Hi there! Welcome to Simply Finding Thyme!

I’m Miranda, the Jesus following, holistic health and wellness junkie and homeschooling mom behind this blog. This is my journey in peaceful parenting, parenting and homeschooling a special needs child and finding optimal health through nutrition, exercise and natural medicine.

Here you will find recipes, natural living ideas, exercise and fitness tips, real life parenting and homeschooling, motivation, inspiration, biblical truths and hopefully much more! I hope you enjoy what you read here and find it useful.  I love feedback so please leave a comment.

 “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ~ Hippocrates

My Story

In 2006, my oldest son suffered an adverse vaccine reaction leaving him with permanent brain damage. This event began to open my eyes to alternatives, and I started looking into more natural/green living. In 2008, I attended an herbal medicine seminar with a local herbalist, and that jump-started my journey towards optimal health. The more I studied herbal medicine the more I saw the connection between diet and lifestyle to disease. I saw that through natural medicine and diet I could help my children be the best they can be, especially for my older son who has been diagnosed with Autism and ADHD.

For as long as I can remember I’ve been a curious cat – nine lives, baby! My mom would probably tell you I’ve always been at least these 5 things: nurturing, rebellious, caring, resilient, strong-willed. I rarely take things for face value and keep asking questions until all avenues have been explored. This mind-set, and my natural ability for being obsessive, has led me to experiment with many dietary philosophies over the last several years on my mission towards optimal health. All of which have led me to my current philosophy on nutrition and optimal health: eat clean organic foods in proper proportions mostly veggies everything else is a side dish, and exercise (i.e. move your body) regularly. Those are the basics, anyway. Currently, I am following an AIP (Autoimmune Paleo diet) to address some health issues.

To me, optimal health is not just about the physical body, but includes the mind and spirit as well. As someone who has struggled with depression most of my life and PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) for a few years, I understand the importance of nourishing the mind. You’ve heard that saying “mind over matter” right? That about sums it up. Yoga had been a phenomenal tool for me in nourishing all aspects of myself (mind, body and spirit). Nourishing the mind and spirit generally go hand in hand. If it elevates the mind, it will elevate the spirit. We are whole beings, and if one part is lacking our whole is lacking.

It took me many years of searching and seeking in the new age movement to realize nothing was truly bring me peace or comfort. Things did for a time, but nothing lasted. Until I returned to my roots and returned to Christ. I quickly realized and found the piece that was lacking. No meditation or pagan god could provide the nourishment my spirit was seeking. We are only whole in and through Christ Jesus. I am grateful for God’s grace and mercy, and reflect on Ephesians 6:12 often as a reminder of the true battle at hand and why we mustn’t give any stronghold to the enemy.

My years of seeking weren’t just spiritual. I am, I guess, what one would call a life long learner, and always seeking the truth. I have taken several classes, read numerous books and scoured countless studies to satisfy my always inquisitive mind. I consider myself well researched and educated on all the topics I discuss, and I am always seeking the latest studies that can support and further my growth. But let’s be honest, sometimes (most of the time) real life, real world experiences are so much more valuable than the many books or peer reviewed studies we can read on any topic!

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope you stick around to be a part of the community!

~Miranda