05.04.2013

Rose Hips

rose hips

Other names:

Latin name: Rosa canina

Hip Berry, Rose Haws, Rose Heps, Wild Boar Fruit, Wild Rose and Dog Rose

What is it?

  • The fruit of the rose bush
  • Harvested in the late summer or fall
  • The “hips” are harvested after the petals drop
  • Oval or pear shaped – small
  • reddish-orange in color
  • Pollenates in spring and early summer
  • Technically the rose hips are not the actual fruit (even though they look like it)- the seed inside the rose hip is the “fruit”.

Herb profile

  • High vitamin C (1 Tbsp= 60+ mg of vitamin c)
  • Provides more vitamin C then an orange (30-50x more)
  • Vitamin A, B-1, B-2, B-3, D, E, K
  • Calcium, Iron, Zinc, sillica
  • Phosphorous, tannis, flavonoids
  • citric acid & malic acid
  • antioxidants
  • lycopene (found in tomatoes and grapefruit)
  • trace minerals
  • essential fatty acids

Taste/texture

  • They are tart with a hint of sweetness.
  • Reminds me of a floral cranberry.
  • Contain many seeds as well as the pulp -like a berry would
  • I buy the dried and when they rehydrate the pulp is edible.
  • Resemble a prickly cranberry (look at this picture)

Health benefits:

  • Boost immune system- used to fight colds and infections
  • Helps relieve kidney pain-low back pain
  • Strengthens kidneys and urinary system.
  • Helps regenerate and hydrate new skin cells and keeps skin elastic
  • Used topically for scars, burns, and acne
  • A mild diuretic and laxative
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Strengthens Circulatory system- blood cleanser
  • Remedy for arthritis and sore joints
  • Rich in antioxidants and used to help cancer
  • Helps relieve sore throat and inflammation
  • Relieves stress and nerves
  • Supports thymus
  • Helps ease PMS and heavy periods
  • Quenches thirst
  • Helps treat bladder infections
  • Normalizes bowels, treats constippation and stops diarrhea.
  • eases headaches and dizziness
  • heals scurvy (vitamin c deficiency)
  • relieves itching
  • prevents diabetes
  • helps eradicate h. pylori

How to use?

There are many uses for rose hips (not just tea)

  • Syrup- usually a simple recipe of sugar, rose hips, and water
  • Jam– the hips are boiled down into a puree/jelly. I bet you could use honey instead of sugar.
  • Soup– a traditional soup called “nyponsoppa” is made in Sweden (this blog I linked to has AMAZING pictures of the rose hip)
  • Wine– some consider it secondary to grape wine
  • Oil-used for eczema, stretch marks, brittle nails, dry hair, skin problems, bruises, burns, wrinkle. Commonly used for beauty products. Dry oil=easily soaked into the skin
  • Relish– blended with cranberries…this looks so yum!
  • powder: Can be spooned into smoothies, water, or put into capsule as an easy supplement
  • Herbal tea– a enjoyable and medicinal tea made by steeping hot water over the dried or fresh hips.IMG_1816

How to make Herbal Tea?

  • 1-2 Tbsp of dried rose hips (buy here)
  • 1 cup of  boiling water 
  1. Scoop rose hips in a ball jar (this is whatIi use) or heat proof cup/mug
  2. Pour boiling water over the rose hips
  3. Cover (with a plate or a lid) and let steep for 15-20 minutes
  4. Strain out rose hip pulp and seeds (or reuses for second “steep”- still contains vitamins and minerals *this is what I do often)
  5. Drink and enjoy your tea!

* you can also boil the rose hips for 10-15 minutes to make a “darker-richer” brew of tea. This will reduce the vitamin C content, becasue vitamin C is sensitive and denatures with boiling.

History

The Rosary:

Long ago, people thought the rose hips to be sacred. This is corroborated from the fact that during the Middle Ages, the rosary of the Catholics was made from rose hips and hence they were called rosary. These rosaries were used to count the prayers as they were also being said. Even today, the beads of the rosary used by the Catholics resemble the rose hips and like the fruits of different species of the rose plant, these modern-day beads are also smooth and elongated in appearance.

WWII:

During WWII oranges could not be imported into Britain and Scandanavia so about 500 tons of rose hips were collected and made into “National Rose Hips Syrup” that were distributed as a nutritional aid by the Ministry of Health.

Native Americans

Native women didn’t brew a tea and throw away the cooked berries. These were used in soups and stews. The “leftovers” cooked out in a largish batch of rose-hip tea (the berries expand a lot) are a good dinner vegetable, with butter and salt. Native Americans used Rose Hips to treat muscle cramps.

Origin

Probably cultivated first in ancient Persia and carried to Greece and Rome. The botanical genus, Rosa, is derived from the Greek, roden, meaning “red” and the Latin, ruber, also meaning “ruby” or “red,” as apparently, the Roses of the ancient Mediterranean region were deep crimson, giving birth to the legend that the flowers sprang from the blood of Adonis.

Romans

The ancient Romans used Rosa canina (or Dog Rose) for the bites of rabid dogs, and in the first century A.D., the Roman, Pliny, recorded thirty-two different disorders that responded well to Rose preparations.

Chinese

An oriental species (Rosa laevigata) was mentioned in Chinese medical literature about A.D. 470, and in China, Rose Hips are still used for chronic diarrhea with stomach weakness.

Ayurvedic

 In Ayurvedic medicine, Roses have long been considered “cooling” to the body and a tonic for the mind.

Great Britain

In 1652, the esteemed British herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper, prescribed them for “consumptive persons,” for “tickling rheums,” to “break the stone” (kidneys) and to help digestion. Long used for medicinal purposes in Great Britain, Rose Hips remained listed in the official British Pharmacopoeia well into the 1930s, and were considered an overall cooling tonic, an astringent, a great help for sore throats and a source of the essential vitamin C.

Medical

The American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism published a medical study in January 2011 showing the positive effects that rose hips have on diabetic mice. Rose hip powder was fed to diabetic mice, along with a high fat diet. Lean mice were fed this diet for twenty weeks, while obese mice were fed this diet for ten weeks. Rose hip powder was shown to be able to not only prevent a weight increase in the mice, the obese mice lost weight. Glucose tolerance tests showed the mice on a diet which included rose hip powder tolerated glucose better than the control mice. There was a reduction in fat cells (lipids) in the liver, as well.

Where to buy?

I buy mine (here) form Mountain Rose Herbs. They are organic and already dried for you. You can buy powder form too.

Growing & foraging

Here are some links to help you start your rose hips from scratch!

Species/family:

  • Rosaceae family
  • Related to strawberries, blackberry, raspberry, youngberry, longanberry,boysenberry, hawthorn, apples, pears, apricots, almonds, cherries peaches. 
  • Cross reacts to birch pollen, other tree pollens, and fruits listed above.

My thoughts

I love Rose hips- it ranks high on my list. They make any tea blend taste good, in my opinion. I can drink it every day for many weeks without getting tired of it. I like to combine it with more untasty herbs to help hide the taste.

Many people like to combine it with mint, lemon, green tea, hibiscus (which tastes similar). I like combining it with juniper berries, oregon grape root, and dandelion root–its a strange combo but I really like it.

I dont really measure how much I use (the bottom of the jar)-  but I crave it in the morning because it gives me a boost of energy and a cleanse feeling. I have also started to use some rose hip tea as the liquid in cooked cranberries.

I feel like if you want a vitamin C supplement, use herbals like rose hips, because it contains all the natural vitamins and minerals needed to help your body absorb and process the vitamin c.

I also use rose hips in combination with broccoli sprouts to help eradicate the h. pylori infection I have. One day I just REALLY needed rose hips and broccoli sprouts (even though I have never had rose hips before). I got a bad die off reaction and then found this article and chart explaining that combining the two double their effect on h. pylori eradication. woops.

Warnings:

  • Generally considered a “safe” herb.
  • Look at cross reactions
  • Always get organic- not sprayed with pesticides
  • Since it is high in vitamin C you may have loose stools if you drink too much.
  • It Could interact with blood thinning or anti-inflammatory medications.
  • If you are on medication, pregnant/nursing, or have an illness/disease it is always best to ask your doctor first.

 Resources:

 

~Stay Gutsy, Caroline

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Posted By 11 Comments
04.08.2013

Are your child’s clothes TOXIC?

Are your child’s clothes TOXIC?

Most likely the clothes you are wearing on you back and the ones you dress your kids in have harmful toxins in them. The effects of these toxins on your children can range from hyperactivity to hormone imbalances.

toxic

 

The problem with farming and government standards

 

Today’s modern farming methods and government regulations make our clothes laden with toxins. By law the flame-retardants are required to keep in the clothes for at least 50 washings! The government advocates these “safety” measures because they feel it will reduce the risk of injury in a fire. Though, are the government’s intentions to protect us really worth it? Yes, these fire retardants may save our life in a fire but they are slowly killing us.

 

Additionally, there are other methods out there for fire safety. But why haven’t you heard of any of them? This is because the big chemical company’s advertise that their “chemicals are necessary to save lives”. The brominated flame-retardants being used, directly affect the developing brain and reproductive systems.

 

As Ramiel points out in his book, “The government doesn’t protect us from these chemicals, even when their dangers are well understood and acknowledged. He has warned us that we now have to take our health in own hands.”

 

Symptoms

Additional symptoms and effects from brominated flame-retardants or PBDE’s include: hives, headaches, migraines, rashes, fever, flu-like symptoms, difficulty breathing, sinus infections, heart problems, muscle cramps, kidney failure, rapid breathing, yellowish coloring of the skin, birth defects, increased risk of cancer, acne, dilated pupils, motor and coordination problems, stomach ach, learning disorders, reduced appetite, fluid retention, reproductive problems, infertility, and the list just goes on and on.

killing

 

Toxins

 

PBDE’s or antimony polybrominated diphenyl ethers are not the only toxins used on our clothes.

  • Antibacterial is used to prevent bad odors in sporting clothing, which causes irritation to the skin and is harmful to water life.
  • Fungicides are used to stop mold growth in clothes.
  • Dyes contain carcinogenic and mutagenic toxins.
  • Formaldehyde is a common agent to prevent shrinkage and wrinkles. It is a very dangerous toxin to the brain and body.
  • Phthalates are known to cause infertility.
  • Heavy metals such as chrome, lead, and nickel are present in dyes and are very dangerous to developing brains.
  • Fluoride and PFC’s are a common additive to the manufacturing of clothing.

 

Toxins in your clothes:

 

Most likely if you are not buying your clothes organic, they are going to contain flame-retardants. Making your clothes may not be any better, because the fabric comes with flame-retardants on them. A less expensive option than organic clothing would be to buy organic fabric and then make your own clothes.

 

  • Cotton: It is sprayed heavily with carcinogenic pesticides and then doused with toxins and flame-retardants because it is highly flammable by nature.
  • Nylon or acetate: Soaked in toxins. It takes at least 50 washings to minimize the toxins.
  • Fleece (pj’s): Very toxic with flame-retardants, you do not want to sleep in it!
  • Leather: Contains the heavy metal chrome.
  • Polyester: Flame-retardants are built into the clothes, so only wear on occasion.
  • Synthetic materials: Not only are they toxic, but they block your energy flow throughout your body.
  • Rayon: A synthetic material that is sprayed with many toxins and dyes.
  • Clothes that claim to be “wrinkle and shrink free”: They loaded with formaldehyde!

 

 

 

Your children are in danger

 

Children and babies especially, are susceptible to these chemicals because they are growing and their cells are rapidly multiplying. Once these chemicals and toxins enter the body, they get stored in the fatty tissue. Detoxing these chemicals can be especially hard and sometimes damage is irreversible.

 

Don’t forget that anything the mom puts in or on her body will transfer to her growing baby or through her breast milk. It has been found that PBDE are not only in breast milk but are also in almost all living animals, from eagles to polar bears. There have been studies that show effects of fire retardants in baby animals, so this is definitely a warning to all little children in the world. Even blood samples of people who live in ideal unpolluted places have significant amounts of flame-retardants and toxins in them.

 

 

You are what you put in and on your body

 

Remember that your skin is a very powerful absorber. You skin will absorb anything you put on it. In Healing Our Children, it is mentioned that the pesticides used to grow cotton are definitely not food grade. Most cotton is also genetically modified as well. Really, anything you put onto your skin will absorb into your body, so using food grade methods should be a must. Sadly, this is not the case with most of the clothing sold in our country. If your clothes contain dyes and nerve damaging chemicals, you are putting yourself and your children at risk for serous health issues.

 

save children

Now what can you do?

 

Since you can’t go anywhere without clothes, finding natural brands will be important to maintain your health. Going all organic or natural is not completely reasonable for most people. The time it takes to research trustworthy brands, the money and availability all play a factor.

 

For sure have some clothes that are organic or natural. Even if you and your family only wear them around your house and when you sleep, it will help reduce the toxic load of your body. It is hard to transform your whole closet to safe materials, so do the best you can.

 

Here are some guidelines you should follow when buying clothes for your child.

 

  • Always buy organic or natural materials when possible.
  • Choose natural materials such as cotton before synthetic materials.
  • Always wash cotton and all clothes several times before wearing them.- (I personally wash 20x before wearing them)
  • Stay away from store bought pajamas. They contain some of the highest levels of toxins. You are better off buying organic pj’s or use an old cotton sleep shirt for your kids.
  • Stay away from polyester, because the flame-retardants are actually built into the clothes.
  • Natural fire retardant clothing include, snug untreated cotton (snug reduces flammability) and natural wool.
  • If you are going to make your own clothes, do so out of organic fabric only. When you sew clothes, you are directly releasing the formaldehyde into your face!
  • Make sure to wash your clothes in a non-toxic detergent as well! Air dry only if you live in a unpolluted area.

 

Toxins are everywhere!

 

Do the best you can with lifestyle choices as well. Watch out for toys, stuffed animals, mattresses, pillows, car seats, highchairs, baby carriers, and even diapers. Sometimes you can find lists that show the toxic load on certain brands. It is safer to stick with the brands that claim to have fewer toxins. Though, you cannot be completely safe unless you buy all organic or natural materials.

 

For a rule of thumb, whatever your baby or child spends most of their time in, whether it be a car set, nursing pillow, mattress, baby swing, bouncy chair, carpet, etc. make sure that it is organic or natural. Expose time does play a big role in the severity of the effect as well.

 

In a recent study, baby and toddlers have three times the amount of toxins than their moms do. This mostly has to do with the materials that these baby’s are rolling around in and sticking in their mouths.

posin

 

 

Do the best you can

 

Remember that emotions can be toxic too. Not only can negative thoughts and worries affect your own body, but it can affect your growing baby as well as people around you. The best things you can do are, become aware of the toxins in your life and reduce your exposure to them. Even if that means just changing out your pajamas, you have helped reduce your body’s toxic load. Be thankful for the things that you have done already to protect your family.

 

“Let us cease poising ourselves and let this be the end of the poisoning of our children-to-be”. ~Ramiel Nagel

 

This is one of my favorite books because it just gives so much information and is WAPF (Weston A. Price foundation) oriented.

 

Resources:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/19/eveningnews/main4109418.shtml

http://www.naturalnews.com/024797_child_children_toxic.html

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baby-global.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pregnant_woman2.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/2874232024/

 

~Stay Gutsy, Caroline

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Posted By 11 Comments
04.05.2013

Baked Molasses Apples

This is a simple recipe to bake for breakfast or a simple dessert. I kept the ingredient list very open ended because it really matters on your preference of sweetness and how many apple you have on hand.

You can serve it with raw cream or blend it into a nice rich “apple butter puree”.

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Why should you eat Molasses?

The other day my mom was craving molasses, I could not help it- I HAD to know why. I found out some cool facts. Let me share. I found a spoon full goes along way and is a nutritional powerhouse!

-High in manganese “helps support thyroid and keep blood sugar levels even”.

-High in Iron “needed for energy and helps transport oxygen from the lungs to EVERY cell of the body!”

-High in calcium:”need keep those bones strong and helps keep the colon clean by removing toxins”

 source

Baked apple butter puree.

(sorry there is no picture- my family ate it before I got a chance to take it.)

Dont just stop by making these yummy apples (or pears- do you see the 2 hidden pears in the corner?”). I used what was left over from dessert to blend in the blender or  you can use a food processor too.

1. Apples can be warm or cool.

2. Place apples and all juices in the blender.

3.  turn on high until a nice smooth consistency -you can leave a little chunky if you like.

4. Store in ball jars. (lasts for many weeks- the butte helps preserve the sauce very well.)

*some people in my family like the “apple butter puree” better then normal apple sauce (learn how to make it here) because it does not give them a sugar crash, and instead the fat helps them absorb the sugars a lot slower. Plus it is a lot more nutrient dense.

DSC_0042

INGREDIENTS:

organic apples or pears (I used 6 total) -make sure the fruit is organic because apples can be high in pesticides. If you cannot get organic, then peel them first.

organic grass fed butter  or ghee (I used 4 Tbsp)

sea salt (1/8 tsp)

organic honey or organic maple syrup (2 Tbsp) – feel free to use vanilla honey too!

organic molasses(2 Tbsp) <—not GAPS legal

filtered water  (1/4 cup)

organic cinnamon (1-2 Tbsp)

 

DIRECTIONS:

*preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. Wash the fruit and cut in 1/2. Core the seeds out by making a “v” shaped wedge.

2. Lay the fruit face down in a pyrex oven safe dish.

3. Spread the softened butter on each piece of fruit.

4. Drizzle the honey and molasses over.

5. Sprinkle on cinnamon and salt.

6. Pour water in the bottom of the dish (just a little bit to steam the apples)

7. Place in oven for 30 minutes about.

* The apples should come out soft with a nice “syrup” on the bottom that you can spoon over the top. mmm…

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~Stay Gutsy, Caroline

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04.05.2013

Healing update #5

So much healing

I first want to say thank you everyone for your prayers. I am healing even more. I am having more “good days” then I have in months. I think resting was very necessary for my body to get strong. Now let me tell you what has been going on.

H pylori

My Dr. Tested me and found I have an H. pylori infection. I had a flu (well my whole family did and it took up 1 month+ to get over. yucky!). When everyone seemed to be better I got worse, much worse. Im talking in bed all day long- to tired to move to. I dragged myself out to bed to go to the dr. I asked or maybe begged “Please what is wrong with me, this can’t just be heavy metal detox”. Sure enough my instincts were correct. I have a h. pylori infection.

IMG_1124

This picture was taken the day I found I had the infection and they had me sit under the RIFE at the office to see if it helped and immediately I could tell it was working (I knew because it hurt my stomach big time!)

H. pylori research.

You know me. I CRAVE research. So what did I do when I was so sick. I researched. Here is my master list on h. pylori if you are interested. I guess I save you some time- you welcome 🙂

bacteria

photo source

 

Why is h. pylori more prevalent in autoimmune disorders?

Im so happy I have h. pylori (haha. This is how I felt and still feel! I was almost crying in joy when I found out I had h. pylori- huge piece of the puzzle revealed after sooooo many years!)

very informative video and easy to understand

video: h. pylori another piece to the puzzle (the BEST information I have found- must see! Every symptom I had makes so much sense after listening to this video. I an “ah-ha” moment every 5 seances and was scribbling on a sheet of paper like crazy.)

Here are just some thing I learned from Dr. Amy Yasko’s video:

– h. pylori can stop the body from releasing heavy metals.

-high iron makes it worse (and to think I was using an iron skillet and eating bison)

-methylation pathways are usually very bad

-increases inflammation, mucus, and swelling in the body

-have a high connection with mast cells (body releases so much histamine)

-increases chance of autoimmune diseases because it creates a very leaky gut allowing things to get past that never should and then the body attacks these big particles.

-depletes the body in vitamin b12 which is a precursor to so many neurotransmitters and energy

-h. pylori lives on fat–> it turns fat cells into ketones which are hard on the kidney’s (many days I had very bad kidney/back pain). I also cannot tolerate hardly any fat in my diet.

-depletes body of manganese

-patients are usually high in ketamine (the major toxin in cigarets!- yikes!)

Dr Amy has a forum here.

 

h. pylori symptoms (my biggest symptom was swelling, rashes, and fatigue)

What probiotics to treat h. pylori? (I just started custom probiotics- 6 strain)

symptoms fo h. pylori can be tricky to suspect –agree!

 

The bad bacteria takes over

Everyone has bacteria good and bad in their systems. The problem happens when the bad bacteria takes control of the good and starts to populate- everywhere! That is exactly what has happened to me. I now remember last summer is when I notice this strange rash. My family did not really know what it was and my dr. at the time was not concerned. I just brushed it off and it went away.

EMpylori

 

source

After that rash is when my symptoms (being sensitive to EVERYTHING-touch/smell/breath became so bad. The month after that I had to start wearing a mask and gloves everywhere (this is the brand I got and I still wear it when I go NAET for pollen). My life was getting way to small. I had to stop baking, cooking (gas stove, cross contamination in food, pesticide- even organic), going to church (candles), going outside (pollen, dust, smoke), going in the car (gas fumes). That list is just the beginning.

Its a small world- for me.

Many of you may be thinking that is crazy. Yep, it was bad and I cannot say it is much better today but at least I dont wear a mask and I am getting better- on my way to recovery. I have other predispositions that make my situation worse including a liver genetic defect (that is what I am thinking based off of family history and my lack of ability to detox), mercury toxicity (which I am working on with zeolite and detoxing through the skin) & unhealthy gut flora.

I watched my world get smaller and smaller. It made me mad at first. Why me!? Im only 19 and have so much potential. I want to do so much. I want to give so much. I had to stop blogging- I was to tired. I had to stop driving- it affected my neurological ability. I had to stop going to church. I had to stop eating dinner with my family. I had to stop school- I was signed up for NTA. I could not even pick up and snuggle my cat. Nobody could hug me.

mask

I had enough! I only focused on what I could not have (which was a lot). But I stopped and thought. What DO I have. I have dr.’s who are willing to help – I had just started NAET at the time. I have a family who LOVES me -even though they can not be around me much. I have a house. I have food -even though it got down to only eating bison and water it was still food. I had God and many many prayers. I knew I will get better and I was going through this for a better reason.

I was not sure how many days I had left or how long this could go on for. I prayed for a miracle. I got one. I found another answer. I found another Dr. who was willing to help along with my NAET Dr.

Symptoms no one could figure out.

Next symptom in the mix of all of this was extreme fatigue. I was happy if I could lay in bed all day. I was just so tired I did not care anymore. After that came the swelling. All over my body, my face, my arms, my legs. I was not fun. I would wake up and spend all day trying to drain my lymph (now you can see how I came up with all these ideas to “drain the lymph system“. I tried everything and nothing worked. I actually would gain 10 lb overnight from swelling. How is that possible? I have no idea but it is and it is no fun.

rash

I would spend 1 hour in the sauna, the next doing a coffee enema, the next napping, the next in a cold bath, the next eating and grinding fresh bison, the next jumping, the next drinking water, and then sleeping. That was my day, it was my way of life. If I did not do that and just tried to be “normal” I would pay for it and not be able to get out of bed the next day because I felt like I got ran over my a truck.

My sinuses started to feel infected and im sure they were. The h. pylori had spread from my stomach into my small intestines, up my esophagus and into my sinuses and head. I was miserable. I asked God every day “when will this nightmare end”?

NAET

I was doing NAET through this whole process. I new I needed it big time. Without it I would probably have starved or had to lock myself in to bubble. It helped me to finally introduce fish, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, MSM, quercetin, green tea, dandelion juice (really has helped boost my healing), beable to drive again, allow me to take off my mask and cook again, give people hugs, wear newish clothes. NAET is a miracle and my dr. is a gift.

NAET has helped me so much that I have been working on the post for over a month now :). Just take a look at my healing progress so far #healing update #1,   #2,  #3,   #4,. I feel so strong that I can sit here (even though I cant go outside right now because the pollen is too high) and tell you this. Baby steps.

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DETOX:

Some of you may think “oh she was way overdoing the detox”. I think I needed it. My body craved detox- any kind. I would drink charcoal each day because it was the only relief. If I did not do a sauna or bath my skin would erupt with oozing rashes that itched and drove me crazy. My forehead looked like I had chicken pox (in TCM the forehead is the large intestines section).

My lips were so swollen and super chapped and would painfully crack each time I opened my mouth (could not put anything on it – this was before I cleared NAET for coconut oil)- see the dissuasion on fb here. Even if I was sick I would have to move around or else my sinuses would become so “full” that I would get a buzzing noise in my ears that made me think I was going crazy. My body would shake in pain and the fever did not make it any better (my body’s fever is 97.5 degrees !!)

detox

 

The tipping point

I finally took a break from NAET because I got to the point I was so weak I could not get of bed. I was at my tippy tippy threshold. That was I wanted to give up. I barely remember those few weeks.

pup

I honestly felt like I was going to die. Of course I knew that God was not going to let me die, He has better plans for my life. I am going to help people just like me somday and I NEED to live through this to be the person I want to become.

One of those days was the day I dragged myself to Dr. Conners and begged him to find the problem. God must have listened because that was the day the h. pylori was discovered! I was SO happy! I called all my family and they were shocked ot hear how happy I was, but of course they understood after I told them everything.

Healing can be painful!

Immediately I started the RIFE for the h. pylori. Oh was in for a big painful treat! Yikes. I was in pain. I would do 5 min of the frequency and my stomach would twist and turn and I would become so nauseous all I could not was lay there. If I moved my arm to wave at someone the day was successful.

My mom would come in and lay in my bed by my side while I did 5 min at a time and then take a 3 hour nap and do it all over again. Those were the days. That went on for about 2 weeks. The 3rd week I was doing the whole 1 hour program. It would make me nauseous but I could do it without interruption. I even did the h. pylori frequencies in the bath to allow my skin to detox while I go. I felt like I was making progress.

Today…

Over the past month I have lost most of my swelling other then in my sinuses which still are super sensitive. If I do not do the 1 hour program each day I feel the h. pylori growing out of control. This is going to be along process for me because

#1 I cannot take supplements which actually kill the h. pylori quite effectively (well actually I dont know for sure if I cant take them but right now I don’t want to change too much- im still looking into some more things). I can only use the light frequencies of the RIFE.

#2 the infection spread so much and did a lot of damage. Im ok with time. I have spent my whole life searching so time means nothing right now. I am just focusing on healing.

I dont need to do a sauna each day to keep down the swelling. I can touch things. I can breath the air (as long as there is no perfume or pollen- still working on that with NAET). I started a probiotic and got a nasty rash and diarrhea from, but I am so thankful for that because that means the good bacteria is taking control. Some days I feel crummy but some days I have enough energy to take my dog on a 5 minute walk (huge improvement form just be able to lift up my arm). I have concentration. My list of foods/teas/supplements is almost too long for me to want to write down, I snuggle with my puppy and kitty, Each day im getting stronger.

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I still had a bad case of hives and what looked like a sunburn rash yesterday from the h. pylori or maybe it was the NAET  pollen treatment or maybe the probotic. But I know Im on my way to getting healthy so I don’t worry about these things as much anymore. I made progress just in the past week, I was able to go to my sister and brothers Good Friday drama in the church (the first place I have been outside my own house, my dr’s and my car in 5 months!) I just have to trust my body can do this with the right resources (nutrition and detox). It is all a balance.

 

What have I learned.

Only once EVERYTHING is taken away from you is when you find out what is really important to you in life.

For me my family has never left my side. They flipped around their world for me, to this day im still amazed at the things they do. Friends are important too. Don’t be afraid to ask for help because so so many people are willing to help if you just ask for it. I used to hate asking for people’s help because I felt guilty and I wanted to be self sufficient. I think I have changed and see that caring is worth sharing. Only when I was at rock bottom could I realize how this will all be a blessing some day.

 

grace

 

I meet so many people just like myself (here my good friend Melissa’s blog– she has a good post about muscle testing too- I use the “swaying one”) and now neighbors and friends are starting to ask what I am doing (of course I cant help but share!).

Feeling good will take time and is only temporary. Things pass and time moves on. I learned; live by the moment but don’t get stuck on present symptoms.Enjoy only what you have- not what you want or don’t have. Most importantly thank God for every hour that goes by (especially the hours that I am healthy!).

Ok I think that is enough for this one post. I will leave you with a verse I look at each day that keeps me motivated even when I don’t want to take another step. Because you can’t do this journey alone.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~Philippians 4:13I

 

 

 

 

~Stay Gutsy, Caroline

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04.05.2013

Homemade Honey Peeps

Celebrate Spring with some homemade honey peeps!

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Why make homemade honey peeps??

  • Free of yellow food coloring.
  • Made with 100% grass fed gelatin (I use this one —> grass fed gelatin).
  • Reduces allergy symtoms! Yellow coloring is made from powder quercetin.
  • Paleo/GAPS/allergy friendly.
  • Made with honey.
  • Because it is FUN!

 

Why gelatin?

  • Made from grass fed cows.
  • Help support hair, skin, and nail growth.
  • Helps your body detox!
  • Improves liver function.
  • Helps you digest food.
  • Decreases cellulite.
  • Good clean source of protein

learn more:

Read this post —> Food renegade

This post —> The Heathy Home economist

 

 

What is quercetin?

 

Where to buy? Use this powder or open up these capsules

 

INGREDIENTS:

Marshmallows: 

.
(get specific amounts in this Wonderful recipe. Special thanks to the Urban Poser!)
.
Sugar coating :
 
Mr. Peep’s eyes:

.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Make the marshmallow base. Use this recipe. I would suggest to cut it in 1/2 because it makes alot!

gelatin

 

2. Let the marshmallow base sit for a bit after making it. This will allow you to pipe better fuller bodied peeps. Just watch the marshmallow cream to make sure it does not get too hard to work with. You can try piping a few but you will know when it is perfect consistency.

 

fluff

 

3. Get a plastic baggie and fold edges over a cup. This makes it easier to scoop the marshmallow cream into the bag (like I did in this recipe with the chocolate). Cut a small hole at the bottom of the bag.

4. Make “sugar” coating.

SUGAR- If you want the traditional coating mix the quercetin and sugar until a nice yellow color.

COCONUT- If you are on GAPS or paleo, use shredded coconut and pulse it in the Cuisinart to make it finer. Blend in the quercetin. Sprinkle mixture (which ever one you choose) onto a cookie sheet.

 

peeps

 

5. Pipe your Peeps. I have my own method of doing this. Start with the bottom. It should be the longest section (oval with a fuller front) You can try to make the tail pointed. Then sprinkle in sugar coating. Pipe the head (circle). Sprinkle with sugar. Pipe the beak (circle and swoop up!). Sprinkle with sugar.

If you are using the coconut shreds then I would suggest piping the peeps first without sprinkling the coconut in between. It is too heavy and will flatten the peeps more. Just pipe like I said. Wait until they harden a bit, but are still sticky and then sprinkle.

6. Make “eye” paste. Mix some cocoa powder in a bit of honey and use a toothpick to dab on the eyes. You can also use the vanilla bean seeds if you have any left over. The cocoa powder/honey works and looks better though.

 

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7. Let set out uncovered for a few hours or until they reach the hardness you like. Once they are just how you like them, store in an an air tight container (not in the fridge). Delicious!

 

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 These peeps are gooey. fresh. fluffy. sweet. and made with love.

up peep

 

~Stay Gutsy, Caroline

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