My Clay Cleanse Experience

The time finally arrived.  I had been recommending the Clay Cleanse for years and know of many, many people who have done it with fantastic results.  I myself had been unable to do it because I've been either pregnant or breastfeeding for the last 4 1/2 years.  You never want to do a cleanse while pregnant or breastfeeding.  Those toxins can end up in baby through your blood and through your milk.

I definitely felt the pressure in doing this cleanse, since I'm the one who put it together.  This was good, because the first two days was definitely tough and that pressure got me through.  I was really tired and I wanted to eat really bad.  I'm such a snacker so I had to retrain my mind so I wouldn't just grab this or that and throw it in my mouth.  I did the coffee enema's each night and they definitely gave me an energy boost and took away my headache.  I'm amazed how well they really work.  I know enema's may really scare people, but they can definitely make things easier.

Day 3 was still pretty tough, but not near as bad as day 1 and 2.  I knew relief was around the corner, so it got me through day 3.  Everyone talks about how easy it gets on day 4, and they were right!  Day 4 I had great energy, no hunger pains, and I felt so much "lighter".

I started passing the weird stool on day 2 and it continued through the whole cleanse.  I know some of it comes from the psyllium, but I definitely saw things that I hadn't been consuming come out as well.

By the end of day 7 I was so ready to eat again!  My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach and I ate WAY too much food!  Start slow, people!  Because my digestion had been shut down for days, it didn't really kick in well and I was BLOATED!  I know it will be hard, but I really think you should break the cleanse slowly with fruits and veggies in small amounts until your digestion kicks in full steam again.  Taking enzymes can help as well.

I continued to finish out my clay and psyllium by taking it twice a day.  It still absorbs toxins, even when you are eating again.  Just be sure and take it an hour away from your vitamins and supplements.

My skin looks better, my energy level is better, and my digestion is better.  Don't forget to replenish with probiotics when you're finished!  It's essential!

I'm continuing to get emails from people who are doing the cleanse.  Jump on board!  You'll be glad you did!

The Much Anticipated Clay Cleanse

I put this cleanse regime together a few years back. After much time and researching, I pulled together what I thought to be the Ultimate Cleansing Regime. This cleanse is a combo of the Sonne's cleanse with my own suggestions thrown into the mix. My guess is that at least 30 people have completed this cleanse, although I continue to find out that more and more have done it. Word spreads when something works... I designed this cleanse to not only strip the "plaque" off the walls of the gut, but I added the spirulina to help not only with nutrients and energy, but it also helps rid the body of heavy metals. This fish oil helps keep you alert, and the fat in the oil helps curb your appetite. The Vit C is a powerful antioxidant and in higher dosages like this, can help move the bowels.

 Sonne's 7 clay is amazing stuff. It is negatively charged so it absorbs positively charged things in the body like metals and toxins. I've even been putting it on my face with great results and also doing clay footbaths. I can literally feel it pulling stuff out of my feet. It is wild! I've watched my husband complete this cleanse 3 times. Each time I took note of how he felt, what came out (lots of dark tarlike plaque and even little green gallstones), his energy level, etc.

 I've also gotten tons of feedback from others. Everyone seems to love it. Maybe not so much the first 3 days, but after that it's quite easy and when they're finished, they're so glad they did it. Many are now doing it once a year. From the feedback I've gathered that the first 3 days can be rough, but once day 4 hits people get a wave of energy and have no problem keeping up with their typical daily activities. Many continue to exercise even. They aren't hungry, but of course they still miss food. I have not yet embarked on this cleanse. I've been pregnant or breastfeeding for the last 5 years. Then I wanted to wait until it was warm outside because I know from past experience my body gets too cold if I cleanse in the winter. My husband is getting his wisdom teeth out on Monday, so it's the perfect time for us to do this together.

 I'm going to go ahead and post the directions. Please, if you have some sort of medical condition or health issues, contact your Health Practioner before doing this or any kind of cleanse.

 The Supplies (I've found it will cost $100 or less. And remember you won't be eating so you won't be buying food for the week)

Sonne's 7 Clay Psyllium Husk Powder (at least 50 servings in the container)

Spirulina Caps or Tabs (at least 150 caps/tabs in the bottle)

Carlson's Fish Oil (at least 100 caps in the bottle)

Non Acidic Vitamin C like Ester C or Asorbyl Palmitate 1000 mg (at least 100 caps in the bottle)

Natural Laxative like Aloe Lax or Enzymatic Therapy's Laxative Blend or Cleansemore by Renew Life

 *optional* Liver Cleanse or Super Milk Thistle by Enzymatic Therapy

Strong Probiotic like Renew Life 50 Billion or Dr. Ohhira's

 Non acidic fruit juice like Apple

 This cleanse can be done 7-10 days. Minimum of 7. No eating!! But please, drink lot's and lot's of water. Kombucha tea is also great. No other liquids allowed You're going to do 5 cycles of each, every day..

 First thing in the morning 1 tbsp of Sonne's 7 mixed with 1 tsp of Psyllium powder.  Add 1/4 cup of juice and water to your taste. Shake well and drink immediately.

 1 1/2 hours later Take 3 spirulina, 2 Fish Oil, and 2 Vitamin C

 1 1/2 hours later another clay drink, 1 1/2 hours later supplements...repeat total of 5 times each.

 If you're over 200 lbs you can do 6 rounds. Drink lots of water! Before bed each night take the laxative as directed. You need your bowels to move each day. It is essential! If they're not moving, take more laxatives.

 Please also consider coffee enemas. They'll take away any headaches almost instantly. They also help detox the liver. Info on how to do those is here: http://www.roadtohealth.com/am/publish/article_15.shtml

 After you're finished, take the probiotic as directed to replenish your gut with good bacteria now that it's been cleaned. Don't break this fast with carbs..please! You'll regret it! Start with steamed or raw veggies, broths, etc. Slowly introduce meats and last add back dairy and grains. That's it! I'll be blogging my results. I'm adding the Liver Cleanse as I feel I'm dealing with some liver congestion. I'm breaking out the week before my period, and that's a sign that your liver needs cleansed. I'm excited to see what comes out...literally! :)

Lithium: The Power Mineral for Your Brain

When you mention the word Lithium, most people automatically think of mental illness. But this natural mineral does far more than help people with psychological issues. Lithium's usage began after it was discovered in Texas, that counties with the most lithium in their water supply had the least amount of homocides and suicides.

 I came across lithium's amazing properties after I was asked to write an article on bipolar disorder. It was then that I discovered it could benefit nearly everyone. Especially those over 50. Research is showing that lithium actually protects and increases your brain cells. It has shown amazing results in preventing and treating alzheimers and dementia. Parkinson's disease has also improved in people who supplement lithium. Studies have shown that it increased grey matter in 8 out of 10 patients in just one month! Incredible!

 Some researchers and doctors are recommending that anyone who is on any sort of medication that effects the brain, (anti-anxiety, anti-depression, etc) supplement lithium daily to protect their brain cells. Dosage for lithium needs to be small and in the Lithium Orotate form. Lithium Orotate is more bioavailable and much safer than prescription lithium. 10 mg a day is recommended for anti-aging benefits of the brain. We now carry Lithium Orotate at Wayne and Mary's and it is pretty inexpensive. On prescription meds for depression, have a family history of alzheimers, or starting to forget things yourself? Give your brain a boost with Lithium!

Soy, How I Loathe Thee...Let Me Count the Ways.

I really do loathe soy. We started off on a bad foot from the beginning. I started working at a healthfood store close to 11 years ago. I started buying up all the "healthfoods"... Soy protein powders, soy protein bars, tofu, etc. I thought "wow, I'm eating so healthy. I'm going to really start feeling great!" Not so much! I began blowing up like I was 6 months pregnant and was embarrassingly gassy.

 I didn't put two and two together for a while. I really believed soy was good for me...so why would it make me feel so gross? Once I finally realized that it was soy that was the gassy, bloating culprit..I cut it out of my diet. It wasn't until several years later that I learned that soy was much more than just a food intolerance for many people. It is unfortunately much more.

 My dad is a farmer. He actually grows soybeans and I remember when the industry started to shift and they started pushing soybeans as "healthy human food". Until then it was used mostly for animal feed. The feed company...probably Monsanto, gave us chocolate covered soybeans as a Christmas gift. This is when soy started getting huge as a healthfood. And it wasn’t by accident. These “Big Bean” Corporations planned out the whole marketing push. Soymilk started becoming more popular as did the many fake meats that use soy as an alternative protein.

 Let me just get to the point and stand up on my soapbox here for a minute. Why is soy so bad? I mean, it's just a bean, right? Here are the main reasons soy should be avoided.

 1. Unless it specifies Non-GMO on the label, it is genetically modified. And even if it's non GMO, unless it says organic, chances are it's been sprayed heavily with pesticides.

2. Soy interferes with your thyroid function. If you have any thyroid issues, avoid soy like the plague!!

3. Soy contains phytoestrogens, which act like estrogen in the body. This is a HUGE reason not to give your baby soy formula. Just 2 cups of soymilk a day has shown to alter menstrual cycles. Just think what several bottles a day could do to a tiny baby!

4. Soy products contain aluminum because they are acid washed in aluminum tanks

5. Soy contains phytic acid or phytates, that actually block important minerals from being absorbed in the body.

6.Soy is not a complete protein, it lacks the amino acids cysteine and methionine.

7.Soy is a high allergen food and ranks up there with peanuts, milk, and eggs.

 The issue I push the hardest is baby formula. Regular dairy baby formula is bad enough. Now they’re using SOY of all things to feed these tiny little babies. If a baby is soy fed, it’s like the baby is getting the equivalent of 5 birth control pills worth of estrogen a day! This is crazy!!

 If your baby is dairy intolerant or even if they’re not and you formula feed, please check out this link! Your baby is worth it!!
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/2010/09/video-hypoallergenic-baby-formula/

 And lastly, not all soy is bad for you. Fermented soy like miso and tempeh are fine. They have been cultured so the phytic acid has been greatly reduced and they become much more digestible as well. I could continue to write, but I want to keep my posts short. You can find a lot more info just by doing your own internet searches on “dangers of soy”.

Your Second Brain

I say it constantly when people come to me with bowel issues and they also deals stress and anxiety. "You know this is even in the Bible....Your bowels are the seat of your emotions" The world "Bowels" is used to describe the seat of your emotions in the KJV. People like to make fun of the many uses of bowels in the Bible, but I believe they used that word for a reason.

 I do not find it coincidence that the scientific research is finding that our guts produce more serotonin than our brain, or that some doctors are now calling the bowels the "second brain". Depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, OCD, turrets and even autism are now being attributed to a lack, not in the brain, but the second brain, our gut! I honestly don't have the time to delve into it all, but it's coming up a lot in my practice lately and I can clearly see the connection in people.

 Those with ADD, OCD, turrets, and autism should look into the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) diet, get on a super strong probiotic (I prefer Dr. Ohhira's), and an L-Glutamine supplement to rebuild the mucosal ling of the intestines.

 The studies have been out for more than 10 years that over 90% of people with ADD have leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut allows toxins to seep through the gut lining and into the bloodstream and therefore into the brain. Leaky gut is connected with the other disorders mentioned as well. The GAPS diet, probiotics, and L-Glutamine can heal the gut and those people can actually be restored to normality.

 For those with anxiety and depression, I would again recommend a strong probiotic like Dr. Ohhira's. Yeast overgrowth is very likely in these situations, so a Yeast Elimination Diet and Candida Cleanse could greatly help as well. Not sure if you have candida? If you've been on several antibiotics, birth control, tired all the time or have sugar carb cravings take this questionaire http://www.yeastconnection.com/pdf/yeastfullsurv.pdf
 I know this is short, but I encourage you all to do your own research on this. There is so much out there! This is a broad subject and many many people's lives have been changed for the better once they realize that it's not their brain that's causing the issues, but their bowels.

Antibiotics: Are They Always Necessary?

I've experienced it myself several times. You go to the doctor (or in my case the pediatrician. I haven't been to a regular Dr. in 10 years), they diagnosis you and then write a prescription for antibiotics. They inform you that they are "just in case". You are then supposed to fill the prescription and give yourself or your child the antibiotics, messing up the intestinal flora and immune system, "just in case". This makes absolutely no sense to me!

Let me give you an example. My son who was about 1 1/2 woke up one morning and there was a ton of wax coming out of his ear. The wax looked to be mixed with blood. He had no symptoms of an ear infection. He was happy, had no fever, and no other signs of illness. I took him to the Dr. because I wanted to know if his eardrum had burst. The Dr. looked in his ear, didn't see anything unusual and proceed to write me a prescription for antibiotics, "just in case".

 At this point most Mom's would say okay and give their child the antibiotics not knowing they had a voice. I spoke up and said "I'm not really comfortable giving him antibiotics when you don't see anything wrong." He politely said "Okay, well let's skip that then and we'll have you bring him in next week just to check on him." Funny, how easy that was. And honestly it's happened many, many times. This is just one example!

Out of my 3 children, only one...my oldest has been on antibiotics. Both times were very necessary. She had an infected belly button from a bug bite and it was looking bad, and the other time she caught pneumonia. I am not opposed to antibiotics when necessary. They are an incredible medicine when truly needed. Problem is that we've over prescribed them to the point that bacteria has become resistant to many of them. Stronger and stronger antibiotics are becoming necessary for these resistant bacteria.

 I am not encouraging you to not listen to your Doctor., but what I am saying is to get proactive. Do your research and ask your Doctor lot's of questions. If your child has an ear infection, ask if you can do the "wait it out" method before you give them antibiotics. You can also ask if you can do the antibiotic drops instead. Drops don't disrupt the intestinal flora. Another option if you or your child needs antibiotics, is the shot. Yes, shots hurt but it doesn't disrupt the intestinal flora and gets immediately into the system. It's much better for the immune system than oral antibiotics. Most parents don't like shots so the Doctors don't offer it. You will have to ask.

 Other questions are important too...like is this viral or bacterial? If it's most likely viral, than why am I getting a script for antibiotics? Are there other alternatives? Letting the Doctor know that you want to avoid antibiotics unless completely necessary helps them understand what you're looking for.

 I once had a pediatrician (not my own) tell me that she writes a prescription most times, not because it's necessary, but because she can tell that the mother wants to walk out with medicine. This is extremely disturbing to me. Prescription drugs are not harmless. I wish she'd say, "you know what, this is a virus so there's no drug we can prescribe, but go to the pharmacy and get Vit C for kids and give her 250 mg every 2 hours." There are Doctors out there who do this, but they are very few.

 Point of this article? Find your voice in the Doctors office. Ask lots of questions and make it clear what your expectation is. And if you do fill the script for antibiotics, please take a very strong probiotic when you are finished.

 I am constantly talking to people who have been on round after round of antibiotics, and their immune system is shot. It becomes a sick cycle and they can't seem to recover. Your intestinal flora is crucial for your immune system, your digestive system, your nutrient absorption, and even your mood (you produce more serotonin in your gut than in your brain!).

 And to round this up...two of my favorite alternatives to antibiotics are: Mesosilver- Non-toxic collodial silver. AMAZING stuff. You can put it in your eyes, nose, and ears. Put it on your skin and take it internally. Great for bladder infections, nasally for sinus infections, ear infections, and skin irritations. North American Herb and Spice Oil of Oregano- My go to for sinus infections, yeast infections, and fungus. It can disrupt your flora a bit..nothing like antibiotics though. Just in case follow with a probiotic.

Nourishing Health: Where to Start

The whole transition to a healthier lifestyle can get overwhelming. You may have even thought you were healthy by eating low fat meals and drinking diet soda. The way I personally choose to eat is pretty opposite of mainstream "healthy". I eat a lot of saturated fats via butter and coconut oil. I eat eggs and I believe the yolk is the healthiest part! I eat red meat and drink full fat milk. And these are all from quality sources.

 My milk and butter are from a local farmer who pasture grazes, no corn. My eggs and meat are also from local sources that do not use pesticides or hormones. Some people complain that they can't eat healthy because of the cost. It's just simply not true. You may have to be more selective, but we live on a very strict grocery budget for our family of 5. A great tip is to save up and buy your meat in bulk. We are going to purchase 1/4 of a cow. This includes steaks, ground beef, roasts, you name it for $3.50 a pound! The meat will last us about a year and it saves us so much money!  Typically, that kind of grassfed hamburger alone runs $4-$5 a lb!

So, if you're interested in transitioning to a different way of eating, I recommend the book Eat Fat Lose Fat. You can purchase it on Amazon and we also carry it at Wayne and Mary's. It's not about losing fat necessarily. It's more about how certain fats are good for you and don't actually make you gain weight. The Weston Price Foundation is another great place to start. You can see if they have a Chapter in your area. It will be full of like-minded people sharing tips and recipes and even how to do it on a budget!
http://www.westonaprice.org/local-chapters/find-a-local-chapter
Also some great websites include:
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com

http://www.nourishingourchildren.org/Home.html 

http://nourishedkitchen.com/

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/ http://www.nourishingdays.com/ 

http://thenourishingcook.com


 Notice all the Nourishing in the titles? That's because a) They all love Sally Fallon's book Nourishing Traditions and b) The food they promote is amazingly nourishing..so nourishing in fact, that you'll find you eat much less and are satisfied. Good luck on your journey of "Nourishing" you body!

Natural Leg Vein Solutions

I've been spotting some spider veins on my legs. I know, I'm vain (yes, that was a bad attempt at a pun). I so badly never wanted to get them. But, I'm nearly 31 *gasp*, I've had 3 children, and not to mention the fact that I'm a chronic leg crosser.

 I know that honestly I'm blessed because so many women have it far worse than I. Many women deal with pain with their veins as well. I've decided to start supplementing to prevent further vein issues. Prevention is really key to great veins.

 If you don't know the difference between the two kinds of veins I'm referring to:

 Spider veins- these are essentially broken capillaries. They are smaller and can look like a spider in shape.

 Varicose veins- these are larger veins, that have become distended and fill with blood. The veins are no longer able to prevent the backflow of blood. They can become large, bulging and even painful.

 Vein health does go beyond vanity. Varicose veins can cause pain, swelling, and a sense of heaviness. Surgery is always an option, but it's quite expensive. The good news is that there is a natural much more inexpensive ways to not only prevent vein issues, but treat exhisting ones. Varicose and Spider veins are very genetically tied. If your mother, aunts, or grandmother had them than you are susceptible as well.

 There are a few key things that can substantially help prevent and treat both varicose and spider veins. 

Horse Chestnut- This is #1 for vein integrity. It tones the veins and blocks the enzyme that can break down vein and capillary walls.

Butcher's Broom- It's anti-inflammatory, astringent, and also tones the veins

Grapeseed extract- A powerful antioxidant that helps repair the structure and function of the veins.

Bioflavanoids- Vit C, Hesperidin, Rutin, and Diosdim are some of the top bioflavanoids used for veins. They help with the structural integrity of the veins and prevent free radical damage. They are also anti-imflammatory.

There are many other things that I could type on about but I want to keep this short. If you want, you can look up Natto for varicose veins. It's also great for Deep Vein Thrombosis. I am currently taking Nature's Way Leg Veins OPC's. If you're pregnant please don't take this kind of supplement internally as the safety is not determined. You can take bioflavanoids while pregnant, though. Topical is another way to go. It doesn't work as well as internally, but if you need extra relief or you're pregnant it would be a good option. Planetary Formula's Horse Chestnut Cream or Aloe Life Leg Gel are both great topical formulas. And just a little FYI, all these things are also great for hemorrhoids :)

Does Sunscreen Really Save your Skin?

Controversal subject #1... Sunscreen. Your Dermotologist tells you to wear it and they've gotta be right..right? All across America, we are slathering a Chemical Cocktail on ourselves and our children, in order to "Save our Skin". The reality is that we are doing more damage than good.

 Did you know that Sunscreen is classified by the FDA as an over the counter drug? And the sad part is that these "drugs" are not tested and regulated like they should be. New non-FDA studies are showing that these sunblocking chemicals have side effects when absorbed through the skin. They are also finding that the addition of Vitamin A to sunscreen turns toxic and cancer causing when exposed to sunlight.

So what do you do now? I say, don't wear sunscreen! I can't remember the last time I put it on. I'm a huge proponent of Vitamin D, and you can't make D without sun exposure. Maybe you are super fair skinned or you're going to be out for extended periods of time. If so, you can purchase a natural sunblock that is mineral based.

 Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide are the only safe sunscreens. Most Health Food Store carry the natural sunblocks, but be sure and read the label. For whatever reason some of these natural brands are still making some sunscreens with chemicals. Most that use only Zinc and Titanium Dioxide will specify Mineral on the label. The one I keep on hand for my kiddos is All Terrain Kids Sport Spray. I love the idea of the ease of a spray and it's also water resistent. I know Aubrey Organics line is also chemical free. Alba Botanicals makes a Mineral sunscreen as does Jason Organics. These sunscreens are all reasonably priced and I know at Wayne and Mary's Nutrition here in Sioux Falls, they are 20% off this summer.