Lessons Learned

Learning and growing comes in many forms. Noah is a wonderful source of revelation for me, not just in my own sanctifcation, but in showing me greater "misbeliefs" in my head. I think because Noah and I spend the whole day together every day, I have more of an opportunity to have my heart displayed in my responses to my son, weather in delight or displeasure. My need to love and have a joy filled heart for my child is easy to understand, and easy to see when I am not.

Some how, I approached my son with the utmost patience (or the knowledge that I need to have utmost patience, love, and joy), and my husband, with the utmost inpatience (and feeling justified, afterall, he is a grown-up, and grown-ups are perfect:) ). I expect way more from my husband, as far as perfection is concerned, than I would ever expect from Noah or anyone else. I expect my husband to just do XY or Z. When he fails to met my expectations, I have little to no patience for him.

Yes, we could all argue, our husbands are more mature, and should be less of a challenge in our day than our children. But the fact remains, that my husband or your husband isn't perfect, they never will be, and we are always struggling to remain one with them. Since it is oneness we are struggling to maintain, perfection (because we of course are perfect:)) can be more of an annoyance to me, than loving my child, who isn't one with me.

Noah was haveing a particuarly rough couple of days, and I found myself struggling to have joy and love him, but in the process, was deeply aware of the fact that I was struggling. Now translate the same circumstance when Jonathan and I are having a "tough" week, and I some how don't realize that I am struggling, I always want to point out why he is "wrong" or "making our week hard" instead of thinking where I am struggling to love my husband right now, whether he is right or wrong.

Why are our husbands less deserving of our love and patience? They aren't! But somehow I have a hard time remembering that. I need to love my husband and my child, not Love my child, and if I have energy left over, love my husband. The effort put into Noah, should be the energy put into my husband, if not even more.

For the Nutrition Followers

Some of you are here for the purpose of reading my thoughts on Health, nutrition, wellness etc. I am no longer posting these blogs here.

This blog is being reclaimed as the family blog. I will still post stuff at is applies to Noah and our family, but not just in general terms any longer. If you are interested in still receiving information about said topics, you will need to update your feed.

Visit me at my new location! And sign up to receive your RSS feeds!
I would love to continue to inspire, shock, and annoy you!

Honey and Oil salve....dry skin

Okay, So I have gotten some emails about how to "make" this supposed honey oil lotion. Well, it isn't a fine science...sorry engineers:)

What I did:
For a one time use, put a small dab of "Really Raw Honey" on your finger tip. Drop 4 drops of almond oil (if for a face) or avocado oil(also okay for faces) or olive oil (better for hands and other dry areas) and rub between fingers until well combined. lightly massage into affected area and then spray or dab with some water.
It will be slightly sticky....it is just the nature of honey:) I recommend this for a night time treatment and leave it on overnight and you will be baby smooth in the morning.

In a small Jar: I mixed honey and oil together....and equal parts in a small baby food jar. This is good for moisturizing larger areas of the body. Then you dip in either a wooden stick to the mixture and stir it and then lift some out of the jar. Apple as necessary and follow the water instructions above.

Why a wooden stick? You don't need one, but it just helps from continually introducing the little things you are hosting on your hands into the mix.... it isn't necessary:)

I wouldn't store the mixture for more than a week! Make sure it stays covered.

If you are really struggling with dry skin, I highly, highly recommend placing a cool mist humidifier in the room where you sleep, it is an economic purchase! (you can get a bedroom size on for about $25 at Bed Bath and Beyond...and with your 20% off coupon it is even cheaper:) ) It does wonders for your skin and dry nasal cavities this time of year! You will be amazed at how much less oil or lotion you will go through!

Also consider adding more Omega-3's (which take about 1 month to see some improvement from)from an animal source to your diet....although in this climate...we all could use a little external help right now! But Dry skin in general is indicative of some sort of a nutritional deficiency!

Remember health is from the inside out...

Hope that helps!

Mom's of Western NY

I wanted to share with you all, that as of this upcoming Tuesday, I will have my own blog "Alternative Ally" on a Western New York Mom's Blog. If you are in Western NY please feel free to join!

The group mostly has information pertaining to play groups, things to do with your children, mommy ideas/advice and an opportunity to meet more mom's in your area. If that sounds like something you would be interested in, come join us!

Happy Friday!

I have a toddler

If we weren't sure before this week, we are definitely sure now...we have a toddler. It is like overnight our nice sweet little boy had a transformation to a tantrum throwing 2 year old who throws himself on the ground and screams when he doesn't get his way.
While I have had my moments of frustration with him when, for example, he decided that he wasn't going to bend his body when I was trying to put him in his car seat after story hour, while screaming, it has been enjoyable to really see "him."
Noah was an excellent listener through his 1's, and while I enjoyed it, it was tougher to see who he really was. Now it is easier to see his personality. He has gotten quite good and letting us know what he wants. While, at times, this transition can be "inconvenient or frustrating" it is also nice when instead of crying, he can simply tell me "mommy foot stuck." Ah ha, now I know how I can help him, no more guess:)
I guess this week I have been challenged to see my child as a true joy in stead of an inconvenience. I decided I was going to thank God every time he threw a tantrum for creating my child with likes, dislikes, and uniquely as his, and I have been amazed to see the Lord change my mind about the circumstance!
There is always hope and Joy in Jesus, I don't know why I am surprised by this when I see it displayed. Like the little things Noah does...his new thing is coming into the kitchen and telling me "dance mommy, dance, up please." When I pick him up he says "Shaaaallllll Weeeeeeeee, Dance" and giggles wildly as we spin around. How precious! How could I not be thankful for such a jewel?

New Home for Recipes

I know some of you come here looking for my recipes! I wanted to let you know that as of today, I have launched a new Alternative Cooking blog! I hope to inspire and help you all cook for your families. Please visit us and let me know what you think!

Food Sensitivity? Who cares, I don't feel sick, now pass the brownies!

I can't tell you how many times I have heard someone say, well I don't feel sick. As if that is something to brag about:) When you are diagnosed with a food allergy or a food sensitivity, take it seriously! Most people don't "feel" the affects of any disease, illness, or chronic condition until they are at least %80 there, or in some cases until they are 100% there like with heart disease.

Wheat, our number one culprit. Not all are allergic or sensitive to wheat, but lots are. Some with just sensitivities, tend to eat and either not notice any side effects, or get a mild stomach ache, nothing that will stop them for reaching for that second helping of cake:)

Let's take a look at a wheat/gluten sensitivity or allergy from the gut. When a wheat product is consumed it causes a malabsorption issue b/c the gut can't properly handle it, the end result, a massive deficiency of vitamins B1, B3, B12, Folic acid and the mineral zinc will soon follow. A serious deficiency in any or all of these problems causes issues, the long term result is Dementia.

The malabsorption of vitamins isn't the only problem, the gut also will have issues absorbing essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese. The Gut also become super permeable to substances like Aluminum.

One might be more prone to broken bones, cavities, seizures, chronic headaches, miscarriages, illness, weakened immune system and chronic conditions such as recurring ear infections, sinusitis, etc.

Does that Brownie still sound so tempting? We got to see this play out in Noah. Our tip off was seizures, then a magnesium deficiency was discovered, he got his first broken bone at 1 1/2, and suffered from severe eczema.

To some this doesn't apply, if you aren't sensitive or allergic to wheat just take proper care in preparing your grains and enjoy! To those of you who are, is it still worth it? :)

Sources: PPNF Health Journal

Ode to Honey and Joy!

As many of you know, Noah has had problems with severe facial eczema due to his food allergies that went undetected for almost a year. After removing the offending foods, he was still having problems with really raw, red, irritated and fish scale checks. We tried oil after oil on them (including almond which is recommended for eczema suffers,) while the almond oil seemed to help minimally, he still looked like he had sore checks.

After doing some research, I am amazed to report, that honey has been our solution. "Honey, you say, have you lost your mind?" No, I haven't although I must admit I was skeptical too, but it really has helped reduce his red, irritated checks, and now they are baby bottom smooth.


The catch, you must use really raw honey. And when I say really raw honey, I mean the stuff looks like a stiff block, not the nice drizzlely kind.

Method: Mix a dap of honey and a dab of oil (olive, avocado, almond) together between fingers. Aple to the affected area with a light circular motion. Spray or dab with mineral or filtered water. Leave on the skin.

I am amazed at how well it works, not only on Noah's face, but my hands too!

Brand recommends: Really Raw Honey

If you need more suggestions or are looking for scrubs, masks, etc look here.
Hope this helps!

Noah Baby?

Noah turned 2 on the 28th of December, and with his birthday came much joy, and some sorrow. It has been such a pleasure and a joy watching my son grow into a toddler, but with it comes some sadness. As Jonathan and I sang Happy Birthday to our little man, and he scarfed down his pumpkin pie it hit me he will never be a baby again. All the cloths that I have put up in the attic that he has outgrown are done, they will never be his again.

I so miss having a little baby to cuddle. While I love my little man, there is something that the cuddles of a baby just do to you. Noah, is anything but a cuddler. His definition of snuggles is a quick lay of his head on your shoulder and a quick pat on the back. While this is just absolutely precious, I miss the baby who sat in my lap for hours.

Well, this week, the Lord has answered my prayer of wanting to cuddle:) The last three days with Noah have been a cuddling festival. He has been waking up several hours after going down at night and just wanting to sit and cuddle. Last night was by far the most amazing. Something was definitely bothering him. We still aren't sure what, but at 9:00pm, after he had been crying every half hour, I went in to get him. I brought him into our bed, and he laid with Jonathan and I cuddling for 45 minutes, completely content. I was so tempted to just leave him there...but alas I returned him to his bed.

I couldn't help but think after getting back into bed how good the Lord was. While it seems silly to be praising him for a restless child, it was exactly what my soul needed:)

cod liver oil update

Since December there has been so much controversy of the use of Cod Liver Oil due to a recent study published by the Vitamin D council. I wanted to post the re-buttle article written to maybe help make some sense of all of this. You can read the article here.

If you don't want to read the whole thing, I will pretty much say, that the previous post, as far I can understand is still valid, it is the ratio of Vitamin A to vitamin D that is crucial for avoiding any type of Vitamin A toxicity.

A popular brand: Nordic Naturals was used in the Vitamin D Councils study, and this oil is flushed to remove portions of the naturally occurring Vit. D.

Please refer to the previous post for brand recommends.

Our Little Narrator

It is official. Noah has turned 2! I can't believe I am the mother to a 2 year old... With his age comes wisdom, and almost full sentences:) A day with Noah, is like having a narrator along side of you.

The morning begins, I open the door to Noah's room, "mommy open door" said Noah. He is now on the changing table "mommy changin' diaper" "stinky poopy, mommy." "downstairs now, mommy, 1,2,3,4 boom boom down stairs mommy."
I give Noah his eggs,
"Thank you mommy, eat eggs, mommy." exclaimed Noah:)
I reply: "you're welcome Noah."
"Breakfast all done, mommy."
"Clean up please mommy."
I will spare
you the narration of the rest of the day :)

We also have a photo ham. I asked Noah to get his stool so I could take a picture of him in front of the Christmas tree. He immediately returned with his stool, sat down and said Cheeeesssseeee!

He even loves to chat on the phone these days. He always wants to talk to Emmy, Aunt Manda, Aunt Kellie, Rachel, Or Connor (his 1 1/2 year old cousin) He is obsessed with manners, and gets very upset when someone comes in the house and doesn't take off their shoes, or Jacket! Why you ask? Because that is what makes sense to Noah. He has a definite order for how just about everything during the day is "supposed to happen." If anyone breaks his precious order you will hear about it! :)

I have to say I love the company of a chatterbox and I am even enjoying his newly asserted self. I have the privilege of getting to watch this little boy, turn into a little man!