Today’s guest post is from the lovely Brooke McGlothlin! Enjoy!

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“You’ve made as many healthy changes in the last two weeks as I have in the last two years!” said one of my best friends. And she was right.

About two weeks ago, my husband and I decided the time had come to make some radical changes in the way our family eats. I began to research (on Pinterest) a healthy diet filled with more “real” food. And you know what happens when you start researching things on Pinterest? You find other things to research on Pinterest—like how harmful household cleaners can be, or how our moods can be affected by the smells in our home.

There’s a multitude of information out there on healthy living. But if you’re a newbie, like me, and grew up loving sweet tea and green beans cooked in bacon fat, sifting through it all can be a bit overwhelming.

I’m just a mom who wants to offer her boys (the big one included) the very best I can…food that will benefit them instead of hurting them, cleaning methods that aren’t hazardous to their health, and natural methods of lifting their mood, soothing their booboos, or calming their sometimes over-the-top personalities.

photo credit

So here are five natural health solutions for boys we’ve found to be helpful at The McGlothlin Home for Boys:

1. Low Sugar

Local honey has become our best friend. I use it everywhere I would normally have used sugar. And even though I know to our bodies, sugar is sugar, I love knowing I’m using a natural version of it that has health benefits for my boys—like the possibility of eliminating their seasonal allergies. Here are some of my favorite low (or no)-sugar recipes (you can find a lot more at a Healthy Living Pinterest Board I share with some of my local friends):

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes from 100daysofrealfood.com

Homemade Granola from jessiemonds.com (oh my heavens this stuff is addicting!)

2. High Protein

We’re eating 100% whole grains, Greek yogurt every day, nuts, and as many other foods we can find that fill the boys’ bodies with protein and help their brains get what they need to concentrate. I’m making my own bread too! Baking your own bread is an art, so if you’re going to try give yourself plenty of grace and consider actually baking your bread in the oven. Your machine can do all the work, but I think the bread cooks up better in the oven. Here’s my new favorite recipe:

Honey Whole-Wheat Sandwhich Bread (from 100daysofrealfood.com)

3. No Red and Yellow Dyes

The boxed Mac-n-Cheese is gone, as well as Goldfish crackers, and some of our other favorite jams and jellies. This means I’m making a lot more of our food from scratch, including our snacks, but it’s worth it to know these two infamous dyes aren’t a part of our boys’ diets. Here are two of my favorite snacks to make for the boys:

Energy Bars for the Weary Mom (I have to be careful with these or my little guy (6) will eat them all!)

Toddler Muffins from allrecipes.com

Fruit is the new Goldfish crackers, smoothies with fruit and spinach are the new ice cream, water with lemon is the new Sprite, and carrot sticks dipped in homemade ranch (without the MSG) are the new chips. My poor husband routinely comments that there’s nothing in our house to eat, but that’s because I have to make everything! Sometimes it’s annoying, but over time, I think we’ll get the hang of it.

4. Homemade cleaners

This is going to take some time, but I think eventually that making some of my own cleaners, like counter wipes and bar soap, will help balance out the extra money we’re spending on healthier food. Here are a few direction posts for some cleaners I have or plan to try:

Homemade Disinfecting Wipes (from the doTERRA blog)

All Purpose Spray (I’ve made this one using peppermint and lavender essential oils. I tried it first with just lavender, but it needs the stronger peppermint smell to overcome the vinegar smell. You could also use lemon)

Vinegar and Lavender Softener (I’m planning to make this one as soon as we use up our old fabric softener)

5. Homemade booboo comforts

I recently started experimenting with doTERRA Essential Oils (EOs) and I’ve simply been amazed at the success stories we already have under our belt. I never thought I would say that an oil could make such a difference in our lives, but they already have. Here are a few of the ways Lavender oil is helping us:

• My boys (6 & 8) got sunburned while we were at the lake. Lavender EO covered with my favorite lip balm over top practically healed cracked, peeling lips overnight!
• My son got bad blisters on the palms of both of his hands from the monkey bars. I’ve been applying Lavender to them and they’re almost healed already!
• A water bottle + 2 cups of water + 20 drops of lavender EO = room spray to help calm our home. I spray it on my boys’ pillows before bed to help them sleep.
• Lavender on the bottoms of feet and behind the ears helps take the edge off the craziness at my house.

For us, doTERRA Essential Oils have made a big difference. I’ve also used them to calm bug bites, decrease swelling after a knock to the head, and prevent stomach problems while eating at a restaurant that always gives me trouble. I’m sold on them. If you’d like to learn more about them, or start experimenting a little yourself, take a minute to read how.

It’s a Challenge

This healthier lifestyle is not without its challenges—it’s hard on our budget, and time-consuming—but I’m living proof that even the busiest of moms can make time and find money in her tight budget to make changes that really will benefit her boys in the longterm. Hopefully, these simple hints will encourage you to do the same! 

What other healthy living tips would you recommend for a household of boys?

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Brooke McGlothlin is co-founder of Raising Boys Media and author of Hope for the Weary Mom.

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