All Things Elderberry started with a personal health mission. We started with the elixir out of Emilia’s kitchen. We grew to the neighborhood. We grew to the church parking lot. We grew to the farmer’s market. Bottled in the Get Real Health bottles. Then we grew to retail locations. We rebranded. We grew a website. We grew 9,200 elderberry plants on a 150-acre farm. You could say we grew accidentally. We grew without too much planning and strategy. We grew from grassroots marketing and your word of mouth. We grew by connecting with you. We grew by connecting with other entrepreneurs. We grew because we connected to the community.
What’s our future growth strategy? You. Word of mouth is always the best, most efficient way to our next sale. Can you share a testimony of your health? Perhaps leave us a Google review. Give us a like. A follow. A share. We rely heavily on you for us to be able to reach the next customer. Without You being on the same mission our founder, Emilia, was on, we don’t have a mission. We all want to feel better. Our mission is to educate the community on the health benefits of elderberries. It is to raise the younger generation to believe in and know the magic and deliciousness of elderberries. It is to elevate your immune system to its optimal response. It is to help keep you connected and active with your community. The curious come resigned to their symptoms and the believers stay because they feel better than they did before. Must be the elderberry?
We have worked tirelessly to bring you a brand with integrity and products with flavor and texture the entire family enjoys. We hear how it helps everyone stay well, minimizes autoimmune flare-ups, and reduces arthritis inflammation when taken regularly. We know, you know, it works.
We could spend millions of dollars (we don’t have) on advertising. Think back to the first time you heard of elderberries. Maybe your mind was curious. Maybe in disbelief. Maybe desperate. Maybe because your grandparents told you about it. Then you tried it. How did you feel? How long has it been since you have been sick? How is your family feeling? Less time off for sick days? More time playing? More energy? Less flare-ups? When did you become a believer? What was that ah-ha elderberry moment?
We want to know. The others need to know. They read. They listen. They won't take it from us, we are biased. They will take it from you, our elderberry community. You are our growth. You are our way forward. This grassroots word-of-mouth strategy is slow to grow, but, it works.
What do we need? Our offer is if you leave us a Google Review, we’ll send you an $8 gift card. At a minimum, Share us. Like Us. Follow Us. We are here to connect with you. It’s what keeps us going and growing. Because being a small vertically integrated business is challenging. We love what we do. We simply couldn’t do it without you.
]]>We made it, Spring is here and our Elderberry plants have sprouted! So, it only seems fitting we give you a proper introduction to the elderberry plant.
Our farm, Hidden Holler, located in Berger, MO gives us a rare advantage over the other brands out there. Owning a farm has been an incredible experience, while it makes us vertically integrated, it also comes with a vertical learning curve. We have over 9,200 elderberry plants that will turn 4 this year. Did you know, elderberries are native to the Midwest? And, Missouri is the #1 state for US elderberry agriculture!
We have to be honest, we had no idea what we were getting into when we said we would buy a farm and be vertically integrated. It’s been so much work to get where we are with 5 acres of elderberry plants. It’s been a huge time, resource, and money investment. It’s been long hours, weekends, and lots of help from families and friends. 4 years ago, based on research and recommendations from other elderberry farmers, we planted 4 American varieties in 5 acres and have been caring for them ever since.
Adams - Originated and selected from the wild in New York in 1926. One of the oldest varieties produces the largest fruit of any elderberry variety. This is the most popular type of American Elderberry known for its white flowers and dark purple berries. The fruit is great for juice, jellies, wine, or drying.
Wyldewood- This cultivar was selected from a wild population near Eufaula, Missouri in 2010. It can tolerate extreme cold and is tolerant of a wide range of soils. It has huge flower clusters that are 2 inches wider than the clusters of any other cultivar. Blossoms in June and can be harvested 14 days after Adams and Bob Gordon. It produces small dark purple, almost black, berries and is excellent for jams, jellies, and wines.
Bob Gordon - Selected near Osceola, Missouri in 1999. Known for its large flower clusters with white flowers. The fruit is small to medium and is purple and sweet. Harvest for this variety is mid-late July. This is often selected for elderberry wine.
Pocahontas -originating in Pocahontas, Arkansas, and is the fastest growing, most vigorous cultivar. It has large flower and berry heads. It blooms later than other varieties.
These are all American varieties. So, why is this important? When looking at Elderberry products, check to see where the elderberry is originating: European-grown or American-grown elderberries. The American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is more shrub-like and can grow up to 8 to 10 feet high, while the European black elder (Sambucus nigra) has the makings of a small tree and will reach 20 feet. In the last 20 years and today, there are major efforts happening in America to establish a commercialized American elderberry industry. With the increased research, education, farmers, and product recognition the (USDA) is aiming to help farmers grow native-to-America black elderberry or Sambucus canadensis.
American elderberry has been shown to be a rich source of antioxidants, vitamin C, zinc, copper, and many other minerals. It is also one of the richest sources of bioflavonoids called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins have been studied to help with a variety of health issues like relieving oxidative stress, combating cancer, fighting inflammation, balancing blood sugar levels, and supporting a healthy immune response. They are still studying the plant and all its health benefits.
We planted four different varieties of elderberries on our farm so we can stagger the harvest. Each variety blossoms and ripens at different times, so it gives us time to make it through the 70+ rows. We also planted a variety as we weren’t sure which one was going to grow the best. We quickly found out, our Wyldewood plants didn’t grow. We were bummed because they are known for their bigger and more beautiful flowers. Pocahontas didn’t do well on our farm either. We are moving the Pocahontas to another row in our field and will try again. While we have mentors, we are beginners and we are learning every day.
We will continue to offer education and updates on our social media on the growth of our plants this year. We ask that you keep spreading the word and help us grow.
]]>Self-care could mean you practice personal and social boundaries. These boundaries help you live your life for yourself versus giving in to social pressures. It could mean saying no to a night out to make time for much-needed rest. Perhaps take an extra five min in the shower for a body scrub, a facial mask, or a foot soak. Ask yourself what you need, go into your heart, and ask how you can show up for yourself. The answer will change from day to day as our stress loads vary.
Romantizing self-care, we think of rewarding ourselves with a candle, a bubble bath, and a glass of wine. While this might be a treat, is it really addressing our inner conflict or the root of our stress? This kind of care could mean some quiet time away from the kids, relaxing after a long day of working or could be adding anxiety to our body with added alcohol. Meditations, music, quiet, a good book or even tidying up your physical space could also feel like self-care.
Self-care is our daily intake or food choices. What is your relationship with food? Is it a power struggle or an emotional pacifier? Especially this time of year, we think of food as a gift, reward, or celebration. Self-care is giving yourself permission to stick to dietary needs or trials to see how your body responds to a needed change.
Self-care might be changing out body care products to non-toxic products. This might require research or conversation with a friend, coach, or functional medicine practitioner. What products can help you feel your best? <Inside scoop> We have a few non-toxic products in the pipeline to help you restore.
Ultimately, self-care means practicing daily habits and routines to help you be the best you can be for everyone around you. Understanding, these may change based on your stress load and life events.
This is not an all-at-once mindset. It takes time to practice. We suggest focusing on one area at a time. Achieve the result you want with trial and area, by offering yourself grace and compassion and perhaps, finding an accountability buddy that will check in with your journey.
]]>Have you seen our updated label? We gave our elixir a big quality upgrade. The elixir’s first ingredient is now ELDERBERRY JUICE. Prior to 2023, it was filtered water, then elderberry juice. We reworked our recipe because we wanted to offer you more bang for your buck. We increased the amount of elderberry juice by 30%! That’s a whole lot of added health benefit and we believe it is absolutely delicious. Of course, we are biased, we know ours is the best tasting and freshest on the market. We are here to explain why.
Our elixir’s first ingredient is Elderberry Juice. Not elderberry concentrate and not from dried elderberries. Those processes are “extra” steps and create oxidation that lessen the density and quality of antioxidants. We have always used first-press elderberries. First-press means we juice fresh elderberries and then immediately freeze the juice. Why is this important? This is a single process that preserves the anti-oxidants. It improves the feel of the elixir in your mouth as smooth and juicy, not gritty.
We also only use American elderberries in our elixir. We will go more into that in a later post.
Next, we use local raw honey to those who live in Missouri. This allows for a smooth texture as opposed to a thickening agent like corn syrup. We do not use any emulsifiers or thickeners, so our product is a cleaner, less toxic product than most other labels on the market.
Next, we add ginger, cinnamon and clove. In addition to the added flavor, this trio also offers additional health benefits like anti-inflammatory, promotes healthy digestion, lowers blood pressure which all help promote a healthy immune response. We aren’t just talking about a healthy immune response to the common cold and flu, we are also talking about most autoimmue diseases as well.
In the beginning after sampling our product, it was recommended by a Dr that we name our original recipe an elixir because it resembled an ancient Chinese Elixir.
Typically, an elixir is a sweet liquid used for medical purposes. It is to be taken orally and intended to cure one's illness. When used as a pharmaceutical preparation, an elixir contains at least one active ingredient designed to be taken orally. In our case, it was 5 ingredients.
Culturally, syrup assumes a sweet thick liquid or on the other end of that spectrum a medicinal poor tasting liquid from an OTC brand. Our Everyday Elixir is a cleaner, less-toxic product and upon your first sip, you will agree, it is equally delicious as it is healthy.
Experiencing cravings is very common, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily normal. Our bodies are smart, and they talk to us. I find in my practice the majority of the time when people are experiencing cravings, their bodies are missing key nutrients, or they have poor sleep and high stress levels. Below are some ways to stabilize your blood sugar and minimize cravings.
When you are sleeping, your body is fasting. Its job is to heal and repair while you sleep. The best way to break your fast is with protein and fat. This will minimize the risk of raising your blood sugar first thing in the morning. Especially, if you are going to a workplace where you sit most of the day.
Artificial sweeteners may not spike your blood sugar, but it does ignite your brain. When your tongue tastes something so sweet, it is expecting calories. Even though there are none your brain is tricked into wanting more. Artificial sweeteners encourage sugar cravings throughout the day and can become highly addictive. In the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, daily consumption of diet drinks was associated with a 36% greater risk for metabolic syndrome and a 67% increased risk for type 2 diabetes. There is not enough research out there showing that artificial sweeteners are safe for human consumption. Artificial sweeteners have been linked to cancer, obesity, brain tumors, heart disease and more.
Huge corporations are smart, and they hire scientists whose job is to figure out what ingredients spark our palate. Ever hear that phrase “You can’t just have one.” Willpower is not the problem! Whole foods such as vegetables nuts and seeds do not have any synthetic ingredients are preservatives. They don’t contain anything addictive, unlike processed foods. The more you eat processed foods, the more you will crave them.
Cinnamon is excellent for balancing out your blood sugar. Add it to your morning coffee, fruit, or oatmeal. Add sweet vegetables to your meals daily such as bell peppers, carrots, beets, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and parsnips.
People tend to get discouraged and diet too hard. This will lead to significant food cravings, binging, and bad relationships with food. If you keep your protein, carbs, and fat balanced, you will most likely see long term sustainable results.
Magnesium is essential for many processes throughout the body and is essential for good health. It helps food convert into energy, aids in muscle contraction and relaxation, creates new protein for amino acids, regulates neurotransmitters which send messages throughout your brain and nervous system, and much more! Studies show that about 50% of us are deficient in magnesium.
Foods that are great sources of magnesium are pumpkin seeds, black beans, 70-100% dark chocolate, quinoa. Especially leafy greens such as spinach and swiss chard.
Sour-rich foods include sauerkraut, green apples, and unripe bananas.
Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microscopic living things are referred to as microorganisms, or gut microbes, for short. Trillions of these microorganisms exist mainly inside your intestines and on your skin. Most of the microorganisms in your intestines are found in a "pocket" of your large intestine, and they are referred to as the gut microbiome (also known as your second brain). There are roughly 40 trillion bacterial cells in your body, and only 30 trillion human cells. These live bacteria are in control of multiple systems throughout the body.
Side effects of gut imbalances include IBS, constipation, anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, brain fog, sugar cravings, Auto-immune disease, skin issues, and anxiety.
An overload of bad bacteria can cause a whole host of health issues. It’s crucial that you have enough good bacteria to thrive in your gut microbiome. To do this, it’s important to get a diverse number of probiotics and pre-biotics daily through your food intake. If need be, you can also supplement.
If you don’t get enough sleep, your body will be stressed. Sleep is so important that if it’s a choice between a workout or sleep, I have my clients always pick sleep! One of my favorite books regarding sleep is by Shawn Stevenson called Sleep Smarter. Lack of sleep is linked to weight gain, depression, and food cravings.
It’s important to minimize stress as much as possible. During times of stress, your adrenal glands respond by releasing two hormone cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are part of your “fight or flight response.” Stress can stem from lack of sleep, environmental toxins, work-life, family and more. Ways to minimize stress would be through sleep, meditation, exercise, and eating slowly.
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Thank you to KSDk for having us on your show. We are so thankful any time we get to spread information on the wonderful benefits of elderberry.
View on the KSDK website here.
]]>Not to brag, but we have definitely perfected Elderberry Vinaigrette!
Apple butter is not something I grew up with, we were always a jelly house. I don’t even think I had apple butter until I ate ours. I know, sounds crazy. Since we cook our elixir with fresh ingredients we have the opportunity to make a delicious tea out of the ingredients for a 2nd process. Though the medicinal value is all in the elixir the flavor is still on point. This tea now becomes the base of our apple butter.
In addition to the amazing flavor of the tea, we add real apples (not remade applesauce), local Missouri honey, and a touch of vanilla.
That’s it!
This is why no one can ever recreate this amazing apple butter. No sugar, real apples and our special tea make this one of a kind Apple butter that will convert any previous jelly lover.
And it's not just for toast! Here are 18 ways to use our elderberry apple butter:
Have you tried our Elderberry Apple Butter yet?!
If you would have asked me 2 years ago what was my next adventure in life, I would have never dreamed it included elderberries and all-natural remedies for my health. I still have a lot to learn and its truly fascinating learning how many plants and herbs are natural remedies for a lot of our everyday health issues.
]]>My daughter, Sally, decided she was tired of feeling bad and not being able to figure out some health issues she was dealing with. She had sought out medical doctors who would always put her on prescription medicine and nothing seemed to help. So, she decided to see a Functional Doctor. Best decision she ever made! She learned how much your diet affects everything about your functioning body. Sally is now on a path of healing her body with the proper foods that are good for her body.
Sally also knew I was having some issues with my body and going through menopause. She told me to go see her Functional Doctor and I did. Also, the best decision I ever made. I found out that I am intolerant to dairy and not lactose intolerant it was the whey protein in the dairy products that I was intolerant to. The older I got the more dairy bothered me but I just thought it was age. Wrong! I was told to eat dairy all my life and that it was a necessary part of my diet. My functional doctor told me that we are the only mammal on this planet that still ingested milk from another mammal after birth. Hmmm…interesting concept. I was also told that there were some other vitamin deficiencies and nutrition I was missing from my blood work. The Functional Doctor explained that this is a more in-depth blood panel she took then your medical doctor would take. Very helpful!
After learning all this information and knowing my daughter and I were both intolerant to dairy made me feel like a horrible mother. I made my children ingest dairy every day. Had no idea there was such a thing as being intolerant to whey protein. I think about all the other issues I could have prevented if I would have taken all of us to a Functional Doctor.
After seeing a functional doctor and changing my mindset, I was so fortunate to meet Emilia my business partner who just happens to be an amazing person and BONUS a nutritionist. I was hungry to better myself and my knowledge of just being a better me. Emilia is a true believer in making you the best you, you can possibly be through nutrition. That’s when I became part owner of All Things Elderberry. What an amazing journey we are on!
If you would have asked me 2 years ago what was my next adventure in life, I would have never dreamed it included elderberries and all-natural remedies for my health. I still have a lot to learn and its truly fascinating learning how many plants and herbs are natural remedies for a lot of our everyday health issues.
Knowledge is power and I will be forever grateful for the natural healing powers that are growing right under our noses.
Susan Smith | Executive Elderberry Enthusiast
]]>That’s the question my partner and I have been asking ourselves the last few days. If you haven’t heard yet….we bought a farm.
I'm a big believer that when you put out what you are looking for the universe brings it to you and it’s up to you to go for it.