Where to Start with Natural Living, Cooking from Scratch, Holistic Health | Elizabeth Parsons

It can be overwhelming to figure out where to start in your natural living journey. I get asked all the time, “Where should I start?” On today’s episode, I am talking to Elizabeth Parsons of Purely Parsons about this exact question. We have both been living a natural lifestyle for over a decade, and if there is anything we have learned, it’s that this is truly a process. It’s unrealistic to overhaul our entire way of life overnight, but there are so many small changes we can make gradually over time that will add up to a new lifestyle. I’m so grateful Elizabeth joined me for this conversation. As a homeschooling, homesteading mama of five and pediatric nurse, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this topic. Whether you are just getting started or have been living this way for many years, I hope some of the information shared in this episode serves as the catalyst for you to take the next step in your natural living journey.
In this episode, we cover:
- Starting small by making easy swaps in your home
- What resources we used to start learning and researching
- The importance of whole foods in natural living
- How we handle criticism from others about this lifestyle
- Success stories of healing our bodies naturally, apart from allopathic medicine
- What foods you can start making today in your home
- The most important items in Elizabeth’s wellness toolbox
GUEST BIOGRAPHY
Elizabeth is a wife of 12 years living in the Texas hill country with five children. Our family has a passion for bringing health back to the basics, to the way God intended it. This desire to help other families was ignited by our own personal journey in which we were failed by allopathic medicine and thrust into doing our own research and becoming our own advocates. Our main philosophies are treating food as medicine and decreasing overall toxic load on the body. We have seen this concept successfully achieve health not only in our own lives but also in the lives of close friends and family members. While western medicine focuses on the symptom, we want to focus on the source. Above all, we believe the ultimate source of wisdom and life is the Lord Jesus Christ and that through Him, all can live life more abundantly. Our humble prayer is that through us, being used by Him, we would be able to help you in your journey to healing.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Elizabeth’s birth affirmations: purelyparsons.com/wp-content/...
What the Bible Says About Healthy Living: www.amazon.com/What-Bible-Abo...
The Weston A. Price Foundation: www.westonaprice.org/
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth: www.amazon.com/dp/0553381156?...
Redeeming Childbirth: www.amazon.com/dp/0985246316?...
Mama Natural: www.mamanatural.com/
Lisa’s sauerkraut blog post: www.farmhouseonboone.com/home... and video: • How to Make Sauerkraut
Lisa’s bone broth blog post: www.farmhouseonboone.com/make... and video: • How to Make Homemade B...
Lisa’s milk kefir blog post: www.farmhouseonboone.com/how-...
Lisa’s yogurt blog post: www.farmhouseonboone.com/how-... and video: • How to Make Raw Milk Y...
doTERRA Essential Oils: www.doterra.com/US/en/site/pu...
Elizabeth’s DIY Elderberry Kits: purelyparsons.com/elderberry/
Earthley Wellness: www.earthley.com/ref/Purelypa... - Use code PURELY10 for 10% off
Earthley Wellness Good Night Lotion (Magnesium Lotion): www.earthley.com/product/good...
Lisa’s mayonnaise blog post: www.farmhouseonboone.com/heal... and video: • Avocado Mayo Recipe | ...
Leefy Prana Turmeric Supplement: leefyorganics.com/products/prana - Use code PARSONS15 for 15% off
Elizabeth’s birth story on Happy Homebirth podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... or open.spotify.com/episode/6wI0...
CONNECT
Elizabeth Parsons
Website: purelyparsons.com/
Instagram: / purelyparsons
Lisa Bass
Blog: www.farmhouseonboone.com/
KZbin: / farmhouseonboone
Instagram: / farmhouseonboone
MORE RESOURCES
Want to start your own blog? Get my FREE blogging success masterclass: www.farmhouseonboone.com/mast...
Get your Berkey Filter with the Simple Farmhouse Life podcast discount: www.berkeyfilters.com/collect...

[@audiologyproviderspc952]

Like your comments about “I wouldn’t take criticism from someone I wouldn’t take advice from”. I always say, “Your opinion of me is none of my business!”........ love the show

[@Jules52ut]

I had twin surprise as well, but a long time ago. Pre sonograms, etc. I had to have a c-section(in Hospital)…I stayed awake and during surgery doctor realized I had a double reproductive system…two uterus’ and a baby in each! What a surprise, what a blessing! They were 7lbs each. Two boys. They are 43 now. I wish I had known about living a more natural life then. I did make their own baby food and used cloth diapers…

[@carolmiettinen324]

I started more than 40 years ago - no internet, etc. I used Carla Emery's Encyclopedia of Country Living. All of my kids were born at home with Bradley Method (all are in their 40's now). Mother Earth News was also helpful...

[@victoriajohnson3034]

A whole long episode on all the candle, fragrance, and cleaning solutions we can all make. I can't afford the natural premade stuff. It's super expensive.

[@ourwholesomehome4967]

Haha you guys were cracking me up. You know you’ve found your posse when you get excited talking about the Lord, raw milk, kefir and natural childbirth! Great episode!

[@pamwagner4509]

Hello from Santa Fe ! When I was raising my children back in the late 60’s, my book of choice was Adele Davis’s , “ Let’s have healthy children “. As they grew , they would call me Adele ! Adele what’s for dinner?

[@jocelynnelson]

What a great conversation! I would love to see Elizabeth back on here for you guys to talk about childbirth and homeopathy even if they're really long episodes!

[@luthergirl106]

Me too!!! 😊

[@katieboyum]

I would love that as well!!!

[@mccullencalvert8757]

If you really want to dig into a rabbit hole, research our traditional holidays(Easter, Christmas,etc) & where they came from versus the biblical feasts. I’m not Jewish, but the meaning behind the feasts in the Bible mean so much more to me. They are absolutely marvelous. We try to observe them as much as we can & teach our children.

[@joyfulinhope1210]

I also have MS and Hashimoto’s. I’m not on a specific diet but over the past year I’ve converted to eating mostly whole foods with a daily dose of fermented cabbage (kimchi). I’ve lost 50 pounds and my MS is the most in remission it’s been once I got it 16 years ago. I’ve also been able to drop most of my prescription meds.

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello there

[@A107S]

Yes yes yes! Mama Natural. That’s how I started my health journey rolling 8 years ago. Her videos and site. So thankful to her. :) Great podcast mamas!

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello Abigail

[@LindseyN1223]

This has been so helpful! I've just started my wellness journey and starting with replacing my personal care products and makeup. Cleaning products are being swapped out as well, but food is proving to be the biggest challenge.

[@staciemurray514]

So good! It’s ladies like you who make keeping social media worth it😉

[@Hillside-Hive]

Lisa!!! Don't compost the exta grains, put them in the smoothies for extra probiotics!!!

[@azfarsyed7082]

Love to go back 17th century life, Hope you help others to find a healthy lifestyle & people try how to enter in stress free life, junk free crimes, cruelty free.Thanks.

[@diversekakes]

I agree with you ladies and I was right there with you reading wellness mommas blog 10 years ago! LOL

[@worleyhavenhomestead1448]

Didn't know her before but so glad you had her on, we also try to live a very natural life and agree once you are not around all those toxins you have a reaction to rhem that you never notice before!

[@michellenelson11]

It sounds like my journey started around the same time with the same people as you ladies. WAPrice was huge for me. Unfortunately, I have been back and forth in the journey. About 7 years ago, we moved to an area where convenience took over. Our youngest daughter is 11. She is always surprising us with things she's never had. They are typically junk foods and fast foods. Some of the old habits are sticking, but I'm ready to get back to it like before. I have multiple chronic illnesses. I need to do this "revert" to what I know. Some of the illnesses are SCARY. I don't want them. Thank you for this great reminder that I CAN do this.

[@chantellecunningham8899]

I love her! I got off social media about a year ago and her page is one I really miss.

[@alexandradoolittle1835]

Thank you for all you do!

[@victoriaflynn6506]

Well done, love to hear you speaking truth. Need more of this. What a great interview. Thanks from Ireland.

[@annabelcarter5266]

Really great episode! I wasn’t familiar with Elizabeth, I can’t wait to soak up her great information. Thanks, Lisa!

[@diversekakes]

My top 5 DoTerra oils are: frankincense, peppermint, lemon, oregano, clove

[@Homestead.healing]

Its funny you mentioned the raw egg in your mayo, we have 23 chickens, and i buy the expensive mayo, knowing how easy it is to make it because im worried about using our chickens eggs raw. I dont know if I can unlearn the raw eggs thing, im so scared of food poisoning, especially for my kids, how can I get passed this fear? Watching you make and use yours helps! Great episode thank you!!

[@vickeypierce293]

Amazing!! I wish you would do a segment on the natural cleaners you use

[@cynthia7972]

I’m all for cooking everything from scratch and home cooked meals, but how do you reconcile that want for your family with super picky eaters who won’t eat anything you make?

[@alexandreamartens5561]

My mother this Christmas was very disappointed that I didn't bring my sourkraut to have with Dinner. I am constantly surprised how much my family actually supports my 'weirdness'. I have had severe migraines and I started treating it naturally threw diet and it has changed my life.

[@imTayRAWR]

wow loved this convo! I need more!

[@surrethauebel1682]

Wonderful information!

[@elisabethcuningham3526]

Yay! My two favorites!!

[@BecomingaFarmGirl]

Really we enjoyed this episode, thanks Lisa!

[@kcotjo]

Thank you for the very informative video. I am probably beyond trying some of these things (I'm 64, empty nester) but I will try them on my grandchildren. Fortunately I have sons and daughter in laws who are very conscientious about what they give their kids. I do believe in not having a lot of scents in my home such as candles and sprays. I clean mostly with vinegar but will have to try adding the lemons. I will start following Elizabeth for more information. Thank you again!!!

[@jessicawatt2925]

I have learned so much from Elizabeth! Love love loved this podcast!!

[@victoriajohnson3034]

Thanks so much for trying to help us newbies!

[@annavin7950]

Thank you so much ladies !! Lots of great information

[@rebekahkenyon1302]

Can you do something on natural skincare?

[@cookiecuttercottage3088]

I love this podcast! I'll have to try the good night lotion. Thank you so much for sharing :)

[@NikkiSchumacherOfficial]

Yesss. Long drive home so thankful for a good listen.

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello Nikki

[@glendabyford8074]

One of my favorite podcasts you have done!!!

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Thank you!

[@Renewed85]

I need a dish soap cleaner. I have made my own. I have purchased ESO. And I have purchased seventh generation. I need something that is going to take the grease off of my dishes. I really don't want to go back to using dawn

[@victoriajohnson3034]

Bleach replacement that really cleans and truly disinfect

[@elisabethcuningham3526]

Hydrogen peroxide!

[@malsierover182]

We use Einkorn flour n love it

[@tastyfoodblogger]

Nice Video

[@amandapatterson9182]

Thank you so much for another wonderful and informative podcast!! Advice on Instapot yogurt...I have tried both yogurt cultures from cultures from health and using plain yogurt from the store. The first batch is always great. The 2nd is okay but I can never do more than 2 using yogurt from the 2nd batch. The 3rd batch usually comes out still in a runny milk consistency and sometimes even the smell or taste is off. Any suggestions? I use the yogurt setting for 8 hours. I do have to use store bought milk as raw is not accessible in may state. Thank you!!

[@jgall202]

What about pasta? Do you make homemade or do have a trusted brand you use?

[@sb4164]

Thanks for the episode! I've learned a lot from you and can't wait to learn from Elizabeth too! I just wanted to say that the lard/outdated information comment, sadly it's not outdated to health and nutrition education programs. It's so irritating too! I recently took a fitness nutrition course and they were trying to tell me that the nutrition label (using processed foods of course) were the most important things to consider when making food choices, saturated fats are evil, meat is evil, and stay within your too-low-to-provide-adequate-nutrition calories. The person providing this poor information was a pediatrician. So again, thank you both for what you do!!

[@college271]

I get my eggs from a couple and use them in my mayo and I am still here.:)

[@TheGreenBranch_XIV]

Hubby and I would love a sauna!!! Can you share your experience and process in building your own sauna? Please!?!

[@victoriajohnson3034]

I need a real replacement i can make the replaces my dawn dish soap! It works amazing. But not sure how healthy it is?

[@rayyg786]

I make Water Kefir and sourdough. Elderberry jelly also. Turns out I'm almost one of them ;)

[@joannecomanic5940]

Can you show us how to make mayanaze and keyfer please

[@minifarmwife6753]

Loved this podcast! What are your recommendations for baby foods and starting solids? I was hoping to find some information on her website as I'm not on Instagram or Facebook but I didn't see any and this is definitely a topic that has plenty of contradictory information out there. What's a good source for information on a topic like that?

[@minifarmwife6753]

@@veronika70638 yes yes it helps! My daughter had an issue with dairy at the start and that was complicated more so by the fact we had an extremely rocky start and we were left with no choice other than formula. I tried everything I could and went to all I had available to try to get her off formula but breastfeeding and pumping was not our friend. Because of that dairy issue, our pediatrician recommended white rice to start as it's the least allergy food available but in all the looking for information white rice was not one that lands on natural food lists. We personally eat what we grow and preserve for the most part. Obviously some things we can't grow. I knew we were getting close due to age and ability to sit up with minimal wobbles so I value the input for sure. Thank you!!

[@dorapierce4455]

Please help! New to fermenting. How long do you leave sauerkraut on the counter to ferment? Once fermented, do you put it in the refrigerator? Thanks

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

I leave mine out a week or 2 and then in fridge after that.

[@herarogers]

I also don't have Instagram, is her website going to have all the info there too?

[@lindastuckey3131]

💝

[@cathrynkolkman1811]

I was waiting for the essential oil discussion and it didn’t happen, disappointed.

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

I need to have her back on!

[@bethanyolinger1943]

I dumped comet cleaner in my eye when I was about 5 years old. 😂

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

oh dear!!!

[@valeriesearles3000]

Do you homeschool? If so do you have videos/ on that ?

[@janeevans4758]

Although I agree in alot of the topics raised I don't think they are as clear cut as 1 thing fixes all .. I have hereditary high cholesterol .. I eat a clean diet,make everything from scratch etc etc and I'm not overweight at all..and definitely don't eat rubbish.. I was at a level of 7.5 with cholesterol and had to take statins and quickly.. I've developed a chronic nickel allergy, rubber and potassium Dichromate .. now the skin on my hands and legs literally just drops off...I had the nastiest hole in my right palm of my hand and it was awful..the only way to ease it was to stop eating food & drinks with high nickel content, change my entire house to 18/0 nickel free stainless Steel, there is no cure for either 3 of the illnesses just preventative measures between flair and the rest of the time I'm covered in thick prescription cream to soften the skin & my nails to stop it falling off. Again it's a case of not everything is a one thing fits all.

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello Jane

[@shepherd246]

Hold up...is bar keepers friend bad? My husband loves to use it. What's a good alternative?

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Quite honestly I can't get anything to get my old sink white like barkeeper's friend. I should have asked Elizabeth if she has suggestions!

[@lynh4094]

As long as you don’t inhale it, or lick it off the counters, it’s ok.

[@shepherd246]

@@Simplefarmhouselife thank you. I'm pregnant (26 weeks) and I had my husband clean the bathroom with it. I'm trying to have him do all the heavy duty cleaning while I'm pregnant.

[@DonnaBorooah]

Universal Stone works really well in the same places as bar keeper’s friend. Lasts for so long too.

[@tpark9626]

I used cream of tar tar to clean my white sink when I had one.

[@kurunatubawa4310]

Living with the stigma of HSV 1 and 2 and not been able to have a healthy relationship was messing up my life until I got some super herbs from Dr odija, I haven't had symptoms for some while now and planning to get another test done. Am grateful and advise you help yourself also,,

[@kellylewis3881]

Can you mail me some please!? 😁

[@cynthiafisher9907]

Good talk, I wasn’t familiar with Elizabeth. An observation from a mom of daughters your age....young women these days seem to be very, very invested in their families’ physical health, to the point of almost obsession with toxins, organics etc, etc. They don’t, however, seem to be near as focused on their children’s spiritual health. A matter if degrees, it seems. Not that they aren’t focused on it, it’s just that they don’t get animated and passionate about it. I think that’s sad. And hard to watch.

[@EvangeliseGood]

I agree that the whole person needs to be addressed, to me that is Holism, Mind, Body and Spirit - now emerging as Terrain theory. I love that these young women speak to the Creator and God in their approach to life and caring for their families. For me, these wonderful mums are inspirational and as someone who has worked in Holistic healthcare for 30 years, I’m really excited to see this new generation.

[@cathynorris1946]

Much sorrow lies ahead for the moms that neglect the spiritual nurturing of their children. It has eternal reach. The other things, though VERY important, are temporal.

[@tpark9626]

I get what you’re saying, but God did not design cow’s milk for human consumption.

[@Hillside-Hive]

This. We're the only mammals that drink another's milk.

[@alexandradoolittle1835]

Not everyone is on Instagram. So therefore not helpful telling them that is the only way to get certain information.

[@herarogers]

Wait, you can leave eggs on the counter?? Hahaha so if I get a good quality carton of eggs from the store, I can leave them on the counter?

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

No, only if they haven't been washed! All store bought eggs have been washed.

[@herarogers]

Thank you! I live in a big city with not a lot of farmland, but I think I'm going to look into how to get local eggs!

[@kathleenkoransky272]

I always tell people to start with peanut butter, syrup and orange juice. Give up the skippy and go for the fresh ground peanut butter! SO IMPORTANT to read ingredients only peanuts and salt. Switch your syrup to pure maple syrup and fresh squeezed oj... Just these simple changes are game changers!