We are in West Palm Beach and I am contemplating my new year's goals. Have you thought about yours? Do you want to make a lifestyle change (diet, exercise, style, wellness)? Or possibly your spiritual life? Maybe today would be a good day to seriously consider making some changes.
My goals for the new year include incorporating anti-inflammatory foods in my diet which will help with joint and muscle pain, trying some new activities, such as kayaking and hiking, and spiritually getting to know Jesus better.
After you have come up with a few, write them down, and then start researching what small steps you could take to begin to make them happen. Try and incorporate some fun into your goal setting. If you need help, contact me on my website www.lifestylesbyjane.com.
Happy New Year!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
My Top 6 Natural Remedies for Cold or Virus
The last two weeks I have been battling an upper respiratory bug which included fever, cough, nasal congestion and fatigue. It has not been fun and the cough still lingers on. This is what I always do when I have one of these viruses (which doesn't happen very often):
1. Start drinking my hot toddies (hot water, wedge of lemon and teaspoon of honey). It always soothes my throat and cough and works as an astringent to clear the bugs (plus Vitamin C).
2. Eat chicken soup, preferably homemade. Great for healing and sinuses.
3. Use a saline solution for nasal congestion in drops or spray. I use "Little Noses" which my daughter used when my grandchildren were babies. Works great!
4. Apply Lourdes holy water on my throat, neck, nose and anywear else that needs healing. It was given to me by a dear friend who got it from her aunt who visited the Lourdes healing site in France. I also pray for healing. Read about Lourdes here http://www.awakening-healing.com/LourdesFR.htm
5. I snuggle in with a good book. This time I read "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen Simonson. Such a great story - I didn't want to put it down. Enjoyable, easy reading plus a love story. Loved it!
6. Last but not least - REST. I didn't exercise for a week, which really bugged and worried me, but breathing hard when you have upper respiratory symptoms isn't smart. Just makes you cough. I am back to walking again - use good judgement with this. Fresh air and sunshine are good for you, so some gentle strolls won't hurt if you are up for it. But not in really cold air.
So those are my natural remedies for surviving the winter cough and cold bug. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Grotto at Lourdes, France
My New Favorite Book
P.S. I do take Tylenol or Ibuprophen for fever or aches
1. Start drinking my hot toddies (hot water, wedge of lemon and teaspoon of honey). It always soothes my throat and cough and works as an astringent to clear the bugs (plus Vitamin C).
2. Eat chicken soup, preferably homemade. Great for healing and sinuses.
3. Use a saline solution for nasal congestion in drops or spray. I use "Little Noses" which my daughter used when my grandchildren were babies. Works great!
4. Apply Lourdes holy water on my throat, neck, nose and anywear else that needs healing. It was given to me by a dear friend who got it from her aunt who visited the Lourdes healing site in France. I also pray for healing. Read about Lourdes here http://www.awakening-healing.com/LourdesFR.htm
5. I snuggle in with a good book. This time I read "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen Simonson. Such a great story - I didn't want to put it down. Enjoyable, easy reading plus a love story. Loved it!
6. Last but not least - REST. I didn't exercise for a week, which really bugged and worried me, but breathing hard when you have upper respiratory symptoms isn't smart. Just makes you cough. I am back to walking again - use good judgement with this. Fresh air and sunshine are good for you, so some gentle strolls won't hurt if you are up for it. But not in really cold air.
So those are my natural remedies for surviving the winter cough and cold bug. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Grotto at Lourdes, France
My New Favorite Book
P.S. I do take Tylenol or Ibuprophen for fever or aches
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Food Sensitivities, Adrenal Stress and Chronic Fatigue
Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia go from doctor to doctor looking for help with feeling tired and achey. When they can offer nothing, we turn to alternative practitioners, such as nurse practitioners, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, etc. I have tried all of these and more. My first ray of hope came when I found Elizabeth Markovich, NP at Integrative Healthcare http://www.ihcfl.com/ at the recommendation of a friend. Elizabeth suspected that my adrenals might be exhausted or that I may have food sensitivities which may be causing the fatigue and joint and muscle pain. Over a period of time, she did a blood test called the Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) through Diagnos-Techs, Inc. and multiple blood tests for food sensitivities through Immuno Laboratories.
The first major breakthrough came when I got the results of the ASI test. The test showed that my adrenals were depressed. The big shocker came when she showed me some other tests that are a part of the index. The GliadinAb, SIgA number was positive for a severe intolerance to grain glutens (wheat, rye, oat, barley, and others). I never suspected that I had an gluten intolerance, but the test showed that I had a high-grade intestinal inflammation going on from the gluten. No wonder I was tired and having GI complaints! My body was incredibly stressed! First, I was in denial, then I slowly realized that I had to give up gluten, probably permanently. The tests results also gave an example of a restoration plan for my adrenals and gut using supplements. I had additional tests done by my gatroenterologist and I do have a genetic marker for celiac disease, but additional testing showed my small intestine was fine and not distressed (probably from having eliminated gluten). I have been off gluten for several years now, and although inconvenient at times, it is worth having a healthy gut and feeling better. It is definitely a lifestyle change. I am happy to help anyone who may have gluten intolerance or celiac disease in changing their lifestyle to no gluten. Additional food intolerance tests done through Immuno Laboratories showed that I had problems with shellfish, almonds, cranberries, and others, which I have eliminated.
The discovery of the food intolerances has been only a part of my healing from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Stay tuned for the next chapters of my recovery, which include eliminating stomach bugs, using probiotics, digestive enzymes and Vitamin C and receiving healing prayer. You can get well, too!
The first major breakthrough came when I got the results of the ASI test. The test showed that my adrenals were depressed. The big shocker came when she showed me some other tests that are a part of the index. The GliadinAb, SIgA number was positive for a severe intolerance to grain glutens (wheat, rye, oat, barley, and others). I never suspected that I had an gluten intolerance, but the test showed that I had a high-grade intestinal inflammation going on from the gluten. No wonder I was tired and having GI complaints! My body was incredibly stressed! First, I was in denial, then I slowly realized that I had to give up gluten, probably permanently. The tests results also gave an example of a restoration plan for my adrenals and gut using supplements. I had additional tests done by my gatroenterologist and I do have a genetic marker for celiac disease, but additional testing showed my small intestine was fine and not distressed (probably from having eliminated gluten). I have been off gluten for several years now, and although inconvenient at times, it is worth having a healthy gut and feeling better. It is definitely a lifestyle change. I am happy to help anyone who may have gluten intolerance or celiac disease in changing their lifestyle to no gluten. Additional food intolerance tests done through Immuno Laboratories showed that I had problems with shellfish, almonds, cranberries, and others, which I have eliminated.
The discovery of the food intolerances has been only a part of my healing from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Stay tuned for the next chapters of my recovery, which include eliminating stomach bugs, using probiotics, digestive enzymes and Vitamin C and receiving healing prayer. You can get well, too!
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