Aluminum

So I think I have blogged about this before, but I recently found some more info that just made my jaw drop. The more I go through life, the more I try to do things naturally. I feel healthier and I see a difference in my home because of it. I have talked before about how deodorant actually has aluminum in it. Any metal going into your body, especially on a daily basis, isn't going to be good for it. There isn't enough scientific knowledge to back it up, but some people believe that with enough build-up of parabens and aluminum in the body, breast cancer can be a result. 
Honestly, when I found out that aluminum was in deodorant, I was not happy. There are some brands that don't have it, but I haven't had a chance to go figure out what they are. I think Tom's of Maine might be one. Don't quote me on that though. There are oils you can use to help with body odor if that is an issue for you. In fact, I think just using coconut oil directly on your armpits can help reduce body odor. So I just encourage you to look at the labels and consider what you are using on your body. A fear of mine is getting cancer (well, that and getting stabbed). So I am trying to all that I can now to reduce my chances of being just another one in the epidemic that cancer has become. 

What are you doing now 

to make you healthier in the future?

Garlic

I bought a bottle of garlic oil a while back to help me when I was getting yeast infections a lot (which, I must say, since we've changed our diet and "way of life" I never get anymore!). But since then, the bottle has just sat. So I decided one day to research what good is garlic to me and if it is good enough, I'll start taking it every day. Lo and behold, it is WONDERFUL!!! Here is why...
Garlic is a great antibacterial remedy. It is also anti fungal and antiviral. Lovin' all of the anti's! :)
It is also said to be great at preventing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and helping with heart disease. It helps prevent colds, which is what we all want this time of year!
So when I asked myself if I should garlic to my daily regime, I jumped with enthusiasm yelling "YES!" Okay, there was no jumping or yelling of any sorts. But I am now taking a pill of garlic everyday. 
What is your daily regiment? Is there one thing you can add to make it just a little better??

Gathering My Food for Winter

My goodness. Life has been crazy. For the month of July, I think I spent more of it out of state than here at home. Then for the month of August, I have spent most of my time "gathering my nuts for winter". Here is a look into what my month of August consisted of...

9 Quart sized bags of grapes and 3 gallon sized bags of snack size bags of grapes!
2 Gallon bags full of strawberries!
All of this goes in my freezer! We like the strawberries for smoothies and
the grapes for snacks in the winter time when grapes cost too much to buy.

If I remember right, this is 27 quart sized bags of green beans for my freezer!

15 pints of plum jam
11 pints of sweetened applesauce (with sugar and cinnamon) and
17 pints of unsweetened applesauce (I use this for baking -
I replace vegetable oil with applesauce in pancakes, waffles, cookies, muffins, breads, etc.).
Then I have a bunch of plum fruit leather rolls!

 

So there ya go. Since then, I have also done plum juice (interesting flavor for sure, but will be good with a little sugar, water, and possibly some Sprite or 7-Up! :) I also have done white plum jam which came out an orange color and tastes SO YUMMY!! I also have about 7 quart sized bags of grated zucchini in my freezer.
Within the next week, I also have 2 boxes of nectarines, 2 boxes of peaches and 100 lbs of pears coming. I will be making pear sauce (for pancakes and such), dried pears, pear butter, fruit leather with all 3 fruits, peach jam, frozen peaches for smoothies, dried nectarines, peach pie filling and anything else I can come up with! :) I also am planning on apple pie filling soon as well.
Do you like to do anything like this? What have you done to prepare for the cold months coming? I also have been working hard on doing freezer meals and monthly menu plans (which have helped tremendously for my sanity).

Out of Control!

Have you ever had a moment where you literally felt like you have no control over something you said or did? Words just pop out of your mouth without a second thought, or even a first one, for that matter. Emotion just makes its way out through tears or rage without so much as a warning? Ha ha, sounds like that time of the month for some! Well, what if I told you I have seen with my own eyes how just changing the food that you eat, can change all of that? Cuz I can! And I will! :)

We have been on the Feingold Diet for 4 months now. We made it out of Stage 1 and into Stage 2 where we can now add in other foods, though we still stay away from all artificial flavorings, dyes, and preservatives. Holy cow! What a difference it has been in our house! It has been amazing to me to see what happens now when my daughter does eat something she isn't supposed to. She gets super angry really easily, she has temper tantrums like no 6 year old should and she gets really emotional and impatient. She even has had an issues with wetting her pants after consuming "bad" foods. No, she doesn't always like that she can't have any snack that she wants, and I hate that we can't always just go get an ice cream cone when we want anymore (although that is helping my checkbook!). But it is completely worth it so see how much more control she has over herself. I feel like I am able to finally have a relationship with her like I never have before and it is a great feeling! :) We don't use medication at all. We want her to learn how to control herself and not rely on the medicine to do it for her. I'm not saying that it isn't a great option for someone else. My hubby and I have just chosen this path for our family! We are all healthier because of it anyways and am glad we have this opportunity in our family!!