Ok...whatever...Melanie....

I've had some talks with people today about what Lyme's Disease is and it inspired me to write a little post. It is for sure not a main stream, talked about disease as in people suffering from it, so, I thought I'd try to explain it simply.

When most people hear of Lyme's Disease, they think of a Tick bite. That is totally correct. The last statistic I heard and I'm not sure its totally accurate, but they say that 80% of our country has been bitten by a Tick. That also makes sense, especially in the Midwest and East coast where they are EVERYWHERE. So 80% of people have 'lyme'.
So if 80% of the country has it then why am I saying I am SO sick?

Ok I'm going to try my best.
About three years ago, Mark and I were going through a VERY stressful time. It felt like everything was falling apart. I was eating all comfort foods and of course drinking all the caffeine possible to keep me going.(this for many years naive to what that can do) I didn't think a second that I could be doing something that was harming my body. To this day, I wonder how I couldn't even think one minute that Soda, Chia tea, starbucks and blueberry bagels with strawberry cream cheese (yum) could nourish a body..I have no clue that it didn't cross my mind. I just didn't think about it...just like most of society doesn't. ESPECIALLY when we are stressed.
My body was handling everything just fine (and for years before that also!), all the stress etc, except for the signs of exhaustion that I just fixed with caffeine, I felt anxious all the time, felt I had a knot in my stomach that I just thought was 'me'. Years before trying to go to college, I thought I just wasn't smart enough because I couldn't retain information like everyone else. But I thought that was 'me'. Because my bodies immune system was getting weaker and weaker, it finally crashed in 2007.
Imagine a scale. In the beginning of a healthy child's life, the scale has one side with the Immune system and the other with all the illnesses that a body carries. (We carry quite a bit just because we are human) The immune system is so strong at that time that it is at the top of the scale and able to handle 'dealing' with these illnesses, toxins that come into our bodies etc... The immune system keeps fighting to keep them under control. The lighter end of the scale are the illnesses. As we go through life, the problem becomes when we start not nourishing our immune systems (which the typical American diet, stress and toxic environment DOES NOT ), and at the same time more and more illness and toxins come into our body and our immune system starts getting more and more burdens as it is less and less strong. This, then, is when the scale starts to shift, the illnesses get more as the immune system gets weaker..and then boom, this is when chronic, severe illness happens. In between that time, as the immune system and illnesses are 'even' on the scale, that's when we already see symptoms happening...allergies, anxiety, depression, pain, tmj,skin problems, hormone deficiencies to name a few.
Also, sometimes the shift happens so quick (cancer often) that the symptoms don't even have time to appear slowly, but the scale shifts even in a day.

So what does this have to do with Lyme.
Well, 80% of the population (estimate) who has Lyme (bitten by a tick), has these pathogens in their 'illness' bucket. In there are also various virus' Esten Barr for example, and many others. MOST people with Lyme are still doing ok and their immune systems are still fighting enough for the Lyme to not become a problem that is life altering (its under control). They ARE seeing slowly, that many depression, anxiety, neurological problems that people deal with have the underlying cause of lyme. More advanced stages of Lyme's disease are of course called Chronic Fatigue and Fybromyalgia. Our standard Doctors have not been trained in Lyme and are having a problem with knowing how to diagnose it so are calling it the 'generic' names. Chronic fatigue and fybro...often translates to an overly 'toxic body' and a majorly suppressed immune system...from my education anyways.

Most likely somewhere in early Junior High I was bitten by a tick. My mom remembers taking me to the Dr. and them saying it was ring worm. Now looking back she remembers it looking like a bulls eye...the way a tick bite looks. Even if this wasn't the case, Lyme has been said to be transmitted by mosquito's also, from one Lyme infected person to another. But I have a gut feeling it was the bite.

So I had Lyme in me for years upon years. I had symptoms of anxiety, blood sugar (if I didn't eat I'd struggle a lot), a swollen lymph node, poor self esteem, exhaustion, hard time learning, PAINFUL periods, the need for caffeine...all kinda 'normal'. But now that I understand what I do now...that was all signs of a weak immune system and 'Lyme'. Then as I got older I took less care of my body, fed it a typical high sugar, caffeine, processed food diet, added into it stress stress and more stress...even good stress(babies)....and finally my body's 'scale' switched and that's when my adrenal glands (directly effected by the immune system regulation), got super tired and it allowed the Lyme to become Lyme's 'disease'.

To make matters a little more complicated..and not to much because its too complex, when Lyme becomes a disease (or illness), it also opens the door to not allow your body to detox, parasites to multiply (ps. we all have them), and virus' that were under control also, to take hold.

In order to treat Lyme's disease, mine, we are attacking like an army full force at all the things that show in my body...Viruses, molds, parasites etc...to try and kill them. Think we are smart?, nope...often those 'bugs' as we call them are much smarter than us and find other ways to live and places to live where a drug can't touch them (tissues such as the gums, scar tissue, and many more). It makes the disease complicated and most doctors simply find it too hard and don't treat it except with trying to cover up symptoms or only build the immune system which often doesn't work aby itself because its being taxed over and over with the illness' going haywire.

One other thing, if someone gets bit by a tick whether or not they get the red bulls eye ring they should immediately take a course of antibiotics. This usually kills the Lyme and it won't go into the illness 'bucket'. 27 years ago they had no idea of this yet.

Lyme is being said to be one of the next epidemics. In my heart its because we are not taking care of our immune systems. We eat and drink totally empty foods, and on the other side we are living in a world that is getting more toxic all the time. The scales of people are switching more and more all the time. Babies are being born more toxic than ever. Their immune systems already aren't strong enough to be at the top of the scale.

Since this is such a long post anyways, I might as well make it a little longer.
I have seen so many kids recently diagnosed with cancer...different kinds.
Praise God through Chemo they will be helped and the cancer will be killed.
I personally believe an answer to this is what I'm talking about. Not THE answer, but an answer. Babies are born with weaker immune systems and already toxic.
Then if they are breast fed, who knows the nutrient status of the mother...(mine was probably not the best!). If not then they are put on formula which is also often sweetened with sugar. (Sugar weakens the immune system and feeds bad cells!)As they grow older they are introduced to the processed world of foods, sugars, electrosmog, heavy metals,etc etc.... What happens?, this 'scale' switches. Illness takes place...Cancer cells appear often in tumors. Our world then uses chemo and radiation to get rid of these cells, but then what happens is it wipes many of the good cells too! They often ,praise the Lord, get rid of the cancer cells in the kids (and adults), but then as they are recovering, they are fed sugars and completely unnutritious foods in their hospital beds and then soon are sent on their way. NEVER are they explained HOW to boost their immune systems so that it is at the top of the scale again. Diet, avoidance of processed and sugared foods, vitamins, minerals, avoiding wireless phones, cell phones etc etc etc... Often the week childs body then gets sick again. Perhaps the scale stays even until they are adults. This is all NOT perfect and there are so many things I don't understand. But this is always on my heart. No one teaches people how to help their bodies FIGHT! How to help eat so their bodies can stay strong! How to get the nutrients and help build good cells after chemo has wiped them out...I don't understand why. But I pray that someday this will shift. Too many people and children are suffering. And we are always trying to find a cure for disease which is great...but what about helping people not get sick in the first place?
The best thing you can do is build you and your families immune system in everything you do. I'm building mine strongly with supplements, diet and more, while treating my disease and you know what, I believe my body will be back, scale shifted, my immune system handling the Lyme and my body stronger than ever. I'm NEVER going back.
I know I'm not totally right with this post, I'm not God, a doctor or whatever else.
But I'm a student of my body and illness. I'm experiencing it so I hope its worth something.
Expecting the best- Melanie

Dont' judge a book by its cover...

Imagine for a minute.
Your in a waiting room full of people coming from all over the world...but these people aren't your everyday people...its a room of radiant people. People glowing. Glowing and radiant. The picture of health. As they chat with each other they sound like they have it all together.Smiling, laughing, joking...all super positive about the things most important in their lives..family, kids, God... all at the same time each internally yearning to be able to enjoy all these things to their fullest again. Each sharing how hard this journey is and the hope they have in the drs they are about to see. People from the outside would think every one of these patients are perfectly healthy and have it 'all together'. This includes your every day Drs, parents, friends, family, co-workers. And inside every one of these patients is suffering with symptoms and feelings that burden their every day life, some in wheelchairs because they aren't able to even walk. Most having fatigue and the most scary symptoms undescribable. Most feeling like their bodies are going crazy. Don't judge a patient by their outside.
I get the pleasure of being in this waiting room. It's a true pleasure because I have met some of the strongest, smartest, courageous, loving, compassionate and joyful people I have ever met in this waiting room. Finally we are all in a Dr's office where they don't just tell us to sleep more or stress less because they don't understand this disease. Or 'its all in your head, honey...go home and relax.' These words when we think of them bring so much pain to our soul because all along we have known something is just not right. Yes we rejoice because finally we sit amongst others who get it...and have been told 'you look great', how can you feel sick?
Someday friends, the world will shift in a way that many that are suffering and don't know why, will finally be educated about what a toxic body: heavy metals, viruses, molds, parasites including Lyme's disease can do in our bodies. Until that day I will educate myself, take care of myself and my family, get well and pray that the U.S. will someday become a place of healthy vibrant people, feeling well because their bodies are well, not just because a drug that makes them 'feel' well until it runs out and they must pop another. Unfortunately most often these habits turn into worse toxic bodies in the end resulting in diseases later in life, unexpected, such as cancer. Soon, too many people will be suffering and drugs won't work to make people feel better anymore and people will look to the 'cause' of disease. My disclaimer here is that I am not anti-drug...I am on 4 drugs right now but only to KILL what doesn't belong in my body...they have a place. But only when they are used as tools. Not to cover up and be taken forever.
Toxic bodies. I can't wait until we hear on mainstream news about why people are so sick. Not every other commercial being a drug commercial on how to cover up symptoms by having side effects a mile long. What about educating people on what to do to hold on to their health when they have it? Ah...we have a long way. Not sure if it will ever come. There isn't much money in health.
Lyme's disease is a hard battle. It's my battle. I'm blessed to be able to suffer through it. It has changed my life in ways I couldn't have imagined. And NOW I will fight against it...100+ pills a day, shots, some drugs, coffee enemas, iv's, detox detox detox...someone tell me this doesn't sound exciting? LOL..honestly, it sucks. Feeling like I'm in the world but not of it. It's unreal. And for now the treatment is going to be brutal. BUT in my heart I shout for joy because I am taking care of this beautiful body my God has blessed me with. I finally VALUE and TREASURE this body. The bible says that my body is my Temple....so beautiful. I've come to realize that you must take care of a temple and our world promotes the opposite. Food(a spiritual battle in itself), everyday toxins, spiritual warfare...we have to be in battle against these things and shield our Temples.
And everyone must carry their cross. It's heavy. It hurts. But it's my job and the JOY found in PAIN is the most beautiful JOY I've ever met! And.... I've been so blessed by the people I've met in the waiting room. Thanks to all who try to understand. I love you.

A wonderful refreshing drink

So there's WATER. There is Juice. There is Milk. There is Soda. and a few more but these are the basics.

My kids don't drink juice, it's considered a rare dessert around here.
Milk is rare...it is also not good for kids (or adults) (yes I know...some of you are thinking...yup she's nuts, but there are so many reasons)
Soda....well, take a guess?

Needless to say...I have gotten very creative in giving my kids something yummy besides water.

Their newest favorite...(meaning they won't let me go a day without making it) is
ICED PEPPERMINT TEA!
Seems simple...IT IS!
It is so refreshing and is SOOOO good for them.
Both of them drink it in their water bottles at school and can't get enough.

Best of all Peppermint has wonderful health benefits for our digestive systems and our immune systems! SCORE!

I buy loose leaf peppermint tea, it tastes the best in my opinion..but bags work too...I have a loose leaf tea maker, add boiling water and steep....if you make the tea really strong (by steeping it really long) you can add ice and 1/2 water to it at each serving. Store in the fridge.

I add stevia to it and it makes a wonderful sweet refreshing drink that won't mess with your childrens blood sugar levels (VERY important imo).

Enjoy!

Thanks for the 'push'!

Wow, it's been a long time....so here goes nothin'! I have so many fun things to share that I've learned since June. Hopefully I will be more consistant again!
Sorry to those of you who have knudged me to keep going and I haven't! THANK YOU at the same time for the push. God knows I need all the 'push' I can get! HAHA!

Since June, I have visited my Doctor in Seattle and started on a LARGE detox program. It has made me feel very up and down. I feel a little anti-social and at times very down. This is the 'crap' if I may say, that is in my body releasing and making me feel unlike me! It is slowly leaving my body...and I am seeing improvement.

I have had so much insight though, into what many people run around with and are medicated for. Our bodies today are so toxic and much of our medical world doesn't focus on making our bodies healthier, but just covering up the symptoms as much as possible through drugs. While this works many times, I can't imagine the side effects of feeling like a Zombie on Depression meds ( I did when they tried to tell me I'm depressed and gave me some) are desirable forever. I really would much rather treat the cause. Sometimes the meds are needed in our world...and at times highly nessesary. BUT our world has not educated people on helping our body heal and taking care of the cause. I have learned that so many psychological disorders are not purely psychological...treat the mineral deficiences, treat the diet, and many recover without drugs. Depression can even stem from the gut! ... incredible and simple...my question is always...WHY? When some people could make some simple (yet dedicated) changes that would change their life....why aren't we educated...well I have a thought to that too...but for now I'll leave it be.
I'm excited for the insight this journey has brought me..and forever I am grateful.....I am especially excited for my children who really get to reap the benefits of my journey, if they so choose after they leave me someday. I do believe the education and the foundation of health they receive will benefit them in ways I may never know.

I am going to continue posting some fun recipe/ideas that I've tried over the last months. There seem to be many. I'll start slow. Perhaps you'll like some.

Thanks for reading!
Melanie

Pacifica

Here is one of my absolute favorite new findings!
PACIFICA PERFUMES!

You know by now that I am always on a mission to use and consume non-toxic products. Some things I have no control over or its just too difficult or expensive currently, but some other thing like these are incredibly doable, affordable and LOVEABLE!

I have given up on perfume many years ago because I started learning about HOW toxic all the perfumes are we use! Here is a paragraph from another website regarding perfume (and no they weren't selling anything, just educating, ps: that's most often how I ultimately give 'credit' to info on a website...what is their motive?)

Many of the chemicals in perfume are the same chemicals in cigarette smoke, and yet there is no regulation of the fragrance industry. Many people are "bothered" by perfumes - developing headaches, sinus problems, and even asthma from exposures. Many have gotten sick or even disabled from wearing (or being exposed to) fragrances and using other scented products. And fragrances are now used in almost every cleaning, laundry, and personal-care product on the market! These chemicals go directly into the bloodstream when applied to our skin and are also absorbed into the skin from our clothing. We also inhale the chemical fumes, which then go straight to our brains where they can do major harm. Many even have a "narcotic" effect, which is why some people seem "addicted" to their perfumes

I have found a brand that is TOTALLY NON-TOXIC and it won't contribute to toxic build up for you and your loved ones!

The website is: http://www.pacificaperfume.com/

You can read her story and all about her products...she makes tons of scents in candles, lotions and many other yummy things!! I found the perfume at Whole Foods where you can try the many fragrances, and you can order it online on her site (and I saw it on Amazon too)! It was $22.00 in the store....a steal I must say..but of course it doesn't say 'Dior'...but I'm ok with that, my husband thinks I smell fabulous.... I hope you like it as much as I do!

Being proactive

Finally! I have the energy today to add to my blog!! Its been over a year since I have gotten any illness that either Mark or the kids have brought home but this time (and its summer vacation!!) strep throat got me bad!

I hardly ever take medicine. Over the counter or perscriptions. Why? Because so many medicines have a toxic effect on our bodies. We are living today with such a high load of unavoidable toxins that I try my best to avoid the ones I do have control over. (Sometime I'll do my best to explain the balancing act I think our body is always doing and what happened to me when my body got totally off balance and tipped into Chronic illness)

SIDE NOTE: This is why my passion in this blog is to help my dear friends and family become proactive and get your bodies healthier so you won't face chronic illness, cancer, diabeties and the CRAZY rise of cases we are facing today! From the CDC here is a statistic: In 2005, 133 million Americans – almost 1 out of every 2 adults – has at least one chronic illness. It's 2010 now..usually numbers increase..Here's the website: http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htm
You may think "I'm fine..I feel good, but if your not being proactive, and not taking care of you (diet, exercise, mentally, emotionally, spiritually)... let me remind you cancer patients often say they felt 'fine' just months before...chronic illness (like mine) develops slowly (with symptoms that are manageable and 'normal')but from one day to another, your body can tip into a full illness...AND at that point it is much harder, crazy expensive (much more than your monthly investment in better foods, vitamins, exercise and spiritual commitments) and incredibly difficult to get well...the dedication is bigger than anything you could imagine. It is NOT 'normal' to feel tired as you get older...or is it 'normal' to expect illness when your older...its a myth! You can feel so good, healthier and more energetic in your older ages than when your 30! Please don't think for a minute our world is currently on the 'side' of our health...we have some great awareness growing and some wonderful things happening that inspire me so much...but our FDA (IMO) isn't FOR our Wellbeing. Some may disagree, please know I understand how those can think they are. I've read and researched a bunch.
BUT from my heart...from my experience... There is no need to fear...but there is a GREAT feeling in knowing you are doing all you can...it seems to counter ALL fear.
Please do a few things to take Small Steps to becoming proactive. Help your family stay healthy (on all levels)..especially our amazing treasures, our kids. SMALL STEPS can do so much good!

LIFE HAPPENS: For any of you who have had strep throat though, the avoidance of pain relief medicine is impossible! So I've been taking my Tylenol and Motrin. This is where my 80/20 theory fits in again (as I shared in my previous posts with diet).

For fever though, I really tried to hold out and ride my fever the first day. FEVER is a GOOD thing and as long as you can deal with it and the effects of it (shivering etc) and its not too high (the opinion on what is too high varies) it is GREAT to let the fever do its thing. The heating of your body is actually your body fighting to kill the virus or bacteria that is causing the illness. (Hence the Sauna idea with creating a fake 'fever' to remove toxins and kill bacteria/viruses) The stronger your immune system the more of a chance you have that your body will fight it without meds...but sometimes...we need the help. Especially since most of our immune systems are so busy fighting all the toxins and burdens we put on it when we are well (unavoidable and avoidable)! Most of our immune systems are not as strong as they should be.
Today I'm so thankful I can take antibiotics to make this Strep disappear!
Antibiotics are a wonderful thing in our Western Medicine. Without them our society would be so sick. BUT it's so important to understand that even though they effectively fight away our infections, in the end most often create a weakend immune system!
They work by killing all bacteria---both good and bad---throughout the body, which can result in lowered immunity following treatment.
Antibiotics work by killing bacteria...ALL bacteria. We have good bacteria in our bodies which are vital for proper digestion, strong immune systems etc and when we take antibiotics, they are killing all the GOOD ones too!!
So we need to make sure and replenish our bodies with the good stuff otherwise we are left with a body that doesn't have it's shield of protection from illness and toxins. I got this from another website:

During antibiotic therapy, a good dose is between 6 and 25 billion total viable probiotic cells per day. They should be taken as far away from the antibiotics as possible (for instance, if the antibiotics are to be taken every eight hours, the probiotic supplements should be taken four hours after the antibiotics). Probiotic therapy should be continued a week to a month beyond the antibiotic treatment period to replenish any beneficial bacteria lost during antibiotic use. Probiotic use should not interfere with the effectiveness of antibiotics.

And in my opinion,things like Activa yogurt has WAY too small of an amount to have an effect. Some might not agree but from my experience, I could not tell a difference. (if you have a good one or enough, you WILL notice it)

I would suggest making Probiotics a part of you and your families daily routine. It helps with SO many things...building immunity being the biggest but helping with digestion, allergies (often from a week immune system in the first place), the intestinal tract is cleaned by probiotics, constipation is relieved, bowel movements become normalized and SO many more. It can help with food allergies, yeast problems, acne, fungal infections....

I find SWANSONS.com has GREAT products, their ultimate probiotics are wonderful!
Costco (also available at many other places) also carries another called CULTURELLE, I like this one too. They have it at a great price..

MY KIDS get a wonderful brand that comes in tasty cherry or orange chewables by Nature's Way: Primadophilus kids (Their like $5-$6 dollars for a month supply. In my opinion if you have kids with Dairy or other food sensitivities..this is essential! Even for babies (they have powders to put in the formula).

There are many brands that are good. Sprouts carries so many..ask a consultant there, they are very helpful. There are many strains of probiotics. My doctors have all told me to stick with the most Lactobactillus strains. I do...it works...but that is also just my opinion and that of my doctors.

Please remember, these are my opinions from my experience and lots of reading for the last few years...MY BLOG includes a HUGE ... (DOT DOT DOT)...as I will never stop learning and perhaps changing my opinions...I encourage you to do your own research. Our internet can be a major resource and blessing..but remember to be objective and don't believe everything your read...digest it...in some cases try it...and keep learning and being open...your journey will be guided from the creator of it all...the one who really..'gets it'..LOL. Ask for peace to settle in your soul when something should resinate with you.

What a long post! Thanks for reading! I hope that its length doesn't turn you away.
With love, Melanie

My yummy lunch

I try to do as little carbs as possible. It's not so easy when we eat out so I try my best to eat this way when we're home. When the warm white rolls at a restaurant are staring you in the face it's VERY tempting. So for the most part we don't eat out, it's much cheaper, much healthier and it makes the times we do super special and fun for us! You should see the kids excitement when we say we're going out! I have a feeling our overindulging of Restaurants in our today times is also not such a good thing besides just because of the food.
I use the 80/20 rule in our home. 80% we eat 'clean'..unprocessed, organic food and 20% is left for eating out and birthday parties (which seem to be ALL the time since my kids are school age now, LOL)
I have heard friends say things like 'I only live once, why care?' and 'It's FDA approved and recommended, its gotta be fine for us'.
Well, I don't agree. Maybe at one point I'll know how to organize my thousands of thoughts to share 'why' through this blog. :-)

My recipes and dishes have to be simple otherwise I won't cook. That's just me. If you are looking for some wonderful creative, thousand ingredient recipes, you won't find them here either... Believe it or not Healthy and Quick can be used in the same sentence, PROMISE! We don't use boxed foods..Everything I share will be simple...very very simple and AFFORDABLE! :-)

Here is a delicious dish I made up in less than 7 minutes today!

Two handfuls of frozen organic greenbeans in a pan with Extra virgin olive oil and a half cup or so of water...(COSTCO has AWESOME FROZEN ORGANIC green beans..great price!) Let the green beans steam until they are soft and cooked..you'll want to use a wooden spoon or something and toss them a little. Add either powdered garlic or cloved garlic (I've done both) and Salt (USE SEA SALT! IMO the best salt is Himalayan Salt (Sprouts carries it). Add chopped From the Vine Tomatoes (Costco has them, they are Pesticide free and taste so yummy!)
Add a couple slices (I just rip it into little pieces with my hands) Chicken or Turkey deli meat(NITRATE free, Trader Joes and Sprouts)
Add Mozzarella Cheese (Costco has a huge bag of hormone free mozzarella cheese)
to your liking, put the lid on until it melts...
There ya have it...
It's so yummy and SO healthy. And just about 2-3 servings of Vegi's.
PS: If you aren't to the STEP yet where you are ready to change your vegis to Organic, or your Salt to Sea Salt...then BE where YOU are. And that is PERFECT. SMALL STEPS.
ENJOY!
Have a peaceful day!

STEVIA ideas

I received a bunch of questions since the last post about Stevia...phone calls, emails and facebook posts, I'm thrilled to share these ideas with you! It feels so good to help you all take some 'Small Steps'. Only through small steps can we make big LASTING changes to our lives. THANK YOU for showing enthusiasm for my blog. It means a ton!

Here are some of the Q&A regarding my Stevia (Healthy Soda) post below:

Is Stevia healthy for you?
Stevia has been around for ages...many tests have been done to make sure it is healthy for human consumption. From the studies I've read, never has anyone had adverse effects. Its like drinking herbal teas.
Stevia does not effect your blood sugar levels. NICE! Sugar (in most all forms glucose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, invert sugar, white sugar, even honey and Agave (newly studied) raise insulin levels way too high for our bodies to stay healthy. If you are interested in this, please google Insulin Resistance Causes, Symptoms. Most of us on the typical American diet have Insulin Resistance. Anyone use stimulants like coffee to 'wake up', crave sugar for a temporary energy boost only to need more a few hours later? This is a huge indicator! Insulin Resistance if it continues can develop into Diabetes. Our society is becoming more Diabetic all the time. If this article I recently read is correct, it is predicted that 1 in 4 children will have Type 2 diabetes in the next decade. CRAZY! This is highly preventable! Its our sugar laden diets (high carbs included) and the beginning of this problem starts with Insulin Resistance. Friends, this is a huge deal...and moms...you can help your family with SMALL STEPS.

Can I buy Stevia in bulk to get it cheaper?
I haven't found it yet. AND I really wish they made the bottles with flavors in smaller so we could try them all before committing to buying such a big bottle. Maybe soon!
GOOD NEWS though. SPROUTS will take it back if you don't like it!!! Keep your receipt and don't use half the bottle and return it! HAHA..They are soooo good about returns! They are about 11.00 a bottle. This might sound like a lot but it is soooo cheap! Its an initial investment that last 4 months or so in our cupboard and we use it all the time. Its VERY concentrated, you only need an average of 5 drops in 12 oz or so...depending on how sweet you like it.

What else do you use Stevia for?
I use Stevia a lot. I love sweet. Who doesn't? Thats why we are addicted to sugar right? Yup. The darn cravings.

Here are some ideas:
Everyone has to have 'feel good' addictions..things we look forward to daily to make us "HAPPY". LOL I know you understand.

Iced Green Tea from AJS- (already made behind the pastry case, yup you have to resist the pastry temptation- hehe) I go there all the time and take my bottle of Stevia in my purse and make SWEET tea...I love it and it hits the spot!
AJs also has a tea called HIBISCUS RASBERRY HERBAL TEA, it is made by China Mist and it is already sweetend with STEVIA LEAVES! When I first saw it at AJS, they told me it was sweetend with Stevia, I was in total disbelief...so I researched it on the China Mist website...sure enough its really STEVIA! AWESOME!! We have hope! LOL!

Yogurt- I buy PLAIN Greek Yogurt (make sure it is cultured). I add plain Stevia, some blueberries or other fruits and some sunflower seeds. DELISH! If you aren't into the Sunflower seeds...leave em off. The point is I am eating sweet yogurt without the TON of sugar most yogurts have in them!

There are many other things I use it for....think through what all you add sugar to...if you need help on how much or other thoughts regarding consistancy...ask...I will share my experience with you!

Regarding the HEALTHY SODA! You can use CLUB SODA...its much cheaper if you like.
Also, HINT HINT....most soda machines at restaurants have SODA WATER as a little lever on the machine...ask for a water cup, bring your favorite stevia flavor and there you have SODA for your kids (and you!) while dining out. It's cheaper too! Many restaurants also carry Perrier, Pellegrino now...even Starbucks (oh and they have wonderful iced green tea too! Ask for it unsweetened and add your stevia)

God bless your journey... Remember Small Steps can make a HUGE difference.
With love I write....

Healthy SODA

I try and keep my family away from Sugar. Insulin Resistance (IMO) is a huge problem in our society today and most people have symptoms from it and don't know it stems from this problem. Headaches, obesity, ADD, developing diabites, anxiety, depression and so many more conditions are (IMO) symptoms of Insulin Resistance.

My kids get very little sugar. I don't want to deprive them so I am constantly and persistantly on the search for alternatives to where they feel they are not 'left out'. Our soda consumed world doesn't help with this challenge...BUT I have found a great alternative and its really AMAZING! ASK MY KIDS!

Stevia is a South American herb that has been used as a sweetener by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. The leaves of this small, green Stevia rebaudiana plant have a delicious and refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar. (check out Stevia.com)

They have made FLAVORS!!!! Way cool! We started with just the regular not flavored Stevia years ago.

I have bought GRAPE and VANILLA CREME. They have about 10 flavors.

I buy sparkling water (I love Pellegrino) at Costco....add a few drops of Stevia and there you go...GRAPE SODA and CREME SODA...and it ROCKS!

NO sugar....and my kids ask for SODA now....and I'm happy to give it to them!

Protein shakes

My favorite protein shakes....
Many of you know the massive amount of shakes and protein powders there are out in the market...what to choose???
My biggest thing is finding the purest formula's possible.
Here is my favorite, purest protein shake that I have passed on and have had great feedback!

1 scoop MRM Whey Protein powder (you can find it at Sprouts) Vanilla is my preferred choice.
5-6 Organic Frozen Strawberries (or any fruit)(cheapest and best ones I've found yet from Trader Joes)
1 scoop Flax seed (Costco has a wonderful Flaxseed, its the most powdered form I've found without loosing its nutritional value)
8oz Coconut milk (unsweetened) (you can find it at Sprouts,it's in the cold section, in a carton and the brand is "SO".)

Put it all in the blender and there you have it.
This is SOOOOO yummy. It my breakfast and afternoon snack.

Think 'pure' when you shop...it will help you in your choices for the best foods. :-) I hope you like it!

A long time coming....

Welcome to my new blog! I have finally been inspired and pushed enough by amazing friends (gratefully) to start this blog. So where do I start?....I guess it would be sharing with you "the beginning" of this Journey...
Through the last few years I have been on a journey that I NEVER would have expected. For those of you who don't know, one year after having Noah, it also happened to be the time we 'broke free' from ministry and had no other job set up...I started feeling odd. For about a month I would go to bed at 6:30pm, dead tired...thinking I was just feeling the effects of all the stress. It all took a life changing turn when while I was driving with both kids in the car, my legs and arms went numb, my head started spinning and my heart raced...I still believe that the only way I pulled my car over so perfectly and safely was that it wasn't "me" at all....I feel that was the day I really started believing in angels...
Well, gratefully my arms and legs were just a feeling....the numbness lifted and I was able to call the ambulance. After being put on hold for 45 minutes as they tried to figure out which city (I was in between 3) would serve my location, they finally got to me 50 minutes later. I didn't know what was wrong...I thought the worst...my heart? I was really scared...can you just imagine my poor kids? Natalia was 4.
Had tests in the hospital, NOTHING wrong with me. I was sent home with the diagnoses "Panic Disorder" and that I needed to go on some drugs. That was it. I went on drugs and felt like a Zombie. Had three more of these episodes and felt helpless. I still drove...had another episode on the rode and from that day my head went 'wierd'. I've been living with that 'wierd head' for 3 years and fatigue that can be very debilitating on the worst of days. That August it finally came to not being able to drive and it stayed pretty much the same for a year. I stayed on medicines for a time with the promise they would normal out...none of this happened so I got off of them. I went to a few medical doctors, none knowing what to diagnose me with. My blood test showed everything including all hormones, thyroid etc. in the normal range...and that I just needed to relax. Believe me by that time, I was doing nothing but laying in bed hoping that my symptoms would not get worse. I was relaxing. That is the beginning of a long journey. Its been a LONG one. I have so much writing to do to catch you up on 3 years of this journey. I'm not sure how I'm going to do that along with sharing tips and thoughts on health, diet, food, sprituality, life, peace etc etc that this journey has blessed me with and that many of you have asked me to share. Someway I'll get it all in. I'm going to believe that with all the guidance I've received to get me to where I am today, that same guidance will be given to me as I write this blog. I hope to inspire, pay forward everything this journey has taught me so far and hopefully this blog will take a life of its own....Please comment if you have questions, thoughts, ideas...you can email me if you have anything you'd like to keep personal. Love Melanie