I Am Fat because of a Cul de Sac

Cul de sac’s are enticing.  Inviting.  They beg to be the carousel for your bike. 

There was one cul de sac in my childhood neighborhood that I never ventured down, though it was the most thrilling -- having a slight hill before you began the vortex into circular fun. 

But on a certain day that has forever left cinders in my brain, the agreeable cul de sac was void of a certain boy bully.  Or so I thought.

Daringly, I ventured down this quiescent blind alley. 

Oblivious to my thighs touching my belly, I pumped the pedals of my purple banana seat bicycle.  I felt free.  Unkempt hair flew in the breeze as I sored down the street.  I smiled at the day, relishing in this treat that only an imaginative, fat girl could enjoy. 

With one dog bark, the epic movie moment shifted from its euphoric climax to a fearful dénouement. 

The boy emerged with not only his dog . . . but friends. 

Then it started. 

Words that I thought had only been reserved for the bus ride began. 

“Look at the fat girl!  Ha!  I didn’t know fat girls could ride bikes.  Chase her, boy.  Bite her legs!”

Needing enough room to turn my bike, I was forced to enter the cul de sac allowing the dog access to my plump feet shod with Keds.  I could feel the pup’s hot, hungry breath on my ankles.  The dog, thinking that we were playing a friendly game of chase, failed to realize that he was being used for a weapon . . . and I was the innocent target.

I never told anyone about that day.  I quietly rode home, making sure to take a short cut.  I never ever went down that cul de sac until I met the Engineer, then some 200+ pounds of football muscle.  We would take romantic strolls through our shared neighborhood, making sure to greet every square inch of pavement so as to hold hands longer. 

The cul de sac was redeemed through those moments.  But I still have a slight fear of circular dead ends.  What is lurking at the end?

A poignant memory. 

Sandwiched between the cul de sac stories,  I take you back to sixth grade.  I walk down the long hallway of Pleasant View Elementary.  I am alone.  As if to dare me in a chicken fight, a boy named Chuck boldly walked toward me. 

“Hey Fatso.  You look like a pig.  Even though you lost weight.  You are still big.”

And I believed him.  I couldn’t speak.  I just stared at him. 

Hadn’t I lost 35 pounds over the summer?  I wore a size 6.  Could I still be fat?  Seriously?  He must have known about the stash of cookies that I ate the previous night.  When everyone was asleep I snuck into the kitchen, eating the coveted chocolate chip cookies we rationed out to my dad. 

I never had the time to accept the new girl.  The changed girl.  Because in the first week of school, though I was thin enough to appreciate the view of my rib cage and clavicles, I obviously wasn’t thin enough.  Chuck had me figured out.

I believed Chuck. 

I still find myself believing Chuck.  Or rather the enemy of my soul.  Poor Chuck was a pawn.  Just like that dog. 

Up, down, up, down.  Up. 

I’m talking about my weight.  I have had a lot of excuses.  First it was mono. . . followed by a serious bike accident during the Little 500 bike race . . . then the discovery of my PCOS . . . a pregnancy . . . hit with hypothyroidism . . . three more children . . . homeschooling . . .

There will always be an excuse.  Bullies in the form of excuses will come and they will go.  (Tweet this)

Eventually I hit rock bottom.  I became so sick of myself and my current status, rather inflation, that I gave up.  I said, “Enough.  I’m so sick of you fat belly. You get in my way and you suck the joy out of me.  All you do is crave.  Yet even when I give you what you want . . . you want more.”

I can’t ever remember of a time when my cellulose blessed me. 

I’m tired of being tired.  Tired of playing the game.  Tired of the show.  Tired of being embarrassed that I am that Granola Mom . . . yet I’m obese. 

50 pounds obese.  I said it. 

For lack of better words, it sucks. 

Before Christmas I joined Weight Watchers.  I was serious.  I didn’t know how in the world Weight Watchers would mesh with a whole foods diet, but I was certainly going to try and make it work. 

It didn’t.

The program certainly helped me during the holidays . . . to not eat too much.  But Weight Watchers doesn’t have points allotted for raw milk . . . kombucha . . . water kefir . . . sauerkraut. 

I gave up. 

I tried Spark People.   I didn’t have the time to enter my food . . . and indulge in all the activities on Spark People.  Not to mention, wade through the advertisments.

Cheeseslave began her Kettle Ball Challenge.  I jumped on board.  Finally, a whole foods blog that got me . . . I was encouraged to eat my butter and exercise.  Inches disappeared within two weeks.  Aided with the meal plans of Perfect Weight America . . . I lost 5 pounds.

I was alert. Agile.  It felt so good.  Though I remained 45 pounds overweight, I felt like America’s Next Top Model.

But I jumped the gun.  And I got injured.  Instead of working up to a strenuous exercise routine, I began working out with Tony and P90x.  There is a reason it says to consult your doctor or at least . . . pass the fitness test before you begin.

The pity party began.  The secret eating flared up.  Desperately I prayed for a lifeline, a way out of this pit.  Something to motivate me.  Even though living life to its fullest should have been enough. 

I learned about the Slique Challenge.  I could win a big, phat prize.  Most likely, I won’t.  But what if?

I don’t think that the Slique Challenge alone is going to evaporate 50 pounds of emotional baggage.  That weight has to come off by hard work.  Exercise. 

Most of all . . . a renewing of the mind.

I don’t own a banana seat bike anymore. 

No weapon formed against me shall prosper, whether it be the sting of critical words or the imaginary bite of a foolish dog.  (Tweet me)

I’ve waited many weeks.  To announce this type of wound to the world is rather daunting.  Humiliating. 

But it is also hopeful.  Perhaps you have a similar story.  Maybe just maybe by me letting the air out of my tires, will inflate you to hop on your bike and join me.  (Tweet me)

What do you think . . . 25 pounds by June?  If you would like to join me in the Slique Challenge, drop me a line . . . I’ll send  you a personal email.  If you have a story to share . . . please . . . be vulnerable.  Let’s get over the Chuck’s in our life.

Using Thieves Oil

Most people eventually want to know why and how to use Thieves Oil when they see the results for themselves.  I find they want to be anointed with oil on the spot.

I am not just talking about any Thieves Oil, mind you. The only Thieves Oil that I will recommend has to have two qualifiers:

1. therapeutic grade (pure, medicinal, steam-distilled essential oil containing all desired therapeutic compounds)
2. a seed to seal promise attached (meaning from start to finish -- the actual seeds used to grow the plants containing my essential oil, the cultivation, the distillation, the testing, and the packaging process – all aspects of manufacturing maintain the purity and potency of the essential oil until it arrives on my doorstep)

You put all that together, and it points directly to Young Living Thieves Oil.

The first question I always get with Thieves is “what’s up with the name ‘Thieves’?”  The EODR (Essential Oils Desk Reference) describes the legend of Thieves as follows:

It was created from research based on legends about a group of 15th-century thieves who rubbed oils on themselves to avoid contracting the plague while they robbed the bodies of the dead and dying.  When apprehended, the thieves were forced to tell what their secret was and disclosed the formula of the herbs, spices, and oils they used to protect themselves in exchange for more lenient punishment.

After the crooks gave up the formula for Thieves, it has been passed down through the centuries keeping sickness at bay like a barbed wire fence around your body. 

Its no coincidence that the thieves’ formula was so effective.  It turns out that it is rich in antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-infectious properties.  Today, instead of making your own Thieves or borrowing some from a robber, you can purchase Thieves Oil from Young Living in convenient half fluid ounce bottle (that will last you a surprisingly long time).

Thieves is most effective when diluted with a carrier oil.  A carrier oil is an oil that is used to “carry” the oil onto or into the skin. It dilutes the essential oil (EO), making the EO more effective because it can be spread over a larger area. There are a variety of carrier oils that you can use that might actually be lurking in your pantry, such as olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil. After experimenting with all of the aforementioned carrier oils, I prefer V-6 (unless the essential oil is going on a baby’s bottom – then I use coconut oil). V-6 has a long shelf life, doesn’t clog pores, and won’t stain your clothes.  You can purchase V-6 (along with any other Young Living product) on my Essential Oil website.

(Promotional plug: it is way cheaper if you sign up as a distributor as opposed to a customer.)

The making of diluted Thieves

According to the EODR, Thieves Oil should be diluted at a ratio of 20-80. According to my calculations, that is 1 part essential oil to 4 parts carrier oil.

Storage and Containers

To store my diluted Thieves solution, I purchase extra bottles at Abundant Health.  They have many styles of bottles and applicators to choose from.

With the amber glass bottle pictured above, simply pop the orifice reducer cap off, add 1 part Thieves oil to 4 parts V-6. 

You could count the drops but I lack the discipline to count such a tedious amount.

I typically fill my bottles three-fourths full and add 15-20 drops of Thieves Oil for a half-ounce bottle.  You can go green by recycling your empty Young Living Essential Oil bottles to store your Thieves solution. 

Simply add V-6 and Thieves Oil in the proper ratios to the recycled bottle and then cap it off with a Young Living Roller Fitment for easy application.

Application and Usage

If your bottle has an orifice reducer cap instead of a roller ball applicator, drop 1-2 drops of diluted Thieves in the palm of your left hand, rub clockwise three times, and apply to the bottoms of your feet . . . or someone else’s feet. 

Diluted Thieves is gentle enough to do this every day.

In fact, Naomi is a daily Thieves user (with a little help from me.)  Each morning, before I put Naomi’s Rock Star boots on, I rub Thieves Oil on her feet using the recycled roller fitment bottle.

Serious Fighting Power

Now, when the Engineer and I get sick, sometimes we skip the diluted protocol and go right to the Thief Bomb.  (Disclaimer: please remember that I am not a doctor or an herbalist so use Thief Bombs at your own risk.) 

What is the Thief Bomb?  Using Naomi’s daily discarded gelatin capsules, we add several drops of Thieves Oil to the capsule.  We take this pill orally with water to blast whatever is wrecking havoc to our immune system.

Additionally, when the kids are sick, we will add one drop of Thieves to water kefir soda, fresh squeezed juice, or elderberry syrup.

Stay healthy!

Interested to know more about Young Living Oils and products?  Shoot me an email at thegranolamom4 god at gmail dot com.

Other Essential Oil posts:

• Why we use Essential Oils
• The Headache Solution:  lavender, peppermint, Aroma Sieze
• Enable quick blood clotting:  Helichrysum
• Lavender shortbread cookies
• The solution for poison ivy:  Joy
• Essential Oils and memory
• Homemade cleaning products
• The solution to your underarm stink problem:  deodorant

 

How To Get Rid of a Headache

It only took one migraine to adopt the girl scout moto, “Be prepared.”

Whether I am styling with my fake leather purse that makes me appear to know about fashion . . . or traveling with the good ‘ol diaper bag --

I always have a cosmetic bag.  Not that I wear make-up, because I really don’t.   The clear bag that you see above is well . . .  clear . . . BUT it is normally a kind-of cute bag. 

A recent trip on an airplane prompted me secure my oils in a transparent bag.

A bag of oils. 

Peppermint.  Lavender.  Aroma Siez.

These three oils stop my headaches.

Particularly this one . . .

I apply it to my hand.  Warm it up.  Take three deep drawls of scented breath and slap the remaining oil on the back of my neck.

I wait.

I literally feel a shift in my head.  Almost a click.  (I know . . . I’m sounding kooky.)

Here comes the lavender.

I rub it on my neck.

Followed by the icing of peppermint.

Sometimes I apply these three oils about 15 minutes later. 

Sometimes not. 

But that is how I avoid my headaches.  I don’t like taking drugs.

Wanna try some?  See my website . . . you can order there.  But I must tell you . . . it’s cheaper to become a distributor.  Just saying.

Let me know if I can help.

Usborne Book and Essential Oil Sweepstakes

What do sustainable books and therapeutic essential oils have in common?

They improve the quality of life.  And feed your memory banks.

I decided to prove it.  God gave me the idea.  The Engineer was curious to see how we (Renee and I) would accomplish this goal.

It was quite easy.  If I say so myself. 

And thankfully, Renee, works wonderfully with me – the procrastinator.  I didn’t procrastinate.  I just have four kids.  And I homeschool. Oh, and we are repairing our basement.  That’s it. 

Just how do oils and sustainable books go together?

Consider the fact that your sense of smell is 10,000 times more acute than  your other senses. 

Once your sniffer snags anything in it’s hairs, that molecule travels to a special parking lot in your face.  There the smell meets the parking attendant, and that particular smell is given a ticket to enter your brain.  The ticket contains the smell’s assigned parking space and is directed to the location of your brain known as the “olfactory bulb.”  Lit up with excitement over the smell that wafted along, the olfactory bulb sends a message . . . almost like Morris Code, to the amygdala (which is part of your limbic system) where . . . MEMORIES ARE STORED.

The smell will forever be associated with what you were doing or learning at the time it encountered  your nose.

All of these . . . caught on that hidden camera in your brain. 

Ever smell something that sends you on the Concord to your past?

Thank your nose. 

Do you see where I am going with this? 

If you want to remember something forever . . . store it with a smell. 

Want to help your child learn and recall with greater ease?  Store the learning with a smell.

And that is what we did.  Well, I often do that with my kids . . . but I actually researched it a bit more so that I could brainwash educate my friends.

The idea was to create a cozy moment.  Enter food.  The option to snuggle on the couch (Melanie’s favorite part – the lady on the left).  Warm beverage.  Relaxing.  Not getting up to change a diaper.  Forbidden from taking dinner out of the oven.  No answering of a phone call . . . or seeing who tweeted (I never do that). 

Just sit.  Be read to.  Listen to the rhythm of language, the music of words carried further into our experience by the sent of therapeutic grade essential oils.

Not one prone to drink, the night felt like I had had a glass of wine.  But I hadn’t.   Or strongly fermented kombucha.  But I didn’t serve that.  We had hot chocolate, if you must know.

Maybe it was the lavender . . . Joy . . . White Angelica . . . Valor . . . or a combination of all the essential oils.

Renee read. 

We applied oil.

The books are stored in our brains.  Or at least a night of fellowship is.

You can do it too.

Renee and I are giving away

1 $25 Gift Certificate to Usborne Books

and

1 bottle of Joy Young Living TGEO

Mandatory:  Visit Renee’s Usborne website and create a wish list.

Optional Entries (please comment for each one separately)

• My book party will be open until the Monday after Thanksgiving (due to some fabulous deals on Black Book Friday.  Purchase a book while “my party” is open.  Give yourself 5 entries/comments.  (Please use the “my party” link.)
• Visit my Young Living Essential Oil website and tell me what essential oil you would like to try . . . or what your thoughts regarding essential oils are . . . you pick.
• What Usborne book do you have your eye on?
• Describe a memory that is connected to a smell.
• If you are in the Indianapolis area, invite me to come and teach an essential oils class (5 extra entries/comments).
• Why does Renee sell Usborne books?
• Tweet! Follow me on Google Connect. Get my feed in your inbox! (3 entries)

Giveaway ends 11/28/2011 11:59:00 PM.  Open to US and Canada.  (But your oil may change if you are in Canada.)  I am unashamedly promoting myself and my friend, Renee.  We both feel called to our “businesses.”  In fact, here is a little ditty about Renee . . . it is WORTH reading.

I started with Usborne about 3 years ago.  I joined because I love to learn.  I love books--especially great children's books.  I knew we would probably home school and Usborne had hundreds of educational books that I could see tying into theme units and/or using for reference guides, etc.  I joined in all honesty to get the discount.  Since Usborne has no sales requirements or minimums I didn't have to have shows.   I bought the kit and added the books to our collection. I didn't think much more about until about 6 months ago.  I realized I truly thought these were the best books on the planet for kids.  As I learned more about the company, their values and their eagerness to help organizations earn free books, I also fell in love with the company.  They are truly a family friendly organization.    I saw this business as the perfect marriage of my Master in Business Administration and my Education degree.  I also saw how great it was that I could fit this around my first calling to be a wife & mother.  I prayed about it and discussed it with my husband.  It has often been said to find your passion you need to find that thing you would do, even if it meant you never got paid or made any money from it.  This is that for me.  I feel it is what the Lord has been leading me to for so many years.  It might seem strange to some.  However the way I look at it I'm helping to impact a future generation by providing them with wonderful books that make ready and learning fun and enjoyable.

Thanks, Renee!

Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Next summer, some of the ingredients from this treat will actually come from my garden.  This is a refreshing, lite cookie made with the TGEO (therapeutic grade essential oil), lavender.

Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup sugar (I used honey instead)
• 5-10 drops lavender essential oil (once again, I only recommend Young Living . . . don’t use this recipe if you aren’t using edible TGEO)
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest (or lemon essential oil)
• 2 1/2 cup wheat flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped  fresh lavender (optional)
• 1/2 cup cornstarch (I used arrowroot)

Directions

Cream together butter, honey, and sugar (if you used it).  You want it to be fluffy – like a down comforter.  Mix in the lavender essential oil, lavender herb, mint and lemon zest.  Combine flour, cornstarch, and salt; mix into batter until well blended. 

Divide the floral dough into two balls (so as to chill faster), surround with plastic wrap, and place them in the cold rectangle in your kitchen. 

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  After about an hour, or when your dough is firm, roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until it is about 1/4 inch thick.

Cut into shapes with cookie cutters if you are feeling cutesy . . . or use a glass to make circular  cookies.  Place on a cookie stone.

Bake 18-20 minutes until cookies just begin to brown at the edges. 

Use caution as to when they are cool enough to eat.  I like mine frozen. 

The Unofficial Stink Test

As a lactating mom . . . I have a tendency to stink.

Always have. 

When I am nursing, that is.

(OK . . . I admit it.  Most of my life.)

It’s tolerable.  Like the smell of large breed dog breath.

It is something I like to control.  Mask. 

Actually eradicate. 

Or manage ever 24 hours.

I once thought I found the solution.  But it didn’t work.  (I was given it for free . . . so not surprising.)

But I pay for what I am swiping on my underarms these days.

After three months of daily usage we have a winner.  I am so relieved.

As is Naomi.

24 hours folks.  . . from application to application.

Or shower (whichever comes first). 

My secret (not to be confused with the deodorant) is Young Living AromaGuard (ohhhh) Meadow Mist. 

I am pretty sure Mountain Mint will work equally well.  I will say, though, that I like the smell of Meadow Mist better.  I think Mountain Mint smells like Thieves.  And even though I use Thieves almost daily, I don’t like the smell of Thieves. 

Unlike some of my friends.

Anyway, I just opened Mountain Mint yesterday.  I still don’t stink.

My windows are open, though. 

Let me know if you want some.  Just visit my store.

(Yes, this is an advertisement.  But I’m not lying.  I use these deodorants.  I just happened to blog about it to save you the embarrassment.   I don’t know . . . this is probably something I would go have my mom buy for me in the store . . .  buying deodorant in public is like buying underwear in public.  I don’t do it.)

Poison Ivy

We had a lot of poison ivy at our old house. 

I thought we left it behind.  Moving closer to the hum of life . . . traffic . . . people . . . congestion . . . civilization . . . . but it followed us. 

The simple fact is that poison ivy is attracted to the Engineer.  It can’t resist him.  It spies him . . . asks help from the wind . . . and jumps at the first chance to alight onto the Engineer. 

Needless to say, we have poison ivy. 

I mean, the Engineer has poison ivy.

Meet my latest remedy: 

Young Living Joy Essential Oil

Yup.

Use an oil to treat an oil (an irritating oil, that is.)

The Engineer came in one night and asked if I had an oil that would cure his poison ivy.  Puffing up like a proud bird, I was happy to research his itchy plight.  My solution . . . Joy Essential Oil. 

Now, I wish I had also had an oil called Harmony.  But alas . . . I didn’t. 

We applied it topically and neat (which means undiluted).  I didn’t hear a word from the Engineer until three days later (much like my book stated).  He was itchy for the first time since applying Joy Essential Oil.

Once again, we applied Joy topically.

Never heard a peep from the Engineer.

Must have worked. 

Need some?  Visit my store! 

My Last Secret: Oil

I have pretty much revealed almost all of the granola things about our life . . . much to the dismay of my adoring Engineer. 

Despite my attempts to get the man on Twitter . . . I believe he would rather suffer a major sports injury from cycling than enter the world of social media . . . a world where you have friends that are one-dimensional . . . and sometimes lack a face. 

There is one Granola Family secret I have yet to share with you. 

It’s a secret that resulted in my friendship with an online friend. 

Sigh. 

Meet Rachel, my email buddy.  I met her though a Yahoo group I used to belong to a few years back.  She isn’t an email buddy anymore.  She is an IRL friend.  She showed up at my house on one of my WORST days, and still seems to be my friend.  

I have been cautious to share with you a little secret that we have.  Almost like a secret weapon. 

Because I thought you might not believe me.  You might stop reading my thoughts.  So I have refrained for 3 years in sharing with you this one last little secret.

Are you ready?

We use essential oils. 

There.  I said it. 

You may say, “What’s the big deal about that?” 

Well . . . I use essential oils for a lot of different things.  Essential oils have a lot of uses . . . and healing properties.

But I didn’t always believe.  I used to be a skeptic. 

Until I read my Bible. 

• It always struck me that the wise men brought frankincense and myrrh to Jesus . . . we still value gold, so why not still use essential oils today?  There are over 188 references to essential oils in the Bible.  Hmmm . . .
• Jesus was anointed with oil, “You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.”  (Luke 7:46)
• Oil is used to heal the sick found in James 5:14, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
• There is even a recipe for holy anointing oil!  (Exodus 30:22-30)
  • myrrh (approximately 1 gallon)
  • sweet cinnamon (approximately 1/2 gallon)
  • sweet calamus (two hundred and fifty shekels)
  • cassia (five hundred shekels)
  • olive oil (approximately 1 1/3 gallons)
• Essential oils were used in powerful ways, such as in Psalm 23: 5, 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over

• or Psalm 104: 14-15,

He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,

And vegetation for the service of man,

That he may bring forth food from the earth,

And wine that makes glad the heart of man,

Oil to make his face shine,

And bread which strengthens man’s heart.

Upon learning this, I started listening to what people had to say. 

What I kept hearing again and again, was that essential oils were life-changing . . . not life-changing like meeting Jesus, but live changing in improving the quality of life. 

Healing.

Let me give you one example . . . well . . . two.

(ONE) Soon after Gabe was born, I seriously hurt myself . . . my rib . . . something.  I ended up in the emergency room because the pain was so bad.  They could find nothing wrong with me.  Grrrr . . . . that was a waste of my time and money.

So . . . I went home and dug out my Young Living Pan Away oil. 

It hit the spot. 

I rubbed it on.  The pain disappeared. 

(TWO)  Recently, I went to the Cincinnati Homeschoolers Conference.  Great conference.  Had a delightful time with my baby girl.

One issue however . . .  I wore her non-stop for two days. 

As a result, I developed a few odd spots in my back and shoulder that my chiropractor is still working on  . . . several weeks later.

Rather than taking aspirin . . . I rub Pan Away on my sore collar bone (with a carrier oil called Ortho-Ease).  I don’t notice my pain until the end of the day . . . or I take a nap.

True statements. 

Wanna know more? Don’t worry, I’ll be sharing. 

In the meantime, let me know if you would like some oils!  I’m a Young Living Distributor! 

An OPINION on how to Stay Healthy or Get Healthy

I am often asked what one should do to GET healthy after being on a round of antibiotics or a marathon season of drugs and diseases. I have collected my thoughts and have come up with my layman prescription for extended health between the occasional cold or sinus infection. This isn't to say that you won't get sick, because the tips are preventative in nature. Remember that there is no quick fix, only wise choices that accumulate into a healthy gut and an active immune system.

We will start from the standpoint that your body has been worn down by conventional medicine. When you are done with your last round of antibiotics, get “your child or you” on a good probiotic. A probiotic, according to Wikipedia and the World Health Organization, are "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host." You will take a pretty strong dose for about 10 days and then you can do more of a maintenance dose after that, or make sure to eat either plain kefir or yogurt daily. You can find some good bacteria at Whole Foods or any local health food store. I usually buy the boys’ probiotics online at GPRX. It is an affiliate company of Jordan Rubin, who wrote the Maker's Diet. Also, at Whole Foods you can also purchase Jarrow and Nature’s Way, which are two other probiotics that I have used. The key feature you want for your probiotic is a powder or pill that has several strains of bacteria and can be stored at ROOM TEMPERATURE and stay alive. I do tend to lean towards Garden of Life products only because they are strong and helped to keep the hubby healthy when he was in India. Note: if you look at Garden of Life products in the store you may have a heart attack. (For this reason, I order them online because I get coupons from them frequently.)

About every week or so, do a hydrogen peroxide rinse in your ear.

You can also use colloidal silver. I buy a product called Sovereign Silver. It acts as an antibiotic, but doesn’t kill the good stuff. Many think it is quacky, will turn you blue, or is fake. However, we have seen tremendous results from using it. You can also use it on cuts, too. I have tried other brands other than Sovereign Silver, but have not seen the results. So at the first sign of sickness, I typically use the Colloidal Silver for a few days, and give it to everyone else to ward off an infection in them. I warn you some people are scared of this product, but after all of my research and discussing it with our doctor and midwife, I see no problems with it. This is what was used before pharmaceuticals. Not as strong, obviously. Actually for this reason, our kids eat off of silver spoons!

Lastly, I would recommend using Thieves Essential Oil, which does happen to be something that I can get you. Pure therapeutic grade essential oils can and do act as an aide to healing the body and preventing infection/decay. However, you must be sure to buy a quality essential oil. The only one I support is Young Living. Essential oils can act as drugs, but without the harmful side effects. Even the hubby is somewhat convinced on the use of essential oils and has seen results.

Thieves has a story. It supposedly was used by robbers during the Bubonic plague. They would create this herbal mixture and cover their faces with a scarf doused in this mixture and go rob people who were sick. Yet, they never got the plague. Once caught, the police offered a plea bargain if the robbers would confess the recipe. So we now have Thieves Oil! My mom uses this religiously and has not gotten sick through our recent sickness. Thieves Oil doesn’t replace God, but I think we can use it to naturally support our bodies and help them function as God intended. Our family uses this oil before going to church or out to the store, in a diluted mixture and apply it to the bottom of our feet (because it transmits to the rest of the body quickest). For example, put a pealed bulb of garlic between your toes and you will taste it in your mouth in a few minutes! When the kids get sick, they take one drop orally with 4 ounces of water or juice. Once again, do not ingest any other essential oil, unless it is Young Living. If someone has an infected hang nail-on goes the Thieves! I use it for deodorant and mix it into my cleaning spray. The uses are numerous and benefits even more so. Young Living, where I get my oil, also carries Thieves Throat Drops—wow, they don’t taste great but are AMAZING in their ability to fight infection. We experienced dramatic change in our symptoms after sucking on these powerful drops. I will let you know, good Essential Oils are pricey. As preventative care, though, it is cheaper than going to the doctor. I became a distributor, which made the oil MUCH cheaper.

Oh, another helpful thing is to completely avoid white sugar and flour and processed food. When you consume white sugar it suppresses your immune system for about six hours. So if you go out somewhere and there is a bug, you open yourself up more to getting sick. The goal is to create a healthy happy gut. Eating fermented foods also increases the good bacteria floating in your body, like homemade sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt, kombucha, etc.

So, the two things we probably do most regularly are Thieves Oil of a morning and probiotics. I also think a dose of Cod Liver Oil is helpful to support the immune system.

This may be more than you wanted and it also may make you think we are quacky—but these are the preventative things that I feel God has revealed to us and for the most part, WHEN I am religious to practice them, I see a direct correlation to our health. However, I must admit I got quite slack on this and all of us got quite sick!!!!!! And ended up on antibiotics ourselves. So I am back to probiotics and Thieves right now.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. I really am not an expert nor a Doctor. But I have found these things helpful in the life of our family. If you are interested in essential oils or would like to order some, let me know!