Naturally Feel Your Best

Sour Cream

2 cups light cream
2 Tablespoon buttermilk

Combine cream with buttermilk in hot, clean glass jar with a lid. (Canning jar that has been boiling in water, for instance.) Cover tightly and shake gently to thoroughly mix. Let stand until thickened (24-48 hours).

Store, covered in refrigerator. Stir before serving. Use within three weeks. Makes two cups.

3 avacadoes peeled and chopped
1 tomato (small) chopped
1 red onion (small) chopped
1/2 C. chopped cilantro
1/2 tsp salt
3-5 cloves garlic (minced)
Juice of 1 lime
1 jalapeno
1 red fresno pepper chopped
1 anaheim pepper chopped

Mashed avacadoes, then add all other ingredients.

note: My family does not care for cilantro, so sometimes I skip the cilantro or lessen the amount.

Good Season’s Italian Dressing
(Dry Mix)
1 TB Garlic salt
1 TB Onion powder
½ tsp Stevia
2 TB Oregano
1 tsp Pepper
¼ tsp thyme
1 tsp Basil
1 TB Parsley
¼ cup celery salt
2 TB Sea Salt

Remaining ingredients
¼ cup Red wine vinegar
¼ cup oil
¼ Cup tomato juice
2 TB Water
2 TB Dry Mix
Shake well.

Keep refrigerated after use.

Fluid and Protein Balance
As blood moves through the arteries and veins, 10% of the fluid filtered by the capillaries, along with vital proteins, becomes trapped in the tissues of the body. This loss of this fluid (approximately 1-2 liters/day) would rapidly become life threatening if the lymphatic system did not properly function. The lymphatic system collects this fluid and returns it to the circulatory system.

Immunity and Spread of Infection.
The lymphatic system plays an integral role in the immune functions of the body. It is the first line of defense against disease. This network of vessels and nodes transports and filters lymph fluid containing antibodies and lymphocytes (good) and bacteria (bad). The body’s first contact with these invaders signals the lymphatics, calling upon this system to orchestrate the way the infection-fighting cells prevent illness and diseases from invading microorganisms.

Digestion
Lymph vessels in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract absorb fats from food. A malfunction of this part of the lymphatic system can result in serious malnutrition. The lymphatic system also impacts diseases such as excessive obesity caused by abnormal fat and carbohydrate metabolism.

Disorders of the Lymphatic System
Lymphatic Disease, Lymphedema and Related Disorders
The most prevalent lymphatic disorder is lymphatic insufficiency, or lymphedema. This is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissue causing swelling, most often in the arm(s) and/or leg(s), and occasionally in other parts of the body. The severity of this disease varies from very mild complications to a disfiguring, painful and disabling condition. In addition, patients are often susceptible to serious life-threatening cellulite infections(deep skin), and if untreated, can spread systemically or require surgical intervention. It remains a lifelong functional problem requiring daily treatment for maintenance. Eventually the skin becomes fibrotic (thickening of the skin and subcutaneous tissues) with loss of normal architecture, function and mobility.

Primary Lymphedema is an inherited condition in approximately 0.6% of live births. The lymphatic vessels are either missing or impaired and can affect from one to as many as four limbs and/or other parts of the body, including internal organs. It can be present at birth, develop at the onset of puberty or present in adulthood, with no apparent causes. Other lymphatic diseases include lipedema, cystic hygromas, lymphangiomas, lymphangiectasias, lymphangiomatosis and other mixed vascular/lymphatic malformation syndromes and conditions, such as Turner-Weber and Klippel Trenauney Syndrome.

Secondary Lymphedema (acquired regional lymphatic insufficiency) is a common problem among adults and children in the United States. It can occur following any trauma, infection or surgery that disrupts the lymphatic channels or results in the loss of lymph nodes. Among the more than 3 million breast cancer survivors alone, acquired or secondary lymphedema is believed to be present in approximately 30% of these individuals, predisposing them to the same long-term problems as described above. Lymphedema also results from prostate, uterine, cervical, abdominal, orthopedic cosmetic (liposuction) and other surgeries, malignant melanoma, and treatments used for both Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Radiation, sports injuries, tattooing, and any physical insult to the lymphatic pathways can also cause lymphedema. Even though lymphatic insufficiency may not immediately present at the time any of the events occur, these individuals are at life-long risk for the onset of lymphedema.

Filariasis is a world health problem resulting from a parasitic-caused infection causing lymphatic insufficiency, and in some cases predisposes elephantiasis. The World Health Organization’s recent efforts to eradicate the spread of infection do not address or eliminate the resulting lymphedema.

Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. The lymphomas are divided into two major categories: Hodgkin lymphoma and all other lymphomas, called non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Lymphomas are cancers that begin by the malignant transformation of a lymphocyte in the lymphatic system. Lymphomas, including Hodgkin lymphoma, result from an acquired injury to the DNA of a lymphocyte. Scientists know that the damage to the DNA occurs after birth and, therefore, is acquired rather than inherited. Lymphomas generally start in lymph nodes or collections of lymphatic tissue in organs like the stomach or intestines. Lymphomas may involve the marrow and the blood in some cases.

Cancer and the Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is critical to the body’s surveillance against cancer. The lymphatic system is one of the most common avenues for the spread of cancer cells throughout the body. Science and medicine will immeasurably add to our ability to conquer cancer when we learn more about how cancer cells influence the development of new lymphatic vessels and pathways, establishing the route for these cells to spread to other parts of the body. This process known as “lymphangiogenesis” is an emerging focus within the scientific cancer research community.

Infection/HIV and the Lymphatic System
HIV and AIDS are directly connected to the lymphatic system. The ability to effectively control HIV requires increased knowledge of the lymphatics. Continued research will lead to an understanding of how infectious organisms invade the lymphatic system and overcome its normal protective role. Greater understanding of the pathways and physiology of the lymphatics, will also increase our ability to deliver antibiotic and anti-viral medication to infected tissues and organs.

Inflammation, Auto-immunity and the Lymphatic System
Inflammatory and auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), scleroderma, Wegener’s granulomatosis, and others are impacted by the lymphatic system. All of these diseases are believed to be connected to an inflammatory process initiated by the body’s immune response. The lymphatic system governs the body’s immune system that normally makes the proteins, called antibodies, to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens. In an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, or arthritis the immune system looses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances (antigens) and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against “self”. These antibodies, called “auto-antibodies”, react with the “self” antigens to form immune complexes. The immune complexes build up in the tissues and can cause inflammation, injury to tissues, and pain. A better understanding of how the system works will greatly increase the possibility of discovering treatments and cures for these diseases as well.

Digestion, Pulmonary Function and the Lymphatic System
Lymphatic insufficiency of the internal organs is a particularly common problem among children who are born with inherited or developmental disorders of the lymphatics. Impairment of lymphatic development in the intestines, for example, leads to malabsorption, ascites (collections of fat-laden lymph within the abdominal cavity), underdevelopment from malnutrion, immune malfunction, and premature death. Disturbed development of lymphatic channels can also exist elsewhere in the body causing serious bodily malfunction, as is the case with pulmonary lymphangiectasia, cystic hygromas and lymphangiomas. Impaired vision, swallowing and breathing difficulties are often complications resulting from these disorders.

Scientific investigation of the lymphatic system will provide preventive and therapeutic benefits for hundreds of millions of people. The Lymphatic Research Foundation fosters and supports research to discover the links between lymphatic function, diseases, and levels of wellness.

What is Candida?

We were told about Candida on one of our first visit to our Naturopathic doctor. We were treated for Candida. Candida Albicans are yeast that causes symptoms ranging from fatigue and weight gain, to joint pain, headaches and gas. Many suffer from this and are unaware they have an overgrowth. We sure didn’t, but it all makes sense.

We discovered that the overuse of antibiotics could possibly have attributed to the overgrowth of Candida. I was also treated with antibiotics during pregnancy for both my children. My daughter was repeatedly prescribed antibiotics for streptococcus and ear infections. She often had yeast infections and the physician prescribed a topical cream. My son had thrush, but we were only told it would go away. I was often sick with pneumonia, sinus infections and mononucleosis. I had huge sugar cravings; I could not resist a sweet passing past my nose.

Candida starts to cause trouble when there is some change in the body that allows it to overgrow. The changes could be anything from a course of antibiotics, diabetes or even as common as a stressful day. Candida is yeast that is part of the gut flora, a group of microorganisms that live in your mouth and intestine. Everyone has it, but when some have an overgrowth….especially if you have been prescribed an antibiotic. The antibiotics are intended to kill harmful things, but along the way, they also kill necessary bacteria. They can cause alterations in the gut flora including an abundance of Candida Yeast, they also tend to suppress the immune system.

An overgrowth of Candida produces toxins that your body’s immune system can struggle to cope with. The wide-ranging side effects include headaches, fatigue, abdominal pain and depression. Our diet of processed food and sweets are partly to blame, but another culprit is the wide use of antibiotics. Children with recurrent ear infections often have a repeated and prolonged use of antibiotics. The most common problems reoccurring after a course of antibiotics is, sinusitis, hypersensitivity, skin problems, poor digestion, flatulence, headaches, fatigue, lower bowel grumbling and of course yeast infections. T

We began our regimen by taking Pleo Alb. and changing our diet.

Raw Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These raw oatmeal raisin cookies are the easiest cookies, and only need five ingredients including water! The coolest thing about them is you don’t even have to cook them! If you are have food allergies, or food sensitivities these don’t have any additives, preservatives, sugar (besides natural sugar from the dried fruit), or any harmful ingredients/ chemicals! If you’re having people over or just want a quick healthy snack, this is the perfect recipe for you!
If you have high food sensitivities you may want to use all organic ingredients!
1/2 cup ground up raw dry oats
1/2 cup organic raisins
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons of water or more until ingredients stick together (if too much water add some more coarse oat flour to make the batter so it will stick together, also may want to add more raisins/dates to keep sweetness if you add more oat flour)
Cut the dates into little pieces (1/2 cup), kind of like little raisins. Grind up the dry whole raw oats into a coarsely ground consistency, so not completely ground to a flower consistency.
Add 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup dates, 1/2 cup coarsely ground oats, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and mix together. Once mixed together add 4 tablespoons of water or enough for the mixture to stick together. Roll into little 1 inch balls. Serve! You can either serve them right away, or wait a little while until the oats absorb all the water and begin to harden. These raw oatmeal raisin cookies taste just like the store bought cookies that have all those harmful additives, preservatives, and harmful ingredients but they are actually healthy! Enjoy!

Raw Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These raw oatmeal raisin cookies are the easiest cookies, and only need five ingredients including water! The coolest thing about them is you don’t even have to cook them! If you are have food allergies, or food sensitivities these don’t have any additives, preservatives, sugar (besides natural sugar from the dried fruit), or any harmful ingredients/ chemicals! If you’re having people over or just want a quick healthy snack, this is the perfect recipe for you!
If you have high food sensitivities you may want to use all organic ingredients!
1/2 cup ground up raw dry oats
1/2 cup organic raisins
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons of water or more until ingredients stick together (if too much water add some more coarse oat flour to make the batter so it will stick together, also may want to add more raisins/dates to keep sweetness if you add more oat flour)
Cut the dates into little pieces (1/2 cup), kind of like little raisins. Grind up the dry whole raw oats into a coarsely ground consistency, so not completely ground to a flower consistency.
Add 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup dates, 1/2 cup coarsely ground oats, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and mix together. Once mixed together add 4 tablespoons of water or enough for the mixture to stick together. Roll into little 1 inch balls. Serve! You can either serve them right away, or wait a little while until the oats absorb all the water and begin to harden. These raw oatmeal raisin cookies taste just like the store bought cookies that have all those harmful additives, preservatives, and harmful ingredients but they are actually healthy! Enjoy!

This article is designed with intent and purpose to provide you with information, based on my own experience. On November 2007, I suddenly felt pain in my left breast, rubbed and discovered a large lump. I made an appointment at our clinic and was referred to a specialist in two days at the hospital for further tests. I rembember feeling fearful for my future, what will I do if aI have a breast lump or cancer, “what about my kids?” I went to the sppointment and while sitting in the waiting room, I observed so many women, like a revolving door walking in and out of a radiation room. I wondered, “is that what I will be doing?” I had a mammogram, which showed a large lump. I had an ultrasound to get a closer look and the fluid was clear and likely not cancer. The physician took a large needle and drained the fluid out of the lump and it disappeared, did it? The physician said, “it may return, these things usually do.” Nothing against the physician, she is doing her job…but isn’t it typical of the medical community to send me on my way without further instruction to keep lumps from returning. They put a band-aid on my lump and I wanted to know why it was there in the first place. Why will it return? The practice to me is similar to , “picking the yellow flower off of a dandelion, the root of the plant still exists. ” Root being, why was it there in the first place.

One year later, another lump and it was in the same location. This time around I was a little more educated in breast lumps and the lymphatic system. I spent numerous hours studying the lymphatic system because of my daughter’s compromised immune system. I was interested in the LymphstarPro for her and when I discovered another lump, I knew the treatments would safely remove the lump and not just the dandelion, but also the root of the problem. I was also researching the harmful affects of radiation from mammograms adn I didn’t want to subject my body to more radiation. Not to mention the large sum of money I paid the hospital to temporarily remove the lump or should I say symptom of a bigger problem. The lump was painful, approximately the size of a grape and it moved around. From my research, I felt confident that the lump was a swollen lymph node and the LymphstarPro would drain the lump naturally. Against resistance from my family and friends to see a conventional physician, I still knew it was the right thing to do. I read and talked to so many people, who experienced healing with the LymphstarPro. I decided to invest in the machine and received professional training on the device. I wanted to make sure the lump was not cancer, so I had a test called a Thermogram, which showed my lymphatic system was very congested and the lump was likely not cancer. This test measures temperature regulation in the body. This was a non-evasive test and no radiation. I began using my LymphstarPro and after about six treatments, each time the lump became noticeably smaller and each time moved downward until it disappeared. The lump was gone, words cannot described the relief and pure joy I expereinced as my lump melted away.

Since working with the LymphstarPro and treating my own lump, I hear and read so many horrow stories about women who treat their lumps the conventional way. Who have lumpectomy’s and the number of problems that occur because part of the lymphatic system was simply romoved. The lymphatic system is similar to road map, pull out a major intersection and where does the traffic go? I am not bashing the medical profession, but just bringing to light an alternative way to treat breast lumps. I have thought alot about this and have come to realize that we as a society have been conditioned or trained to treat symptoms. If we have a headache often, we mask the pain with pain relievers, instead of searching for the root cause of the headache. Please do not misunderstand me. I have a daughter who has diabetes and without endocrinologists who are trained to treat the disease of diabetes, my daughter would not be alive today without his wisdom. There is so much more out there, that is not utilized to treat the root and not mase the symptom. We have a need for all types of medicine and ways to heal our bodies.

More to follow, the site unfortunately became corrupt after an update and I am starting from scratch. Thanks for your patience.