Susan Patterson

Hello and welcome to my page. If you enjoy learning about natural health, homesteading and gardening, you have come to the right place. My life journey has taken me to many great places and I consider it a privilege to share information with others to educate, inspire and encourage. As a Certified Health Coach and Master Gardener,  it is my desire to come alongside you as you strive for a balanced life that celebrates all you can be! When I am not coaching others or writing about health you can find me outdoors where I enjoy hiking, biking, organic gardening, homesteading, creating recycled art, photography and being adventurous!

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Popular Articles

The Alternative Daily •

How to Banish Nasty Chest Mucous Naturally

There’s nothing enjoyable about being sick and struggling with chest congestion while coughing up phlegm and battling a sore throat and lack of sleep. In fact, that is the perfect combination of symptoms to ensure that you will stay sick for as long as possible. If you’re tired of just waiting out upper respiratory infections, longingly remembering your mucous-free days, and hoping that your lungs will clear, you’ll love these natural methods will help you get back on your feet in no time. Dry
The Alternative Daily •

9 Ways to Live a Truly Plastic Free Life

Living a plastic-free life in this day and age is not impossible, but it’s not easy either. If you have decided to make an effort to reduce plastic consumption this year, keep in mind that baby steps are everything. You are not going to go from living a life filled with plastic products to not using a bit of plastic in a day. The important thing is to be mindful of your contribution and help educate yourself and others on the environmental dangers of this harmful substance. Note: It is critical
The Alternative Daily •

Caution: Never Do This in a Public Restroom

Are you not always spot on with washing your hands after you use a public restroom but somehow religious about putting down that thin layer of paper between your bottom and the toilet seat? While you should certainly wash your hands thoroughly after using a public restroom, the whole paper thing…Well, it looks like it is quite overrated, and there are more important things to be concerned with! Although you may take a certain about of comfort in placing the very delicate paper seat cover just w
The Alternative Daily •

Cavities are Contagious: Here's How it Happens

As cold and flu season waits around the corner, you may be preparing to protect yourself from catching a bug. No one wants to come down with a yucky sickness, and we all know that colds, the flu, and painful strep throat are all contagious. Most of us try to do all we can to protect ourselves from these germs, such as backing away when someone coughs or sneezes for fear that their germs will land on us. But, what if we told you that, like a common cold, cavities are contagious? Blame it on the
The Alternative Daily •

Shocking Truth: What You Need to Know About the New Meatless Burger

Although meatless burgers are not a new concept, there are more and more meatless products hitting the shelf daily, enticing vegetarians and even meat-eaters to give them a try. Producers of such meat-free burgers claim that these burgers not only taste good, and are healthy, but that they also can save the earth. So, what is the real truth behind these new burgers? Let’s dig in to find out. Most of us are aware of the horrors that factory farming inflicts on animals. We’ve also reported on the
The Alternative Daily •

If You Are Still Eating Ramen Noodles, Read This

I remember my college days like a blur. With a stacked class schedule, heavy participation in athletics, and student life, there was precious little time to think about what to eat. It was grab this, grab that, and move on to the next class. There was one particular non-food that was a staple in my life for many years. Ramen noodles were cheap, easy to make, and made a great late night snack while studying. It was not until years later that I realized just how bad these things really were. My f
The Alternative Daily •

Why I Put Coconut Oil Between My Toes and In My Nose

Coconut oil is one of nature’s greatest miracles, with millions of people across the globe experiencing the real power of this tropical treasure. If you’ve been a fan of coconut oil since it gained popularity in the early 2010s (or even longer), you’re probably tired of hearing about all of the different ways to use it for a hair mask or add it to your diet. Today, we’re going to be looking at a few of the lesser-known uses for coconut oil; specifically, why you should slather this useful oil be
Tropical Health •

How To Care For This Organ You Probably NEVER Think About (and why it matters)

Chances are, you rarely think about or hear about your pancreas. Most of the time, you simply go about your daily life, and it does its work with no effort on your part. However, when the pancreas is mistreated and stops functioning correctly…you’ll notice right away. Unlike many other high profile organs such as the heart and lungs, the pancreas is often overlooked and isn’t even considered as the cause of many internal issues. Here are a few ways to give your pancreas some love and why this or
The Alternative Daily •

The #1 Thing That You Must Always Eat With Turmeric

Turmeric is an herb, also known as Curcuma longa, that is a member of the ginger family which has been used throughout India and the Orient for thousands of years. The astonishing health benefits of this golden spice have not gone unrecognized by scientists. There is one thing, however, that you must always eat with turmeric in order to capitalize on its therapeutic properties. Historical records note that ancient Polynesians took turmeric with them when they sailed across the Pacific Ocean to H
The Alternative Daily •

5 Lemon Fixes that Can Protect and Heal Your Body (we love #4)

They are pretty, they are fragrant and they are oh so powerful. Although you may be used to lemons as a garnish to brighten up your culinary favorites, they are a nutritional powerhouse that should not be ignored as a main event. Be sure to stay stocked up on this citrus superfood and learn how you can improve your health with a simple squeeze! Here’s the key: Lemons are healthy because they’re high in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and B vitamins; they contain an impressive collection of ess
The Alternative Daily •

What the Heck Is Seed Cycling and Could it Rebalance Your Hormones?

What if it was possible to stop a hot flash in its tracks, or ease frustration and pain of PMS? The trend of seed cycling is on the rise, but what exactly is it, and is it effective? It involves eating seeds, including flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower at different times in the month to balance hormones. It is said to be effective for women who are menstruating, pre-menopause, postpartum, and post-menopause. While there is a boatload of anecdotal accounts of its effectiveness, the scientific
The Alternative Daily •

What You Might Not Know about That Root Canal

Myths have swirled around the root canal for decades. Some people claim this practice is entirely safe and can help save a dead tooth, while others, fearing disease and pain, choose to have a tooth extracted entirely or leave it be. With such conflicting opinions, it can be hard to know what to believe. Here are common misconceptions about root canals and how to make an informed decision regarding your upcoming appointment. Root canal is one of the most common dental procedures, and if you’ve n
The Alternative Daily •

Here is Just One More Reason to Put Down that Soda

Are you still consuming drinks made with sugar? If so, perhaps a new study published in BMJ might sway you to trade out your soda, sweet tea, or other sugary sweet beverage for something less sinister. According to researchers, there appears to be a connection between sugar-laden drinks and an increased risk of cancer. Sugary drinks refer to any beverage that has added sugar or sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, cane sugar, fruit juice concentrate, sucrose or others. This included sod
The Alternative Daily •

Why Science Says Cheat Days on Keto Aren't Worth It

Let’s face it, we’re all human, and no matter how committed you are to a healthy diet or lifestyle, there will always be those few foods that keep drawing you in with their seductive siren song. French fries, sugary ice cream, chips suddenly seem so appealing when you can’t have them anymore. Turning back to these “cheat foods,” very infrequently seems harmless, but on the ketogenic diet, cheat days could spell disaster. So why exactly are cheat days so bad on keto and how can you still enjoy wh
The Alternative Daily •

What's For Dinner Keto Style in 30 Minutes or Less

The ketogenic diet is successful for so many because it targets a number of underlying reasons for weight gain – including hormonal issues such as insulin resistance, with high blood sugar levels, and the vicious cycle of eating empty calories due to out of control hunger and cravings. If you are following a low carb or keto lifestyle, here are some great dinner ideas that the whole family will love. The best thing about these recipes is that they can be made in 30 minutes or less. You gotta lo
The Alternative Daily •

This All Natural Stress Buster is Also Good for Your Love Life

Ashwagandha is a well-known adaptogenic herb that has been used for thousands of years in ancient Ayurvedic medicine to relive several health conditions and help calm the body and mind while restoring balance and relieving stress without the use of prescription drugs. This evergreen shrub is native to the Middle East, Africa, and India and is used primarily for tea or taken in supplement form. Ashwagandha is undoubtedly a natural wonder that is well known for its ability to reduce stress and spi
The Alternative Daily •

5 Reasons to Pee in Your Garden

Believe it or not, you are flushing valuable, nutrient-rich liquid down the toilet every time you pee. We don’t think twice about putting cow manure, chicken droppings, and various other animal excrements in our garden, so why is the thought of peeing on your plants such a disturbing one? Instead of immediately dismissing the idea as some all natural, health nut hoax, take a look at these research-backed reasons to add human urine to your garden. Environmental scientists Surendra Pradhan and He
The Alternative Daily •

Cracking the Top 9 CBD Myths: What You Need to Know

You don’t have to delve very deeply into the health and wellness world to begin hearing about cannabidiol (CBD). This popular “superfood” derived from hemp is driving a multibillion-dollar industry and crushing preconceived negativity about cannabis and other natural remedies. However, if CBD has just popped up on your radar, it can be hard to sort out fact from fiction and figure out why exactly this wonder drug is so great. On one hand, you have the crowd that insists that CBD is the golden se
backyardvitality.com •

So...You Want to Buy a Tree (what you need to know before shopping)

If only it were as easy as purchasing the perfect tree, digging a hole and waiting for your tree to take root and come to life. In fact, there are more technicalities to purchasing and planting a tree than most people understand. Here are a few essential tips for tree shopping that will help you choose the best tree for you. There are so many beautiful trees out there, but you can’t have them all. Rather than trying to find the ideal location for a selected tree, try to source a tree that’s su
The Alternative Daily •

What Your Cravings are Really Trying to Tell You

In our diet and weight-loss crazed world, cravings have become increasingly vilified. They are seen as a weakness that must be ignored at all costs. “I. Will. Not. Eat. That. Chocolate” you heroically tell yourself as you collapse into a puddle of tears on the couch and shove another handful of kale into your mouth. In reality, cravings are often your body’s way of attempting to get a message across. They shouldn’t always be indulged; however, it can often be just as dangerous to disregard them.
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