Listening to God's Word & Garden Growth

                                  

Good Blessed Sunday Morning!

I am enjoying the weekend, spending time with loved one's, and keeping up with my garden. 

But first, Abba and sermon time because I really need it. 

Came across this wonderful sermon from Dr. Charles Stanley at In Touch Ministries and it's titled, Your Personal Convictions. The opening first 3 minutes grabbed me and I knew God wanted me to hear this message. I am passing the link along, you need to click on this and hear the word delivered with such compassion, love, understanding, and relevance to your life. 

https://www.intouch.org/watch/the-convictions-by-which-we-live/your-personal-convictions

Speaking of life and love, I am excited to share that I made my first fertilizer "tea", to feed my plants and help them grow big and strong. It came out great and I will be incorporating it into my watering routine throughout the growing season. 

                       

Next I tackle pests with all natural pesticide, I have slugs, spider mites, and ants to contend with. However, my plants are doing well and sprouting and gaining some height.

                       

                 That's echinacea, I was given small cuttings and they are very happy.

                       

This is the fresh thyme, I have since move it to the shade with the basil and mint; I noticed they were happier in less direct sunlight.

                      

Basil is doing really well, and the taste is fabulous; I am going to be testing a recipe for basil confit soon, it's not something I have made before and I am looking for pesto-like, cheese-free ideas. This might be a cool alternative, I came across it in a French preserves cookbook.

My son has sent pics of his awesome tan and delicious, fresh food. He was making fun of the girls doing hot chick poses...

                     

Look at this fish with fresh fruit, he says it tastes so much cleaner than what we eat here.

                 

I am looking forward to hearing all about his good times and new discoveries.

In the meantime, I am off to have some fun of my own. 

Enjoy the gift of today and continue to shine! God bless you.

                           

Making Time for God in the Flurry of Activity

                         

It's Sunday afternoon and the day has already had so much in it, it's a busy time in my life as so much is going on. I have been blessed with the opportunity to give back to others who have given me much in my life and are in great need at this time. Some people would see it as an added burden in their already hectic lives, personally, I feel very lucky. I am trusted by God and the individual to be of service, other blessings have flown my way to make a small but felt moment of happiness, and there is opportunity for growth on both sides. It's a gift and I am not squandering any of it. 

It feels like there are God given places of turn around in our lives, some we are very sure of because the signs are evident; some we must take on faith. I love when it's a mix of both, I can hear Him, feel Him, and praise Him for always being a loving Heavenly Father. 

Good things are coming and I am gratefully embracing and walking by faith to where Jesus has shown me I need to be. 

Have a lovely & blessed day. Remember to share your light, this world needs it so.

                                

Anxiety & Strategies to Overcome Fear Day 28 Self-Love Detox Challenge

            

Today I want to talk about a subject that is very close to my heart and I feel is very apropos, for the self-love part of this 30 day challenge. We're discussing fear & anxiety and the impact, reality, ways to cope, & how and why we need to.

Overcoming anxiety and the fears that quickly rise like a wave of terror, threatening to drown you is important; for the very simple reason that you are in horrible pain. Much of which is hidden and causes you to suffer in silence.

           

              I used to struggle feeling like this all the time before I got the help I needed:

                                 

It took a long time to seek out that help because I didn't understand what was happening to me, I was isolating, retreating, so I could protect myself, and avoid freaking out in public. It was terrifying to be exposed, alone, and unsure how bad an episode might be; so I kept to myself and started to venture outside less and less. 

                               

This became so bad that I began to experience debilitating panic and very real physical symptoms, the moment I even tried to put my hand on the doorknob. 

Outside became impossible, inside felt safe, but I was not cocooning myself in security. 

I was allowing myself to become trapped by a multitude of fears, real & imagined. 

It was not until I was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and informed of all the symptom, as well as treatment plans, that I finally stopped feeling crazy. BTW, it took a round of 6 tries before I finally found the right people and help. It was a seriously infuriating and maze like road.

             

Anxiety and depression still carry tremendous stigma in our society, and I believe it stems from three places. 

1-We are still learning so much about the brain and what we know and understand now, is still pretty new in our human history. In early world wars, soldiers would be suffering from PTSD but this term had yet to be coined and the effects and symptoms were not understood. It was classified as neurasthenia, a type of fragility that was viewed by some as a weak and flimsy excuse to get out of war service. 

This is the dictionaries definition:

Neurasthenia: an ill-defined medical condition characterized by lassitude, fatigue, headache, and irritability, associated chiefly with emotional disturbance.

This is now understood to be something completely different, valid, real, and is taken seriously; as it should be. 

2-It makes us uncomfortable because we realize that we are all vulnerable to the realities of anxiety, depression, as well as the after effects of trauma, and we do not like it. Vulnerable=weak and that is perceived as bad, instead of as an opportunity for growth and reaching max potential for a better quality of life.

3-We are not socialized/taught about these issues in school or at home, and the ignorance is detrimental.We prefer to brush it off, make light of it, and not bother to learn more so we can be effectively helpful and supportive. Often the wrong things are said, which make the person saying them feel better because they can extricate themselves from what puts them at ill-ease, but it further damages the individual who really needs compassion, kindness, and support.

Asking for help is crucial and one of the most difficult steps; facing rejection, ridicule, and disdain are further damaging and can lead to people seeking other and more dangerous ways of coping. 

Such as: self-medicating, addiction, abusing others, self-harm, and even suicide.

If people are telling you that your anxiety is all in your head, that you should do better and stop complaining, why aren't you stronger, why isn't your faith stronger, why don't you just get over it, it's not that bad, you're dumping your problems on others, or you are just downright melodramatic; look at the ways that anxiety impacts the body:

                                       

I am placing this post as part of the detox challenge because when we make changes to our diet, juice fast, get out junk, and commit to a healthier lifestyle, several things have been known to happen.

Some people become really emotional, have crying jags, fuzzy head, experience anxiety/depression, feel overwhelmed by their emotions, and find it difficult to cope. Old wounds and unhealed places in us surface and need our attention. 

Do not ignore this and if you cannot go it alone, I am asking you to please seek help; and if you cannot find it right away, keep searching and fighting your way to it until you find it. 

Do not give up, you matter!

That brings us to another point, the people in our lives.

Sometimes you are changing and people around you will not like it, they will try to minimize what you are going through, they may try to sabotage your attempts to incorporate positive change, you may have to move away from toxic people and situations because they no longer serve you and are causing more harm than good. Be warned, when you begin to demand change, because you are able to recognize what is harming you, people who benefit from your silence will not like it. You need to recognize that they like the status quo because they get something out of it, that does not mean they have your best interests at heart. I am not saying every person is horrible, I am saying trust what you know, and people's actions really do speak louder than their words.

I liked this:

                                 

When I first started reaching out for help I got some whopper comments, horrible responses, and some rather painful rejections from people I believed in. 

I came to realize that I was on a journey they could not be a part of, that there are times in this life when humans lack the capacity to be whom/what you need, and that God is the best one to comfort and love me. It was not easy, sometimes it can still be difficult, even lonely, but it is worth it. 

                                   

I eliminated those that were harming, detracting from, hurting, refusing my means of communication, and dismissive of my very real pain. 

I eventually found people who cared, wanted better for me, were and are still patient and loving to this very day. I give God thanks, it has been a 20 year road. I am still on it but I stumble much less, have more good days than bad, and reach out to friend's and God when it all becomes too much.

                                          

I learned that I have to love and place myself as a priority, I have to honour my truth, and that there are ways to find some semblance of peace. It is not a quick fix but it is possible.

I want to mention that I used natural alternatives to modern medicine as I do not like taking drugs. I used skullcap in tincture form aka liquid form to ease my anxiety and I used Gaba, an amino acid to sleep better and help support my brain. These were recommended by a naturopath along with elimination of all toxic body and house care products, as well as no sugar, no caffeine or allergen triggers, and loads of rest, sunshine, walks, and kindness. To this day I use skullcap when I have an episode or too much stress is triggering anxiety attacks, I go with it and do not ignore or fight what my body is telling me.

I highly recommend you seek out naturopaths with experience in this domain and if you choose to take these natural products, do not mix them, do not over dose-follow the instructions, and be super gentle with yourself. Surround yourself with people who love and accept you, as well as respecting who you are, imperfections and all!

                           

                                         

Check out the sites that follow, to get the help you may need.

http://www.highanxieties.org/archives/3932

                                          

Should you need more information, some validation of what you are experiencing with regards to PTSD, I found this site and it is a good beginning place.

"PTSD and PTSD symptoms are real and real science says you can't just get over it. Here are 3 important facts on how trauma affects the brain." www.HealthyPlace.com

http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/traumaptsdblog/2013/10/23/ptsd-symptoms-what-people-need-to-know/

Rest a While, Day 17 Self-Love Detox Challenge

                             

Happy & Blessed Sunday Dear One's.

Today's post is perfect for a Sunday and as part of Self-love. We already talked about the importance of sleep but we need to discuss rest.

Aren't they one and the same you ask?

Actually, no. 

They are both in the same vein but very different from one another.

Sleep is usually at the end of the day, is supposed to be an 8 hour affair, and is a physiological necessity for optimal health, detoxing of our organs, & survival. 

Without sleep we cease to function and quickly expire.

              

Rest, however, is important for learning based on outward and inward attention studies with regards to cognitive function. Rest, like sleep helps with learning but in a different way. At the University of California accumulated research suggests when we rest, our sociomotional functioning or self-awareness & moral judgement, along with different aspects of learning and memory centers in our brains, are most active. This is when we are processing what we have learned, making sense of it, and finding our place in the moral/educational/expressive landscape. 

Unfortunately, children and adults alike are being rushed through life, pushed to succeed, work at frenetic paces and we as a society do not value or understand the importance of rest. Not only that we often vilify those who have need of it and all too often view the need for rest as a weakness. We humans are one of the only species on the planet that assumes guilt or places guilt on others, over the need to rest. 

You'll say that we need sleep but not rest, famously people repeat the oft quoted, "rest when you die", or "there is no rest for the wicked".

But you would be mistaken if you took those words at face value and did not bother to delve more deeply into the value and necessity of rest. 

Animals all over the world value rest as a way to conserve energy, rebuild lost energy after dealing with life & death situations, to build closer bonds in their communities/families, or to just to take it easy when weather and life come together. It's not something they fret over, deny themselves, or even consider as a negative. It increases their chances for survival and passes time when needed. 

                        

                        From comfy on a lily pad frogs to bears on a log,

                              

                             Or cute pandas lying on one another while they chill...

Sweet foxes in a field of wildflower's, and those most famous napper's we all know and love...

                               

                                Cats

                             

Rest is just part of daily activities and is accepted without further thought.

We could learn a lot from them.

There are so many noises and restless places in the world, so much to achieve, seize, make more of an effort for, work harder at, make yourself stressed and miserable over, accumulate and ignore basic needs for.

This constant go-go-go attitude is leading us down a road of impaired thinking, weakened immune systems, performance anxiety, weight gain, depression, prescription and self-mediation problems, an inability to wind down and stop our minds and bodies racing. A perpetual feeling of incompleteness that swallows us in its lonely sorrow.

People, we need to understand that rest comes in many shapes and sizes and is not a bad four letter word. Somewhere in time we equated rest with idleness and I am not talking to the people who are truly idle; I am talking to those of us who struggle to be still and just take it easy, slow down and stop.

                               

I am just as guilty of overdoing and refusing to rest as any other, however, I am learning to accept and enjoy the need and benefits of rest. 

God rested on the seventh day, after he worked hard he knew that a day of rest was not only important; but sacred. Rest, a concept that is valued, the need for it acknowledged, and mentioned with utter kindness and understanding in the Bible.

                          

                                     

                 

                 Let's look at the science of rest a bit:

            

Resting does not always mean napping, it's about taking a time out, doing something that is just for you, allows you to be creative and happy without pressure to perform. 

                            

                             It's really about loving yourself...

                                   

                                     

    There are some simple restorative yoga poses that are great ways to rest.

Have a cup of tea while enjoying a creative outlet without needing to quantify the moment. 

Not how long, how much you accomplished, how much more to do-none of that. Just a restful wander into your creative side while taking it easy. The tea helps to remind you that you are taking a slow-it-down moment.

                                       

                          You could read a book with a friend or by a beautiful view.

                  

                                     

                                     Or a lovely nap is quite fine too...

                    

                    Give yourself permission to have the moment...

                     

                                   

I leave you with a prayer and gentle loving thoughts, that you deserve to find rest and embrace the time to love yourself to the fullest. Be good to yourselves and God bless you!

                                   

                

Day 3 Of the 30 Day Self-Love Challenge, Moments of Faith to Bolster & Gluten Problems Nutritional/Ingredient Info.

                                        
Good Blessed Sunday Morning!
Lovelies, we are on day 3 of The 30 Day Self-Love Detox Challenge and all is going well on my end, except for a few skin break-outs. This is of my own making as I had some chocolate a few days before the start of this cleanse. I am allergic to it, it makes my eczema flare and face itch like crazy; but I wanted some as I knew I would be behaving myself for these 30 days. I am going to be making a big effort to stay away from it afterwards as I know it's causing reactions that are not good for me. It had been something I outgrew long ago but ever since gluten became an issue I started responding to it in a bad way again and chocolate, sadly, has had to be put on my NO TOUCHIE list of waaaaaah!  Bummer...
It turns out the reason for this is because chocolate along with some other foods like quinoa and coffee, mimic the proteins found in gluten and when one has a gluten allergy or sensitivity, the body is already in autoimmune response mode or dealing with constant inflammation. You think you're doing something good by eating foods that are gluten-free but it may not be enough. Here is an excerpt from a great article I came across on a blog that helped me so much. Link follows if you want more info. or are interested in a consultation with them. I also put some info-graphics I found on Pinterest which are great visuals to guide you.

             

Is Your Body Not Healing Despite Your Gluten-free Diet?

Research tells us that only eight percent of those adult patients suffering with celiac disease experience complete healing of their gut despite maintaining a strict gluten-free diet. Sixty five percent feel better, but only a fraction (8%) enjoy complete healing. 
This is significant because too many patients suffering from celiac disease and gluten sensitivity do not enjoy the good health they deserve. Instead they suffer a variety of symptoms and many develop serious autoimmune diseases. Such autoimmune diseases could potentially be prevented if the individuals’ gut lesions and leaky gut had been remedied.

How to Find out Why

I want to discuss a tool that we use here at the clinic to help isolate any dietary components that could be ‘confusing’ the immune system of a gluten intolerant patient to react as if gluten was being consumed.
I often have patients tell me that they feel ‘glutened’ despite the lack of any gluten consumption. It's extremely frustrating for them. Why does this occur?

What is Cross Reactivity?

Cross reactivity is a process whereby the body consumes a protein (e.g. milk) that has similarities to the protein gluten. Due to this similarity (known as molecular mimicry) the body’s immune system reacts to this food as if it were gluten, creating symptoms that the patient attributes to gluten consumption. 
Is milk gluten? No. But if cross-reactivity is occurring, it may as well be as far as the patient’s immune system is concerned.
In other words, ingestion of these cross-reactive foods can irritate and inflame the immune system in much the same way as if gluten was being ingested. 
Therefore in patients who are not feeling optimal despite maintaining a gluten-free diet, or continue to have a leaky gut or autoimmune disease, testing for cross-reactive foods can be a great diagnostic tool. 
The test is a blood test offered by Cyrex Labs and includes the following foods:

• Cow’s milk 

• Casein 

• American cheese 

• Milk Chocolate 

• Sesame 

• Hemp 

• Buckwheat 

• Sorghum 

• Millet 

• Amaranth 

• Quinoa 

• Yeast 

• Tapioca 

• Oats 

• Coffee 

• Corn 

• Rice 

• Potato

Once the test returns it will reveal what, if any, foods are causing a reaction. The protocol is to remove these foods from the diet for three months and then reintroduce them slowly, one at a time, to determine any negative reactions.

How to get Successful Healing to Occur

During the three months ‘off’ from these foods, the body’s immune system will get a chance to repair and, along with other measures we take, will go far towards repairing any leaky gut. 
Some patients find that they are able to reintroduce several foods successfully, but there is often something they find that just isn’t their ‘friend’ and permanent avoidance is required. Dairy is extremely common, but there are others too. Oats, coffee and yeast being the most common after dairy products. 
I’m not trying to depress anyone regarding further dietary restrictions. Being gluten intolerant myself, I very much understand the discipline that is required. But if a cross-reactive food(s) is the culprit underlying a lack of healing and putting one at risk for other diseases, it certainly is important to find out. 
http://www.healthnowmedical.com/blog/are-you-eating-cross-reactive-foods-that-mimic-gluten



              



                   


             

Let us have a faith moment before I finish this post. It's good to care for the soul along with our body.
I am including this prayer that we need to read and pray aloud. Day 3 is a struggle for many people and the reason being is that your body has realized you are giving it an opportunity to finally get all the junk out and it is seizing it with vigor and vim. That means extra cravings, mood swings, crankiness, self-doubt, and maybe even a little voice in your head keeps whispering: you can't do this, just a little cheat, who will know, can you even keep this up?
YES! Yes you can my dear one's, push through and rebuke the enemies lies. God is our stronghold, Jesus loves us, and we are children of the Most High. Rejoice and put on the full armour of God as you continue to be a warrior. God bless you.