This topic is the thread that tied the last decade of my life together. The more noise those of us affected can create, the more unwitting victims can be helped.
The increasingly common, and often hidden toxin has been underestimated for far too long. Relegated to a mere nuisance for those with overt allergies or sensitivities, mold lurking in the basement, behind paint and baseboards, in AC ducts, and under carpets may be wreaking more havoc on your health than you realize.
Though misunderstood by many—even in the medical field—there is a difference between mold toxicity and a mold allergy. A mold allergy is what my husband experienced when we pulled off the door frames and found ourselves face-to-face with Stachybotrys, i.e., black mold. An allergy elicits an immune response that usually manifests with symptoms in the sinuses and lungs. This response is typically an acute one (at least on the surface) that subsides when a person removes himself from the proximity of mold.
Read MoreThis topic is the thread that tied the last decade of my life together. The more noise those of us affected can create, the more unwitting victims can be helped.
The increasingly common, and often hidden toxin has been underestimated for far too long. Relegated to a mere nuisance for those with overt allergies or sensitivities, mold lurking in the basement, behind paint and baseboards, in AC ducts, and under carpets may be wreaking more havoc on your health than you realize.
This is the second part of my series where I share with you some of the many books that have been instrumental in guiding me on my healing journey...
Read MoreI thought it would be fun to share with you some of the many books that have been instrumental in guiding me on my healing journey...
Read MoreAs we embark on another holiday season, some of us may begin to feel the angst of what's to come as we sit down to dinner with family and friends.
Read MoreWe tend to give away our power in many areas of our life - in our jobs, in our marriages, in our friendships. It's in these same areas (and more!) that we often find ourselves tolerating less than ideal circumstances...
Read MoreAre you feeding yourself from within or seeking approval and love externally in an effort to feel nourished? Do you allow others to define who you are and who you're not? Do you waste time and energy worrying about what others think of you?
Read MoreI'm not going to keep you in suspense any longer. So here goes.. the secret to remodeling your brain is... positive self-talk. Yep, that's it. That's the big secret. No doubt you've heard it before. But, have you really understood what it means and how truly powerful it is when it comes to your health?
Read MoreIt was the evening of July 31, 2012 and I had hit rock bottom. My husband and I were celebrating our thirteenth wedding anniversary with a lovely dinner by candlelight that he had lovingly prepared for me at home. At this point, I was aware that something was going awry with my energy level so I knew better than to indulge in my favorite red wine. But, even totally sober and immersed in this romantic setting I was unable to keep my eyes open. My head hit the table and I was asleep before dinner was even served. How did I get here? What was happening to me??
Read MoreIf I can’t be superwoman for my family then how can I really be there for them? How can I insure that I’m doing everything possible to raise my children (or grandchildren) in a loving and supportive environment in the midst of my dis-ease? What does this look like?
I know what it doesn’t look like. It doesn’t look like giving and giving and giving at the expense of yourself, only to end up playing the martyr. Been there. Done that. It didn’t feel so good.
Have you ever had that feeling in the pit of your stomach when faced with a new challenge? That gut punch and rapid heartbeat that seem to electrify you at the near mention of an activity outside your comfort zone? I find it happening more and more lately now that I’m no longer “sick”. So many thrilling life experiences were put on hold for half a decade while I found myself increasingly confined to the stability of my own safe little world. Now that I’m really living life again I find that activities I once took for granted sometimes scare the crap out of me.
Read MoreI was drawn to this quote by Dr. Seuss when decorating my son’s “big boy” room years ago. I displayed it proudly above his bed in those adhesive vinyl letters that were so popular (and maybe still are?).
Read MorePhytonutrients, also known as phytochemicals, are the powerhouse components of plants that give them their wide array of vibrant colors and flavors. We now know that we need more than fats, proteins, carbs, vitamins and minerals to achieve and sustain optimal health. Phytonutrients with their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and disease-fighting abilities are crucial for growth and wellbeing.
Read MoreI'm more of a frittata fan personally since Paleo crusts made with almond flour tend to be a bit heavy. However, I stumbled upon this one from Everyday Maven and had to give it a try. The almond flour is balanced by the tapioca flour and she chose the perfect blend of just a few simple spices to enhance the flavor. I ended up with four mini quiches and had to force myself to put the last one in the freezer or I would have eaten these every single morning this week!
Read MoreOne of my favorite sources is winter squash, especially butternut. Its sweet, nutty taste compliments bitter greens nicely and satisfies my sugar cravings. Doesn't hurt that it's an excellent source of vitamins A and C. When I first starting eating it regularly a few years ago I was unsure of how exactly to tackle cutting the thing. Here are my simple tips...
Read MoreWhile the jury is still out on whether or not their private label products are actually 100% GMO-free (see Food Babe's post), they certainly seem to be a company dedicated to pleasing their customers. They offer many products that are free of antibiotics, preservatives and synthetic colors, they are super friendly, and their prices can't be beat!
I thought it might be fun to post some of my discoveries from time to time. Today I happened to have some kid-free time on my hands and decided to inspect the shelves more closely. I wasn't disappointed!
Read MoreBefore moving down south to sunnier Sarasota, Florida, we lived in Ponte Vedra and often ate at a wonderful little organic, raw food cafe in St Augustine called The Present Moment. They gave me permission to post one or two of their recipes when I was there, so I thought I would start with this one. It has antioxidant-rich raw cacao, the ancient Chinese superfruit goji powder, and hormone-balancing maca root powder...
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