With the New Year on the horizon, many of us are considering a new diet. Perhaps chronic illness is a motivating factor. Or a child with behavioral issues. Or maybe just a general desire to eat healthier.
When I considered venturing into a dietary approach to healing, I felt overwhelmed. How in the world would I get 10 other people on board? It didn't happen overnight, that's for sure. We slowly changed our eating patterns until the day we were ready to embark on a grain-free/fruit-free/sugar-free diet, which we began in earnest on August 1st.
Our diet has yielded more benefits than I expected. We have found a new level of stability. Ironically, our life now revolves less around food and more around artistic endeavors. We have less conflict over food than ever before, and the kids have learned to enjoy foods I never thought possible.
Grocery shopping is surprisingly easier. No more agonizing over food labels. A quick run through the produce aisle is all that's needed. I order meat online or from a local rancher. Much of my shopping is done through a food co-op.
I battled numerous doubts as we embraced our new lifestyle. I've summarized these below and included some of my thoughts as I sought to sift through the truths that seemed to reinforce each doubt.
1. People will think I'm crazy.
True.
People also thought physician Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis was crazy when he suggested that hand disinfection played a role in the health of birth mothers. The connection between the food we eat and our health seems equally obvious, but anytime we go against the tide we are likely to experience ridicule and skepticism. This is simply part of the journey, one which I'm willing to accept.
2. It's expensive.
True.
I shudder to think of what we spend on produce and meat in a week. However, when I think of the money we're saving on doctor appointments, emergency room visits, and prescriptions, I cease to count the cost. We eat out less, spend less on fast-food stops and lattes, and enjoy a simpler lifestyle. I no longer measure our health by our grocery bill.
Colleen Huber, a naturopath, contends that eating organically is not necessarily more expensive. She did a comparison several years ago and found the two types of diet comparable. Her study can be found here.
3. It might not work.
True.
I hope for complete healing for each one of us. But there's no guarantee. There's no guarantee no matter what decisions we make about anything. I'd rather try than not try. I'd rather take the risk of eating healthier foods than assume it would make no difference. It's been five months now, and I've seen so many benefits that complete healing would only be the "icing on the flax cracker."
4. There are so many diets out there. They can't all be right.
True.
Some diets say juicing is good. Others say not. Some are vegan. Others are meat-based. Some are raw. Some are cooked. Some include sweeteners. Others do not. (Although I have yet to find any nutritional protocol that invites people to eat "unlimited" refined sugar.)
In my mind, this is one of the biggest hindrances toward altering our diet. This is where our intuition is a necessity. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to diet. We're each unique, with our own specific needs.
It took me months to find a diet I felt worked for our family. I found it by trying different approaches. We constantly tweaked, adding in foods and taking them out. Each member of our family is different, which only added to the frustration. When I heard of the GAPS diet, I was shocked to see we were already eating the foods on the plan. Instinctively I had been drawn to it.
We've embraced the GAPS diet. We weave in some of the Body Ecology, Specific Carbohydrate, and Paleo diets. We may change things down the road. I'm thankful we're trying something.
5. It will be hard on my kids.
True.
It's also true that it may be hard on our kids to continue to eat sugar and processed foods. We can't protect our kids from pain, only do the best we can with the best explanation we can offer. If a child understands the reasons for the unusual foods, it can help. I try to find fun, creative alternatives for special occasions.
The night before we began our biggest diet change, we showed a clip from the movie Breaking and Entering. The movie is not kid-friendly, but one scene shows Jude Law sitting down to a dinner of chicken and vegetables. His wife explains the gut/brain connection and the role diet can play in restoring health to their ill child. The daughter throws a temper tantrum because of the missing ice cream. It helped my kids to see another family trying to improve their health through diet.
6. I might get sick.
True.
Sometimes the body is so worn down it doesn't let us know the food we're eating is doing us harm. If grains, for instance, are perpetuating some of the bad "bugs," we often don't know it. When our body "wakes up" and we start feeding it healthier foods, toxins can die and create die-off symptoms, which are often worse than the general feeling of malaise we may have started with. There are numerous ways to get through the die-off, such as Epsom salt baths, activated charcoal, vitamin C, and many others.
If we're willing to get worse before we get better, we may enjoy a whole new level of health.
7. My food might not taste good.
True.
This was especially difficult for me. I always had a healthy diet, free of sugars and processed foods (which still did not help me in my toxic home). But the sweetness I did have in my diet, I liked! I didn't want "bland" foods, let alone bitter or sour ones. I let go of my need for good taste and took the plunge. Sometimes I plugged my nose. I kept focusing on my goal of better health and reminded myself of the Chinese medical adage, "The bitter the better." Slowly, ever so slowly, my taste buds changed. I now eat sauerkraut, drink plain goat kefir, and drink bitter green juice. My kids do, too! We do use stevia to help with some of the foods, but my kids can drink the most bitter green juice in one gulp.
8. Extreme dietary restriction isn't necessarily a good thing.
True.
It's a risk to embark on any dietary plan. In reality, we were already restricted by our food allergies and food intolerances. Once I accepted our limitations, I sought to find a diet that encouraged a well-rounded mix of vegetables, proteins, and fats. One that would help us heal so that we would be able to tolerate more foods. For some people, an extreme diet change is not necessary. Simply taking out refined sugars and processed foods can be enough.
But for those with severe illness, this quote from Hippocrates may apply: "Extreme remedies are very appropriate for extreme diseases."
Sometimes a strong message to the body can lead to a big change.
9. I don't think I can get my spouse or older children on board.
True.
We can't control others, in any area of life. We can, however, do our best to educate and explain. We can lead by example. We can try. For our family, a slow transition worked better than an abrupt, unwelcome change. I introduced one food at a time and tried to find satisfying substitutes for their favorite foods. When I felt a more radical approach was necessary, I asked everyone to try it for 30 days. Thankfully, everyone agreed, and five months later we're still "experimenting."
10. It will be difficult.
True.
There's simply no way around this one. It is hard to change patterns. Food patterns especially. Good things don't come easily. There's no magic pill when it comes to health and diet. I miss the convenience of take-out pizza and fast food. But there's something gratifying and empowering about this kind of hard work. I see it every time my kids play football, or read, or laugh. Simple things we weren't able to do two years ago.
In summary, there are plenty of reasons to stick with the "old way". Plenty of reasons not to step out and try something new. I like this quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes:
I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.
It's a New Year with new possibilities. The perfect time to set sail.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Musings
God became man to turn creatures into sons:
not simply to produce better men of the old kind
but to produce a new kind of man.
- C.S. Lewis
The mystery of Christ,
that He sunk Himself into our flesh,
is beyond all human understanding.
- Martin Luther
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Flax Huts
In years past, our Gingerbread House Competition was a highlight of the Christmas season. Every December, graham crackers, powdered sugar, and candy were magically transformed into masterpieces.
Given our current dietary needs, we decided to come up with an alternative. A gluten-free, sugar-free, grain-free, dairy-free version which we titled "Ginger Flax Hut Competition."
We used chia gel and honey for glue. The homemade glue made of milk, white vinegar, and baking soda failed, so we resorted to non-toxic school glue when necessary. We used cranberries, rhubarb, daikon radish, green beans, mung beans, broccoli, kelp, nori (which makes a great roof), green juice pulp, carrots, cauliflower, cinnamon sticks, and lots of imagination.
Pictured below, a sampling of our award-winning entries.
The best news about our new tradition? We weren't tempted to eat our creations. The broccoli and green beans somehow lost their appeal.
Coming after Christmas: 10 Rational Reasons for Not Changing Your Diet in the New Year. Stay tuned!
Given our current dietary needs, we decided to come up with an alternative. A gluten-free, sugar-free, grain-free, dairy-free version which we titled "Ginger Flax Hut Competition."
We used chia gel and honey for glue. The homemade glue made of milk, white vinegar, and baking soda failed, so we resorted to non-toxic school glue when necessary. We used cranberries, rhubarb, daikon radish, green beans, mung beans, broccoli, kelp, nori (which makes a great roof), green juice pulp, carrots, cauliflower, cinnamon sticks, and lots of imagination.
Pictured below, a sampling of our award-winning entries.
The best news about our new tradition? We weren't tempted to eat our creations. The broccoli and green beans somehow lost their appeal.
Coming after Christmas: 10 Rational Reasons for Not Changing Your Diet in the New Year. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
We're all familiar with the gifts of the Magi. We may not be as aware of the healing properties of frankincense and myrrh, essential oils with a long healing history.
Frankincense is obtained from the leafy forest tree Boswellia Thurifera. It is a dried resin (tree sap) and occurs naturally as the trees age and produce resin. When resin bleeds out of the tree, it eventually hardens, often in a teardrop shape. In order to help a tree produce more frankincense, the tree can be tapped by scraping the bark, which allows larger amounts of resin to bleed and harden.
Myrrh is the dried oleo gum resin of a number of Commiphora species of trees. Like frankincense, it is produced by the tree as a reaction to a purposeful wound through the bark and into the sapwood.
According to the article Frankincense and Myrrh: The Botany, Culture, and Therapeutic Uses of the World's Two Most Important Resins:
The oleo gum resins produced by trees such as frankincense, myrrh, pine, spruce, fir, and others are a major part of the tree's immune system. Tree sap has antibiotic and antifungal properties which protect the tree from infections, wound-healing properties for closing and regenerating the bark, and pheromone-like signaling mechanisms for repelling insect attackers and attracting the attacker’s natural predators.
When humans use oleo gum resins or essential oils derived from trees, we are utilizing the molecular components of the tree's immune system to boost our own. The general functions of frankincense resin and essential oil can therefore be described as immune-enhancing; antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic; and wound-healing, with pronounced anti-inflammatory properties.
In recent years, studies have confirmed the healing properties of these oils. Virginia Tech professor John Robertson found frankincense to have "fairly selective anti-tumor activity" without disrupting normal cells. According to this article, Robertson said, "I think this research on frankincense oil suggests that this ancient medicine may have significant modern uses for chemotherapy of non-resectable malignancies."
There are a variety of essential oils on the market. Look for oils that are 100% pure. Examples include those offered by Mountain Rose Herbs, TRUessence, doTerra, and Young Living.
A great way to use frankincense and/or myrrh is to dilute it in a carrier oil such as coconut oil and apply it topically to reflex points and joints.
The words frankincense and myrrh each appear 17 times in the King James Bible.
No doubt we would be wise to heed these lessons of old.
Frankincense is obtained from the leafy forest tree Boswellia Thurifera. It is a dried resin (tree sap) and occurs naturally as the trees age and produce resin. When resin bleeds out of the tree, it eventually hardens, often in a teardrop shape. In order to help a tree produce more frankincense, the tree can be tapped by scraping the bark, which allows larger amounts of resin to bleed and harden.
Myrrh is the dried oleo gum resin of a number of Commiphora species of trees. Like frankincense, it is produced by the tree as a reaction to a purposeful wound through the bark and into the sapwood.
According to the article Frankincense and Myrrh: The Botany, Culture, and Therapeutic Uses of the World's Two Most Important Resins:
The oleo gum resins produced by trees such as frankincense, myrrh, pine, spruce, fir, and others are a major part of the tree's immune system. Tree sap has antibiotic and antifungal properties which protect the tree from infections, wound-healing properties for closing and regenerating the bark, and pheromone-like signaling mechanisms for repelling insect attackers and attracting the attacker’s natural predators.
When humans use oleo gum resins or essential oils derived from trees, we are utilizing the molecular components of the tree's immune system to boost our own. The general functions of frankincense resin and essential oil can therefore be described as immune-enhancing; antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic; and wound-healing, with pronounced anti-inflammatory properties.
In recent years, studies have confirmed the healing properties of these oils. Virginia Tech professor John Robertson found frankincense to have "fairly selective anti-tumor activity" without disrupting normal cells. According to this article, Robertson said, "I think this research on frankincense oil suggests that this ancient medicine may have significant modern uses for chemotherapy of non-resectable malignancies."
There are a variety of essential oils on the market. Look for oils that are 100% pure. Examples include those offered by Mountain Rose Herbs, TRUessence, doTerra, and Young Living.
A great way to use frankincense and/or myrrh is to dilute it in a carrier oil such as coconut oil and apply it topically to reflex points and joints.
The words frankincense and myrrh each appear 17 times in the King James Bible.
No doubt we would be wise to heed these lessons of old.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Christmas Letter
I received the following Christmas letter last week. A letter that hit close to home.
Who knew I was living with something that could (and nearly did) kill me? For over 10 years, I unknowingly lived with toxic mold in my house. My health continued to deteriorate with symptoms that baffled the doctors. Finally, tests on the house exposed several species of toxic mold including: Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Immediately, I moved out, thinking it could be remediated and I would be able to return.
The difficult task of cleaning my belongings began. Friends from far and wide joined ranks in my front yard to triple clean everything and put it into storage. It was later discovered I would not be able to safely live with my things or in my old house under any circumstance. Life as I had known it took a drastic turn. I lost my house, my possessions, 2 of my pets and my health. My puppy at the time has survived thus far, but she has tested positive for 3 mycotoxins. Her health is impacted but she is doing fine so far.
"He who has God and many things has nothing more than he who has God alone." - C.S. Lewis
All the while my health continued to plummet, as did my morale. Discouraged, overwhelmed and confused, I continued to struggle with vertigo, severe fatigue, neck and joint pain, tremors, distended stomach, headaches, rashes, brain fog (yes, more than normal:), an inability to regulate body temperature and an overall sick feeling. It stuns me to learn all these symptoms result from the exposure of mold spores and the mycotoxins they release.
Recovery takes time and is a slow, arduous process. Currently, I'm on a treatment protocol that is designed to take 2 years minimum and for some, a lifetime. I have a genetic predisposition which makes me unable to "self heal" after being exposed to toxic mold. Since I lived with such a high concentration for an extended period of time, my health has been greatly impacted.
Current health issues include:
• autoimmune disease
• neurological injury
• hormonal imbalance
• pulmonary limitations
• digestive disruption
• chemical/fragrance sensitivity
To break the fungal cycle in my body, diet has become central to my recovery. Fungus thrives off sugar and is hindered by chlorophyll, so I eat a diet containing no sugar or refined foods, no grains, limited fruit and lots of green leafy veggies, nuts and meat.
Isolation continues to be a challenge due to the chemical sensitivity caused by the exposure. When I'm around strong-smelling hair products, lotions, aftershave, cologne, perfumes, rooms with plug-in scents, candles, pesticides, herbicides, or cleaning products, I get very ill. It can last for several hours and take days to overcome.
Mold is addressed in the Bible and it was not to be ignored. I once thought mold was harmless. Now I know how devastating it can be on a life. Though mold is everywhere, some molds can be life threatening, particularly in an indoor environment. Any water damage should be immediately addressed even if it has dried out and looks fine. Don't ignore it.
There's so much more to share, but for now I'll just say thanks. Thanks for coming alongside during this difficult season.
Friendships often struggle during times of health crisis. Especially when little is known about the nature of the struggle.
Christmas offers a wonderful opportunity to mend hearts. If you have a friend fighting a health battle, don't miss the chance to express your support and care. There's nothing like a timely word of encouragement.
Who knew I was living with something that could (and nearly did) kill me? For over 10 years, I unknowingly lived with toxic mold in my house. My health continued to deteriorate with symptoms that baffled the doctors. Finally, tests on the house exposed several species of toxic mold including: Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Immediately, I moved out, thinking it could be remediated and I would be able to return.
The difficult task of cleaning my belongings began. Friends from far and wide joined ranks in my front yard to triple clean everything and put it into storage. It was later discovered I would not be able to safely live with my things or in my old house under any circumstance. Life as I had known it took a drastic turn. I lost my house, my possessions, 2 of my pets and my health. My puppy at the time has survived thus far, but she has tested positive for 3 mycotoxins. Her health is impacted but she is doing fine so far.
"He who has God and many things has nothing more than he who has God alone." - C.S. Lewis
All the while my health continued to plummet, as did my morale. Discouraged, overwhelmed and confused, I continued to struggle with vertigo, severe fatigue, neck and joint pain, tremors, distended stomach, headaches, rashes, brain fog (yes, more than normal:), an inability to regulate body temperature and an overall sick feeling. It stuns me to learn all these symptoms result from the exposure of mold spores and the mycotoxins they release.
Recovery takes time and is a slow, arduous process. Currently, I'm on a treatment protocol that is designed to take 2 years minimum and for some, a lifetime. I have a genetic predisposition which makes me unable to "self heal" after being exposed to toxic mold. Since I lived with such a high concentration for an extended period of time, my health has been greatly impacted.
Current health issues include:
• autoimmune disease
• neurological injury
• hormonal imbalance
• pulmonary limitations
• digestive disruption
• chemical/fragrance sensitivity
To break the fungal cycle in my body, diet has become central to my recovery. Fungus thrives off sugar and is hindered by chlorophyll, so I eat a diet containing no sugar or refined foods, no grains, limited fruit and lots of green leafy veggies, nuts and meat.
Isolation continues to be a challenge due to the chemical sensitivity caused by the exposure. When I'm around strong-smelling hair products, lotions, aftershave, cologne, perfumes, rooms with plug-in scents, candles, pesticides, herbicides, or cleaning products, I get very ill. It can last for several hours and take days to overcome.
Mold is addressed in the Bible and it was not to be ignored. I once thought mold was harmless. Now I know how devastating it can be on a life. Though mold is everywhere, some molds can be life threatening, particularly in an indoor environment. Any water damage should be immediately addressed even if it has dried out and looks fine. Don't ignore it.
There's so much more to share, but for now I'll just say thanks. Thanks for coming alongside during this difficult season.
Friendships often struggle during times of health crisis. Especially when little is known about the nature of the struggle.
Christmas offers a wonderful opportunity to mend hearts. If you have a friend fighting a health battle, don't miss the chance to express your support and care. There's nothing like a timely word of encouragement.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Birthday Menu
Colin celebrated his 11th birthday last weekend with a touch football game and a food wish list that would have shocked me a year ago.
Colin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes seven weeks after our first major exposure and has struggled with erratic blood sugars ever since. To accommodate his illness, as well as our own, we transitioned from a high carb/refined sugar diet to a diet high in proteins, fats, and vegetables. (Sugars and high-carbohydrate foods feed fungi, yeasts, and other unfriendly pathogens.)
Colin has had a tough time with the transition. His mind has been willing. It's his body that has fought the change. I now understand the harsh reality of carb/sugar cravings.
Slowly, ever so slowly, things have improved. This is reflected in the following wish list, which we happily granted.
Breakfast: Fruit smoothie with homemade goat yogurt, stevia, and frozen strawberries. Jicama fries. (Sliced and stir-fried jicama tastes just like hash browns!)
Lunch: Beef stir-fry (with Kaitlyn's special cauliflower rice and peas).
Dinner: Restaurant with Dad. A meal of grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, and grilled zucchini.
Dessert: Crustless pumpkin pie with stevia.
The day's festivities required a total of 8 units of insulin. A far cry from the 20-30 we often needed on holidays and birthdays.
It was a great birthday for Colin. And not just because of his new favorite foods and his stable blood sugars.
It was the special NFL jersey he received. The one bearing the name of his hero, Jay Cutler, the Chicago Bears quarterback with type 1 diabetes.
With Colin's new breakfast of champions, the NFL had better watch out.
Colin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes seven weeks after our first major exposure and has struggled with erratic blood sugars ever since. To accommodate his illness, as well as our own, we transitioned from a high carb/refined sugar diet to a diet high in proteins, fats, and vegetables. (Sugars and high-carbohydrate foods feed fungi, yeasts, and other unfriendly pathogens.)
Colin has had a tough time with the transition. His mind has been willing. It's his body that has fought the change. I now understand the harsh reality of carb/sugar cravings.
Slowly, ever so slowly, things have improved. This is reflected in the following wish list, which we happily granted.
Breakfast: Fruit smoothie with homemade goat yogurt, stevia, and frozen strawberries. Jicama fries. (Sliced and stir-fried jicama tastes just like hash browns!)
Lunch: Beef stir-fry (with Kaitlyn's special cauliflower rice and peas).
Dinner: Restaurant with Dad. A meal of grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, and grilled zucchini.
Dessert: Crustless pumpkin pie with stevia.
The day's festivities required a total of 8 units of insulin. A far cry from the 20-30 we often needed on holidays and birthdays.
It was a great birthday for Colin. And not just because of his new favorite foods and his stable blood sugars.
It was the special NFL jersey he received. The one bearing the name of his hero, Jay Cutler, the Chicago Bears quarterback with type 1 diabetes.
With Colin's new breakfast of champions, the NFL had better watch out.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Arizona School Mold Controversy
The following news story appeared in the Arizona Daily Star last Sunday.
When teacher Suzanne Anderson discovered mold behind a poster in her classroom this fall, it set off alarm bells.
Angela Cupis, the teacher who used the Summit View Elementary School classroom last school year, had spent a nightmarish 2009-2010 assigned there. She was in and out of urgent care, was hospitalized several times and at one point was in isolation while doctors tried to figure out what was wrong.
"Once I was back at school and off my medication, it would take about two weeks before I would start getting sick again," she said.
The article continues with a discussion of the impact of toxic mold on health. Sadly, the article quotes the past president of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine as saying, "Fear of 'toxic mold' is widespread, but it has not been proved that indoor mold can infect people with these 'mycotoxins.'"
The school principal agreed, saying, "As far as we know, there were no illnesses due to mold."
Parents and others say otherwise.
"My daughter suffered from a lot of migraines, upset stomach, fevers, chills and would vomit," said Summit View parent Jerilyn Ugalde, whose daughter, Annaliese, was in the class last year where mold was found this year. "She easily missed more than 20 days last school year and her pediatrician could never figure out what was wrong."
Her teacher last year, Cupis, said she still recalls the room's musty odor. She had severe headaches, her temperature spiked as high as105 degrees, and she suffered chills, respiratory infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and kidney stones, she said.
She fell behind at work, and said principal Lopez-Miranda was documenting her performance before Cupis took a medical leave. Lopez-Miranda said she couldn't discuss Cupis because of confidentiality laws.
Her physicians mentioned the possibility of mold as the culprit, Cupis said. "They asked me if it could be environmental, but I told them no," she said. At the time, "I didn't know about the mold."
This year, the new teacher in the room, Anderson, had her own symptoms.
"I am allergic to mold, and I suffered from itchy, red eyes and congested sinuses. I felt like I had a cold that would not go away," she said. About half of her students also had runny noses and watery eyes, she said.
To view the article in its entirety, click here.
When teacher Suzanne Anderson discovered mold behind a poster in her classroom this fall, it set off alarm bells.
Angela Cupis, the teacher who used the Summit View Elementary School classroom last school year, had spent a nightmarish 2009-2010 assigned there. She was in and out of urgent care, was hospitalized several times and at one point was in isolation while doctors tried to figure out what was wrong.
"Once I was back at school and off my medication, it would take about two weeks before I would start getting sick again," she said.
The article continues with a discussion of the impact of toxic mold on health. Sadly, the article quotes the past president of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine as saying, "Fear of 'toxic mold' is widespread, but it has not been proved that indoor mold can infect people with these 'mycotoxins.'"
The school principal agreed, saying, "As far as we know, there were no illnesses due to mold."
Parents and others say otherwise.
"My daughter suffered from a lot of migraines, upset stomach, fevers, chills and would vomit," said Summit View parent Jerilyn Ugalde, whose daughter, Annaliese, was in the class last year where mold was found this year. "She easily missed more than 20 days last school year and her pediatrician could never figure out what was wrong."
Her teacher last year, Cupis, said she still recalls the room's musty odor. She had severe headaches, her temperature spiked as high as105 degrees, and she suffered chills, respiratory infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and kidney stones, she said.
She fell behind at work, and said principal Lopez-Miranda was documenting her performance before Cupis took a medical leave. Lopez-Miranda said she couldn't discuss Cupis because of confidentiality laws.
Her physicians mentioned the possibility of mold as the culprit, Cupis said. "They asked me if it could be environmental, but I told them no," she said. At the time, "I didn't know about the mold."
This year, the new teacher in the room, Anderson, had her own symptoms.
"I am allergic to mold, and I suffered from itchy, red eyes and congested sinuses. I felt like I had a cold that would not go away," she said. About half of her students also had runny noses and watery eyes, she said.
To view the article in its entirety, click here.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Rashes
Rashes are a daily part of our lives now. We've grown accustomed to them. They began when we were in our home and have stayed with us. In fact, they've escalated since leaving our toxic home. This makes sense since the skin offers an easy exit for toxins.
Here's an example of one that emerged for one of the kids soon after we began our detox protocol.
Last year, Colin had some severe ones on the backs of his legs, and Reagan had a black spot on the back of his neck. I posted some pictures here.
Here's a recent rash of Brandon's:
We keep remedies on hand and are always prepared for whatever rash may appear. Here are some of our "favorites."
• Bentonite clay mixed with raw apple cider vinegar
• Ketacanozole cream
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Tea tree oil
• Neem oil
I was not prepared, however, for the rash that appeared on my feet a few days before Thanksgiving.
My right foot began to swell on Friday evening. By nightfall both feet were beginning to itch. By 2:00 in the morning the itchiness became severe.
We tried mixing bentonite clay with raw apple cider vinegar and dousing both feet with it. It helped. But only until the clay dried.
There was no doubt in my mind this was a die-off phenomenon. I can’t prove this, of course. I know the body is full of mystery, especially when it comes to fungus and other unfriendly pathogens.
It’s just that the oozing bumps were so familiar. Plus I had recently upped my intake of coconut oil, a very potent healing food.
The discomfort of the edema wasn't the problem. It was the itchiness. Elevating my feet did nothing for the swelling or the itchiness. I thought of Job and his boils. I was in tears, the itching was so severe.
I called our acupuncturist, since the swelling began just hours after my weekly appointment.
We reviewed my diagnosis. This, of course, is what drew me to acupuncture in the first place. Chinese medicine offers a profound way of looking at symptoms. With our mold exposure and the lurking pathogenic nature of our illness, our family exhibits signs of dampness, specifically damp heat. (Damp diseases, according to Paul Pitchford, author of the book Healing with Whole Foods, "have a sluggish, stagnant quality and often take a long time to cure.")
My rash, therefore, could be seen as the release of heat from the body. The most immediate remedy? Cooling the feet. "Put your feet in ice water," he suggested.
I filled the tub with ice water. For the first time since the onset of the rash, I felt relief. No itchiness whatsoever.
I kept a tub full of cold water for the next three days. I soaked my feet in the middle of the night and whenever the itching became severe.
By Thanksgiving my feet were back to normal. Just a few crusted bumps to show for my trauma.
A rash this signicant two years into recovery doesn't surprise me. Our extreme exposure combined with our genetic burden makes the detoxification process long and difficult. Anywhere from 3 to 5 years. I'm grateful, therefore, for this latest hurdle. It only makes me more determined to keep on climbing.
With some extra bags of ice on hand, of course.
Here's an example of one that emerged for one of the kids soon after we began our detox protocol.
Last year, Colin had some severe ones on the backs of his legs, and Reagan had a black spot on the back of his neck. I posted some pictures here.
Here's a recent rash of Brandon's:
We keep remedies on hand and are always prepared for whatever rash may appear. Here are some of our "favorites."
• Bentonite clay mixed with raw apple cider vinegar
• Ketacanozole cream
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Tea tree oil
• Neem oil
I was not prepared, however, for the rash that appeared on my feet a few days before Thanksgiving.
My right foot began to swell on Friday evening. By nightfall both feet were beginning to itch. By 2:00 in the morning the itchiness became severe.
We tried mixing bentonite clay with raw apple cider vinegar and dousing both feet with it. It helped. But only until the clay dried.
There was no doubt in my mind this was a die-off phenomenon. I can’t prove this, of course. I know the body is full of mystery, especially when it comes to fungus and other unfriendly pathogens.
It’s just that the oozing bumps were so familiar. Plus I had recently upped my intake of coconut oil, a very potent healing food.
The discomfort of the edema wasn't the problem. It was the itchiness. Elevating my feet did nothing for the swelling or the itchiness. I thought of Job and his boils. I was in tears, the itching was so severe.
I called our acupuncturist, since the swelling began just hours after my weekly appointment.
We reviewed my diagnosis. This, of course, is what drew me to acupuncture in the first place. Chinese medicine offers a profound way of looking at symptoms. With our mold exposure and the lurking pathogenic nature of our illness, our family exhibits signs of dampness, specifically damp heat. (Damp diseases, according to Paul Pitchford, author of the book Healing with Whole Foods, "have a sluggish, stagnant quality and often take a long time to cure.")
My rash, therefore, could be seen as the release of heat from the body. The most immediate remedy? Cooling the feet. "Put your feet in ice water," he suggested.
I filled the tub with ice water. For the first time since the onset of the rash, I felt relief. No itchiness whatsoever.
I kept a tub full of cold water for the next three days. I soaked my feet in the middle of the night and whenever the itching became severe.
By Thanksgiving my feet were back to normal. Just a few crusted bumps to show for my trauma.
A rash this signicant two years into recovery doesn't surprise me. Our extreme exposure combined with our genetic burden makes the detoxification process long and difficult. Anywhere from 3 to 5 years. I'm grateful, therefore, for this latest hurdle. It only makes me more determined to keep on climbing.
With some extra bags of ice on hand, of course.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
AWARE T-Shirts
Imagine the difference it would make if the medical community and population at large were aware of the connection between indoor air quality and health. Consider the difference it would make if doctors, nurses, educators, scientists, and laypeople understood the hazards of water leaks, poor ventilation, damp indoor environments, and pesticide use.
Moms Against Mold, an organization dedicated to the support of families impacted by toxic exposure, has launched an awareness campaign with the sale of AWARE T-Shirts. All proceeds from the campaign will go toward the establishment of a fund to help displaced families and individuals.
When our family left our home in October 2008, I felt sure we were the only ones to ever experience such devastation. I felt alone and isolated.
Two years later, I understand the magnitude of this issue. The following are excerpts from emails I receive on a regular basis.
"Some of my symptoms include lightheadedness, blurry vision, headaches, and extreme fatigue."
"I recently encountered mold in my office - I had a major leak around by desk which took months to fix, and unfortunately there is no ventilation. I have had extreme dizziness and migraines, among many other symptoms."
"... fatigue, a constant sore throat and sinus issues. My oldest daughter now has constant diarrhea, headaches, stomach aches, sore throat and the list goes on."
"I have been so sick for so long and so tired I feel like putty."
"I am desperate for help to keep my baby and my family safe and healthy. We are all suffering in some way."
"I have a feeling that there is mold deeply embedded in the subfloor or lurking somewhere else that it is undetectable in the air test. We can't afford to do numerous tests just to locate the hidden mold."
"Six months into our new home I began feeling dizzy, out of it, to the point I would get lost driving, one of my daughters was having horrible cramping and yellow stools every day."
"I stopped having a period and assumed I was going thru menopause, night sweats, extreme fatigue. Dizzy and nauseated. The day we moved into this house I knew there was something wrong."
"... a perpetual stomach flu--nausea, vomiting, diarrhea up to 10x per day. I lost 35 lbs... The mold tests came back and showed Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, Aspergillus/Penicillin-like mold. At the time, I didn't know how much this was connected with my health."
"I have suffered several mold exposures. The first we had to leave our home... the second time by taking the moldy books into our home and the third time through the seller not telling us about a leak in the bathroom which drained down and showed itself on the living room ceiling."
"In the past year I've been diagnosed with bi-polar, anxiety (attacks), severe allergies... I also suffer from migraines. My husband and I both have severe vertigo, which is worsening to the point of craziness. Our kids have many of the above symptoms, as well as nosebleeds, diarrhea, throwing up, nausea, etc. No one believes any of this is connected!"
"I am the one suffering from mold induced illness. We moved out 5 weeks ago... The allergist, 5 ENTs and my internist are all baffled. I am onto the vestibular migraine diagnosis for the dizziness, I don't know who to go to for help."
Moms Against Mold would like to provide an opportunity for this mom and countless others to find help. We invite you to join our effort!
To learn more about our AWARE T-Shirts, visit the Moms Against Mold Online Store. Together we can raise awareness and reach out to others in need.
Moms Against Mold, an organization dedicated to the support of families impacted by toxic exposure, has launched an awareness campaign with the sale of AWARE T-Shirts. All proceeds from the campaign will go toward the establishment of a fund to help displaced families and individuals.
When our family left our home in October 2008, I felt sure we were the only ones to ever experience such devastation. I felt alone and isolated.
Two years later, I understand the magnitude of this issue. The following are excerpts from emails I receive on a regular basis.
"Some of my symptoms include lightheadedness, blurry vision, headaches, and extreme fatigue."
"I recently encountered mold in my office - I had a major leak around by desk which took months to fix, and unfortunately there is no ventilation. I have had extreme dizziness and migraines, among many other symptoms."
"... fatigue, a constant sore throat and sinus issues. My oldest daughter now has constant diarrhea, headaches, stomach aches, sore throat and the list goes on."
"I have been so sick for so long and so tired I feel like putty."
"I am desperate for help to keep my baby and my family safe and healthy. We are all suffering in some way."
"I have a feeling that there is mold deeply embedded in the subfloor or lurking somewhere else that it is undetectable in the air test. We can't afford to do numerous tests just to locate the hidden mold."
"Six months into our new home I began feeling dizzy, out of it, to the point I would get lost driving, one of my daughters was having horrible cramping and yellow stools every day."
"I stopped having a period and assumed I was going thru menopause, night sweats, extreme fatigue. Dizzy and nauseated. The day we moved into this house I knew there was something wrong."
"... a perpetual stomach flu--nausea, vomiting, diarrhea up to 10x per day. I lost 35 lbs... The mold tests came back and showed Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, Aspergillus/Penicillin-like mold. At the time, I didn't know how much this was connected with my health."
"I have suffered several mold exposures. The first we had to leave our home... the second time by taking the moldy books into our home and the third time through the seller not telling us about a leak in the bathroom which drained down and showed itself on the living room ceiling."
"In the past year I've been diagnosed with bi-polar, anxiety (attacks), severe allergies... I also suffer from migraines. My husband and I both have severe vertigo, which is worsening to the point of craziness. Our kids have many of the above symptoms, as well as nosebleeds, diarrhea, throwing up, nausea, etc. No one believes any of this is connected!"
"I am the one suffering from mold induced illness. We moved out 5 weeks ago... The allergist, 5 ENTs and my internist are all baffled. I am onto the vestibular migraine diagnosis for the dizziness, I don't know who to go to for help."
Moms Against Mold would like to provide an opportunity for this mom and countless others to find help. We invite you to join our effort!
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