Put Down the Doughnut

August 11, 2009 · Filed under Amy's Thoughts · Tagged , , , ,

My awesome friend Jenny commented on this article on her Facebook page today. Thanks Jenny. It comes on the heels of me attending Shaklee’s Global Conference in St. Louis, MO where I learned about cutting edge research the company is doing to advance nutrition science. I was surrounded by 70 and 80-year-old men and women who literally look like the children of their peers. The vibrant life of vitality they live is inspiring!!

I can see how penalizing self-destructive behaviors can lead to a slippery slope of prejudice and discrimination that isn’t fair. But, it’s conversely unfair to tax those of us who are working hard to take care of our bodies as best we can amidst a dirty world filled with pollutants we can’t stop. But, our health care system is so poorly incentived, it is ludicrous to think that throwing more money (money we don’t have) at it is a reasonable solution.

Health Reform Idea: Put down the doughnut

Obesity health costs: $147 billion a year
There’s no doubt that the bulk of the nation’s health care costs are self-inflicted. Smoking, high blood pressure and being overweight are the top risks for early death, accounting for more than 1 million premature deaths each year, with physical inactivity, high blood sugar and alcohol use not far behind, according to an April study by the Harvard School of Public Health.

The price tag for obesity has soared to $147 billion a year, new government studies show, and smoking costs about $193 billion in medical expenses and lost productivity.

“To have hundreds of thousands of premature deaths caused by these modifiable risk factors is shocking,” noted Goodarz Danaei, a co-author of the Harvard risk study.

I’m glad people are starting to discuss the real issues. Read on!

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Confessions of a Body Cleanser

August 5, 2009 · Filed under Amy's Thoughts, Environmental Toxicity, Food, Healing/Treatment, Prenatal/Babies

While not too far off my normal diet – a solid 21 days of gritty-green fruit shakes and lots of fruits and veggies is a fantastic accomplishment in my book. It was my first official “cleanse” overseen by a health care professional. Vickie Daniels, ND, out of Walker, MN is a super neat gal – a naturepathe who is super knowledgeable and has quite a record of healing people. We all need healing in many ways, but I’m on a mission to get my body ready for babies!

So, yeah, I totally binged today to celebrate my first day free of my diet. It’s not because I hated it or it wasn’t doable, it’s just fun to have freedom and I thank the Lord I am well enough to have that freedom. This morning I had an organic breakfast of coffee, pasture raised eggs and pork sausage – none of which were allowed on my diet! Lunch was pizza. Dinner – oh, yeah baby, burritos and margaritas!!! I really want to step up the nutrition of my cooking another notch after exploring new ways to think about meals. But, come on, I had to celebrate. I did so in small proportions – aside from the 27 oz margarita!!

Post-Cleanse Margarita

Here’s How It Went
The first week was tough!!! I used a regimen of herbs (10 capsules 3x/day) and a greens shake (2-3/day) from the Standard Process Purification Program, a very reputable, whole-foods supplement company. I would have used my faithful Shaklee products, but I really wanted to do my first cleanse with the normal regimen Dr. Daniels uses – although she will work with people who know and love the quality of their Shaklee products. I had only fruits and vegetables, brown rice or lentils and then added fish and chicken halfway through.

Ok, the pamphlet I got with the cleanse recommended to lay off the caffeine before hand to reduce headaches. I don’t drink much so I figured I’d be ok. Boy was I wrong! The first three days was torturous, and my own fault at that! But, I pushed through. My bowels were kind of messed up as I cleaned out . . . but heck, my face was starting to clear up by day 2! I have adult acne amidst a pretty clean diet and diligence about washing, but not too much. I just had some digestive issues too after that as I figured out what tasted good and found new recipes to make (I’ll post some in the coming week!). You see, I was dog tired though. . . so I had to use all I had to enjoy cooking creatively in the first days of the detox. Fatigue continued for the FIRST FULL WEEK! Once I got off the SP Cleanse and on to the Green Food, I started to regain much energy. Yet, I was ecstatic about my fact clearing up all along the way – which gave me hope!

My First Confession
So, I think once I finally started to feel like a normal human being again (about day 5 or 6), so I got a little restless and I broke down! I can’t believe my husband let me – but the truth is, on a bike ride, I convinced him to let me got to Dairy Queen!!! I shared half of one of those Tagalong Girl Scout Cookie Blizzards. Ya know, the Peanut Butter Patties? This Junk Food Blog says it all!! It was SO good!!!!

I did pretty good most the rest of the 21 days besides sneaking a couple pieces of feta here and there – they were tiny ok!. My last day was yesterday, and that means the homestretch happened at a family weekend at my in-laws! That means tons of tastey food and goodies and – me-no-touch! I ended up breaking down over a small chocolate chip cookie on Saturday and the mozzarella on caprici salad on Sunday.

So, the first week was tough physically. The last week was tough mentally.

All in all, it was a success. I’m so glad I did it. If you didn’t know, I’m working to clean my body to create a health environment for babies to grow in! :) I feel really good about this process as the right thing to do. I think there are lots of ways to cleanse, I’m exploring my options and learning a lot long the way. If you have any good insights to share – please do so! While my acne is still slightly present, along with a noticeable presence of candida issues (still have some things to work on) I can say with confidence – this is a great start!

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Boy and Mother Race to Mexico to Flee Court-ordered Chemo

May 21, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized

When I heard that Daniel and his mother left their farm in Sleepy-eye, Minn. on Monday I looked at my husband and say, “They went to Mexico.” Believe it or not, there’s some amazing things happening down there for treatment. I pray Daniel gets well, not matter the outcome. I certainly hope he gets well, as many many people do, and comes back to all US to judge the court and stay out of private citizen’s medical business.

MPR did a great interview of a man from Utah who was in the same situation 6 years ago. They came back well, and the charges were dropped. I just talked a 79 year old woman this weekend at a Shaklee Nutrition conference. She celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with a 17 mile bike ride with her husband. She once had breast cancer. She asked her allopathic doctor what he would do if it were his wife, he said, “pack your bags and head for Mexico.”

Vera (who I’d like to post an audio interview with the future) received high, high intravenous dosages of Vitamin C. No crazy side effects. The only crazy side effect is that her cancer was gone.

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Justice System Forces Unwanted Chemo Treatment on Family

May 18, 2009 · Filed under Amy's Thoughts, Cancer, Healing/Treatment, Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , ,

The story of the Hauser family from Sleepy Eye, Minn. is one that has infected my heart over the last week. Thirteen-year-old Daniel was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He tried one chemo treatment, got gravely sick and made the decision to get a second opinion and try alternative care. Now, his parents are being sued by the state. The ruling just came out that he is to be forced to take chemo.

Hauser Family - Sleep Eye, Minn.

I’ve tracked with the story on Minnesota Public Radio. What’s so sad is that this kid is reported to be doing better! Believe it or not, while this isn’t a common situation, this kind of thing happens more often you would think!

I’m going to be tracking with this story closely. I understand that there is a huge success rate with the chemo treatment for this type of cancer, but that’s if the chemo doesn’t kill him first. Many more people would live from cancer if chemo didn’t kill them . . . I’d love to see some statistics on that. I’ll let you know if I find them.

What is so sad is chemo-advocates don’t take into account how much the chemo ravages your body . . . damaging your immune system for the rest of your life and possibly causing another cancer. That’s the very reason why so many people are looking to other means of healing . . . and they are out there. This is a really difficult decision, because the chemo treatment for this cancer has shown to be so effective. But, this comes down to a family getting the freedom to choose their path to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness . . . which is a right.

The world really believes allopathic doctors have all the answers (because the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries have so handsomely supported them). More research comes out everyday about the effectiveness of natural treatments and these alternatives methods, it’s just so slow because the financial support for its research is just starting to grow. But, the time is right, in time, we will see more non-chemo options that boys like Daniel can use to heal, without the state coming after the parents.

Any thoughts about this?

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FDA dodges: Drug maker blamed for inadequate warnings

March 4, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , ,

In a 6 to 3 decision, another pharmeceutical company lost their appeal to the Supreme Court, who determined the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of a drug’s label doesn’t protect drug makers from patient lawsuits alleging inadequate warnings.

These decisions are happening more and more as people are figuring out they are being prescribed drugs they aren’t entirely sure the benefit/risk ratio. I’ll have to say, there are many circumstances where I personally am so glad there are drugs to do miraculous things for us in dire times of need.

But, here are the days that we call our doctor and they say . . .”oh, you probably have XYZ so let me call in Drug X.” It’s an exclamation on the end of the point that the FDA can’t do it all, nor DOES it do all things to protect us. There’s no way it can.

I called the doctor the other day over a minor issue. I will have to say, they at least asked me to come in, but they already had 3 prescriptions waiting for me.

To this, my experience has show there are so many other lifestyle changes, or even homeopathic or simple household solutions, that can be discovered first. I was less than impressed by the doctors recommendations, so I dealt with my own issue at home and I’m glad to say, I’m all better. I didn’t have a seizure or go into cardiac arrest, but there’s a point here.

Maybe these pharmaceutical companies, along with the government and our family doctors can start talking to us SERIOUSLY about diet, exercise, and nutrition in therapeutic ways. Unfortunately, it’s going to take a higher death and disability toll from these drug makers before the paradigm shift happens . . . but, I think we are on our way to learning a terrible lesson.

To contemplate this issue further . . . check out the movie, The Constant Gardener. I don’t think it’s a true story, but it’s based on solid research of what is happening around the world and the affects of the drug industry and their carelessness.

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Contributing to Finding a Cure – When the Clock is Ticking

February 22, 2009 · Filed under Amy's Thoughts, Healing/Treatment, Uncategorized · Tagged ,

I made my husband and I late to church this morning, as usual today. Just after an extra long string of announcements, I was ready to dig deep into the Hebrews passage we are going through. The Pastoral Prayer was next and then we could dig in! Before the prayer, Pastor mentioned a young family, that is fairly new to our church with three little kids, just found out that the mom is terminal with cancer.

My heart stung with hurt for this family I didn’t even know. And, all too familiar feelings and mental images came to my mind of my mother dying of cancer. I wondered if that family was in church…

So, we prayed and started singing the final worship song – a favorite of mine. And then all of the sudden I noticed the family, two rows in front of me, wasn’t standing like the rest of us. Instead, they were hugging and crying. All the sudden my tears joined theirs with hurt and sorrow in my heart. They were the family dealing with terminal cancer.

I could only listen, not sing. And, to tell you the truth, I’m not sure what Pastor preached on today. My mind was fixed on the hurt they felt and wondering where my place is to help.

Should I sit quietly and pray? She has decided to not try any experimental chemo treatments, rather take the kids to Disneyland and visit as much as family until she’s too sick. Should I call her up and ask to pray with them? Should I tell her about Dr. Avalos of the Stella Maris Clinic in Mexico, the Gerson Institute, Dr. Lorraine Day or Dr. Lyn Hanshew that are helping some people survive what conventional doctor’s have no hope for. But, with the Internet FULL of all kinds of people saying they have the cure for cancer, some of who prey on the sick for money, who am I to try to introduce this family to alternative cancer therapies that are demonized by Rochester and Sloan-Kettering. At least Cancer Treatment Center’s of America has changed the tide with conventional hospitals and set a new standard by natural, complimentary therapies and encouraging the elimination of environmental toxins, eating organic, and therapeutic nutrition and supplement therapies with whole food supplements. Supplements I’ve seen to be most effective come by only a few names including Shaklee and Standard Process. I’ve worked with, talked with or communicated with these doctors in one way shape or form over the last few years. I wish I knew all these things before my mom got sick. It’s just all too much when a doctor puts a time line on your life and the clock is ticking.

But, God is good and to think of being with Jesus sooner than later is so beautiful. But, no one wants to leave a family behind. For right now I am going to keep my lips closed and my heart open to prayer for the family. I don’t know them at all. I introduced my self briefly after church and said I’d help in any way possible. I wished I had offer to pray right then and there. But, for now I will pray from my home and see where or what God leads me to do. If anyone has suggestions, do share!

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The Blue Zone: It Just Makes Sense

February 20, 2009 · Filed under Environmental Toxicity, Food, Managing Aging · Tagged , ,

“We are more than our genes,” that’s what Medical Chief Editor Nancy Synderman said on the Today Show this morning after a report on a Calfi. community that lives longer than usual. These types of healthy-people communities have been labeled as Blue Zone Communities.

Strong social ties, active and happy, they do not smoke, and a plant based diet, those are the characteristics along with a pristine environment protected from much air pollution and pesticides allows this community to live long and prosper. Even in their very simple lives, they have purpose and thrive! They don’t go to the doctor and get drugs very often, if ever. Many, after nearly a century of life have never been to the doctor!

Although today’s Today Show report isn’t online, here’s a report about Costa Rica earlier from ABC News on Feb. 2.

I think this is a beautiful example of what this blog is set out to prove and help people accomplish. Maybe we won’t be able to live in a Blue Zone Community, but maybe we can make as many choices as we can, similar to the way they live so that we can prevent cancer and disease with these same principals!

The people in these Blue Zone Communities are moving everyday, meaning they work, physical work, until they are 90, so exercise in their very day life. “We are blessed by our genes, but we also do a lot of things to derail them,” Synderman also said.

I don’t know about you, but this encourages me to continue my inconvenient nutrient dense diet (and supplement since I can’t grow all my own food in live soil like these communities) and reduce environmental toxicity around me, manage my stress and excercise among other things!

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Iowans are one step closer to getting less expensive, more available, local veggies!

February 20, 2009 · Filed under Food · Tagged , ,

I was watching a local news station last night (it doesn’t have the story posted) and it highlighted Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey’s support for vegetable farmers. I checked into it and learned about the 2009 Farmers Market Nutrition Program and it has training so these vegetable farmers can get subsidy money to help grow their farms.

I was SO excited about this. I emailed Northy (who lives in my town of Spirit Lake, Iowa) and commended him for his work. Here’s part of the email:

I was watching KTIV tonight and saw your appearance supporting vegetable farmers in Iowa. I just wanted to commend you for this and I can’t tell how excited I got!!! It almost brought me to tears. I think it is a public health issue that Americans are not buying and eating fresh fruits and vegetables – much less local vegetables that don’t have to be picked from their nutrient source before they’re ripe. The government says we need 5-8 servings, from what I’ve read we really need 8-10 ripe servings from live soil (this is why I take lots of vitamins!). I think your work supporting vegetable farmers (besides the fact that it is smart to diversify) will help make REAL food accessible to Iowans. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Iowa . . . it’s a great start to getting fresher, riper, less expensive fresh vegetables! Thanks Mr. Northey!

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Getting started is the hardest part.

February 16, 2009 · Filed under Cosmetics/Personal Care, Food, Healing/Treatment, Household Products, Prenatal/Babies, Weightloss · Tagged , ,

Getting started IS the hardest part. Whether it’s changing your eating habits, dropping the aspartame laden diet soda (it’s a neurotoxin!) or dumping the chemical cleaners in your house . . . getting started is the hardest part. And going green, no one said it would be easy, or always the cheapest route. But we need to pick our priorities and start somewhere.

Find one thing you can do today and make a habit of it. Then, find something else. Repeat.

Yeah, and getting this blog started is the hardest part. If you’ve stumbled across the blog in its early days, I hope you will ask a question or share some information with the community. We have to start somewhere. We’ll move forward, one post at a time.

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Getting Started

February 16, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized

Whelp, this is my first blog post on Vital Views & Healthy News. It’s overwhelming, exhilarating and hopeful.

I have great expectations for this blog. I hope to pull together the health care professionals I’ve met over the years, my extremely knowledgeable and passionate natural health advocate friends and everyone who wants to know more!

Do share. Do exchange. Learn, listen and love living your life the very best you know how with what you know to be true.

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