I cannot believe it is already March. Seems like we just celebrated the New Year. Ya know the saying, "time flies when your having fun!" I think any more, time flies. Period.
We made it through the holidays without Big Sis suffering much with flare ups - unlike the year before. We took a more proactive approach to the holidays and her menus. Planning out every meal, making sure we stuck to the plan and that she didn't get too much of the same food during the week. Well, it worked. The worse battle we had (and still do) was making sure she drank her quart of water everyday. That was a battle most of the time. We found when she does drink her quart (or close to it) every day, the inside of her elbows don't appear red. When she goes several days without enough water, they will look red and dry. A great visual for what water does for us - helps to flush out the trash. She too, has learned to recognize when she doesn't drink enough water. It usually takes about 3 days for it to show. When you ask her why she thinks they look red, she will tell you - "not enough water."
Have you ever paid attention to a plant in need of water? All wilted,
dry and sad? How much better it looks when it gets watered...especially
after a good rain!
Water is the only thing we consume that exchanges nutrients for waste in every cell of our body. It doesn't have to be broken down by your body, so it is utilized with very little effort. As a general rule, we need to drink 1/2 our body weight in water (measured in ounces). The average adult should have at least 2 quarts of pure water a day. Of course, if you work outside, sweat, exercise, you will need to increase that amount. With kids, it varies based on weight and activity. For Big Sis, it's a quart. Little Sis, a little under that.
I have always been a water drinker. But I never realized the importance of it until recent years. Through Big Sis's eczema, we have been given a unique perspective. Of which I am very grateful. We see first hand the difference between drinking ample water and not enough water. For the first time in a decade, her skin, for the most part, is soft. It looks healthy. And it makes me smile. :) For the first time, her skin doesn't feel like very fine sandpaper. Granted, ample water has not been the only thing. If you have read my past blogs, you know there have been other contributing factors to our God-granted success with her eczema. But, when all other factors remain constant and the only change is her daily water intake, you get a very clear picture of what is going on inside her body - and ours. I can picture the waste and toxins building in every cell due to a lack of water and exchange going on in the cells. After about 3 days of proper water intake, her skin clears again and the redness dissappears.
In a few short months, the heat will arrive...along with the gnats. Water will get a little easier to consume, but being outdoors will be less enjoyable. Heading into this summer, things are looking different. Her skin looks better. Happier. More hydrated.
I want to challenge you. Figure up how much water you need daily. There are some great online hydrate calculators that will help you adjust your intake based on climate and activity level. I challenge you to drink that amount (or close) of water daily. For an extra boost, add fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice. Your body will thank you!
Blessings,
CJ
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Wow...so much has gone on the last few weeks that I am not sure where to begin. Sis continued to have very irritated skin (dry, red) even with the B vitamins; which I DO believe are helping. Come to find out, her pH is WAY off. On the pH scale of 1-14 (1 is very acidic and 14 is very alkaline), her pH was a 14! OM! No wonder her skin looked horrible and seemed to react to everything, but not in the typical manner that denotes food allergies or intolerances.
3 weeks later:
Her pH has come down to 8.0 (should be around 6.5) and her digestion is improving...and slowly but surely her skin is improving. In case you don't realize it, if your body isn't digesting things well, you aren't getting the necessary nutrients from your food and you are not getting rid of the waste and toxins efficiently. She has a compromised liver, and has all her life. Lucky her...The Lord is healing her, there is no doubt. Sometimes the healing process can be cruel, and make us question why. This too will only make us stronger and deepen our faith in Him.
She is on several vitamin supplements over and above her daily multivitamin. With a compromised liver, inefficient digestive system, and a skin condition, her body doesn't react at all like "normal" people. I say normal in quotation marks, because even so called healthy people have some similar issues. Its just not as visible as someone with skin conditions. I have a very unique situation with Sis - I am able to see first hand how much our environment, stress (good and bad) and what we put in our body affects us. If it weren't for her going through this, there are many things I wouldn't see. For that I am thankful. This has improved my health, my family's health and I hope I am able to help others improve their health. Back to Sis's supplements - she is on extra Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and Vitamin E. C & E are major antioxidants and is utilized by so many cells in our body. Where she does eat a healthy, varied diet, she doesn't consume enough of the food these vitamins are found in to give her the amounts her body needs. Vitamin B's are SO critical and are lacking in our diet in the quantities that we need. Vitamin C and B are also water soluble - meaning our body doesn't actually store them.
Another thing I discovered this week, is the pH of our skin is actually around 5.5. Very acidic. This is necessary for healthy skin and bad bacteria doesn't survive at that pH while the good bacteria does. Soaps on the market are all alkaline in varying degrees. Some are around 7.5 while the majority of soaps we use daily are 9.0 - 11. Ever wash dishes and end up with dry hands? Or have you noticed that certain bath soaps dry your skin out? That is due to the alkaline pH. It strips the oils from our skin, damaging the top layer (the acid mantle). The acid mantle of normal people adjusts itself and will return to the proper pH in about 3 hours. I have noticed that soaps that are supposed to be good for your skin - like homemade soaps, will dry her skin out. Yet, when I use the same soap, my skin gets very soft and supple. Even homemade soaps are alkaline. From what I have read, for them to be a bar soap, they have to be alkaline. They do have better ingredients and are a much better soap to use. For Sis, bath soaps are not that easy...her body reacts the opposite way. From what I have read and observed with my daughter, damaged skin doesn't repair and return to the proper pH as easily. In fact, her skin at times has looked very irritated after her bath. When I checked the pH of her liquid bath soap, I discovered that it is as alkaline as our bar soap. An alkaline soap mixed with hard water that has a pH around 7, and damaged skin just doesn't mix well.
For about a week we were using a cream called Psorzema Creme. Her skin was healing so nice! We saw major improvements in the skin on her elbows until we ran out - just as our weather turned very cold! We are waiting for the cream to come in...in the mean time, we are doing all we can to keep her skin happy. That can be a quite a challenge. I did order the Psorzema Body Wash as well, and can't wait til it arrives. I contacted the company and found out that both the cream and body wash have a pH of 5.5. YAY!!!
With the excitement of Thanksgiving and her cousins coming up, this will truly be a test of this wash and cream. I am very hopeful that it will provide some external help with any possible flare ups she may have.
3 weeks later:
Her pH has come down to 8.0 (should be around 6.5) and her digestion is improving...and slowly but surely her skin is improving. In case you don't realize it, if your body isn't digesting things well, you aren't getting the necessary nutrients from your food and you are not getting rid of the waste and toxins efficiently. She has a compromised liver, and has all her life. Lucky her...The Lord is healing her, there is no doubt. Sometimes the healing process can be cruel, and make us question why. This too will only make us stronger and deepen our faith in Him.
She is on several vitamin supplements over and above her daily multivitamin. With a compromised liver, inefficient digestive system, and a skin condition, her body doesn't react at all like "normal" people. I say normal in quotation marks, because even so called healthy people have some similar issues. Its just not as visible as someone with skin conditions. I have a very unique situation with Sis - I am able to see first hand how much our environment, stress (good and bad) and what we put in our body affects us. If it weren't for her going through this, there are many things I wouldn't see. For that I am thankful. This has improved my health, my family's health and I hope I am able to help others improve their health. Back to Sis's supplements - she is on extra Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and Vitamin E. C & E are major antioxidants and is utilized by so many cells in our body. Where she does eat a healthy, varied diet, she doesn't consume enough of the food these vitamins are found in to give her the amounts her body needs. Vitamin B's are SO critical and are lacking in our diet in the quantities that we need. Vitamin C and B are also water soluble - meaning our body doesn't actually store them.
Another thing I discovered this week, is the pH of our skin is actually around 5.5. Very acidic. This is necessary for healthy skin and bad bacteria doesn't survive at that pH while the good bacteria does. Soaps on the market are all alkaline in varying degrees. Some are around 7.5 while the majority of soaps we use daily are 9.0 - 11. Ever wash dishes and end up with dry hands? Or have you noticed that certain bath soaps dry your skin out? That is due to the alkaline pH. It strips the oils from our skin, damaging the top layer (the acid mantle). The acid mantle of normal people adjusts itself and will return to the proper pH in about 3 hours. I have noticed that soaps that are supposed to be good for your skin - like homemade soaps, will dry her skin out. Yet, when I use the same soap, my skin gets very soft and supple. Even homemade soaps are alkaline. From what I have read, for them to be a bar soap, they have to be alkaline. They do have better ingredients and are a much better soap to use. For Sis, bath soaps are not that easy...her body reacts the opposite way. From what I have read and observed with my daughter, damaged skin doesn't repair and return to the proper pH as easily. In fact, her skin at times has looked very irritated after her bath. When I checked the pH of her liquid bath soap, I discovered that it is as alkaline as our bar soap. An alkaline soap mixed with hard water that has a pH around 7, and damaged skin just doesn't mix well.
For about a week we were using a cream called Psorzema Creme. Her skin was healing so nice! We saw major improvements in the skin on her elbows until we ran out - just as our weather turned very cold! We are waiting for the cream to come in...in the mean time, we are doing all we can to keep her skin happy. That can be a quite a challenge. I did order the Psorzema Body Wash as well, and can't wait til it arrives. I contacted the company and found out that both the cream and body wash have a pH of 5.5. YAY!!!
With the excitement of Thanksgiving and her cousins coming up, this will truly be a test of this wash and cream. I am very hopeful that it will provide some external help with any possible flare ups she may have.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Could She be Vitamin Deficient?
For the last few weeks, I have been studying vitamins - the role they play in our health, the foods that contain them and symptoms of deficiency. What an eye opener! I have been so amazed at what each vitamin is responsible for. For instance, Vitamin A plays a huge role in protecting our eyes from night blindness. But that's not all...it's also necessary for bone growth, reproductive function, and growth regulation. Being deficient in this vitamin can lead to a lack of tear secretion (could this be the root cause of "dry eye"?), being more susceptible to respiratory infections, and may leave you with rough, dry skin. Then there's the B Vitamins....and D...and C....and E...and K... Oh! My!
I had a revelation as I was reading about the different B vitamins and what each one does, and knowing these are water-soluble vitamins, which means we have to consume them daily and they are excreted from our bodies in 4 hrs to 24 hrs, rather than being stored for later. Each one has its own unique function with regard to our health and cell development, yet they all overlap a little in their roles. Often times, when you are deficient in one Vitamin B, you are deficient in several of them. Biotin, one of the vitamins that make up the Vitamin B Complex, aids in metabolizing carbs, fats, and amino acids (the building blocks of protein.) Normally, intestinal bacteria (the good guys) make all the biotin we need. When I read the deficiency symptoms, a light went on...for infants, one symptom is cradle cap, a form of seborrhoeic dermatitis. Sis, as an infant, had a very bad case of cradle cap. More so than her little sis. Niacin (B3) helps maintain a normal function of the skin and digestive system, among a bunch of other functions. Deficiency symptoms include dermatitis, rashes, and coarse skin texture. Other B vitamins are noted for helping the body cope with stress. Something she doesn't handle well. When she gets excited about something good, her eczema will flare. When she's apprehensive or unsure about something, her eczema will flare. About a month before her birthday, she started to flare up a little - again...figuring she was getting too much honey or cheese, we cut way back on those about 2 weeks before her birthday. Weed pollen was very high and we knew that was contributing. The backs of her legs didn't improve much at all - they were red and inflammed at different times through the day. She would scratch even though she wasn't really itching - nervous habit. Last Friday (her first slumber party was that night) when we picked her up from mom's, one elbow was infected while the other was on its way to being infected. We started her on colloidal silver (topically and internally) and her infection was gone. That is something I plan to always keep on hand. She has scratched and picked her arm several times as scabs form, and each time I have applied it topically. I know that has helped keep it from getting infected again.
Like I said, a light bulb went on...could this be an underlying cause to her incredibly dry skin (which she has had since birth), not being able to cope well with stress and her eczema? Quite possibly...I began looking at the foods that have biotin and amounts they contain, compared to the amount of biotin in her multivitamin and how much biotin she should be getting daily. While she eats foods high in biotin, she doesn't consume enough of them on a daily basis to meet her daily requirements. For some reason, I don't believe her body produces the amount of biotin she needs. I never even looked at the foods that contain the other B vitamins. These are so intertwined that when you are deficient in 1 B vitamin, you are also deficient in others. So, she started taking a really good B Complex supplement. I'll keep ya posted.
I had a revelation as I was reading about the different B vitamins and what each one does, and knowing these are water-soluble vitamins, which means we have to consume them daily and they are excreted from our bodies in 4 hrs to 24 hrs, rather than being stored for later. Each one has its own unique function with regard to our health and cell development, yet they all overlap a little in their roles. Often times, when you are deficient in one Vitamin B, you are deficient in several of them. Biotin, one of the vitamins that make up the Vitamin B Complex, aids in metabolizing carbs, fats, and amino acids (the building blocks of protein.) Normally, intestinal bacteria (the good guys) make all the biotin we need. When I read the deficiency symptoms, a light went on...for infants, one symptom is cradle cap, a form of seborrhoeic dermatitis. Sis, as an infant, had a very bad case of cradle cap. More so than her little sis. Niacin (B3) helps maintain a normal function of the skin and digestive system, among a bunch of other functions. Deficiency symptoms include dermatitis, rashes, and coarse skin texture. Other B vitamins are noted for helping the body cope with stress. Something she doesn't handle well. When she gets excited about something good, her eczema will flare. When she's apprehensive or unsure about something, her eczema will flare. About a month before her birthday, she started to flare up a little - again...figuring she was getting too much honey or cheese, we cut way back on those about 2 weeks before her birthday. Weed pollen was very high and we knew that was contributing. The backs of her legs didn't improve much at all - they were red and inflammed at different times through the day. She would scratch even though she wasn't really itching - nervous habit. Last Friday (her first slumber party was that night) when we picked her up from mom's, one elbow was infected while the other was on its way to being infected. We started her on colloidal silver (topically and internally) and her infection was gone. That is something I plan to always keep on hand. She has scratched and picked her arm several times as scabs form, and each time I have applied it topically. I know that has helped keep it from getting infected again.
Like I said, a light bulb went on...could this be an underlying cause to her incredibly dry skin (which she has had since birth), not being able to cope well with stress and her eczema? Quite possibly...I began looking at the foods that have biotin and amounts they contain, compared to the amount of biotin in her multivitamin and how much biotin she should be getting daily. While she eats foods high in biotin, she doesn't consume enough of them on a daily basis to meet her daily requirements. For some reason, I don't believe her body produces the amount of biotin she needs. I never even looked at the foods that contain the other B vitamins. These are so intertwined that when you are deficient in 1 B vitamin, you are also deficient in others. So, she started taking a really good B Complex supplement. I'll keep ya posted.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Leaky Gut
Can't believe it has been several months since my last post! This has been so crazy and time has gone by way to fast! It has been 2 years since Sis's eczema flare-up and her "eczema explosion" that sent us on the journey of discovering more than I could ever imagine about the immune system, eczema, and the vital role nutrition plays in the healing process. The Lord put on my heart to share with you about the leaky gut and what I've learned. I hope you read til the end, and I pray that it enlightens you as much as it did me. There are so many of us with this underlying problem and we don't even know it.
Leaky gut? What in the world is leaky gut? I first heard this term about a year and a half ago when going through some alternative treatments for Sis's eczema. The more I have learned about leaky gut since then, the more I realize this is a plausible explanation for her vast array of food allergies and intolerances. Last year, Sis has a blood test done to test for some food and environmental allergies. Her pediatrician was shocked at the results...poor thing reacted to EVERYTHING she was tested for. I was ready to put Sis in a bubble! She was allergic to everything around her and every food group. It was very startling. Back to leaky gut...
You may not hear much about it in the news, and your doctor has probably not mentioned it either. And if you ask your doctor about leaky gut, you may be told it doesn't exist. You may even be suffering from one of the many symptoms related to leaky gut. Leaky gut actually affects millions of Americans, many not knowing they have it. A google search on leaky gut returns many sites dealing with this subject. I recently listened to interviews during the Gluten Free Health Summit, organized by the Gluten Free School, regarding health and being gluten free. Several of the interviews also talked about leaky gut, which answered so many questions (some can be found on the podcast at Gluten Free School. Very informative!)
Did you know that 80% of our immune system is located in our digestive tract (small intestines to be exact)? (Each time I read that, I wonder where the other 20% is!) So wouldn't it make sense to take proper care of our digestive tract to keep it functioning properly? I think so. After all, it is our first line of defense against harmful bacteria and viruses. And, when we come in contact with these harmful bacteria and viruses, or antigens, our immune system creates antibodies that destroy them, like it is supposed to.
The majority of the vitamins and nutrients that are absorbed by your body from the foods you eat, also takes place mainly in the small intestines. The small intestines are considered to be semipermeable, allowing only certain, tiny particles to go through the intestinal wall into your bloodstream to be whisked away to nourish every cell in your body. However, when the small intestines are inflamed, the intestinal wall becomes enlarged and damaged. This allows for toxins, bacteria, and partially digested food particles to enter the bloodstream. The best description of what is going on is this: picture a garden hose with holes between both ends. When you turn on the spigot, what happens? Water flows through the holes on the way to the end of the hose, right?. How much water actually comes out the other end of the hose? That garden hose represents your small intestines. The holes in the garden hose are the damage done to the intestinal lining. This is where the term "leaky gut" comes in. Now, the "foreign material" which has leaked into your bloodstream, is attacked and destroyed by antibodies. So now, those partially undigested food particles have become the enemy. Each time you eat any of those foods, your immune system engages and attacks it, resulting in food allergies. According to Dr. Daniel Kalish, each antibody attaches to an antigen which is then dumped into the liver to be broken down. With the immune system in hyper-mode, there are vast amounts of antigens being dumped into the liver all at once. So now, we have a damaged and inflamed intestinal wall, an over active immune system, and a stressed out liver. Definitely NOT a good combination! (The liver is the body's filtration system. And when the liver gets flooded with antigens, it can't keep up and the toxins have to go somewhere.) With the immune system operating at such an intense capacity, the antibodies go into a frenzy, attacking everything in its way (ever see hungry fish being fed!) When antibodies attack our own tissues, auto immune diseases can be the result.
There are 4 main causes of leaky gut according to Dr. Josh Axe; poor diet, chronic stress, toxin overload, and bacterial imbalance. When you look at the typical American diet, its no wonder we have such poor health! High amounts of processed, sugary food & drinks, and low, good quality REAL food.
There are MANY symptoms of autoimmune disorders, which can also be attributed to leaky gut. As you read through this list, ask yourself which ones apply to you (or a family member): allergies, anxiety or depression, blood pressure changes (usually low), digestive problems (gas, bloating, irritable bowel, etc), extreme fatigue, low blood sugar, not feeling well in general, memory problems, migraines, muscle or joint pain, muscle weakness, PMS, rashes or skin problems, recurring headaches (separate from migraines), resistance to weight loss, sleep disturbances, susceptibility to infection, swollen glands, thyroid problems, unexplained weight changes, yeast infections, fertility problems. These symptoms are not just "what happens as we get older." There is a REASON they happen. But they don't have to. These are warning signs that really need to be dealt with. If left unchecked, they can lead to major problems down the road.
This information is from my own research and observation, and the articles/research I have found along the way. This, in no way, is medical advice or meant to diagnose or treat.
Leaky gut? What in the world is leaky gut? I first heard this term about a year and a half ago when going through some alternative treatments for Sis's eczema. The more I have learned about leaky gut since then, the more I realize this is a plausible explanation for her vast array of food allergies and intolerances. Last year, Sis has a blood test done to test for some food and environmental allergies. Her pediatrician was shocked at the results...poor thing reacted to EVERYTHING she was tested for. I was ready to put Sis in a bubble! She was allergic to everything around her and every food group. It was very startling. Back to leaky gut...
You may not hear much about it in the news, and your doctor has probably not mentioned it either. And if you ask your doctor about leaky gut, you may be told it doesn't exist. You may even be suffering from one of the many symptoms related to leaky gut. Leaky gut actually affects millions of Americans, many not knowing they have it. A google search on leaky gut returns many sites dealing with this subject. I recently listened to interviews during the Gluten Free Health Summit, organized by the Gluten Free School, regarding health and being gluten free. Several of the interviews also talked about leaky gut, which answered so many questions (some can be found on the podcast at Gluten Free School. Very informative!)
So what is leaky gut? How and why does it happen?
To understand leaky gut, one needs to first understand the functions of a healthy gut. The gut is simply the digestive tract, which includes the small and large intestines. In my opinion, you can't talk about the digestive tract and ignore the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas because they all contribute to the digestion of food and are located at the beginning of the small intestines.Did you know that 80% of our immune system is located in our digestive tract (small intestines to be exact)? (Each time I read that, I wonder where the other 20% is!) So wouldn't it make sense to take proper care of our digestive tract to keep it functioning properly? I think so. After all, it is our first line of defense against harmful bacteria and viruses. And, when we come in contact with these harmful bacteria and viruses, or antigens, our immune system creates antibodies that destroy them, like it is supposed to.
The majority of the vitamins and nutrients that are absorbed by your body from the foods you eat, also takes place mainly in the small intestines. The small intestines are considered to be semipermeable, allowing only certain, tiny particles to go through the intestinal wall into your bloodstream to be whisked away to nourish every cell in your body. However, when the small intestines are inflamed, the intestinal wall becomes enlarged and damaged. This allows for toxins, bacteria, and partially digested food particles to enter the bloodstream. The best description of what is going on is this: picture a garden hose with holes between both ends. When you turn on the spigot, what happens? Water flows through the holes on the way to the end of the hose, right?. How much water actually comes out the other end of the hose? That garden hose represents your small intestines. The holes in the garden hose are the damage done to the intestinal lining. This is where the term "leaky gut" comes in. Now, the "foreign material" which has leaked into your bloodstream, is attacked and destroyed by antibodies. So now, those partially undigested food particles have become the enemy. Each time you eat any of those foods, your immune system engages and attacks it, resulting in food allergies. According to Dr. Daniel Kalish, each antibody attaches to an antigen which is then dumped into the liver to be broken down. With the immune system in hyper-mode, there are vast amounts of antigens being dumped into the liver all at once. So now, we have a damaged and inflamed intestinal wall, an over active immune system, and a stressed out liver. Definitely NOT a good combination! (The liver is the body's filtration system. And when the liver gets flooded with antigens, it can't keep up and the toxins have to go somewhere.) With the immune system operating at such an intense capacity, the antibodies go into a frenzy, attacking everything in its way (ever see hungry fish being fed!) When antibodies attack our own tissues, auto immune diseases can be the result.
There are 4 main causes of leaky gut according to Dr. Josh Axe; poor diet, chronic stress, toxin overload, and bacterial imbalance. When you look at the typical American diet, its no wonder we have such poor health! High amounts of processed, sugary food & drinks, and low, good quality REAL food.
There are MANY symptoms of autoimmune disorders, which can also be attributed to leaky gut. As you read through this list, ask yourself which ones apply to you (or a family member): allergies, anxiety or depression, blood pressure changes (usually low), digestive problems (gas, bloating, irritable bowel, etc), extreme fatigue, low blood sugar, not feeling well in general, memory problems, migraines, muscle or joint pain, muscle weakness, PMS, rashes or skin problems, recurring headaches (separate from migraines), resistance to weight loss, sleep disturbances, susceptibility to infection, swollen glands, thyroid problems, unexplained weight changes, yeast infections, fertility problems. These symptoms are not just "what happens as we get older." There is a REASON they happen. But they don't have to. These are warning signs that really need to be dealt with. If left unchecked, they can lead to major problems down the road.
This information is from my own research and observation, and the articles/research I have found along the way. This, in no way, is medical advice or meant to diagnose or treat.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Beautiful site this morning!
I don't know about you, but I LOVE rainbows! I always have. As an adult, rainbows have taken on a much deeper meaning. As a kid, when I saw a rainbow, I was reminded of God's promise to Noah - that He would never flood the earth again. God put a rainbow in the sky as a symbol of that promise. As an adult, and as I have grown in my faith, I realize God's continual promise that He does and will take care of us. He knows everything about us. Including what we need, when we need it. One key thing we have to do, is LET HIM. That's hard to do most of the time. But, I have learned over the years, that things work out so much better when we let God have control over our lives....EVERY. PART.
This morning, as we walked out the door to leave for school, it was sprinkling. But when I looked up, I saw an incredible sight. I mean absolutely breath taking! At first I only saw one side, to the south of us. It was a double rainbow!! You could see it stretching all the way to the sky! Then, I saw a perfect arch in the sky and the north side of the rainbow. Which was also double. It was gorgeous! I was reminded of the Lord's amazing love for us. How much He cares for us. And, HE ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES! He promises to take care of you and me. We may go through many trials in this life. But we aren't going through them alone. He is before us, beside us, and behind us. Nothing takes God by surprise. I know, with the daily trials and struggles I face, that He is in control and already has things figured out. So why should I worry? I simply have to trust.
I pray you find that same peace in your life. I pray you know the Lord as your personal Lord and Savior, so you too can have the faith to know all will be fine. No matter what life throws your way. No matter what trials you are going through. He will take care of you and He knows what is best. He's all around you - in front, behind, and beside. Release control of Your life to the Almighty Creator, Redeemer, Friend. He will never leave you or forsake you.
Blessings,
CJ
Sunday, August 17, 2014
School days are here again
As we are getting ready for school tomorrow, I am finding myself a little nervous...and quite thankful. This time last year, Sis's eczema was flared up. Her ankles were horrible. The first couple of weeks of school were very difficult. I didn't know if she would be able to attend class. I didn't know what was gonna happen. She had a hard time straightening out her legs again. She could only where flip flops. And the summer heat was murder. This child, who used to LOVE the outdoors, was a recluse in the summer. She didn't like going outside. The gnats flipped her out because they wouldn't leave her alone and when she got hot, she itched like crazy. Her skin would break open and the horrible nightmare would repeat. So, she chose to stay inside. When she was able to return to school, she couldn't enjoy outside P.E. - which was ok with her...She stayed cool and had minimal itching. Once the weather cooled, her life was much better and a little more normal. Anyway, this was the time before we discovered Wobenzyme N. You can read more about that by clicking here.
Everything that blooms in the late summer was in full bloom this time last year. She was "going backwards" as we called it at our house. Her skin was flared, broken open, baths were painful and life was so stressful again...Well, that's where we were this time last year. Where are we this year? Clear skin and wearing sneakers! And yes, everything is in full bloom again.
Course, I am a little nervous - I've been able to keep an eye on her all summer - making sure she drinks enough water daily, reminding her to use her Na-PCA spray when she scratches too much, reminding her to "rub", making sure she gets cooled down with minimal itching when she gets hot and sweaty. I know. Typical mom, right? Gotta be in control - or feel like we are anyway! I give all the thanks to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for where we are today with Sis's eczema and food allergies. I am so thankful for the wisdom and discernment He grants me as I look for new recipes and adapting them for her. For being able to figure out what could possibly still be irritating her skin when I thought we removed everything she could possibly be allergic too. I thank Him for the endurance He gives me every day to create meals she enjoys eating!
Oh, by the way! We went last week to our pediatrician for a check up. This was the first time in all Sis's life that her pediatrician has said her skin looks good. I've always heard, from her first baby checkups about how dry her skin is and what I should do to care for it.
Of course, having a child with food allergies, I have to make snacks, lunches, special treats, etc for school. With all that I have learned over the last 2 years, and with being able to nail down her food allergies, her lunch menu has really opened up this year. For instance, I have learned to make bread that holds up really well for a sandwich!! So tomorrow, she gets to take a chicken sandwich for lunch! To say I am excited for her is a huge understatement!
I have been busy getting ready for school to start, so I haven't had a chance to start posting recipes. I hope to start on that real soon.
Feel free to leave a comment - I'd love to hear from you!
Blessings!
CJ
Everything that blooms in the late summer was in full bloom this time last year. She was "going backwards" as we called it at our house. Her skin was flared, broken open, baths were painful and life was so stressful again...Well, that's where we were this time last year. Where are we this year? Clear skin and wearing sneakers! And yes, everything is in full bloom again.
Course, I am a little nervous - I've been able to keep an eye on her all summer - making sure she drinks enough water daily, reminding her to use her Na-PCA spray when she scratches too much, reminding her to "rub", making sure she gets cooled down with minimal itching when she gets hot and sweaty. I know. Typical mom, right? Gotta be in control - or feel like we are anyway! I give all the thanks to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for where we are today with Sis's eczema and food allergies. I am so thankful for the wisdom and discernment He grants me as I look for new recipes and adapting them for her. For being able to figure out what could possibly still be irritating her skin when I thought we removed everything she could possibly be allergic too. I thank Him for the endurance He gives me every day to create meals she enjoys eating!
Oh, by the way! We went last week to our pediatrician for a check up. This was the first time in all Sis's life that her pediatrician has said her skin looks good. I've always heard, from her first baby checkups about how dry her skin is and what I should do to care for it.
Of course, having a child with food allergies, I have to make snacks, lunches, special treats, etc for school. With all that I have learned over the last 2 years, and with being able to nail down her food allergies, her lunch menu has really opened up this year. For instance, I have learned to make bread that holds up really well for a sandwich!! So tomorrow, she gets to take a chicken sandwich for lunch! To say I am excited for her is a huge understatement!
I have been busy getting ready for school to start, so I haven't had a chance to start posting recipes. I hope to start on that real soon.
Feel free to leave a comment - I'd love to hear from you!
Blessings!
CJ
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
What are Food Allergies?
I actually had someone tell me that food allergies weren't real. This more than aggravated me! I know first hand that this is so far from the truth! Food allergies show up in different forms - from skin reactions to anaphylaxis. According to Food Allergy Research and Education, food allergies affect up to 15 million Americans, including 1 in 13 children. That's unreal! When I was growing up, I didn't know anyone with a food allergy. Don't recall hearing about food allergies until I became an adult.
So what exactly is a food allergy? Basically, it's an overactive immune system. Before I explain, let's look at our immune system. Our immune system identifies and destroys germs, like viruses and bacteria, in order to keep us well. It's our first line of defense and a very important function of our body. If it doesn't work properly, or is overloaded with germs, we get sick. The majority (like 80-90%) of our immune system is located in our gut, or intestines. So a healthy gut equals a healthy you. According to an article on cancer.org called "What the Immune System Does,"
parasites are like hostile, foreign armies that are not normally found in your body.
They try to invade your body to use its resources, and they can hurt you in the process.
Your immune system is your body’s defense force. It helps keep invading germs out, or
kills them if they do get into your body.
The immune system keeps track of all of the substances normally found in the body.
Any new substance in the body that the immune system doesn’t recognize raises an
alarm, causing the immune system to attack it. Substances that cause an immune
response are called antigens. The immune response can destroy anything containing the
antigen, such as germs or cancer cells.
Germs have substances on their outer surfaces, such as certain proteins, that are
not normally found in the human body. The immune system sees these foreign substances
as antigens and attacks them."
So, it only makes sense that since the majority of your immune system, or first line of defense, is in your gut, you must keep your gut healthy, right? So, how do we do that? I'll tell in a bit. But first, let's go back to the previous question; what is a food allergy? Food allergies are the result of the immune system mistaking an otherwise harmless food protein as an allergen, or threat, and attacks it. With food allergies, the immune system produces large amounts of antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies fight the intruder, which in this case is food proteins, and releases histamines and other chemicals, which then trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Unlike other types of food disorders, such as intolerances, food allergies are “IgE mediated.” This means that your immune system produces abnormally large amounts of an antibody called immunoglobulin E — IgE for short. IgE antibodies fight the “enemy” food allergens by releasing histamine and other chemicals, which trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Food intolerances are a bit different. When people are tested for food allergies, its the IgE levels that are being tested. With a food intolerance, IgE doesn't go to battle. A great example is a person who is lactose intolerant. If you are lactose intolerant, you don't have the necessary enzymes to digest lactose, or milk sugar. So, if you drink milk, you end up with a very unhappy gut, but not an immune response. Do you swell when stung by a bee or bit by a wasp? This is a great example of an IgE mediated reaction. The antibodies are sent to destroy the foreign substance left by the insect. That area will become enlarged and hot to the touch, and the IgE goes into battle.
Their are 8 foods that account for 90% of all food allergy cases in the U.S. - peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. Of course, any food can potentially become a problem. One that is gaining popularity in the food allergy world is corn. I know of at least 3 people in my county with a corn allergy, besides my daughter. I learn of more corn allergies each time I search the web for new recipes. So, if the immune system thinks certain foods are the enemy and attacks it, it must have gained some incorrect information, right? Computers are only as great as the information entered in them. If we input wrong information, we may not get the correct information when we need it. Junk in, junk out. Yet, if the correct information is entered, we get correct information when we ask for it. Well, in reality, our bodies are not that much different. If we continually feed our bodies the wrong information, by consuming the wrong things, we are giving our bodies the wrong information. Junk in, junk out.
The Lord tells us that our bodies are temples and should be treated as such. We are created in His image, and He doesn't make mistakes. He tells us the good things to eat. Take Daniel and his friends for example. Daniel and a few others were brought to the king's house for training before entering the king's army. They were to eat of the king's food and drink the wine. Daniel did not wish to put this "junk" in his body and instead requested he and his friends be allowed to eat vegetables and drink water. This was done for 10 days, and Daniel and his friends were stronger and healthier than the men eating the king's food. I would bet these vegetables were also organic by today's standards. Although I am sure they were much better than what is produced today.
To improve your immune system, your gut flora needs improvement. Our gut is home to good and bad bacteria. In a healthy gut, the good bacteria out numbers the bad and is able to keep the bad in check. However, that balance is often upset by any number of factors; like antibiotics, poor diet, and stress. Yes, antibiotics do kill germs that create bacterial infections, but they also kill the good bacteria along with the bad. And since the bad bacteria don't have anything to keep it in check, they become over populated in our gut, and can potentially create all kinds of chaos in the form of poor health and diseases. So, we need to add good bacteria to give our bodies a fighting chance. We can do that through taking probiotics, consuming raw fruits and vegetables, fermented foods, like sauerkraut, kimchi, or kefir, and drinking good quality water. Read the labels when purchasing store bought yogurt and kefir as these products contain sugar, and you may not be getting everything you think.
There are so many choices when it comes to probiotics. According to Natural News' website, look for one that has 15 billion or more of live bacteria in each capsule, potency at expiration date, and many different, well researched strains. Also, one that is resistant to stomach acid and bile is a plus. Many organisms are killed during this part of digestion and the more organisms in a probiotic, the better chance of them making it to your gut. Look at the other ingredients listed. I prefer a probiotic that doesn't have a lot listed there. I see those as fillers, and in Sis's case, they have been aggravating factors with her eczema.
Like I mentioned earlier, food allergies can present themselves in many different forms.
Anaphylaxis reactions are life threatening. Nuts, fish and shellfish are common food allergens which produce anaphylaxis reactions. There are some people that can't even be in the same room as these foods. Bee stings, animal dander, pollen, plants, and medications are some other common allergens that can cause anaphylaxis reactions. Once a person is exposed to an allergen, their reaction can worsen each time they are exposed. When we were little, my brother was stung by a bee on his foot and it swelled liked crazy. My mom always warned that if he was ever stung near his throat, he had to get to the ER immediately. Thankfully, we didn't experience that, and now he hardly has a reaction. His body actually developed an immunity to the stings. Me on the other hand...I was not allergic as a kid, but as an adult, I am very allergic. Asthma, eczema, psoriasis are also symptoms of food or environmental allergies. Food Allergy Research and Education's website lists several other common reactions associated with food allergies on their website.
Most eczema patients also have asthma. Thankfully, Sis doesn't. Just food and environmental allergies and intolerances. However, we do get a glimpse of something that most asthma patients don't get to see. When eczema patients are flared up, it is very close to what the lungs of an asthma patient look like during an asthma attack. Until my asthmatic, nurse friend pointed that out, I had no idea.
Currently, Sis has not had a flare up since February 2014 (YAY!!!). At the end of May, we began food challenges to determine more specifically what she is allergic to and what is safe for her to eat. We had some trout that was caught in the NC river in Cherokee last year. The rivers are stocked there with farm raised trout. So no telling how long the fish had actually been in the river before they were fished out. At about 24 hours after eating the fish, Sis's whole body began to itch horribly. So trout is out. I honestly don't think I will try farm raised fish any time in the near future either. About 2 weeks later, we did try wild caught salmon and she did great. So for now, we will stick to that. And believe me, she doesn't mind salmon one bit - she has expensive taste!
If you have a family member, church member, friend with allergies, please take the time to learn all you can about the allergies and the ways they react. It will amaze you and may help them in the long run.
Click here if you want to join my email list, so you don't miss an entry. I won't bombard you with emails, and I don't share that information with anyone. I will send you an email when I post a new entry.
Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear from any of you that care for someone with allergies or an autoimmune disease, or have family members or friends with either.
Blessings,
CJ
So what exactly is a food allergy? Basically, it's an overactive immune system. Before I explain, let's look at our immune system. Our immune system identifies and destroys germs, like viruses and bacteria, in order to keep us well. It's our first line of defense and a very important function of our body. If it doesn't work properly, or is overloaded with germs, we get sick. The majority (like 80-90%) of our immune system is located in our gut, or intestines. So a healthy gut equals a healthy you. According to an article on cancer.org called "What the Immune System Does,"
"Your immune system is a collection of
organs, special cells, and substances that
help protect you from
infections and some other diseases. Immune cells and the
substances they
make travel through your body to protect it from germs that cause
infections. They also help protect you from cancer in some ways.
It may help to think of your body as a
castle. Germs like viruses, bacteria, and parasites are like hostile, foreign armies that are not normally found in your body.
They try to invade your body to use its resources, and they can hurt you in the process.
Your immune system is your body’s defense force. It helps keep invading germs out, or
kills them if they do get into your body.
The immune system keeps track of all of the substances normally found in the body.
Any new substance in the body that the immune system doesn’t recognize raises an
alarm, causing the immune system to attack it. Substances that cause an immune
response are called antigens. The immune response can destroy anything containing the
antigen, such as germs or cancer cells.
Germs have substances on their outer surfaces, such as certain proteins, that are
not normally found in the human body. The immune system sees these foreign substances
as antigens and attacks them."
So, it only makes sense that since the majority of your immune system, or first line of defense, is in your gut, you must keep your gut healthy, right? So, how do we do that? I'll tell in a bit. But first, let's go back to the previous question; what is a food allergy? Food allergies are the result of the immune system mistaking an otherwise harmless food protein as an allergen, or threat, and attacks it. With food allergies, the immune system produces large amounts of antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies fight the intruder, which in this case is food proteins, and releases histamines and other chemicals, which then trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Unlike other types of food disorders, such as intolerances, food allergies are “IgE mediated.” This means that your immune system produces abnormally large amounts of an antibody called immunoglobulin E — IgE for short. IgE antibodies fight the “enemy” food allergens by releasing histamine and other chemicals, which trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Food intolerances are a bit different. When people are tested for food allergies, its the IgE levels that are being tested. With a food intolerance, IgE doesn't go to battle. A great example is a person who is lactose intolerant. If you are lactose intolerant, you don't have the necessary enzymes to digest lactose, or milk sugar. So, if you drink milk, you end up with a very unhappy gut, but not an immune response. Do you swell when stung by a bee or bit by a wasp? This is a great example of an IgE mediated reaction. The antibodies are sent to destroy the foreign substance left by the insect. That area will become enlarged and hot to the touch, and the IgE goes into battle.
Their are 8 foods that account for 90% of all food allergy cases in the U.S. - peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. Of course, any food can potentially become a problem. One that is gaining popularity in the food allergy world is corn. I know of at least 3 people in my county with a corn allergy, besides my daughter. I learn of more corn allergies each time I search the web for new recipes. So, if the immune system thinks certain foods are the enemy and attacks it, it must have gained some incorrect information, right? Computers are only as great as the information entered in them. If we input wrong information, we may not get the correct information when we need it. Junk in, junk out. Yet, if the correct information is entered, we get correct information when we ask for it. Well, in reality, our bodies are not that much different. If we continually feed our bodies the wrong information, by consuming the wrong things, we are giving our bodies the wrong information. Junk in, junk out.
The Lord tells us that our bodies are temples and should be treated as such. We are created in His image, and He doesn't make mistakes. He tells us the good things to eat. Take Daniel and his friends for example. Daniel and a few others were brought to the king's house for training before entering the king's army. They were to eat of the king's food and drink the wine. Daniel did not wish to put this "junk" in his body and instead requested he and his friends be allowed to eat vegetables and drink water. This was done for 10 days, and Daniel and his friends were stronger and healthier than the men eating the king's food. I would bet these vegetables were also organic by today's standards. Although I am sure they were much better than what is produced today.
To improve your immune system, your gut flora needs improvement. Our gut is home to good and bad bacteria. In a healthy gut, the good bacteria out numbers the bad and is able to keep the bad in check. However, that balance is often upset by any number of factors; like antibiotics, poor diet, and stress. Yes, antibiotics do kill germs that create bacterial infections, but they also kill the good bacteria along with the bad. And since the bad bacteria don't have anything to keep it in check, they become over populated in our gut, and can potentially create all kinds of chaos in the form of poor health and diseases. So, we need to add good bacteria to give our bodies a fighting chance. We can do that through taking probiotics, consuming raw fruits and vegetables, fermented foods, like sauerkraut, kimchi, or kefir, and drinking good quality water. Read the labels when purchasing store bought yogurt and kefir as these products contain sugar, and you may not be getting everything you think.
There are so many choices when it comes to probiotics. According to Natural News' website, look for one that has 15 billion or more of live bacteria in each capsule, potency at expiration date, and many different, well researched strains. Also, one that is resistant to stomach acid and bile is a plus. Many organisms are killed during this part of digestion and the more organisms in a probiotic, the better chance of them making it to your gut. Look at the other ingredients listed. I prefer a probiotic that doesn't have a lot listed there. I see those as fillers, and in Sis's case, they have been aggravating factors with her eczema.
Like I mentioned earlier, food allergies can present themselves in many different forms.
Anaphylaxis reactions are life threatening. Nuts, fish and shellfish are common food allergens which produce anaphylaxis reactions. There are some people that can't even be in the same room as these foods. Bee stings, animal dander, pollen, plants, and medications are some other common allergens that can cause anaphylaxis reactions. Once a person is exposed to an allergen, their reaction can worsen each time they are exposed. When we were little, my brother was stung by a bee on his foot and it swelled liked crazy. My mom always warned that if he was ever stung near his throat, he had to get to the ER immediately. Thankfully, we didn't experience that, and now he hardly has a reaction. His body actually developed an immunity to the stings. Me on the other hand...I was not allergic as a kid, but as an adult, I am very allergic. Asthma, eczema, psoriasis are also symptoms of food or environmental allergies. Food Allergy Research and Education's website lists several other common reactions associated with food allergies on their website.
Most eczema patients also have asthma. Thankfully, Sis doesn't. Just food and environmental allergies and intolerances. However, we do get a glimpse of something that most asthma patients don't get to see. When eczema patients are flared up, it is very close to what the lungs of an asthma patient look like during an asthma attack. Until my asthmatic, nurse friend pointed that out, I had no idea.
Currently, Sis has not had a flare up since February 2014 (YAY!!!). At the end of May, we began food challenges to determine more specifically what she is allergic to and what is safe for her to eat. We had some trout that was caught in the NC river in Cherokee last year. The rivers are stocked there with farm raised trout. So no telling how long the fish had actually been in the river before they were fished out. At about 24 hours after eating the fish, Sis's whole body began to itch horribly. So trout is out. I honestly don't think I will try farm raised fish any time in the near future either. About 2 weeks later, we did try wild caught salmon and she did great. So for now, we will stick to that. And believe me, she doesn't mind salmon one bit - she has expensive taste!
If you have a family member, church member, friend with allergies, please take the time to learn all you can about the allergies and the ways they react. It will amaze you and may help them in the long run.
Click here if you want to join my email list, so you don't miss an entry. I won't bombard you with emails, and I don't share that information with anyone. I will send you an email when I post a new entry.
Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear from any of you that care for someone with allergies or an autoimmune disease, or have family members or friends with either.
Blessings,
CJ
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