This is a really yummy dark chocolate fudge. It is healthy. Yup. The only thing it has is fat. But it is low fat. So....people....I have to remind myself- IT IS STILL FOOD!, don't eat too much!....tehe!
The My husband doesn't like fudge but thinks this rocks......Fudge recipe (until I have a better name! help!)
1/2 cup unsalted Organic butter (or coconut oil...you can taste a little coconut in this recipe, if you are ok with that.)
2/3 cup Xylitol
1 8oz carton of Organic(ideal of course) Neufchatal Cheese (cream cheese would also work but has more fat)
1/2 cup unsweetened raw cocoa powder (if you are new at this and don't yet know where to get raw cocoa powder, then use regular processed cocoa powder)
1 scoop Vanilla Whey Protein (I use MSM whey, I like it the best)
1 cup (or more) Walnut pieces
1/4 cup grain sweetened Chocolate chips
1.Melt the butter in a large Saucepan, then remove from heat.
2.Stir in Xylitol with a wooden spoon, let stand about a half hour to cool to room temp.
3. Add the Neufchatel Cheese and beat with an electric hand mixer (start on low to prevent spatter) until the mixture is free of lumps.
4. Add the Cocoa powder and beat until well mixed.
5. Fold in the Walnut pieces and chocolate chips
6. Line a loaf pan with wax paper long enough to go up the sides so you can pull out the whole block easily when its done.
7. Smooth mixture into loaf pan and refridgerate for hours until semi-firm.
8. Cut into squares and store in freezer. That keeps them firmer.
9. Don't eat them all today! LOL
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The promise to post some recipes :-)
Ok, I've been a little lazy at this blog. But it doesn't surprise me. I'm really not the best at these kind of things...just like journals....boy would I love to be a good journal'er'. I think I have 6 or so 'barely started' journals. Oh well.
Thanks for the push once again.
I can't just post the recipes. I have to explain why I use certain ingredients.
I have gone gluten free for the most part for many reasons. Because of our toxic bodies, most of us have gluten 'intolerance'. It is amazing how many symptoms in people go away when they eliminate gluten. And it is in SO much and hidden in so many sauces etc that we wouldn't even think.
I have cut out pretty much all REFINED sugar. It is absolutely no good and has only bad effects on our bodies. It creates a huge rise in blood sugar, feeds parasites (we all have them to some extent), feeds yeast (a growing problem for most people), and feeds cancer cells, bad cells. No good.
When I see my Dr's for my illness, my question to them is always, so what should my diet be? There are so many who will say eat this or that to heal chronic illness. My doctors have seen that the only thing that seems to be necessary for ALL people (many have allergies and have to avoid certain foods..dairy etc and) is to AVOID Refined sugar. There are many sugars on the market today that are Not Refined such as Cane Sugar, evaporated cane juice, brown rice syrup, agave, even processed honey etc etc etc. People ask, why don't you use those?
Well,while they are healthier, they are still doing what white refined sugar does to your body. I find that it makes sense to avoid anything that makes your blood sugar rise, and anything that feeds the bad things in my body. Even the 'healthy body' has plenty of bad things in it to feed.
I hope this makes sense.
With all my research, I have found two NATURAL sugars that are VERY low on the Glycemic index (google it, if you want more info). This means very basically that it doesn't do anything to your blood sugar levels! They also don't feed the bad stuff! PERFECT!
Xylitol and Coconut Palm Sugar.
The original Xylitol, (with a glycemic index of 7) which I use, is made from the birch tree sap. It has been used as sugar for 50+ years. There is now Xylitol in the stores made from Corn sap. While I think it's still an ok product, I am informed of our CORN problem in the US, so I avoid Xylitol made with corn unless I am out of the GOOD stuff and have to. This sugar also has benefits besides sweetening. It is an antifungal/ antibacterial by nature!!It is good for your gut! (and your teeth)
The other is Coconut Palm Sugar. It is made from Coconut sap. (glycemic index of ~35) It is like brown sugar.
Depending on the recipe, I use one over another or sometimes both.
Coconut sugar is more like brown sugar and Xylitol is more like white sugar. Beware though XYLITOL doesn't melt like sugar so if you do use it as a substitute there are a few tricks. If you aren't up for learning the tricks right now, either follow my recipes and don't experiment or safely try coconut palm sugar, which does melt.
These natural sugars are not like Splenda or other artificial sugars. They are truly 'healthy' for you. I won't explain why artificial sweeteners are bad. Not now.
I use Cold pressed Extra virgin Coconut Oil for EVERYTHING. We put it in our shakes, we cook with it, bake with it. Mark has no problem just taking a spoon full for the health benefits. It is the most healthy oil and it has all the properties our body needs for healthy fat (yes,our bodies NEED fat). It is the ONLY oil that doesn't go rancid when heated. Never heat other oils....and eat them. It is not good for you. Extra virgin Olive oil is awesome for eating cold, on salads etc, but using it for cooking or baking is not good. (I speak in fact,but note: it's just what I believe from my research)
People ask what about eggs. If you don't want to use eggs, use a substitute or flax seed meal. It is a replacement for eggs in recipes. In some it does give a little bit of a nutty flavor but not in all recipes.
Ok, I think I covered it all. Sorry for the lengthy post, but I think it is necessary for you to know why I choose what I do.
Because I don't have all the time in the world and don't want to figure out my own mix of gluten free flour, I use a brand I like called "Pamela's". "Gluten-free Pantry' is also good, but I like 'Pamela's' a bit more. My muffin recipe is pretty much what she has on the 'Baking and Pancake mix' package for 'Muffins". (See, I'm really not THAT good, tehe)- I just change the sugars and oils(butter)!
Banana nut or other mix in muffins
1 1/4 cup Pamela's Baking and Pancake Mix
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup Xylitol
1/4 cup Walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup Bananas (or peaches, berries etc.)
1 egg (Large)
1 tsp Vanilla
Mix it all together (hand mixer), it will seem not as liquidy as you are used to with other recipes, its ok...fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
350' for 18 minutes or until pick comes out clean.
You could do chocolate chip muffins with this too. (but watch! most have refined sugar. There are grain sweetened chocolate chips)
Zucchini Nut
2 cups of Pamela's Baking and Pancake Mix
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup coconut palm sugar (packed)
2 eggs, large
2 cups grated Zucchini
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup xylitol
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup coconut oil
Grate Zucchini. Reduce moisture by squeezing grated zucchini in paper towels. Set aside.
Whisk together flour mix, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, oil and sugar for one minute on medium. Stir in Vanilla. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix together. Fold in grated zucchini and nuts. Spoon in greased or muffins tin lined pan. 2/3 full. Bake 350' for 30 minutes or until fork is clean.
You will pay more for these 'sugars' and to use the gluten free mix. At first it may seem like a LOT more. Then you realize what you are eating is delicious and so much better for you than the $1.50 a muffin you have at starbucks (just an example) and that if you give up eating (or 'treating')out, it's not any more.
And by the way, once you have this mix up above, you will have access to tons of recipes. Just substitute the sugars!!!
If you need any help with this, I would fill up another 6 posting pages to write all the questions you may have. So email me or comment below and I will help you!
If you need help finding the ingredients, I will help!
It is my passion! You aren't bothering me.
Here's to better health (even by feeding your sweet tooth) for everyone!
Love, Melanie
Thanks for the push once again.
I can't just post the recipes. I have to explain why I use certain ingredients.
I have gone gluten free for the most part for many reasons. Because of our toxic bodies, most of us have gluten 'intolerance'. It is amazing how many symptoms in people go away when they eliminate gluten. And it is in SO much and hidden in so many sauces etc that we wouldn't even think.
I have cut out pretty much all REFINED sugar. It is absolutely no good and has only bad effects on our bodies. It creates a huge rise in blood sugar, feeds parasites (we all have them to some extent), feeds yeast (a growing problem for most people), and feeds cancer cells, bad cells. No good.
When I see my Dr's for my illness, my question to them is always, so what should my diet be? There are so many who will say eat this or that to heal chronic illness. My doctors have seen that the only thing that seems to be necessary for ALL people (many have allergies and have to avoid certain foods..dairy etc and) is to AVOID Refined sugar. There are many sugars on the market today that are Not Refined such as Cane Sugar, evaporated cane juice, brown rice syrup, agave, even processed honey etc etc etc. People ask, why don't you use those?
Well,while they are healthier, they are still doing what white refined sugar does to your body. I find that it makes sense to avoid anything that makes your blood sugar rise, and anything that feeds the bad things in my body. Even the 'healthy body' has plenty of bad things in it to feed.
I hope this makes sense.
With all my research, I have found two NATURAL sugars that are VERY low on the Glycemic index (google it, if you want more info). This means very basically that it doesn't do anything to your blood sugar levels! They also don't feed the bad stuff! PERFECT!
Xylitol and Coconut Palm Sugar.
The original Xylitol, (with a glycemic index of 7) which I use, is made from the birch tree sap. It has been used as sugar for 50+ years. There is now Xylitol in the stores made from Corn sap. While I think it's still an ok product, I am informed of our CORN problem in the US, so I avoid Xylitol made with corn unless I am out of the GOOD stuff and have to. This sugar also has benefits besides sweetening. It is an antifungal/ antibacterial by nature!!It is good for your gut! (and your teeth)
The other is Coconut Palm Sugar. It is made from Coconut sap. (glycemic index of ~35) It is like brown sugar.
Depending on the recipe, I use one over another or sometimes both.
Coconut sugar is more like brown sugar and Xylitol is more like white sugar. Beware though XYLITOL doesn't melt like sugar so if you do use it as a substitute there are a few tricks. If you aren't up for learning the tricks right now, either follow my recipes and don't experiment or safely try coconut palm sugar, which does melt.
These natural sugars are not like Splenda or other artificial sugars. They are truly 'healthy' for you. I won't explain why artificial sweeteners are bad. Not now.
I use Cold pressed Extra virgin Coconut Oil for EVERYTHING. We put it in our shakes, we cook with it, bake with it. Mark has no problem just taking a spoon full for the health benefits. It is the most healthy oil and it has all the properties our body needs for healthy fat (yes,our bodies NEED fat). It is the ONLY oil that doesn't go rancid when heated. Never heat other oils....and eat them. It is not good for you. Extra virgin Olive oil is awesome for eating cold, on salads etc, but using it for cooking or baking is not good. (I speak in fact,but note: it's just what I believe from my research)
People ask what about eggs. If you don't want to use eggs, use a substitute or flax seed meal. It is a replacement for eggs in recipes. In some it does give a little bit of a nutty flavor but not in all recipes.
Ok, I think I covered it all. Sorry for the lengthy post, but I think it is necessary for you to know why I choose what I do.
Because I don't have all the time in the world and don't want to figure out my own mix of gluten free flour, I use a brand I like called "Pamela's". "Gluten-free Pantry' is also good, but I like 'Pamela's' a bit more. My muffin recipe is pretty much what she has on the 'Baking and Pancake mix' package for 'Muffins". (See, I'm really not THAT good, tehe)- I just change the sugars and oils(butter)!
Banana nut or other mix in muffins
1 1/4 cup Pamela's Baking and Pancake Mix
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup Xylitol
1/4 cup Walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup Bananas (or peaches, berries etc.)
1 egg (Large)
1 tsp Vanilla
Mix it all together (hand mixer), it will seem not as liquidy as you are used to with other recipes, its ok...fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
350' for 18 minutes or until pick comes out clean.
You could do chocolate chip muffins with this too. (but watch! most have refined sugar. There are grain sweetened chocolate chips)
Zucchini Nut
2 cups of Pamela's Baking and Pancake Mix
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup coconut palm sugar (packed)
2 eggs, large
2 cups grated Zucchini
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup xylitol
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup coconut oil
Grate Zucchini. Reduce moisture by squeezing grated zucchini in paper towels. Set aside.
Whisk together flour mix, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, oil and sugar for one minute on medium. Stir in Vanilla. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix together. Fold in grated zucchini and nuts. Spoon in greased or muffins tin lined pan. 2/3 full. Bake 350' for 30 minutes or until fork is clean.
You will pay more for these 'sugars' and to use the gluten free mix. At first it may seem like a LOT more. Then you realize what you are eating is delicious and so much better for you than the $1.50 a muffin you have at starbucks (just an example) and that if you give up eating (or 'treating')out, it's not any more.
And by the way, once you have this mix up above, you will have access to tons of recipes. Just substitute the sugars!!!
If you need any help with this, I would fill up another 6 posting pages to write all the questions you may have. So email me or comment below and I will help you!
If you need help finding the ingredients, I will help!
It is my passion! You aren't bothering me.
Here's to better health (even by feeding your sweet tooth) for everyone!
Love, Melanie
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
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
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
Sunday, November 14, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
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!
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
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
Sunday, June 27, 2010
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!
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