Hey, have you seen my brain? What God wants is...

I want to thank everyone for there questions and concerns regarding my health. I know many of you are concerned and have many questions still unanswered. I pray I can bring better understanding to you today.

But before we being I wanted to share a song with you that I pray will help you understand how I see my new found sickness. This is an important part of what I am blogging about so please download it and listen/watch it first...then read on.

"Jesus Bring the Rain"


This is sort of my way of doing a Q and A with you.

Well I am on a diet. Not a diet to lose weight (though I pray that is something that will happen:-) I am on a diet to rid my body of toxins.

What toxins?

Well first Candida.

Candida?

Candida is a yeast that everyone has. But for some reason- more than likely all the junk I ate my whole life-my body has allowed the candida to get out of hand. And what would be a normal amount of yeast in my body...is now wreaking havoc on me.

How do you know you have candida?

Well this is gross but I have thrush in my mouth, I have pleurisy (for almost a year now), I get yeast infections with EVERY period, serious brain fog, just to name a few.

How do I get rid of this?

Well unfortunately once candida has left your gut and is everywhere the only real way to get rid of it is to starve it to death.

What does Candida eat?

Sugar, gluten, and anything like sugar...such as fruit, starchy veggies, etc.

I am also doing this diet because my body is possibly killing itself! I have not been truly diagnosed yet (doctor's visit is not until July) but it looks like I have some sort of auto immune disorder where my body is attacking itself and causing my muscles to twitch, vibrate, and stiffen. That and the endless brain fog, and exhaustion.

What disorder is that?

Well I am totally speculating here but it looks like Multiple Sclerosis. Just for the record M.S. is where the body attacks two things, #1 it attacks the coating (this is like black electrical tape wrapping an electrical system) of your central nervous system (this is like the wires of your electrical system). When the black tape is gone the electrical system starts to short circuit. and #2 it also allows cells (the cells that normally fight infection) into the brain where they attack the brain. This can be pretty bad especially later in the disorder. From all I have read, it looks like this disorder could also be linked to my poor food choices, i.e. huge amounts cola, sugared coffee, fast food, preservatives, etc.

Lots of people eat those things why doesn't everyone have this disorder?

Well that is a good question, it seems that some people have gene pools that make them more susceptible to disorders than others. There are more factors than I like to speculate on but genetics is probably a big answer to that. Also many people probably have issues that are caused by poor diet...they just don't know it.

But M.S. is not curable right?

Well that is what the medical community says, but I think it's at least naturally treatable...I won't say curable...but from all I have read if caught early enough it can be treated enough so that you don't ever see symptoms again.

What treatment would that be?

Well for one the diet I am on(for the record I am not on the full diet yet I get to that later) This diet mostly consists of eating all natural foods. NO sugar, NO gluten, NO milk, NO preservatives, etc. Eating organic as well will help. To read more on the diet go here.

I also had a hair analysis. You see my blood work, urine, and x-rays were all coming back normal even though my body was saying...YOUR NOT NORMAL! But I found with a hair analysis it sees what those test can't see. Those results helped me to see what herbs and supplements I should take to help regulate myself. It also helped me see that certain foods that I thought were on my 'can have' part of my diet are now 'can't have' due to my metabolism type and what my body is not ridding itself of (calcium and magnesium) or is ridding too much of(phosphorus). It's a long story so lets just say it helped me see how to best use my diet/supplements for the best benefits.

Soon I will see a doctor and he will help me determine if it is indeed what I think it is, M.S. He will also help get me on some supplements, and see me on my way to living a normal life again.

Why are you sharing this with us?

Because I think God wants me to share with others that what you put into your mouth, does matter. Don't get me wrong a diet soda here, and a piece of cake there...is not so much my concern. What I think God wants me to show others is that when we eat we should always be thoughtful to what it is, how much, and how often. He also want's me to share that food can make you sick and eating foods he made are so much better.

If you look at history (a great book to get on what cultures have eaten is Nourishing Traditions) their diets tell us a lot about health and nutrition. It is amazing that cultures with no understanding of the science behind it eat so much better than our culture where we know the science.

I want to emphasize I am not saying nor advocating a strict diet of any particular food. I am only wanting to stress that you pray and weigh in your prayers to the Lord your desire to take care of the temple He gave you. He will guide you.

Love,
Faith

P.S. if you want to continue on I will tell you how this all got started...in short form;-)

*Seriously odd behavior at the end of my last pregnancy(now 4 years ago) mild depression
*mild postpartum depression for 8 months after birth of baby-lack of desire for anything
*brain fog-way more than usual
*lack of caring about anything-not depressed
*came home from binging trip 2 years after birth of baby from GA with lump in throat...thought cancer...found out just reflux
*muscle cramps in legs a few weeks later-thought calcium/magnesium issues took supplements got worse plus now I had weird vibrations in chest
*went to doctor took x-rays tested my cal/mag...said nada and sent me on my way
*did this again a few days later...said nada and sent me on my way
* few weeks later sharp pain in my chest when I would breath, urgent care visit later (plus another e-ray diagnosis: pleurisy
* Got sick had to take antibiotics (because of my husbands chemo treatments) started to get yeast infections and thrush in mouth
*vibrations getting stronger plus other issues got online and realized my symptoms were from candida
* Did not due much to find out what the vibrations were because of my husband health issues...put it on the back burner for a long time
*finally had enough went to doctor with a list of my issues he put me on a heart monitor
*lady did not put monitor on right and before I was able to go back and do it again the vibrations moved to my right arm and leg also
* doctor did lupus test-normal
*doctor sent me to neurologist...but I wanted to see someone who worked naturally to fix this issue so I asked a friend to give me the name of her doctor
*He said must wait until July but a hair analysis and supplements recommended from that analysis would be a great start
*muscles went from vibrating to also twitching all muscles even large ones
* Started my diet
* Got hair analysis test back and realized a lot of the foods I was eating while healthy were not good for some of my problems.
*currently waiting for doctors visit.

New Years and Homeschoolingish News

Don't you just love a NEW YEAR. It's hope of a new start, to reflect on the wonderful and crazy past and to move away from bad habits. My New Years Resolutions are my favorite time of the year. Three years ago I always loved to sit down and make my list and I ALWAYS stuck to it-I miss the old me(sigh). But then I had my second child...and all was lost. I have spent the past 3 years trying to gain my life back by get closer to the Lord and in doing so I am starting to see the light of day. It's amazing what hormones and lack of Faith can do to you! I don't mean lack of Faith in the Lord I mean lack of Faith in myself. Bad thoughts bring bad habits that bring bad thoughts...on and on! NO MORE! I love when I tell myself to be happy...I generally am! This past year has brought me to such a closer walk with the Lord, and a new joy with my family. So here are my New Years Resolutions:

#1-To always try and walk joyfully closer to the Lord, Jesus Christ! and in doing that I must:
#2-Love and OBEY my husband in all things-no more back talk...it's just so hard!
#3-Cherish my children-no more "in a minute" while I do something so worthless
#4-Serve others-I like the appeal of saying we are doing missionaryish work...why not in my own back yard?
#5-Prepare my home for easy maintenance!
#6-To be frugal in my meal planning and Have dinner ready EVERY NIGHT!
#7-Eat much smaller servings (don't fret over NOT having an occasional latte-instead have a small coffee cup size instead of a QUART size...I know sad huh?)
#8-Work out everyday by playing with my children and 20min on tread mill. My prayer is that by doing #7 and #8 I will lose the 30 pounds I put on 3 years ago my goal is to be 30lbs lighter by April 26th 2009!
#9-Get school done 4 hours a day 4 days a week-God must be in all the lessons-even Math
#10-Not spend so much time on this computer (no more than 1 hour a day of personal time)


In really interestingly other news I wanted to share with you a video going around in homeschool circles. It's just a bit of information that I think everyone should look at, even if you don't plan on Homeschooling. This is a big reason why we homeschool.

Love Always,
Latte

savings/diet/and such

Lets start with the such...I love this ladies blog! Every time I read it I get a lovely laugh...I want to be as comical as she is, it's great therapy!!! I also wanted to let everyone know we will be starting school in September and I am getting excited again. We are so behind this year with my husband being sick but it does not bother me too much we have years to catch up.

Next savings...I went shopping again. Normally I do this on Friday's but this week we had to be out on Monday so I got some of it out of the way, it will give me more time on Friday to read blogs...tee he.

Okay first I love CVS, you buy certain items they give you coupons for anything on your next visit, you buy use your coupons + ad your Sunday coupons, and get their items on sale and the savings are huge!!!! Okay I will show ya!

Last week I went to CVS and paid 26.76 for these items but the store gave me 27.77 in coupons for my next visit. So this week I got:

Excedrin PM had a Sunday paper clipping (spc) coupon and paid 1.79
Crest Whitening toothpaste had spc and got it for .24 cents after 1.50 coupon for next visit
2 Crest Pro Health toothpaste had a spc and got it for .49 after 1.50 coupon for next visit
Oral B Advantage toothbrush had a spc and got it for FREE after 1.50 coupon for next visit
2 Bic whiteout had spc got it for .50ea
Dawn dish soap-lavendar and Jasmine YUM had spc got it for .38 cents
2 Sure Deodorant had spc got them for FREE
2 Covergirl makeup had spc got them for FREE
2 post cereals had spc got them for 1.65ea
Shick Razor kit 3.99 (this was a rain check item from last week)

My total would have been for all of the items (all were on sale) 36.17 But with my spc coupons the total came out to 20.03 then I used my store coupons from last week's purchases (all but a 9.99 one) and had 2.25 to pay in cash. But I got a 4.50 store coupon back and a 2 dollar store coupon back. So on my next visit I will still have 16.49 in store coupons.

This Grocery Game is fun!

At Walgreens my purchase were:
2 Dawn Dish soap (yummy lavendar again!) spc+store coupon (sc) paid .49ea
1Walgreen's ammonia 64 oz on sale (just needed some) 1 dollar
Paper mate 10 pens sc paid .09
Penway erasers 15pk sc paid .09
paper clips 100pk sc paid .19
wooden ruler sc paid .19
index cards 100pk sc paid .19
scrubbing bubbles cleaner 16oz sc+spc paid1.25
Glade candle 4 oz sc+spc FREE
XLVacuum Travel Bag (the ones that suck the air out of the bag of clothes) FREE after rebate
L Vacuum Travel Bag FREE after rebate

My total would have been: 32.39 But after coupons and rebates I will pay: $3.98!!!!!! Can you believe that!!!!!Hold on I want to do the math again to see if I got that right, yep I got it right!!!!! So everything I listed above for Walgreens came to $3.98!!! I am super stoked about that!

Hope you enjoy this game as much as I do!!! So to recap I got this:

and this:

for a total of $6.23!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus I have over $16 dollars left to spend at CVS!!!! Try doing that at the dollar store!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh oops that video my son got on sale for .99 cents.

Okay weight loss, I did not lose any weight, I did not diet very well and I did not exercise at all! So no update this week...sad. I will try harder this week on working out because I am trying to dieting and even though I am not that good it's better than I was and yet the weight is still not coming of so...

Latte

Weight Loss Week 2

Okay let me tell you...I was bad this week. I only did my work out 2 times!!!! I did not avoid sugar like I should have!!! I also did not drink enough water, though I did do well to add more water to my diet! Well I need to do a lot better this week!!! It is getting so close to my goal date of August 26th!!! Just so ya know I made a pack with myself before I turned 30 that I would lose this baby weight so I have until the 26th to make that deadline. So today I am starting my fast again. Only fruits and veggies most of the week with the protein at the end....I will probably add some small amounts of protein each day to curb the light headedness. I think fasting is so good for your body...I think God knew that, or better yet he made it that way on purpose! Well anywho!

My Goal weight : 125
My Start weight : 155
My 1st wk weight: 151



And this week...no drum roll please

My 2nd wk weight: 151.5

Okay so to recap I need to lose 26 more pounds in 4 1/2 weeks! That is about 6 pounds a week...boy oh boy it is sure going to be hard to reach my goal now...okay okay out with the latte's at least until the 27th! I want one on my birthday!!!!! So lets pray shall we cuz I'm super addicted to them!!!

My challenge this week:

No latte's (after I finish this one)
Water Water Water
Workout every day 2 miles in 30 minutes-broke into mini workouts
Cabbage Fast again with extra protein!
Do more stuff with the family that gets me movin!

I just need to remember this diet thing is only for a few short weeks and then I can go ahead and learn to eat normal healthy meals with super small treats.

Latte

Weight loss Challenge week 1

Okay so last week I did the diet for 5 days and then I got fed up. Not at the diet but I lost 5 pounds on day 2 and then on the morning of day 6 I still had only lost the 5 pounds. I thought what the @@#$@!!! So I said no more. I also COULD not work out because the detox made me way to light headed! I am anemic and if I don't get my protein I go kuku!!!

This week my challenge is:
*Drink lots of water at least 8 glasses a day!
*Jog 2 miles every day - 2 - 15 minute tread mill jogs
*Go for bike rides and walks w/the family
*Eat smaller meals!
*Try...try to cut back to one Latte a day or maybe two small ones
*No sugar or carbs (man made carbs like breads and pastas) other than the one latte

Okay my weight goal is 125 last week I my weight was:

155

and this week.................drum roll..............................

151!! So I lost 4 pounds!!! I actually gained 1 pound back after going off my diet..But I am glad for a four pound weight loss in one week...lets see if I can keep going!

To recap:

Start: 155
week 1: 151

Thanks to everyone for your encouragement! It means a lot. I also pray this helps you! Now I am off to clean that playroom!!! That will be a work out!!!

Latte

I am on a mission to lose a little weight before August 26th. I want to get down to my pre-pregnancy weight of 125! I know I like that weight, it's my healthy weight, and my dear husband liked that weight too =) So I am doing what This Lady did and posting my weight and goals each WEEK! I cant wait each week to see how well she did, heck it's just so much fun so then I though 'well how much more fun would it be to see how well I do each week!' Maybe that is an overstatement but I am up for the challenge.

Okay first my goals for this week:
30 minute workout each day - 2 - 15 minute 1 mile jogs
Cabbage soup detox...only I will be adding lattes =(

That is all, other than I want to be more willing to get up and chase my kids around instead of making them come to me.

Okay now my weight...well if you checked out the link above with what my fellow blog lady is doing you saw she posted a picture of her scale, okay okay so my scale is not as cool as hers but here is my pic and weight err....

So my current weight 155 and my goal is 125 so...I have 30 pounds to lose in 6 1/2 weeks! Thats 4.6 pounds that has to be lost each week! I pray that doing the detox the first week or two will help me lose more than that to start off with. Last time I did the detox I lost 12 pounds in 7 days, boy that sure would help.

Goal:125
Week 1: 155

Okay I am actually nervous to hit the add entry button to this post! I hate committing to anything anymore because I usually flake out due to the fact that it's so much weight! In years past it's always been about a 10 pound weight loss but now it's 30! I do pray I get in better shape! I also pray that my experience can help anyone else out there that suffers from being over weight/out of shape. And that it can help bring your body to an acceptable 'temple' weight, and or shape. So will you join me?

Latte