your broth.
  • Ginger. Ginger helps to aid in digestion and ease the pain associated with digestive issues.
  • Turmeric. This spice contains an anti-inflammatory agent known as curcumin. It provided healing on a cellular level.
  • Oregano. Oregano is another herb that helps reduce inflammation in the gut. It also provided amazing flavor to bone broth.

Any combination of these herbs are a great way to “boost” your bone broth!

Gut Healing Bone Broth

A start to finish guide on how to make your own gut healing bone broth from scratch.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 large stockpot
  • 1 mesh strainer

Ingredients
  

  • Beef or chicken bones SEE NOTE ONE
  • Water SEE NOTE ONE
  • Veggies on hand or scraps OPTIONAL
  • Desired seasonings SEE NOTE TWO

Instructions
 

  • Fill a large stockpot with bones, veggies, and water. Water should come about six inches above the contents of the post. This would be true if you are making a small batch as well. I prefer to season the broth after the straining process but you can add some salt now.
  • Bring water to a heavy boil, then lower heat to a simmer.
  • Allow to simmer for 8-10 hours with the lid on, adding about a cup of water every hour or two. (This will help keep up with the water that is being evaporated.)
  • Allow broth to cool for about two hours.
  • Using a mesh strainer, strain the liquid off the bones and veggies. (If beef is used dogs can eat the remaining bones. Chickens love the veggies!) I like to strain it into a large pot, it makes the next step easier.
  • Reheat the strained broth in a large pot. Add in desired seasonings. Bring to a boil and simmer 15-20 minutes.
  • Pour hot broth into quart mason jars and tightly screw on lid. SEE NOTE THREE.
    Or allow to cool and place in freezer safe ziplock bags. SEE NOTE THREE.

Notes

NOTE ONE: This recipe is designed to give you the tools and information you need to be able to make bone broth from scratch. It does not give exact measurements to bones/water or an exact amount of broth because results may vary depending on how many bones you have available. That being said, you can make this recipe by using left over chicken bones from your whole chicken or t-bone scraps or in mass quantity from butcher beef bones. I am simply giving you the tools to use how your situation requires. 
NOTE TWO: See the section on gut healing herbs for herbs to add to your broth to optimize healing broth!
NOTE THREE: Pouring the hot broth into the mason jars creates a seal around the jar for longer short term storage. Meaning- you can store this in the refrigerator for up to six months. For long term (up to three years), shelf storage you will need to pressure can the broth after jarring it. Follow the instructions found in your pressure canner manual. You can also freeze the broth for use up to twelve months. 
Keyword beef broth, bone broth, broth, chicken broth

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The Best Recipe for Classic Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Soft and buttery sourdough rolls swirling with brown sugar and topped with cream cheese frosting- these sourdough rolls are new favorite! This is a completely foolproof and easy recipe, even for beginners. Learn how to make them in this post!

sourdough cinnamon rolls un-iced
sourdough cinnamon rolls

Sourdough: the “Secret” Ingredient

Adding sourdough starter to a classic cinnamon roll recipe takes these rolls to a whole new level! Who knew stepping up the cinnamon roll game could be this easy! Here’s why you should consider replacing the traditional yeast with starter…

  • Eliminates the yeast taste. You know how even the best homemade cinnamon rolls usually have a slight yeasty taste? Well these do not! The sourdough element completely takes away that yeasty aftertaste and creates a smooth, buttery flavor.
  • The sourdough flavor can be easily controlled. Some people may prefer a strong sourdough taste while others might like it less or not at all. You can completely control the “sourness” by adding to the sweetness, fermenting longer, etc.
  • Health benefits. While this certainly cannot be considered a healthy recipe by any means there are some health benefits of sourdough versus traditional yeast. One being that many people with gluten sensitivities and even intolerance can eat sourdough goods because of the fermentation process.

If you do not have a sourdough starter you can learn how to make one here in this post! A am a firm believer that sourdough does not have to be complicated- ANYONE can learn to do this sourdough thing! Get my Beginner’s Guide to Simple Sourdough here.

Making This Recipe Without Sourdough

If you want to make this recipe asap you can do it with traditional yeast instead of sourdough (although they definitely will not taste as good!). You can make this recipe with traditional yeast by following all the same instructions/ingredients but swapping out the sourdough starter with 2 1/2 tsp active yeast and 1 cup of warm water. Allow the yeast to fully dissolve before adding the other ingredients. Make sure to allow the dough to fully rise (usually about 2-4 hours). This will help cut down that yeasty flavor we talked about in the last section of the post.

While it is definitely doable I highly recommend making yourself a sourdough starter, even if only for this recipe!

What goes better with cinnamon rolls than a great cup of mold free, chemical free coffee?!
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Jumbo Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Another key to making this the “best” cinnamon roll is the jumbo aspect. This recipe makes eight jumbo rolls or around sixteen standard sized rolls. If possible, I highly recommend making the jumbo version because they turn out to be the perfect texture of soft roll on the outside with a gooey, buttery center. And let’s be honest- you probably would eat two of the regular sized rolls anyways!

The only problem with a good jumbo roll can be getting the roll to cooperate in the rolling process. It took me a lot of trial and error before I found a good technique that works. Because of the stickiness of the roll (which you want!), even on a well floured surface the rolls can begin to stick a bit.

As you try to roll them up they may begin sticking and/or falling apart. Using a flat, metal spatula or a bench scraper you can use a flipping technique to roll up the dough (almost like rolling a ball of snow for a snowman). This technique also works really well of keeping the roll together in the transition from countertop to bakeware. Simply scoop up the rolled cinnamon roll with the spatula.

Cast Iron Baking

My favorite way to make any version of these rolls is in a large cast iron skillet! I have used all kinds of bakeware to make cinnamon rolls but nothing seems to bake them as well as cast iron. The flavor, texture, and cook time are all effected in positive ways.

  • Flavor. The cast iron flavor mixed with the sourdough element of these rolls is absolute perfection! A well-seasoned skillet possesses a subtile buttery, salty flavor that bakes into the rolls. Mixed with the sweetness of the rolls and filling it creates a unique and delicious flavor!
  • Texture. The biggest benefit of baking these rolls in cast iron is the texture they give the rolls. Because of the limited space the rolls all merge together in the rising and baking process creating a very gooey center with crunchy edges. The heat from the cast iron makes them extremely fluffy!
  • Cook Time. The cook time is also less in the cast iron because of the heat factor.

Don’t have a cast iron skillet? Get my cast iron skillet from Lodge here!

sourdough cinnamon rolls

Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

Fluffy, buttery rolls made with sourdough with a gooey center and topped with delicious cream cheese frosting!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Fermenting Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Course bread, Dessert, Snack
Servings 8 jumbo rolls

Ingredients
  

Roll Dough

  • ½ cup sourdough starter
  • ½ cup warm water
  • ¼ cup butter (½ stick)
  • ¼ cup honey or cane sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2-2½ cups all-purpose flour

Roll Filling

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup butter (½ stick)
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Make the roll dough by combining sourdough starter and warm water in a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer. Allow to dissolve then add melted butter, sugar, and one egg. Mix well.
  • Mix flour, baking powder, and salt then add 1 cup of the mixture to the roll dough. Add ½ cup of flour at a time until the dough is firm and slightly sticky. Cover the dough with a damp tea or kitchen towel and allow to ferment in the refrigerator for about 8 hours (or overnight).
  • Make filling by combining softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a mixing bowl.
  • After the dough has fermented, roll out on a well floured surface in the shape of a rectangle with dough at about ¼ inch thickness.
  • Rub filling all over the surface of the dough using hands to make sure it covers the surface completely.
  • Cut the dough into eight 1½ inch strips (see note for) using a pizza cutter.
  • Roll using a flat, metal spatula or bench scraper then flip onto the spatula to move easily to a 12" cast iron skillet or 9×13 casserole dish.
  • Cover and allow to rise until doubled (about 2 hours).
  • Bake at 350℉ for about 15 minutes.
  • Allow to cool completely then ice liberally with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a bowl and mix with a hand mixer until the frosting is smooth. Allow to sit in the refrigerator while the rolls cool for best results.

Notes

This recipe calls for 8 jumbo rolls or 16 standard rolls. For jumbo, follow instructions as stated. For standard rolls, cut the rectangle of dough into half before cutting the 8 strips. 
Keyword cinnamon roll, easy sourdough recipe, fluffy cinnamon rolls, gooey cinnamon rolls, no yeast cinnamon rolls, sourdough cinnamon roll, sourdough cinnamon roll recipe, sourdough dessert recipe
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How to Support Your Little One’s Immune System This Winter

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The winter months of sickness after sickness can be stressful with babies and toddlers! While sickness is apart of life it is important to learn how to support your little’s immune system. Learn all about how in this blog post!

how to support your littles immune system

*First off, we are not medical professionals. We’re moms of littles, just like you! We care deeply about the health and wellness of our families and believe that natural medicine is the best way to do this while also taking advantage of modern medicine when necessary. If this is your view come join us for more natural wellness tips here on the blog when you subscribe to our email list or on Instagram @littlewifeinthewoods!

Sickness and Littles During the Winter Months

Sickness and babies during any season is no fun but it seems like the last few winters have brought a lot of illness to homes with littles. (Or is it just me?) A lot of things probably contributes to this such as sugar poisoning from the holidays and lack of vitamin D which we will get into in a bit. As a young mom this is a hard thing to go through watching your baby, or toddler, fight sickness for an entire season.

Though there are plenty of things we can do to try to prevent sickness and boost up their little immune systems I think it is also very important to realize that sickness is apart of life. We cannot evade every germ and illness, though as mothers we hate seeing them sick! Germ exposure and even occasional sickness are a natural, normal part of life and even help build the immune system of our children. Of course it is hard to see them sick or under the weather but it is important to realize that we cannot fight every germ. Every sickness we walk through with them also helps to build our toolbox.

If you are going through a season of sickness with your little (maybe you are even pretty unhealthy yourself this season) I hope you find encouragement here that you are not doing anything wrong. You can even be doing all the extra preventative things and still have sick babies. This does not mean you are failing. It’s winter. Babies are germ magnets. It’s completely normal to have extra sickness this time of year with littles. You’re doing an awesome job!

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Reasons for Extra Sickness During the Winter Season

There are plenty of reasons why we tend to see more sickness in our children this time of the year. We will not deal with all of them but we will give you three reasons and what you can do about it!

Sugar Poisoning from the Holidays

This is a big one for toddlers, especially those two year olds who have not had as much sugar up to this point in their lives. Children consume up to five times more sugar during the holiday season. Many children consume around the equivalent of three whole cups of sugar around Halloween alone. Add in Thanksgiving and Christmas and it’s no wonder children are so sick by January. Even those of us who try to limit sugar intake for our children will find it difficult around the holidays and though they may not be consuming as much as other children they are still getting way more than their bodies are accustomed to.

So what can we do about it?

If you are reading this at the time of posting you know that the holidays have already past. We cannot go back and fix our mistakes from the holidays but we can try our best next year! Another thing we can do is stop the damage where it’s at. Your kids probably still have leftover candy filled with sugar, dyes, etc. Start by eliminating this asap. You may find that you have a cranky toddler for a few weeks from all the sugar withdrawals but it is well worth it. You may even notice some behavior changes after a week or two as their little minds begin to clear up from the sugar fog they’ve been in since October.

Lack of Nourishing Foods

Along with eliminating a lot of sweets and candy we need to be replacing the sugar with nourishing foods. Think about it. You’ve been busy, running around, trying to do life during the holidays. Anyone else eat way more takeout and fast food the past two months? Convenience meals? I feel you girl!

Adding those nutritional meals back into the daily routine is a major step in they right direction. Protein, fruits, vegetables. And don’t be surprised if your once “not picky” eater of a toddler now is only eating two or three bites at meal time. This is another symptom of the sugar high they have been on. It may take some work but over the next couple weeks (with lots of consistency and persuasion) you will start to see that appetite for actual food pick back up.

Learn more about How to Start Cooking From Scratch here!

Lack of Vitamin D

Lack of vitamin D is another big reason we see our kiddos getting so sick this time of year. We tend to keep them indoors more because hey it’s cold out there! (Guilty!!) Even when we do go out we tend to bundle them up in so many layers that the vitamin D does not have a chance to absorb well.

So what can we do?

Five to ten minutes. 5-10 minutes a day outside in the sun with minimal layers will do wonders!! (I know this is not possible everywhere. Use your own discretion.) Try taking your little outside to sit in the sun for just five minutes every day with loose clothing. This is enough time to absorb more than they’re getting indoors!

Warmest day. This is my personal favorite. Choose the warmest day of the week (even if it’s still only 30!) and make plans for outside time. Even bundled up- any time outside is better than no time outside.

Blinds up. Curtains open. Let as much light in as possible. If you have a newborn or young baby let them sleep in the sunlight by a window! Get them exposed to sunlight often.

Supplement/Diet. Eating lots of foods high in vitamin D during the winter time helps to supplement that lack. If you feel like you or your littles are suffering from lack of vitamin D you may even want to start supplementing until you can get outside more often.

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Supporting a Newborn’s Immune System

Anna and I have both had the “privilege” of spending the newborn season during the winter months of all of our children (three total). This can be scary, especially as a first time mom! Here are a few quick tips for you…

  • Breastfeed!! We know everyone isn’t able or does not feel led to breastfeed their baby. It is definitely a lot of work but so worth it!! There are many reasons why but a main one being that baby is getting TONS of immune support via breastmilk. The science behind this is amazing and I highly encourage you to research this if you are on the fence about giving it a try.
  • Donor milk. Sounds weird but hear me out. If you can’t breastfeed, don’t want to breastfeed, or for whatever reason choose not to breastfeed why not find a donor mama? At least during the newborn season.
  • Try pumping. Breastfeeding not working out/not your thing? Maybe at least try pumping for those extra vitamins your newborn needs. Even one or two bottles of your breastmilk a day could make a huge difference!
  • Baby wearing. This is a great way to stop germs from every reaching your baby. If you are wearing him/her constantly it cuts down the amount of people touching all over them.
  • No touch/no kissing rule. Get serious about your boundaries. A “cold”, “allergies”, or “tickle in the throat” can be serious for a newborn. You would think people would have enough common sense to know this but they don’t. No one had to hold your baby. You do not have to let anyone touch your baby. A respectful “No.” is a complete sentence.

Extra Ways to Boost Your Littles Immune System During the Winter

Even though you will likely experience a sickness or two regardless of your efforts they are still well worth it! I personally (Tori) have noticed a big difference from last year to this year and my efforts paying off. Trying this list of things may help you totally avoid those germs or at least make the sickness a little easier on your family than others…

  • Gut health. About 70% of the immune system lives in the gut. That’s a great reason to get your whole family on a quality probiotic during the winter months. We both use, love, and trust Plexus ProBio5 to help keep ourselves and our children’s gut health in check! Plexus is one of the only companies that offers a completely natural probiotic that is proven to actually make it to the lower intestines. (Whatever brand you choose make sure it is not absorbed in the upper intestine or it will not do you any good.)
  • Elderberry. The immune benefits of elderberry are just about unmatched in the world of natural immune boosters! Plus it tastes great so the kiddos love to take their medicine. Elderberry tincture from Earthley has been amazing for us this year and the girls love taking it! (It’s safe for 6 months plus, pregnant, and nursing mamas!)
  • Zinc and Vitamin C. Other supplements to add to the list this winter are zinc and vitamin C. You can also find a toddler multivitamin that supplies kiddos with what they need!

Happy winter, mamas!! We hope these tips keep you and your littles surviving and thriving the next few months. Don’t forget to subscribe to the email list so you don’t miss out on more tips for moms of little from moms of littles!

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