Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry is the fruit of the elder tree, and as a supplement it is often used for colds and flu.

Why do people take elderberry?

Elderberries contain natural substances called flavonoids. They seem to help reduce swelling, fight inflammation, and boost the immune system.
Studies have found that elderberry eases flu symptoms like fever, headache, sore throat, fatigue, cough, and body ache. The benefits seem to be greatest when started within 24 to 48 hours after the symptoms begin. One study found that elderberry could cut the duration of flu symptoms by more than 50%.
Lab studies have found that elderberry might be effective against H1N1, or swine flu. 
A few studies have suggested that elderberry could help with bacterial sinus infections or bronchitis. More research needs to be done.
People use elderberry for high cholesterol, HIV, and many other conditions.

Where do I get it?

That is what brings me to this post.  After buying for a year I wanted to attempt to make it myself.  We use elderberry to help us stay healthy during cold and flu season.  If one of us start to feel ill I will up the daily dose from once a day to three times a day and my immune system really kicks into overdrive.  Again, I know exactly what is going in. 

 

 

Ingredients:

2 cups dried elderberries
6 whole Chinese star anise
18 whole cloves
13 cups water
4 cups raw local honey
4 whole cinnamon sticks
1 ginger root (large or small is your choice, depending on how much you like ginger)

All of my ingredients come from Mountain Rose Herbs except for honey and ginger. https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/


Make sure you buy your honey local for added benefits.  Why local?  Taking a high-quality raw local honey for two months before allergy season can actually lessen your allergies. Bees carry the pollen that aggravates seasonal allergies, and some of that pollen becomes part of the honey. Consuming honey daily before allergy season can help your body grow accustomed to the pollen and immunize your body against it.

 

Thinly slice ginger and add to pot.

 

Add dried elderberries,

 

cinnamon sticks, star of anise,

 

and cloves. 

 

Last add water and bring to a boil.  Lower to a simmer for 1 hour.

Cover pot with cracked lid.  I prop a wooden spoon under one side of my lid.  After one hour remove from heat and let steep for a bit.  It will become a wonderful deep purple.  I let mine sit for about 15 minutes.

 

Last run through a strainer to remove the solid ingredients.

 

 

With a candy thermometer allow to cool to 110 degrees.

 

 

Next add honey and stir until fully dissolved.

 

 

Here is my finished product.

 

We all take this daily.  When someone starts getting a sickness we will double and triple up on the dose.

 

I have had a lot of people that are interested in purchasing the Elderberry instead of making it themselves.

 

If you are interested in buying it directly from me please feel free to email me a tsambeau@yahoo.com.

 

8 oz bottle is $15.00

16 oz bottle is $25.00

 

 

 
 

Tax Strategies for Parents of Kids with Special Needs

Tax Strategies for Parents of Kids with Special Needs – Updated for Obamacare
December 1, 2013
By Regina M. Levy, CPA

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), known as OBAMACARE, has some significant implications for special needs families. While we are just beginning to see how far reaching this act is, I am going to limit my remarks to how this act specifically affects tax deductibility of medical expenses typically incurred by families with special needs. If you need assistance with understanding or accessing the insurance marketplace, I suggest you speak with a knowledgeable insurance agent. This article supersedes a similar article I wrote in February of 2011. Changes due to OBAMACARE are so noted.
The information in this article is educational in nature and is not to be considered tax advice. Please contact a qualified tax professional to discuss how these concepts may or may not apply to your personal situation.


Medical Expense Deductions
The IRS code allows medical deductions per section 213:
“The term `medical care,’ as used in this subsection, shall include amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body.”
This is a pretty broad definition of medical care. The nature of the IRS code is that it is refined by both revenue rulings and tax court cases, such that the phrase ‘any structure or function of the body’ includes both mental and physical functions. Accordingly, medical care can include tutoring and special schooling for learning disabilities but does not include things like elective plastic surgery for purely aesthetic reasons. There are some very specific circumstances when legal fees can qualify as a medical deduction if they were incurred to access medical care.


INCREASE in limitation for medical expenses
For 2012 and prior years, medical expenses for most taxpayers were limited to the amount in excess of 7.5% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). For those subject to Alternative Minimum Tax, that limit was 10%. 

OBAMACARE increases the AGI limitation to 10% for ALL taxpayers.
There are many out-of-pocket costs may cause you to exceed that limitation. Costs that can be deducted include:

• Special Schooling including tuition or tutoring by someone especially trained to meet the child’s needs. The purpose and primarily reason for the choice of school must be to alleviate or remediate the disability.
• Typical preschool education as the primary purpose is for socialization required because of developmental delays, not education.
• Aides required for a child to benefit from regular or special education.
• Special instruction, training or therapy such as OT, Speech, remedial reading, etc.
• Diagnostic evaluations by qualified personnel.
• Exercise program if recommended and monitored by qualified medical personnel to treat a specific condition, includes yoga, dance, horseback riding, etc.
• Transportation: Mileage to and from special schools or therapy sessions. MEDICAL MILEAGE RATE WILL INCREASE TO 24 CENTS PER MILE FOR 2014. Also parking fees. Airfare for parents and child to obtain treatment or testing.
• Lodging required to obtain medical treatment, limited to $50 per night, per person. Meals during medical travel are not deductible.
• Diapers – if toilet training is delayed due to a medical condition.
• Equipment or devices used primarily for the alleviation of a person’s illness – examples would be specially designed bedding, car seats, etc. Rev Ruling 76-80.
• Home Improvements – costs are deductible to the extent they exceed any increase in the home’s fair market value [Reg. 1.213-1(e) (1) (iii)]. Certain improvements (e.g., altering the location of or otherwise modifying electrical outlets and fixtures are deemed to have no affect on the home’s fair market value and thus, the full cost can be claimed as a medical expense [Rev. Rul. 87-106, 1987-2 CB 67].
• Lead Paint Removal – The cost of removing the paint can be deductible if the child has lead poisoning from the paint. Lead poisoning can resemble and complicate other conditions, such as autism.

Parents’ attendance at a disability related conference. This good news came in May 2000, in IRS Revenue Ruling 2000-24. Parents who attend conferences primarily to obtain medical information concerning treatment for and care of their child may include the following admission and transpiration costs. Related books and materials are deductible. Attendance is considered to be primarily for and essential to the care of the dependent if:

• Attendance at the conference has been recommended by a medical provider treating the child. AND
• The conference provides medical information concerning the child’s condition – specific issues not just general wellbeing. AND
• The primary purpose of the visit is to attend the conference.
• BUT … Costs of food and lodging are generally NOT deductible.

Special Diets

Many people do not realize that the additional costs of following a specifically prepared medical diet such as the gluten-free, casein-free diet can also be considered medical expenses. On March 24, 2011, the office of the Chief Counsel of the IRS issued a letter clarifying this issue.
“Specifically, the excess cost of specially prepared foods designed to treat a medical condition over the cost of ordinary foods which would have been consumed but for the condition is an expense for medical care…. Therefore, if a taxpayer can establish the medical purpose of the diet, such as through a physician’s diagnosis, then to the extent the cost of the food for the special diet exceeds the cost of the food that satisfies a taxpayer’s normal nutritional needs if the special diet were not required, the excess cost is an expense for medical care under section 213(d).”

Here is an example of a GFCF Diet Deductible Worksheet. You can also claim mileage expense for the trip to the health food store and postal costs on gluten-free products ordered by mail. Specific products used only for a gluten-free diet such as xanthan gum are 100% deductible. You should save all cash register tapes, credit card receipts, and canceled checks to substantiate your gluten-free and or casein-free purchases. You will need to prepare a list of typical foods at typical grocery store prices to arrive at the differences in costs. You need not submit your documentation or computations with your return, but do retain them with your other tax records.

Very Important – Attach a letter from your doctor to your tax return. This letter should state that your child suffers from a medical condition which requires a special diet.

Legal Expenses
Legal expenses incident to medical care have been allowed as a medical expense deduction only when the legal expenses are “necessary to legitimate a method of medical treatment” Levine v. Commissioner [83-1 USTC ¶9101].
This means that attendance at IEP meetings is not a deductible legal or medical expense. However, if you have to engage a lawyer to enforce an IEP or IFSP, that may be deductible, especially if you are suing the school to hire appropriate personnel.

Things to Consider:

Subsequent Reimbursement
If you anticipate reimbursement from a school district or insurance company for any of these costs, that reimbursement will be includable as income when received if the deductions are taken. That could raise your AGI in the subsequent year causing you to lose other deductions. Deciding when or if to take deductions is an important reason to see a qualified tax professional.

401K/IRA Funds
Medical expense, it can also be used to justify a “hardship” withdrawal from a 401(k) retirement plan [Reg. 1.401(k (-1(d) (3) (iii) (B)]. However, the amount not subject to the additional 10% tax penalty is only the amount over 10% of AGI. Regular tax must still be paid on all IRA/401K withdrawals. Generally withdrawing retirement funds is not a good idea due to increased taxes and penalties.

Cafeteria Plans
If your employer offers a cafeteria plan; you can use the funds in that account to pay for treatments for your child. All the items noted above under medical expenses (schooling, tutoring, therapy, conferences, etc.) may be paid out of such an account. Tax-wise this is the most advantageous option as you are paying for these items with pre-tax dollars and are not subject to the 10% limitation. But, OBAMACARE limits the annual contribution to $2,500.

Credits
Even better than deductions, credits reduce $ for $ the amount of tax owed.

Child and Dependent Care Credit
Covers work related expenses for dependents of taxpayer. Dependent must be under the age of 13. If the child requires supervision due to a disability, the age limit no longer applies. A dependent is considered to be physically or mentally incapable of self-care if the dependent is incapable of caring for his or her hygienic or nutritional needs, or requires full-time attention of another person for his or her own safety or the safety of others [Reg 1.44A-1(b)(4)].

Covered expenses – up to $3,000 per year per dependent are allowed, max for all dependents is $6,000. Amount does not need to be equal among children. Regular childcare, after-school programs and day camp qualify. Sleep-away camps do not. Credit is calculated at 20-35 percent of expenses, based on AGI. The maximum credit per dependent is $600 for one child, $1,200 for 2 or more.

Planning strategy – use the first $3,000-$5,999 of special schooling costs to claim this credit; any remaining costs can be deducted as medical expenses. At least $1 must be for the other child to claim more than $3,000.

Earned Income Credit

Families with AGIs under $51,567 may qualify for EIC depending on number of children and filing status. EIC is normally limited to children under age 19. If the child is 19-23 and a full-time student, then he or she also qualifies. As long as a severely disabled child lives with his or her parent, there is no age limit for EIC.

Higher Education

Tuition Credits
American Opportunity Credit is up to $2,500 per student, per year for first 4 years of post-secondary education. The credit can be up to 40% refundable. The student must be pursuing an undergraduate degree or other recognized educational credential, enrolled more than 1/2 time, and have no felony drug convictions. This credit has been extended to 2017.

The Lifetime Learning Credit is a maximum of $2,000 per return, for all post-secondary education and courses to acquire or improve job skills, unlimited number of years, no degree required. Unlike the American Opportunity Credit, the felony drug conviction rule does not apply.  The credit is computed as 20% of first $10,000 = $2,000.  However, there are limitations based on AGI. These benefits begin to phase out for higher income taxpayers at the lower number and are eliminated when AGI reaches the upper number.
American Opportunity Credit – $160,000 – $180,000
Lifetime Learning Credit – $100,000 – $120,000

Educational Expenses
Educational expenses may also be taken as a deduction. Tax return preparation programs generally maximize either credit or deduction. Maximum deductions are as follows:

• $4,000 – AGI < $130,000
• $2,000 – AGI < $160,000
• None if AGI > $160,000

529 College Savings Plans
Contributions to a 529 College Savings Plan grow tax free until a child uses the funds. Qualified expenses include computers, software, room and board, which do not qualify for the above noted educational credits. Proper planning can maximize the use of educational credits, scholarship funds and withdrawals from 529 plans.

Important Limitation: If filing as Married Filing Separately, neither the education credits nor tuition and fees deductions apply. Also interest on student loans is not deductible.

IHSS Services (CA Only)
Your child may qualify for In Home Supportive Services. In which case, the State of California funds your child to employ you to take care of your child. You will receive a W-2 listing your child as your employer. As such, this income is not subject to Social Security or Medicare taxes but is subject to Federal and California income taxes. Do make sure you have adequately withheld for the income taxes.

NEW FOR 2014 – IHSS payments will no longer be subjected to Federal Tax. Read more here.

Respite Care (CA Only)
If you are a parent provider of respite care, you may receive a 1099 from the Regional Center. Attach a statement to your return showing the amount received, and the amounts paid to others, include any net amount on line 21 (other income) of your form 1040. If you paid more than $600 to any other provider, you should provide them with a 1099. If you paid household employees, there are additional payroll forms and taxes that if not filed can result in significant penalties, another reason to consult a qualified tax professional.


About Regina M. Levy, CPA
A CPA and a mother to a child with autism, she has been in private practice in West Los Angeles since 2002. She is a passionate advocate for increasing the quality of services for special needs children, especially those with autism. She is available for personal consultation and can be reached at ginalevycpa@3daccountant.com.

http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/tax-strategies-for-parents-of-kids-with-special-needs/

Homemade Baby Wipes

 

 

For so long I thought, "why make them when they are so easy to buy and I really do not need to add one more thing to my list".  Well I finally did it months ago and I am so glad that I did, we will never go back to store bought wipes.  They are so cheap and easy to make, in fact I still have the original ingredients that I purchased to make these wipes.  I am only now about to reorder.  The best part about it....I know exactly what is going on my children's skin.

 

As always, when researching something I was stunned at the REAL ingredients .  Why would I assume that this would be any different?  When doing my research I found it very difficult to find out what all of the ingredients in wipes are.  The harder it is to find ingredients on something the more suspicious I get.  I looked and looked and looked and could not find where Huggies disclosed what all of the ingredients are in their wipes.  I could find some ingredients online, only the ones that we all know are good though.  They did not mind disclosing aloe, cotton, and vitamin E, unfortunately they do spin the other ingredients as many companies do.   Finally I had to turn to the box and another mother who researched the same subject.

 

All baby wipes contain water, skin conditioners, product enhancers, synthetic cleansers and synthetic preservatives (to prevent the growth of bacteria).  In each ingredient category, ingredients vary on the scale of toxicity. As Irina Webb, writer of "I Read Labels For You" states, "All baby wipes use synthetic cleansers and most of them (even plant-based ones) use toxic chemicals in their manufacture.  Product enhancing ingredients are relatively ok, although some of them may be quite toxic.  As for preservatives (and they have to be used in baby wipes because a moist environment is a breeding ground for bacteria), they are the most problematic group in baby wipes.  There are no synthetic preservatives that are absolutely free of any concerns."  Again, it is a matter of toxicity degree.

 

 

Huggies describes their baby wipes as “Natural Care” baby wipes.  But what do they mean by “Natural?”  Let’s take a look at Huggies baby wipes ingredients and see for ourselves if they are truly natural and if their manufacturer made choices that are in the best interests of babies.  Apparently, there are a few different formulations.  And from what Irina Webb discovered, this formulation is not the most toxic.

 

Huggies Baby Wipes Cleansers

There are two synthetic cleansers in the Huggies baby wipes, which are potassium laureth phosphate and polysorbate-20.  These cleansers have something in common.  To produce them, a carcinogenic chemical, ethylene oxide, is used to make harsh petrochemicals less irritating to the skin.  There are three problems with that: 1. The manufacturing process is toxic; 2. The cleansers remain irritating to the skin; 3. Ethylene oxide produces carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane that may remain in the final product (for more information see Irina's post ”1,4-Dioxane in Cosmetics and Personal Care and Cleaning Products” post).  Often manufacturers do not make an effort to remove 1,4-dioxane from the final products, even though it is not expensive to do. According to a 2008 Organic Consumer Association and EWG study, 46% of personal care products and 57 percent of baby soaps are contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, and not much has been done since then to fix this situation (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/726331/1,4-DIOXANE/).

 

 

Huggies Baby Wipes Preservatives

There are two preservatives used in Huggies baby wipes, which are methylisothiazolinone and methylparaben,  Baby wipes are a breeding ground for bacteria because of their moist environment, this is why the preservatives are added.  Why so many companies refuse to use essential oils that serve the same purpose is infuriating to me, especially when it is a product for our babies.  There are no absolutely non-toxic synthetic preservatives; however, some preservatives are more toxic than others. Methylisothiazolinone and methylparaben are potent toxins. Methylisothiazolinone may cause an allergic skin reaction and lab studies in mice suggest that it may be toxic to brain cells (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/703935/METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE/). The major concern about methylparaben is that it mimics estrogen and disrupts the function of the hormone system (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/703937/METHYLPARABEN/#).

 

Huggies Baby Wipes Enhancers

Tetrasodium EDTA and malic acid are two ingredients used to help Huggies baby wipes do their work. Tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent and malic acid is a ph-adjuster.  The EWG gives a favorable rating for Tetrasodium EDTA of only 2 out 10, with 10 being the most toxic (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/706510/TETRASODIUM_EDTA/).  However, there are other sources on the Internet that consider it much more toxic.  Irina looked at the Tetrasodium EDTA MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and what stood out for her the most was as follows, “The toxicological properties of this substance have not been fully investigated.” (http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923980).  As for malic acid, its main concern is that it may cause skin irritation (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/703723/MALIC_ACID/).

 

Huggies Baby Wipes Skin Conditioners

Lastly, there are a few ingredients in Huggies Baby Wipes that are actually good for the skin, such as glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, and tocopheryl acetate.  All of them have skin conditioning properties.  There are two things I want to say here.  One is that tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), if derived synthetically, might be contaminated with carcinogenic hydroquinone (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/706569/TOCOPHERYL_ACETATE/).  And the second thing is that given the concerns I have mentioned above, any benefit is outweighed by the potential harm.

 

Here is more information about baby wipes and their ingredients at http://www.ireadlabelsforyou.com/hidden-ingredients-in-baby-wipes/.

 

 

Now on with our recipe for wipes.

 

Ingredients:

 

1 roll of heavy duty paper towel (I recommend Bounty)

Container for wipes

1 Tablespoon pure aloe vera-we use Mountain Rose Herbs

1Tablespoon pure Witch Hazel-again we use Mountain Rose

2 Tablespoons liquid Castille Soap-we use Dr. Bronner's

1 teaspoon of Vitamin E (optional)

1 Tablespoon almond oil (optional)

1 3/4 cups boiled water-cool a little

Essential oil of choice

First put water on to boil.

 

 

Next, using a good serrated knife cut the paper towels in half.

 

Then either you or your assistant can put one half in container, with cut side down.

 

 

Add witch hazel, vitamin E, aloe, oil and soap and stir carefully.

 

 

 

Have your assistant add desired essential oils and stir.

This time we used lavender. eucalyptus and lemon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pour mixture over paper towels.

 

 

Let sit for a few minutes then pull cardboard piece out of middle.

 

And here is the final product.

 

They smell wonderful and are safe.

Enjoy

 

 

For further information regarding essential oils please visit Baker's Guide to Essential Oils.

 

http://bakersguide2essentialoils.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy has been on our radar for Emma for a long time.  We first ruled out Atlantoaxial Instability by x-ray when Emma turned two.  As soon as we got the okay from our pediatrician we pressed forward as quickly as possible.  Horses have always been a part of Chad's family and I wanted to continue the tradition with our children.  Grant and Olivia love the horses and enjoy riding them, I want the same for Emmalin.  We were very relieved the day we received the news that riding would be safe for her. 

 

                          

Understanding the majestic power horses yield may help explain the power of hippotherapy, which “refers to the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy by physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech/language pathologists to address impairments, functional limitations and disabilities in patients with neuromotor and sensory dysfunction,” according to the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA).

The horse's pelvis has a similar three-dimensional movement to the human's pelvis at the walk. The horse's movement is carefully graded at the walk in each treatment for the patient. This movement provides physical and sensory input which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The variability of the horse's gait enables the therapist to grade the degree of input to the patient and use this movement in combination with other treatment strategies to achieve desired therapy goals or functional outcomes. In addition, the three-dimensional movement of the horse's pelvis leads to a movement response in the patient's pelvis which is similar to the movement patterns of human walking. A foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing, which can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities and address functional outcomes and therapy goals.

Lori Garone is a physical therapist who also is a board certified clinical specialist in hippotherapy. She explains, "the horse's movement… access[es a patient's] central nervous system… by the repetitive and innate rhythm of the horse's walk."

Garone says that movement creates "new motor, sensory and speech pathways in the brain" that can help a patient reach developmental, motor and speech goals.

Garone works for AHA and is a AHA past board director. She says after being around horses her entire life, their ability to heal has never surprised her.

"Incorporating the horse into human rehabilitation certainly is a more natural way for us to heal ourselves in any variety of ways," she explains.

She emphasizes, "[Hippotherapy] is not riding a horse, nor is it horse therapy or equestrian therapy. It is either physical, occupational or speech therapy, and when a specially trained team of therapist, horse, horse handler and side helper incorporate it into a patient's therapy, goals are reached faster."

Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy that "has been incorporated into patients [Plan of Care] for over 25 years in this country and over 40 years in Germany, Austria and most of Europe," Garone explains. Garone began a private practice on Long Island, New York, in 1990 called Physical Therapy In Motion, which incorporates hippotherapy into patients' treatment.  AHA's website shares testimonials from parents of children who have achieved significant success through treatment with horses. "Hippotherapy is more effective than traditional therapies because horses have a unique ability to motivate children to try new things," explains the parents.

For a parent of a child with Down syndrome, the hint of a promise at progress is compelling enough to pursue hippotherapy even when health insurance provides no coverage.

"I cannot say enough wonderful things about [hippotherapy]," shares Ashley, whose 8-year-old son has Down syndrome and recently began treatment at Horse ”N” Around in Lancaster, South Carolina. "It was expensive for us; insurance did not pay," she says. "But, when we were there, I always had a moment of: 'This is worth it, and I will do whatever it takes!'"

As Ashley watched her son interact with his speech therapist (who is trained specifically in hippotherapy), she marveled at his response on various levels, from following commands to talking to and guiding the horse.

His therapist adapted the treatment plan to his sensory issues, finding a larger and thus stronger horse with a heavier trot. "He didn't do as well with the smaller horses," Ashley explains. "He needed the strong input of the bigger horses."

"He was so at peace there," she shares. "I loved hearing him talk so much, follow directions, smile and just enjoy the whole atmosphere and experience."

To find a physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech/language pathologist who is trained in hippotherapy, visit AHA’s resource page.

We currently use Beyond Boundaries and they are amazing.  Our OT, Lori Tankersly, who has been one of my anchor's over the past couple of years, works with Emma during hippotherapy.  She is assisted by Tyler Stone, who Emma absolutely LOVES, and Kandi Brandon, so sweet and patient.  Below is a video of our experience with hippotherapy.

I also want to recognize Jimmy McMinn who is the Barn Manager at Beyond Boundaries and Beth Stamp who is the Executive Director and owner of Allied Therapy and Consulting Services.

You can read more about Down syndrome and Atlantoaxial Instability at http://www.ndss.org/Resources/Health-Care/Associated-Conditions/Atlantoaxial-Instability-Down-Syndrome/


Beyond Boundaries is located at 2195 Peyton Street in Ward AR.  For more information call 501-941-1522 or visit their website. http://www.beyondboundariesar.org