Here I am with my baby girl, stopping by to get her shot record for kindergarten.

I was a little uneasy coming here because I didn’t know which entrance to use. I’ve only been here once since pediatrics moved to this location, and that was for her well-checkup.

Let me repeat that in appreciation: I’VE ONLY BEEN HERE ONCE AND IT WAS FOR A WELL-CHECKUP.

I truly believe there are two reasons for this.

One: a wellness MENTALITY. We see our children as well, we don’t speak of sickness, we visualize them as thriving and healthy.

Two: we support their bodies naturally. We view health through the lens of prevention vs treat.

Did you know that many meds like antibiotics that are used to “treat” actually weaken the immune system and increase the likelihood of children getting the very illness they are being treated for? That the more often a child takes antibiotics the less effective they are? Read more here and here.

I have no judgment for anyone using medications, including antibiotics, because we do too, when we have something bacterial like strep, and that is the best course of action to take.

Anything I’m sharing here, I’ve only learned myself in the last few years. But too often, I see it so much, kids are given antibiotics for ear infections and other illnesses where their bodies could be supported naturally and safely.

Then lo and behold, these children are right back at the doctor’s office weeks later. The sickness momentum keeps on going.

I am sharing this because I want to help the maximum number of families possible get out of this circle of sickness.

With my first child, we were in that loop! Ear infections, and just about every illness that came along. We were in and out of the doctor’s office like a revolving door. I didn’t know any better.

But we were sick and tired of being sick and tired. Then one day, it was as if someone flipped a switch.

I became determined to find the best for my family: foods, essential oils, household products. I researched. I read a ton. We started paying attention to what we were putting in and using on our bodies. We eliminated items that contributed to sickness (yes, many popular products marketed to humans are legally advertised as safe and sold to us 😡 -but that’s another post for another day. Read my “Ditch and Switch” series to learn more.) We went chemical free.

We diffused immune boosting essential oils and applied them to our bodies daily and consistently, especially during cold and flu season.

We became the discriminating guardians of our home and scrutinized what products we would allow in it. We ditched products containing harmful chemicals and replaced them with natural. These included cleaning, beauty, bath, and fragrance products.

We supported our bodies with oils for emotions, sinuses, soothing the skin and muscles. We used them for focus, healthy hair, and so much more.

And here we are. No longer stuck in that revolving door, and not a regular at the pharmacy drive through. It took time to replace everything, but this lifestyle doesn’t cost more or require more effort, contrary to some of the push back I’ve read and heard. It’s freeing. We are healthy and whole and we are not looking back, and hoping more and more will join us on the wagon.