Reading lists

I'm a huge fan of books.  Maybe you didn't know that about me, or maybe you did and you're rolling your eyes at the obvious.  {You know you are.}

My bookshelf overflows with them, my PCs and phone are filled with e-books {some of which get printed b/c I *need* a hard copy too}, and I've just discovered why the Kindle is such a huge seller {thanks to the free Kindle app on my new phone}.

If you keep up with the lists in the sidebar, you'll notice they're both pretty long and they're about to get longer.

I've decided this weekend I simply must order a copy of Nourishing Traditions and The Body Ecology Diet.  Hard copy of course b/c I need to be able to share them with the hubby, and he's not getting my phone to read them on.  {Love you, baby!}

I've recently read Is Your Flour Wet?, an e-book by Kitchen Stewardship, and I'm really thinking there's something to the whole concept of soaking and fermenting grains. Now I need to know more. And I really really want to make a sourdough starter this weekend.  Even if I don't manage to get bread to bake right in this house, I can at least use it for biscuits or pancakes or tortillas.

Know what I really need though?  Enough time to read everything on my lists!

The dangers of fluoride poisoning

Manny and I have been saying for several months now that we strongly feel his medical problems are linked to fluoride poisoning. A lot of reading over the past few days has shown us that there is widespread documentation and scientific research that strongly links fluoride as a culprit to a number of illnesses, with Fibromyalgia itself being a severe form of fluoride poisoning.

Below are links to what we have found to be one of the best put together, easy to understand websites for causes, questions, historical background, and natural detox methods.

http://www.earthclinic.com/fluoride_questions_and_answers.php

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/fibromyalgia.html#cause

“…you really only need to know one thing about the connection between fluoride & fibromyalgia, and that is this: if fluoride is indeed the cause of your condition, you will see a dramatic improvement in your symptoms simply by minimizing your exposure to fluoride. In this way, you can not only prove or disprove the cause of your condition, but even potentially make yourself better at the very same time. “

Once thing that is of great interest to me is an emerging link between hypothyroidism, fluoride poisoning, and FM. Every time we visit his FM doctor, she tells Manny that his thyroid levels are good. His PCP says the same thing (and mine too) but still we both have many of the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism. There is some evidence that suggests the current levels used to identify hypothyroidism is much too high, which would also be supported by our own personal lab results as stated by our MDs. In addition, women need almost twice as much iodine as men. I’d almost guarantee that if Manny’s iodine levels are lacking, mine most definitively are! Ironically though, instead of treating hypothyroidism with iodine, physicians just prescribe more chemically-created medications. Since iodine can easily and safely be absorbed through the skin this is one thing we'll be trying.   Of added benefit, iodine also leeches fluoride and other heavy metals out of the body.

Anyone want to take guesses on how long before we feel better?

So what are the quickest ways to decrease fluoride intake? Go ahead and roll your eyes at me, because it’s the same thing we’ve been saying for months now, and with good reason.

• Stop using tap water – especially to cook! Two mg/L of fluoride is known to cause cancer in lab animals. EPA regulations call for 0.7-1.2 mg/L in water; La Porte’s 2009 water quality report indicates the highest sampling level at 0.92 mg/L.
• Switch to bottled spring water (make sure it says it’s actually sourced from a spring; Kroger’s is NOT, despite the label!) or water that was filtered using reverse osmosis for all drinking and cooking needs.
• Get a reverse osmosis water filter for your tap, your shower (you absorb fluoride through your skin too), and your fridge. R/O purification removes ~90% of fluoride from water.
• Invest in a multi-stage water purifier. (Berkey is a great brand used world-wide, and we will be investing in one w/ the fluoride filters and a showerhead just as soon as my tax refund comes in.)
• Fluoride doesn’t evaporate in cooking, it concentrates. 
• Avoid foods known to be high in fluoride: green & black tea, grapes/raisins, processed foods (esp. sodas, bottled juices, soups, etc.). 
• Shop organic and cook at home! Most commercial pesticides (which are typically not used in USDA certified organic food items) include some of the most toxic types of fluoride.
• Check the chemical makeup of your prescription drugs. Many current and common medications now contain fluoride. If the chemical makeup includes “FL” it’s probably fluoridated. This site gives a very detailed list of meds by drug category:http://www.slweb.org/ftrcfluorinatedpharm.html
• Change your dental products. Toss the fluoride-laden pastes, gels, washes, rinses, and flosses and find ones that are fluoride free. Tom’s of Maine makes a decent tasting no fluoride toothpaste, but we prefer the Desert Essence Tea Tree line. (Tea tree oil has incredible antimicrobial properties that can be used to treat just about everything and is a staple in our house – just don’t drink it.)
• Do your own research. Pray over this issue, asking God to grant you wisdom and knowledge of the truth as you read both “propaganda” and “conspiracy” sites. God started us on this path and continues to lead us to more in depth information with the obligation of sharing this information with those we can. Some of you can even attest that He started me on this path almost 1.5 years ago because I had to slowly become adjusted to the concepts and lifestyle I’ve now embraced wholeheartedly. LOL
• Spread the word. Tell others in your circle of influence, tell your doctors. Convince them they need to do their own research and take this seriously.

A few more interesting links

http://food.vegtalk.org/minerals/vegetables/fluoride.html: Some vegies, fruits and nuts have naturally occurring fluorine in them and there’s nothing we can do about that other than avoid them completely or at least make it a very-once-a-while food. Some foods are more susceptible to fluoride accumulation from the water and pesticides that are used. That salad spinner just made it to the top of my “must buy” list and *everything* is going to have to be washed first.

http://www.health-science.com/fluoride_toxicity.htm The body can clear up to 3mg/day of fluoride through urine and sweat. Levels of 20-40mg/day start to inhibit calcium absorption, and levels 40-70mg/day can cause heartburn and extremity pain.

Interesting link: http://www.fluoridealert.org/f-sources.htm Of particular note - Teflon is made with fluoride and leeches into cooked food.

Fit 4Faith

Another recent site I've stumbled upon (finding lots of those thanks to UBP11) is Julie's Fit 4Faith series on Come Have a Peace.  Although her challenge just ended, I've decided to incorporate it into my own lifestyle because it's a perfect fit.  :)

To start off, here's Julie's 24 Point Self Check for Fit 4Faith and my answers.

1. Do you often wake up and think, "I can't wait to go to bed tonight" or "I hope I can take a nap"?   Sometimes
2. When you hear how much water we should drink daily, do you count coffee, Diet Dr. Pepper ;) & tea?  Coffee yes, but I know it really shouldn't
3. Does your diet include all of the food groups, and not just in "shake" form?  Now it does, mostly anyway
4. Do you find yourself eating often from the "fast food" food group?  Not so much anymore.  Non-GMO and Organic doesn't mesh well with fast food.  LOL
5. Would you describe your breathing as deep and even, short and tight, or panting and panicked? If you answered the 2nd or 3rd ... go lay down! :)  Somewhere in between all those.  It's not deep, but it's not short and panting either, except when I'm exercising
6. When was the last time you had an hour to do something that rested your body, mind, and spirit?  Without having to deal with outside factors?  I don't even remember.
7. Look at your planner (do you use a planner?); when is the next time you see a time to rest? (You can't go into 2012. :) )  My calendar doesn't incorporate rest times
8. How many times in a month do you go for a walk? Shopping doesn't count. :)  Does walking around at work half the day count?
9. Have your tennis shoes lasted longer than two years? A decade?  My current pair is probably at least 6 months old. They only get worn evenings, Fridays, and weekends.
10. Would you describe your posture as strong and straight or tense and tight? Relax ... :)  Slouched and really bad
11.  Do you often eat while driving, standing up, or walking around (grazing)?  Not so much anymore. Again, that kind of eating doesn't do well with our new food choices.
12. Would someone watching you say your shoulders are more hunched over or pulled back?  hunched, definitively
13. Do you spend most of your grocery shopping time in the inside or around the outside of the aisles?  outside aisles, and the shop in bulk aisle b/c that's where they keep the honey and maple sugar and fresh ground peanut butter, and my seasonings and spices and flour
14. Back to the water question ... are you trying to count what you inadvertently drink in the shower? ;)  nope
15. When you go to the doctor for an annual exam and have to answer if you exercise, do you say something like, "My whole life is exercise!" (My doctor doesn't accept this anymore.)  hahaha   no.  i just tell him i'm working on it.
16. Have you been to the doctor for an annual exam?   not yet this year. 
17. As you read God's Word, do you let yourself reread passages, think, and reread again?  yes, but it's not always intentional. sometimes i let myself get distracted and then i have to reread it anyway.
18. When you pray, do you get up and feel refreshed?  usually yes, but i'm really bad about praying regularly
19. Do you find yourself stuck in a chair long enough to need to apply new lipstick or warm up your coffee?  yup 
20. How do you decide what you're going to eat? Coupons? Leftovers? Cravings? Beat the kids to it?  depends on whats in the pantry. we're working towards a meal plan but we're still learning to shop organic and cook at home so it's difficult some days.
21. When you look in the mirror, do you ever wonder who that exhausted woman is looking back at you?  Sadly, yes.  Some days I think I look way too tired and worn to only be 37.
22. Do you feel like you have to pray to God in morse code or short hand?  Sometimes
23. After reading God's Word, does it go in one ear and out the other, or does it linger in your mind and come back often? Depends on how much attention I'm giving to God when I read
24. Is your idea of a well rounded meal accomplished by visiting the sample station at Sam's Club?  Nope, but I don't shop at Sam's.  ;)

Three weeks and counting...

We are now 3 weeks in to what I’ve lovingly decided to call our “birthing pains of a new lifestyle”. 

In other words, now that Manny is feeling a zillion times better with an all-organic diet (to the point that we cleaned out the cupboard and donated 3 bags of non-organic food to the church, along with an apology for giving it to them LOL) his eyes have been opened so-to-speak and he’s seeing what’s really going on around him.  And it’s not been entirely pretty or pleasant as he realizes how much the boys take advantage of us and his inability to do/react to stuff going on around him.  I’m just trying to go with the flow because I understand what he’s doing and why, and most of the time I’m in agreement.  (Yes, I do tell him when I think he’s gone too far.) 

It’s not entirely backfiring on us though because the boys are starting to listen a little more and mind just a tad bit better, esp now that they have a better understanding of why he is the way he is.  They’re fully on the organic bandwagon with us and our kitchen gets really crowded with 4 people in there trying to cook or make something, so it’s a good family time. 

God is taking us to an entirely new level in our relationships with Him and in our family relationship, and the enemy is trying to take advantage of the changing dynamics to attack.  As long as we see it for what it is and don’t let him take advantage of us, we’ll be victorious.

My eyes are always looking to the Lord for help, for he alone can rescue me from the traps of my enemies.  (Psalm 25:15, NLT)

Do you know what you're eating?

The link below is an up-to-date guide that gives quick facts and figures about the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) manufacturers are putting in our food.

http://www.againstthegrainnutrition.com/newsandnotes/2011/02/25/what-you-need-to-know-about-gmos-hidden-in-everyday-foods/

There’s a link at the end to another site where you can download or view online brands that voluntarily participate in the Non-GMO Project as well as a list of the “invisible ingredients” that GMOs may be called on food labels.

http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/download.html

As a personal testimony, I can honestly say that just with the few things we’ve changed to organic sourced foods has already had a significant improvement in how Manny feels on a daily basis and a significant decrease in my allergy/sinus problems.   Bad days for both of us have been directly traced back to times where we’ve frequently eaten out (esp if it’s fast food) or have been eating higher amounts of processed and junk foods.  I will gladly trade a higher grocery bill for the improved health of my family.   Don’t just take my word for it though. Do the research and inform yourself, then help spread the word.

Saturday Stumbles

I saw the idea for Saturday Stumbles (#SatStumbles) posted by @itscome2this who I follow on Twitter. I thought it was a great idea and since I've been doing a lot of googling and reading blogging beyond my normal confines these past couple weeks, I decided to share my finds.  :)

Every day LivingSocial.com sends you an email offering a significant discount to a local business.  A few weeks ago I got a 50% discount to the chocolate bar.  Premium chocolate goodies @ half price = a very happy me.

Trying to save some money?  Check out The Saved Quarter. I spent hours in there reading through her blogs about boxed vs. homemade recipe comparisons, extra money making jobs (mystery shopping anyone?), and lots of other good tips for frugal living.   Another one of my favorite frugal living sites is Frugal Confessions.  I'm not very good at living frugally just yet, but we're working on it.

Dealing with food allergies are a way of life for me, but I'm forever searching for a good, tastes like white bread, alternative to wheat-based white bread.  I stumbled across this recipe for a Millet Oatmeal bread that sounds like it might actually be something I'd eat on a regular basis.  Now I just need our finances to straighten out a bit so I can make a trip to the health food store to get the supplies.

My favorite find this week is this free audio book website. I've already DL'd the entire Little Women series to my iPod and will start listening tomorrow while I dig my way through the mountain of laundry in my room.