Women Stuff....yeast questions.

So I stirred up a few emails with my last post. Many found a good connection between health issues they were having and possible yeast issues. I have posted about this in depth before so you can read more about yeast here: (part 1)


http://enlightenedhomemaker.blogspot.com/2010/04/what-everyone-should-know.html

And here: (part 2)


http://enlightenedhomemaker.blogspot.com/2010/04/part-2-yeast-and-leaky-gut.html


I had recommended some cleanses on those posts but there are a few more that I rotate in to the mix. Starting with the Feel Good Foods cleanse is great since it gives you a colon cleanse and glutamine as well. It will last you a couple months. I am huge into rotating supplements as the body gets used to a certain herb. I then go to a supplement called Kolorex which can be found online at Amazon for much cheaper than at my naturopath. She is seeing great results with this product on yeast and she does the tests to prove it. I did that for a month but would recommend two months. 

After that, I rotate in the New Beginnings herbal liquid drops or you can go back to the Feel good foods. There is a 4 pack of garlic, Uva Ursi, Golden Seal and Black Walnut from New Beginnings. You rotate those on a 5 day rotation. 

With yeast, if you aren't committed to sticking with it for months, you are just going to let it keep coming back to haunt you. You need a probiotic as well at night to help the good bacteria flourish and replace the empty yeast spots. 

Sugars and bread will feed yeast so eat a little better when trying to kill yeast. 

In addition to killing yeast, I take 2 B complex in the morning, 1 Milk Thistle capsule for a liver cleanse and 1 T. of Cod liver oil. 

At night, I take 1 milk thistle along with the yeast supplement and a probiotic at bedtime. You want to take the yeast supplement at dinner and the probiotic at night. 

Sometimes I forget and only take the yeast supplement in the morning. After you have done it for a few months, you can get away with just a morning dosage if you forget. 

So, there you go. That is my routine. 

I can order supplements this week if anyone is interested. 

B complex is $26

Feel Good Foods kit is $70

New Beginnings kit is $85

Cod liver oil is $32

Milk Thistle is $20

Probioitics $49

If funds are low but you want to do something, just start with Kolorex and a probiotic. I would highly recommend B complex for all my ladies! 

New B complex from New Beginnings

I was pretty excited to see that New Beginnings is now carrying a B-complex vitamin as I went to place my order today. I think every woman should be taking a little extra B vitamins as we deplete ours so easily. I wrote a little bit about it a while back. Here is a little taste of what I wrote:


The B vitamins are a group of 8 vitamins that aid the body in cell metabolism. Of course we all know that cell's are what make up our body so it is probably a good thing to keep them in shape and metabolising properly. The B's also keep our skin and muscle tone healthy, our immune and nervous system in check and helps us combat the stress and anxiety in our lives. When you are really stressed out, your body actually depletes itself of B vitamins so you should make sure you take extra at this time. For children with disorders such as Autism and ADHD, many times a huge culprit is the way their body handles their B vitamins. Almost all of the time, they need major B supplements. For my son, I inject him with B12 vitamins to help his body work properly. Without these vitamins, the system can't work right and the brain will then suffer. Anxiety levels and depression levels are greatly affected when we don't get the vitamins we need. Another great benefit of B's are that they help the metabolism to speed up to aid in a healthy and lean body. Who doesn't want all this? It is like a little miracle pill. Yes, you still need to eat foods rich in B's like lentils, bananas, tuna and potatoes, but we all need a little help. Grab a bottle. Pass it a round. Take care of yourselves ladies! 


The great thing about this B-Complex is that is so cheap! You get a bottle of 90 capsules for $19 bucks! Woo Hoo! I ordered a few extras for any of you wanting to amp up your energy. 


It is always important to get our vitamins naturally so eating a rich, colorful diet is important but you can never get too many B vitamins. It's good to have a little extra help sometimes!

Prevention....a refresher course

It is that time of year again...back to school which means the proliferation of germs. 3 days into school I already had the note home that there is strep in the classroom. School = Germs. But, it doesn't have to be. Really. We didn't have any sick days last year from school. That is really important since I teach preschool and can't have sick kids home. Kids can be surrounded with germs and can actually ward them off. It isn't to say they aren't going to feel a little "yucky" for a day , but the full fledged , in bed type sick really can be avoided. The body needs to build up an immune system by being exposed and fighting it off but you don't have to let the germs win the fight. Let's refresh ourselves on the basics of a healthy immune system:


First off, SUGAR. Sugar lowers the immune system which invites the germs to hang out and multiply. That is why illnesses spike in the fall and winter right around the holidays. We eat lots of sugar at this time with Halloween being the kick off. I have just figured this out first hand. In my quest to really listen to my body and note how food makes me feel, I have made a crystal clear correlation with sugar and my tonsils. I am pretty good about not eating much sugar EXCEPT when my daughter makes my favorite cookies (here). 
I tend to eat a few too many bites of the dough and a few too many cookies. What happens EVERY SINGLE TIME is my throat will be very sore the next day. Without fail. I never put this together before. I take my special remedies (to be discussed) and it goes away but the sugar allows the germs to attack my throat. That is my weak point. I think I have learned my lesson in this area. Hopefully.


Second, you need to pump up the immune system. This is critical in children who seem to have a weak system to begin with. I am an absolute huge believer in vitamin D3 as a daily supplement except when you are out all summer getting it the natural way. When school starts, I start the D3. I use the ionic liquid D3 and put it right in their drinks in the morning, at least a few times per week if not daily. You can search D3 on my site and gets lots of info on that, including recommended dosages. You can give it to all ages. I also pump the vitamin C, especially when they feel something coming on. If their is an allergy issue, it is important to address that as an allergic, inflamed body loves to invite the germs. It is a moist, mucousy environment that is a petri dish for germs. I love the New Beginnings A & I to help with this along with Cod Liver oil to help get the histamines out. Also important is clearing yeast from the body which also attracts the bugs, especially congestion.


Now, when things do go awry, as they will, and a child comes home saying they don't fell so great; nip it in the bud asap! There are so many natural things to do so it is important to keep some remedies on hand. I am a big fan of rotation so your body doesn't get used to one certain thing. I LOVE Spice of Life by BeYoung oils. I put it in a capsule for the older ones or put it on the feet of the little ones. I give extra C, use garlic, Elderberry, Golden Seal, Colloidal Silver, Oreganol, etc. Sometimes I use it all! There are so many things for so many different situations. Grape Fruit Seed Extract should be a staple for any home. I use it for everything from cleaning to sore throats. When there is a sore throat coming, we gargle 3 drops of GSE in 4 oz of water several times a day. Tastes absolutely horrible but it works. Big time. I just used some on my chickens infected foot. It is cheap and lasts forever. Of course, there is the ever popular Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar to help the body become less acidic which breads the germs as well. 1 tsp daily is always a good practice. For chest issues and snotty noses, I love the Breathe essential oil.


The last bit of advice, which I am finally doing better at, is sleep. If you don't get your Z's , your immune system will not be in top form. I have always been one to sacrifice in that department but after feeling so good on vacation this summer, I realized how bad I feel daily on 5 hours of sleep. I have , for once in my life, been really trying to get almost 7 hours of sleep and I feel like super woman. I am getting too old to live on 5 hours anymore. Plus, it keeps the eye bags away.


Keep those kiddos healthy. Sick days are no fun...for mom or kids! I promise, you can keep them at a minimum.


I am ordering today if anyone wants to stock up. I will order a few extra to have on hand. 


D3 $20
Spice $29
Vitamin C chewables $7
Carlson's Cod Liver Oil $32
A & I chewables $15
A & I capsules $34
GSE $12
Allimax (garlic) $32
Oreganol $29
Elderberry $28
Breathe $29

Ordering Friday....Allergy season

I don't know about you guys but our allergies have kicked into high gear. I have a feeling that I am not alone because I had 8 calls yesterday alone for allergy supplements. Since my stock is about depleted, I am ordering supplements on Friday. Email if you need anything. If you want to read up on the allergy treatment we use, read my post here:


http://enlightenedhomemaker.blogspot.com/2010/09/allergies.html




And for those of you with sore throats, I highly recommend the grapefruit seed extract to gargle with. Kills the bacteria! Just one of the many things you can use GSE for. One of my personal favorites and so cheap....$12.

Shopping around

Thanks to good friends who send info my way, I have been finding some pretty good deals lately. I am impressed that many stores are now carrying organic and pesticide free products. I think the world is wising up just a little. I will take what I can get.


Here are some deals that I have been finding:


Walmart now has Grass fed , organic cheese. It is in the packaged cheese section in a bar. It is great cheese! Remember, we want our animal products grass fed, not corn fed, just like nature intended.


Coscto and Walmart carry tomatoes and baby cucumbers that are pesticide free from Wilcox, AZ! They are delicious and as cheap as the pesticide-loaded tomatoes and cukes.


Costco carries lots of organic products now like baby spinach, frozen organic peaches, fresh raspberries and much more.


Sprout's carries Rudi's organic bread for less than other commercial bread and it is even on sale right now.


Walmart has packaged organic figs, great for sweetening recipes!


Groupon is offering a $5 credit to anyone buying their first Groupon until December 7th, click below for the offer. They are in most states- great Christmas gifts.


http://www.groupon.com/r/uu6393115


Do you have some deals to share? Let me know.


Also, I am ordering supplements in the morning if you need anything. If you want to learn about zinc, check out Terri's post yesterday, below. I was just about to post on zinc when I saw she already did it for me. It is one of my regular supplements everyday. It is especially important for hormone production!


http://thirning.blogspot.com/2010/11/importance-of-zinc.html




It is $20 per liquid bottle. 

My Veteran's Day

I didn't have anything on the calendar for Veteran's Day since the little ones were home and I needed to be available to meet their every desires. However, turns out they didn't need me. Other than Tate, they had friends they wanted to hang with and had the day already planned out. On some occasions this would make me a little sad that I was second to friends but this day, I was a bit glad that I was going to have a day to get to some things I was itching to conquer. First thing: Cheese. I have wanted to make cheese. I have the kit in the pantry already to go. I read the instructions, I picked up my goats milk. I just needed time. Today was the day and magically....it happened. A total success. Take a gander:

Now before you are too impressed with me, it was so incredibly easy. The total time from milk to cheese was maybe 30 minutes. It is mozzarella cheese but since I used raw goats milk, my husband calls it "goatsarella". Cute. It has perfect texture and melts beautifully. I can taste a little hint of "goat" on it but when paired with flavor, you loose it. The best thing about it is that since you only heat the milk to 105 degrees, you are still keeping it raw. Unfortunately it takes 1 gallon of milk to make one pound and that makes this little pound a bit expensive. But, nonetheless, I made it. It is as healthy as it gets for cheese and it was great with some sun dried tomato pesto and crackers or paired with some Bruschetta on the french bread I made with the goats milk whey leftover from the cheese making process. Didn't want to waste that good nutrition. It was equally as easy to make and quite tasty. Only downfall is that I used more white flour that I would have if I had some more sprouted flour on hand. I am sure it was better with the white flour anyways but my gut would have appreciated more wheat. 

I then made some yummy salsa from my produce delivered from the Backyard Farmer to my doorstep. It was divine. It felt wonderful to stay in my kitchen and get some things done without being so rushed.


I then had the privilege to be able to clean about every surface in my house with my very favorite new cleaning mixture. You need to come smell my house...really. I am just about out of the Spice of Life oil I use to clean with since it is still on back order so I had to concoct something new. I put about 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract and 10 drops of peppermint oil in a 16 oz spray bottle of water. I gave it a good shake and went to town. It smells like a peppermint stick around my house and when paired with a microfiber towel, every surface was clean. It works on windows better than anything out there. Best part is that you can drink it and be a better person for it. I use it on my preschool kiddos hands at snack time to disinfect without harming them. No antibacterial gel around my house. Total harmful stuff. 


It was a good day. I got to end it by attending the Mindy Gledhill benefit concert with my sweet daughter and SIL and her daughter. I love days when you are not rushed and get to stay home and just do what makes you smile. I guess cheese does it for me and  clean windows. I am a simple woman.


Hope you had a fun day as well! 


Business notes: My morning classes are full. I have some openings for the Tuesday afternoon classes only.


I am ordering supplements on Monday evening so I can get them in before I head out of town for Thanksgiving. Please email me asap if you will want something for the next two weeks. If you want to try the peppermint oil and Grapefruit seed extract, prices are $16 for peppermint and $12.50 for GSE. Grapefruit seed extract is a wonderful thing to add to your kitchen cabinet. 


Some applications:


Throat gargle
Face wash
Produce wash
sanitizer
helps to kill yeast problems
Works to help kill nail fungus
Nasal and ear rinse


****Check out today's groupon for a great new sandwich shop in Dana Park in Mesa:


http://www.groupon.com/r/uu6393115


$10 for $20 worth of gourmet sandwiches. Great lunch date. Just click on "recent deals" for all of today's selections. 

The benefits of Probiotics

What are Probiotics? 

     Probiotics are the good bacteria that help our gastrointestinal system work properly. Because of the overuse of antibiotics, the drugs we subject ourselves to, toxins in our world, pesticides and the diet that we eat today, many people are greatly lacking the "good" bacteria in their systems. The good bacteria helps to boost the immune system and crowd out the bad bacteria. It helps to create healthy and regular bowl movements and strengthens the stomach linings so we can absorb the nutrients in our food. It helps our systems to be balanced. If we are unbalanced with the bad outweighing the good bacteria, we have a much higher risk at having allergies, infections, diseases and inflammations. 

People who have chronic diarrhea especially need probiotics in their system to get everything back on track. If our bowls are not regular, we are not getting the nutrition we need. Even if you are eating well, if your stomach is not working properly, you cannot absorb what you are taking in. The stomach lining needs to be healthy for us to be healthy.

If you have been on antibiotics recently, it is especially important to be on a good probiotic for a while to make up for the damage that was done. This is the same for treating for yeast/candida. Probiotics should go hand in hand to combat our illnesses. 

There are many different probiotics out there with different strains and counts. It is a good idea to rotate your probiotics as with all supplements to give your body the best opportunity for recovery. Kefir is a good way to get some probiotics along with homemade yogurt, if you can handle dairy. Culturing for 24 hours is optimal as the proteins are broken down. New Beginnings has some great probiotic supplements that are usually only available through the Dr.'s offices. We   love the Probiotic Support, VSL #3 and Ther-biotic Complete supplements around here. I know many of the Coscto's sell the VSL #3 behind the counter without a prescription if you ask. 

Healing our bodies takes time. It takes understanding of how the system works. You can't take a drug and be done with it. You have to heal it from the inside out and at the grassroots. The goal is to be able to not have to take supplements and to get what we need from our food. Tate used to be on about 15 supplements a day. Today, we are down to about 7. His body is being healed and someday I have hopes he won't need any, except what we want to give him for normal everyday health. It was well worth it. 

Stay healthy. You have one body. Don't abuse it. You will pay, now or later.

Supplement orders are Due Friday for this next order. I can now order the Probiotics so shoot me a quick email if you need some. I am also trying to get the orders together for the kefir and yogurt cultures. Need a few more to make the group amount. Super easy to do! Don't be shy. Click here to see the Probiotic list at the Apothecary Shoppe.

Allergies

I know I have talked about allergies before but I get so many emails about it, especially this time of year, that I think it is time for another recap.

I have allergies. My kids and husband all have allergies. We moved out to Gilbert with pecan trees lining the street. They are beautiful. Unfortunately, we found out that we are allergic to them. Fortunately, I can now deal with it and I don't have to take drugs.

First thing, let's discuss why you don't want to have allergies. There is the obvious; runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, fatigue, irritability, eczema, itching. You know the drill. Who wants to deal with that? However, there is much more to allergies. When the body becomes allergic, it gets inflamed. It is irritated. It creates mucous. Mucous attracts illness. Once your body gets allergies, it creates more allergies. This is especially true when children come down with allergies early on. Food allergies perpetuate themselves. You start with one then it snowballs until you have a whole plate full of things you can't eat. Airborne allergies are hard because you can't take yourself out of the world. I can't cut down the whole neighborhood of pecan trees.

What to do? If it is food, start eliminating what bothers you. Start one at a time until you figure out what it is. The big offenders are: Dairy, eggs, soy, corn and wheat. Go one by one, allowing at least one to two weeks each. Once you figure it out, stop eating it for at least 6 months. The body can actually heal itself of the food allergy and you may be able to eat it later in life. However, if you don't lay off of it, the allergy will get worse and other allergies will grow.

For outside allergies, you need to help the body not react to the allergens. You need to calm the body down. This also helps with food allergies.

There are natural ways to do this and I am here to swear by them. I have tried many natural solutions and I have been disappointed by many. Now I have a true and tried system that works for me. It may not help everyone but I know that almost everyone who has tried it faithfully has come back for more.

New Beginnings has a product called A & I (allergy and inflammation). It is non-drowsy and contains only a few herbs. You start off taking a loading dose, am and pm then after things calm down, you can take a smaller dosage in the am and pm. When allergies are down, you don't need to take it but if you are allergy prone, it is a good idea to take some regularly. The idea is to keep the inflammation down so you don't flare up.

My other trick is peppermint oil. If I wake up with a little allergies, I put a very small bit of the peppermint oil on my tongue and under each nostril. Very little as it will sting a bit. It opens up the sinuses and zaps the allergies. I follow it with a couple A & I and I am good to go. You can take it 3 times a day if needed.

Since I have followed this regimen, I rarely have allergies that stick around any longer. I can go outside and run without coming home with itchy eyes.

The children's chewables are my favorite when my mouth starts to itch from eating certain types of fruit that trigger an allergic response for me. I chew on them and hold them in my mouth for a minute. It takes away the itch on contact. Kids do great on the chewables and they have helped many eczema laden kiddos.

Cod liver oil is another great tool for helping bind the histamines in the body and getting them out. 1 - 2 T. daily is a great thing to add to the breakfast smoothie or juice.

You don't need to live with allergies. You don't need to live on Claritan. You don't need to feel drowsy and irritable.

I am ordering on Monday for any who need to place an order on any products.

A & I capsules are $34
A & I childrens chewables are $15
Peppermint oil is $16
Cod Liver Oil is $32

Supplement orders

I keep getting emails from those who missed my Tuesday order and wanted products. I will order again on Friday for those in need so please email me by tomorrow at 3. I will not be ordering for a couple weeks after that. I will have a few Yeast cleanse kits in this week for those who asked about those.

I have lots and lots of products but I know many of you really don't know what they are or why your body could use them. I will start posting about one natural supplement/oil per week so you can learn how to heal your body naturally. Education is key to our well being. You can also read about each supplement on the Apothecary Shoppe web page.

Here are some of my personal favorites to look at and what I have stocked on my personal shelves.

Methy Folate

Liquid Zinc

Activated Charcoal

A & I

Epsom Salt Cream

One N Only multi vitamin

Trie Enza Enzymes

B12, nasal )methyl Mate

Calcium/Magnesium Citrate

Liquid D3

Oreganol

Allimax

Curcumin

Melatonin

Spry Toothpaste

Carlson Cod Liver Oil

Probiotics

Co Q10

Vitamin C chewables

Buffered Vitamin C

Email me with any questions you have or if you have specific questions about what you might need, I will be happy to share anything I know. I have a firm belief that we can overcome most if not all our health issues the natural way but we need to be educated. We need to take matters into our own hands.

The defense system

School has started and with that has come the arrival of the germ pool at the public schools. I already had two come home not feeling so hot but we nipped that in the bud overnight.

It is the season, the season of the passing of germs from little one, to little one and on to the bigger ones. For some, it seems like it never ends.

That is why it is time again to start amping up the defense system of the body so that it can fight what comes it way.

The regime has started at our house. Germs may come our way, but we never let them stay. I give it one night, tops. It has worked.

I start adding in the liquid D3 to their daily juice to help build the immunity. They don't get as much sun now so it is time to add that back in. They get the vitamin C chewables next to their breakfast plate and some allergy A & I tablets for kicking the allergies out. Allergies bring mucous and mucous hosts germs. Get rid of it.

If per chance they do bring home an unwanted germ guest; we hit it with the second line of defense: Spice of Life essential oils, Allimax liquid, Oreganol, increased D3, increased C and anything else I can think of at the time. It kicks it out, lays it to the curb, defeats its momentum.

I also clean my house almost entirely with Spice of Life in some water in a spray bottle. It kills germs, smells great and cleans wonderfully. It cleans my windows streak free, disinfects my countertops and bathrooms and deodorizes my air. It costs less than $1 per spray bottle when mixed with about 10 drops per 32 ounces of water. Way cheaper than cleaner. You could drink it and clean with it. Find that at the grocery store! My house smells cinnaminny fresh with no toxins to boot. Super duper. It stops the air borne germs that float around. Make sure you shake the bottle each use to keep the oil mixed in.

If you need to prepare your army of defense, I am ordering on Tuesday. Check out the Apothecary Shoppe and email any orders. You don't have to get sick this fall and winter. It isn't mandatory. Skip the flu shot and soup up your natural defense system. Such a better option.

What Everyone Should know.

I suppose I never really grew out of that 3 year old "why?" stage. I am never satisfied with a simple answer. I need to know why. I need to figure out everything from beginning to end. I am not content with "that is just how it is" or "it just happened". I want to know the ins and outs. It is exhausting.

A trip to a doctor is never simple for me. I don't go in, take what they say as gospel and leave with a prescription; but you all know that by now. If they body is ailing, I want to know how it happened not what to do to put a band aid on it. I will never settle for the "we don't know" routine or "there aren't answers" gig. The body never gets sick or attacked just because. There is always a reason. Always. That has been my quest. My passion.

Why are so many of my friends; good moms and wives , sick, broken, exhausted, depressed, compromised in every way before they even hit 40? Why are there so many kids with problems that just never existed a few decades ago? Why is it that I can teach a class and at least half of the class comes up afterwards telling me their story of health struggles that go unanswered and of their kids who are failing to thrive? What has changed and what is the root cause?

I have asked these questions for the last several years , at least, and studied intensely in the last several months and what I have learned is something that is so very seldom discussed. I even called Dr.s offices this week and they didn't even know how to test for it. Naturopaths will know what you are talking about most of the time and there are amazing books out there, but the mainstream world is clueless. It is time you know what may be rocking your world. I warned you that this is going to be long. But, we all need to know. We all should be searching for answers.

YEAST. CANDIDA. We all have it in our bodies. It is nothing new to the world but what is new is how it has taken over our bodies. How it has destroyed. It is how we feed it, how we let it take over that we need to understand. Let's chat.

In our bodies we have the good bacteria that are the soldiers to protect us from all the bad that is around us; the toxins, the germs, the heavy metals we intake. They guard the stomach, line the intestines, keep the harmful yeast in check. However, the good soldier bacteria can be destroyed which allows the evil yeast to overtake. They are destroyed by our worlds overuse of antibiotics, contaminated foods, stress, hormones, steroids, etc. When the good bacteria are then taken out, the yeast can overtake the body. The yeast thrives in the body. They love sugar, carbs, cheese, processed foods. Perfect; that is America's daily dish and if we didn't have enough hormone problems of our own, let's add it to our food as well! The yeast attack the mucous lining of the body which are everywhere in the body. Mucous membranes keep the body lubricated but when yeast attacks, they go into overdrive. The yeast actually grows into tissues. They permeate and by doing so, go from the stomach to the bloodstream. They release toxins, creating a poisonous body, if you will. They cause all the mucous membranes to inflame and attack instead of protect the body. Once the yeast is allowed to flourish , it spins out of control until it is stopped.

Because the body is now attacking itself, we have autoimmune diseases created. Those auto immune diseases that Dr.'s just can't explain. Bet your doctor never checked you for yeast. Women are far more susceptible to have yeast issues as our hormones are more apt to get us into trouble. Especially when pregnant.

What does yeast feel like? Many of you have had the annoying yeast infection but that is just one area. Yeast can start as a stomach issue: nausea, bloating, cramping, pain, constipation or diarrhea, colic in babies, colitis, chron's. Yeast starts here. You may start to get food sensitivities. Allergies get worse. Headaches are very common, migraines even. You can become hypoglycemic or have hypothyroidism as the endocrine system is compromised. You may get endometriosis or other reproductive disorders , bone aches, inflamed joints, coughs, asthma,stuffiness, sore throats. Any area of the body can be inflamed as histamines are released. Immunity is compromised.

Neurological issues may arise as the yeast toxins affect the brain. There are forgetfulness, speech problems, spaciness, vision issues, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, etc. ADD and ADHD in children, autism, developmental delays.

You can become sensitive to smells and chemicals that never bothered you before.(big one for me). The skin can be a tell tale sign; acne, rashes, itchiness, eczema.

You go to a doctor and they prescribe you with thyroid medication, depression medication, Ritalin for the kids, antibiotics for the cough. They never look at why the body is working against itself. It is a vicious cycle as the pills create even more havoc. I have never heard of anyone being healed from an autoimmune disease by drugs. Only masked.

The yeast must be killed. The environment in the body needs to be changed so that the good bacteria can come back in its stead and once again protect the body as it should. The good news is that there is a way to do it. It doesn't have to be expensive. It is natural. You can feel good again. They body can heal.

If you suspect a yeast issue; treat it. The body will never heal if the yeast is not in check. If you have some issues, I can almost guarantee that you have troubles with yeast. The body generally is not sick if the good bacteria is doing its job and is not compromised. It will only help.

If you have access to a naturopath, ask for an Organic Acids Test. It will tell you if you have a yeast issue and trouble with bad bacteria, which goes hand in hand. If you don't , treat it like you do. You can try a spit test that may indicate if you have an issue. Spit in a cup of water first thing in the am before you eat or brush your teeth. Not the clearing your throat spit. Just spit and if the spit starts to string down to the bottom, it is yeasty. If it stays in a ball at the top, you usually are asymptomatic. I had three kids just tested on the Organic Acids Test and their spit help true to this test.

I firmly believe that we should all do a little yeast cleanse now and then. The more I learn about yeast, the more I am understanding the link between almost everything under the sun, even acne, fertility problems and weight gain. If my little Tate starts to get goofy, aggressive or spacey again, I know our yeast is back. Once you have a gut problem, you are almost certain to have a problem now and then.

What can you do? Here is why I am ready to blog about this now. I didn't really have a good natural product that I wanted to tell you about before. I have been experimenting, having my naturopaths office experiment, and reading up on everything I could get my hands on. I found a great product. It has all the components that I have studied about being the best way to treat naturally and it is in one great little package. Better yet, she is letting me carry it. This lady, Jonell Francis is a mother warrior like myself and many of you. She was having severe health problems for 10 years with no answers. She didn't take "because" for an answer and found the answer. She cured herself and now, so many others with her yeast products. I have talked to her for the last couple of weeks and found a kindred spirit.



She has a great cookbook, "The feel Good Cookbook", cleanse kits and drops for kids. The ingredients are simple and pure, no harmful fillers. She has amazing success stories and testimonies on her products. You can visit her website here.
You can read her stories and look at the ingredients contained. I would never advocate or carry a product that I did not have faith in. I can't wait to get this to you.

I do not want these sweet little children and sweet, dedicated moms to slip into the trappings of auto immune disease that are robbing them of life. We cannot become what we are to be in this life if we are sick. We cannot serve as we want, grow as we would like. It is not fair. We must take our health into our own hands. We must not let Dr.'s tell us what to do or give us the band aide solution. You must fight for your health, eat clean and listen to your body. Our world is polluted. I am convinced that that is not going to change but we can change.

If you have questions, please email or call me. There is so much to share but then I would just be writing a book. You can read some great books out there also if you want to become an expert. Some of my favorite reads are The Yeast Connection, The Yeast Connection and The Woman, The Yeast Syndrome, Nourishing Hope and Back to Health: A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Yeast Related Illness. They are all great reads.

If you would like to try these products, I will be ordering on Friday.

The Cookbook is $25.95 plus tax.

The Cleanse Kit which is recommended for teenagers to adults that comes with a fiber cleanse, yeast beater capsules and Glutamine for $69.95 plus tax.

Yeast Beaters Capsules, 120 ct. $25.95 plus tax.

Yeast Beaters Capsules, 240 ct. $42.95 plus tax.

Kids Yeast Beater drops, $25.95 plus tax.

There will not be any shipping for in state orders but I will ship out of state if needed for an additional charge, depending on the order.

I will be happy to answer any questions. I am hearing great reports on the kids drops and eczema. Huge results.

When treating the yeast, it is very important that you have a probiotic to help put the good bacteria in the body and help destroy the yeast as well.

Saccharomyces Boulardii by New Beginnings is a probiotic specific for yeast. It is $20 for the bottle.

Please email me for orders at goodman-7@cox. net . I hope to have my store website up in a week so that subsequent orders can be made through that site. Here's hoping. If only we had 36 hours a day.

Thanks for listening. All of my kids are being treated right now, along with myself. I will keep you posted.

Per Jonell's website, here are some of the symptoms she is seeing evaporate with the Yeast cleanse treatments:

Athlete's Foot
Aggressiveness/Anger
Bedwetting
Bladder Infection
Bowel Irregularity
Candida
Chronic Sinusitis (Congestion)
Constipation
Cradle Cap
Dandruff
Depression
Diarrhea
Eczema
Endometriosis
Fatigue
Herpes virus
Mouth Sores
Oily Hair
Irritable Bowel Syndrome/Spastic Colon
Itchy Skin
Joint Pain
Menstrual Cramps/Afterbirth Pains
Rashes/Hives
Respiratory Infection/Bronchitis
Seasonal Allergies
Sleeplessness
Sugar Sensitivity
Tooth Decay
Thrush
Urinary Tract Infection
Vaginal Yeast Inf

Supplement instructions

For those of you who are taking the zinc, please remember that zinc is best taken apart from other vitamins, especially calcium, and with food. I usually take it with lunch or dinner and the I take the other supplements in the morning. If you take a probiotic, take that at night so it has chance to really sit in the gut and benefit the body as much as possible. If you take a multivitamin, zinc and calcium will be together and that will not harm you but if you do take them individually, to get the best benefit possible, take them separately.

The Cod liver oil should go in the fridge after you open it along with the B12 liquid.

If you have any other questions, please email or comment. If you aren't taking your supplements right, they may not be giving you the right benefit.

Got Acne? Think Zinc.

Our skin is our largest organ. It tells the story of what lies beneath it's surface. The idea then,(that many Dr.'s even subscribe to) that what we eat doesn't affect how our skin looks, is ridiculous. The skin is the storyteller. It lets us know when something is wrong inside. But, many of us just want to cover it up with a quick fix. We want the magic solution in a cute little jar to cover it up. Listen to the skin. It just might be telling you something.

Today's skin topic will be on acne. Nobody likes it. Nobody wants it but nonetheless, it plagues many. It seems to surge at the time the hormones first drop by to visit and can reappear anytime later; stress, pregnancy, menopause. Those little acne visits just maybe a deficiency in your body screaming at you to make amends. We all know that diet can attribute to how our skin looks. If you think about the person you know with the best skin, chances are they don't pound down a box of donuts. Some are just blessed but that usually only lasts so long. However, even if you are a good eater, you may still have problems with acne.

In America's diet today, we lack many nutrients that were once abundant. Our soils are now depleted of some of the rich minerals it once contained. Especially zinc. Zinc has a huge effect on the skin. It has been studied greatly but how many of you have even heard about zinc for the skin? Any Dr.'s tell you? Probably not. It is cheap. No money is really to be made on it. Drugs sell, not supplements.

There was a Swedish study in 1977 on the effects of zinc on acne. It was overwhelming. 64 patients took part in the study all with acne problems. They were divided in 4 groups given different supplements and a placebo. The zinc groups came out on top every time. After only four weeks on zinc therapy, 65 percent of their pimples cleared and after 12 weeks, 87 percent disappeared. The evidence was overwhelming. To quote the Swedish study, "Zinc's effect on acne, even in its severe inflammatory state, is "remarkable". Those in the study took 45 mg of zinc, three times per day. They noted that they did just fine on lower doses than taken in the study.

There are other supplements that are important for skin health. Vitamin A, Biotin and Cod Liver oil. A good liver cleanse is also very helpful. It is very important to get a good quality supplement. If you don't , you may just be wasting your money or even causing harm to your body. You also need to remember that fixing the skin is not an overnight fix. It takes time and patience. Allow a good month to really see a difference. It may work quicker but allow the time. My daughter just started with acne and immediately got on zinc and Biotin. Here face is clearing up beautifully. Too bad teenage son doesn't like to take the supplements. He is missing out!

If you would like to try out supplements for your skin, a recommended amount of zinc would be 50 mg daily; One tsp. of Cod Liver oil daily and 5 mg of Biotin daily. Zinc should be in the chelated form, as a liquid or as Zinc Picolinate. Cod Live oil I recommend is by Carlson's. It tastes like lemon lime and is of great quality - very important so you don't get mercury.

New Beginnings prices are as follows:

Zinc in liquid form (preferred method) $20
Zinc in tablet form $14
Carlson's Cod Liver Oil $32
Biotin $10

The quality is top notch and the prices are better than Sprouts. Email me if interested. Shipping is $5 in the US.

vitamin C

So I am sure you all know that Vitamin C is good for you. You have all heard that you should get it daily but do you know why? Do you know how much?

Let's talk.

As with all things, science is now beginning to really understand the importance of vitamin C. It is needed for much more than the prevention of the common cold, although that is an important benefit.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and boy do we need that in our polluted world today. It will help with the free radicals looming about and get them out.

Vitamin C helps with collagen production which is in all muscles and bones. Collagen is what holds cells together. It is what makes your skin elastic to give you that wrinkle free face. (You're going for that orange now, aren't you?)

Vitamin C boosts the immune system. It will help your cuts heal better and lessen your bruising factor. It helps you fight off the "bugs" around you on a daily basis and is important for gum and eye health. It is also helpful if constipation is a problem. Vitamin C intake will also help with your absorption of iron.

So where do we get this? Of course you know the orange and if you live in AZ right now, you should have no excuse why there isn't some in your house right now. Other than that, you can find it in many different foods like these:

Broccoli with 74 mg per cup
Red Bell Pepper 95 mg per 1/2 cup
Cantaloupe 59 mg per 1 cup
Orange Juice 97 mg per cup

That is just to name a few. It is in almost every orange or bright colored fruit or vegetable with the brightest containing the highest levels. I think it is God's way of saying "Pick me! I am the prettiest!"

While the daily recommended amounts use to lie somewhere around 50 mg per day, a far cry from what we really need, the limits have been raised. It is now being recommended to get upwards of 500 mg per day with a high level up to 2000 mg. If you are getting sick, take the upwards. I always advocate getting it from the real source first but taking a supplement daily is also recommended. You always want to make sure that you get a good quality supplement without all the fillers and sugars. The best form of vitamin C supplement is a buffered form. Vitamin C is water soluble so it comes out in the urine if you have too much. My kids love the New Beginnings chewables. They taste like candy and are cheap. Soon, you will see them at the Enlightened Homemaker Store website. (soon, I promise). I just love them and am guilty at eating them just because I want something sweet in my mouth.

How do you know if you are not getting enough? Some basic signs are swollen gums, wounds that don't heal quickly, easily bruised, bleeding gums, low immune system. Of course, you never want it to get to this point. It is just so easy to get enough vitamin C that we should never have an excuse. Eat your fruit and veggies.

How about that Green Bee box this week? Did you all love it as much as I did? Leave your comment, we want feedback. Green Bee is working on getting more great products like organic eggs, chocolates, bread, specialty boxes and more. I have been talking with the owner on a daily basis and he is working on making this company a great place to belong to . He is adamant about quality and wants to make sure he gets us what we want. He wants as much feedback as possible. So let him have it here.

Go eat and orange and if you were lucky enough to get a Bee Box like me, go snack on that big beautiful red bell pepper in your box. If you would like to add some Vitamin C chewables by New Beginnings to your order, it is $7 per bottle.

A little potty talk.

I know I have discussed this before but after 338 some posts, I don't really remember what I have said. Chances are you don't either so I think it is time to do a little potty talkin' again. It has come up in lots of my conversations lately; with friends, family, the naturopath today. Poop. It's important.

I think the first time I really realized just how important poop was to me was when I was potty training my second child; the princess. She got number 1 down instantly and was ready to pass off number two when she saw "IT". The little princess in her decided that it was gross and there was no way she was going to do that again. That began my year, yes...year, of torture. She would hold it, a week or longer , screaming in the middle of the night in pain. I would do everything in my power to tell her that she needed to go but nothing really worked. After a year long of this battle between wills and Ex-lax, number two was mastered. In her cute little princess voice, she exclaimed, "Poop makes you happy, huh mom."

I guess it did because I sure wasn't happy when it wasn't happening. I guess my victory dance when it did happen made her realize that poop to me was what made me happy in life. That little phrase has been around in our family for some time now; "Poop makes you happy."

Really, we should all be thinking about poop. It should be the first question on every physical exam. If the poop isn't right, than there is something generally wrong. It really shouldn't be ignored. Sure, sometimes things just filter out differently but in general, things should be consistent. We should be going daily, if not more than daily. It should be formed, not hard or loose. I know, gross conversation but it is important so hang in there. Sadly, many people aren't going regularly and don't pay attention. There are some things you need to look at.

What is your diet like? Do you eat processed foods, especially the "white" foods like white flour, white rice, white sugar, etc.? Do you lack in fresh fruits and veggies? Do you eat nuts, whole grains, seeds? Do you consume too much dairy or drink it in it's fluid state? Those are the first things to check if things aren't processing right. If you feel that you eat as you should and things still aren't right you can add a few things to try and help.

Natural supplements to help things move along a little easier are:

Aloe Vera Juice, George's is a good brand
Slippery Elm extract (appropriate name)
Psyllium husk
Chia seeds
Magnesium Citrate
Increased dosages of Vitamin C

There are more so feel free to comment if you have more info. (Terri)

Stay away from laxatives and drugs. They can be addicting and have side effects. If you rely on help in any way, even with supplements on a regular basis, there are usually underlying issues going on. If after taking supplements to get regular for a month or so and things don't go smoothly when they are removed, chances are you need to take a closer look at allergies and diet.

If things are too loose, there can be several things wrong. There can be a lack of the good bacteria in the body. There can be allergies, parasites, yeast issues, etc. If after removing some basic common food allergens like dairy, corn and wheat for a month and issues are still present, lab work should be done to rule out other causes. Many times a good probiotic to help bring in the good bacteria can help dramatically. Many times the situation is much more complex.

Poop is something that most of us just don't' want to deal with let alone discuss but as the saying goes, "disease begins in the colon." We poop for a reason. It is how we get the bad stuff out and if it stays in the body too long toxins are released and absorbed into the body. Toxins cause diseases. Our diet in America today is horrible. We are eating food that should not be eaten. Cancer rate and disease rate of every kind has soared. Take care of your bodies. Listen to them, ask questions, ask your kids how often they go (I do). If only every Dr. asked you that question first and did a few basic tests. The world would be a much healthier place. Unfortunately, most Dr.s wouldn't know what to do with the answers they received. The first thing my naturopath asked today was about Tate's stools. Loved her instantly. What goes in, must come out. It's a law of physics.