Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Part II

A child or adult who eats a diet high in difficult-to-digest carbohydrates such as grains and processed foods will continue to encourage the underlying condition of gut dysbiosis. In addition, many problems with gut flora begin with an unnatural growth of the fungus, Candida albicans. This often occurs when the body’s production of hydrochloric acid is inadequate to break proteins into peptides before entering the small intestine. When insufficiently digested food enters the small intestine, the pancreas in turn does not get the signal to release adequate pancreatic juices. Because people with GAPS lack healthy bacterial flora, they also lack production of enzymes called peptidases. These enzymes normally are produced by the enterocytes on the microvilli of the small intestine and will further break down proteins and carbohydrates into usable nutrients. With poor flora, the mucosal lining of the intestinal tract also becomes damaged and leaky gut syndrome develops.

But what exactly happens in the gut that can upset brain chemistry? Undigested carbohydrates, poor digestion and Candida overgrowth result in the production of the chemicals ethanol and acetaldehyde, which can have profound consequences on brain chemistry and development. We all know that alcohol is extremely toxic, especially to a developing fetus or a child. Many other toxins and bacteria fostered by poor digestion are routinely found in stool samples of patients with GAPS, many of which produce neurotoxins that can result in autistic behavior. Vaccinations in children with unhealthy gut flora and the concomitant digestive and immune system problems puts an enormous strain on the immune system, as well.

What, then, are the solutions to turn poor digestion into one that helps the patient thrive? Dr. Campbell-McBride outlines a nutrient-dense dietary plan that is totally void of grains and even dairy foods at first, and which provides high quality, organically grown meats, poultry, fish, nuts, eggs- especially raw egg yolks- cooked non-starchy vegetables, fresh fruit, bone broths, traditionally fermented foods, and ample traditional fats. She suggests supplements of cod liver oil, fish oil, digestive enzymes, a stomach acid supplement and probiotics to rid the stomach of bacterial growth and help develop healthy intestinal flora.

Campbell-McBride focuses on removing foods that feed the Candida overgrowth, cause morphine-like peptides or an allergic response with a diet free of grains, sugar and conventional dairy foods. After the gut flora is improved, she recommends adding homemade yogurt gradually and eventually cheeses. Once the stomach acid is normalized, a healthy gut flora is developed, nutrient-rich foods take the place of depleted foods, the intestinal tract heals and digestion is repaired, then both mental and physical health improvements are sure to follow.

The gluten-free diet commonly prescribed for children with autism often does not lead to improvements, according to Campbell-McBride, because the gluten-free foods on the market are really just another form of nutrient-deficient junk food that fosters the growth of Candida and contributes to poor digestion. While Campbell-McBride suggests problems with milk, she does not discuss the differences between pasteurized milk and raw milk from grass-fed cows. Many parents have found that whole raw milk greatly improves the symptoms of autism in their children. Additionally, she recommends the replacement of flour with ground nuts but does not mention the soaking process that makes nuts more digestible.

Although Campbell-McBride’s pivotal work focuses on the correlation between digestive problems and brain disorders, learning disabilities and mental illness, we must not underestimate the possibility that these same digestive disorders are at the heart of the exponential increase in degenerative illness in the western world. We obviously need a paradigm shift when looking at the cause and treatment of what is ailing us. Dr. Campbell-McBride provides an excellent starting point.

That concludes the review by Pirtle and Turner. I agree with their assessment of Dr. Campbell-McBride’s work. I especially like the part where they explain that when a baby is born, it acquires the flora of the mother during its passage through the birth canal. I would like to add, however, that conventional medical professionals give women antibiotics today, for the exact purpose of killing the “bacteria” present in the birthing canal, supposedly to avoid passing infection to the baby. Instead, they are effectively killing the baby’s first immune system. I strongly recommend, to all women, that they at least consider not allowing antibiotics if they choose to have a conventional birth. The flora, or good bacteria, in the mother’s birth canal is absolutely necessary to the health of the baby.

Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Part I

It seems to me that the vast majority of American society is quick to use genetics as a crutch in providing an explanation for many of the conditions prevalent today. Take for instance the increasing number of people with brain disorders such as autism, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette’s Syndrome, and so on. People, especially children, are suffering from these afflictions, more so today than ever before. So what is inherently wrong with our genetics now, that was fine just a couple decades ago?

This is a topic of great interest to me. I have been asked many questions about natural treatment options, usually from befuddled mothers, just trying to understand what their child is going through and struggling to cope themselves. I do not know how many of you are familiar with GAPS, or the Gut and Psychology Syndrome. Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD, wrote a book, detailing findings from her research in this area, called Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Depression, and Schizophrenia. I truly think she is on to something momentous. To give a recap of key points of this book, I found a review on the Weston A. Price website, done by Kathryne Pirtle and Dr. John Turner, DC, CCSP, DIBCN:

Just as Dr. Weston Price sought to identify the parameters that fostered poor health in his patients, so too does Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride advance our understanding of the underlying factors present in a growing percentage of people suffering from brain disorders and mental illness. Genetics cannot explain the exponential increase in these health and developmental problems, says Dr. Campbell-McBride, because genetic changes work much more slowly. Through studying the health of hundreds of patients with autism, learning disabilities, psychiatric illness and other problems, Campbell-McBride discovered that in virtually all cases these children and adults suffer from digestive problems, often of a severe nature. Through her research, she has determined a distinct correlation between unhealthy intestinal flora, poor digestion and toxicity from chemicals created by undigested foods, which can severely affect brain chemistry. She coins this relationship the Gut and Psychology Syndrome, or GAPS.

But if a child manifests problems such as autism or ADD/ADHD at an early age, how can that child have already developed poor digestion? The causes are familial and generational, explains Campbell-McBride. Just as Dr. Price ascertained that without adequate nutrition, each generation would produce less healthy children- so Campbell-McBride postulates that poor intestinal flora and digestion are passed down from one generation to the next.

When a baby is born, it acquires the flora of the mother during its passage through the birth canal. If the mother has a history of antibiotic or contraceptive use and poor digestive health, her flora will likely be unhealthy. If she does not breast feed her baby, the gut flora of the child will be further compromised. The infant will often develop digestive problems such as colic, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, feeding difficulties, and so on. The child usually has frequent ear infections treated with many rounds of antibiotics, which only make the situation worse.

Poor bacterial flora and digestion are at the heart of serious health problems. When children are born with intestinal bacterial imbalances or gut dysbiosis, they tend to have a compromised immune system and are prone to illness. Hippocrates stated that “All diseases begin in the gut;” and the father of modern psychiatry, Phillipe Pinel, said, “The primary seat of insanity is the region of the stomach and intestines.”

EWG exposes FDA plan to push mercury-laced seafood

A friend of mine e-mailed this story to me a few days ago. I have not been a big fan of the FDA's for quite some time now, but I'll admit that I am a bit shocked that the EPA is in on this travesty. With a slew of conditions such as ADD/ADHD, autism, Tourette's Syndrome and other neural disorders, it would seem socially irresponsible to recommend that the public consumes any more toxic heavy metals than necessary. I applaud the EWG for standing up to the BIG guys by continuing to support the LITTLE guys. Read on:

FDA Urges Pregnant Women to Consume More Mercury-Laced Seafood

Washington Post, Lyndsey LaytonPublished December 12, 2008

The Food and Drug Administration is urging the government to amend its advisory that women and children should limit how much fish they eat, saying that the benefits of seafood outweigh the health risks and that most people should eat more fish, even if it contains mercury.

If approved by the White House, the FDA's position would reverse the government's current policy that certain groups -- women of childbearing years, pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants and children -- can be harmed by the mercury in fish and should limit their consumption.
The FDA's recommendations have alarmed scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency, who in internal memos criticized them as "scientifically flawed and inadequate" and said they fell short of the "scientific rigor routinely demonstrated by EPA."

The FDA sent its draft report, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post, to the White House Office of Management and Budget as part of the FDA's effort to update the existing health advisory. The report argued that nutrients in fish, including omega-3 fatty acids, selenium and other minerals could boost a child's IQ by three points.

The greatest benefits, the FDA report said, would come from eating more than 12 ounces of fish a week, which is the current limit advised for pregnant women, women of childbearing age, nursing mothers and young children.

FDA spokesman Michael Herndon declined to discuss the draft report. "As a science-based regulatory agency we periodically and routinely review and analyze scientific evidence about health effects of FDA-regulated products," he wrote in an e-mail. "We do not comment on draft reports that are undergoing internal review."

Benjamin H. Grumbles, the EPA's assistant administrator for water, said, "EPA is working closely with other agencies in the scientific review of this report to better understand the risks and benefits of fish consumption."

The FDA and the EPA both play a role in protecting the public from mercury contamination. The EPA investigates and regulates mercury and other contaminants in recreationally caught fish, while the FDA regulates mercury in seafood sold in markets and restaurants. States rely on the federal agencies in issuing their own advisories.

In 2004, the two agencies issued their first joint advisory, suggesting that women of childbearing age, pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants and children stop eating four species of fish considered especially high in mercury: swordfish, shark, tilefish and king mackerel. At the same time, the government advised limiting consumption of other mercury-contaminated fish.

Mercury can damage the neurological development of fetuses and infants. Recent studies have suggested that mercury may also pose a health risk for adults, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The two agencies are supposed to work together to regularly review the advisory, but EPA sources said the FDA went ahead with its own proposal earlier this year, not consulting the EPA until the document was nearly finished.

The Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization, wrote yesterday to EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson and urged him to fight the FDA's recommendations.
"This is an astonishing, irresponsible document," said Richard Wiles, the environmental group's executive director. "It's a commentary on how low FDA has sunk as an agency. It was once a fierce protector of America's health, and now it's nothing more than a patsy for polluters."

Kathryn Mahaffey, who was the EPA's top mercury scientist until she left the agency in August to become a lecturer at George Washington University School of Public Health, said the FDA used an "oversimplified approach" that could increase the public's exposure to mercury. But Gavin Gibbons, a spokesman for the National Fisheries Institute, applauded the FDA's efforts. "This is a science-based approach," he said. "And you start to see a picture emerge that shows the clear benefits of eating seafood outweigh the risks of a trace amount of mercury in fish."

Traditional Diet Guidelines

Here's a great list to live by, in regards to a lifestyle of traditional healthy eating:

• Eat whole, unprocessed foods

• Eat beef, lamb, game, organ meats, poultry, and eggs from pasture-fed animals

• Eat wild (not farm-raised) fish, shellfish, and fish roe from unpolluted waters

• Eat full-fat milk products from pasture-fed cows, preferably raw and/or fermented, such as raw milk, whole yogurt, kefir, cultured butter, whole raw cheeses, and fresh and sour cream

• Use animal fats, especially butter, liberally

• Use traditional vegetable oils only- extra-virgin olive oil, expeller-expressed sesame oil, small amounts of expeller-expressed flax oil, and the tropical oils- coconut oil and palm oil

• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables- preferably organic- in salads and soups, or lightly steamed with butter

• Use whole grains, legumes, and nuts that have been prepared by soaking, sprouting, or sour leavening

• Include enzyme-enhanced lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages, and condiments in your diet on a regular basis

• Prepare homemade meat stocks from the bones of chicken, beef, lamb, and fish and use liberally in soups, stews, and sauces

• Use filtered water for cooking and drinking

• Use unrefined salt and a variety of herbs and spices for food interest and appetite stimulation

• Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar and natural, traditional oils

• Use natural sweeteners in moderation, such as raw honey, maple syrup, date sugar, coconut sugar, dehydrated cane sugar juice (sold as Rapadura or sucanat), and stevia powder

• Avoid alcohol

• Cook only in stainless-steel, cast-iron, glass, or good-quality enamel- don’t use aluminum cookware

• Do not use a microwave oven

• Use only natural, food-based supplements

• Get plenty of sleep, exercise, and natural light

• Think positive thoughts and practice forgiveness

Cholesterol: Part II

In my own path to find the truth about fats and an overall healthy diet, I found many studies on this particular topic. When I went back to original studies, and not someone else’s interpretation of the study at hand, I was overwhelmed. There are too many for me to include here but three, of particular interest, that I will.

All of these studies involved women and high cholesterol levels. The first was published in the journal Circulation in 1992. A workshop was conducted at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, which found that high cholesterol levels in women, even as high as 1000 mg/dl, is not a risk factor for heart disease. On the contrary, they found that low cholesterol is much more dangerous, resulting in acute bouts of depression, lethargy, and memory loss (to name a few).

The second is a 1989 study published in the Lancet in Paris. They found that women with very high cholesterol levels actually lived the longest and also had the least amount of morbidity (death with disease). Women with very low levels had five times the death rate. Lastly, in 2003, the British Medical Journal published a study from the researchers at the University of British Columbia, which concluded that statin drugs (cholesterol reducers), offer no benefit in preventing heart disease for women. Some patients even complained of memory loss and depression shortly after beginning the drugs.

So what is to blame for coronary heart disease? In large part, oxidized cholesterol:

Contrary to what you’ve heard, cholesterol is not the cause of heart disease, but rather a potent antioxidant weapon against free radicals in the blood. Naturally produced in the body and naturally present in the foods we eat, it’s a repair substance that actually helps heal arterial damage.

However, heat and oxygen can damage cholesterol just as they do fats. Damaged, or “oxidized”, cholesterol can injure arterial walls and lead to a pathological plaque buildup in the arteries. Both of these changes can result in heart disease.

That’s why we recommend that you avoid foods that contain damaged cholesterol, such as powdered eggs and powdered milk (which manufacturers add to reduced-fat milk, yogurt, and other dairy products to give them body-without stating this fact on the label). Ironically, when you choose reduced-fat milks in order to avoid heart disease, you consume the very form of cholesterol that can cause heart disease (Enig, M., et al, p. 52).

Cholesterol: Part I

According to conventional medicine today, cholesterol is the villain. The common belief is that it is the primary cause in growing numbers of coronary heart disease and obesity, even in children. This is called the lipid hypothesis, which is a three-step process. Step 1 is when you eat a diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol (animal fats), resulting in high levels of cholesterol in the blood. This in turn, leads to atherosclerosis (step 2), which then clogs blood vessels, and finally, coronary heart disease (step 3).

The vast majority of the public has been led to believe, over the past five decades, that this hypothesis is fact. However, there is extensive scientific evidence that actually contradicts this information! “Fundamentally, the war on saturated fats stems from a misperception about the effects of saturated fatty acids on cholesterol levels (Enig, M. & Fallon, S., Eat Fat Lose Fat, pp. 23-24).“ Unfortunately, because of misinformation and poor evaluation of the data on this subject, recommended total blood cholesterol levels are getting lower and lower, and animal fats are looked upon with open hostility. But what is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is often referred to as a fat, but it’s actually a heavyweight alcohol with a hormone-like structure that behaves like a fat, being insoluble in water and in blood. Cholesterol, however, has a coating of a compound called a lipoprotein, which makes it water soluble so it can be carried in the blood.

Lipoproteins are described in terms of their density. Generally speaking, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) carry cholesterol away from the cells to the liver, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) carry cholesterol to the cells. We speak of HDL as “good” cholesterol and LDL as “bad” cholesterol. However, both HDL and LDL play critical roles in body chemistry (Enig, M., et al, p. 24).

Benefits of Cholesterol:

• Your body uses cholesterol to make hormones that help you deal with stress and protect against heart disease and cancer.

• Your body needs cholesterol to make all the sex hormones, including androgen, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and DHEA.

• Your body uses cholesterol to make vitamin D, vital for the bones and nervous system, proper growth, mineral metabolism, muscle tone, insulin production, reproduction, and immune system function.

• The bile salts are made from cholesterol. Bile is vital for digestion and assimilation of dietary fats.

• Cholesterol is needed for proper function of serotonin receptors in the brain. Since serotonin is the body’s natural “feel-good” chemical, it’s not surprising that low cholesterol levels have been linked to aggressive and violent behavior, depression, and suicidal tendencies.

• Mother’s milk is especially rich in cholesterol and contains a special enzyme that helps the baby utilize this nutrient. Babies and children need cholesterol-rich foods throughout their growing years to ensure proper development of the brain and nervous system.

• Dietary cholesterol plays an important role in maintaining the health of the intestinal wall. This is why low-cholesterol vegetarian diets can lead to leaky gut syndrome and other intestinal disorders.

• Finally, the body uses cholesterol to repair damaged cells. This means that higher cholesterol levels are actually beneficial. Meyer Texon, M.D., a well-known pathologist at New York University Medical Center, points out that indicting fat and cholesterol for hardening the arteries is like accusing white blood cells of causing infection, rather than helping the immune system to address it.

A Gingerbread Tradition

One of my favorite traditions, from my childhood, has to be when we would create an entire gingerbread village for Christmas. Of course, we had enough people to make houses (10 children plus 2 adults)! My mom always spent extra time landscaping the village. There were vast lakes with overhanging waterfalls, frozen in time. Miniature ice skaters danced playfully on their mirrored surfaces. Bears slept in caves, pine trees with tiny red berries begged to be eaten, and new-fallen, powdered sugar snow accented the scenery.

Each of us made blueprints of the house we would build and my mom cut out the shapes and baked them, equipped with stained-glass candy windows! My mom was responsible for the church, with its steeple pointing towards the heavens and the windows depicted beautiful mosaics. It truly was a masterpiece, year after year. I don't have to0 many pictures that showcase what I'm talking about, but I've included a few. I'll try to find some more.

'Tis the Season

Inside My Medicine Cabinet

First of all, I guess I should clarify that I don't really have a medicine cabinet, rather a tackle box filled with my medical and emergency supplies. However, Inside My Medicine Tackle Box does not have quite the same ring. Moving on...

I firmly believe in being as prepared as possible for any emergency situation, especially since I have kids. I also take a holistic approach to medicine, so some of the items in my medical tackle box might sound unfamiliar, but here goes:

Tools and Miscellaneous Supplies

Large and small nail clippers
Tongue depressors
Small pen light
Cotton swabs
Thermometer
Surgical scissors
Dissection kit (from my Anatomy and Physiology classes, but it comes in handy)
Ice packs
Water bag
Matches
Emergency blanket
Disposable gloves

Bandages, etc.

Various sizes and shapes of self-adhesive bandages
Various sizes and shapes of gauze, self-adhesive and non-adhesive
Pre-wrap
Various sizes of kinesiology tape
Surgical tape
Mole skin
Adhesive strips (great for sealing wounds, instead of having to use stitches)
Skin glue

Wound care, etc.

Colloidal silver spray (as an alternative to Bactine)
Herbal salve (as an alternative to Neosporin- I have one with Pau d' Arco, Calendula, Plantain, and such)
Aloe gel (100% pure, great for burns)
Oreganol (This particular brand of oregano oil is great for serious fungal infections, spider and snake bites, etc.)
Zinc oxide cream (Weleda makes a good one, it's great for diaper rashes and various skin rashes)
Insect sting and bite gel (Sting Stop by B&T is a homeopathic formula I use for minor stings and bites)

Colds, Ears, and Eyes

Immune system formula (like System Well Ultimate Immunity by Nature's Way)
Cough drops (organic and sweetened with stevia or other natural sweetener)
Nasal spray (I have one with grapefruit seed extract, xylitol, and saline)
Olive leaf throat spray
Herbal eye drops (I use a homeopathic and herbal blend with fennel, clover, eyebright, in an isotonic solution)
Ear oil (Wally's Ear oil has garlic and other anti-fungal/healing herbs)

Tooth, Gums, and Mouth

Clove oil (helps numb tooth and gum pain)
Tooth and gum ointment (Perio Rub by Nature's Answer makes one with clove, olive leaf extract, phytoplenolin, and many other therapeutic herbs)
Cold sore gel (Herpanacine has l-lysine, astragalus, sarsaparilla root, and additional anti-oxidants)

Pain and Inflammation

Arnica gel (Boiron, for contusions and other aches)
Turmeric (reduces inflammation, increases circulation, etc)
Pain relief spray (Stop Pain with menthol, glucosamine, chondroitin, boswellia, etc)
DLPA (helps body and mind cope with pain, neurally)

Homeopathy in Your First Aid Kit

Homeopathic remedies are prescribed on the principal that 'like cures like'. They are constructed by placing a tiny amount of the remedy in a dilution. I have a kit at home, which looks like a mini chest of drawers, that is filled with some of my favorite remedies. I don't think it's any secret that my husband and I shun the conventional medical world. Personally, I choose to take our health in our own hands. Along with treating ourselves, we have been treating our children (since they were just babies) with homeopathy, as needed.

My basic philosophy is to try the simplest route first, then move on to the next phase if necessary. I have detailed the steps to healing in another article. Here is a list of my favorite remedies to have on hand, along with arnica montana (which I also wrote about in another article):

allium cepa- headache, burning, tearing eyes with runny nose, toothache, and earache. Also used for allergies, hayfever, and laryngitis.

antimonium tartaricum- respiratory conditions, rattling of mucus with little expectoration, drowsiness, chills, and spasmodic cough.

apis mellifica- swelling, pain, and inflammation associated with insect bites and stings.

arsenicum album- restlessness, exhaustion, feelings of despair, fear or worry, depression.

belladonna- high sudden fever and perspiration, hot, red skin, flushed face, spasms, scarlet fever.

bryonia alba- aching muscles aggravated by motion, stitching pains.

calcarea carbonica- chills and susceptibility to cold, night sweats, commonly used for teething.

chamomilla- teething pain with irritability.

cinchona officinalis- diarrhea with gas and bloating.

colocynthis- sharp pains, cramps, colic, abdominal pain often with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, menstrual cramps.

drosera rotundifolia- violent coughs with exhaustion, cramps, absence of thirst, shivering, nosebleeds. Also used for growing pains, bone pain, stiffness or hoarse voice.

dulcamara- conjunctivitis, cystitis, wheezing cough. Also used for hives, ringworm, itchy crusting eruptions and large smooth warts.

eupatorium perfoliatum- stiffness and bone pain associated with the Flu.

ferrum phosporicum- low or mild fever associated with cold and Flu.

hepar sulphuris calcareum- painful and hoarse dry cough.

Arnica

As far as first aid remedies go, arnica (Arnica Montana) is one of those staples everyone should have, especially those with kids. I keep the 30 c homeopathic pellets, a well as a fast-absorbing gel, in my kit at home. Additionally, I keep trial sizes inside a small clip-on kit I take with us on hikes and camping trips.

Arnica is a yellow-orange flower, similar to the daisy in appearance. It is a native to the mountains of Europe and Siberia, though cultivated in North America. It is commonly prepared in homeopathic formulas and is available in many forms: cream, ointment, liniment, salve, tincture, and tablets.

The beauty of Arnica lies in the fact that it treats a wide variety of conditions, such as bruising, sprains, muscle aches, wound healing, rheumatic pain, inflammation and swelling, and other ailments associated with overexertion or trauma. Homeopathic formulas of arnica are also considered safe, even for small children.

Midwifery and Homebirths

Anybody who has witnessed or experienced the birth of a newborn child knows that it truly is a miracle. Birth is sacred and beautiful and should be celebrated. Midwife Shafia M. Monroe says:

My role as a midwife is to help a woman and her partner celebrate her newness and embrace her sensuality. The Western culture has taken birth from our view and put it in a place that is hard to find. On television, we see birthing women often in hysteria, sweating profusely, out of control and not looking pretty. Pregnancy has been mystified as nasty and not a nice thing; it is thought of as a shameful and an unclean act.

I have heard many stories of hospital births from friends and family members. Each woman described their experience with some margin of disappointment; something still left to be desired. Yet the majority of them fear the thought of having a natural childbirth, let alone a homebirth. Why? Because we live in a nation of fear. Women have been told for far too long that hospital births are the only safe births. That doctors should control and decide every factor of pregnancy and labor. Women have effectively been silenced.

The reality is that hospitals have never been proven to be a safe place for delivery. The 2002 statistics, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ranks the U.S. as 28th among industrialized nations for healthy births at 7 infant deaths per 1000 births. Furthermore, a study reported in the BMJ Medical Journal in 2005, stated that homebirths have been proven "very safe and successful for women who have been helped to stay low-risk through nutrition and good prenatal care."

I feel incredibly fortunate that my first birthing experience went well. I owe it all to the loving guidance, support, and expertise of my midwife. She inspired me to trust in my own body, forgo drugs, and to feel my birth. She told me that I did not have to wait until I was 10 cm dilated to start bearing down. I was only 5 cm dilated when I began to have strong urges to push. Initially I was frightened to let go and the pain became intense. When I finally relaxed and let my body respond with each contraction, I became fully dilated quickly. 20 minutes later, my first son was born: healthy and beautiful.

My dream is that women everywhere begin reclaiming their womanhood. I want them to let their voices be heard. I wish that their fear would dissipate and be replaced with confidence of self and of faith in the miracle of birth so that birth customs will once again become a family affair, rather than one of solidarity and segregation. Husbands, fathers and mothers, and other siblings will be full participants and be filled with feelings of compassion and togetherness. After all, the delivery of a child should always be special and the experience, one to look back on and smile.

To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Vaccines are capable of causing serious damage. Because they contain lab-altered viruses, bacteria and toxic substances, vaccines have the ability to cause mild to severe neurological and immune damage, or even death, depending on the vaccine given, the combination of vaccines given, the health of the child at the time of vaccination, and the genetic or biological factors that predispose the child to this damage. Vaccines are potent and toxic drugs that contain formaldehyde, mercury, aluminum, antibiotics and other toxic components. Thoughtful parents are beginning to question the practice of injecting these toxic substances into the bodies of small babies and artificially manipulating their fragile immune systems during the crucial time of brain and immune development (Sheppard, 2008).

My husband and I decided, early on, not to vaccinate our children. This decision has been met with an onslaught of criticism. Over the years, I have heard accusations stating that we are putting our children's health, and subsequently their lives, at risk, as well as those of the public around us. In fact, some blatantly tell us that public health officials and doctors say they are safe and necessary, so who are we to question the "experts"?

I do not get into a heated debate over the issues, however, I will put forth the fact that the data and studies, on this matter, are full of holes and carry with them a slew of limitations. In all my personal decisions, especially those of such great importance as my children's lives, I consider first what and who is to gain from pushing a product so vehemently. Everything, in our society, is driven by money. To think that the vaccine-campaign is unique to this is absurd.

According to Jane Sheppard (author of Vaccine Toxicity and Safety of Vaccinations: A Parent's Right to Choose), "In the past 25 years, EVERY childhood vaccine, produced by drug companies, has been mandated for use by all American children. Many members of both the ACIP and the FDA's advisory committees have blatant conflicts of interest, with strong financial ties to the pharmaceutical companies that make vaccines (2008)."

Dr. Neustaedter (author of Vaccine Choices) reminds parents that it is not only their right to choose to vaccinate, but he also explains that we should investigate and research the issue in depth before making any decision. Government agencies, public school officials, and medical personnel often coerce parents into thinking they do not have a choice. However, in the U.S., we have a legal right to exempt our children from vaccines, even if they are or will be attending public school!

There are many great resources available on vaccinations. Be informed.

Resources

Books:
The Vaccine Guide: Risks and Benefits for Children and Adults by Randall Neustaedter, OMD.

Child Health Guide: Holistic Pediatrics for Parents by Randall Neustaedter, OMD.

Super Healthy Kids: Strengthening Your Child's Resistance to Disease by Jane Sheppard.

Articles:
Sheppard, J. (2008) Vaccine Toxicity and Safety of Vaccinations: A Parent's Right to Choose. Retrieved on 19 November from www.healthychild.com.

Palevsky, L. B. MD, FAAP. Aluminum and Vaccine Ingredients: What Do We Know? What Don’t We Know? http://www.909shot.com/doctors_corner/lawrence_palevsky_aluminum_and_vaccine_ingredients.htm

Sears, R. W. MD, Is Aluminum the New Thimerosal?, MOTHERING No. 146, January-February 2008, pp. 46-53.

Vaccine Excipient & Media Summary http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-1.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf

Institute for Vaccine Safety, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health - Thimerosal Content in Some US Licensed Vaccines http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/thi-table.htm

National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) http://www.nvic.org

Congressman Dan Burton, Hearings on vaccine-autism connection http://www.house.gov/burton/autism.htm

Special Report: Autism & Vaccines: A New Look at an Old Story, The Vaccine Reaction, published by National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) Summer 2000

Opening Statement by Chairman Dan Burton, Committee on Government Reform, “FACA: Conflicts of Interest and Vaccine Development: Preserving the Integrity of the Process”, June 15, 2000 Washington DC

Majority Staff Report, Committee on Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives
June 15, 2000

The Case Against Immunizatons, Richard Moskowitz, M. D. Journal of the AIH, March 1983

How Vaccinations Work, Philip Incao, M.D . May 5, 1999 Updated 2006
http://www.compwellness.net/mp/How%20Vaccinations%20Work.pdf

The Vaccine Guide: Risks and Benefits for Children and Adults, Randall Neustaedter, OMD 2002

Generation Rescue Cal-Oregon Unvaccinated Survey http://generationrescue.org/survey.html

Vaccine Safety Research Priorities: Engaging the Public, Barbara Loe Fisher, National Vaccine Information Center, presentation to the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, Washington, D.C., April 11, 2008 http://www.nvic.org/Issues/vaccine_safety_priorities_2008.htm

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System http://vaers.hhs.gov

Leading Dr.: Vaccines-Autism Worth Study CBS News Exclusive: Former Head Of NIH Says Government Too Quick To Dismiss Possible Link, WASHINGTON, May 12, 2008 Sharyl Attkisson CBSNews.com

Maca Root

Maca root, or lepidium meyenii, comes fom the Junin plateau of Peru's Central Highlands and was revered by the Incan people. It is an adaptogen, which is an herb that produces a non-specific response in the body; increasing or decreasing a physiological demand as needed. Simply put, an adaptogen has a normalizing effect on the body. Because of this, maca helps rebuild a weak immune system and increases energy, endurance, and stamina without putting stress on the adrenal glands, like caffeine does.

According to Chris Kilham (2008), from Discovery Health, "during the height of the Incan empire, legend has it that Incan warriors would consume maca before entering into battle. This would make them fiercely strong." In addition to this increase in strength, it increases libido, sexual function, and fertility. So what gives maca it's powers?

Scientists have found two major groups of compounds which make up the maca root: macamides and macaenes. These help normalize steroid hormones like testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen, making maca an effective anti-aging super food. Safety has also been tested. Studies showed that it carries no toxicity and no adverse pharmacologic effects.

The popularity and availability of maca root has definitely increased since the release of these positive studies. Most health food stores now carry a good quality, naturally dried, non-irradiated powder, which can be mixed in a shake or drink. It should be treated like a food and as such, anywhere from 3-10 grams a day can be consumed.

How to Make Kombucha

When making your own Kombucha, the best results are obtained using white sugar and black tea. I know, I know...sounds crazy. Typically, I would never suggest either of these ingredients. However, through the fermentation process, the vast majority of sugar and caffeine are transformed into other compounds. Kombucha is safe and healthy, as long as prepared according to directions. The end result is a slightly fizzy, sour drink (you can make it more or less depending on how you like it, by leaving it to ferment either shorter or longer).

Bring 3 quarts filtered water to boil, remove from heat, add one cup white sugar and steep with four bags of organic black tea. Once tea has cooled to room temperature, place in clean glass or ceramic bowl. Note: the acids will react with metal and plastic leeches, so do not use metal or plastic containers. Carefully place the "mushroom" on top of tea. Make an "x" with tape across the mouth of the bowl and cover with cheese cloth or a thin, clean towel. Place tea bath in a warm, preferably dark, spot where it can sit undisturbed for 8 to 12 days. This is just a guideline, it might take more days if necessary.

Always keep enough reserved Kombucha liquid (about one cup), along with the mother "mushroom", in a jar in the refridgerator for future batches. Do not be surprised if the mother "mushroom" grows "babies" on top during the process. This is normal. These can be carefully separated from the original and given to friends with some starter liquid or saved for other batches. Mushrooms last indefinitely, however, if mold develops, you should get rid of it. I fill glass bottles, with screw tops, with the liquid and keep in the refridgerator. A few times a week I have one for a refreshing drink and also for its medicinal tonic qualities.

Kombucha

Kombucha (one of my favorite drinks) is a tonic that has been fermented by a macroscopic solid mass of microorganisms called a "kombucha colony," usually consisting principally of Bacterium xylinum and yeast cultures. Species of yeast involved vary, and may include: Brettanomyces bruxellensis, Candida stellata, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Torulaspora delbrueckii and Zygosaccharomyces bailii. The culture itself looks somewhat like a large pancake, and though often called a mushroom, or by the acronym SCOBY (for "Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast"), it is clinically known as a zoogleal mat.

The recorded history of this drink dates back to the Qin Dynasty in China (around 250 BC). The Chinese called it the "Immortal Health Elixir," because they believed Kombucha balanced the Middle Qi (Spleen and Stomach) and aided in digestion, allowing the body to focus on healing. Knowledge of kombucha eventually reached Russia and then Eastern Europe around the Early Modern Age, when tea first became affordable by the populace.

The word kombucha, while sounding Japanese to foreign ears, is a misnomer when applied to this beverage. In fact, Kombucha (昆布茶) in Japanese refers to a tea-like infusion (cha) (actually, more of a thin soup) made from kelp (kombu), usually served to patients in convalescence. The Japanese refer to 'kombucha' as kōcha-kinoko (紅茶キノコ), which literally means black tea mushroom.

Kombucha contains many different cultures along with several organic acids, active enzymes, amino acids, anti-oxidants, and polyphenols. Each strain of kombucha may contain some of the following components depending on the source of the culture:

Acetic acid, which mainly inhibits harmful bacteria and so is used as a preservative. It is also what gives Kombucha that 'kick' to its smell and taste.

Butyric acid, produced by the yeasts and when working with gluconic acid, and in help combat yeast infections such as candida.

Gluconic acid, effective against many yeast infections such as candidiasis and thrush.

Lactic acid, found in kombucha in its most potent form, L-lactic(+).

Malic acid, also used in the body's detoxification process.

Oxalic acid, encourages the cellular production of energy and is a natural preservative.

Usnic acid, a potent antibiotic that exhibits antiviral, antiprotozoal, antimitotic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.

Kombucha also contains vitamin groups B and C, beneficial yeasts and bacteria.

The Food Processing Industry and How it is Impacting Our Health

Over the years, we have moved farther and farther away from our ancestral roots and good-eating habits, like using whole food ingredients, slow cooking meals, and showing concern for quality. Today, most of us have forgotten how to cook food and make meals truly from scratch. These are things that need to be handed down from one generation to another. I realize we live in a fast-paced, all-consuming society, but we could grossly benefit from slowing down. Unfortunately, we would rather ignore the little voice in the back of our heads, warning us that the food we are eating is making us a nation riddled with conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

At this point, most people know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast helps fuel the body and mind, essentially preparing us for the rigors of the day ahead. So what's for breakfast? Typically, cold cereal and some low fat milk, right? Let us take a deeper look at what is actually being ingested.

Cold cereal is made by running inexpensive, low quality grains through a machine that uses high temperature and lots of added pressure. This essentially forms the shape of the cereal (o's, puffed, shredded). This process is called extrusion and effectively destroys the majority of nutrients that were once present. The high temperatures also break down the fatty acids, converting them into rancid fats. Deodorizers are then added to mask the taste and smell. In addition, the amino acids are denatured and rendered toxic.

The one cereal, that I know of, that uses low temperature/pressure processing and is relatively nutritious, is Grape Nuts. An even better alternative would be old-fashioned oats, soaked overnight with a tablespoon of kefir or yogurt added to the water, and cooked in the morning (takes only 5 minutes of cooking time).

So what about milk? First, it is put into centrifuges which separate the milk into fat, protein, and solids and liquids. Then, it is reconstituted to make whole, low, or non-fat milk. To make low or non-fat milk, they replace the fat with powdered milk concentrate, which is formed by high-temperature spray drying. Next, it is pasteurized, heated to 161 degrees F, and finally, homogenized, put through pressurization to break down the fat so it will not separate.

The end product is difficult for many people to digest because of the cooking of the proteins and the removal of necessary enzymes. This is why so many individuals have allergies to milk. Real milk (that is raw, organic, and whole), not only tastes wonderful, but is much easier to digest and provides immune system enhancing nutrients.

Sally Fallon sums up the overall message well: Artificial flavors and preservatives are made by chemical companies in factories; they are not being made by the loving hands of a cook. All the artificial ingredients added to the food help the rich get richer and the general public get sicker. The industry has completely processed the life out of the food and then as a concession to the public, thrown in a handful of artificial nutrients. Can you imagine what kind of feeling, what kind of radiation comes from that factory food?

My hope is that we become the generation that says "enough is enough". I pray that we stop ignoring the truth, refuse to line the pockets of the industries, and finally, stand up for ourselves by taking our health back into loving and caring hands.

Having Fun!

We like to have fun. This is Deuce, wrestling with our kids at Grandma's house.

Out and about at the 'happiest place on earth', of course!

Recipes for A Growing Baby

Fermented Sweet Potato

For a 6 month old baby

Poke a few holes in 2 pounds sweet potatoes and bake in an oven at 300 degrees for about 2 hours or until soft. Peel and mash with 2 teaspoons celtic grey sea salt and 4 tablespoons whey. Place in a bowl, cover, and leave at room temperature for 24 hours. Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

Smoothie for Baby
For an 8 month old baby

Blend 1 cup whole yogurt with 1/2 banana or 1/2 cup pureed fruit, 1 raw egg yolk (from an organic or pastured chicken) and a pinch of stevia.

Cereal Gruel for Babies
For a 1 year old baby

Mix 1/2 cup freshly ground organic flour of spelt, Kamut, rye, barley or oats with 2 cups warm filtered water mixture plus 2 tablespoons yogurt, kefir or buttermilk. Cover and leave at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Add 1/4 teaspoon celtic grey sea salt, reduce heat and simmer, stirrring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve with cream or butter and a small amount of a natural sweetener, such as raw honey.

References: Fallon, S. Nourishing Traditions.

Baby Food

I know I have said this before, but I will reiterate here, avoid processed and refined foods as often as possible. This includes feeding baby commercial baby foods. Making your own baby food is really not that difficult and baby will be happy and healthy as long as a few guidelines are met.

First, be observant. Each child will vary, as far as age is concerned, when it comes to feeding. I have seen some children mature as early as 3 to 4 months old and yet others will wait until 6 to 8 months old. Take it slowly, watch baby, and introduce new foods one at a time.

So what foods should you start with? I would advise against cereal, which is usually recommended by the mainstream medical community. Grains are incredibly difficult to digest, given that infants do not have the necessary enzymes until much later. In addition, they are typically heavily processed. A recent Swedish study showed that infants given cereal suffered from low concentrations of zinc and reduced calcium absorption. This is in large part due to the added iron.

Instead, try adding egg yolks, which are rich in many brain-nourishing substances. Make sure the eggs are from pasture-fed hens. Boil them for 3 to 4 minutes, peel, and discard whites (whites should only be given after 1 year of age since they may cause allergic reactions). Next, mash the yolks (they should be soft, but not runny), and add a pinch of celtic grey sea salt (to improve digestion and brain development through critical trace mineral content). 1/4 teaspoon cod liver oil can be added to the mixture once a day for additional EFAs, as well as vitamins A and D.

Mashed bananas can be given at this time as well, if baby is hungry. Another good idea is to feed baby kefir, yogurt or homemade whey (added to mashed food). The probiotics will help the developing immune system.

At six months, pureed meats can be given for iron, zinc, and protein. Also, fruits such as avocado, melon, mangoes, and papaya. Continue moving up the complexity of the food, little by little. Now, vegetables, like carrots, sweet potatoes, and beets can be added. They should be cooked, mashed, and mixed with fat like butter or coconut oil.

At eight months, a variety of foods can be included. Creamed vegetable soups, stews, cottage cheese, custards, etc. Finally, by one year of age, grains, nuts, and seeds can be added. Even at this point, I recommend only giving baby pre-soaked grains that have been pre-digested by adding a tablespoon or two of homemade whey to the water, left overnight, and fully cooked. This is important to aid in digestion and to help alleviate possibilities of allergic reactions.

Do not give juice to babies. Avoid soy foods, margarine, and shortenings. Do not try to give low or reduced-fat products.

Reference: Allbritton, J. (CN). Growing wise kids. Retrieved 4 November 2008 from www.westonaprice.org.

Making Baby Formula

In ideal circumstances, breastfeeding your baby is the way to go. Multiple studies have proved that mother's milk has all the nutrients a growing baby needs to thrive. However, there are mothers out there that have found themselves in a predicaments where breastfeeding is not possible, for whatever reason. What do you do? I strongly encourage mothers to make their own and avoid commercial baby formula at all costs.

Simply put, commercial baby formula is heavily processed, is difficult to digest, contains synthetic vitamins and minerals in proportions outside of nature's, and lacks vital nutrients found in breast milk. This is not an acceptable substitute. The following is a recipe (you can find it on the Weston A. Price Foundation website) for formula made from raw milk. Some might question why there is no added iron for this recipe (there is already a small amount of iron in raw milk). The answer is that mother's milk is naturally low in iron. The body knows that iron competes with zinc, which is used for neurological development. Too much iron, for a child under 6 years old, leads to imbalances and eventually, toxicity.

MILK-BASED FORMULA

Makes 36 ounces
This milk-based formula takes into account the fact that human milk is richer in whey, lactose, vitamin C, niacin, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to cow’s milk but leaner in casein (milk protein). The addition of gelatin to cow’s milk formula will make it more digestible for the infant. Use only truly expeller-expressed oils in the formula recipes, otherwise they may lack vitamin E.

The ideal milk for baby, if he cannot be breastfed, is clean, whole raw milk from old-fashioned cows, certified free of disease, that feed on green pasture. For sources of good quality milk, see www.realmilk.com or contact a local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

If the only choice available to you is commercial milk, choose whole milk, preferably organic and unhomogenized, and culture it with a piima or kefir culture to restore enzymes (available from G.E.M. Cultures 707-964-2922).

2 cups whole milk, preferably unprocessed milk from pasture-fed cows
1/4 cup homemade liquid whey (See article on lacto-fermentation for recipe)
4 tablespoons lactose*
1/4 teaspoon bifidobacterium infantis**
2 or more tablespoons good quality cream (not ultrapasteurized), more if you are using milk from Holstein cows
1 teaspoon regular dose cod liver oil or 1/2 teaspoon high-vitamin cod liver oil*
1 teaspoon expeller-expressed sunflower oil*
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil*
2 teaspoons coconut oil*
2 teaspoons Frontier brand nutritional yeast flakes*
2 teaspoons gelatin*
1 7/8 cups filtered water
1/4 teaspoon acerola powder*

*Available from Radiant Life (888) 593-8333
**Available from Natren (800) 992-3323 or Radiant Life (888) 593-8333.

Add gelatin to water and heat gently until gelatin is dissolved. Place all ingredients in a very clean glass or stainless steel container and mix well. To serve, pour 6 to 8 ounces into a very clean glass bottle*, attach nipple and set in a pan of simmering water. Heat until warm but not hot to the touch, shake bottle well and feed baby. (Never, never heat formula in a microwave oven!) Note: If you are using the Lact-Aid, mix all ingredients well in a blender.

Reference: Bishop, M., Enig, M. G. (PhD), Fallon, S. (Summer 2005). FAQs on homemade baby formula. Wise traditions in food, farming and the healing arts (quarterly magazine).

Tips for Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Lactation

Getting ready for a home birth? Even if you are going the hospital route, these guidelines will help prepare you for the momentous event and afterwards. If you are just thinking about getting pregnant, now is the time to start implementing tactics for an easy and healthy delivery.

First off, exercise. Most people know, at this point, how beneficial daily exercise is, especially for the expectant mother. Exercise helps improve muscle strength, flexibility, and emotional well-being. Try yoga, walking outdoors, swimming, and weight training. There is no need to meet specific goals in strength, and definitely not weight loss, but doing various exercises, daily, will help prepare the body and mind for an easy delivery.

Next, dietary concerns. Getting adequate protein is necessary, yet it is a macronutrient that many women tend to be deficient in, especially if you are vegan or vegetarian. Protein, including a good amount of red meat, will help boost muscle repair and increase muscle tone and strength. Minerals and electrolytes should be consumed daily in absorbable food forms, such as blackstrap molasses, dolomite powder, nuts and seeds, fruit, vegetables, fresh-squeezed juices, celtic grey sea salt, eggs (with yolks), chicken and bone broth (in soups, sauces, or just sipped), and lacto-fermented condiments and beverages (see article on lacto-fermentation).

In addition, fatty acids are critical for an infant's neural, visual and nervous systems. Even a mild deficiency in essential fatty acids (EFAs) may limit fetal growth, whether the baby is inside the womb or out! Good sources are found in unprocessed flax seed oil, fatty fish (like ocean-caught salmon and tuna), cod liver oil, coconut oil, and high-vitamin butter from pastured cows.

One thing I cannot stress enough is on the matter of fasting prior to delivery. I have never understood this suggestion by convential practices. We would never think of doing a major event, like a triathalon, while in a fasted state, yet we recommend that mothers do just that! Does this make any sense? Of course not. The body will be incredibly depleted and have a difficult time, if not properly fed ahead of time and during the vigors of labor. Guidelines include having a proper meal and keeping fresh orange juice by the bedside with 2 to 5 grams of l-glutamine added (for energy and recovery), as well as a few drops of a good quality liquid electrolyte supplement (like Trace Mineral Research). Avoid at all costs: caffeine, junk food, white and refined foods, and alcohol (yes, even wine).

My Unique Upbringing

Many people have commented on the uniqueness of my family and the way my parents raised their ten children. I am always proud to tell stories of the past. We were brought up without a lot of store-bought devices, toys, and technology. We ate home cooked food that was prepared lovingly, from scratch, and the majority of it, home grown! We were healthy, active, and happy. Saturdays, during school, and weeks, here and there during the summer, consisted of backpacking trips to a variety of canyons, hikes, and our favorite haunts, all over the Western United States. Instead of watching TV, we played games like Capture-the-Flag, Snake-in-the-Grass, Football, Soccer, Basketball...you name it.

I remember being proud to invite friends over because the food was always great and the house was always clean and comfortable (even though we did not have the money for the nicest and newest things). Those kind of things, like the latest clothes and gadgets, simply did not matter to us. This was my beginning and I have come full-circle as I have grown. I want, more than anything else, to give my own children the unique experiences that I had growing up. I want them to look back on these times, with a fond smile, and be proud of their upbringing.

Courtney's Birth

The following is the story of my birth, written by my mom: Marie Holley Meshkin:

About 2am, Sunday May 22, 1977, I couldn't ignore the labor pains anymore. Finally, I got up, showered, and checked again to make sure everything was prepared for this home birth. The spacious master bedroom with its hardwood floors, gas fireplace and beautiful upstairs view was the perfect place to have our ninth child. Most days, a pair of Red Cardinals' could be seen from the large window of our Lumberport, West Virginia home.

I shook Jim awake and had him shower while I prepared the bed for the birth and placed the plywood at a forty-five degree angle at the head of the bed. After this, I called the doctor who lived 45 minutes away. I hesitated calling her because it was the middle of the night and I knew she had given birth to her own baby just a little over a month earlier. There weren't any midwives in the area and no other doctor would do a home birth. My doctor was an intern who had agreed to come to deliver our baby.

I had waited too long to call the doctor and was a bit uneasy, but Jim helped me breathe. A few more pushes and our baby was born with intact water, or "born in the caul", at 4 am.

Between my contractions, Jim had called our neighbor, who was a doctor from France. He and his wife, my doctor, her husband and new baby, all showed up soon after the birth. Our other children were awakened and filed in to see their new little sister. After they all went back to bed, we noticed Matt, over in the corner, watching the new baby with furrowed brows. After a short while, he left to join his other siblings, and I forgot about it...until the following day.

It was Monday morning, May 23^rd. Matt was sitting on the corner of the secretary's desk where a crowd had gathered to listen. Four year old Matt was describing the events of the previous morning, "The doctor brought two babies to our house. One was dressed in pink pajamas and the other one wasn't wearing any clothes and had a night crawler coming out of her tummy. Mom must have felt sorry for the one without any clothes, because she picked that one to keep."

Coconut Oil

I could have added coconut oil in the list of my recommended super foods, but I thought it deserved a category of its own. Modern health literature describe saturated fats, including palm oils like that of the coconut, as major contributors of heart disease and recommend that they be avoided. I am here to refute these claims.

A recent study, published in Clinical Biochemistry(2004), found that *virgin, unrefined coconut oil lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipid, and LDLs. At the same time, HDLs were increased. It appears that coconut oil is actually beneficial for heart health and, with its multitude of other benefits, is key component in a healthy eating plan. *As opposed to extra virgin, which is processed.

Besides a healthy heart, what else does coconut oil provide? Well...because of the lauric acid and monolaurin derived from coconut oil, it can inhibit the spread of viruses and bacteria (or even kill them). This includes those strains that are antibiotic resistant, such as staphylococcus aureus. It can be used daily to keep candida in check and yeast infections at bay.

Additionally, coconut oil is high in Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), which speed up a sluggish thyroid gland and ultimately, the body's metabolism. Supplementing with it can help increase energy levels and promote weight loss, as a result of boosting the output of the thyroid gland.

So...how do you take it? I take one tablespoon with every meal, straight and then I chase it with raw milk. However, it can be melted in herbal tea and sipped, if prefered. Also, it can be used in cooking (it's especially good in Thai dishes). My family and I use it topically as well. As a moisturizer, it can heal conditions such as eczema, body acne, dry skin, or rashes.

Diary of a Mom

This is my family standing in front of the truck we bought to make our trip to Costa Rica. The following story is an excerpt from my mom's journal:

Our Costa Rican Trip of 1979

The idea to move to Costa Rica began a few years prior to 1979. Jim had been researching for the "perfect" place to raise a large family. He was dissatisfied with every place we had been- and we had moved often during our marriage. He decided that Costa Rica was that special place. The climate was warm year round. The country had a constitution similar to the U.S. constitution and the country had more teachers than police.

I put money aside from the earnings of our Bergoo [West Virginia] store and bakery until there was enough to send him to Costa Rica so he could actually see the country for himself. We presented him with the round trip ticket as a father's day gift. When he returned, he was more excited than ever. This was, indeed the perfect place and supposedly he had been offered a job as a psychologist in a government office there. "Just move here and the job is yours," he was told.

We had been putting siding on our Lumberport [WV] house so that it would be more apt to sell. It finally did sell, so we used the money to purchase a new 1978 Chevy diesel pickup instead of using the money as a down payment on another house, as we had in the past. We then put the remainder of the money, $3000, in the bank.

We drove the truck for a year to make sure all the bugs were worked out of it. In the meantime, we put a camper shell on it with a sliding back window so we could communicate with the kids in the back (seat belts weren't widely used yet). I also had the boys build bench seats on each side in the bed of the truck. The seats were padded and covered with a Naugahyde lid, which was hinged and had cubicles inside the bench for each one of the family members. Every one was allowed only what we could squeeze into them. This included three changes of clothes for each of us, our encyclopedias, a few choice books, a Spanish-English dictionary and enough diapers to last the three weeks it would take to drive through Mexico and Central America.

We had moved several times in the three years we were in West Virginia. We had first bought the Lumberport house and Jim worked in Clarksburg a few miles away. He later changed jobs and we moved to Webster Springs, then to Parcoal, Bergoo, and up to New Martinsville. Courtney was born in Lumberport and Jeanie in New Martinsville.

We had to sell or dispose of extra belongings in order to make the trip. We planned on camping out on the way, so we bought a very used tent trailer for that purpose. I filled a cooler with snacks and food to eat along the way. I also brought my sourdough starter and freshened it every few days. I had obtained the starter from an Italian grocery store owner three years earlier. He said the original starter was over ten years old. I had used it in all my breads and pizza dough.

We said our good-byes and left New Martinsville in the fourth week of July, 1979. Jeanie had been born July 1st. We only made a few short stops that day and night and drove all the way to Texas before camping. That night a raccoon had a great time getting into our cooler. He managed to get the lid part way off the sourdough and then strung our hot dog buns on a little tree above the cooler.

The next day we crossed the border into Mexico. An older Mexican gentleman looked over our truck and trailer. He seemed quite interested in our trailer and I was certain he was going to make us empty it. Instead, he looked at the children and was impressed with the size of our family. He even commented that he didn't realize some Americans had such large families. He then smiled and waved us on.

The first night in Mexico, we found a nice little park and set up our tent trailer. I spent my time and energy trying to see that everyone was happy. It is amazing to me that nine (out of the ten, since Larry, the oldest, stayed behind and came down later) children behaved as well as they did on that trip. We were three weeks on the road, driving from dawn until dusk and sometimes even later.

That first night was the only night we camped in Mexico. Whenever we stopped for the night and asked the location of a place to camp, the people looked alarmed and told us it was not safe to camp. We were then told, by these total strangers, to follow them. We did, and they took us to their homes and gave us their own beds. A couple of times, I saw teenagers going off to stay with relatives for the night so we would have a place to sleep.

Always, during the trip, we dreamed of arriving in San Jose, Costa Rica, and combing the area for that perfect piece of land to farm and to raise our ten children. It was not a problem to leave the color TV, stereo, and dishwasher. We would pioneer. The smog and inclement weather would be replaced by balmy weather and clear skies. Palm trees, loaded with coconuts, and sandy beaches would surround us.

When we finally arrived, in the Fall of 1979, our first casa had four bedrooms, a red tile roof, and gleaming terrazzo floors. It was nestled in ten acres of coffee trees loaded with the bright red berries. The electricity to the house had not been turned on and we found out that it would be at least two weeks before it would be. That first night, by candlelight, we found that we shared this casa with hundreds of huge cockroaches and several mice...but it was worth it.

Contributed by: Marie Holley Meshkin

The Wiser Earth Community

For those of you who have not heard of WiserEarth yet, you should check it out and join the cause. I have already joined the directory as a resource. Here is a description of what it is all about, written by the Online Community Manager Ian Elwood:

WiserEarth is a community directory and networking forum for organizations working for sustainability and social justice. It has been in existence for just over a year, but already has had over 17,000 people join its community. Specifically, it is a grassroots tool that anyone can use to organize a group, publish information about an organization or collaborate and share information.

WiserEarth publishes under creative commons, meaning that anyone can reuse any part of the site for noncommercial purposes. This ensures that the information in WiserEarth directory remains freely available to all. Both in its infrastructure as well as in its social mission, WiserEarth creates opportunities for people to connect in ways that increase the overall value of the contributions individuals make.

As Paul Hawken said in “Blessed Unrest,” his latest book, “I knew that if we could understand the connections and visualize the breadth of global efforts on behalf of social and environmental justice, we would recognize the largest movement the world has ever seen. WiserEarth is where this movement can begin to see itself.”

This collaboration driven process is the driving force behind the online community that has risen up around WiserEarth, providing tools for a movement that is just now realizing its full potential.

Creating a Fitness Club

How many people think about getting in shape frequently but do not know exactly what to do or need some extra motivation to get going? I would gamble that the majority of us want to, especially mothers. I am here to tell you that all it takes is the initial desire and then, a little nudge to get started. Some friends of mine, and I, began our own fitness club just this way.

First, start networking. We simply talked about exercising, initially. This led to discussions of individual goals, possible times we would be able to meet together, and where we could go. Since many of the women have young children, either not in school or are home schooled, we chose a safe, shaded park in the middle of all of us. We each bring our own dumbbells and sometimes jump ropes and medicine balls.

We meet twice a week for an hour. While the kids play, we do a variety of plyometrics (explosive, power moves), cardiovascular exercises (jogging/running), strength movements (incorporating dumbbells), and core exercises (abs and lower back). Here is a sample plyometrics workout for the first day:

• warm-up by doing short distance, low intensity movements. Use a cone or landmark about 50 feet ahead as turn around point. 1/4 speed jog down and back x 2. 1/2 speed jog x 2. High knees down and butt kicks back. Skip for height down and back. Skip for speed. Side shuffle down. Grape vine back. 3/4 speed jog down and back x 4. Done. (I purposely do not add stretching here. Studies show that it is ineffectual at the beginning of a workout and it can actually cause damage- wait until the cool-down)
• scissor kicks- jump each time for height, explode up, switch legs in air, and land softly (be sure to move arms) x 20
• ski jumps- jump for height and distance (side to side), land softly x 20
• squat thrusts- place hands on ground in front of feet, push out to push-up position, tuck legs back (by hands again), and stand up x 20
• squat jumps- squat down low and explode up x 20
• cool down- start bringing heart rate back down with 1/4 speed jog to cone and back
• crunches- lay flat on back, tuck heels of feet as close to buttocks as possible, place hands on thighs, slide hands up while curling torso off ground x 20
• back extensions- roll over onto stomach, clasp hands together (behind back and rest them on buttocks), keep toes touching ground at all times, raise torso off ground (squeezing lower back), and back down x 20
• push-ups x 20
• work up to 3 full sets of 20 each of core exercises (crunches, back extensions, and push-ups)
• stretch

Now for the second workout: strength.

• warm-up the same as before
• squats- dumbbells at sides (hip, knee, ankle alignment) x 10 for 3 sets
  
• park bench step ups- step up and back down with dumbbells at sides for 10 on each leg (3 sets)
• reverse lunges- take a large step back (with feet in hip, knee, ankle alignment) on one leg, squat down into lunge and explode back to start position for 10 on each leg (3 sets)
• walking lunges for 3 sets
• super set arms- biceps curls x 10, bench dips x 10, bent over rows x 10, push ups x 10, and shoulder presses x 10. Do a set of each without stopping, rest, then repeat for 3 full sets.
• cool down- same as before, making sure to add core exercises as well and stretch at the end

Keeping a journal is another good tip. Log thoughts, feelings, goals, etc. Putting it down on paper is always extra motivation. Fitness helps us get in shape but it also helps us bond together. Community is what it is all about!