but I have always loved cinnamon, as a little girl I favored cinnamon sprinkled on whole grain toast instead of jams or jellies.  As an adult I choose to add cinnamon to most all hot beverages consumed in my day.
Its difficult to choose a favorite in the world of spice, but cinnamon certainly is a common ingredient worldwide.
 By just reaching in the kitchen cupboard you will discover the many secret health weapons found through spices.
Many report feeling benefit from their blood sugar seeming more balanced, sugar cravings are calmed,
and  much more.

​The simple ways my day includes cinnamon...
​      Sprinkled onto almond milk or coconut milk hot chocolate
      Oatmeal for breakfast
​      Whole grain pancakes smeared with coconut oil, sea salt, & cinnamon
​     Savory herb mixture recipe that we make monthly which includes cinnamon,  a daily sprinkle on  
                eggs, oatmeal, salad, and meats
      Sweet Potatoes
     
Cinnamon offers a wide variety of neurological benefits, its amazing qualities increase brain health shown through  rigorous studies.  Five proven brain benefits of cinnamon are shared here.

1. Cinnamon may delay or reverse cognitive impairment.  Cinnamon reduced oxidation in the brain while improving cognition.
2. Cinnamon may be beneficial for Parkinson’s disease. A study found cinnamon protected dopamine production systems while improving motor function in Parkinson’s patients.
3. Cinnamon may curb food cravings. As a brain chemical involved in glucose and cholesterol, eating cinnamon may decrease your overall food in take to assist in weight reduction
4. ​Cinnamon’s scent can boost your memory.   The simple act of smelling cinnamon can improve memory performance.
5. Cinnamon is a source of antioxidant manganese.  Two teaspoons of cinnamon provides approximately half of recommended daily consumption of manganese, crucial for brain and body health as a powerful antioxidant. 
6. There are many more resources to review Dr Axe and many others.

Today I picked up "Apple Cider Vinegar" Natures Healing Miracle by Bragg Health Crusades , Patricia Bragg Health & Lifestyle Educator one of Americas Pioneers.
​This is a  wonderful review for me, the lifestyle shift plays out in so many ways, choices of my daily habits, eating choices, reading material, how I spend my time, and how my thoughts affect my actions.
​This caught my emotions and heart in the struggle today and what a great reminder...
​                                                    Thank you Christian D Larson

Pain..the kind that cancels out your daily plans, paralyzes your schedule,  challenges your mind, and so much more.
​My years spent in pregnancy, & multiple C-Sections brought  back pain, intermittent, crippling, and the answers were rare as I struggled to find the reasons. I found myself immersed in x Rays, doctors prescribing anti-inflammatories, couch sleeping not out of choice but necessity while unable to walk to the nearest bed.  Due to my legs being a full inch shorter one from another, aggravation would occur,  inflammation setting into lower spine. I found that the spine alignment or in my case, not aligned will depend on proper muscle care to hold the spine in place correctly.  
​The back spasms would throw me uncontrollably to the ground unable to stand, walk, or take care of necessities. I vividly remember the day I was unable to stand fully upright during x rays...what humiliation...
How I wish I knew then how inflammation may come for a visit and take up residence far too long...but there are far better options then prescribed medications. Most pain really does come from inflammation with so many natural remedies and options to change the course.
Thankfully a physical therapist described how best to work with the challenges and encouraged a required lifestyle shift....
​Today, 20 years from pregnancies and back spasms, I realize how thankful I am for lifestyle changes  made so long ago....and how far away from anti-inflammatory medications I have come,  my journey has  definite measured success.

I hung up the phone after a family member called to ask, "What do you think of prednisone?"... My mind flooded with memories of years gone by, unknown sources of pain and maladies where doctors would say..."Here try this"... without actually knowing the cause or source of my many symptoms.  My skin with agonizing blisters oozing and crusting and spreading for weeks at a time with over 40% of my skin covered, no comfortable position for weeks.  It was at my lowest point I would give in and take the prescribed prednisone, and it would never change my outcome, only worsen the agony. 
I mean prednisone is a steroid...really?  And believe me I had the next layer of issues, instant weight gain, voice change, unbelievable as memories played out...

Is my instinct that far off to think that as the doctors would surround me one episode after another they would prescribe prednisone for the unknown sickness and not be concerned for my future? Oh and  must not forget all the pain killers offered me as well. I would ask myself, what more can I learn and implement to break the debilitating cycle that taking me always down and never up.

​I discovered Prednisone = Glucocorticoids = adrenocortical steroids ...in case you get a kick out reading the generic definitions.

​So, what I do think of prednisone?? Just Don't!! Don't start, don't continue, just don't go there.
I now understand that my organs & body systems were overwhelmed by environmental toxins from so many sources.  My body was screaming out for help through my skin, of course adding chemicals only made it worse and more challenging to find a balance. The balance that I still struggle to find over a decade later wading through ingredient lists, agriculture treatments on foods, water sources and more.

​My experience offers simple solutions, look to real food, real herbs, real not packaged,  real not synthetic, real not man made. You will find it is not a quick and convenient "fix" ..  real food takes time when you choose to make a lifestyle shift.
REAL FOOD TAKES TIME: Time to acquire, time to prepare, time to nourish, time to heal.