Homemaking DIY

For a couple years now I have had a desire in switching over my personal care and household items to ones that are non-toxic. I have understood for a while that the foods that we put into our bodies is very important, but it hasn't been until the year or two that I have started to understand the importance of the products we use on a daily basis. We often don't think about how the stuff we put on our skin and the air we breathe all affect us internally.

Since getting into essential oils, I have switched over many of my cleaning products (Click here for my post on Spring Cleaning). However, I have done some pretty fun DIY all-natural projects that I would  like to share with you all (and there's a few more I plan to do soon!)

Laundry Detergent (powder)

My first attempt at homemade laundry detergent. It was easy!

Ingredients:

• 4 lb box Borax
• 4 lb box Baking Soda
• 1 box Washing Soda
• 3 bars of Castile (or Fels Naptha) soap - grated
• 2 containers (3.5 lb total) OxiClean
• APPROX. $20 for all - found in laundry aisle of store

Note: I only made half a batch to accommodate my container.
Directions: First, finely grate the bars of soap
 into a container then add all ingredients into container mixing well as you go.
To use in washer, add 1/4 cup into powder insert of washer. THIS IS HE washer friendly :)
Helpful Hints: This makes ALOT (20 lbs worth), so unless you have a big enough container I suggest halfing it and saving the left overs for next time (which will be a while from now because this stuff lasts!!)

• Be sure to read your washer's manual to see how to use powder detergent if you aren't used to using it. I had to take out the main wash liquid container in my front loader for it to work.
• This will be easier to do without a one-year old trying to get her hands in everything (haha), but could be lots of fun for older children to help with!

Bug Spray

No harsh chemicals, and still bug-bite free :)

Ingredients:

• 4 oz glass spray bottle
• 3 oz water
• 1 oz witch hazel (not necessary if you don't have it...substitute with a splash of rubbing alcohol)
• 15-20 drops TerraShield essential oil

Directions: Add all ingredients and mix well before each use. Spray over possible affected areas. For extra protection TerraShield can also be applied directly.

Go to www.mydoterra.com/jamileekeaton to order TerraShield and any other oils for your laundry :)


Other DIY products I plan on using SOON!

• Fabric Softener (You can use vinegar in the softener section of washer, or add a wet washcloth with 4-5 drops essential oil to either washer or dryer)

OR doTERRA has an awesome blog on dryer balls:
http://doterrablog.com/laundry-essentials-diy-natural-alternative-to-fabric-softener-and-dryer-sheets/

• Matress cleaner: Don't let the bed bugs bite! ;)

http://doterrablog.com/diy-use-these-two-ingredients-to-say-goodbye-to-dust-mites-and-hello-to-a-cleaner-mattress/

Finding Balance

Stressed, hectic, torn, exhausted, tense, worried...do these words sound familiar in your life? I often find myself using these words... It's not how we were meant to live our lives. First and foremost, God is in control and we are to cast our cares on Him.
Secondly, it is all about finding BALANCE.

I am still learning how to find balance with all my different roles: wife, mom, teacher, student, daughter, and friend. Trying to raise a one-year-old, teach math full-time, and take graduate classes all while trying to be a good wife and keep up with the house has been EXHAUSTING to say the least, which has left little to no time for me. I have been trying to learn how to prioritize my time to get as much done as possible in the time I have, but to also set aside time for me. This way all those words I used at the beginning of this post don't becomes words I say when describing how I feel.

What I have learned to do when I am feeling unbalanced, stressed, exhausted, and overwhelmed:
1) Pray. Sit in a quiet location where I can focus on God, pray, meditate, and rest in His presence.
2) Use essential oils! doTERRA has several essential oils that are great for moods depending on your situation, but I have recently found balance essential oil and I LOVE IT!!!

Rub a few drops on the bottoms of your feet in the morning to
start the day off right or at night with serenity to relax.

3) Take some time to forget everything I have to do and just enjoy spending time with my daughter...they don't stay little forever...cherish every moment.
4) Take time for myself. Go for a walk, exercise, do yoga.

I am still not where I want to be. I will keep striving, keep pressing forward...with a positive attitude. I will keep prioritizing my time, making time for everything that is important...including me.
Finding Balance.

Spring into doTERRA

It has been a busy month since I last updated! Last week, Ryleigh turned one year old. I can't believe she has been in our lives for over a year now! Being a mom truly is one of the most amazing things I have ever done/been. We had a wonderful time celebrating her birthday with family and clos friends, and can't wait to see how all of her 1 year pictures turn out! We truly are blessed!

Ryleigh was born on the first day of Spring which is very fitting for her! I had chosen "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles to be "her song" before she was even born :) And I am telling you, this girl loves to smile and laugh...most of the time anyway haha! She also LOVES being outside. One of the reasons I am sooo glad it is not Spring and warmer outside (well except for this weekend). Which brings me to the rest of this post. Along with Spring comes two major things: spring cleaning and allergies! doTERRA essential oils have some great solutions to both!

I absolutely love cleaning with doTERRA essential oils because I know they are much safer than normal cleaning products, and having a one year old crawling (and sometimes licking) all over the floors, I have peace of mind knowing they are clean and not cleaned with chemicals that are not safe to ingest. Here are a couple of my favorite oils for cleaning:

• OnGuard: protective blend that helps support the immune system; Wild Orange essential oil, combined with Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary offer a fragrant, natural and effective alternative to cleaning products. I add OnGuard essential oil to a glass spray bottle an water (sometimes a little vinegar) as a countertop and multi-purpose cleaner. I love the Fall cider smell it reminds me of :) I also add OnGuard to my Shark Steam Mop to sanitize the floors.
• Lemon: Lemon has such a fresh and cleansing scent that I love! It is also great for disinfecting surfaces. Lemon is great for creating a streak free shine on stainless steel and glass, so I add a little to a vinegar/water mixture in a glass bottle to have on handy! Lemon essential oil is also great for cleaning fresh fruits and veggies! If you are looking to also spring clean your own body, adding a drop into your glass of water is a great detox! (Note: not all brands of essential oils are safe to take internally)

Here is a great link that has several recipes for all natural cleaning with doTerra essential oils including tub, toilet bowl cleaners, and air freshener.
http://doterrablog.com/spring-cleaning-natural-cleaning-solutions-for-the-bathroom/

Allergies! Everyone hates allergies. Jake has HORRIBLE allergies and most prescription and over the counter medications only somewhat help, so I am so excited that doTERRA has a completely natural supplement called TriEase that has been known to significantly help allergies! My cousin's husband has gone off all allergy medication by taking these soft gels. TriEase is made up of three essential oils, lemon, lavender, and peppermint, that together combat allergies like no other! You can use the actual essential oils yourself and take them internally with a Veggie Capsule, but since those cannot be made ahead of time, the TriEase supplements are so convenient! Jake just started taking them since allergy season is come soon, and I can't wait to let you all know how well they have done! Let me know if you would like to order them or get more information.
And if you find yourself with an allergy attack, Breathe essential oil blend is absolutely wonderful for opening your airways and letting you breathe much easier. We all LOVE breathe at my house.

I sure do love Spring, just not these two things that come with it, cleaning and allergies. Thank goodness I have doTerra essential oils on my side to help me through ;)

<3 Jami

30 Day Cleanse

 

After months of using doTERRA essential oils, I finally enrolled to receive wholesale membership! The timing worked out great because not only would I be getting 25% off all of their products and the chance to win free products, but I was also able to enroll with the Cleanse and Restore Kit to get that wholesale membership. This was great for me because I had just gone to the Healthy From the Inside Out class where I learned hives and other skin issues are often a cause of blocked passage ways in your liver and kidneys, and since your body cannot properly eliminate toxins through your liver and kidneys when blocked these toxins are often released and cause skin problems. This was actually exciting for me to hear because I finally was starting to understand what may have happened to me to get dermatographism! I knew for a while that a cleanse would be a great thing for me to do where I have had a lot of GI issues as a result of candida, I just was not sure which cleanse would be best...there are a lot of them out there! I was so excited when my Cleanse and Restore Kit came in that I had to take a picture!!

                          

 

The Lifelong Vitality Pack (LLV Vitamins) is optional for the cleanse, but are so recommended by doTERRA and it's users that they added it to the cleanse enrollment kit!

Terrazyme® is a Digestive Enzyme Complex which is a proprietary blend of wholefood enzymes that support healthy digestion of food for nutrients and energy. This is to be taken the entire 30 days of the cleanse and even beyond to help digest any foods that are generally rough on the system like dairy and gluten.

Zendocrine® Detoxification Complex is a proprietary blend of 14 active whole-food extracts in a patented enzyme delivery system that supports healthy cleaning and filtering functions of the liver, kidneys, colon, lungs and skin from unwanted toxins.

Zendocrine® Essential Oil Softgels support your body's natural detoxification system with a proprietary blend of Tangerine, Rosemary, Geranium, Juniper Berry, and Cilantro essential oils. Zendocrine helps cleanse the body of toxins and free radicals that can slow the body’s systems down, leaving a heavy, weighted feeling.

Both Zendocrine Complex and essential oil should be taken together for the entire 30 das as well.

GX Assist® is a proprietary combination of Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils and caprylic acid that help support a healthy digestive tract by creating an unfriendly environment for potentially harmful pathogens that can disrupt digestive immunities and cause digestive upset. GX Assist should only be taken for 10 days, preferably starting 10 days into the cleanse.

PB Assist®+ Probiotic Defense Formula is a proprietary blend of pre-biotic fiber and six strains of probiotic microorganisms in a unique double-layer vegetable capsule delivering 5 billion CFUs of active probiotic cultures and soluble pre-biotic FOS. PB Assist+ should be taken the last 10 days of the cleanse and can also be taken after the cleanse daily for promoting overall health.

Slim & Sassy Softgels contain dōTERRA’s proprietary Slim & Sassy essential oil blend in convenient softgels to promote weight loss in a healthy, natural way. Slim & Sassy does not have to be taken as a softgel...many people just drop the essential oil into their water, which is probably a cheaper way to do it, but I chose the softgels for ease of use. They are to be taken up to three times a day in between meals to help curb appetite and boost metabolism!

** The kit does not come with Slim & Sassy...instead it comes with Lemon essential oil to drop in water to use as a detox. Lemon is part of Slim & Sassy anyway! I chose to do both Lemon essential oil in water and taking the Slim & Sassy for a double of metabolism boost since I was trying to lose the last 10+ pounds of baby weight.

 

All of these different supplements and essential oils and when to take them can be a little confusing do doTERRA has it all organized in a chart! This was easy to follow!

 

 

Here's my take on the cleanse:

Overall, I loved the cleanse! While I did have a few days where I felt "sick" because of die-off symptoms, I mostly felt 10x better than I normally do. I also cut out dairy and gluten about 90% of the time to help aid with digestion and to see if I could have sensitivities to either of them. I definitely suggest getting a pill box or something of the sort to put your daily supplements in so you do not have to open 4 (or 7 if you are doing the LLV vitamins too) bottles every day 2-3 times a day! However, I would also suggest getting a bag (I used a 31 large zipper bag) to hold all of your supplement bottles in to keep them in one place and grab on your way out the door if you forgot to fill our pill box the night before (which I often did).



My Thirty-one Zipper bag I keep all supplements in!

 

 

My hives did not go away while on the cleanse, but I do believe they lessened because I was able to go from taking 2 Zyrtec's a night to only 1 with minimal itching. I have also noticed that my hives do not last as long upon scratching like they used to.

Having said that, it was my intentions to do this cleanse twice in a row with a 30-45 day waiting period in between anyway, and I have heard that with severe conditions such as mine a second cleanse is recommended!

Another suggestion: DRINK LOTS OF WATER!! I cannot stress this enough. I normally drink a lot of water daily due to being dried out and dehydrated if I do not, and I kind of thought that would be enough, but I found myself needing about 100 oz of water a day to keep the supplements from making me a little nauseous. I also wanted to make sure I always had a glass or aluminum water bottle on me so I could drop essential oils into it so I bought this from target...



Glass water bottle from Target :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was surprised at the end of the cleanse that I really had not had any upset stomach issues all month (other than the die-off days). However, my first meal off the cleanse was pizza and icecream cake (not the best decision) and I did have some upset stomach for a day after that, but I also forgot to take Terrazyme with it!

I am excited to give the cleanse a second round in about a month!

I you have any questions please feel free to comment here or on facebook and let me know! I have done other cleanses before and this one was by far my favorite! AND I lost 8 pounds on this cleanse overall...I credit much of that to the Slim & Sassy and Lemon water :)

 

If you are interested in starting this cleanse, let me know. If you enroll with doTERRA with this Cleanse Kit by March 1 you can be eligible for $100 in free products just like I did :) Contact me for more details.

Intro to Essential Oils

Some of you may be wondering...What exactly is an essential oil? doterra.com defines essential oils as

"natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant. If you have ever enjoyed the gift of a rose, a walk by a field of lavender, or the smell of fresh cut mint, you have experienced the aromatic qualities of essential oils. In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils provide plants with protection against predators and disease and play a role in plant pollination"

dōTERRA  has over 40 single oils such as lavender, lemon, peppermint, frankincense, and ginger, and over 15 oil blends such as Breathe, OnGaurd, Balance, and DigestZen.  The oil blends contain several different single oils blended to create the perfect combination to help aid in congestion, provide immune support, regulate emotions, and ease a stomach ache just to name a few!

 

What makes dōTERRA different?
dōTERRA CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade^® essential oils represent the safest, purest, and most beneficial essential oils available today. Because dōTERRA are CPTG, they can be administered by one of three methods: diffused aromatically, applied topically, or taken internally as dietary supplements.

Note: Do not think it is safe to ingest just any essential oil. Most essential oils you buy at the store or on amazon are not internally safe. I only trust doTERRA's CPTG essential oils!

What's with the new craze on essential oils? How long have they been around?

I feel like more people now days are left unsatisfied by doctor reports (I know I was) and the options and effects that over the counter and prescription medicines have left us. However, essential oils have been used throughout recorded history for a wide variety of wellness applications. The Egyptians were some of the first people to use aromatic essential oils extensively in medical practice, beauty treatment, food preparation, and religious ceremony. So essential oils have bee around forever. A little over 2,000 years ago Jesus got the wonderful gifts of frankincense and myrrh!  

Watch this video to see what's with the hype:

A Natural Solutions Revolution!

Natural Solutions Revolution video

 



To end this post, a list of my Top 5 favorite essential oils:

1) Lavender: calming/sleep, itching, burns, depression, and hyperactivity

2)Breathe: congestion, cough, sinuses, flu

3) OnGuard: antibacterial/antiviral, infections, hand soap/sanitizer

4) Lemon: disinfectant/purification, blood pressure, kidneys, sore throat

5) Melaleuca (Tea Tree): acne, cold sores, yeast/fungal infections, inflammation

 

Contact me for more information on these oils or any others you may be interested in!

Stay tuned for my next post on the 30 Day Cleanse!

I'm baaaaack! :)

Where to begin? Maybe where I left off. I started this blog 2 years ago today to promote my life style changes of healthier options. I last posted that I was very excited with the changes I was making in hopes of clearing up my horrible disorder called dermatographism. I had just started using essential oils. I ordered a kit through another company that I am not currently using any more, but I am not going to dwell on that much this post. I am however, now using dōTERRA essential oils and love love love them! They have completely changed the way I take care of myself and my family, but more on that later!


LIFE CHANGES:
Most of you already know all of the BIG changes that have occurred in my life over the past two years, but here's a quick run down. While I types my last post, I had a little baby girl being formed inside of me.

Psalm 139:13(NLT)

¹³ You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I had no idea at the time how crazy my life was about to change! (i did not keep up with this blog because shortly after morning sickness struck with vengeance. (If only I would have none the oils that were safe to use during pregnancy that could have helped, but I was not built into a team like I am now that are so helpful to explain all of these details and want to see me reap maximum benefits with the oils! I truly am a part of a great family here with doTERRA!) 

My little girl, Ryleigh Faith Keaton has grown so much and is almost a year old!! 

 Newborn photo

10 months old!

This girl is my everything! God has blessed me indeed! It is true, children are a gift from the LORD! And I would have to say it is because of her that I have taken back this lifestyle of health and using all natural products! When a little baby gets sick there's not much you can give them to help ease their pain and discomfort. PLUS there are just way too many chemicals in our medicines anyway! So I started giving essential oils a try again. My cousin was currently using doTERRA and told me about an essential oil blend called Breathe, and I tell you what that stuff does exactly what it claims. After just a couple days of diffusing it in Ryleigh's room her congested/runny nose was all better! Lavender has also been a go to for us because it helps her sleep better. She is sleeping 10-12 hours straight every night! WAY to go doTERRA!

Well, I do not want to spend too much time on my initial post back, but its been a crazy year and a half with pregnancy and watching this joy from the Lord grow!

I am currently on an awesome cleanse with doTERRA, called the 30 day cleanse and restore that I learned about from Sarah deGroff (she's on my upline and so very helpful and informative!) and her class called Healthy from the Inside Out. Which is exactly what my body needs. My skin flairs up with hives because internally, my cells react in a crazy way anytime I scratch thinking I am attacking my body. Obviously there is something wrong internally that produces an external condition. I am having good progress already, but more on that later! 

I'll stop here for tonight, but if anything I have wrote about the essential oils sounds interesting to you contact me for more details!! I am a wellness consultant with doTERRA and can help get you started on your pathway to wellness too! 

Click here to access my doTERRA website

Today is the day

When you think of the phrase, "today is the day", what comes to mind? An important event that is happening such a wedding, a birth, new job, moving into a new home? Why can't every day be a "today is the day"? Living life to the fullest! Just my thoughts on that title...

But today is, or was, the day I was going to start my candida (no gluten, no dairy, no sugar) diet. I say was because I have decided over some research and advice from a few people to not go hardcore into this diet right away. It can be a shock to the system so to speak and since I am not 100% sure what all is going on with my body, I don't want to accidentally release other toxins by trying to get rid of these certain ones. However it still is the day I make a change.

This is a quote the yoga studio I occasionally go to, Studio 8, had on their facebook page a couple days ago and it very much resonated with me! Check out Studio 8 here! I do plan on going more...at least a couple times a week starting this coming week! In my last blog, "Past, Present, Future", found here, stated that July 5th is a very important day for me. My friend Jordin definitely lived by this motto "Wherever you are, be all there". I could say lots about this quote, but for a minute let it just speak to you...


So over the past week I have been in touch with someone who interestingly enough know both someone who has had major issues with candida AND someone who has had dermatographism! I have never been able to talk to someone who has experienced the same "weird" issues I have, an I will be meeting with her on Tuesday to discuss how to let the body heal itself naturally. I have also gotten into learning a lot about essential oils and their great benefits on our health...look for a blog post later on essential oils when I learn more about them :)

I have been gone all week at Model Schools Conference in DC, and it was so much fun! I learned all sorts of ideas to put into practice in my own classroom to get students more engaged and ready for the real world. With being so busy on this trip I learned how important good foods, vegetables and fruits, are to your diet. My meals contained very few fruits and veggies and my body could tell! So let me spend the last of this blog sharing the items that I will be eating today to reverse...items from my OWN garden! :)

Look at all those tomatoes growing!

 

Lettuce, carrots, broccoli, and green beans! What a lovely assortment!

I have learned a lot from gardening this year, what to grow more of, what to try differently, what to not grow next year...

All you gardeners or garden lovers, what are your suggestion of things to grow, or tips to growing delicious foods? Comment below :)

Past, Present, Future

It's been a busy past couple months! In May, I ended the school year feeling accompished that I fairly successfully taught a full year of the new Math 1 (the old Algebra 1)! It was a challenge to teach a new curriculum, but more importantly, it was a challenge to teach less teacher directed and more student centered. Think back to when you were in high school; how did most of the teachers teach? Notes on the board, read this, do these problems, test on Friday...how boring is that!? It is my goal to make math more meaningful for my students. To make it a challenge, but also to make it relevant to their lives! It's not an easy task.

Anyway...Then I went on vacation to Orlando: Universal Studios and Disney World. We went on this trip with the Disney Dining Plan where all of our meals at Disney were paid up front and it included one counter service meal, one table service meal, and a snack every day, and a drink and dessert with every meal!! Needless to say, I ate A LOT! And let's be honest, the majority of it was unhealthy. As much as I knew I need to be eating healthy, I just did not want to limit myself on this vacation. I may be wrong in this thinking, but every now and then it is okay to splurge! While being back home from vacation the past week, I have done some serious thinking about my health.

If you know me well and/or have been reading this blog, you know I have a skin condition called dermatographism (chronic hives aggrivated by touch). When I was on my sugar free, dairy free, gluten free diet earlier this year I definitely saw some progress, but got frustrated too quickly to see real results. I have done some more research and with the help of some friends, have decided to really give this diet another try for a much longer period of time. Therefore starting July 5, this blog will be on a three month long journey through my attempt to heal my body of this awful condition. The basis of the diet will be founded in the candida diet which rids the body of bacteria and yeast; I feel it best fits my needs at this time. Unfortunately I will have to be off ALL sugars for the majority of the time. I am hoping to reintroduce good fruits once my body has a chance to rebalance from all the horrible refined sugars I have thrust upon it over the years.

There is a significance to the date July 5. I first decided on this date for a different reason. I eagerly wanted to jump into this diet right after I got back from Disney knowing I needed to cleanse myself from all the hamburgers, fries, and desserts I had eaten. However, I am going on a education conference June 30 - July 3, and knowing how busy I will be in a different city I can not guarantee it will be that easy to stay committed while there. July 4 sounds like a good day to make my last day of "not so good for you foods" with it being a day of picnics and fireworks. So the 5th was the soonest I felt comfortable choosing. But the 5th of July is a very important day in my life...

On July 5, 2006, one of very best friends, Jordin Faith Schmidt, died in a car accident. We hadn't been friends for long, but it seemed like we had been friends for an eternity. We met the first day of college in Speech class. What's funny is at that point in my life I was terrified to speak in public, and I was going to be a teacher (what was I thinking!?). But then up pops Jordin bubbly as can be with her pink messenger bag, asking me if this was the room for speech class. She made that class and many others we took together fun. She also knew just how to make my horribly bad day better (7-11 slurpees, reese's cups, and late night drives to anywhere but here). July 5 that year stung like no day every has. I couldn't understand why she was allowed to be taken away, and I am not sure I ever fully will. But Jordin taught me to live every day to the fullest, even before her death, and that I am more than a conquerer through Christ. That is why I think it is fitting that I conquer this health issue once and for all starting on July 5. This year marks seven years since I last saw her. Seven is the number for completion. I can't even begin to explain in words everything I am feeling right now. But I am thankful for Jordin and all that she gave to me.

This seems like a good place to end this entry. Look for more to come after July 5th.

<3

What's your motive?

Okay, so I know it's been a very long time since I last posted, and to be honest there's a reason for it. Not a good reason, but a reason nonetheless. The first couple months of this year I had excitement for getting healthy and learning how to do that, and I was taking steps to do so every day. But I found my motive was not in the right place....

Instead of focusing on the big picture that I was getting healthy and eliminating all of the toxins and processed junk from my diet, I had realized after a couple months that my skin was still flaring up and so I thought well this is working so I will eat whatever I want. I told myself that day that it would just be an every now and then thing but that most of the time I would still eat healthy, but to be honest I was frustrated with the fact that my skin issue was not cleared up yet and I just didn't care. So I ask you...all of you who are trying to be healthy and get fit...

What's your motive?

 

Is it to be skinny, or look a certain way? Is it to out do others s that you "look good"? Or is it to better your health? For me it started off to better my health, but what I didn't fully realize is that that takes time. I have spent pretty much my entire life eating junk food..processed foods, boxed meals, fast food, and sugared everything. It's how we are brought up eating in this country. How did I think I was going to reverse all of that in 2 months? This was supposed to be a lifestyle change...not a diet, not a fad, but that seems to be what it has turned into.

 

So what now? I am going to make every effort to go back to healthy eating, knowing well that I will slip up every now and then...I will be with friends where all they are eating is pizza or at a birthday party and have a piece of cake (especially if I made it haha). But here are my every day goal:

 

1) More veggies raw and cooked...less "snacking around on junk"

2) More fruit....less desserts with refined sugar

3) More healthy snacks like natural tortilla chips....less potato chips

4) More almond and coconut milk...less dairy

5) More coconut oil...less all other oils and butters

6) More lean meats and seafood...less fatty and red meats

7) More brown rice, couscous and quinoa....less starchy carbs such as bread, pasta, etc

 

Now...getting fit goals...After my knee arthroscopic surgery in December I was set on running again and doing the types of workouts I haven't been able to fully do since my car wreck two years ago. I an my first 10 minutes straight in years and it felt great! However, I let my busy life of teaching get in the way and found no time to work out. I tried running in the morning, but it's hard to wake up at 5am...I tried running after school but I am too exhausted after teaching...and later in the evening I just didn't care any more. I also got very excited about this yoga studio in Huntington I was introduced to and had plans of making it a regular part of my schedule, but then I never made time for it because my excuse what that it was just a little too far away.

So now my goal is to work out every day for at least 15 minutes (I know that doesn't seem like to much, but I also do not want to set myself up for failure). I am hopeful that I will find at last one yoga session a week that I can commit to. :)

 

I am set for my first 5k run in September...the Color Vibe Run....so I have a goal!

COLOR VIBE RUN! -- Click to see more

 

The first weekend in May I am doing a 5k walk...Race for a Cure. I am very excited.

RACE FOR THE CURE! -- Click to see more

 

This time around I know it will take a while to see a real change...not just 2 months...so if you too have found yourself frustrated with no real change and have given up on your goals...join me today with a re-commitment. No shame in that. You fall, you get back up again. There is no sense in beating yourself up about what you haven't done, when there is always an opportunity to do it!

 

Well now I need to go decorate a cake! I promise I will only eat one little piece! Then off the Sam's to stock up on good fruits and veggies!

GMOs - What in the world?

The topic that has been buzzing for me lately is GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). At first, I was like "What in the world is that?" I heard lots of negative connotations around them and knew it had to do with our food, but did not know much else about them. Basically foods and animals are genetically engineered to be something they naturally would not have been. Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide.

I first started buying more fruits and vegetables while I was on my cleanse (which I have by the way reintroduced wheat and gluten with no major problems but am continuing to steer clear of DAIRY and SUGAR), but the further I researched into healthy eating the more I became disturbed by this thing called GMOs. If you have the time to watch the following documentary I HIGHLY suggest it. It's called Genetic Roulette It really did change the way I looked at my food. It gave me the jumpstart  I needed to really commit to this new lifestyle change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zszOU90wMcM     

O.K. So I'll be honest...I knew before that our foods were "tampered" with...I knew our vegetables were sprayed with pesticides, but I thought "hey, I'll rinse them off a bit with water and it'll be fine." I knew all of the processed foods we buy in boxes were "bad" for you but they gotta be okay to eat, right? ...right??

 

WRONG

 

The stuff sprayed on our fruits and vegetables, corn specifically, makes the insects stomachs explode after eating...now I know what you are thinking..the insects are much much smaller than us so we are just ingesting a small amount of the pesticide. But corn is in EVERYTHING! Just grab a box of anything from your cabinets and you will read the word "corn" in one way shape or form. I am definitely not saying that fruits and vegetables are bad for you because they are absolutely wonderful for us, but BUY ORGANIC! Or better yet have your own garden :) I know organic is expensive, but when you are buying more fruits and vegetables than you are processed junk (which needs to be kicked to the curb anyway) then the price of your grocery bills will be about even...I know because it's what I have been doing lately.

 

Top Genetically Modified Foods

Alfalfa

Canola

Corn

Cotton seed

Papaya

Soy

Sugar Beets

Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash

Milk

Peas

Rice

Tomatoes

Potatoes

This list as well as a bunch of good information on Facts about GMOs and where to find non-GMO foods is found at www.nongmoproject.org

Buy foods that are 100% organic and look for this label

 

 Could GMOs be the cause of all of these rampant sicknesses, diseases, and infertility issues? I do not know...but I know one thing...Our food was never intended for this type of treatment. Our bodies were never meant to consume this kind of food.

I am making a commitment to as much organic and non-GMO food as I can.

I am in the planning stages of have a garden this summer, and I can not wait!! I will know exactly what has been on my food when I eat it :)

Hope you find this educational. I am still in the learning process myself, but if I can help in anyway just let me know!

Blessings this week!
Jami :)



Probiotics and coconut oil

These 2 are a must! A good probiotic is essential to your health. I am on the road right now so I can't give you all the benefits of these too that I would like, but I will at a late date. If you are not taking probiotics I highly suggest that you do! It helps balance out the bacteria in your digestive system...it is full of the good bacteria we need to better digest food and it helps keep your gut free of candida and other infections.
Coconut oil is also a must! It is a wonderful anti fungal for those with yeast infections! I can't even tell you how many other benefits it has. It helps clear up skin, heals cuts, helps you lose weight, is an amazing moisturizer, and an extremely healthy cooking oil! You can eat it and put it on your skin...how awesome is that!? I keep a jar in my kitchen and a jar in the bathroom. Make sure your coconut oil is organic! I have even used it as butter on my toast...delicious! I also have a new obsession with cutting up zucchini and cooking it in a frying pan with coconut oil! I have also been using it as a body and face wash and moisturizer. The cool thing about it is that below 75ih degrees its a solid and above that it becomes a liquid so just a scoop some into your hands and rub it together until it liquifies then lather it on! The yummy coconut smell is a nice bonus.
I have also been takin quercetin that is found in apples and other veggies but can also be taken in supplement form. It's supposed to help with hives. Apples are just so healthy for you!
One last thing because I am getting car sick...haha. Drink LOTS of water. I cannot stress how much you should be drinking water. Coffee and tea really dehydrate you so if you want I enjoy a cup make sure you drink extra water afterwards! Soda and most juices and soooo bad or you. Sugar to the extreme and so many strange names ingredients...just quit drinking them! Lol you should be drinking at least 64 oz of water a day but I say drink more! It really helps to flush out your system.
Okay that's all for now...I am on my way to Easton town center mall!!! Ill update later :)
Blessings,
Jami

Sugar Free, Dairy Free, Gluten Free

So what healthy lifestyle changes have I made already? Basically I have cut out gluten, dairy, and sugar from my diet (when I say diet I mean "what I eat" not the "I'm trying to lose weight" diet. I have researched both the candida diet and the anti-inflammatory diet quite extensively and have used the two as my basis.

I actually spent a week detoxing my body first...it was very difficult, and though a program I was following said it was not required I still thought it would be a good way to cleanse my organs of all the processed food I eat (as well as all the junk I ate over the holidays). This week of detox consisted of me eating ONLY fruits and vegetables and taking a fiber drink twice a day. I surprisingly did not starve, but it was still quite difficult.

After that was over, I started what I am now continuing to follow. The number one thing I knew needed to go was sugar. We all know how bad sugar is for you...causes you to gain weight, problematic to people with diabetes, etc, but for those who are prone to candida or have a yeast infection it is of extreme importance to avoid it at all costs...Candida feeds off of sugar so you can't truly eliminate it from your body until you cut off its supply. This is hard for me as a cake decorator, and you may think...I can't do that! I crave sweets! Well guess why you crave them?? And yes, it will be very hard at first to avoid the temptation, but once your body realizes its not getting anymore it kinda "gets over it". When I say "no sugar" I mean all forms including refined sugar, powdered sugar, honey, maple syrup, and all sugar substitutes. Many things you see out there that claim to be sugar free and actually filled with a sugar substitute such as aspartame, and this does just as much harm to your body. Most candida diets are more strict with the sugar than I am...they also exclude all fruits except lemons and limes, but I have also allowed myself to eat some apples and berries because they are just so good for you and have lower amounts of sugar.

Next thing I realized was going to have to go is dairy. Now that I have cut it out I realize how much of a dairy person I am. I had milk every day with my cereal, cheese usually in my lunch and often in my dinner as well, I love string cheese, yogurt was a daily thing for me, and my favorite dessert is cheesecake! I have tried before years ago to cut out dairy and failed miserably, but this time around it has been easier. Maybe I am just more motivated. I use almond milk now instead. Vanilla almond milk unsweetened to be exact. (The unsweetened goes back to the no sugar rule). It is okay by itself, but better in things like smoothies and oatmeal. There are lots of other non-dairy options with cheese and yogurt, but I have yet to try them.

So , I know what you are thinking...seriously, NO sugar, and NO dairy? Well now let me add a third really hard one for me. Gluten...some of you may not really know what gluten is. Gluten is found in foods processed from wheat and other grains alike (barley and rye). Why must it be avoided? Well for one it is connected to yeast, secondly many people are sensitive to it and don't even know it, and it's high in carbohydrates which your body turns into sugar. Let me tell you, I am a huge carb lover...I love bread, pasta, and potatoes, which are all "no no's" on this diet.

So here's what every one is probably wondering now, "what in the world can you eat then!?" Lots and lots of veggies (limiting carrots, potatoes, and other starchy carbohydrate filled ones), some fruits as listed above, brown rice, lean meats (but be careful...they need to be organic/free of antibiotics...wild caught salmon is great...absolutely great for you), nuts (not peanuts), beans (but limit these as well). To sweeten things I have been using packets of stevia, because everything I have read thus far "OK's" it, and for those of you like me that love pasta, they make pasta that is made from brown rice (found in health food section). Tortilla chips and hummus are a nice snack. Here are some meals I have been eating:

    Breakfast: Oatmeal, smoothies, eggs and turkey sausage, herbal tea
    Lunch:  Salad with lots of veggies and chicken (dressing is olive oil and lemon..the only okay vinegar is apple cider), vegetable beef soup (homemade of course), chili, tortilla chips...
    Dinner: Baked/grilled chicken, salmon, brown rice, broccoli (great for you), ground turkey with tomato sauce (no added sugar) and brown rice pasta.

There are tons more options and I will let you know of them as I update, but I think this is good for now. One last thing I want to point out. The first couple weeks on this I was doing great, but then started to get frustrated with the results and  got busy and went to a few parties (and made cakes) and I began eating whatever I wanted again..and within 2 days I felt sick every night and my skin became inflamed quicker and more often. Needless to say I learned my lesson and am giving this healthy lifestyle change the time it needs to reverse whatever I have been doing to my body for this long. It takes times...lots more time than you think to rid your body of the toxins that have been there for who knows how long. DON'T GIVE UP!

Next blog I will go more into detail with the supplements I take and other measures I am taking to get myself back on track! Leave me comments on what you think and any questions you have.

Have a blessed day,
Jami :)