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!

Merry Christmas To All!

I know some of you would like a full view of Noah. So below you will find a slide show of pictures throughout the course of the year. Enjoy!

Mom Photo Frame

Grocery Store Wars