Fun with Hot Flashes - NOT!

One day in June. a new gal was hired at my company.  While I was training her, literally every 45 minutes she broke out and was WET.  She would start fanning herself but I thought to myself - HOW MISERABLE!!

Never one to let my "medical degree from the Internet" go unused (LOL), I shared with her what I knew about Maca Root and showed her a few I brought from home.  Can't remember now why I already had some....hmmm....... 

That day, she took one and went from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm without having another hot flash.  A miracle!!  She then ordered her own and I didn't ask again.

Good news I paid attention to the advice I gave her, because about a month ago, I started getting VERY VERY WARM....never wet, never broke a sweat, but definitely not my normal self.    

(And as an aside.....WTH!  I was told I had premature ovarian failure since age 26...have been 100% infertile ever since and have proof of that...no prevention of pregnancy...)...and that I'd not go through menopause.  Hmmm.....

I took my Maca capsules sometimes once a day, sometimes twice....but after a week or so, the effect was less and less.   I was bummed!  One day, however, I was ordering some more of that amazing, natural skin care products from Simply Divine Botanicals.com and saw she was now offering organic Maca Root Powder and I ordered some immediately.  PLEASE go read what she writes about it there.

Maca Root - on Simply Divine Botanicals.com

Ladies!!!!  This stuff is AMAZING.  Not only did it help my "warming sessions", but they are GONE.  Only when I am massively stressed do I have a baby one.......

I put 1/2 to 1 tsp of this powder in my morning green smoothies with my skate liver oil from Green Pasture.org and I have never felt better.

So now I have my own personalized "study" of 2 women...one 46 (me), one 52......and we both are having great relief with this product!

If you decide to try this, please do yourself a HUGE favor and order the sample sets of the skin care....both the main one and the seaweed one.  You will never be happier...you will never look younger.... and say goodbye to those hot flashes!!

Please let me know how it works for you .....love to hear!

Benefits of Coconut Oil

I am so behind on my "regular" blogging that I've not even updated on my latest healthy quests....and one is trying coconut oil.

Source

I've read so many articles on coconut oil over the years and thought I'd give it a try.  Tropical Traditions offered to send me a jar to try but I was under no obligation to write a review.  I had already ordered some coconut oil for the dogs.....I know...right?  Order for the dogs first? lol  It was cheap, what can I say...... :)

Anyhoo...I got my jar of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil and have been putting it in my morning smoothies.  I had a lot of other plans but with my work schedule and our building a house and moving, just haven't found the time.

So...what have I noticed, if anything?

First......my Pekingese Sweety itches MUCH LESS........I had ordered it for them just thinking it would be healthy.  I had no idea it would help her itching.  So that is a huge plus.  I know it is the coconut oil because we ran out and before the new one got here, her itching incessantly returned.  We put it in their dog food morning and night - we run hot water, mix a small amount of wet food with their dry food and add in the coconut oil and stir it really well.   Both dogs eat it as if there is nothing different about it.  For them, we do NOT use the Gold Label!  lol

Then for me....I didn't notice anything huge at first.  It was slowly that I realized my skin was less itchy...my "spots" healed and are now gone....no more dry patches on my arms....

Then, out of nowhere almost, I had a cycle.....not sure if I am in peri-menopause or what (diagnosed recently as Premature Ovarian Failure, which explains being infertile since age 26....but anyhoo), I never know when I'll have a cycle.  But within 2 weeks of starting the coconut oil, I had one.  That was interesting!

My appetite is less, my hair seems healthier, my skin is much better....I have decided to keep this in my diet and health routine and just wanted to share in case you were interested in trying it.






Disclaimer:
Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Our Thoughts and Beliefs Affect Our Health

Ran across an article today that is so important to read and fully take in.  What we think affects our health.  What we believe, becomes real.  I've always known this and fully believe this (and am evidence of changing my thoughts and my pain lifting last June.....now working full-time after 6 years fully reclined with severe nerve damage down both legs....Story HERE.)

source

But this author (Donna Gates) has advice:

Start noticing new things!!  As we do this, we let go of what we think we know.

Get into a state of wonder!

A doctors visit or that lab result is just a snapshot at that moment.

Do you ever notice your stress or pain is higher when you dwell on the problems in your life? Have you ignored problems in your life so long your body is now trying to get your attention with pain or issues?  Mine sure did.

Read this article:

What Are You Thinking?  Your Health Depends On It!

You can do this!!  You really can.....

Hungry For A Change?

Are you tired?  Sluggish?  Moody? Cranky?  Achy?  Sleep all night but never feel rested? Skin sallow?  Wrinkles?  Acne?  Hair lifeless?


Guess what....this isn't a post about the latest "MLM - multi level marketing product you must have....don't get me started on those...."
I haven't had time to talk much about it on here, but I have been back on

Green Smoothies 

for months.  I got to looking back at photos when I looked SO much younger, much less wrinkles, healthy vibrant skin and I remembered - that was when I was on Green Smoothies!

So I got back on them and it has been amazing, just like last time.  I basically drink a large ( and I mean LARGE) green smoothie in the morning and evening, and eat what I want for lunch.  Literally.

A coworker has now started Green Smoothies and she is doing great too.  I believe this trailer and this movie is going to help explain WHY are bodies are fat, tired, sick......you can do something about it, but it starts with getting OFF anything with ASPARTAME  (Equal, Nutrasweet....) ASAP (with I knew how to put a red circle with an X through it for DANGER...)....I got off Aspartame a few months after first ingesting it when I realized the cause of my short term memory loss and massive headaches that had a sudden onset started around the time I started putting Equal in my tea....and folks, this was in the 90's!!!  (I've talked about our food diary experiences....and it trains you to pay attention to what you just ate/drank to connect to what is going on in your life negatively.)

Finally, we must all wean off sugar...I'm not there yet but have seriously decreased my consumption.  Strangely enough, drinking pure nutrition (greens, vegetables and some fruit - NOT the next multi level marketing "product" for health.....)...actually curbs many cravings....it is awesome how it works.

If I can do it, you can do it!

Reducing your BPA Risk

What is BPA?  Bisphenol A, a toxic, dangerous chemical that is found in so many places.  I recently had a trip to a highly recommended endocrinologist whose sister is a neurologist and as a result of studying what effects our brains, lives VERY holistically and organically avoiding as many chemicals as possible.  While there, she had 2 big pleas for the health of my family (unrelated to why I was personally visiting her).

1.  Remove as much BPA in our diets as possible.


2.  Remove as much food dye in our diets as possible.

We started removing food dyes when the boys were itty bitty because we noted extreme behavioral changes when they ingested food dyes (and chocolate among other things).  The boys spent their entire childhoods NOT eating candy, pop tarts, cereal with food dyes, etc.  So on Halloween and Valentine's Day, they got movies or video games instead of candy.  As I saw child after child eating pop tarts in the car on the way to school, I wondered if THOSE parents had behavioral issues that they just assumed was ADD/ADHD, defiant personality, etc.  Some reactions are immediate - some took 36-48 hours to show up...making it nearly impossible to connect a trigger unless keeping a detailed food diary.

If you have never kept a food diary with your children...here is what our looks like:

• 7am - Woke up happy and alert
• 7:30am - ate gluten-free homemade pancakes with apple juice syrup 
• 8am - Off to school, happy and alert
• Lunch sent - Carrot sticks, raisins, tuna, crackers, Fruit Leather, water to drink (no school "milk" - avoiding most dairy)
• 3:30pm - after school snack of some sort - happy and alert
• 5pm - Getting very cranky, snappy.... have a discussion about what he ate at school that I didn't know about...ALWAYS something on our avoid list....cupcakes or cookies with dye or chocolate, etc.  Few parents brought healthy snacks.
• 6pm - Dinner - chicken, mashed potatoes with almond milk and real butter, corn on the cob, bread stick
• 7pm - eyes very red and swollen, disagreeable, extra tired
• 8:30 pm - bedtime, teary....

Through these food diaries, we learned our oldest son reacted also to rice, corn, dairy (milk and cheese, although could tolerate butter).  In fact, at birth, breastfeeding was so difficult (he reacted to EVERYTHING I ate) that I very sadly stopped breastfeeding (was very young, very stressed and didn't realize that was the best option)....son then reacted to milk and soy formula...so he ended up on Nutramigen, a hypoallergenic formula.  At age one, doc said "Put him on milk now" and we did.  While he no longer had the physical reactions of rashes and vomiting, he became VIOLENT.  His personality went from sweet and amazing to MEAN, VIOLENT and scary.  At age one.

Thankfully, Phil Donahue (hello.....23 years ago now....) had Dr. Doris Rapp on one day discussing her new book, "Is This Your Child?  Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies".  I RAN to the book store and purchased this book.  I cried for days reading this book...because this WAS my child.  Within 3 days of removing ALL dairy, he was back to being his sweet, amazing self.




Youngest son reacted to eggs 48+ hours after ingestion with massive headaches approaching migraine status.  Also he would melt down within minutes of being exposed to perfume or cologne, even hand lotion would set him off...we live most scent-free to this day around him and he is 19 now.  If I know I will be getting in a car with him, I will wash anything off that MIGHT have a scent....

One of the most dramatic "mood altering" scents we discovered was Future Floor Wax.....our oldest son would go from sweet to hysterical in MINUTES after I cleaned the floors.....VERY interesting.....

BPA, on the other hand, is very difficult to avoid.  Reading the following article, as study was done with 5 families who avoided canned fords and drinks and ate fresh organic foods for 3 days in lieu of eating out saw their BPA levels drop a dramatic 60%!!!  


Want To Drastically Reduce Your BPA Risk?  Eat Fresh Food


When they returned to their usual diet, their levels went back up.  What should we avoid?  

• All Canned Food (especially with acidic contents)
• All Canned Drinks
• Never microwave in plastic or plastic wrap
• Choose glass containers
• Eat out less
• Eat Fresh (or frozen)

Did you know that China joined the United Arab Emirates, Europe and Canada in banning BPA in children's products?   WHY hasn't the US joined this?  Scary time to have a baby right now...I would DEFINITELY be looking in to how to avoid BPA for your baby.....

What does BPA do to you?  Why should we avoid it?

• 1.  Confirmed link to Heart Disease.

• 2.  Link to the effecting the functional ability of the intestines, causing "Leaky Gut Syndrome" and other issues.

• 3.  Infertility and Reproductive Issues  - BPA mimics estrogen and can wreak havoc with important hormones.  We don't need our boys being exposed to EXTRA estrogen... and our girls need their regular hormones and not have them turned off by a xenoestrogen such as BPA.

• 4.  Erectile Dysfunction - of 200 Chinese men exposed to BPA in their workplace, they were found to have 4 times higher chance of erectile dysfunction and 7 times higher chance of ejaculation difficulties.

• 5.  Diabetes and Obesity

• 6. Behavioral Changes in Children

Our family is working to reduce or BPA exposure....and I look forward to the US joining other countries in protecting their citizens against KNOWN detriments to health.

Hidden Dangers of Air Fresheners

I've mentioned this before but it bears repeating for those who've never connected that this may be triggering asthma and allergies in their family.....air fresheners of almost any type contain chemicals that can cause major issues in our loved ones.  And according to new research, a lot more than allergies and asthma are at risk.  Hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and reproductive problems have been found a result of the chemicals used in even "all natural" products.

I married into a major allergic/asthmatic family and until then, had no clue what some people suffer from.  Didn't take long to start noticing what things caused problems.....that's my nature.  I am averse to just running for a medicine or a pill to "make things better"when there may be things we can avoid that solves the problem entirely.   (Allergies and asthma exist, but we can live ways that make things better, not worse.)  When we married, hubby was on handfuls of allergy and asthma meds, weekly allergy shots (from the age of 2) and suffering daily.  A few years in (after much convincing....) cleaning up his diet of dairy, wheat and a few other offending foods, along with removing scents in the home had him on very few to no meds on a daily basis.  He was shocked...having had no idea it was possible.  (He eventually has ELISA/Act blood testing and found onions, peppermint, Tylenol and spinach to be HUGE offenders......)

As it turns out, in our case that was true.  Along with cleaning up the diets of the asthma/allergy hubby and then subsequent allergic/asthmatic children, we found scents ranked VERY high on the list of offenders.   Oldest son had an epic meltdown after waking up from a nap and being surrounded by the scent of Future Floor Wax...had to run outside and it took a few hours for him to calm down.  He was under a year.....that happened quickly enough I put two and two together.

How many other kids are reactive to scents?

Around 8, our oldest child was put on allergy shots but became worse...We gave it weeks....finally I read the ingredients and saw Phenol in his refrigerated allergy serum.  Phenol....the stuff also found in Dow Bathroom Cleaner yet now being injected in my young child.

Ummm.....NO.  Some people are just more reactive than other people.  A simple food diary detailing every item ingested (and inhaled) and when will show results fairly quickly.  Things that occur in seconds are easy to figure out.  Things that are delayed can take weeks.  Youngest son could eat eggs on Monday and not react until Tuesday night....that took forever to connect.

Had I simply listened to doctors, my entire family would be on handfuls and handfuls of meds.....and we've proven that a simple change in diet and how we live can make dramatic improvements......something as "simple" as washing their clothes in scented detergent could send them in an asthma tailspin.....sleeping all night long on "scented" sheets?  Disastrous.

How many people stop and think of things like that?

As I said in an earlier post, just walking in a home where someone has sprayed Febreze in every room (in the guise of making it 'smell better') can trigger an asthma attack so quick, we turn and leave the second we smell it.

Read this report and see if any of it applies to your family or loved ones.

Protect Your Family from Hidden Factors in Air Fresheners

Have you found products that worsen asthma and allergies in your loved ones or yourself?

Scented Dryer Sheets = Toxic Air?

My husband and oldest son are asthmatic and allergic to the environment at large and there are things that we noticed cause immediate issues:

Scented ANYTHING.  

This means no cologne, no perfume, no scented laundry, fabric softener or dryer sheets, no air fresheners, no carpet potpourri, no candles, no scented "thingys" hanging in the car.......NO FEBREEZE sprayed all over furniture and rooms!!!!!

We are looking for a house as we speak and when we walk in a house that someone Febreezed all over or sprayed air freshener....we LEAVE.  In SECONDS.

DO NOT DO THAT TO YOUR HOMES if you want to sell it!  If you just have a "scent", put some cinnamon on a cookie sheet in your oven with the door cracked at 250 degrees...will smell like cookies from grandma.

When I eliminated scented laundry products, my husband had an immediate and noticeable improvement in his respiratory health.  As a result of that, we take our OWN unscented laundry products with us when traveling and also have purchased such products and have left them at our extended family and have asked them to use those ONLY when helping with our laundry during trips.  Because we live a scent-free life as much as possible, even a short trip WITH scents can cause health issues and literal headaches.

So today when I saw this study, I felt validated yet more worried than ever.  I knew scents trigger asthma and some behavior issues, but cancer-causing substances?

Study Shows Scented Dryer Sheets Emit Cancer-Causing Substances

If this topic fascinates you as it did me, please find and read:

Is This Your Child - Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies by Dr. Doris Rapp

Do scents bother your family?

My Misadventures Blocking My First Crochet Scarf

This was too funny not to share.  To set the scene, I've been fully reclined since we got back last Sunday from our long trip - 9 hours each way in a vehicle.  My recliner in the vehicle, to be exact - See HERE.   

Anyhoo....I've been hurting bad and haven't gotten out of my recliner but to eat and attend to hygiene.  And I should have stayed with that plan.

I finally finished my beautiful scarf and wanted to get it blocked.  I've never blocked anything.  That should have been  my first warning sign.  lol

I got the scarf all laid out on my ironing board.  I then showered and started getting ready for the day.

For some odd reason, I decided right THEN was a great time to go block the scarf.  Naked.  Hair dripping wet.  Makeup half on.  

I turned the iron on and noticed it didn't have water in it.  I needed water for the steam.  Steam to block the scarf.  

I go get water to pour in the iron.  (Remember, I can't bend over ever, so unplugging the iron and taking it to the bathroom isn't an option.)

I hold the bottle of water up to pour, I hold the iron handle in my right hand AND.............I put my left hand fingers on the HOT PART OF THE IRON.  Why?  I have no idea.  Just pure stupidity.

So, seconds later, I'm looking at immediately white fingers.  Strangely, the pain isn't what I thought it would be, but then again, I think I've mentioned I don't respond to pain appropriately. (As in, I can be almost dying and have a smile on my face.  Scary dangerous.)

I literally stand staring at my fingers as they turn more and more white.  I'm thinking, 

"What should I do?  This can't be good?"  

Does anyone else have a freeze response to stress?  I sure do.  One time when Ryan was an itty bitty baby, my van was hit from behind.  By the time I "came out" of my freeze response, my mom (a passenger that day) had checked on Ryan AND was out talking to the idiot who hit us.  lol 

Yet I stand staring.  For I'm not sure how long.

Then I think, "I know, I'll go look up on my computer what to do." 

I throw on my nighty and take my burned fingers and dripping wet hair out to the living room.  Information says to immediately run cold water over my fingers, for 20 minutes.  Has it already been 20 minutes?

I go to the sink and turn the water on.  OUCH!!!!!!!  This is the most pain I've had since the incident, so I stop that.  lol  

The info also mentioned Aloe.  I get aloe and spray my fingers and ask my 18 yr old to come tape my fingers with gauze.  That wasn't a great idea.  When he decides to get off his online game, he saunters in and stares at me.  No idea what to do.  

I could have done it myself by the time I got it explained and he understood.  

Hubs came home after work and was very concerned for infection, so took me to the Minor Med.  1.5 hours later, I was diagnosed with 2nd degree burns (ACK!) and given a script for burn cream.

Why do they always ask about previous surgeries?  By the time the nurse got done writing down all the meds I must take (lots of problems with nerve damage in various other areas....not just my legs and feet), she then had writers cramp after writing down all my surgeries.  It is almost faster to just write what organs I still have left.  lol 

Then she asked - "Do I drink or take drugs?"

I die laughing...........uh, that would be NO.  But I fear I am driving my poor husband to drink.  lol

OH, and as if that wasn't enough..........shortly after said 18 yr. old had  bandaged my hand.........I did block the scarf.  Yes, I did.  I was almost done when I had an urge to pee.  (And with all the nerve damage, I DON'T get urges to pee very often.  When I do, I must RUN......)

So I scurry to the toilet, pull my undergarments down (I'm no longer naked since the 18 yr. old had to help me, 'cause I'm a good mom like that....) and a huge PAIN goes down my lower thigh to my knee.  What the heck??  I look and I have a HUGE red scratch.  What kind of bandage did that kid put on me???  That scratch hurt more than the burn!  My body is just plain backwards (as has actually been proven during nerve studies.....I'm not wired "normally"........lol)

I look at my bandaged fingers and what do I see????   A PIN (see those big yellow pins up there in that scarf photo??) stuck in and the pointy end sticking out.  THAT is what just scratched the crud out of my leg.

I forgot about it and when hubs was helping me undress once we got home, he was alarmed at the big scratch.   "What happened to your leg, honey????!!!!!!!!!!!"

Folks, it just doesn't end.  This isn't even that uncommon in my house. 

Story of my life.  Hubs said, "Sugar Plum, can you just let ME handle these things next time?"

I was just trying to help.  I get to feeling guilty when I live reclined for days on end. 

P.S.  I'm pretty sure I don't have an singed skin on the scarf.  I hope, anyway.  :)

When Your Gallbladder is Mad at You......

Yes, that is the title.  lol  2 years ago, I had become bloated, a little swollen but it was the holidays after all,  and I suspected I had eaten too much.  Well, the DAY AFTER this photo was taken, I was in the ER and later to have a 12 day hospitalization dealing with acute pancreatitis and having my gallbladder removed. 

I had been feeling OK, not great but not bad either.  However, when I ate potatoes, I would feel HORRIBLE.  That is about the only "odd" thing that preceded that attack. 

The swelling went down fairly quickly - all over my body, really, but mostly obvious in my face/neck/shoulders.  

What a difference 2 years makes.  I cannot believe these photos!  I swear my weight is not more than 12 lbs different in these photos, but see what:

1.  Having a happy or removed gallbladder does for you

2.  Longer hairdo elongating a wide face

3.  Different, brighter hair color

Can you see the difference in bloating/swelling in my face, neck and upper shoulders?

December, 2008

December, 2010

December, 2008

 

December, 2010

(Men, they don't change.  Lucky dudes.)

Edit:  Men DO change!  Duh - forgot to show what hubs looked like when HIS gallbladder was acting up.  SAME thing - he bloated up, his tummy felt like a rock hard bouncing balloon.  I swear, if I bumped in to it, I bounced a few feet away.  We joked for a while, but I was getting concerned.  He also had lots of burping.  2 months after this photo, he was doubled over, again at the holidays (eating rich foods is definitely a trigger) and he had his removed also.  He lucked out and did NOT get acute pancreatitis, though.

October, 2007 - 2 months before gallbladder attack and removal.

3 days AFTER surgery - where did the bloat go??

We had our gallbladders our almost 12 months apart.  Aww, how cute.  Not.

 Just my Public Service Announcement that SOMETIMES, you aren't fat.  Your gallbladder is out to get you!

Oh, and if you find yourself with horrid stomach pains that double you over but you are trying to be tough?  Please don't.  I delayed about 18 hours getting to the ER and in that time, I developed acute pancreatitis from the blockage.  I was very lucky I ended up being OK from what my liver numbers were upon admittance.  12 days later, I was SO glad to go home! 

  

Have a glorious day!

P.S.  I'm having trouble with the text size, so I apologize if this looks odd on your screen.

22 Things You May Not Know About Me

22 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is:  Permanent Severe S1 Nerve Pain, Failed Back Syndrome and intermittent flares of (suspected) Central Pain Syndrome.  Have an implanted Spinal Cord Stimulator.

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2008

3. But I had symptoms since: 2005 (Had 3 surgeries at L5-S1 in 12 months.)

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Learning to function/think/talk with a constant pain override - like a train whistle constantly blaring in your ear, never stopping.   To understand, put a tack in each buttock, both legs and both calves and tape them down.  Imagine occasionally stepping on a tack (to mimic the shooting/lightning strike fire pain that comes intermittently). Now function.  Ignore that pain as best you can.

5. Most people assume: I am fine because I'm always smiling.

6. The hardest part about mornings are: Waking up crying in pain.

7. My favorite medical TV show is: House, but I don't watch it anymore.  House suffers from horrible nerve pain as I do, but the way they portray him is somewhat unrealistic.  I understand why he is cranky.

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: Computer.  Distraction is my greatest weapon against the pain.

9. The hardest part about nights are: Besides actually falling asleep unless delirious, it is knowing that despite my best efforts, I will still wake up wanting to cry or actually crying.

10. Each day I take 20 -25 pills, supplements & vitamins. (No comments, please)  Vitamin D greatly helps my pain, for example.

11. Regarding alternative treatments I: have tried acupuncture, acupressure, EFT, CBT therapy, Massage, and more.  I actually never stop looking for something to help.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Visible.  Less to explain.

13. Regarding working and career:  Never again.  Ironically, if I hadn't gotten 3 jobs during a time of uncertainty, this might never have happened to me. 

14. People would be surprised to know: that I am not exaggerating when I say that the nerve pain is 24/7 burning, SEARING pain.  They see me smile and think, "It can't be that bad".  Only my husband sees my tears, anguish and suffering.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: That the pain will really really REALLY never go away.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:  travel again in a vehicle over 30 minutes.

17. The commercials about my illness: Don't exist.

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Amusement parks.

19. It was really hard to have to give up: the ability to drive and go where I wanted.  

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:  Blogging

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:  Walk barefoot and enjoy the sensations of NORMAL feet touching the ground, grass, pavement, carpet.......

22. My illness has taught me:  You never know what is going on with someone, especially those with "invisible illness".

I missed "National Invisible Illness Week" but wanted to share.

Babies, Arthritis, Low Thyroid and Fluoride - Must See!

Do you have a baby who drinks formula?

Do you ache all over?

Do you have arthritis?

Do you have low thyroid, or Hypothyroid?

What about skeletal or bone problems?

Higher risk of bone fractures?

Do you or your kids have white or brown splotchy teeth?

If so, it might be wise to discontinue ingesting fluoridated water and products.    This video shows who fluoride was meant to work TOPICALLY and by putting it in our water supply, we can be "over-dosed" with fluoride.  Folks in the above categories are especially at risk.  Please watch and see if anyone in your family needs this information.

Please - you will be glad you did. 

The Secret Toxicity of Cosmetics - have you checked yours?

 Have daughters?  Want to encourage early puberty, infertility, obesity and even breast cancer?

Have sons?  Don't care if they have smaller genitalia or deformed/damaged sperm?  Then don't watch the video!

How about some neurotoxins and a little dab of ADD or ADHD for your kiddos?

Study Shows Infants Exposed to Reproductive Toxins from Shampoo, Lotion and Powder

I've written before about my quest to avoid chemicals in personal care products, particularly sodium laurel sulfate.   It is no easy task! It is really important that we are all aware of this and put pressure on manufacturers to change their ingredients.  Some European countries have already done so.  Why not ours?  

It doesn't just affect babies - it affects all of us.  You will be overwhelmed if you have never researched this topic, even if you choose one ingredient - SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) or Phthalates - you will be SHOCKED. 


It IS possible to get chemical-free products for your family.  A good place to start for skin care products is Simply Divine Botanicals.  Check out the ingredients - your skin will have never looked so good!

Here is the safe cosmetic database to check any and all your products against toxins, including neurotoxins.

Safe Cosmetic Database

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Does Sunlight Really Cause Cancer?

This video is SO informative.  I really encourage everyone to take the 20 minutes and watch this.  Throughout the entire video, he discusses MANY diseases and ailments, including cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and more.  He stresses the importance and absolute necessity of adequate Vitamin D intake as well.  (Vitamin D3). I found this so important, I put it on my site. 


Please don't click away.  You found this video for a reason!

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Well, did you watch it?  What do you think?  I am a BIG believer in taking Vitamin D3 daily, and personally take 5000mg per day.  The next time I get blood work done, I am having my doctor test my Vitamin D level specifically.  With my level of pain, I could be quite deficient and may need to take much more.  

If you want more information on Vitamin D and Chronic Pain, check THIS out.

Have you had YOUR Vitamin D levels checked?

Have a glorious day!

Vitamin D3 Levels and Chronic Pain

Today and article came out at WebMD talking about the role of Vitamin D3 and chronic pain.  It tells of a woman who went to 30 doctors before one thought to check her Vitamin D3 levels, which were barely perceptible.  After 6 months of aggressive Vitamin D prescription therapy, she was able to knock off every symptom on her 3 page list.  Other docs offered her anti-depressants, seizure medications (the seizure drugs - Lyrica, Neurontin, etc. -  calm down nerves and often help greatly with nerve pain.  I, however, could not tolerate any of them without horrible side effects.)  

I personally started taking extra Vitamin D3 when the "swine flu pandemic" was raging across the world last Fall, and I take 5000 iu per day.  If I feel sick or if someone is sick in my family, I take 10,000 iu for about 2 weeks.  I notice a HUGE difference if I skip even one day, and if I forget a few days in a row, then I am walking like a 100-year old grandma until I remember.  I am able to get the 5000 iu Vitamin D at Walmart (Around $5)  and health food stores ($11).  It is a small, golden gel-filled capsule, similar in looks to Vitamin E but much smaller.  Here is a very informative article on Vitamin D and dosaging:

Vitamin D3

Here is the article and if you know anyone with pain or certainly chronic pain, including folks with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other "all over pain" syndromes, this is where I would start.  On another online board I frequent, a member is a physician and he states that when he is able to test his patients, he finds many are extremely Vitamin D deficient, and he starts out prescribing 50,000 iu for 6 months.

Here are 2 articles for information:

Chronic Pain: Does Vitamin D Help? 

Preventing Vitamin D Deficiency

And here is a study done at the Mayo Clinic that shows the less Vitamin D someone has, the more narcotic medication they need for their pain.

Mayo Clinic Researchers link Vitamin D and Chronic Pain Relief

P.S.  No one in our family EVER gets a flu vaccination and none of us got sick this year.  Studies show that folks who take Vitamin D3 are far healthier than those that do not.  With today's mineral and vitamin deficient diets and lack of outdoor activity, it is far more common to be deficient in Vitamin D than ever before.  Certainly check with your doctor before taking large doses.  Do not be afraid to ask for this blood test. Imagine if your aches and pains are the results of a deficiency in this vitamin and can be easily remedied?   A movement is underway to get the current government recommended dosages to be increased, so stay tuned updates with that.

Have a glorious day!