Organic growers would define organic by the type of land management …watching carefully over the type of ingredients used for pest management, fertilizer, sprays, oils etc.
But some would define organic by the type of seeds used in your garden or farm land. Seeds without changes made to their basic DNA of the fruit or vegetable.
In recent years large corporations introduced GMO seeds producing GMO foods, enter major complications. Who really knows the actual definition …and as I wander through our local membership club and see the organic marketplace increasing  I fear that these new “organic” labeled products may have been compromised. And the general population…? Do we truly understand the implications of long term consumption of GMO foods?  The question begs to be asked…how do we really define "organic" in the world of food. What is real food? Is there such a thing anymore…..  (take picture of organic license letter)
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A car accident from previous years with scar tissue in my neck, reminders of my past come active and alive especially during winter. I brace myself treading lightly over the ice on sidewalks, my shoulders lightly raised in tension as the cold tries to embrace my body and soul. It can be a long winter in the mountains of North Central Washington.
​Thankful for a well trained massage therapist who gave valuable advice long ago, included in my personal routines.  He suggested I find those tense, tight muscles who try and escape at the slightest touch, apply pressure to work out the knots. I have found a plastic spike ball approximately 3 inches diameter, rolled on the area to relieve pressure points. This simple strategy gets me through to the next massage therapist appointment, as I consider them as one of my true helpers.
The how: make friends with your carpet,  place massage ball directly under the area that aches, rolling it gently to stretch and relieve.
Throw in a 90 degree stretch on the floor up a wall , legs straight, straight up in the air, slowly sliding to the side of wall each to the opposite direction……stretching back, thighs.
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 As my education on estrogen dominance merges with my head knowledge of personal experience, I realize how true the statement made by an elderly friend recently, …”Growing old is not for wimps” so true! It looks like it will take an incredible amount of courage!!
I am amazed at the many terms  that have emerged in the last few years…and not just from teenagers creating their own exclusive language.
I remember the first time a doctor looked me straight in the face and stated not only was my hormone balance off, but estrogen dominance was off the charts.
Huh? Estrogen what? And what in the world could that possibly mean. I vaguely knew women may choose hormone therapy ..somehow that must relate to the subject…but in my world… how did that translate?
I have since come to learn the following…. Estrogen dominance may be aggravated by a variety of foods, activity or lack of.  But soy milk? …Oh great, I thought I had made the most responsible choice to move away from dairy to Soy Milk.  Additionally some fresh meats and dairy with additional hormones added;
What to do? So many choices, yet feeling overwhelmed by choice limitations…….
What I did know for sure? My bra size kept changing and discomfort and pain was added to my daily endurance.
I find myself back to the internet, food research and more to find my balance…..
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​This week has been learning all about the natural alternative remedies for a healthy gallbladder. This journey set in motion by the emergent need of a friend. I discovered many recipes to address this topic, including use of Apple Cider Vinegar, Epsom salts and more.
Sunflower Lecithin also brings high benefits to the table, helping to break down fat in the gall bladder that has crystalized into stones.
​My first question was, lecithin? Don't we usually find combined as in "Soy Lecithin", an ingredient to be avoided? As I questioned and studied, I saw the differences found from the sunflower source.
Thank you to all the personal conversations and this amazing online source:
How To Prevent Gallstones With Everyday Foods | FOOD MATTERS®foodmatters.com/article/how-to-prevent-gallstones-with-everyday-foods

Its looks like Sunflower lecithin may provide extra energy, lift emotions, and overall functions...excited to share with my friend and try myself as I just purchased my first container.

My background is propelled by inexpensive solutions found at the grocery store...you could call me an official cheapskate.
​Today my research led me to find solutions for a friend with recent diagnosis for gallstones, and looming surgery in her future.  As I pursued discussions with alternative health professionals, I discovered so many exciting natural recipes and remedies to share on the topic.
​Apparently,  Epsom salts & water,  assists in softening and flushing out gallstones, but don't take my word for it, there are so many experts and sources who share the DIY details, dig in to discover your favorite recipe and protocol.  The extra benefit may reduce discomfort and possibly change the surgery diagnosis and outcome where by an organ remains in your body....sounds like the best scenario and worth changes in daily routine to accomplish.
​Then the magnesium benefits from a long soak in the bath tub with Epsom Salts...well it just all makes sense. Amazing health benefits from pennies spent, a true investment into your health and well being.

A common phase,  "An apple a day keeps the doctor away..."   but recent studies show Avocado is a more perfect fruit.... Keeps the doctor at Bay. I know I can feel it when making food choices... when eating avocado my day feels more balanced, stomach relaxed and calm,  the studies are proving the why.

So glad I have decided....just do it...eat one avocado every day and enjoy the results.

​As I have added in Vital Reds from Dr Gundry for making my heart happy, his most recent e-news shared the great avocado news.

According to lead researcher and Distinguished Professor of Nutrition at Penn State University, Penny M. Kris-Etherton, Ph.D., RD:
"Including one avocado each day as part of a moderate-fat, cholesterol-lowering diet compared to a comparable moderate-fat diet without an avocado provides additional LDL (low-density lipoproteins) lowering effects, which benefit CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk.”

​This definition helps to set the stage for conversation in regards to natural antibiotics. 

Often synthetic antibiotics are prescribed for a variety of bacterial infections, additionally there are  natural antibiotics used by holistic health practitioners, herbalists and many individuals. Herbs and other natural treatments may be used to compliment medical practices.

A quick search "natural antibiotics in real food" often brings more options then one could expect, a list and definitions found on myhealthwire online shares the following details.

​Ten Natural Antibiotics​

• Garlic. Raw garlic when crushed or chewed contains a compound called allicin – with similar properties to penicillin. ...
• Honey. ...
• Cabbage. ...
• Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) ...
• Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) ...
• Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. ...
• Echinacea. ...
• Colloidal Silver
• Oil of Oregano & other herbs​​

​In my personal experience I also use seek out the foods with higher Vitamin C, such as red & green peppers, chili peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, pineapple, kale, and kiwi.
​I am not above adding supplements in the mix.... ascorbate acid in several different forms, tablets, supplements, powders etc. Essential Oils are added to my personal list as well, clove, ginger & cinnamon oil. We will discuss this topic another day, I promise.

A play on words, No added sugar vs sugar free or sugarless. Your initial thought would be that the titles mean the same, unless you have been reading labels and health articles for any length of time, you sense that semantics have come into play..
​Although sugar technically is a natural ingredient  sourced from sugar cane, the process may vary creating more or less natural definitions. Some would say ingredients grown have higher benefit level then synthetic, yet even naturally grown ingredients processed, refined, chemically treated end up disrupting digestion and nutrition.
​To learn to navigate the nutrition jungle is a daunting task, one that requires extracurricular reading and research as I have struck out to learn more.
​My personal discovery of the chemical refinement and processing procedures was enough to mentally change much of my daily sugar intake. I will be the first to admit, trying to implement a strict diet excluding sugar is extremely difficult in todays culture, and wow do you ever feel deprived during withdrawals! 
The motivation factor had to come from another place, and it never did originate from "oh I need to lose weight and go on a diet" It was deeper.... not for a body image desired for myself really but for the future. Future desire to move easier, have energy to enjoy the outdoors, future travel, future relationship activities, with the constant question rolling in my head, "what must I do to push towards my future health.." and hopeful memories vs the current moment of feeling deprived and personal undisciplined indulgence.
​As with anything, baby steps multiple towards success as I began with the glaring delinquents, candy bars, soft gooey cookies, soda, hot chocolate, bread...oh how I love bread...that turns into sugar so easily. I point out here that none of these offenses were daily, multi weekly perhaps, but not multi daily...that did not take away the addition ...comfort comes in many forms.
If you were to follow me around even now, you would find I am not perfect in the least...but I have made great progress in the overall scheme of things.
​Because real food is so much of a better option, I never traded real sugar for the "sugar free" options filled with sythezied ingredients.  I personally could not justify living with the side effects my research found in the spotlight.
​Simplicity...has been the best policy for me, a simple set of ingredients, as few steps possible from the ground to the glass, farm to table, garden to plate.... Reading labels has become a bit of a game. What are the first 2 ingredients?  I have found it interesting how many different ways sugar is listed.

​Through time trades have been made,

OK....I was raised on peanut butter, my fathers work refridge only had 2 ingredients for lunch options, multigrain bread and peanut butter. I do admit the peanut butter was the kind that had oils rising to the top...not smooth and creamy with slightly sweet like todays preference.

​On my quest to remove refined sugar from my diet at least the majority of my diet, realization of how many things have sugar intertwined ..the challenge was real as my body had become used to sugar at every meal and all snacks inbetween.

One of the characteristics of my journey has been to obsess over each new find as the individual gift that it is ..
​My family provides testimony for this....so 4 years later I still sing praises of bentonite clay. At on of my lowest points, covered with blisters from head to toe, bentonite clay became part of my routine.
​Characteristics include pulling toxins out of the body, or providing a soothing poltice to aggravated skin, alternative for chemically laden sun screen,  pulling out infection from acne white heads, inexpensive facial mask, with enormous health benefits in the process.
​A simple DIY process for prepping includes powder into ceramic bowl, add water, stirring with wooden spoon only (metal has chemistry reaction) . The powder/product seems to grow, add to a squeeze tube for daily use.

The things that interest me would likely bore most people.....but I share my story as I personally dig and learn more about health and wellness for myself personally.  Studies support something as simple as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to streamline health.
​Proper balance of acid and alkaline in your body can be challenging to figure the how's and why's. A book written by Barbara O'Neill "Self Heal by design" discusses the role of micro-organisms for health covering a variety of topics, my most recent read. She lists a  book written by Dr.Tullio Simoncini published in 2007 named "Cancer is a Fungus" suggesting sodium bicarbonate as a simple solution to assist higher health.
This can be exciting news, there are obviously many variables environmentally, but brings some hope forward....I'm in willing to try.

​I read also read by Dr Tennant, as he studies voltage in your body will affect as well... all this intersects with a protocol to control your voltage using baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

​OK, so I'm in...here I go ... the next learning curve...roller coaster or many other definitions.
​Detox dose taken on empty stomach in glass of water:  Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) making sure it does not include aluminum in the ingredient list. Learning to check my pH is the next goal.

Many of us have heard of super foods and their benefits to our nutritional balance. I find there are so many options available to rebuild from the cellular level up in our bodies. I share from the position of my own learning curve as it becomes more familiar through the process.
Chatting it up with an elderly senior we found a recipe and decided to put our own blend together and see if we could save some $. Our criteria, we were looking for ingredients organic if possible, and place our own powders together to include into daily smoothies and compare energy and health levels for a time for progress.
These ingredients are our first attempt ...taste is not too bad especially with fresh fruits and berries.
​We worked with ameriherb.com and www.bulkapothacary.com to acquire ingredients. Guess we will see in 30 days how we feel...more to come.

​Acai Assai Berry Powder                 Cocoa Powder Alkalized                 Cholorella
Barley Grass                                      Licorice Root                                    Irish Moss
Moringa Leaf                                     Muria Puiam Bark                            Spirulina
Reservatrol                                        Wheat Grass                                     

Misc optional add in
Beet  Powder                                     Hawthorn Berry                               Red Cayenne Pepper

Fresh ginger is a pretty funny looking root that packs quite a power punch. It certainly spices things up.  It takes very little to gain the spicy attribute showcased. I personally cut a section of ginger approximately the same size as the end of your thumb, taking peel off and dicing fine.
​Place this into your morning smoothie or pour hot water over for early morning tea.
Benefits of ginger
Ginger is an important ingredient in my specialty herb mixture in the dry form.

Long luxurious baths have long been in my weekly routine, but recently with even more justification and motivation while discovering the wealth of health benefits adding magnesium sulfate to soaking tub assist in so much more then relaxation. Such a simple change and the benefits are huge and range from sore muscles softened, its crazy to think that more magnesium, helps regulate the activity of more than 300 enzymes in the body.
​I found the www.epsomsaltcouncil.org has so much knowledge to share on the subject. Meanwhile, 1-2 cups dissolved into my bath water, 3-6 drops essential oils, lavender, peppermint, spearmint give me the extra mag boost to either begin my day energized or end with relaxing sleep.
​Ingredients very easy to find in stores, generic boxes run approximately $3 per 2 lb. The local drug store, grocery stores, Walmart and more give easy access to this inexpensive health and wellness alternative.
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