More on Detoxing & Adrenal Exhaustion....

Posted on December 29, 2011 by admin

I know this is "craftymom", but for a while it's going to sound like "health-nut mom", or just...."plain crazy mom".

As with any blog, the statement goes..."It's mine and I'll do what I want with it". Luckily I don't have a ton of crafty followers to disappoint with changing gears. I think this stuff is important, interesting, and it's what I'm currently working with, so..........bare with me, and hopefully there's something useful in it for others. With that said..........

I'm sick again! I had a terrible cold that lasted a month. I actually had it twice. Two weeks in I thought I was better, then it came back worse. I just started feeling better a few days ago. Then someone else in the house introduced another cold. James caught it first, and now I have it. I made the mistake of thinking it the same cold going around, and it's not. This one is coughing, throat, and chest related. Mine was all sinuses. I'm pissed off! I can't believe I'm sick again, and worse is that James is suffering now too! I'm trying to look at it in a positive light, and understand that more feelings of ill-health are going to make me more driven for the change of course I have planned.

I came across Dr. David Jubb. I'm really surprised I'd never heard of him before, bcuz he's fairly well known in holistic health. I'll be posting a lot of his video's and links to his articles. For now I want to touch on Adrenal Exhaustion, something that isn't talked about much, despite it being a widespread problem, related to most health issues (in North America in particular).

What is Adrenal Fatigue?

Borrowed from www.adrenalexhaustion.com

Adrenal Fatigue is any decrease in the ability of the adrenal glands to carry out their normal functions. This happens when your body is overwhelmed, when stress overextends the capacity of your body to compensate and fully recover. Consequently, the adrenal glands become fatigued and are unable to continue responding adequately to further stress. Adrenal Fatigue is a collection of signs and symptoms, known as a "syndrome" that results when the adrenal glands function below the necessary level. Most commonly associated with intense or prolonged stress, it can also arise during or after acute or chronic infections, especially respiratory infections such as influenza, bronchitis or pneumonia. Many factors can reduce adrenal function, and it is often an accumulation of such triggers over a period of time which are responsible for the syndrome known as adrenal fatigue. As the name suggests, the paramount symptom is fatigue that is not relieved by sleep but it is not a readily identifiable or diagnosable entity like a low iron count or Vitamin B12 in the blood, which is typically viewed by the medical profession as the cardinal sign of fatigue.

"Millions of Tired Women"

"The results of an Australian fatigue survey of over 1000 women aged 18- 54 revealed that over 800 of those surveyed said that tiredness and fatigue were significantly affecting their lives. The study which was conducted by Newspoll and released on April 14th 2008, surveyed women about the degree to which fatigue affected relationships, work and socialising in Australia. The results were astounding and would suggest that around 4.5 million Australian women are affected by tiredness, with many suffering from burn-out. This would translate to tiredness affecting about up to 80% of women to some degree. Most disturbing was that most just accepted that fatigue was part of their lives and did not seek help to find causes and possible solutions" (Australian Newspoll Survey - conducted Tuesday, 13 May 2008)

Adrenal Fatigue can wreak havoc with your life. In the more serious cases, the activity of the adrenal glands is so diminished that you may have difficulty getting out of bed for more than a few hours per day. With each increment of reduction in adrenal function, every organ and system in your body is more profoundly affected. Changes occur in your carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, heart and cardiovascular system, and even your sex drive. Many other alterations take place at the biochemical and cellular levels in response to and to compensate for the decrease in adrenal hormones that occurs with Adrenal Fatigue. Your body does its best to make up for under-functioning adrenal glands, but it does so at a price.

You may look and act relatively normal with Adrenal Fatigue and may not even have any obvious signs of physical illness, yet you live with a general sense of unwellness, tiredness or "gray" feelings. People suffering from Adrenal Fatigue often have to use coffee, tea and other stimulants to get going in the morning and to prop themselves up during the day. Younger people may rely on "energy drinks". Some adults may rely on the regular even daily use of alcohol in the late afternoon or evening to "unwind". Others may take medications such as sleeping pills, anti-depressants or rely habitually on paracetamol for tension headaches which may be caused by stress.

Adrenal Fatigue shows up in a variety of ways. The rarest and most extreme form is called Addison’s disease, named after Sir Thomas Addison, who first described it in 1855. It is life threatening if untreated and can result in permanent damage to the adrenal glands. Addison’s disease affects approximately four out of 100,000 people. About 70% of all cases are the result of auto-immune disease, while the other 30% result from a variety of causes, including severe stress.

Once Adrenal Fatigue sets in, you may become susceptible to a long list of health complaints including respiratory infections, asthma, allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other immune disorders.

Manifestations of adrenal fatigue:

Alcoholism
Allergies
Anxiety, anger (short-fuse), irritability, depression
Arthritic pain
Asthma
Adult-onset diabetes - Type 2 Diabetes
Auto-immune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis, many more)
Confusion, poor concentration, and memory recall
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Cravings for salt or sweet foods
Decreased immune response - recurrent coughs, colds, flu
Difficulty during menopause (the adrenals take over the role of the ovaries after menopause)
Fatigue inspite of sufficient sleep
Fibromyalgia
Frequent respiratory infections
Hypoglycemia - erratic or abnormal blood sugar levels (very common)
Increased fears, anxiety, and depression
Insomnia
Libido issues
Premenstrual tension
Post viral syndromes (history of glandular fever)
Reliance on stimulants such as coffee, tea, energy drinks
Reliance on alcohol to "unwind"
Reliance on sleeping pills, anti-depressants, and a host of other pharmaceutical medications related to stress-induced diseases.
Thyroid problems (many hypothyroid patients potentially have Adrenal Fatigue)
Weight gain

HEAL ADRENAL FATIGUE WITH THESE 'ORAC' RICH FOODS

TART CHERRY CONCENTRATE
BLACK PLUMS/PRUNES
DARK CHOCOLATE
ANY KIND OF BERRIES
ARTICHOKES
PECANS
APPLES

HEAL ADRENAL FATIGUE WITH THESE SIMPLE CHANGES

SLEEP WHEN TIRED. DON'T REACH FOR COFFEE, SUGAR, STIMULANTS
IF NOT TIRED....USE BATH, WALK, READING TO RELAX. DON'T USE DRUGS or ALCOHOL
ALSO TURN OFF TV, COMPUTER, LIGHTS & ELECTRONIC STIMULANTS
SPEND MORE TIME OUTSIDE IN NATURE, RELAXING
EAT SEVERAL SMALL MEALS, INSTEAD OF LARGE ONES.
VITAMIN C, LICORICE (avoid if have high blood pressure), ORAC FOODS
STRESS-MANAGEMENT & BOUNDARIES TO LOWER ADRENALIN RESPONSE

Popularity: 8% [?]

My Detox 2012

Posted on December 28, 2011 by admin

This is something I feel I've been gearing up for forever! I'm exhausted with all the thinking and research I've done up till now. How long my higher-self has been leaning on me to do something, and all the excuses I've used have become unbearable, boring, and pointless. How many times can I say "tomorrow"? And why? Not bcuz I have anything else more important. There's absolutely nothing more important. It's just been pure laziness and procrastination on my part. And, an inability to accept fully loving myself. THIS IS NOT THE MESSAGE I WANT TO BE SENDING OUT INTO THE COSMOS!!! A very wise person would say that...it is not our inabilities that stand in the way of our successes....it's the fear our own powerful state of perfection. That's a heavy thought.

There's no better time then the beginning of a new year to change the course of ones journey. As kids I think we like the idea. We hear our parents proclaiming change for the better, drink in hand, with a big smile, or a hearty laugh. Children learn more about "lip-service", and less about self discipline with these halfhearted "resolutions". I did. As a strong-willed, no-nonsense kid....I found the whole thing stupid and pathetic. Change can happen anytime. From a skewed angle, all I saw was the idea that it was okay to goof off on things till January, then insist for a couple a weeks we know better, then follow it up with endless excuses, guilt, and remorse, till we fall back into bad habits. How bizarre of a ritual is that?? Ironically for me, it is the new year, and going ahead with my plans for change in-spite of the track record...couldn't (actually) be more fitting. It's not the EASIEST times in life that we should decide to change gears....it's change during the most difficult times that proves us stronger! Still, it's all just lip-service till I get down to the actual application of it all!

MY PERSONAL DETOX PROTOCOL FOR 2012

In a nutshell, and starting from various angles....hoping to converge on one simple and healthy program for well-being. I'll write detailed posts on each therapy/protocol, and also (hopefully)...keep journal type posts of my experiences and progress along the way.

DRINKING DISTILLED WATER ONLY: Breaks down hardened minerals and calcification in the body, and helps flush the system out.
URINE THERAPY: Same as above, but works more quickly, with MANY added benefits.
INCREASED ACTIVITY: Not calling it 'exercise', but more activity in general
XYLITOL/ERYTHRITOL Protocol: This will be explained in a separate post
SUPPLEMENTS: A prenatal vitamin to support breast-feeding, and a few extra things to strength my immune system, and aid in detoxing.
PALEO-DIET: Not necessarily stick, but a move away from all processed foods. More raw, and much simpler!
QUITTING SMOKING: This one is a big deal. Trying not to look at it as such! Going Cold-Turkey, once and for all!

That's about it. Guess that's enough, since the resolution isn't something simple like, "getting more sleep", or "eating less fastfood". It's a complete and total lifestyle change. Plus, what I've mentioned above it only the tip of the iceberg. There's many other facets involved in (my) detox that are emotional, psychological, spiritual. More mental de-programming, and shit that's built up in the system on other levels. Not just physically. It's the most common reason why people fail at lifestyle changes.

In no way is this going to be easy for me. With the best of intentions....I forget myself on a constant basis, and that's going to be the hardest thing to change. In the midst of all the other stuff that's going on everyday, I forget the simplest things in regard to taking care of myself. I buy vitamins, but them front and center in the kitchen, buy the compartmental dispenser thing to make it easy to keep track of...and there it sits, gathering dust. I buy distilled water, and the only thing I've been using it for is the pets water. It's ridiculous. Every night I go to bed feeling guilty at having forgotten again, about everything. I wake up optimistic, but the minute everyone's up, and things get going....I get side-tracked again. I don't know how I'm going to rectify that?!? Aside from hanging big cards around my neck!

I'm not really good at a little change here, and a little change there. It has to be something big that involves everything. This is probably not the case for most people. I don't have a lot problems denying myself stuff....actually I'm pretty good at it, except for the cigarettes, which is really my only vice. I don't drink. I don't do drugs. I don't take any medications, and I don't eat that poorly. I'm not a shop-a-holic, a horder, or a whore. No offense to anyone that is. Just listing things off the top of my head, to try and feel optimistic about things to follow. All the things I won't have to give up.

Maybe they're problems in disguise though?!? Like....I've totally let myself go over the years! I use spend 3 hours every single morning doing my hair and makeup, not including bathing or getting dressed. Just hair and makeup! Even if I wasn't going anywhere, and....for Christs sake, where besides a wedding, the Oscars, or a date with George Clooney....would anyone need that much time to get ready? I literally go weeks now without even bothering to look in the mirror. I haven't bought any new clothes in years.....okay, besides fuzzy pajamas! I could care less now about makeup, hair, and what-not-to-wear. Still, I'm open enough to consider the fact that possibly this isn't the most healthy perspective.

That's where it gets a little confusing with the whole cleansing/detox thing. Like....getting out of the shower, the last you want to do is rub a bunch of crap allover your body, like lotions, deodorant, and perfume. But, there's another aspect to the "new me" that might benefit from a little spoiling. I'm not sure yet. Have to think about it. Would that be a ritual of self-love, or would be a step in the wrong direction? To put on a little lip gloss, and a dab of essential oil? I think it would help keep my spirits up; like actually putting clothes on in the morning...rather then wearing PJs all day. Who knows?!? I'm totally rambling now!!!!!

My biggest problems are being lazy, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and a problem focusing on goals. This lifestyle change is going to be a BITCH!!!! I know it is. No doubt about it. I'm on for a rough time! As far as I understand it.....if I can force myself to adhere to the rules for a month, then I'll fall into a routine of it....hopefully. God forbid it takes more then a month of absolute self-discipline. Not that I expect it to be fun after a month. I know it will probably take a year before there's no thought required at all. I'm also familiar enough with detoxing to know that in midst of things going great....there will difficult times that pop up. As solidified shit is broken loose physically....it carries with it emotional shit that just as toxic. It goes hand-in-hand. There's a lot of crap to deal with at the beginning of detox, but it's nothing compared to the big chunks that break loose down the road. The stuff we didn't even know existed.....it's buried so deep.

People that practice detoxing and cleansing on regular basis, understand one thing that's extremely beneficial........things will be going great, there will be all this energy, and focus, and calmness, and a interesting natural buzz. Everything is working great, and they'll claim they've never felt better in their life. Then, suddenly they're flat on their back....sick, exhausted, bent over the toilet, etc. Those that are seasoned will tell you very calmly that this is a very good thing! Your body is reacting adversely to some terrible toxic substance that's broken loose. Basically it will feel like a bad flu.....with mucus, and headaches, and body aches, and blurred vision, foggy brain, exhaustion, etc. REST! Drink plenty of fluids, make sure you're eliminating frequently/easily, and rest, rest, rest. In a few days.....you'll feel even better then you were claiming you felt last week! And so the process goes until you're truly cleaned out. It's taken a lifetime to get to the point you're at now. It's not going to fix itself overnight. That should be understood from the beginning.

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DETOX 2012

Posted on December 27, 2011 by admin

2012 is the year for healing; to begin loving ourselves the way we've always sought to be loved...with complete abandon. When we love ourselves completely, there is no such thing as ill-health. Love to most people is a very complex, involved thing thing, with many regulations, prerequisites, and expectations. Think of things you can't, won't, or don't love...this may give you an idea of how complex love is for you. From another angle...anger, hate, resentment, guilt, and the like.....all things we use energy to store mentally and emotionally...are also stored physically. We have a great immunity to these things at first, the same way when we're younger...we can pack away junk food, party hard and recover quickly, treat ourselves poorly without much effect. In time, our immunity wains as our bodies wear down from stress, and unhealthy behavior....we don't bounce back the same. There are multiple reasons for this, but in general we LOAD ourselves down, gunk ourselves up with crap.....emotionally, mentally, and physically, and at some point our system begins to revolt at the unhealthy way we treat ourselves. It is a sympathetic system. It will try it's best to warn us, hint towards better choices. it will starts with small aches and pains, bouts of illness here and there. The more we ignore ourselves...the worse things get, until we can't ignore it any longer. It will consume us fully in the end, if we don't make the effort to pay attention. Of course, this is the first step. I will make an effort to post on the spiritual aspects of healing, as well as the practical. This post is only an introduction to some of my ideas.

When the student is ready the teacher will appear. Physician heal thyself. A thousand mile journey begins with one step. It's time to look towards the simple, and profound for guidance....the practices that have been in existence for eons. HUMBLING is the key-word for 2012. It's not about expensive treatments, complex supplements, or things that are out of reach to anyone. It's not even about drastic changes, although some of the ideas I'll share will seem extreme. Holistic well-being is the goal. To return, regain, reconnect with the health we once knew. For me this process has more to do with 'less', rather then 'more'. We are programmed to believe that health is an expensive thing that requires fancy apparatuses, annual memberships, pricey counselling, and the best of the best products. We are taught to accept that in order to be whole and well....we need to add and add to our lives, all manner of things that are 'better' for us. It's big business. If the condition of our skin is a problem...how many products exist on "the market" offering cures? There's 'all-natural' mineral makeup, creams, cleansers, tonics....spas, facial processes, dermabrasions, laser therapies. Treatments you can rub on your skin, and natural remedies to ingest. If none of that works, there's always prescription medicine. This is an example of the "MORE" that doesn't work, it actually tends to exacerbate problems. Worse, it interrupts your own healthy dialog with yourself (higher intelligence). It doesn't take much to understand the detrimental effects of thinking that fulfillment or happiness comes from outside ourselves. The same applies to all aspects of health. Loving yourself as you are, in the moment....as "enough"....starting there, and utilizing your energy to develop a health, loving relationship with yourself is the best medicine. Demonstrate that you are capable of taking care of yourself with love. Love is synonymous with respect. Respect yourself fully and you will earn the ability to heal yourself.

My understanding is that health has little to do with ADDING more to ones lifestyle, but instead simplifying, and lightening the LOAD. Since I support the idea of "as above so below"....and that everything we do in this physical plane of existence, is connected/mirrored on a spiritual/divine level....there is no better approach to health, then to minimize the junk that stands between our physical bodies and our spirit! 2012 will be about tapping into that consciousness, and re-connecting that relationship with ourselves. Making that stronger, will make us stronger, but it's a very SUBTLE thing. Powerful in a absolute sense, but....subtle. I believe it involves "casting off" a great many things, and creating the SPACE to allow our higher state of being to move in and guide us. Again...........a HUMBLING! Putting aside all we learned, and all we think, and leaving room for something "other". For our higher-intelligence to shine through. That doesn't require any money at all. It does require time, energy, patience, and TRUST. Precious things, that can seem even more expensive then money....but are not. They are all free, and they are accessible to everyone. If..............we LOVE ourselves enough to allow them.

Some of the things I want to introduce for my Detox 2012 posts.....

URINE THERAPY (OR DISTILLED WATER THERAPY)
MASTER CLEANSE, AND ALSO FLUSHING & FASTING
PARASITE CLEANSES
SPIRITUAL & EMOTIONAL CLEANSING
PALEO-DIET (& ALTERNATIVE SIMPLE DIETS)

Most everything I'll be posting about is inexpensive. The greatest cost is putting ones mind to it, self-discipline, and honest intention. None of these things work without effort and consistency. All of the practices I share, are MAINTENANCE programs. Even for people that are capable of getting their minds around the idea of radical or alternative therapies for health.....the hardest remains DEDICATION. Even for me! I am not a guru on health and well-being, by any means. I have a ton of work to do on myself.............and that is the MAIN reason for the whole Detox 2012 section. For me!! I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything, or push any ideas, or sell anything. I'm not insisting that this is the way for everyone, or anyone. These are just things that interest me enough to invest myself in, and Detox 2012 is just to share my experience in this process. My hope is that a few other people out there are making a similar journey, and are willing to post comments, feedback, and links. That some small support circle might be created here, and that it might inspire others to think alternatively on their health.

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Good Quality Spam

Posted on December 26, 2011 by admin

This comment was awaiting approval this morning.

I do love the way you have presented this particular difficulty and it really does provide me a lot of fodder for thought. However, from everything that I have observed, I simply hope when other opinions pack on that individuals continue to be on point and don't embark on a soap box involving some other news of the day. All the same, thank you for this excellent point and while I do not concur with this in totality, I respect the perspective.

Was deleted only bcuz it was in a weird place...."Grab-a-Badge" page, and not associated with any post I'd written. Good for spammers that at least take the time to generate well thought out comments to feed their spam-bots. Had this been a comment anywhere else....I wouldn't have thought twice about approving it. Or worse, replying to it!

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Rant: Butterfly Stompers

Posted on December 19, 2011 by admin

I live with a person who takes it upon himself to point out everything I'm doing wrong. Everything he "thinks" I'm doing wrong, which immediately causes problems for me, since I'm not a big advocate for for the concept of "wrong" in the first place. The main issue here.....is that someone's idea of wrong is based solely on their on perception of things. They take nothing else into account. Okay, so this person is 80 years old...meaning their perception is going to be somewhat skewed in the first place. I allow some slack for that. Second, he's male..........so, even more skewed and linear. I allow some for that too. Okay, yeah...and he's "Southern". Suppose I have to allow some for this as well...despite thinking it poor excuse to be an narrow-minded, back-assward, idiot at times. Complete opposite ends of the spectrum (we are)....where from his point of view....most everything is based on the color of someone's skin, and what they have between their legs. A woman is suppose to dress pretty, wear make-up, perfume, and get her hair and nails done at the salon every week. They're meant to keep the house clean, iron and starch shirts, etc. Men are meant to pound their chests, say whatever comes to mind, make cruel jokes, and buy some sort of vehicle every 6 months.

Based on all that...............there is no unrealistic expectations in my mind that we're ever meant to see eye to eye. I can get around all that stuff, and ignore his opinions for the most part. What I find myself having a problem with..........is his casual negativity. I honestly think he find pleasure in talking trash, and bringing down others around him, when things aren't 100% with himself. Anyone know someone like that?? When he's in good spirits...he's all niceness, and compliments. When he's stressing for whatever reason.....he seems to be constantly deflecting all of it off him, and onto those around him. Or, is that just my perception? Guess it doesn't matter. He's not going to change. So, all in all it's a TEST for me to adapt & overcome!!! Isn't that why Blue Meanies, Butterfly Stompers, and Dream Busters exists for us?? To help us overcome issues we have....big or small.

Is the reason I still have someone in my life telling me, "You have a really pretty face. It's a shame you can't lose 50 pounds, because you'd be a knock out". Do I have hear this bcuz I still have some low, self-esteem issues? Bcuz isn't the process in my head going through all the reasons why that perspective is not healthy, helpful, or important? Aren't those people merely messengers? Projecting our own thoughts, or beliefs back on us...so we can work them out in our heads, and hearts? I think so.

When someone comes along and bothers to tell you you're not doing a good enough job of things....I think it only upsets us if we believe it. The more we believe it....the more it upsets us. In that case...I don't think it has anything to do with how it's delivered or by who. It's how it effects us, and WHY it effects us! I believe that to be a super important KEY to freeing ourselves up from crap.....becoming IMMUNE to it, is really what the process is. IMMUNITY. And, not through the type of RESISTANCE we usually grasp for right away. That 'blocking' sort of tactic....where we put up a hand, or slam a door, etc. Shut it out. That's not healthy resistance, it's fear-based. Nope....instead it's taking something in, exposing ourselves to it, testing it against our inner-truth of self, and then releasing it simply as useless to us. That process can get easier and easier the more immune we become, where it happens is micro-seconds. Something comes into our space, it's processed, and excreted as garbage. OR...........it rattles around inside us until we overcome it, or it destroys us.

I guess wit that understanding............my problem is with me! Not really......."what sort of bullshit is this person dishing out", but........what sort of bullshit am I allowing to effect me? And from an even more spiritual perspective......say, "I thank and respect this individual for being available to mirror and deliver my internal disease back at me, so that I can address it, and overcome it, and be a healthier person for it!" And, "I honor me, for being strong, and respectful of myself, where I don't move through life in resistance and ignorance, afraid of what surrounds me.....but head on, with a healthy, open, joyful heart, that understands that my "natural" state of being is immune from all disease and negativity"!!!

Something like that.

</end rant>

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Geeky Gifts List

Posted on December 16, 2011 by admin

These are all from one site. ThinkGeek.com

I know there's tons of geeky gifts out there that are great. Leave links/comments for any great ones you know of! Not sure why I'm even listing these, bcuz most of them are sold out on their site. Might see something that's perfect for a birthday, or baby shower, etc. Bookmark it.