Direct sales companies/products I love

Direct sales companies I like or products that really work.  I've been accumulating/using different products and seeing what products actually worked the way the companies say they will.  Just my opinion but thought I would post them anyway.

www.thirtyonegifts.com- Utility Tote,  thermal totes, cosmetic bag, wallets(love them), purses are FANTASTIC and the wall organizer(LOVE), and also the baskets and backpacks all are able to be embroidered and are available in many different colors and patterns.

www.arbonne.com- RE9 Advanced Firming Body Cream...it HONESTLY WORKS!  I saw a difference in my stretch marks overnight.  They are not cured completely but I could see how over time it would work really really well!  LOVE THIS STUFF!!!
www..marykay.com-  miracle set...oil free eye make-up remover...satin hands & satin lips (amazing)....body wash/shaving gel....love all these things!
www.pamperedchef.com-I should maybe say which product I don't like rather than my faves but I do use certain products more often than others. This should probably be an entire post.
www.scentsy.com- love the scentsy buddies, and Luna is my all-time favorite scent....at least for now.
www.velata.com-sister company of scentsy, chocolate and fondue pots....need I say more?
www.shelfreliance.com-obviously something I feel strongly about.
www.cookielee.com- I don't always love all their products but I like that the jewelry is sturdy and if I lose it I don't cry because it was expensive but I looks like it was.  They also have a product not in their catalog for those with sensitive ears that is a paint onto the back of the earrings and so the skin doesn't come into contact with the metal....Alyssa has this problem.  Saved us!


There are more but I will have to break down each company one day and if you have others that you love let me know.  I enjoy accumulating things that are fabulous that I can recommend to others that WORK!  Products that are just great!  Oh and the consultants that sell them too....

Change

The days are flying by.  My life is changing so quickly.  We are moving next month, my children are growing and changing and last week my Grandfather died.  I'm feeling pulled in a million different directions emotionally and also feeling a million different emotions.  Mostly though, I'm just thankful.  Thankful that I have my health, my children have theirs, they aren't fighting some horrible incurable disease, my husband is by my side and he is who I am relying on when my emotions are my biggest weakness and I am feeling like I just can't do this.  I'm glad I have him.  He is strong when I am not.  The opportunities ahead of us are exciting and I'm trying to focus on that. 

My Grandfather, my Dad's father, wasn't well.  He had congestive heart failure so we knew at some point in the not too distant future he was likely going to pass away, however he had started taking medications that seemed to really be helping him.  He had improved and then one day, he was just gone.  This Grandpa was such a joy and I'm going to miss him.  I'm just grateful that I get to be here for the funeral....

Gluten Free Food Storage

For anyone who might be gluten free and need help with food storage stuff. Here is a sale on Gluten free goodies for you food storage!!

You can order it from my website @: www.thrivefoodstore.shelfreliance.com

Gluten Free Package
Catalog ID: 25432
Regular Price: $1684.34
Sale Price: $1396.49

Contents

12 White Rice
6 Millet
6 Cornmeal
6 Rice Flour
4 Quinoa
6 Amaranth
1 Sweet Corn (FD)
1 Broccoli (FD)
4 Carrot Dices
2 Chopped Onions
2 Split Green Peas
1 Potato Dices (FD)
3 Green Peas (FD)
6 Potato Chunks
6 Tomato Powder
2 Bananas (FD)
2 Strawberries (FD)
2 Raspberries (FD)
6 Apple Slices
1 Pineapple Chunks (FD)
1 Blueberries (FD)
1 Blackberries (FD)
6 Powdered Milk
4 Cheese Blend
4 Chocolate Drink Mix
6 Whole Egg Powder
1 Black Beans
6 Pinto Beans
3 Lentils
2 Lima Beans
3 Chicken TVP
3 Bacon TVP
5 Taco TVP
2 White Sugar

Double Digits- Natalie's belated birthday post

Natalie's 10

Natalie in 2004 while visiting cousins in Utah. She didn't want to come down from the stairs...

Touchdown!!!! At Ben and Holly's wedding.

Natalie goofing off on the computer with the web cam....


After the scooter incident, wherein she flew over said scooter and bit the pavement face-first...



Where does the time go? It's seems cliche' to say but time really does fly! Today my eldest child is in double digits. In keeping with a tradition I've tried to stick with I thought I would dedicate a blog post to her.

Right now Natalie loves: Stuffed animals, red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, reading, playing on the computer, playing outside, reading, playing with her friends, riding her bike/scooter, reading, her teacher Mr. Gabler, and giving talks in church.

Her favorite food is probably homemade mac and cheese and she is loves helping me cook and bake. She is a very good friend and always doing the right thing. She has a lot of friends and is really good in school. She is also in advanced math now. She's been working most of the year for this and is very excited to have finally reached it. She loves to read and her testing in school for reading, and reading comprehension are way above average. Her lexile is 958 and average for her age and grade level I'm told is about 400-500. Her teacher tells me basically she about 2 grade levels above average. A fact I'm proud of but can not take credit for. Yes, I'm a proud Mama!

She LOVES science and is always doing extra reports and experiments in that area. Once the family made a volcano and she loved that. Now shes a bit more advanced than that but her love of science hasn't diminished. In fact she just did an extra credit report on ants complete with pictures, it was fantastic. She wrote it all herself and copied nothing, it was all from memory. She told jokes about ants in it and everything. I'll have to post it if I have time. She is a perfect student and her teacher wishes my permission to clone her and place her clones strategically in the class to help with the other students....oh and she got an A on the report. She loves it and I have to say that I love her teacher. He has picked up on Natalie's love of science and math and encouraged her to do better and she has. (Of course he also offers her Hershey's kisses if she or any of the other kids in class will help put up chairs and clean up after school....she stays after everyday.)

Natalie is also very responsible and very kind. Like her Father she is often one step ahead of me in daily tasks and responsibilities. She has a sweet personality that is compassionate and always worried that people get treated fairly....much like her mother. She has her ears pierced and loves to wear earrings and have her hair done... She is a bit taller than average and has braces. Last year we also found out that she is nearsighted...or whatever it means when you can't see far away and can see close up. She has some adorable pink glasses which she loves because now she can see things she couldn't before like the leaves on the trees. That first day with her glasses walking to school was a new day for her.

I just got her test results back from ATS here in the Sacramento area. It's a Cal State University sponsored program that looks for talented children and tests them to see what areas they are strongest in and offers summer classes that helps challenge them in areas they are strong in and strengthen them in areas they are less strong in. Natalie is testing in the 80th percentile nationally for verbal meaning language arts, social science and life sciences, and 57th in math which includes computer science, engineering mathematics, and physical sciences). Basically what the teacher says is that she excels in one catagory and does well in both. Her strength, (based on my observation, and this test) seems to be that she learns best by hearing things. A trait she no doubt picks up from her father. Enough of the bragging proud Mommy stuff. Here are some pictures of my sweet 10 year old girl.


This picture was when I was expecting Ethan and the girls wanted to play "Bella Dance-arella". They were supposed to be cleaning their room. And me doing Bella Dance-Arella prego was not a pretty thing....

Play time with Daddy!

First day of first grade with Mrs./Sis. Fullmer, one of Natalie's all time favorite teachers!

One of Natalie's best friends.... Natalie W.

SISTERS!

At recess you will find Natalie playing on the monkey bars or doing tricks on the parallel bars. Her favorite though is creating cheers/dance routines to popular songs with a team and performing in competitions in said groups. She coordinates the teams, makes up the dance/cheer moves, assigns the parts and organizes the practices during recesses. She also coordinates what all the girls will wear for the competitions and on what day to wear them. She is like that with her things on and in her dresser too. It looks messy to me but she has a spot for everything and can usually find something if I ask her for it. (That she gets from me.) She is also fairly creative and artistic as well. She likes to draw and is good at it and painting as well. She got some yarn and knitting needles from her Grandma Goodman and will be learning that art soon. No doubt she will pick it up quickly.

She is really good at helping with the younger kids and doesn't usually mind when I ask her to do something. She loves playing on the computer and networks with other kids (on games I approve of) to play. She does chores (almost always) when I ask and is great at explaining things so that I or others can understand. (Much like her father) Some of her chores currently include but are not limited to: unloading/loading the dishwasher, feeding the dog, feeding the chickens, cleaning her room, folding laundry, putting away clothes, setting the table for dinner/clearing the table after dinner, and helping to clean the living room. There are others but these seem to be the consistent ones.

She has lots of friends and includes her younger sister in nearly everything she does. She is a great big sister and Nate and I love her and are so proud of her! We love you Natalie. We are so glad you are part of our family!!!

Natalie made this mask and was being Barbie as a Muskateer here while decorating the Christmas tree! Classic Natty!
Love you Nats!

Charts

We are trying to memorize the Articles of Faith. I'm still trying find some ways of doing this that work well. We are also working on memorizing a list of scriptures. I realize this might take a while, but it's worth the effort. I'm doing this to help my kids but mostly for myself. I'm horrible about remembering where certain scriptures are and want to do better about that. We have a chart for chores and a chart for spiritual things such as Articles of Faith, and daily scripture study. Wish us luck!!

"Be safe through inspiration's power"

Sitting in church thinking of how many Sunday's I have left here in my hometown. I felt a certain amount of sadness and excitement all at the same time. My thoughts just seem to naturally go towards sadness though. We were learning a new song, a song I already know by heart so I wasn't paying really close attention. The song: Choose the Right. As I sat there singing the song my focus shifted and I seemed to really focus on the phrase, "be safe thru inspirations power". In that moment many prayers were answered. On the surface the words seem true enough. But in that moment some dots were connected for me and realized that yes, this is going to be hard for me. Change is always hard. But in answer to my many prayers the Spirit almost "showed" me my answer. It's been a journey to get me to where I am know. I kept praying, and saying I need to REALLY know that we are making the right choice here. I just can't handle going so far and giving up so much for something that is just a whim or great idea. Here is what I realized/remembered as I sang that phrase.

I knew that we would move eventually. Nate reminded me of an experience I had 4 years ago. He was surprised that I was surprised that we were in fact moving. I went into my journal and re-read it.

Basically I was walking down the hallway carrying my laundry, when I had the distinct impression that we would be moving very far away and that I needed to prepare myself for this situation. I also knew that it would not simply be to another city. I knew that this would be a big move, like to another state. I didn't know which one but it was strong enough that, that night I had a talk with Nate and told him my feelings. He said it was interesting and asked me if I wanted to move out of state. I said no, but I think we will end up doing that. I couldn't explain but felt it strongly enough that I wrote all this in my journal. When Nate told me about the opportunity in Virginia, something inside me was curious about it. I wasn't entirely sure about why but told Nate to get info and look into it. When the company was so very generous with us and before we even asked for anything gave us the things we were needing/wanting in order to accept I knew this was what we should do. I have to say however that I really didn't want to do it. I knew what it meant personally, for my children, my extended family, my pets, my home, my life. Not to mention I am TERRIFIED of living on the east coast. Of all the places I have NEVER wanted to live it's anywhere NEAR Washington D.C. I would just love to NOT live there. BUT,.....

In that moment in primary I sang those words, "be safe thru inspiration's power." I knew that this was inspired. I had been prepared by the Lord because he loves me and knows me. He knew that I would need time to get ready for this. He gave me 4 years. He also granted us time here to spend with Glenn, my Father-in-law before he passed away which meant a great deal to Nate and I. Not only that but that there is SAFETY thru inspiration. Because we are doing what we have been inspired to do, there is safety in that. We will be ok. Better yet, we will be very blessed in ways we can't even imagine yet.

We had several opportunities to move to different places, after that initial impression ,and really wanted to, but none felt right. And now here we are 3 1/2 months from our move date and I was still feeling like I needed something more. Something to slap me in the face and say "don't worry you ARE doing the right thing!" I got my answer in a hymn the children were learning. A song that I already knew. So now I am working to find reasons to be excited about this and have a positive attitude.

I am grateful to see inspiration at work in my own life. To know that in spite of my flaws, the Lord loves me enough to show me, to help me be able to connect these things and see his hand in our life. I'm still struggling with the emotional part of this, and the actual physical changes that living in another place will bring but I'm also excited to go to the Smithsonian, see the White House, the Washington Monument, etc. and more especially the Temple in D.C! So beautiful, and the wonderful people that I know we will meet!!

I am still assembling a list of things that I will miss about California, for my own journaling/memories but it will also accompany another list. A list of things I'm looking forward to.

Gluten Intolerance and Celiacs Disease

For my family and friends who are interested in learning a little bit about what's going on with our family and those who have it in there families. I found this on a blog called Gluten Free Doctors and it has really great info.

The Inside Scoop on Gluten Intolerance

I think it’s good to occasionally step back and focus on the basics of gluten intolerance. [Note: I use ‘gluten intolerance’ as an umbrella term that includes both celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.] Sometimes I get so caught up in writing about the latest research that I forget that every hour of every day a newly diagnosed individual is needing information on the basics - what gluten intolerance means and how they should begin the process of instituting a gluten-free diet.

This blog, the Gluten Doctors, was my first blog and one that I began after writing my book, “The Gluten Effect”. I wrote the book to embrace a disorder that was being completely ignored by the celiac community – gluten sensitivity.

Fortunately after only a few months of the publishing date of “The Gluten Effect”, major researchers in the field began to publicly agree that gluten sensitivity was a very real condition and one that warranted the attention of researchers and clinicians alike.

Let’s discuss those basics:

What is Gluten Intolerance?

As mentioned above gluten intolerance is an embracive term that includes both celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease has had many faces since it was first described by a medical doctor Samuel Gee in 1887. Initially it was thought to be purely a digestive problem, akin to indigestion.

It was later realized to be an autoimmune disease and small intestine destruction was considered the hallmark of the disease.

Knowledge further advanced and it was realized that celiac was more a disease of the immune system that affected most every part of the human body. From the heart to the lungs, from the liver to the brain, there is no system of the body that gluten doesn’t touch.

We now realize that celiac disease affects the nervous system more so than the digestive tract and that many so afflicted have absolutely no digestive complaints whatsoever – yet they still have celiac disease.

This last sentence would be a surprise, and in fact would be refuted, by many clinicians in this country today. They would be wrong but that wouldn’t make them any less emphatic about it. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to hear from people who ‘know’ they are gluten intolerant but are told by their doctor that if they have no digestive complaints they have no need to even be tested for the condition.

Classic celiac disease, as described so many years ago, consists of a profile that many clinicians, including gastroenterologists, embrace as ‘gospel’. This classic picture would present with an underweight patient with chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating.

Classic celiac disease exists, but it in no way describes the majority of cases – quite the contrary.

Celiac disease affects 1% of the population and it rises to about 4% with increased age.

How do you know if you have celiac disease? Good question. I wish I could tell you there was an absolute fool-proof test. Most recent research has this to say:

A highly positive tTG test with a positive AGA test (both blood tests) are highly correlative with celiac disease.

Do you have to have a positive intestinal biopsy to ‘confirm’ the blood tests? Many clinicians would say ‘yes’ and they would be wrong. Why? You can definitely have celiac disease and have a negative biopsy. To say otherwise is condemning many celiac sufferers to a shortened, unhealthy lifespan.

[I can see the comments coming in already. I know, you’ve been told otherwise. It is incorrect.]

So what does one do if they get a negative test but they are suspicious of being gluten intolerant? I have two suggestions:

1. Try a gluten-free diet for 30 days and see how you feel. [Feeling better is a valid test in itself.] Do remember that this is a zero tolerance policy so educate yourself first and then begin. There’s no point in a ‘mostly gluten free’ approach – it’s got to be as perfect as possible.

2. Get a genetic test to see if you carry the genes for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Either one makes for a lifelong gluten-free diet in your future, but I think it’s good to know for yourself as well as for other members of the family, which, if either, is positive. I’ve heard researchers state that there are likely more genes that code for gluten intolerance than we know about, but the genetic test available is still a good place to start.

Symptoms Associated with Celiac Disease

There are over 300 symptoms and conditions associated with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. I will include some of the most common ones below to give you an idea if you or someone you care about potentially falls into this category:

· Fatigue

· Infertility

· Obesity

· Diabetes

· Depression

· Rheumatoid arthritis

· Anxiety

· Thyroid disease

· Gas/bloating

· Liver disease

· Diarrhea/constipation

· Cancer

· Headaches/migraines

· ADD/ADHD

· Acid reflux

· Autism

· Brain fog/Poor memory

· Stunted growth

· Hormonal imbalance

· Osteoporasis

What is Gluten Sensitivity? How is it Different from Celiac Disease?

Gluten sensitivity is very similar to celiac disease. They are both genetic conditions, they both are known to affect most systems of the body, and both require a lifelong gluten-free diet.

The estimation of incidence of gluten sensitivity is much higher than celiac disease - 10% of the population. This is new research in an area that is in its infancy. Personally I feel that the incidence is likely much higher, perhaps up to 30% or more of the population. This personal estimate is based on my clinical experience and it is shared by others in the field. But I am not a researcher.

There is some thought that gluten sensitivity is less serious than celiac disease. This is not true. Both conditions can shorten life expectancy and create hundreds of different symptoms and conditions. Celiac disease is, in itself, an autoimmune disease and gluten sensitivity is not. Some extrapolate this to mean that gluten sensitivity cannot be a causative factor in creating autoimmune disease. I have not found this to be the case. In fact we have, here at the clinic, seen amazing improvements and sometimes reversals, of autoimmune diseases in patients who were gluten sensitive but who did not suffer from celiac disease. Once again this is my clinical experience, there is not much if any research in this area.

How do you Test for Gluten Sensitivity?

There are tests that exist for gluten sensitivity, although they are not ‘recognized’ currently. Does that mean they do not work? Not at all. I am quite pleased with the results of the testing I use. I find they correlate quite well with patient symptoms and improvement once a gluten-free diet is instituted.

The opinion that no ‘accepted’ gluten sensitivity test exists is simply a function of how new the field is. As mentioned earlier, it’s only been two years since general acceptance of the existence of gluten sensitivity occurred.

So what should you do if you suspect gluten sensitivity? I am happy to share with you the labs that I use and genetic testing is available as well. Ultimately the 30 day elimination diet is something I always include, regardless of what testing is done because I trust that as a valid test. I typically run the blood test and back it up with the 30 day elimination diet. The lab testing is not perfect, none of them are, but the body will tell you what it thinks of gluten if you eliminate it completely from your diet for 30 days.

If I am Gluten Intolerant How Do I Get Started?

1. You must educate yourself. I mentioned this is the first blog I ever created. Since then I have merged my website, blogs and you tube videos to act as a comprehensive resource. My ‘gluten sensitivity and celiac’ blog is at this address: http://www.healthnowmedical.com/category/gluten-intolerance-celiac/ you can also go to this page (http://www.healthnowmedical.com/am-i-gluten-sensitive/gluten-foods/) to learn the foods that are safe and unsafe when embarking on a gluten free diet.

2. Be patient. It is not easy to change your diet so radically and the change will likely not happen overnight. You will make mistakes, unfortunately. But learn from them and continue to be patient with yourself as you learn more about food in general and gluten in specific. If you hang in there you will be rewarded with greatly improved health.

3. Find a clinician to help you. This can be difficult which is why we created a destination clinic wherein we see patients from across the country and internationally. We are not the only ones who know how to take care of you, but the numbers are truly dismally small. We’ll try to help you find someone local to you but if that doesn’t work, we’re happy to help.

4. Finally, I wish I could say that eliminating gluten was the only step you had to take to restore optimal health. Certainly it should be, but alas, there are other steps that need to be taken. Why? Removing gluten is simply not sufficient to restore the health to all the parts of the body that gluten has affected. From healing the small intestine, to regaining the strength of the healthy probiotic population, to balancing hormones and more - all these factors must be assessed and treated as needed. We call these the secondary effects of gluten and they are not difficult to treat.