A few days ago someone asked me what I considered important things to do for a healthy body. This person had recently decided that something needed to change in her life or she might end up like some of her relatives and she didn’t like the picture of what she had to look forward to. So, could I tell her what I considered some of the best things that I had done? I said of course, but let me organize some of my thoughts and I’ll post something on my blog.
First, let’s break this into different areas of bodily needs. 1---Diet 2---Supplements 3---Physical Activity 4---Emotional or Spiritual Health
1---Diet…. Perhaps the most important change to a person’s diet, in my opinion, is to eliminate refined sugar. Yep…It’s very difficult, but I think it is the most crucial diet change to do. I’m still struggling but the less sugar I consume the better I feel. The fungus connection and the havoc sugar reeks on a body is incredible. It’s not called “White Death” for nothing. The other thing to add to one's diet would be some kind of probiotic or fermented food. Also, add as much fresh vegetables and fruit as budget allows. Thoses 5 to 7 servings per day on the food pyrimid are crucial.
2---Supplements…. Until recently, I would have suggested a good, all natural multi vitamin 1st. They are still important, but if you have to choose, I consider Vitamin D to be the most important supplement. Without adequate vitamin d, our bodies are at great risk for any number of diseases. I just received another newsletter about Vit. D. Very crucial to have adequate levels during pregnancy….. Another blog.
3---Physical Activity…. This is another area that is so easy to ignore. We say to ourselves that we are too tired or I’ll do it tomorrow, or I’ve been really busy today, so that must count. The experts tell us to get our heart rate up for 20 minutes at least 3 times per week. If you’re confined to a wheel chair, that is really difficult, but I’ve read that there are some yoga movements designed for just this situation. This is another area where I struggle. To my generation, exercise was for P.E. class in high school.
4---Emotional or Spiritual Health….This is an area of life that we tend to think has nothing to do with our physical health. However, research shows that those who struggle emotionally tend to be less well physically. A person has to make their own Spiritual Peace with their God or just figure out how to keep it all together. If you need help there are plenty of loving and qualified Pastors. Also, there are great self help books to guide you thru turbulant or trying times. Since I’ve been blessed with a deep and abiding faith from childhood, this is an area that is second nature to me. My faith is not always on my sleeve, but there none the less. Also, I have a very loving and supportive family. Yes, I’m very grateful for my blessings and very thankful.
This is just a thumb nail sketch of some basic things that I consider are important to one’s overall good health. Start here and read, read, and read some more. New things are being published every day that pertain to our health. Ask questions, ask for clarification, and ask some more.
Healthy Days to You…Your Smiling Maven
Friday, February 20, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Candida...Not Candy
Well…Hello! It’s been awhile. I’ve been busy with “busy work”. I’ve been making a quilt top for Granddaughter #5, who is soon to be with us, and tweaking my diet, and just “stuff” in general. Life…it can get out of control, sometime.
However, the “tweaking” is what I want to talk about tonight. I’ve been working on ridding my body of excess fungus for about 3 years. I’ve also sort of “fallen off the wagon” and hit a plateau. So, I’ve been reading and thinking and doing the “Hmmmm” thing, a lot. Why do we Americans have so many chronic illnesses and other countries do not?...until they start adopting the standard American diet. What is in our diet that is so different than theirs?
Possible areas to explore…More refined foods than theirs….More vaccines given at an earlier age…Different oils used for cooking and all areas of food preparation…Different grains…Different grain storage (commercial storage)…More cooked foods as opposed to raw foods? I could go on if I really wanted to think about the different areas that I’ve read about. But, tonight I’m looking at fungus.
One of the newsletters that I’ve been following since I’ve been ridding myself of candida, is “Know the Cause”, by Doug Kauffman. Yes, he’s very one sided. Basically, he insists candida overgrowth is the primary cause of all of our health challenges. He just might be right. I’ve read other articles that are similar to his. He has quite an informative web site. On there is a video that is an interview between Kauffman and an oncology doctor from Italy. It shows pictures of cancer and how it is being cured simply by flooding the cancer with sodium bicarbonate. Yes, alkalizing the body. This I’ve read about before. There are other videos on the site and I’m going to do some more research. Meanwhile, I’m being a bit more strict on dietary intake, especially in the area of sugar and grains. I’ll keep you posted.
I’m also going to a Nutralite seminar later in the month. I can hardly wait. The presentation is going to be mainly about inflammation. Of course, Kauffman insists that inflammation is caused by fungus. It will be an interesting evening and I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to think about!!! Until then…
Healthy Days to You....Your Smiling Maven
However, the “tweaking” is what I want to talk about tonight. I’ve been working on ridding my body of excess fungus for about 3 years. I’ve also sort of “fallen off the wagon” and hit a plateau. So, I’ve been reading and thinking and doing the “Hmmmm” thing, a lot. Why do we Americans have so many chronic illnesses and other countries do not?...until they start adopting the standard American diet. What is in our diet that is so different than theirs?
Possible areas to explore…More refined foods than theirs….More vaccines given at an earlier age…Different oils used for cooking and all areas of food preparation…Different grains…Different grain storage (commercial storage)…More cooked foods as opposed to raw foods? I could go on if I really wanted to think about the different areas that I’ve read about. But, tonight I’m looking at fungus.
One of the newsletters that I’ve been following since I’ve been ridding myself of candida, is “Know the Cause”, by Doug Kauffman. Yes, he’s very one sided. Basically, he insists candida overgrowth is the primary cause of all of our health challenges. He just might be right. I’ve read other articles that are similar to his. He has quite an informative web site. On there is a video that is an interview between Kauffman and an oncology doctor from Italy. It shows pictures of cancer and how it is being cured simply by flooding the cancer with sodium bicarbonate. Yes, alkalizing the body. This I’ve read about before. There are other videos on the site and I’m going to do some more research. Meanwhile, I’m being a bit more strict on dietary intake, especially in the area of sugar and grains. I’ll keep you posted.
I’m also going to a Nutralite seminar later in the month. I can hardly wait. The presentation is going to be mainly about inflammation. Of course, Kauffman insists that inflammation is caused by fungus. It will be an interesting evening and I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to think about!!! Until then…
Healthy Days to You....Your Smiling Maven
Thursday, February 5, 2009
No More Statins!!!
Good News!!! No Great News!!! My friend called and with the information that I gave her, she was able to have an intelligent, informed discussion with her Dr. and she is now off all statins. She is so relieved and happy...and I am happy for her. She has had all available tests for heart disease known to man and they could not find anything wrong with her. But because she had high cholesterol, and was uninformed or under-informed about her health options, she was put on statins. She has been worried and frightened for 20 years about an eminent heart attack, even though all of her tests came back negative for heart disease, but because she had high cholesterol, she was told that she could have a heart attack at any minute. Her Dr. has agreed, now, to help her manage her condition, naturally! I'm thrilled for her.
The last time she talked to her Dr. about getting off of these drugs and about all of the side effects that she was experiencing, she was told "You can either die from high cholesterol or you can die from kidney failure. It's your choice." What a difference a little knowledge makes!
If you are confronted with this kind of a situation, do a little research before blindly following the pharmaceutical industries plan for your life!!
Healthy Days to You..Your Smiling Maven
Note... This blog is in regard to my post on Jan 26th.
The last time she talked to her Dr. about getting off of these drugs and about all of the side effects that she was experiencing, she was told "You can either die from high cholesterol or you can die from kidney failure. It's your choice." What a difference a little knowledge makes!
If you are confronted with this kind of a situation, do a little research before blindly following the pharmaceutical industries plan for your life!!
Healthy Days to You..Your Smiling Maven
Note... This blog is in regard to my post on Jan 26th.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Stop the Insanity!
That’s what the writer of the article says and I have to agree with him! Why do we have a “war on drugs” and then we pump our children full of drugs? Legal drugs are almost as dangerous in some cases as illegal drugs. New research has been published in the journal of Pediatrics that reveals that ADHD drugs prescribed to children are causing them to have hallucinations. Some of these children are experiencing bizarre psychotic effects with these mind altering drugs that are molecularly identical to street drugs. I find myself internally weeping for these children. Our country has decided that a spirited, busy, happy child is a sick child and needs to be turned into a zombie for an adult’s convenience. IMHO The article is at NaturalNews.com—ADHD Drugs Cause Hallucinations in Children. Very enlightening, since I just learned that some young people who spent their childhood on these drugs are now having mental problems as adults. Of course, these young people have spent a little time experimenting with street drugs also. They have spent the majority of their lives on some kind of mind numbing drug. I remember their mother telling me that she loved shopping at Costco because she could get all sorts of pre-prepared food and then throw it in the microwave and dinner was done. I remember wincing at the time and saying “No, no, don’t do that.” All those children needed was a good diet and a little discipline and a mommy and daddy on the “same page”. I fear that this numbing of our children is happening way too often.
I just read another article, as I was researching something else, that spoke of an overgrowth of Candida being responsible for children’s behavior and allergy problems. A change of diet can make a big difference in a child’s life. A parent might want to look into no sugar and adding probiotics. You might be pleasantly surprised!
I seem a little down, but I‘m not really. We’ve had a good weekend and even had a little sunshine! And I’m working on a quilt for Granddaughter No5. She’ll be here before we know it! All of the girls are so different. It will be fun to get to know her, too! As always...
Healthy Days to You, Your're smiling Maven
I just read another article, as I was researching something else, that spoke of an overgrowth of Candida being responsible for children’s behavior and allergy problems. A change of diet can make a big difference in a child’s life. A parent might want to look into no sugar and adding probiotics. You might be pleasantly surprised!
I seem a little down, but I‘m not really. We’ve had a good weekend and even had a little sunshine! And I’m working on a quilt for Granddaughter No5. She’ll be here before we know it! All of the girls are so different. It will be fun to get to know her, too! As always...
Healthy Days to You, Your're smiling Maven
Monday, January 26, 2009
No Side Effects!!! Say What?!!!
I don’t know how to express myself tonight. I’m sad, I’m angry, and I’m disgusted at the shape of our health care system.
Last night we had a lovely evening with old friends. We had meant to get together sooner, but with the weather and other obligations, it had just been put off. Finally, an evening of laughter and solving all of the problems of the world, if you know what I mean! Nothing like getting a bunch of red-necked Christians together, we can take care of everything! However, toward the end of the evening, our friend, a woman in her late 60’s, told us that she had just been diagnosed with kidney failure. She supposedly was not in any eminent danger of dying, but that was going to be the outcome. Meanwhile, she was to continue on her Statin drug.
Well, I guess you know alarm bells went off in my head!!! I didn’t say anything at the time because I had nothing in front of me to quote. As we were driving home I said to MDH that I thought I had read recently about statins giving people some of the symptoms of which she had shared. I guess you know that first thing this morning I was on the computer and immediately I had read all sorts of side effects from statins that matched our friend perfectly. They do not have a computer so had not done any research themselves. Just going along to get along with the allopathic medical community. “They know what they’re doing. Don’t they?” NOT!!!
I called our friend, not knowing how my meddling might be received. She nearly burst into tears. Bless her heart, she had been praying that something or someone would help her. I told her I didn’t know if I could help her but that I had found some information that she and her husband could read and maybe they and their family could go forward with more confidence.
As I told her what I had found, she wanted to know where I had found this information. I told her and then…This just astounded me… she told me that she had talked to three friends, all of whom were pharmacists and one nurse friend and they had all told her that the Statin drug that she was on did not cause any of these symptoms. "What???" The information is right there on the pharmacy sight, in plain view. It lists the side effects and contraindications. Are these people bound by an archaic code or something and are not allowed to say what the negatives are for a pharmaceutical? According to one site, the particular Statin that she is on had the FDA, in 2004, issue a Public Health Advisory notifying professionals of a revised package insert. The changes were in response to adverse event reports related to muscle toxicity which can cause rhabdomyoliysis and kidney failure. “No, no negative side effects.” Yes, sarcasm of the highest order!!!
I will give her this information and then they will have to decide what to do. In the MS community, firing a doctor is something that is done on a regular basis. That would be my suggestion. But since she is not my mother or sister, the suggestion will remain unsaid. I wish her health and peace and will continue to pray for her.
A lesson here is a person has to be their own health advocate. “Take two aspirins and call me in the morning”, is long gone. Being computer literate in today’s world is a must!
Healthy Days to You...Your Smiling Maven
Last night we had a lovely evening with old friends. We had meant to get together sooner, but with the weather and other obligations, it had just been put off. Finally, an evening of laughter and solving all of the problems of the world, if you know what I mean! Nothing like getting a bunch of red-necked Christians together, we can take care of everything! However, toward the end of the evening, our friend, a woman in her late 60’s, told us that she had just been diagnosed with kidney failure. She supposedly was not in any eminent danger of dying, but that was going to be the outcome. Meanwhile, she was to continue on her Statin drug.
Well, I guess you know alarm bells went off in my head!!! I didn’t say anything at the time because I had nothing in front of me to quote. As we were driving home I said to MDH that I thought I had read recently about statins giving people some of the symptoms of which she had shared. I guess you know that first thing this morning I was on the computer and immediately I had read all sorts of side effects from statins that matched our friend perfectly. They do not have a computer so had not done any research themselves. Just going along to get along with the allopathic medical community. “They know what they’re doing. Don’t they?” NOT!!!
I called our friend, not knowing how my meddling might be received. She nearly burst into tears. Bless her heart, she had been praying that something or someone would help her. I told her I didn’t know if I could help her but that I had found some information that she and her husband could read and maybe they and their family could go forward with more confidence.
As I told her what I had found, she wanted to know where I had found this information. I told her and then…This just astounded me… she told me that she had talked to three friends, all of whom were pharmacists and one nurse friend and they had all told her that the Statin drug that she was on did not cause any of these symptoms. "What???" The information is right there on the pharmacy sight, in plain view. It lists the side effects and contraindications. Are these people bound by an archaic code or something and are not allowed to say what the negatives are for a pharmaceutical? According to one site, the particular Statin that she is on had the FDA, in 2004, issue a Public Health Advisory notifying professionals of a revised package insert. The changes were in response to adverse event reports related to muscle toxicity which can cause rhabdomyoliysis and kidney failure. “No, no negative side effects.” Yes, sarcasm of the highest order!!!
I will give her this information and then they will have to decide what to do. In the MS community, firing a doctor is something that is done on a regular basis. That would be my suggestion. But since she is not my mother or sister, the suggestion will remain unsaid. I wish her health and peace and will continue to pray for her.
A lesson here is a person has to be their own health advocate. “Take two aspirins and call me in the morning”, is long gone. Being computer literate in today’s world is a must!
Healthy Days to You...Your Smiling Maven
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Turkey Noodle Soup...With Love
Just want to share about the meal that we had last night. It was pretty much from “the ground up”. Last Thanksgiving, at the end of the meal, I told my son-in-law to put the turkey carcass in a bag and I would take it home and make turkey noodle soup, sometime. He did and the next day I made turkey broth and then picked the bones clean. Then I put everything in the freezer. I was a little concerned, when I was making the broth, what it would taste like, because this was a deep-fried turkey and in places it was pretty crisp.
So, this last weekend we decided that enough time had passed since the holidays and turkey soup sounded pretty good. I pulled all of the broth and turkey meat out of the freezer and started them defrosting the night before. Then I chopped all the vegetables in the morning and set the table around noon. In other words, I paced myself. Then it was time to sauté the veggies and add the herbs. As I am a vegetarian, I had MDH taste the broth as I was putting it all together and he pronounced it just fine. I was still concerned that it might be too salty. It had originally been a fresh turkey, but I don’t think it was organic, so hard telling what was put in it before it reached the store. Anyway…The family arrived and it was time to add the noodles. Soon we were sitting down to turkey noodle soup, garlic bread, and crudités. Will wonders never cease? I made a good meal. The children ate the soup and SIL and MDH had two big bowls of it. When I asked if they would like to take what was left, there was no argument. Packed it up we did. “Thanks for lunch tomorrow!” says SIL. So nice to have a successful meal for everyone, instead of a disaster as sometimes happens.
As I said, don’t know what chemicals had been put into the turkey before I got a hold of it, but everything I did was all natural. Such a satisfying feeling to know that I served my family a healthy, natural meal, better yet, they liked it!!
All of the table linens are washed, ironed, and put away. It’s fun to serve my family when I have the time, energy, and good ingredients! So glad I still can.
Healthy Days to You, Your Smiling Maven
So, this last weekend we decided that enough time had passed since the holidays and turkey soup sounded pretty good. I pulled all of the broth and turkey meat out of the freezer and started them defrosting the night before. Then I chopped all the vegetables in the morning and set the table around noon. In other words, I paced myself. Then it was time to sauté the veggies and add the herbs. As I am a vegetarian, I had MDH taste the broth as I was putting it all together and he pronounced it just fine. I was still concerned that it might be too salty. It had originally been a fresh turkey, but I don’t think it was organic, so hard telling what was put in it before it reached the store. Anyway…The family arrived and it was time to add the noodles. Soon we were sitting down to turkey noodle soup, garlic bread, and crudités. Will wonders never cease? I made a good meal. The children ate the soup and SIL and MDH had two big bowls of it. When I asked if they would like to take what was left, there was no argument. Packed it up we did. “Thanks for lunch tomorrow!” says SIL. So nice to have a successful meal for everyone, instead of a disaster as sometimes happens.
As I said, don’t know what chemicals had been put into the turkey before I got a hold of it, but everything I did was all natural. Such a satisfying feeling to know that I served my family a healthy, natural meal, better yet, they liked it!!
All of the table linens are washed, ironed, and put away. It’s fun to serve my family when I have the time, energy, and good ingredients! So glad I still can.
Healthy Days to You, Your Smiling Maven
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Weird or What?
It seems to me, we humans are a weird bunch. I was talking with a lady the other day, who has been taking 7 prescriptions and feeling miserable. You know…one for the problem, one for the side effect, and one for the side effect’s side effect. Well, a friend got her started on some Nutralite Vitamins. I asked her what affect they were having. She was all smiles and said that she was feeling so much better and was so thankful. Then she said that she had a hard time remembering to take them. WHAT??!! I didn’t want to embarrass her and point out the obvious that she had no trouble remembering to take a prescription that made her feel awful.
This is not the 1st time that I have heard this. Is it because the Dr., the perceived authoritarian, has ordered us? Is it because we think that the prescription is free? (Silly us, we pay for that health insurance one way or the other.) Are we brain washed by the pharmaceutical industry and their ads on TV? (Have you listened to the side effect precautions at the end of the ads?) Do we not really want to be rid of our illnesses? Whatever it is, it seems to me that reason is very easily thrown out the window when we need to personally take charge of our own health.
Tomorrow I am attending the funeral services of my dear 90 year old aunt. She had a lot of illnesses, but always recovered, except this time! One of the things that she did for herself was to eat well. I remember her eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, always. She also liked to share them, too. Very seldom did I leave her home without a new kind of vegetable or fruit, in season, that she was trying. She also remembered old home health remedies and lovingly shared them. Of course, when we were younger we didn’t want our Mom to give us anything natural. It might taste bad!!! She will be so very much missed. Heaven is the more fortunate for her presence.
Meanwhile, I’ll just keep smiling and trying to help where I can.
Healthy Days to You, Your Smiling Maven
This is not the 1st time that I have heard this. Is it because the Dr., the perceived authoritarian, has ordered us? Is it because we think that the prescription is free? (Silly us, we pay for that health insurance one way or the other.) Are we brain washed by the pharmaceutical industry and their ads on TV? (Have you listened to the side effect precautions at the end of the ads?) Do we not really want to be rid of our illnesses? Whatever it is, it seems to me that reason is very easily thrown out the window when we need to personally take charge of our own health.
Tomorrow I am attending the funeral services of my dear 90 year old aunt. She had a lot of illnesses, but always recovered, except this time! One of the things that she did for herself was to eat well. I remember her eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, always. She also liked to share them, too. Very seldom did I leave her home without a new kind of vegetable or fruit, in season, that she was trying. She also remembered old home health remedies and lovingly shared them. Of course, when we were younger we didn’t want our Mom to give us anything natural. It might taste bad!!! She will be so very much missed. Heaven is the more fortunate for her presence.
Meanwhile, I’ll just keep smiling and trying to help where I can.
Healthy Days to You, Your Smiling Maven
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