If you had told me a year ago that I would be taking "pills," vitamins, and eating salad... I would have screamed "NO!!!!" I grew up in a home where my mom was always pushing some vitamin or the other and I was not going to fall prey to the latest vitamin fad. How was someone who did not live in my body and did not do any tests on it going to know what my body needed. I was anti-pill and anti-medicine. That is until until I was in pain with no where else to turn but meds. After the meds made things worse than they already were I decided they were not the answer and found an Iridologist and Master Herbalist who could both tell me accurately what was happening in my body and what natural remedies would fix it. So I have come to appreciate herbs as whole foods and value those capsules filled with powdered, bio-available leaves and roots as miracle working gold. I've experienced the results first hand.
It has been quite a journey... almost 11 months since first seeing my natural health practitioner on March 31, 2010 and here I am many little changes later. I thought I would be the last person making some of those changes and even taking classes and starting a business aimed at sharing natural health but here I am. One of my friends has been asking me to chronicle what I have done... so as a short version I am going to go through and list the various steps that I have taken. This list may seem overwhelming to some but I want you to keep in mind that these changes were born out of very small steps... for example finishing my regular deodorant and toothpaste then replacing them with a natural alternative. If you wish to make changes in your life replacement will be key. Some of the work I have already done for you... on my partners page you can find products that I have discovered and used that may be helpful to you. So here goes:
It has been quite a journey... almost 11 months since first seeing my natural health practitioner on March 31, 2010 and here I am many little changes later. I thought I would be the last person making some of those changes and even taking classes and starting a business aimed at sharing natural health but here I am. One of my friends has been asking me to chronicle what I have done... so as a short version I am going to go through and list the various steps that I have taken. This list may seem overwhelming to some but I want you to keep in mind that these changes were born out of very small steps... for example finishing my regular deodorant and toothpaste then replacing them with a natural alternative. If you wish to make changes in your life replacement will be key. Some of the work I have already done for you... on my partners page you can find products that I have discovered and used that may be helpful to you. So here goes:
- EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION... I read many books on endometriosis and fibromyalgia and eventually started taking classes on natural health. This is how I knew when I found a competent natural health practitioner. She has 20 years experience and though I have had my disagreements with her she always ends up right... but I only know that because I read and check it out for myself... this is the most important thing! I also watch DVDs so if reading is not your thing you can still get information in other ways.
- Visited a competent natural health practitioner. Still see her regularly (I get acutherapy treatments from her that are absolutely amazing) along with my chiropractor and massage therapist. I still see my doctor occassionally and was seeing a gynacologist but found that I knew more about my conditions than they did and was frustrated that they had no answers to my tough questions (they are the experts right?), so I use them as a resource for testing and evaluation, but since my health has been in my hands I have been far happier with the results.
- Changed my diet (Blood type diet rules, minus any meat, dairy, sugar... all for very specific reasons other than they were not good for me. Each produces specific reactions in the body that encourage acidity, inflammation or yeast growth, all of which makes endometriosis and fibromyalgia worse).
- Took herbs to repair damage to my body and nourish it.
- Stopped taking birth control - was using it to control endometriosis pain and symptoms but it was not too effective and I found myself getting worse. The herbs had done a lot of work by the time I stopped taking the pill and I was able to have periods with a lot less pain than even when I was on the pill.
- Exercise - kept up with exercise as much as my pain and fatigue would allow.
- Healthy Bras. Started using Jeunique bras that improve breast tone and circulation.
- Anion/FIR pads (Used the liners every day as a healing tool).
- Washing clothes with safe non-toxic eco friendly detergent.
- Avoid handling chemicals or even having them in my house. Once they were done I did not replace them.
- Platinum Energy Systems foot spa (great detox tool, I bought and used it many times)
- Organic foods only (unless eating out... will have a section on GMO/GE soon)
- Planted a lasangna garden (google it, will add bag gardens this year). Used compost and sea soil as base, easy as pie and no digging involved with great results.
- Drink distilled water (big debate on this one... but my personal choice was to go with distilled)
- Ergonomic assessment at work. Found that my ergonomics were causing or aggravating many of my symptoms.
- BioMat - bought and started sleeping on one... infrared is truly amazing for aches and pains.
- Briefly tried laser (which is FIR) but figured that my BioMat was doing the same thing for me and I got a longer treatment and did not have to keep paying for it.
- Stopped using my microwave (I was pro-microwave and did not think I could be convinced otherwise... if you are the same and don't think you can be convinced send me an e-mail... some very simple, barely have to read anything information might change your mind).
- Miessence organic bath and body products (what goes on your skin goes into your body in 26 seconds or less)
- Shower filter - went with a Sprite shower filter... would have liked to go with a vitamin C shower filter but the reviews on them breaking and eventually not working were very discouraging.. sprite was the next best thing (chlorine is linked to dioxin and dioxin is strongly linked to endometriosis... not only does your skin absorb the chlorine but so do your lungs if you are taking a nice hot shower).
- Natural deodorant (Nature's Sunshine has a great one that works amazing)
- Natural toothpaste (I currently make my own using Nature's Sunshine silver guard gel, Dr. Christopher's tooth and gum powder, and a little aluminum free baking soda... but Miessence has a great version if you value convenience)
- EMF protection devices... also see my links page for more information.
- What's NEXT? When I am in the market for new clothes, towels, bedding, furniture etc... I will be making organic responsible choices.