I Never Imagined

I never imagined that I would be pregnant during a time of a frightening viral outbreak. The idea of having to go to a hospital, to undergo a c-section, to have my fragile, newborn baby in a possibly unsafe environment is extremely unsettling. So to calm my nerves, I have researched and prepared our family the best way I know how.

Below are links some article that I have come across as well as links to the products I have purchased for my family. To be clear, I am not a Doctor and I am not saying that this blog post is a "cure" for anything. I am simply sharing my findings.


Collodial Silver

I have been using Collodial Silver for years to combat everything from Sinus Infections to Sore Throats to Pink-Eye. I have used it in Neti-pots, mixed it with coconut oil to make a topical ointment and diluted it with distilled water and ingested it to fight bacterial infections. So far, I have known it to be an effective and safe anti-bacterial.
Personally, I have not used it as an anti-viral. I assume that it is being recommended for Ebola outbreaks, etc as part of a healthy immune system regime.
Here is an article that was shared with me... if you can get through all the scary verbiage, the author has a good point: http://jhaines6.wordpress.com/2014/10/22/just-in-from-alfred-webre-beware-the-current-colloidal-silver-psy-op/
For a more scientific review:  http://educate-yourself.org/cs/csfaq.shtml
It is important to purchase a good quality product from a trusted vendor. I buy it from this site. If you have any questions about their products, they are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I buy it at 100ppm, but it is also available at 10ppm:
http://healthfree.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=159

Vitamin C

So, we all know vitamin C is good for us and it boosts our immune systems, right? Benefits include:

• Promotes optimal immune functions
• Provides antioxidant protection
• Promotes normal regulation of heart functions
• Promotes cognitive health
• Reduces the inflammatory response
• Promotes skeleton, muscle and skin health
• Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels

And an amazing this happens when it is taken in mega-doses, it becomes an anti-viral! Read this article for more info: http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v10n13.shtml

Here's a link to get some!
http://isotonix.marketamerica.com/area8/USA/Search/Product/2245


Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide

Before I begin saying anything about Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide, I have to warn everybody reading this that this can be VERY dangerous if not administered properly. DO NOT try to figure this out on your own, find someone who has experience using it first!! And follow directions carefully. I've only added this because we have purchased some for ourselves after reading the research above (http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v10n13.shtml)
We also have experience using it for other purposes in the past.

Antioxidants and Immune Building

A healthy body has more resources to fight infection. Below are the supplements I have purchased for our family along with some benefits and research.


A healthy gut for immunity:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130916122214.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/273958.php

Bone Broth Recipe:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/10/05/bone-broth-recipe.aspx

Aloe Juice
www.shop.com/area8/Ultimate+Aloe-603891601-p+.xhtml

• Supports a healthy digestive tract
• Promotes normal healing
• Supports a strong immune system
• Promotes digestive comfort

Digestive Enzymes with Probiotics
http://isotonix.marketamerica.com/area8/USA/Search/Product/2227

for the kids: www.shop.com/AREA8/DNA+Miracles+trade+Chewable+Probiotics-1065616466-p+.xhtml

• Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
• May help ease occasional stomach upset
• Provides enzymes and good bacteria that promote the absorption of nutrients
• Supports a healthy digestive tract
• Supports healthy immune functions

Antioxidants

OPC-3
http://isotonix.marketamerica.com/area8/USA/Search/Product/5418159

For kids: http://isotonix.marketamerica.com/area8/USA/Search/Product/5418219

• Combats free radicals
• Demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity
• Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
• Helps maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins
• Helps maintain joint flexibility
• Helps promote cardiovascular health
• Helps reduce mild menstrual cramping and abdominal pain
• Helps support visual health/visual acuity
• Potent free radical scavenger
• Promotes healthy blood vessel dilation
• Promotes healthy nitric oxide levels
• Supports a healthy complexion
• Supports healthy blood glucose levels
• Supports healthy platelet activity
• Supports healthy sperm quality
• Promotes sinus comfort
• Supports immune health

ORAC - Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity
http://isotonix.marketamerica.com/area8/USA/Search/Product/2216

• A comprehensive antioxidant network
• Antioxidant – powerful free radical scavenger
• Supports a healthy immune system
• Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
• High ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value
• Increased bioavailability due to Bioperine®
• Inhibits oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol
• Supports cognitive health

Curcumin Extreme (found in Tumeric)
www.shop.com/area8/Curcumin+Extreme-559052302-p+.xhtml

• Promotes normal activity of NF-KappaB
• Supports normal liver detoxification activity
• Supports overall liver health
• Promotes apoptosis in unhealthy cells
• Promotes normal cell cycle activity
• Helps maintain overall cell integrity
• Promotes normal cellular regeneration
• Helps maintain healthy glutathione levels
• Supports normal glutathione synthesis
• Promotes the normal production of detoxification enzymes
• Supports the body’s natural ability to produce detoxification enzymes
• Promotes normal levels of detoxification enzymes that scavenge harmful toxins in the body
• Helps to maintain neurological health as we age
• Helps to maintain good cognitive health as we age
• Promotes normal immune cell-brain (neuron) interactions in order to maintain cognitive health
• Promotes neurological health
• Protects neurons from the negative effects of free radicals
• Powerful antioxidant
• Protects the body from the negative effects of free radicals
• Promotes free-radical protection
• Promotes a strong immune system
• Supports joint health
• Supports relief from temporary inflammation associated with the normal aging process and daily activity

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
http://isotonix.marketamerica.com/area8/USA/Search/Product/2250
"Coenzyme Q10 is found in the cell membranes of all cells in our body, particularly in the inner mitochondrial membranes, and it is especially concentrated in highly active organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen, and adrenal glands. The mitochondria produce large amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which helps cells perform work"

• Promotes cardiovascular health
• Provides antioxidant protection for the cardiovascular system
• Helps maintain normal blood pressure
• Helps maintain heart muscle strength
• Enhances traditional support of cardiovascular health
• Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
• Promotes head comfort
• Helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels
• Studies have found CoQ10 deficiencies in overweight people
• Helps maintain brain health
• Vital for ATP production and supports muscle endurance
• Boosts the immune system
• Promotes gum health

Vitamin D3 with k2
http://isotonix.marketamerica.com/area8/USA/Search/Product/13324

Research for vitamin D and immunity
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/

• Promotes normal bone mineral density
• Promotes healthy arteries
• Supports immune health
• Helps maintain bone health
• Helps maintain bone mass by supporting normal osteoclast activity
• Helps maintain cardiovascular health
• Promotes elasticity of blood vessels
• Helps maintain normal blood pressure
• Women with low bone density have been found to be deficient in vitamin K

And of course, a Multivitamin

http://isotonix.marketamerica.com/area8/USA/Search/Product/2243

For kids: http://isotonix.marketamerica.com/area8/USA/Search/Product/5418157

For Pregnant ladies, like me: http://isotonix.marketamerica.com/area8/USA/Search/Product/10106

Videos

How Isotonix works

Dr Oz segment on Pycnogenol: the "P" in the OPC-3

Dr. Steven Lamm on Pynogenol

 Watch pudding break down with digestive enzymes

Oops, I never published this!

So yes, it's March and this is my first post of the year... 

But I've been doing some really good things with my life... So it's all good!

Our house is getting better. So far we have replaced the roof and the porch... Gutted one room... Began removing a fire chimney... Stripped the floor in the upper floor loft... Removed about a quarter of the wallpaper in the guest room... And completely renovated our son's room. It sounds like a lot., but there is still so much to be done. And that is just the house!

I was able to set aside and area to work on my arts and craft projects. I've been making Dreamcatchers, beading and sketching. I painted a watercolor of an Apache Crown Dancer for the Union County Arts Council's local artist showcase... And it SOLD! That was so encouraging and I am a more confident artist! So I went ahead and bought some more watercolor paper, a few canvases and some oil paints as well. I do what I can, when I can. I'm also getting support from other local artists and Native Artist around the country. This support is so important to have because my life is so hectic at times. So, if you're reading this... THANK YOU!

Our business is continuing to grow! We've put a lot of effort, training and time into it this year. Failure is not an option... And we are doing whatever it takes to be a success! There have been challenges, like having a 2 year old at your feet while you're trying to have a webinar... Or late night meetings... Or traveling from Union to Greenville, Columbia, Charlotte, Tampa, Miami and everywhere in between. 

Our biggest challenge is to get people to understand what we do and why we do it...

It boils down to this: we get to be the boss of our own lives. Apollo gets to grow up with both parents around.

Looking at football in a new way

So, it's football season... I never really liked the Washington Redskins, but that was because my Dad hated the team too. Not because of the issue the team is facing today.. Because we are Miami Dolphins fans, that's why!

In the last year or so, I've been asked... And my husband has been asked... What our feeling are about the "Redskins" name. I really hate to answer that question for a number of reasons:

1. I don't want to be "that Indian friend" in conversations. They usually start like this...

"Well, I have an Indian friend that" isn't offended... Doesn't care... Thinks it's not a big deal...

Somehow, if one Native American person isn't offended, it negates the whole debate. 

2. It isn't a battle I have chosen to take on. There are MANY, MANY issues in Indian Country today. It's very easy to become overwhelmed. Some off the top of my head are... Poverty, alcoholism, violence, child welfare, tribal government corruption, rape, diabetes, obesity, nutrition, kidnapping, natural resources, tribal enrollment, tribal recognition, drugs, gambling, education, sacred site... 

3. It's a complex answer... I just don't want to give a 20 minute speech to every person who asks while my 2 year old is in the middle of a melt down ;)

So here it is in a nutshell...

Yes, the Redskins name has a dark history. Not cool at all!

Yes, it is hard to see people parading around in regalia that is reserved to honor our people, our warriors and the creator!

Yes, I hope my children never feel "less than" because the drove by a sign like this!

Yes, I do believe that a great majority of football fans feel that they are somehow honoring Native Americans by using our identity as mascots to signify bravery and strength, etc.

In my home, the Washington Redskins are just a football team. When my son saw this picture he exclaimed "football"! 

Personally. I want my kids to feel about it the way my husband and I do. That we are bigger than some stereotyped Indian mascot. We are Apaches! We are not the costumes you see on Halloween, we are not the Natives you see on "Dances with Wolves". We are not the drunk Indians down the street. We are educated, confident, and successful. When my children look around for a Native American role model, I want them to look at us. To look at other members of my family, like my baby sister and cousins that basically have a free ride to college because of their academic merit. Like my cousins that are single parents, fighting every day to get and give their best to their children. Like my Aunts and Uncles that give their time and energy to the younger generations to make sure we have our culture, our stories... To make sure we are all taken care of, to fight for us.

That, the idiots that think it's ok to marginalized or minimize the distress of those who are offended are just that, idiots....

So yeah, I'm not too upset about the Washington Redskins name... I do however, respect the people who are offended. They are hurting... They are angry... They are fighting for my children to live in a better world. I appreciate them. 

That's my 2 cents.