Tissues and Cough Drops are on sale for a reason

I have a friend, Veronica.  She is one of those people I don't see often but love deeply.  I think of her and smile.   This week she has been beaten and battered by a nasty virus.  She has been very ill, and my heart goes out to her.  I can relate to her misery; we both have a tendency to be inflicted with respiratory infections.  There was a year a few back when I had bronchitis once and pneumonia twice in the same year.   Most falls I end up in the ER with severe bronchitis and by the winter months I found myself in my doctor's office for regular breathing treatments.  

As I have stated in other posts, I believe in the benefits of essential oils.  Since I really started using them regularly, I have not had a single case of bronchitis or pneumonia. Why?  Because I support my immune system with an oil blend called Thieves - named after a group of bandits who robbed the dead during the Bubonic Plague; the bandits did not get sick because the soaked their face masks in a blend of oils including cinnamon bark, cloves, and Eucalyptus to name a few. And I treat tightness in my chest immediately with oils such as Raven and Breathe Easy.

Because it is the season of giving:  coughs, sneezes and colds -- I wanted to let you in on my must have cold remedy oils. 

 

Thieves – a blend of high anti-microbial and anti-bacterial oils such as cloves and cinnamon bark.  This oil builds your immune system.  So I use it even when I am well.  But the second I feel sick I pull it out and start it in big does.  You can put one intense drops under your tongue (which I do when I have a sore throat) or you can rub it on the soles of your feet.  I regularly diffuse it in the air; it has a wonderful scent that makes the house smell delicious.  I do all three.  My kids have not been sick with the flu for years, and at the first sign of a sniffle I rip off their socks and rub the oil over their feet.  The stuff works.  (NOTE:  I also have a cleaning solution that is made from Thieves that I use to wash the floors and counter-tops.)

1     Raven – it’s a blend of numerous oils..high in Eucalyptus and ravinsarita with some added peppermint too. Because my winter woes usually result in respiratory infections, I rub this right on my chest and all tightness goes away almost instantly.  (You can use olive oil as a carrier to make it go farther or apply the oil right to your chest.)  I literally do not leave home without Raven.  Whether it’s pneumonia or asthma or just seasonal issues…this is my go to oil for making breathing easier.  My body just says, Ahhh..as soon as I open the bottle. 

Along similar lines as Raven- there is an oil blend called Breathe Easy that is in the form of a roll on stick.  I keep one in my purse and one by my bedside.   The second I feel labored breathing I roll it on my chest.  Great for taking to work work and grabbing in the middle of the night when you don’t want to go looking for a certain oil.

3     R.C.  – another blend with Eucalyptus.  This one is good for the hacking coughs.  Raven goes deeper for respiratory infections, but R.C. is one I tend to think of for throat irritations and general coughing.  I put three drops in my hand and rub it on my throat.  Then I cup my hands around my mouth and nose and breathe it in.  I have also made a salve using R.C. It is a good oil to have on hand.  It is gentle enough to use with kids 2 years and older.

Speaking of using oils with kids....here is my disclaimer:  as often as I can I use a single oil rather than a blend of oils.  R.C. is okay to use with kids as is Thieves...but I do vary my approach slightly with my little ones.   I put Thieves on their feet not in their mouth - cinnamon bark and clove is intense and burns for a second in the mouth.  On the feet kids are less likely to get it in their eyes or mouth.  I tend to diffuse more with kids and rub on feet more than other body parts.  I will diffuse marjoram in the kids room when they are coughing.  Marjoram is helpful in reducing muscle spasms - coughing is a muscle spasm.    I will also put a drop of marjoram in a carrier oil (olive oil works fine) and rub it on their chests.  Ravinsarita is also another kid friendly oil to use with respiratory infections.  Lavender is wonderful for fevers.   There is a terrific book I recommend if you are interested in learning more about using oils with young children:  Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child: More Than 300 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Essential Oil Blends by Valorie Ann Worwood.

I buy my oils from Young Living Essential Oils.  I believe in the quality of product they produce. Hope you all can stay healthy in the new year.

New Years Resolutions

We make them.  We break them.  Why bother? is the feeling from so many.  I make them because it motivates me.  I am goal driven.  I make goals whether it is the first week of January or the middle of September.  I want to be a better version of myself, and having a vision of what that looks like is helpful.   So this is my wieght oriented list - my hope for myself in the months ahead.

1.)  No more diet Coke.  (it hurts just writing that).   Great article on this topic:
2.)  No more snacks in our house that are white sugar/white flour based.  We are striving for fruit as a  morning snack and veggies in the afternoon.  Kids have been informed, now I just have to stick to it.  Afterall, I am the keeper of the food. I decided what enters our sacred kitchen and what stays out.
3.)  Have a garden this spring/summer that the kids and I can plan and cultivate together.
4.)  Take a walk everyday.  Snow boots and hat in the winter, umbrella and rubber boots in the spring.  Just get out and walk.
5.)  Start riding my bike again.  It's been abotu 30 years since I have been a bicycle.  My husband loves to cycle.  And now my kids are riding too.  I can either get back on the bike or watch them ride away from me.  I'd like to join the party.

Five is a good number.  I have some other goals relating to career and relationships.  But I want to keep these five health goals in front of me regularly.  I'll keep you posted, as always.

What are your goals?  Leave a comment and tell me of a change you are hoping to make this year.

Biggest Loser Tuesday

Yes, I am a fan of NBC's Biggest Loser.  I enjoy watching the contestant's transformations and being inspired that change can happen - in their lives and mine as well.   As yesterday was Tuesday,  I curled up under my warm covers and watched this week's weigh-in.  And I admit I was shocked as Reuben lost only a few pounds and was sent home...again. 

As I have been writing this blog I have been changing my eating habits and increasing my activity.  And guess what?  Nothing has budged on that scale!!  Nothing!!  I was pretty discouraged last week - wondering what I was doing wrong.  I have so much to loose - more than 120 pounds- and at this rate I was fearing I would never see that milestone!

Then I watched this show.  A show where individual trainers are dedicated to one person, one team.  They are worked hard.  Their diets are controlled.  They are in the ideal setting for weight loss. And what happens? Reuben loses less than 5 pounds, and Hap loses less than 5 pounds, and both Bob and Dolvet are shaking there heads because the usual system is not working for these two.

They will figure it out - they will work through a plateau- tweak the workout...they will succeed.  But it was a good reminder to me:  Diet and Exercise are part of the equation.  There is a lot going on in our body's chemistry that we need to understand and to respect.  It takes time to reverse damage and clean systems and rebuild tissue and cells.  The scale is not my only measure of success.  I need to trust the process.  However long it takes....

Baked Garlic- Cauliflower

I found myself staring into the refrigerator today looking for lunch.  I saw left over pizza from the night before, deli meats and about four different varieties of bread, and some soup.  Then I saw in the back of the shelf a head of cauliflower.  So...cauliflower it is, and when I roast it up with garlic it is delicious.  Sometimes I want to eat the whole head for lunch. (Makes a great side dish too for larger meals.)

Daphne's Baked Garlic-Cauliflower:

1 Head Cauliflower
3/4 c. chicken broth - low sodium
5-6 garlic cloves
shredded Parmesan cheese  - about 1/2 cup
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375.  Clean head of cauliflower and cut into small florets.  Use a small paring knife to slice cloves of garlic into paper thin slices.  Place cauliflower florets in a baking dish lightly greased with olive oil or safflower oil.  Distribute garlic over the top of the florets.  Poor chicken broth over cauliflower and garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cover with foil.  Bake for 30 minutes or until cauliflower is fork tender.  Remove foil and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top of cauliflower.  Continue cooking until cheese is browned. 

Public Enemy # 1: SUGAR!

Over the years I have learned a lot of things about what contributes to my weight problem.  I have not been successful in overcoming it though. I hate that about myself - I try, and I fail.  I try, and I fail.  I don't want to fail again.  But I need to try again.  So I find myself looking at everything I have learned and tried and failed at -- trying to find a reason for my failure -- trying to find a way to make a lasting change.

I enjoy food. I should say I enjoy good food - I am a bit of a food snob.  I love to cook.  I enjoy eating out.  My portions are probably bigger than they need to be.  All these contribute to my weight problem.  But I do not eat a lot of fast food.  I do not binge.  I rarely eat desserts. I say this so you know that I eat like most of the people around me.  Yet I am twice the size of anyone in my family.

Proper food consumption and exercise must be a part of my long term solution. But there is a myriad of medical issues going on within my body that I need to address before my weight issue can really be resolved.  So medically speaking, this is a brief synopsis of what I have learned about my body:

1. I am borderline diabetic - maybe even full blown diabetic by now.  Insulin resistance is a big problem in my physical chemistry.
2. I have MAJOR hormonal imbalances - I've had high testosterone - low estrogen levels since puberty.  Then compound that with the hormonal roller coaster that two pregnancies and postpartum depression contributes and my hormones are a mess.  And the depression continues...
3. I crave simple carbohydrates:  bread, pasta, rice, etc.   I have a difficult time eating long term without them.  Candida overgrowth is a bi-product of eating too many simple carbs too often - I have known for years that this is an issue affecting my digestion.
4. I am addicted to diet coke.  I stop drinking it for awhile and then I have to have it.  I feel a physical change in my body when I get that first sip after awhile.  This is a major change I am trying to make immediately.  But it's hard.  (I had one today...I confess.)
5. I have high cholesterol and a fatty liver.   
6. My thyroid is technically in normal range but borderline, and a borderline thyroid is still a problem that needs to be addressed. 
7. Oh, and my feet are shot from years of excess weight and bad shoes!

I have known for years that simple carbohydrates are converting to sugar in my blood stream.  This is affecting my body's ability to use insulin. My cells are starving and telling my body to eat more simple carbs for the sugar.   What sugar is not used is stored as excess fat.  It a cycle that is contributing to my obesity.  I know this.  But I haven't known how to change it.  Stopping my sugar and simple carbohydrate intake cold turkey has not been successful. It's what I probably need to do - but it seems utterly impossible to make that drastic a change in my eating. How do I face this giant in my path? How do I the thing that seems impossible but absolutely necessary to save my life?

 I guess that is why I am so passionate about writing this blog.  I have head knowledge.  But I still fail.  I know I am not alone.  Others are fighting my same battle.  Others like me need support and inspiration and accountability.  Others have knowledge that I have yet to learn.  I want to share what I am learning.  I want to grow and understand more.  And deeply I want to change my life.  

The other night I was listening to a podcast from Young Living Essential Oils.  When I was listening to this podcast I felt like this speaker was speaking about me!  She identified almost all the issues I listed above, and she gave a suggestion for dealing with it.  I think that understanding WHY WE GAIN WEIGHT and can't seem to loose it is step one to really losing it for good.  So I listened to this talk once.  Then I listened to it again with pen and paper in hand...and made notes for myself.  

The speaker, Jennifer Crippen, mentions different nutritional products that Young Living sells.  My primary goal here is not to sell you anything - but bestow education.  I don't want you to get caught up on the specific name brands the speaker mentions when she gives suggestions for dealing with specific issues.  Rather, I would encourage you to listen to the over arching message and hear the broader lesson she is offering us:

•  Stop using carbs as primary fuel sources
•  Aim for a balanced blood sugar diet
•  And most importantly understand WHY our bodies need us to make these changes.  

Here is a link to part one of Jen Crippen's series on Weight-loss.  I hope it brings you hope that there is a reason why we gain weight.  And once we understand that cause...we can address the root of the problem.


Young Living Podcast Weight-loss with Essential Oils - Part 1 hosted by Jennifer Crippen.

If you would like more information on specific products mentioned in this podcast visit Young Living Essential Oils.

Hot Chocolate for Lunch

My kids are big protein shake drinkers.  It's their breakfast of choice and it eases my mind knowing that they are starting their day off with10+ grams of protein.  Why I haven't tried a shake myself before now?  I'm not sure.  But today I found a recipe that is going to be a keeper!!

There are a lot of protein powders on the market.  Be sure to look for ones that are low in sugar, and if you are giving it to the kiddos be sure it isn't a muscle building protein powder.  Too much protein can cause a bit of constipation in the little ones.  I try to keep the protein to 18g or less per serving with the kids.

I was hungry today and needed a quick lunch.  I am trying to limit my sugar intake (including simple carbohydrates).  So I opted for a protein shake that I could drink on the go. And since it was cold outside I decided to warm it up a bit.   It was delicious.  It was filling.  It made me feel like I was treating myself to a dessert instead of lunch.

Daphne's Hot Chocolate Protein Drink:

In a shaker cup (with mixing ball) or blender add:
1 or 2 scoops of Chocolate Flavored Protein Powder
1/4 tsp. cinnamon (helps regulate blood sugar)
1/4 tsp. nutmeg (helps with liver and kidney function, cholesterol and more!)
Heaping tsp of coconut oil (melt it first in the microwave so it is in liquid form)
pinch of sea salt

Add to your cup hot water and shake well.

Enjoy.

Drink More Water!!!

Hydration is so important to weight loss.  Increasing your water intake can be one of the best steps you can take to jump start your progress or break through a weight loss plateau.

Water plays a vital role in detoxifying your body - flushing out toxins from your cells and liver.  Hydration helps your muscles sustain exercise and avoid excess cramping.  Sufficient water intake protects your adrenal systems and wards off kidney stones.  Water also helps hydrate your brain - promoting alertness and brain function.  And get ready for this...water burns calories!!  Well it can burn calories if you drink it cold or hot...your body uses calories to bring water back to your body's internal temperature (98.6 degrees).  So increasing your cold or hot water intake can overtime increase your caloric burn. (Fitness Blender has more interesting research on hydration and weight loss.)  

Eight glasses of water a day is the mantra many of us have heard over and over.  And for some that is ideal.  But for those of us who would fall in the "obese" category -- we need more water.  More fat = more toxins = more water.  But just how much?   A formula that was given to me by a nutritionist years ago was this: your weight divided by 2 = number of ounces to drink each day.  So if my weight is 278 - I divide that by 2 and get 139 oz. -- divide by 8oz. and I get a goal of 17 to 18 glasses a day!  Wow!  That's a lot of water!  I've started carrying around a 32 oz. water bottle and refilling it as often as I can.  It's easier for me to mentally strive for refilling that jug 4 times a day rather than tracking 17 glasses.   Using 16 oz. pint glasses is also a trick to help increase your water.

Can you drink too much water?  Yes and no.  You need to balance your mineral intake with water intake.  Minerals are VITAL to vitamin absorption.  Without minerals in your system your electrolyte counts can get off balance. With the right balance of water and minerals, hydration can be your best tool for weight loss.  One easy way to balance water and minerals is to mix Emergen-C powder into your water - adding flavor as well as minerals.   I also use lemons, limes, and pineapple to flavor my water.  In the morning, I fill a pitcher with water and slices of one fruit. The fruit and water marry in the pitcher and add flavor and lymphatic benefits.

The real key is hydration - proper hydration has dramatic effects on improved health.  Water is the healthiest source for hydration but do keep in mind that juice and milk and caffeine free teas also hydrate.   Caffeine has a negative affect on hydration and should you indulge in soda or coffee or caffeinated teas - you should add an extra glass of water to counter the caffeine.  Also, keep in mind that milk and juice and soda have excessive sugars that spike insulin and can hinder weight loss.  Hence we arrive again at water as the best hydration option.  So with that...I'm off to the kitchen to fill my glass...again.