Why Disease & How to Achieve Health

These are my notes from my chiropractor's class on "Jump STart to Wellness."  You could just watch the video, but I thought I'd post my notes with the video too, fo those who don't have the spare hour and a half.
(video will be added in a month, hopefully). It was really interesting though, so here we go...

First of all he gave shocking facts and data about how mess up America's "health" system is. It's not a health system, but a "symptom" system.

You can picture three concentric circles (ordered largest to smallest
SYMPTOMS (which is what our current system is at),
then inside that is 
SYSTEMS (which some medical professionals address, but generally from a one-sided view),
then inside that--the center circle--
CAUSE We should be working at the root cause, from a holistic perspective, but much like our whole society (education, health care, etc.), everything is compartmentalized and standardized so that we can't cross areas to find a holistic approach (because that is more mysterious and takes more time and effort).

But, here is the simple holistic perspective of a "Wellness System" instead of our current Health system. IT is called the 1-3-5-7 approach.


1 Cause of Disease
Dis-ease is dis-comfort. This is cause by stress, or rather our inability to adapt to negative stress in our lives. Take for exaample weight-lifting: good? Yes. and no. Good, in that you get stronger as you get through that stress in appropriate amounts. But bad if the amount is too high or too much and your body can't adapt to it. So dis-ease comes when you overdo something. Or, on the flip side, if you under do something--a deficiency. Take for example not getting enough sleep. So when we overload or are deficient in sometype of thing or stressor, and can't deal with that, stress starts to affect us (first in ways we can't see, and unless we nip things in the bud early, those stressors start taking control and we lose some of our ability to control that.

I like this graphic about stress from some Harvard study.

First it starts at the atomic level, then the molecular level, then the cellular level and so on until it surfaces.

3 Areas of Stress
By stress, I don't just mean the type that happens when you don't do your homework. So, let's look at the three areas of stress: physical, chemical and emotional/mental. These are fairly self-explanatory, but a few thoughts.... First off, some stress only applies to one area, but others overlap multiple areas. Some even cause chain-reactions; for eaxmple, emotional stress at work causing you to not sleep and physically not being able to have the energy needed for the next day's work. (bummer cycle, huh?) Also, chemical stress is related to any type of toxins (air we breath, pesticides on our food, ingredients in products we use, etc.). So those are the different types of stress.

5 Key Systems
Ok, next to the systems of your body that get affected by stress, so we can see what we need to do to address them. Don't get me wrong after reading this though...our bodies are not super fragile. God gave them to us as beautiful, resilient temples for our divine spirits. Yet...if we don't pay attention to how we handle stress, then our bodies can become very fragile! And by the way, there is no particular order for most of these systems, except the first two are generally the most important.

1. Nerves - this is the most important system of your body because it runs everything and send messages to your brain and back! If this gets in trouble, then it starts to break down other areas.
2. Hormones (Endocrine) - If these get off, lots of other things get off. Why? Because Nerves communicate to your hormones via electrical, while hormones communicate via chemical. If toxins interfere with this basic communication, then your body gets confused and can't regulate your body's processes for life. I would say adrenal and thyroid in particular are frequent culprits of other problems, but there are all the others. You can take these simple tests if you want to see which of your hormones is off...or look at this graphic below.

3. Digestion - The muddled communication between nerves and hormones does damage to your digestion too. Or damage comes by eating the wrong foods or by eating too quickly or all sorts of other things!
4. Detox - Our bodies need to purge bad and input good. So we need to detox. The basic detox organs are the following: liver, lungs, kidney, gut, skin. IF any of these are out of whack, then there's build-up. So you might need to figure out which one is out and go to it/
5. Structure - Then there's out physical structure. All the nerves go through the spine and out to the appendages and such. If our spine is our of whack, then certain nerves can be pinched and causing problems we might not know can be detected in the spine. This is why chiropractors can be helpful. My chiropractor can tell what it out of alignment when we have a cold. HE even knew my baby had a diaper rash by her spine mis-alignment (which is called a subluxation).


7 Pillars to Wellness
So, it might be useful to look at your life in this idea of seven pillars to keep your framework happy and healthy...

Think Well - control your thoughts and mind. Don't let worry overcome you to despair. Faith and hope really go far in having a happy life. Make the best of what you have--what you can. Be positive. No one wants to be with someone who whines all the time and it wears on people! Trust that things will work out for the best. Limiting thoughts and judgments about yourself or others could limit progression towards potential--both yours and theirs.

Drink Well - drink regularly. Our body is like 70% water or something and that regulates our systems. A little lemon juice in your room-temperature water first thing when you wake up (30 mins before eating) will start your digestive system going strong. And if you feel dehydrated, you've already waited too long to drink. How much? I  just focus on at least getting 8 cups a day, but the more the merrier (esp. when hot outside or if more physically active or a larger male or something).


Eat Well - See our health blog for more info, but basically whole foods, minimally processed is the way to go.

Sleep Well - adults need 7-9 hours generally. If you get 4 hours of sleep, then your cells literally think you're getting older (at a faster rate) and can't regenerate as quickly as they should--less efficient.

Move Well - life is movement. Even sitting in an office all day is physical stress, because our bodies are made to more. get up and walk. Even just going from the sitting to standing position is one of the most important moves you can do (research has been done on it)

Love Well - think about your different roles and relationships. which need strengthening? work on one.

Play Well - we need to listen to our inner-child sometimes. laugh a little! Or a lot! Take some time to enjoy the moment and release from responsibility stressors in good and fun ways.

7 Principles for Health

I attended the 2013 LDS Holistic Living Conference this last weekend as a room host--volunteer. I loved the experience! I was able to be a host for a few speakers. One of which was Don Tolman. He goes all over the world teaching about how to live healthy, without medications, but with whole foods and wisdom. He believes in Self-care and self-education...not listening to government-given standards and rules, but listening to your body and practicing judgement, and seeking God and the good in ways to improve. He gave us a list of seven principles for good health.

7 Principles of Health

1. air - clean, fresh, moving air becomes electrified which your body can then use to give us energy. Take deep breaths in the nose, emptying out the belly and then breathed out through the mouth.
2. water - as a conductor of electrical current it goes hand in hand with air.  It is the liquid building block that makes up 70% of our bodies. Every day, drink 1 qt for every 50lbs you weigh. It's great to drink a quart each morning first thing (with lemon juice) a half hour or more before you eat to get your digestion going.
3. sunshine - just like plants and other living organisms on this earth our bodies require sunshine to grow, develop, repair and regenerate. This gives you vitamin D and energy.
4. movement - our Immune and Lymphatic systems which protect our bodies by cleaning our blood and cells are only stimulated by movement. Life should be movement. Don't sit still too long. take a break every hour at least. And walk at least 30 minutes a day and minimum movement.
5. whole foods - eat whole foods, minimally processed. These are non-processed. Stay away from refined, hydrogenated and fake foods. If you can eat 60% fruits and vegetables a day, you're doing well. Try to make it 80%!
6. healthy relationships - harmonious, loving relationships in our personal, business and social lives including with our pets are extremely important. Take time to nourish those.
7. passion - if you find your passion you will love life more and you will be around to love it longer!  It gives us vibrancy and energy. If you don't know where to start, get on your knees and pray for direction. Then get to your feet and be okay reaching out to try new paths. Everyone has something to offer--find your passion and offering to give the world to be a better place.

Framed Dry-Erase Love Note

Paul had a rough day recently, so I decided to make something I've been meaning to make for a long time. (it just took this rough day to make me decide it was a priority)

The answer...? 
A framed picture for dry erase love notes. 

It's a great idea and you can use whatever you want as the picture inside. It is simply and old frame with glass inside. I then just found a picture online and tweaked it. It was a white tree on blue background with different initials on it, but I wanted lots of white space for a short love note, so I made a brown tree on white/plain paper and put our initials in the tree instead. Then I added "...love you always" in the bottom right corner. It helps to know how to edit on the computer to do this...but it not, just make something simple in a word document and print it and cut and place inside the fame behind the glass. (Originally I was just going to put a little clip art of two love birds or a heart stamp or something, until I found this other graphic to tweak)
Then write using dry erase markers on the glass. :) I put it in our bedroom so we see it regularly...and it matches our wedding colors (and lifetime favorite colors it seems). And it helps me remember to take time and leave love notes.

If anyone wants this one, I can edit the colors, initials, size and phrase for you if you send me what you want. As long as you aren't super picky and take hours of my time. :P

Keep lovin'...and remember to celebrate each other. It's important to continually "date" and leave notes for each other.

Holistic Approach for Fibromyalgia

Article from http://www.wholesomeone.com/condition/fibromyalgia

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that overall is characterized by diffuse pain and overwhelming fatigue that can be debilitating. There are several characteristics of the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). They can include:

• Significant joint and muscle pain. Health professionals have identified “trigger points” that are present throughout the body that can elicit pain in particular areas when mild pressure is applied. The affected person with FMS can complain of pain all over the body.
• Significant fatigue, especially with moderate physical exertion. Some people report requiring days to recover from what some may consider to be only mild physical exertion.
• The person can complain of being unable to get a good night’s sleep.
• The person may complain of frequent headaches and may also suffer from depression
• Recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation which may be due to associated Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

 

What causes Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)?

The specific cause of fibromyalgia is not known; however, the development of FMS has been typically thought to occur after a significant “stressor.” The stressor may involve a recent illness, including any recent physical or psychological trauma. For some people, the stressor can be as simple as taking an antibiotic that can alter the bowel flora and precipitate a flare of FMS. The role of Candida overgrowth needs to be considered as a significant contributor to the development of FMS.

There has been a lot of research done on the pain receptors in the body. These receptors may do more than just modulate pain; they may also have a role in the development of FMS but also autoimmune diseases/rheumatologic syndromes. 

 

Is Fibromyalgia Syndrome an autoimmune condition?

No, Fibromyalgia Syndrome is NOT an autoimmune condition. Note, however, that FMS may occur on its own but can also occur in the presence of other autoimmune diseases. 

 

What other medical conditions are associated with FMS?

Fibromyalgia can be strongly associated with many other conditions. They can include:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Adrenal Fatigue (There is a very close relationship with this condition)
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease  (GERD)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Interstitial cystitis (IC)

 

What are the conventional treatments for FMS?

The conventional treatments for FMS involve trying to lessen the pain and disability associated with this condition. Commonly prescribed medications include:

Pregabalin (Lyrica): This medication works by treating nerve and/or muscle pain and is indicated by the FDA for the treatment of FMS. This medication is usually dosed 75 mg twice a day with dose adjustments needing to be made if kidney disease is present. 

• Side effects can include lethargy, weakness, swelling and allergic reactions.

Duloxetine (Cymbalta): This is a medication also used for the treatment of pain, including nerve pain. It has been used in the treatment of depression as well. 

• Potential side effects can include drowsiness, easy bruising, decreased appetite and/or constipation.

Tricyclic antidepressants have also been used in the treatment of not only pain but also of depression.  Other antidepressants, including Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Sertraline (Zoloft), have also been studied not only for the treatment of depression but also for pain with fibromyalgia. 

• The medications can have what is called “anticholinergic” side effects which can include dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention.

 

Developing a Holistic Treatment Plan for Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)

The treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) involves an integrative treatment plan that involves treating mind, body, and spirit. Only using  prescription medications is simply not enough for the treatment of this condition. The treatment plan includes correcting nutrient deficiencies, treating pain and inflammation, searching for underlying causes of FMS, evaluating for hormonal imbalance, as well as treating the person so she can get a good night’s rest.

 

Getting a Holistic Based Evaluation

If you have fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), you need a detailed and personalized evaluation. This means looking for and identifying any causes of inflammation and potential infections, including Lyme disease. In addition, you should ask your healthcare provider about the following:

• Hormonal Analysis: Fibromyalgia can be associated with many hormonal imbalances, including decreased levels of the hormones by the adrenal gland (adrenal fatigue). These can include sex hormones. Low hormone levels can also contribute to fatigue and insomnia among others. 
• The testing mentioned above is a combination of blood, urine, and saliva testing.
• Testing for nutrient deficiencies and toxicities: There are some personalized profiles, including hair analysis that should be considered.

 

Nutritional Recommendations

Forming a solid nutritional plan is vital as those with FMS may be nutrient-depleted. The pain can be so debilitating that one may not feel like eating. It can be very difficult to eat three meals a day. If the food that one is eating is low in nutritional value and is high in Omega 6 content, this can promote further inflammation and pain. Without proper nutrition, your body will not be able to heal. Modifying your diet and supplementation of the correct nutrient deficiencies are key in the treatment of FMS. Your diet should have high antioxidant and high nutritional value. 

 

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

A diet that is plant-based in nature and emphasizes fruits and vegetables and whole grains is necessary in the treatment of fibromyalgia. You want to as much as possible eliminate refined foods from your diet. Be aware of any food sensitivities that you may have that can exacerbate underlying inflammation and pain. Any food has the ability to stimulate an inflammatory response. One of the most common examples of this is gluten in celiac disease. On an anti-inflammatory diet, all possible sources of food sensitivities are eliminated and then reintroduced one at a time.

• Another way is to have your blood tested for food sensitivities.
• Be aware that different foods, even among fruits and vegetables, can have different degrees of inflammation. There is a great site at www.nutritiondata.comthat has an  inflammatory index that can tell you the inflammatory power of the foods that you are eating. You want to focus on foods that have a high anti-inflammatory index.

Other Nutritional Recommendations:

• Stay away from sugar: Sugar can be a potent source of inflammation. Eliminate this from your diet, and you can see a change in how you feel as well.  Sugar can also promote Candida overgrowth in the intestine which stimulates an inflammatory response via mycotoxins.
• Juicing in the morning is a great way to start the morning and get a great anti-oxidant kick to start your day.

Promoting Intestinal Health:

You read about the connection between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). Maintaining a healthy intestinal tract reduces total body inflammation and is very important in the treatment of FMS. This aspect in the treatment of FMS is not emphasized enough. The microflora of the intestinal tract plays such an important role in the modulation of the immune system. Altered gut flora can play a major role in your ability to absorb nutrients, and it can contribute to fungal overgrowth. 

 

Probiotics: These should be a mainstay in any inflammatory condition. They can normalize the bowel flora and replace the bad bacteria with the good intestinal microflora. Studies specific to their benefits in FMS have been mixed, but they do have an effect on immune system modulation and are often included in any anti-inflammatory regimen. In one review article from the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, the use of probiotics provided adequate relief in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant IBS.

 

Digestive enzymes: Consider the use digestive enzymes to help digest food completely which helps in absorption. The ability to maximally absorb nutrients can be affected in those with chronic inflammation. 

 

Fiber: Don’t forget the importance of including fiber in your nutrition program. Not only is it  vital for overall bowel health but it can also “bind up” toxins in the intestine and help eliminate them from the body.

 

Supplementing Naturally

There are different supplements that have a role in the treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Supplements can help increase energy to the cell and the body, reduce pain and inflammation, help you get a good night’s sleep, and provide nutritional value. 

 

Supplements that Boost Energy to the Cell

D-ribose: There are studies concerning fibromyalgia that tout the energy boost of D-ribose. D-ribose increases the energy to all of the cells of the body, especially the muscle cells. Supplementing with D-ribose can provide your heart with the energy boost that it needs.  

• D-ribose commonly comes in capsule or powdered form. The powdered form is preferred as you can add it to your morning drink.
• The recommended starting dose is 2500 mg. Increase by 2500 mg every few weeks to reach a maximum dose of 10,000 mg. 
• Even though ribose is a “sugar” it will not raise blood glucose levels. Higher doses than 10,000 mg can cause diarrheal symptoms in some people. 

 

Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone): Replacement of this antioxidant can help improve fibromyalgia symptoms. It has been reported that those with fibromyalgia as well as other chronic illnesses can have lower than normal levels of ubiquinone in the body. 

• Begin with low doses at 50-100 mg daily and increase to twice a day after several weeks. Smaller doses taken during the day maximizes its absorption. 
• As ubiquinone can lower blood pressure, you need to closely monitor your blood pressure. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood glucose levels as ubiquinone can lower blood glucose levels as well.  

Supplements that Help Boost Nutrition:

Magnesium: The role of low magnesium levels in the body and its importance in inflammation, pain, and fatigue is being researched. In one review article, the authors noted lower levels of zinc and magnesium than in the control groups. Magnesium supplementation is necessary to help counteract the fatigue and pain associated with fibromyalgia. Certain medications, such as diuretics, can lower your magnesium levels. There are several ways to increase your magnesium intake:

• Increase the amount of leafy green vegetables, seeds (sunflower and sesame for example) and nuts (almonds and Brazil nuts for example) which contain a lot of magnesium. You should strive to at least consume 600-800 mg a day. 
• If needed, magnesium can also be supplemented either orally or in a gel or oil formulation applied directly to the skin. Chelated magnesium is a form of magnesium taken orally without the heavy metals. This can be started once a day and increased to twice a day for a total dose of 400-600 mg. Note that very high doses of magnesium can cause diarrhea. Magnesium Malate is a form of magnesium that is very well absorbed.
• An alternative is to apply Magnesium gel or oil to your skin once or twice daily. If you have been told that you have kidney problems, you may need to have blood levels of your magnesium level followed and limit your magnesium intake.

Vitamin D: The role of Vitamin D deficiency in the development of fibromyalgia is being evaluated; however, in one research article it was noted that in evaluating over seventy-five patients who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, over two-thirds had low or low-normal Vitamin D levels. The authors of this study also noted that occurred very frequently in those patients with depression and anxiety. Don’t forget that Vitamin D supplementation is vital for your overall bone and muscle health. 

• Ask your healthcare provider to measure a Vitamin D level, which is a simple blood test.
• Begin Vitamin D3 at 1000 Units daily with food. Because it is a fat soluble vitamin, it is better absorbed with food. 

Vitamin C: Remember that Vitamin C is an antioxidant; in terms of cellular health, because it is an electron donor, it helps to reduce oxidative stress and keep the cells in a reduced or natural state. We think that supplementation with Vitamin C may be beneficial. In one small study, 12 individuals with fibromyalgia were given a combination of 100 mg of Vitamin C and broccoli powder. They were closely followed over a period of one month. By the end of the month the participants in the trial reported an improved quality of life and reduced sensitivity to pain. Deficiency of this vitamin can directly impact adrenal health, and FMS can cause a lot of stress on the adrenal glands and is strongly associated with the development of adrenal fatigue, which is strongly associated with Fibromyalgia Syndrome. 

• The ester form of Vitamin C is better absorbed than other formulations.
• Vitamin C at a dose of 2000 mg a day is a good starting dose.

Supplements that Relieve Pain and Inflammation:

Bioflavonoids: Good antioxidant support is vital in the treatment of Fibromyalgia. Bioflavonoids are excellent antioxidants that can relieve pain and inflammation. Bioflavonoids that have been studied in the treatment of fibromyalgia include turmeric and quercetin. Quercetin may be especially effective as it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties.

• Turmeric can be taken as a 400 mg capsule daily or as a powder that can be sprinkled on each meal.
• Quercetin can be taken as a capsule. Usual starting dose is 500 mg a day.

Wobenzym N: This is an enzyme supplement that is used in the treatment of inflammation and pain. Enzymes in this supplement include bromelain (from pineapple) and papain (from papaya). 

• If you have allergies to pineapples or papaya, do not take this supplement.
• It is best taken on an empty stomach; be aware that you may need to take 6-12 tablets a day for an inflammatory response.

Morinda citrifolia (Noni): This is a tropical plant from East Asia that has been used for many years. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help in the treatment of pain. 

• Noni can come in capsule or juice form. If you take the juice form, begin at 1 ounce twice a day and increase slowly to 4-6 oz a day.
• Some forms of Noni can have a high potassium content so if you have kidney disease you need to be mindful of this.
• Extremely high doses of this may have an adverse effect on the liver, although this is controversial. The several ounces a day that we mention here is very low dosage of this supplement. 

Supplements That Can Help You Get a Good Night’s Sleep:

Melatonin: Melatonin is a natural hormone that is helpful in helping you achieve a good night’s sleep. In those with FMS, one research article points out that melatonin levels are lower at night when sleeping compared to someone who does not have fibromyalgia. Supplementation with melatonin may also help pain in addition to improving the quality of sleep. 

• Start at low doses of 1-2 mg each night before going to sleep each night and increase slowly. 

Valerian root: This is an herb that can help you get a good night’s rest. There have been several studies examining the efficacy of valerian root in the treatment of insomnia. In one review, the authors concluded that while further study was needed, valerian root seemed to able to improve the quality of sleep without experiencing any significant side effects. 

 

Carefully Developing an Exercise Program

You need to be very careful when designing an exercise program. Strenuous activity and/or high intensity exercise can actually be counterproductive in someone with fibromyalgia. This does not mean that you will not be able to tolerate any and all exercise regimens. It means that you need to be careful, start slowly, and find out what your own limits are and increase very slowly and carefully. Meditative-based exercises can be very beneficial for someone with fibromyalgia.

• Yoga: Yoga is a great way to increase muscle endurance and flexibility. It is important to start slowly and work with a certified instructor to learn the right way to do each exercise. Yoga is especially effective if started in the early stages of this condition.
• Tai chi is another great meditative-based exercise that should be incorporated into your regimen.
• Muscle Resistance Training: Whether you are using free weights or machines, you need to start with very low weight and lower repetitions. You need to know your limits. A good rule of thumb is to exercise until you begin to experience mild fatigue, but don’t push beyond that point. If you do, again, it can be counterproductive and you can feel worse the next day.
• In addition to the exercise regimen mentioned above, you should also consider seeing someone who is holistically trained in helping you regain more function and flexibility. This can include seeing a structural integration specialist, chiropractor, and/or specialist in osteopathic manipulation. In general, gentle myofasical/massage techniques are preferred as again you may not be able to tolerate a deep massage.

 

Being Mindful and Spiritual

An important aspect of healing with fibromyalgia is recognizing the connection between mind, body and spirit. The mental and emotional aspects of treatment cannot be ignored. 

• Daily meditation is vital to calm the mind and body.
• Daily prayer can help relax the mind and body.
• FMS is often associated with trauma, especially emotional trauma. Helping one to recover from emotional trauma is essential to recovery. Talking with a counselor or advisor can be very helpful.
• The role of family and friend support cannot be emphasized enough.

 

References 

• Armstrong DJ, Meenagh GK et al. “Vitamin D deficiency is associated with anxiety and depression in fibromyalgia.” Clinical Rheumatology. 2007 Apr;26(4):551-4.

3rd Annual Earth Day event: Making Your House a Homestead

We just celebrated our third annual annual Earth Day event. The 2013 theme was "Making Your House a Homestead" and was at my House--Harvest Haven. And this year it was a family event! Though the rain threatened, we still had a great turnout.

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FOOD STORAGE/EMERGENCY PREP 101
We started at my house and while we waited for everyone to arrive, we talked food storage 101 and handed out a survey on general emergency preparedness, so people could see where they were at. On that handout was also 12 steps from BeReadyUtah.org for ideas to get started--awesome FHE ideas for emergency prep. We also had a list of recommended food storage amounts for one adult in basic staples (grains, beans, oils/fats, sweeteners, etc. and an example of mine downstairs.

Paul showed them his newly built shelves in our cold storage. This was just a short intro and a few steps for those interested. And we talked a little about the variety of grains too, besides just wheat and oats.

BACKYARD PETS 101: Bees and Chickens

Jared shows us his chicken coop and talks about the ins and outs of owning chickens. Then he talks about bees 101--super interesting! I know a lot of the men came to hear that.

Jared's cute wife Tamara brought out a little honey bear of their real, raw honey for everyone to take home, and a little "honeycomb" treat she made (not real honeycomb, which is beeswax). I swear it tasted just like the British crunchies candy bar!

I interrupted a lot...luckily i had liberty too, right? It was my Earth Day event and the goal was to help people see where and how to start with these things, if they want to take the next step. And I had Paul share his experience with Jared trying to find the new queen bee at our neighbor's house, when the old hive of bees split off and formed a new one across from our house. Paul got to scoop the bees up in his hand and flick them off...so easily, without gloves or a suit or anything. Bees can be so tame and not always as scary as we think--it was quite eye-opening.
Thanks Jared and Tamara for an awesome backyard pets segment of our Earth day!

PRUNING 101
Next, we walked a few houses down to Sahms beautiful backyard retreat! IT was raining, so we didn't stay long and enjoy their playset or bball court. But we saw their 12 fruit tree orchard and Paul gave some pruning tips (he's a good sport to jump in and do random things like this for me, and he likes it too)...which he continued at our house, along the side, while others were filtering back into the house for treats.

Half of the kids stayed in our basement watching a movie or coloring some Earth day coloring pages, while the other half went around to see the bees and chickens (or should I say the playsets and trampolines). :)

Charise's daughter Rachel babysat all the kids who stayed at the house. Thank you!!

But then everyone came back to the house and ate the yummy snacks everyone brought. Chips and blackbean, corn salsa, gluten-free sweet chili rice chips, blue corn chips; rice krispie treats, strawberries dipped in sour cream and brown sugar, cantaloupe, edamame, etc.

And of course, my Earthday jello was forgotten in the fridge. Whoops. But Ethan and I are enjoying it: mixed berry, coconut, lime (inspiration from Mom, who did a July 4th one like that--and yes, the coconut milk and gelatin layer is homemade and healthy--no sugar or artificial ingredients!).

SQUARE FOOT GARDENING 101
At the very end I just gave a short intro I gave in our living room, with a handout on it (as well as composting). A few people were really interested and listened, while everyone else just finished eating. I had a prize, but we ran low on time, so it was awarded to Wendy Hallstrom who showed a great enthusiam for getting her yard and garden together this year...so she will need them: a pair of gardening gloves and packet of Nasturtium seeds to plant those flowers among her vegetables--to help deter bugs (like Marigolds).

If anyone is interested in any of those handouts, just let me know and I can send you the digital copies. I will be getting Jared's Bees and Chicken handouts too.

Stevie took this photo of Ethan... (this is what he would've worn, had it been sunny outside)

So....thanks again for all those troopers who made it out--and in the rain too! IT was a fun, educational morning. And my brother was in town too and good to have him there as well.

Next year will be even greater, so get prepared. :) It might be for families again...and if it's sunny, I already have some great ideas for fun kids earth day activities!

Homemade Lotion Bar

So...I have tried a few homemade lotions and it is hard to get exact measurements when you buy in bulk. So I sometimes don't get the exact consistency for a lotion that I put in a jar. And they frequently look slimy. Not appealing, I know. But...I finally found a homemade version that makes sense! A bar!  I know...lotion as a bar?

Granted...this isn't a good facial lotion because it may clog pores, but I use it on my kids and on my hands and such. I just rub it on my skin and it kind of just glides on perfectly. But even better than that is what I have been looking for in most of my homemade versions of things. The recipe is simple and only needs a few common ingredients--from wellnessmama.com.

If you are going to be making your own bathroom products, these are all items you should have on hand in bulk. Just add them all in equal parts. Here is an example for six thin bars.
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1/3 c coconut oil
1/3 c beeswax
1/3 c Shea or cocoa butter (I use Shea, but it is more stinky)
Essential oils (optional: i do about 15 drops. Lavender is the best for children and basic needs and skin healing. Tea trea for cleansing.)

Place the first three oils in a glass jar and put into a pan with water.
Then melt all in the jar.
Once melted, add the essential oils if you chose. And pour...divided into six muffin tin molds.
Let cool, then pop out and enjoy!

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You can use a double boiler, but it is messy once done...with all the melted waxy, oily things, so i prefer the glass jar. I did a lavender one for my kids. A lavender, tea tree, peppermint, rosemary one for me. And a spearmint, tea tree, lemon eucalyptus, cedar wood for my hubby (he doesn't generally need lotion, but it is to rub on his chest for sinus and congestion stuff). That is the fun part...mix and mingle the essential oils to your liking for whatever purpose you and your family need. They each can have their own bar. If I were really cool I would add some natural food coloring tints to them each so they looked different....like turmeric or beet juice. But...that is way too much work; and the lotion bars, on the other hand, weren't. So enjoy!

Homemade Deodorant

Paul and I haven't been using typical store-bought deodorant for a few years now. We didn't like the anti-perspirant and aluminum problems. Our bodies are meant to sweat, and who are we to force it not to? So...we have tried a few natural brand deodorants and the "crystal."

But now...I am happy to share our homemade version that is great and I love the smell!

1/3 c coconut oil

1/3 c arrowroot (this is a cornstarch alt.)

2 T baking soda

10 drops essential oil (we love grapefruit for the smell, but lemon would be antibacterial)

Just use a fork to mix it all together and store in a little glass jar. 

When you want to use it, just dig out a little with your fingers and smear it on under your arms.

Yeah...not the most ideal, but it smells so good and isn't as messy as it sounds. I will keep playing with it, to see if we can get it hard enough to put in a deodorant container to rub on, but until then, this works just fine.

Happy deodorizing (remember, this isn't an anti-perspirant, but it keeps the smell under control)!