to have Courage....In Family Life, In Spirituality, In Health, In Living Simply

I'm on a journey...... as we all are. Learning, remembering, re-discovering about health, spirituality, relationships, emotions and the mind.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Sabbaticals from Technology

I'm not there, I totally admit. I'm not ready to disengage from the internet every weekend, although we've had periods of time when our family takes a whole 24 hours off. I know I(we) can do it, but mentally I'm not sure I want to right now. Although, the way my head literally feels at this moment--like it will explode due to overload of information --I probably could benefit greatly from a sabbatical.

Hmmmm.

Let me think on this a bit more.



This just might be another step towards the simple life, the de-cluttering, the finding time for the things I say I really want to do.

As I blog, I'm thinking "Karen, its a No-Brainer."

Unplug.

PS.... I took this past Saturday off. And it felt good. I sat less and moved more, and felt like I accomplished more. I didn't focus on "Where are we going to live" while searching kijiji and craigslist. And my head didn't hurt.

I think I'll join the Techno-Sabbatical for Saturdays.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Flu Shot in the News Again

I know its summer time here and the 'flu season' doesn't come until fall/winter (when we aren't getting enough Vitamin D from the sun) but it is winter in Australia, and there's news out about the failure and now the ban of the flu shot for children in Australia.

It continues to be scheduled for America this fall, as if American/Canadian children will react to this vaccination somehow differently than Australian??? Go figure.

I encourage you to Be Informed. Read Here and Here.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Take Some Time

I've read this article a couple of times now, and I soooo agree with it, but then.......I think I don't have the time to do those things of which I say I want to do. Argh!!

But I wanted to share it with you, my friends, anyways. Maybe it will be the time that causes an 'ah-huh!' moment for you, which helps change your life for the better.

I know that in my own life, I am a happier person when I have spent time virtually everyday being Creative.  And a happier me makes a happier mama.  Everybody wins when I make the time to be creative.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Always a Hit

I'm not sure where the Farmer Guys came from though....
 

Because Everette and I went away for the day to check out rentals on Salt Spring.  So our day was full of wind blowing in our hair while driving the Jeep,
meditation in the warm morning sun,

and beautiful scenery.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Mitchell with a New Skill

Mama doesn't really want to watch, I just snap a quick photo. 
I don't want to foster any negative thoughts.  So, I'll just be thankful that my man is teaching our young man a new skill, and believe that they'll have a great time together sharing in a days work.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Lisa O's Birthday

And the Birthday Girl got beautiful flowers from the neighbour.  And last night we celebrated with Dream Cake which was a huge success.  Tonight she's off to the Ball (a restaurant, I think) with the family and mother-in-law for more celebrations.

Happy Birthday, my friend.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Tree Down

                     Because the Machine has Arrived

           To Cut Down the Big Tree
                Resulting in This........
I think Everette enjoyed doing the Logging thing, like in the Olden Days!!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Toveli Telling a Story

Shy Toveli put on a production.  It's been long in the making, due mostly to little siblings getting into the props and wreaking havoc day after day.  But tonight was the Opening (& only) Show, and mama must say that I was surprised at how confidently she spoke, how well she remembered her story-line.  For somebody who usually shy's away from being in front of people, she did AWESOME !!!



Here's part of the crowd that gathered.......


But I must say, Toveli was not the only show in town tonight.  There was definitely some side shows happening.....

  But listen for yourself.  Doesn't Tov sound confident to you?

Note:  the servant help came before the arrival of a baby!!  Sounds good to me.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Found our Missing Camera

We misplaced the camera for about a week.  But it turned out it had been placed in a kitchen cupboard to get it up and out of the way.  Alexander finally 'found it' for us, and so now I can post some of our older pics from last week!

Everette, Laars and I spent 2 days in Victoria area, looking for rentals and checking the place out.

Gotta check out the Farm Market when they advertise its the best in Victoria.  We always like to check out the markets.



Watching the drops falling with his personal binoculars

Checked out Chinatown at lunchtime.

Followed the 'train tracks'


A Unique Market.
Must come back and see with more leisure time.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Gaelyn means "Merry & Lively"

I could just as easily put Gaelyn's name to the quote from below, for it describes her well.





"Lovely little six-year-old Lacey was visiting our ministry outpost the other day, going from office to office, swinging on the doorframe, and asking with a smile,

"Would you like to hear my song?"

Her face kissed by the sun with charming freckles,
                   
                          two front teeth       missing,

and eyes dancing with merriment,

who could refuse her?

She didn't really care if she was an interruption.

                         I doubt the thought crossed her mind.

She sang her newly made-up song

              about puppies and kitties,

fully expecting to be delighted in,

then skipped down the hall to grace the occupant of the next office.

She was like a ray of summer sun,

or better,

a garden fairy,

                         f.l.i.t.t.i.n.g            from            office        to            office.

She was a little girl in her glory,

unashamed

in her desire to delight,

and be    delighted in."


~John & Stasi Eldredge in "Captivating"

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Your Mattress Might Be an Antenna


Your Mattress Could be Acting as a Cancer-Causing Radiation Antenna

The rate of breast cancer in Western countries is 10 percent higher in the left breast than in the right. This also is true for the skin cancer melanoma.

Researchers have suggested a surprising explanation for this -- and for the dramatic increase in rates of breast cancer and melanoma over the past three decades.

In Japan, there is no correlation between the rates of melanoma and breast cancer, and there is no left-side prevalence for either disease. The rate of breast cancer in Japan is also significantly lower than in the West.

This may be due to differences in sleeping habits in Japan and Western countries. Previous research has shown that people prefer to sleep on their right sides, possibly as a way of reducing weight stress on the heart.

This is most likely the same in both the East and the West, but the futons used for sleeping in Japan are mattresses placed directly on the bedroom floor, in contrast to the elevated box springs and mattress of beds used in the West.

According to Scientific American:

"... [A] 2007 study in Sweden conducted between 1989 and 1993 ... revealed a strong link between the incidence of melanoma and the number of FM and TV transmission towers covering the area where the individuals lived ...

Consider, however, that even a TV set cannot respond to broadcast transmissions unless the weak electromagnetic waves are captured and amplified by an appropriately designed antenna. Antennas are simply metal objects of appropriate length sized to match the wavelength of a specific frequency of electromagnetic radiation."

In the U.S., bed frames and box springs are made of metal, and the length of a bed is exactly half the wavelength of FM and TV transmissions. The maximum strength of the field develops 75 centimeters above the mattress, so when sleeping on your right side, your left side will be exposed to the highest field strength.
Sources:


Scientific American July 2, 2010


Pathophysiology June 2010;17(3):157-160


Pathophysiology June 2010; 17(3):161 

Dr Mercola's Comments:

This Scientific American article highlights some very interesting research from Sweden -- a country that is on the forefront when it comes to investigating the harmful health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), and micro wave radiation such as that from cell phones.
Although the US is quite resistant to the idea that our everyday technology might be contributing to epidemics like heart disease and cancer, other countries, particularly in Europe, are facing this problem more head on.
Sweden, for example, formed an association called FEB - The Swedish Association for the ElectroSensitive, to address the emerging problem of electromagnetic hypersensitivity. The association produces and distributes educational literature that has helped raise awareness about the phenomenon around the world. Mast Action UK is doing similar work in Great Britain, as well as the Electromagnetic Radiation Alliance in Australia.
With everything I know about the health dangers associated with electromagnetic fields (EMF) and micro waves from cell phones, WiFi routers and cell phone towers, I'm convinced electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a real and looming health disaster.
I've previously written about the health dangers of EMFs and other types of radiation, especially in your bedroom, but here the researchers are linking two very specific cancers – melanoma and breast cancer -- to commonly used beds, because coil-spring mattresses can actually act as a giant antenna!

Your Mattress – A Restorative Haven or a Disease-Promoting Zone?

In Western countries, the most common type of mattress is an elevated box spring that contains metal coils, while in Japan, people typically sleep on futon mattresses, which typically contain cotton or wool, placed directly on the floor.
According to researchers Hallberg and Johansson, a number of studies indicate that increasing rates of melanoma (the deadliest type of skin cancer) can be linked to immune-disrupting radiation from FM radio and TV transmission towers, adding that "geographical areas covered by several transmitters show higher incidences of melanoma than areas covered by one transmitter."
Studies have also linked radiation to brain tumors, and DNA damage that might precipitate a number of different diseases and health problems.
These connections are strengthened when you consider the researchers' explanation of how your box spring mattress actually acts like an antenna; attracting and amplifying whatever radiation might be zipping through your bedroom.
Scientific American explains this quite well:
"Antennas are simply metal objects of appropriate length sized to match the wavelength of a specific frequency of electromagnetic radiation. Just as saxophones are made in different sizes to resonate with and amplify particular wavelengths of sound, electromagnetic waves are selectively amplified by metal objects that are the same, half or one quarter of the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave of a specific frequency.
Electromagnetic waves resonate on a half-wavelength antenna to create a standing wave with a peak at the middle of the antenna and a node at each end, just as when a string stretched between two points is plucked at the center.
In the U.S. bed frames and box springs are made of metal, and the length of a bed is exactly half the wavelength of FM and TV transmissions that have been broadcasting since the late 1940s.
… Radiation envelops our bodies so that the maximum strength of the field develops 75 centimeters above the mattress in the middle of our bodies.
When sleeping on the right side, the body's left side will thereby be exposed to field strength about twice as strong as what the right side absorbs."
Could this explain why Japan has much lower rates of cancer compared to the US and Europe, and why the Japanese do not have higher rates of left- than right-sided breast cancer?
I believe it may be a part of the puzzle, yes.
Naturally, there are many other factors that come into play as well, including diet, chemical exposures, and vitamin D deficiency, just to name a few.
However, the theory that you may be promoting cancer by sleeping on a metal coil-spring mattress that amplifies ambient radiation is quite convincing.

Now, a couple of my readers have commented that the quote from Scientific American makes little sense because TV and radio broadcast on a number of different wavelengths, beds come in different sizes, and the author is a neurologist, not an engineer, and therefore not equipped to speak on the subject.

These concerns can also be valid, and I make no claims of having the in-depth technological expertise to either support or refute this particular Scientific American author’s explanation. 

However, I believe sleeping on metal is not in your best interest health-wise, (and qualified scientist raised the question to begin with). The total effect will naturally be entirely individual, and dependent on a number of factors, such as the amount of radiation zipping through your room; proximity to transmission towers; number and type of electronics kept in your bedroom and their proximity; your current state of health and your susceptibility to EMF; the material of the rest of your bed… I could go on, but I’m sure most of you are wise enough to get the picture.

Becoming truly health conscious is much like reaching for spiritual enlightenment. It’s not about nitpicking on minor details. It’s about discerning patterns and revealing the big picture. It’s not about avoiding “sins” – in the case of health, avoiding everything that could possibly harm you – it’s about making healthier, saner choices. You can’t make those choices unless you know what’s good for you, and one of the ways you discover better options is by revealing what’s detrimental.

There’s no question in my mind that EMFs can have a dramatic, negative effect on your health, and certain factors may, in some cases, turn up the dial on EMFs and increase it’s harmful effects. Could your mattress do this? I say, “possibly, yes.”

But I digress…
 

Sleeping in High Radiation Field May Also Trigger Development of Potent Mycotoxins

In one of my previous interviews with Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, he discusses the research of Dr. Robert Becker, who discovered that electromagnetic fields produce more potent mycotoxins.
When you expose a bacterial culture to abnormal electromagnetic fields, the bacteria believe they are being attacked by your immune system and start producing much more virulent toxins as a protective mechanism!
In your body, these mycotoxins can wreak havoc with your health. Klinghardt believes that it's possible that some 50 percent of chronic infections are caused, and/or aggravated, by electromagnetic field exposure, leading to syndromes like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and other chronic pain syndromes.
When you consider that you spend one-third of your lifetime in bed, it's easy to realize the level of hazard you may be inadvertently exposed to if you're sleeping on a metal coil-spring mattress that literally bathes you in electromagnetic radiation.

Other Potential Health Hazards of Mattresses

In addition, the springs in your mattress can become magnetized, which can also pose a health hazard. In the article Is Your Mattress Making You Sick? Dr. Doris Rapp offers instructions on how to determine whether you mattress is magnetized.
The article also discusses a number of other important concerns when it comes to selecting a mattress, as metal springs is by no means the only health hazard inherent with these types of beds. Many mattresses are treated with a number of toxic flame retardant chemicals, some of which can ALSO cause cancer.

Remember that Your Cells are Driven by Electrical Impulses

I want to stress what might be one of the most fundamental issues when it comes to the potential hazard of electromagnetic radiation, which is the fact that the human body has its own internal electrical system.
All the cells in your body vibrate at different rates, and these weak electrical impulses are used for intracellular communication throughout your body.
Unfortunately, your body can literally act like a tuning fork. An external electrical influence can therefore cause your cells normal frequency or rate to be disrupted as they start vibrating to the frequency of the outside source. James Oschman explains this further in his book Energy Medicine.
Now, in the typical bedroom of a modern home, electrical exposure from external sources (live electrical wiring in ceilings, walls and floors) is thousands of times stronger than your body's own electrical system. Long-term exposure to these high-level electric fields can thus impair your body's intracellular communication, which can impact your health in a number of ways.

Biological Problems Associated with Electromagnetic Stressors

In the book Cross Currents, Dr. Robert Becker (whom I mentioned earlier) states that biological problems associated with external electromagnetic stressors fall into two major categories:
  1. Brain (behavioral abnormalities, learning disabilities, altered bio-cycles and stress responses)
  2. Growing tissue (embryos, genetics and cancer)
More recent studies seem to confirm his conclusions, as most of the health problems researchers now associate with EMF and microwave radiation exposure fall neatly into these two categories. One good source that demonstrates this is the 2009 special EMF issue of the Journal of Pathophysiology, which contains over a dozen different studies on the health effects of electromagnetic fields and wireless technology.
Cancer has been high on the list from the beginning, and at least as far as cell phones are concerned, the evidence is overwhelming that cell phone use significantly increases your risk of certain types of brain tumors.
Since cancer can take decades before manifesting, children are particularly at risk, as they are now growing up in an environment saturated with radiation. (Even toddlers are now talking on cell phones!) Today's children will be exposed to previously unimaginable levels of radiation over the course of their lifetimes.
The BioInitiative Report also includes studies showing evidence for exposure to electromagnetic fields and:
  • Effects on Gene and Protein Expression (Transcriptomic and Proteomic Research)
  • Genotoxic Effects – RFR and ELF DNA Damage
  • Stress Response (Stress Proteins)
  • Effects on Immune Function
  • Effects on Neurology and Behavior
  • Brain Tumors, Acoustic Neuromas, and childhood cancers like leukemia
It seems quite clear that sleeping on a bed that can amplify the amount of radiation you're exposed to night after night is simply not a good idea.

Shopping for a Safe Mattress

Taking into account that metal coils can act as an antenna and be potentially magnetized, and that most box spring mattresses contain toxic flame retardant chemicals, your safest bet is to look for an organic, chemical-free mattress that does not contain metal coils.
One way to find a safe mattress is to have a doctor or chiropractor write you a prescription for a chemical-free mattress, and then find a manufacturer to make one for you. You can also search for 100% wool, toxin-free mattresses. Many of these mattresses also contain latex for support in lieu of coil springs, giving you the best of both worlds.
You can also avoid the toxins by finding a mattress that uses a Kevlar, bullet-proof type of material instead of chemicals for fire-proofing. I got mine from Stearns and Foster. I'm quite happy with this mattress as it is FAR more comfortable than a number of the organic mattresses I had purchased in the past.
Also keep in mind that metal frames and headboards can amplify and distort magnetic fields, including the natural magnetic field from the earth, which can lead to non-restful sleep. Use natural materials, such as a wood frame, instead.

Five Steps to Create a Sleeping Sanctuary

Once you have addressed your mattress, you'd be well advised to address the amount of electromagnetic radiation in your bedroom – especially if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant.
As discussed by Dr. Klinghardt in this previous article, electromagnetic fields interfere not only with your biology, but with that of your unborn child as well. He performed a small study showing that autism can actually be predicted based on the EMF levels of your sleeping quarters while pregnant! He found that if you sleep in strong electromagnetic fields during pregnancy, your child will likely begin to exhibit neurological abnormalities within the first two years of life.
Here are several guidelines that can help turn your bedroom into an EMF-free zone suitable for health-promoting restorative sleep:
  1. Use only battery devices near your bed -- Many electric clocks produce high magnetic fields so use a battery powered clock instead.
  2. Turn off the fuses to your bedroom at night
  3. Eliminate radio frequency (RF) sources -- Radio frequency signals from portable phones, cell phones, and wireless devices have been shown to interfere with your body's immune system so don't keep cell phones or charging stations in your bedroom. It's also recommended to turn off the Wi-Fi in your home at night.
  4. Shield your bed with a special metalized fabric, to protect yourself from harmful frequencies that can disrupt cellular communication. This recommendation may be particularly important if you're pregnant.
  5. If you are remodeling you can also use material called 'radiant barrier' between the dry wall and the frame of your home. This is a strengthened aluminum foil that will reflect most of the radiation from coming into your home. It should also be applied the ceiling. It is relatively inexpensive and will also pay for itself in reduced heating and cooling bills. However, it isn't cost effective if you have to tear out your current walls, so it's really only practical in new homes or remodeling projects. I installed this in my home when I renovated it and it virtually eliminated all external EMFs. The downside however is that it is VERY difficult to get any cell phone reception in my home.

 

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

An All Around Energetic Life

"As you raise your energetic vibration by being raw, you have to up-level all the areas of your life to keep up. Otherwise that is what causes people to sabotage themselves and bring their energy back down. This really made sense to me and I am totally ready to make the changes in my kitchen, home, and life to keep up with my higher vibrational energy."
~ Megan Mauger, member of the Raw Food Rehab

Monday, August 16, 2010

Thousand Islands

Ever wonder where the name for the salad dressing came from?

In the St. Lawrence River between Maine and Ontario but on the Canadian side are the beautiful Thousand Islands.  The drive we took along this part of Canada from Ontario back to Cape Breton was a highlight for me.  I'd always wanted to see the waterway that played such a big role in the history of this great nation.  And when we drove along the Thousand Island Parkway, a 'green highway' on a sunny summer afternoon, we all decided that this would be a lovely place to return to, and even sail a lifetime (well, maybe just a lifetime of summers) amidst these islands.

Growing up I'd use Thousand Islands Dressing if ever I had to  eat salad.

Now of course, my eating habits are much different.  Thankfully, and healthfully.

I'm not looking for a replacement for that dressing, but I recently did come across a dressing that is named "Thousand Islands" and its Maret's favorite.  So, here it is for you to try.

"Thousand Islands"

2 oranges, peeled and seeded

4 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp raw honey

2 Tbsp nama shoyu or tamari or Bragg's amino acids

1/4 cup raw almond or cashew butter

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice

4 cloves garlic

Make this creamy dressing in your food processor or blender, and enjoy.

I don't recall where I got this recipe from, so I unfortunately can't give credit where it is due.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Update on Us

I see that this week has passed by without much noise from me ;) 

Where has the week gone?  I'm amazed at the speed time has traveled this week.

Everette and I (and Laars) spent Sunday and Monday in Victoria-area, looking for a rental for our family to move into.  A bit discouraging as (understandably) many people have pre-conceived ideas of what will work for a family of 9.  They do not understand how our family functions, what we now live without (typical stuff that takes up space), and that we don't require space to set up a bunch of beds.

So, many phone-calls ended with "It wouldn't be the right place for you." 

More likely meaning "we don't want all those destructive brats in our rental space!"

Whatever!

Tuesday we were home with the O's and our children & 2 more girls,  as O-parents went to Victoria for a dinner-seminar.  Unfortunately, I had an intensifying headache that turned into a migraine and vomiting.  Instead of interacting with the children I spent much of the afternoon & evening trying to cope.  But I survived!!

Wednesday was a puttering day, unpacking/repacking/unpacking/reorganizing boxes in the van, looking for things to help prep raw meals in the O's kitchen.

Yesterday (Thursday) Everette and I drove down to Langford to look at some more rentals, one of which we are hopeful of getting after a tentative meeting with the actual owner on Sunday (coming up).  Nothing ideal, but decent and most affordable. In a good location for parks and parkland and trails.

So many other rentals  that were desirable (the yard, space, location, ect.) are over $2000 a month, not including utilities.  Not a situation we want to get into when Everette is just starting up a new business.

I know we'll find the right fit, whether its this tentative one in Langford or another.  Something will come about.

Tomorrow I'm heading to Vancouver for the day with Lisa to attend a launch for an amazing line of products.  If you want to check out a fascinating website go to www.balancinglifenow.com (presented by Me!)  We are personally blown-away by the products we have experienced over the last week+.

No kidding.

When we went to a demonstration, Everette volunteered for a flexibility test, and both of us did a balance test.  We tested a change in lemons, and in red wine.  And then Everette had his back 'wanded' which had been sore for more than a week, and in 10  mins his backache was completely gone, and has been gone for a week & a half now.

We performed the balance, flexibility and strength tests here with our children and the O's, and some eyes sure popped out with surprise at the results.  And it was alot of fun, to boot.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

My Shadow

~ Roberts Louis Stevenson

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow --
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball,
And sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all.

He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close  beside me, he's a coward you can see;
I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!

One morning very early, before the sun was up,I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.


                                                                                                     
Pic by Lim Heng Swee

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Retired Vax Scientist Speaks Out

This is long, but a very insightful interview with a Retired Vaccination Scientist talking about his work, the industry of making vaccinations, and how he would never ever vaccinate his own children.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Here & There

We had a good week with my mom in White Rock where we shared, and argued (just a little!), took the children swimming at least once a day, brainstormed ideas, and ate lots of blueberries.  I thought it went amazingly well for 10 of us in her 1-bedroom condo with a den.  And she graciously child-sat so we could attend a demonstration/meeting Tuesday night, and again Wednesday so we could meet up with a lady to do some business. 

Like usual, we drove away with teary eyes and a bit of a choking feeling in the throat.  There's unspoken words of "I wish you weren't leaving" or "I wish we didn't have to say Goodbye" and yet its part of being separate and clinging to your spouse.  Instead, we say "I know it will all turn out Good" and "God will take care of you."  And we believe that.

We sat waiting for the Nanaimo ferry from Horseshoe Bay after missing the 3:10pm.  Unfortunately, there isn't much for options of activities to do while waiting.  And over the years the novelty of riding the ferry has worn out on this mama.  I keep checking my watch or cell phone, hoping that we are transported thru time and space & we suddenly find ourselves at our final destination in the next five minutes.

Destination last night was at our dear friends, the O's.  Our families have been friends since we had only 2 children, and they had 1.  And now between us we've had 12 more children (not including both of our losses).  Our children really don't remember life without each other's family.
 
We ARE family.

We didn't plan it.  It wasn't something we aspired to create. 

It just was.

It is. 

We are.

So, we expected to spend the night, leave most of our children here with them (and with Rauchelle, who lives here with O's now) and head to Victoria today to try and find a rental place for our family. 

We had left the Island last month in anticipation of driving to Mexico and living cheaply down there, and eventually travel through Central and South America in the years to come.  But that grandiose idea is put on the back burner for the present time.

Today we spent brainstorming more, with O's giving a little input.  And it's been helpful.

Maybe tomorrow we'll head to Victoria and look around for a place. 

The right 'house' is waiting for us.  It will materialize.  God will connect us with what we need, and where we should be. 

The timing will be right, and we'll step into the goodness that is in-store for us.

I can Rest in Him because I know that He cares for me!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Your Judgment

Your judgment of me 
         is powerless 
to punish or otherwise belittle me 
             without my own 
                       mistaken belief 
 that you are the keeper of all things valuable!
                                                                                ~Guy Finley

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Fishies

Went to the beach yesterday with the kiddos and Grandma,




Anders took over a deserted fort (including Spider Man that was supposed to be guarding the fort but wasn't doing a very good job at it.)
 
Then we headed back to the condo to more swimming.



Since a few of the children rode home in wet suits and sat on their towels, a few of us went straight to the pool.


But we were short a life jacket for Laars.  So while Mitchell ran upstairs to get one Laars insisted on getting in anyways.  And I gave Maret the go ahead.  But Laars insisted on swimming, not just being held!!

 So I said "let him go!" and she did!!!!


This wasn't the first try of swimming today for him, but the clearest that Maret was NOT holding him at all.

3 weeks ago he didn't even want to get into the water, and hated to get his face splashed.  Now he's a fishy.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Genetic Integrity

Mike Adams, The Health Ranger certainly comes up with some unique and thought provoking ideas which stimulate conversation and hopefully moves to action.

The article below is an incredible read, from my perspective. Some might take offense to it, but such is life.

I've heard it said many times "Offense is never Given. It's only Taken."



Women: Before getting pregnant, check out your man's diet

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The Genopocalypse

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Monday, August 2, 2010

My Morning Routine

Ok, 'routine' might not be completely accurate as with still having littles at my feet can make it difficult to get everything I hope to do for myself accomplished in an orderly manner consistently first thing in the morning.  But 'routine' is the best word I can think to use that is, well, understandable.

(Sorry, Beatrix, that its taken so long to get around to posting my 'routine', but better late than never, huh?)

~I get out of bed anywhere from 5:30-7am.  I think it should be more consistent, but because we still have Littles my sleep is often disturbed so I allow myself the freedom to stay in bed longer some mornings when the Littles also allow it.  My sleep & quality is really random at this stage in life, and I have to Go With The Flow.  Some mornings, like today, I can successfully sneak out of  bed about 4:30am and go unnoticed by Laars, but many mornings I lay awake in bed meditating/praying so not to disturb sleeping boys. 

~ Potty Break!  Some mornings I do an enema to help my body eliminate from the nights cleansing.  This isn't on any kind of 'schedule'.  I do it as I feel (intuitively) that my body wants/needs it, and as time permits

~Body Scrub (the T-Tapp way) to help with elimination, and improve circulation to skin

~Brush hair with firm brush (or  you could use a wooden comb) to get tangles out, then scrub scalp & clean hair with a Boar Bristle Brush to improve circulation and distribute natural oils for healthy hair.  This needs to be done in small sections, methodically working over my skull.  I have found I can't use the Boar Bristle Brush alone as it would take infinity to work out the knots in my thick hair.  That's why I start with a stiff brush.

~Scrub Face (with a softer brush than a body brush) vigorously to improve circulation, gently exfoliate.  At same time I do some face squints and stretches for toning.

~Spray body, face and hair with homemade blend of essential oils in water.  I just put water in a small spray bottle and add EO's as I like, but usually some blend including  (or even solely) cinnamon as I like a spicy smell versus  flowery.  I often use lavender, or geranium, but never leave out my cinnamon.  Endless possibilities.

~Apply jojoba oil to my face and neck for moisture and sun-protection (SPF 4)

~Do Hoe-Downs

~Drink at least 1 glass (if not 2 glasses) of filtered water

~Putter in the kitchen and help littles with their own morning 'routines'

~Drink a glass of fresh juice (if Chelle or Everette make it), or make myself a glass of water with 1 oz aloe vera gel, juice of one lemon, a tsp or so of unpasteurized honey, maybe a pinch of cayenne pepper

~If I'm feeling ravenous (which isn't often, especially when I've drank enough fluids), I will eat an apple (or Laars' leftover apple cores with lots of flesh still on them) OR our version of Muesli.....  I soak about 1/2 cup of organic rolled oats with hot water, add a couple chopped dates, some goji berries and a few shakes of unsweetened coconut.

~Then its usually time for cuddles with little ones and maybe do some reading with them, or sit & have a discussion with Everette or read aloud with him.  This is our Connection Time, if the littles allow it ;)  or we fit it in some other time of the day.




I'll try and post an Evening Routine later.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Lazy Sunday

Mom was returning to her condo today so we did some clean-up and uncluttering to make her transition back-home-now-with-9-extra-people-in-her-space hopefully less traumatic!  She said she had a great month away, and sounds like they had a great time at a family get-together in Drumheller this past week.

White Rock has their Farmer's Market on Sundays basically just outside my mom's condo building, so Everette and I frequent there when it opens at 9am.  The breads look incredibly tempting, and I sampled a chocolate cake that is made without butter or oil but uses beets (yes, the veggie beets!!) and my!! was it ever moist and yummy, very chocolatey but not real sweet.  Mmmmm!   (Natasha, you should learn to make one!!)  There's lots of people selling stone fruits and Chilliwack corn but very little of it is organic.  We purchase our organic produce from an Abbotsford vendor and get huge lettuces for $1.50!!  I'm impressed.


And today we found The Cranberry Lady and sampled 2 of her cranberry dressings on slices of apple.....and bought both of them.  Had the cranberry-orange on todays salad and it was yum, too!



Of course, I took the children swimming as is the daily practice while here at Gramma's.  Anders has been swimming now without a life-jacket for a week.  He's a busy boy doing somersaults under water, and spinning 'like a space ship', and trying to swim without holding his nose, and talking under water and asking, "Mommy, did you hear me?"

Laars is completely confident now with his life-jacket where 3 weeks ago he didn't even want to venture in the water, and if he did he certainly didn't want to let go of his Protector.  Now he lays on his back being a Starfish, and tries his awkward attempt (in bulky life-jacket) at a front stroke, and wants to collect 'n spit out that chlorinated water at his siblings.  Great fun!!

Laars is always wanting to 'Be a Baby' after a bath or a swim so this Mama wraps him up in a towel and snuggles for awhile.



I hope he doesn't grow out of this too soon!!