GIRLY GIRL GOES GREEN

HEALTHY ENERGY DRINK COMBATS FATIGUE

2012-01-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

From my personal experience & research, not all energy drinks are created equal. There are several I have discovered that are actually healthy, safe & provide an extra boost of energy.

Recently, I started drinking Peak Endurance, which is a healthy energy drink WITHOUT all the garbage ingredients. It's a grape electrolyte drink mix combining ATP (adenosine triphosphate), electrolytes, B vitamins, vitamin C & phosphorus.

My primary reason for drinking Peak Endurance is to combat disabling fatigue from Fibromyalgia. What I love the most is that it provides me more focus, energy and motivation to help me function better. Most important, Peak Endurance does NOT give me the jitters the way caffeine does & it doesn't cause me to crash the way Red Bull or Monster does.

Compared to the popular electrolyte drink, Gatorade, there is far superior ingredients contained inside Peak Endurance. As far as ingredients, Gatorade contains artificial colors and high fructose corn syrup, which is not the least bit pure or healthy.

I'm going to continue drinking the delicious Peak Endurance in the morning and afternoon to see how I respond and to track my pain level from Fibromyalgia. As far as combating fatigue, Peak Endurance provides me the extra boost I need to accomplish my goals and stay on task. It has made a significant difference for the better in my health!

Copyright © 2009-2012 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved. No part of this blog can be reproduced, copied or distributed without express written permission of the Author.

CYMBALTA BEWARE

2012-01-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

After being prescribed Cymbalta for 1 1/2 years, it was brought to my attention from a new doctor that Cymbalta was SEVERELY INTERACTING with four other medications I was prescribed. The pharmacist stated that I may have Serotonin Syndrome, resulting in too much serotonin in the body and highly dangerous.

In September 2010, my new doctor began to gradually taper Cymbalta. Immediately, I experienced horrifying & debilitating symptoms, which led to two hospitalizations. Presently, I’m one year and one month Cymbalta-FREE and recovering from the long-term medical challenges.

I strongly warn individuals to use great caution if or when they decide to take Cymbalta. Please do NOT rely on your own doctor. While we want to believe that our doctors are looking out for our well-being and health, the disturbing truth is that not all doctors do so. Therefore, it’s important for patients to become their own medical advocate by thoroughly researching medications and seeking second opinions.

If you or a loved one is prescribed Cymbalta, I highly recommend you first do your own research and do NOT rely on your doctor. This year, after experiencing horrific long-term consequences from Cymbalta, I’ve actively researched pharmaceutical data and “real life” documents pertaining to the dangerous outcomes from Cymbalta. According to numerous resources, it’s reported that Cymbalta has the potential of having a paradoxical effect leading to increased anxiety, depression, hostility, dramatic changes in personality & behavior as well as suicidal tendencies.

In 2004, four individuals who took part in a Cymbalta trial study with Eli Lilly had committed suicide. One of the individuals was Tracy Johnson, a 17 year old college student, who had NO medical history of depression, anxiety or suicidal attempts. She took part in the clinical study to earn extra income to pay her college tuition. Prior to participating in the Cymbalta trial, Eli Lilly interviewed possible candidates to “rule out” any medical history of mental illness or unstable behavior and did NOT accept participants who had a history of depression, anxiety and/or suicidal tendencies.

Yet, a healthy, sane, 17 year old girl looking to pay her college tuition had tragically hung herself in the pharmaceutical facility, while she was on her fourth day of a FAST & FURIOUS taper after being administered ABNORMALLY MEGA DOSES of Cymbalta for 20 days. Despite the horrifying fact that Tracy Johnson had apparently taken her own life during her Cymbalta trial, Eli Lilly NEVER took responsibility for her suicide.

The end result: The FDA permitted Eli Lilly to over-medicate participants to a toxic level, quickly stop the medication, neglect monitoring participants and NEVER be held accountable. Needless to say, Cymbalta continues to wreck havoc on lives today.....all the while, BIG PHARMA REAPS MONETARY REWARDS at the expense of consumers health and wellness!

Presently, there is a “BLACK BOX WARNING” on Cymbalta stating that this medication may cause suicidal tendencies and mental health changes in “children and young adults.” However, from my own experience with Cymbalta and from my research, adults are equally vulnerable. PLEASE USE CAUTION WHEN TAKING CYMBALTA. NEVER GO “COLD TURKEY” OFF CYMBALTA AND ALWAYS SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION IF THERE ARE CHANGES IN MOODS, PERSONALITY OR BEHAVIOR. TAKE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

For additional literature pertaining to Cymbalta, psychotropic drugs, suicidal tendencies and resourceful information, visit the following links:

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2005/09/drug_secrets.html

http://articles.latimes.com/2004/apr/02/science/sci-humantest2/3

http://www.notadoc.org/node/102

http://freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=197

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazObF_pHSU&feature=relmfu

http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/cymbalta_drug/index.html

Copyright © 2009-2012 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved. No part of this blog can be reproduced, copied or distributed without express written permission of the Author.

REGAIN YOUR HEALTH, RESTORE YOUR LIFE!

2011-09-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

Life Quotes

More Orkut Picture Scraps
Are you Struggling with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, menopause madness, depression or insomnia? Take back control of your health by choosing the right nutrition & wholefood supplements to regain your health & restore your life.

It's sad that most of our nation believes we must follow our doctors orders without thinking for ourselves or seeking the root of the problem. Why do we give so much power to our medical industry when natural healing is within OUR OWN reach?

I've said, "Goodbye to traditional medicine and Hello to BETTER health!" I'm so very thankful I took my health into my own hands and enhanced my quality of life by doing just that!

If you are sick & tired of feeling sick & tired, it's time to stop the vicious cycle. You owe it to yourself & your family to live life fully. If you keep doing what you have been doing and not receiving positive results, isn't it time for a change?

Copyright © 2009-2012 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved. No part of this blog can be reproduced, copied or distributed without express written permission of the Author.

DOES YOUR DOCTOR KNOW WHAT'S BEST?

2011-09-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

Over 18 years ago, I deeply desired a rewarding occupation in which I could help others and touch their lives in a positive way. This is how I decided to pursue a career as a Certified Medical Assistant in 1993 and go back to school to become a Surgical Technician in 2001.

Professionally, I've worked in family practice, cardiology, ENT, dermatology, cosmetic surgery, a hospital lab, endoscopy unit and the OR. Although, I did enjoy working in the medical industry and helping others, eventually, I came to realize the medical field is not all its cracked up to be.

Our society is told to "listen & obey your doctor because he/she knows what is best." The ugly truth is that many doctors have their own agenda, which does NOT have the patient's best interests at heart.

Seeking to find medical facts, I began my resourceful journey in pursuit of medical research. The information I discovered confirmed my suspicion....the pharmaceutical industry, the medical community & the FDA has their own personal agenda in which they want their patients FOR LIFE.

What a better way then psychotropic, mind-warping, powerfully addictive drugs or pain killers? Once you're hooked, you will experience the exact same symptoms, which you were trying to avoid in the first place. If you're taking antidepressants or benzodiazepine medications for depression or anxiety, guess what?

These very symptoms, which led you to seek medical treatment, will literally send you straight to HELL ON EARTH. These psychotropic drugs have a high potential to physically, cognitively and emotionally IMPAIR you.

If that's not bad enough, these medications are documented on their website that they have the high potential of causing suicidal tendencies along with severe changes in your personality and behaviors. If you try to go "cold turkey" off these dangerous drugs, due to your doctor NOT supporting you in your attempt to regain your physical, cognitive, emotional & spiritual life, BEWARE. I highly recommend a very gradual taper, instead of going "cold turkey", which is unsafe & potentially life-threatening.

I'm appalled the medical community overly-prescribes medications, including pain medications & all psych-medications. Unfortunately, this has become a major concern, especially in the US. How very pitiful & downright BARBARIC our nation has become to permit medical professionals to have such a powerful control over our bodies, minds & cognitive functions.

News Flash: Our CHILDREN & TEENAGERS are the #1 TARGET for the pharmaceutical companies & mental health professionals. While they are happily writing scripts for our kids, they are reaping financial rewards. Well, you can bank on it that the drug reps primary motive is REAPING ALL THE MONETARY REWARDS....FOR LIFE, while innocent children & teens, not to mention every age group, are unknowingly following the doctors orders....the doctor knows whats best, right?

Sadly, this couldn't be the FURTHEST from the truth. However, it's NOT to say that all doctors are totally heartless, greedy or unprofessional because a there are many excellent medical professionals who are working hard to pave a new path for others to follow, but it's a long journey for these medical pioneers and they can't do it alone when 95% of the nation is in the dark. My best suggestion is to OPEN YOUR EYES to clearly see the TRUTH and YOUR EARS to clearly hear the TRUTH.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, determine for YOURSELF what is best for you and do your own homework to check out all medical procedures and pharmaceutical medications in advance. I encourage you to become YOUR medical advocate and look out for your BEST interest! In reality, it may save your life.

NOTE: THIS BLOG IS NOT TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT OR TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. ALL QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS MUST BE ADDRESSED BY YOUR HOLISTIC OR TRADITIONAL DOCTOR.

Copyright © 2009-2011 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

GIRLY GIRL GOES GLUTEN-FREE!

2011-06-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

After years of challenging symptoms, I've discovered that the hidden culprit may be Celiac Disease. I'm amazed how closely related the symptoms of Celiac Disease are to Fibromyalgia symptoms. WOW! How did the doctors miss this???

Both conditions share multiple similarities, including loss of vitality, fatigue, insomnia, brain fog, GI distress, heartburn, IBS, nausea, thyroid conditions, various allergies, sensitivities to foods & chemicals, thin hair & loss of hair, dermatological conditions, brittle & weak nails, muscle pain & tenderness, muscle wasting away, muscle spasms & cramps, muscle weakness, anxiety, depression, memory loss, irritability, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, inability to concentrate, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, early menopause, PMS, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspareunia, Amenorrhea, lack of motivation, restlessness, nervousness & scattered thinking. Good heavens, this explains everything!

Looks like this Girly Girls is Going GLUTEN-FREE!!! Join me as I learn more about Celiac Disease & practicing a gluten-free lifestyle! All gluten-free recipes, brands, websites & products are welcomed!!!

Copyright © 2009-2011 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

FIBROMYALGIA JOURNEY TO HELL

2011-05-04T22:40:00.000-07:00

After receiving a diagnosis of fibromyalgia in March 2008, I waited one year before considering prescription medication for treatment. During my first year living with fibromyalgia, I truly struggled physically and emotionally with this new diagnosis. There was a part of me that refused to stop living the way I was used to living, but fibro flareups got the best of me.

Eventually, through time and repeated fibro flareups, I finally came to the heart-wrenching point of acceptance. Sure, I carried on for months with childish kicking and screaming, along with pure stubbornness, but sooner or later, I was ready to accept living with fibromyalgia. It was either that or be miserable so I chose acceptance!

While everyone was celebrating the new year making promising resolutions, I started taking Cymbalta in 2009 with the goal to reduce fibromyalgia pain. A few short months after I began Cymbalta, I was no longer feeling like my outgoing, cheerful self. Unexpectedly, alarming negative changes began to take place. Suddenly, I didn't know who I turned into, but I guarantee I didn't like her! After taking Cymbalta, I became extremely irritable, anxious, overly sensitive, highly depressed and downright mean. Imagine living with PMS every day, 24/7, except much more EXPLOSIVE!

When I discussed my concern with my FMS specialist and requested to discontinue Cymbalta, she unexpectedly "dismissed me" as her patient. For 4 months, I went from doctor to doctor, actively seeking appropriate medical attention, but NOT one single doctor agreed to discontinue Cymbalta. Instead, they politely tried to pass me to another physician. Yet, NONE were remotely willing to LISTEN to me or my list of horrendous side effects directly rooted to Cymbalta.

Here is a portion of the Cymbalta warning. To view the entire warning, please visit the Cymbalta website listed below. Remember to contact a healthcare provider immediately if you have the following symptoms, especially if they're new or worse:

• thoughts about suicide or dying
• new or worse depression
• new or worse anxiety
• feeling very agitated or restless
• panic attacks
• trouble sleeping
• new or worse irritability
• acting aggressive, angry or violent

http://www.cymbalta.com/index.jsp

Why are there pharmaceutical warnings on medications when healthcare providers NEGLECT to acknowledge and treat potentially LIFE-THREATENING symptoms? The alarming symptoms I encountered were the IDENTICAL dangerous symptoms listed in the Cymbalta warning. All the while, the health care professionals involved with my medical treatment DISREGARDED all of my persistent cries and pleas for help.

Unfortunately, without proper medical intervention, I was left to suffer for two years in my fibromyalgia journey to hell. This agonizing nightmare went on, until my first appointment with a new doctor in September 2010. All the other doctors ignored me. Thank the Lord, my new doctor recognized a medication error and he initiated my pharmacist to get involved.

My pharmacist checked all 5 of my prescribed medications to reveal Cymbalta was SEVERELY INTERACTING with every single one. She commented that I may have an over abundance of serotonin in my system, also known as serotonin syndrome. The reason it took my pharmacist two years to figure this out is beyond comprehension?

Following two tormenting years of living hell, my new doctor began to gradually taper Cymbalta. By slowly weaning off Cymbalta, instead of going "cold turkey", I never encountered increased muscular pain. However, just as the Cymbalta website stipulates the potential for suicidal tendencies in children, my emotional well-being spiraled viciously out of control. Obviously, suicidal tendencies may occur in adults as well as children. By the 4th week of my Cymbalta taper, I reached rock bottom....

Stay tune for the continuation of my Fibromyalgia Journey To Hell. Forgive me for not completing this portion, yet. My intentions were great, but my timing was poor.

NOTE: This blog is not to evaluate, diagnosis or treat medical conditions. If you or a family member are prescribed Cymbalta, keep in mind that each individual is unique and no one responds exactly the same to medication. What works well for one may not work well for others. Never go "cold turkey" off any medication, due to the potential dangerous side effects. When in doubt, always consult with your traditional or holistic physician regarding your medication, side effects, possible drug interactions or negative symptoms.

Copyright © 2011 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

CYMBALTA: The Nightmare From Hell!

2011-04-22T03:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

I have not been writing actively on Girly Girl Goes Green, due to medical complications. Here is an update regarding my medical challenges:

In January 2009, my doctor prescribed Cymbalta to treat fibromyalgia (FMS). After a few short months, I encountered serious negative symptoms, including severe anxiety, depression, irritability, major changes in my personality and worse brain fog. Immediately, I informed my FMS specialist. To my surprise, she refused to discontinue Cymbalta & she wouldn't help me taper.

For 4 difficult months, I went from doctor to doctor trying to find someone to help me gradually wean off Cymbalta. I would have independently stopped Cymbalta, except the pharmaceutical literature warns against this. In desperation, I attempted to wean Cymbalta, but I ran out of medication and I experienced a painful fibro flareup, which had my pain level skyrocketing higher than a level 10!

The end result: After struggling with ongoing debilitating symptoms with Cymbalta for over 1 1/2 years, I obtained a new doctor who asked my pharmacist to check all my medications for possible interactions. This was a GOD-SEND!

The pharmacist informed me that Cymbalta was SEVERELY interacting with all four medications I was taking. She thought I was suffering Serotonin Syndrome. This could explain my nightmare from hell!

What outrages me is the fact that I verbally communicated my negative symptoms to each of my doctors & clearly stated my intention to discontinue Cymbalta. Yet, NOT one single medical professional would take the time to LISTEN to me, CHECK the Cymbalta WARNINGS or consider the CHEMICAL INTERACTIONS from other medications.

Under NO circumstance should it take over 1 1/2 years for a doctor and pharmacist to discover a severe drug interaction, especially when the patient is apparently NOT well and complaining!!! The unfortunate and sad reality is that I'm not alone in this agonizing Cymbalta nightmare from hell....thousands upon thousands suffer right along with me every single day...BEGGING for help....PLEADING for someone to LISTEN and FEARFULLY watching their lives fall apart right before their very eyes.

In September 2010, aftere I was informed that Cymbalta was severely interacting with all of my medications, my new doctor directed me to slowly taper Cymbalta, until I was completely free. Thank God for this new doctor because if it hadn't been for him, I'd still be stuck in Cymbalta hell! (Or worse....DEAD!)

Currently, I have a long road of recovery ahead of me. I've discovered the combination of drug interactions were far worse than we anticipated. Prior to my taper off Cymbalta, my urologist prescribed Cipro to treat a UTI. When Cipro is combined with Cymbalta, extremely dangerous interactions occur. There is a high potential for physical, emotional & cognitive impairment.

If I had been aware of this medical warning, I never would have agreed to take Cipro in combination with Cymbalta. Once again, I can't help question why the pharmacist or urologist did NOT inform me about the potential dangers? How preposterous that patients have to become medically proficient in pharmaceutical terminology, drug interactions and toxic chemical side effects WITHOUT ever stepping a foot in medical school!

If you or anyone you know is prescribed Cymbalta, be aware of the warnings involved with this drug, educate yourself on the 500 negative side effects and take extra caution when you are prescribed more than one drug. In addition, please be aware of the high potential for physical, emotional & cognitive impairment.

For more information, check out Cymbalta Withdrawal Horror Stories on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cymbalta-Withdrawal-Horror-Stories/312565197797

Copyright © 2011 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

CONQUER CANDIDA NATURALLY!

2010-09-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

Whether you are young or old, candida albicans (a type of yeast-like fungus), lives in each of us. The good news is that as long as we are healthy, it is not a problem. However, certain culprits, such as antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills, immune suppressing drugs, synthetic estrogen and poor nutrition may promote candida overgrowth. When this happens, our body is no longer balanced with the good bacteria versus the bad bacteria.

When our immune system is vulnerable and there is an overabundance of candida destroying the perfect balance in our body, we may encounter numerous negative symptoms. The unpleasant symptoms of candidiasis may vary individually, but the common symptoms include brain fog, chemical sensitivity, depression, dizziness, headaches, recurrent UTI, muscle & joint pain, chronic fatigue, craving for breads and sugars, extreme mood swings, hypoglycemia, vaginal yeast infection, oral thrush, diarrhea or constipation, anal itching, short-term memory loss, bloating and G.I. distress.

When something has gone awry and the candida bacteria has grown rampant, consider these safe and natural options to CONQUER CANDIDA:

1) DIETARY CHANGES: Yeast thrives on sugar so the #1 trick to conquer candida is to ELIMINATE SUGAR. In addition, eliminate artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, honey, baked goods, refined carbohydrates, cheese, dried fruits, fruit juices, melons, mushrooms, peanuts, wheat, rye, milk, alcoholic & caffeinated beverages, potatoes, mushrooms and vinegar. Instead, eat organic yogurt with live bacterial cultures, fresh fish, hormone-free/organic poultry & meat, fresh organic vegetables, organic brown rice, organic eggs, organic seeds and organic herbal teas.

2) LIFESTYLE FACTORS: Avoid pantyhose, tight-fitting clothing, wearing a damp swimsuit, silky/synthetic underpants, scented soap, scented bubble bath, scented toilet paper and scented feminine hygiene products. Instead, wear cotton underpants and consider thigh highs as an alternative for pantyhose. In addition, consider switching to non-scented products for EVERYTHING, including soap, toilet paper, tissue, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent and fabric softener. Remember to promptly remove your damp swimsuit immediately after swimming because yeast thrives in moist, damp environments. Lastly, avoid soaking in scented bubble bath & scented bath salts. It is recommended to take showers instead of baths for prevention of chronic candida.

3) HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS: There are a wide variety of excellent herbs, natural supplements and homeopathic medicines to help alleviate the discomfort and challenge of yeast infections. My top suggestions for permanently conquering candida naturally include high quality probiotics/acidophilus, certified organic coconut oil, caprylic acid, garlic and pau d'arco.

Keep in mind, each individual will respond differently to the yeast-free diet and natural supplements. Although, there is a huge selection of OTC medications retailed for treating yeast infections, most of them merely RELIEVE the symptoms TEMPORARILY.

However, the ultimate GOAL is to PERMANENTLY RESOLVE CANDIDA OVERGROWTH by actively pursuing a yeast-free diet, lifestyle and candida-conquering supplementation. By doing so, you will reap the great rewards of leading a healthy vibrant life!

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this information is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist or holistic practitioner before using any medication, natural remedies, supplements or treatments suggested by anyone on this site.

Copyright © 2010-2011 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

TEA TREE TESTIMONY

2010-04-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, I noticed a small red bump on my skin. It was located in the center of my clavicle and chest area. Whenever I would wear V-neck clothing, this red bump was easily seen by others.

At first, the little bump looked and felt like a pimple so I actively began applying the ingredient, sulfur, directly onto the area each night. It started to work and began to heal, but within one month, it was back!

Again, I applied sulfur to treat the area each night for several weeks. To my surprise, the pimple would not heal successfully. For one year, I persistently applied every anti-acne solution available, such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, yet, this stubborn red bump refused to heal!

Finally, I tried making an appointment to have a dermatologist look at the red bump to determine exactly what it was. While on the telephone with the dermatology office, I was asked to describe my skin condition.

At this point, the little bump had grown much larger, much more inflamed and it no longer looked like a simple pimple. I described the unpleasant appearance to the medical assistant over the phone and she stated that it was probably a sebaceous cyst. Then she kindly informed me that I would need to have this surgically removed by a cosmetic surgeon, NOT a dermatologist.

Therefore, I contacted a local cosmetic surgeon and made an appointment. A few weeks later, a plastic surgeon examined my skin condition and confidently confirmed that the inflamed large bump was an infected sebaceous cyst. He advised me to have the infected sebaceous cyst surgically removed in which I scheduled an upcoming appointment for this outpatient medical procedure.

As I was driving home, I thought to myself, "Good grief! This little itty bitty pimple has turned into a BIG nightmare!" Suddenly, it occurred to me......Oh, my gosh.....Once the cosmetic surgeon surgically removes this sebaceous cyst, I will have an unattractive SCAR smack in the middle of my upper chest!

By the time I arrived home, I made up my mind that drastic circumstances call for drastic measures. In utter desperation, I quickly searched my endless stash of alternative health products, until I found my jar of organic TEA TREE OIL SKIN OINTMENT made by Desert Essence.

Starting that evening, on a regular basis, I began applying the TEA TREE OIL SKIN OINTMENT to the infected area on my skin. Faithfully, I practiced this method every single morning and night for several weeks in complete determination to purposely avoid surgery.

According to HomeRemediesWeb.com, "Tea Tree Oil has wonderful properties that makes it a popular natural agent for curing all three types of infectious organisms: fungus, bacteria, and virus. More importantly, it is known to effectively fight a number of infections that are resistant to some antibiotics. Therefore, Tea Tree Oil is an excellent natural remedy for hundreds of bacterial and fungal skin ailments such as acne, abscess, oily skin, blisters, sun burns, athlete's foot, warts, herpes, insect bites, rashes, dandruff and other minor wounds and irritations."

After several weeks of consistently applying the Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Skin Ointment to my infected sebaceous cyst, I began to surprisingly discover for myself the fascinating properties of Tea Tree Oil. Almost like magic, this large, inflamed sebaceous cyst began to heal! Amazingly, the TEA TREE OIL SKIN OINTMENT miraculously healed my sebaceous cyst within a short time!

This is my true testimony on how organic Tea Tree Oil can truly heal infected skin conditions. The BEST news of all is that I never had to be subjected to surgery or get stuck with an unsightly scar!

So there you have it, girlfriends! The next time you discover unwanted acne, blisters, warts, itchy rashes, insect bites or minor skin conditions, consider the alternative option of pure Tea Tree Oil for successful healing!

NOTE: IF YOU, A LOVED ONE OR A FRIEND ENCOUNTER RASHES, BURNS, INSECT BITES OR SUSPICIOUS SKIN CONDITIONS, PLEASE CONSULT A MEDICAL OR HOLISTIC PROFESSIONAL FOR A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.

Copyright © 2010 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

CHECK THIS OUT: TOP 10 TOXIC PRODUCTS TO AVOID!

2010-03-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

What I love so much about being a girly girl who believes in greener living is that I always bump into other individuals who have the same passion! There is nothing better than meeting someone new online, shopping at Whole Foods or at a social gathering to discover that both of us have a passion for living FREE from toxins, harsh chemicals, hormones, steroids, artificial colors & harmful ingredients.

This evening, as I was reading my list of favorite blogs on blogspot.com, I immediately noticed one blogspot, "Whisper...can you hear...", had a very interesting post titled TOP 10 TOXIC PRODUCTS YOU DON'T NEED. Since I am a huge believer in avoiding toxic ingredients, I wanted to take the time to read this post.

After reading about the top 10 toxic products, I was very impressed! The post was very thorough, educational, informative and I highly recommend others to stop by and check it out for yourself. Here is the link: http://fhhc.blogspot.com/

Education is knowledge....Knowledge is power....Take time today to EMPOWER yourself to learn more about how you & your loved ones can live HEALTHIER, SAFER and TOXIC-FREE!

WHAT MY WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESS HAS TAUGHT ME.....

2010-01-17T10:48:00.000-08:00

As I excitedly rang in the new year to celebrate 2010 with my family, I decided to not follow the common tradition of making new year resolutions. Instead, I decided to focus on a few major goals to provide me a higher quality of living this year.

Last year, I was excited to have made dramatic changes in my health and wellness by eating more organic, raw and whole foods following an anti-yeast diet. Once I became determined to practice my new lifestyle, I began walking outdoors, swimming, eating nutritiously, taking healthy supplements and staying more active.

After following this new wellness plan for over four months, I was thrilled to gradually lose a total of 26 lbs. It was the highlight of 2009!

Fortunately, I have been able to maintain my weight for eight months. However, I am no longer following the intense anti-yeast diet. In reality, the strict diet required me to eliminate a large amount of food groups and I became bored with eating the same foods day in and day out.

No doubt, it was a tough diet to stick with for a lengthy amount of time and I discovered that I definitely need variety in my diet. Therefore, I made new changes in my wellness plan to begin eating a wider variety of foods to "spice up" my life!

What works best for me is balancing healthy, nutritious foods with the occasional tempting indulgences, such as pizza, dark chocolate or Mexican food. My motto is "WHATEVER WORKS!"

Have you made traditional new year's resolutions? If so, was weight loss, fitness or wellness part of your plan? My suggestion is to consider choosing 1-2 primary goals for yourself, instead of a long list of unrealistic idea's about what you should or should not do. Keep it simple and attainable!

Begin by writing your goals onto an index card to post throughout your home. For instance, I posted my goals on my bedroom mirror and bathroom mirror. Another idea is to post your wellness goals on your car dash board, on your refrigerator or on your desk where you will continually be reminded of your goals.

If you are like my sister, Doreen, you may feel the urge to bring your 2010 goals to a whole new level by adding creativity and self-discipline. As a teenager, Doreen was extremely frustrated with her weight. When she encountered road blocks with dieting, she radically bumped up her weight loss goals to take drastic measures into her own hands.

I will never forget the incident in which my sister wrapped duct tape around our refrigerator door to prevent herself from overeating! Another hysterical weight loss trick that my sister practiced in an attempt to work off extra pounds was to firmly roll plastic wrap all around her body prior to exercising to increase perspiration. (Hey, I give my sister extra credit for coming up with those brilliant idea's!)

Although, Doreen struggled with losing weight as a teenager, she successfully lost 122 lbs after spending one year actively following a low fat diet, walking outdoors, persevering and overcoming rough challenges. Doreen looks amazing! I am in absolute AWE at how dedicated she was to dramatically take charge of her health and make a positive difference in her life!

To read more about my sister's inspirational weight loss journey, read "SEASONS OF CHANGE" at this link:
http://writing4theheart-n-soul.blogspot.com/2009/04/fabulously-fat-free.html

It was Doreen's incredible weight loss success that encouraged me to try to eat healthier and exercise more often. I knew in my heart that if my sister could lose 122 lbs by changing her diet, reducing calories and becoming more active then I could lose weight, too.

When I began eating organic, raw, whole foods, started walking outdoors 3-4 times per week and began aqua therapy, I was truly aiming to lose 10 lbs. I can imagine right now that some of you readers are wondering, "ONLY 10 LBS? FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, THAT IS NO BIG DEAL!"

Actually, I am feeling quite ashamed to confess this, but I did not believe that I could ever lose weight, even 10 lbs, last year. While it may sound ridiculous or pathetic, I truly reached the lowest time in my life when my weight had relentlessly climbed shockingly high to the point of people asking me if I were PREGNANT! No joke! Talk about the most HUMILIATING experience to suffer in public!

Without going into an in depth story, much of my weight gain occurred from 11/06 to 3/09 when I had been diagnosed with 4 bulging discs, advanced degenerative disc disease, sciatica, wacky hormonal imbalances and fibromyalgia. (If that isn't enough to send the average female frantically over the edge, I don't know what will!)

The moment I began taking steroids to reduce my chronic pain and inflammation, my petite and thin body suddenly blew up two sizes overnight! Alright.....that may be a teeny weeny bit exaggerated.....But I did gain much weight rather quickly.

Keeping that in mind, you can probably understand how frustrated I felt when I had to buy clothes 2-3 sizes larger than what I had previously worn. Sadly, I went from wearing size 6 to wearing size 12. My passion for shopping at the local mall and trying on new trendy clothes suddenly became a NIGHTMARE!

As I recall the physically and emotionally painful challenges that I was coping with for three years, my turning point was in March 2009 when I made the bold decision to have more faith in God, have more faith in myself, to push forward and to change the direction of my life.

When I confidently took that very first step to actively make positive changes in my life physically, spiritually and emotionally, I made a realistic list of helpful steps that would eventually lead me to a higher quality of life. By organizing a realistic plan, taking one step at a time, I kept my focus NOT on what I was sacrificing, such as delicious cakes, greasy burgers, creamy milkshakes, addictive Starbuck's latte's and spicy Mexican burritos. Rather, I kept my focus on what I would GAIN!

In my mind, I could clearly see myself in the near future being healthier, happier, stronger in faith, slender and living a life with purpose. I had no doubt in my mind that what I was gaining was far more meaningful, positive and life-changing than what I would sacrifice to reach my goals.

There were occasional times, in the beginning of my organic, yeast-free diet, I used to stroll through my favorite dress shops and longingly admire the adorable fashions in smaller sizes. Silently, I would cheer myself on by saying,"DON'T GIVE UP HOPE! YOU CAN CAN DO IT!"

The most exciting moment was when my size 10-12 jeans were too big to wear! After one month of consistently consuming organic, pure, nutritious foods, enjoying all of the wonderful recipes and staying physically active, the hard work was actually paying off!

Within two months of persevering with my new lifestyle goals, I was no longer able to wear any of my larger clothes. As I tried on my dresses, slacks, blouses, jeans and shorts, I was delighted to look in my bedroom mirror to see my large-sized clothes slide off of me because they were all too big! What a better way to celebrate this exciting victory then to go on a fabulous shopping spree?

What I have learned about myself in 2009 is that I have far more determination and faith than I give myself credit for. No matter how difficult life may become, living with chronic pain, trying to eat healthier foods, forcing myself to walk outdoors for 30 minutes or go to aqua therapy for warm water exercises in hope to improve my life, God has continually been my comfort and strength.

Another meaningful lesson that I learned is that regardless of my weight, size, shape, color of skin or color of hair, my Heavenly Father loves me unconditionally. No matter how distorted the world views beauty, in God's eyes we are all BEAUTIFUL, RADIANT, ACCEPTED, CHERISHED and ETERNALLY SIGNIFICANT.

The bible says in Psalm 45:11 "The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." Can you imagine that......God doesn't just think that you are special, He is downright ENTHRALLED with YOUR beauty! This is something SPECTACULAR to jump up and down about, sisters!

If this new year finds you frustrated, disappointed or teary-eyed as you look at your reflection in the mirror, I want to encourage you to begin looking at yourself through a brand new lens: THE EYES OF GOD.

Instead of criticizing yourself or silently thinking negatively about your appearance, stop to take 5-10 minutes to sincerely view yourself through God's eyes. When you begin opening up your eyes to see yourself through a brand new lens, you will clearly see yourself become transparent right before your very eyes.

For it is only when we clearly see ourselves through God's eyes, we are able to look beyond our outer appearance to discover deep within the core of our heart and soul who we really are.

Copyright © 2010 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

THE GIFT OF HEALTH.....

2009-12-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

As we draw closer to celebrating the birth of Jesus this Christmas Day, most of us are caught up in all the hustle & bustle of the busy holiday season. Usually, the day after Thanksgiving, we no longer relax to enjoy the delicious leftover turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy. Instead, some of us brave souls are out the front door before 4 AM to hit the local mall searching out the best bargains!

While our families are all nestled safely in their warm and cozy beds, we are dashing through the crowded malls or shopping centers hoping to discover fabulous gift idea's at huge discounted rates! If you are a savvy shopper with the art of finding thrifty sales, you may have been one of the fortunate individuals to arrive home with a smile upon your face, instead of feeling utterly exhausted and frowning at the reality that you risked the nightmare of "Black Friday!"

Perhaps, during the frantic festivities of the holiday season, we have accidentally missed quality sleep, we unintentionally overspent, we shockingly observed radical behaviors, while standing in long lines and we have found ourselves near the brink of losing patience as we overhear a screaming toddler loudly argue with his ragged mother over a pack of bubble gum? No doubt, after sitting endlessly in the slow-moving traffic, we rush home to quickly wrap our bundle of Christmas gifts in earnest preparation for Christmas Day.

Earlier this month, on a cold blustery evening, as I sat at my desk, I suddenly had a life-changing revelation that struck me so intensely that it had me in tears. While I was typing a letter to respond to a friend's email, every sense within my very being was dramatically aware of God gently whispering a profound word to clearly reveal what matters MOST in my life.

Audibly, I did not hear God speak. Yet, physically, I did sense His loving omnipotent presence surrounding me with comfort, warmth and authority. All focus was on the truth that He shared. There were no interruptions or distracting noises. It was as if time instantly stopped for a moment in time to dramatically capture my utmost attention and I was soaking in the reality of what my Heavenly Father's powerful words meant to me.

As I sat quietly at my wooden desk, pondering the astonishing revelation, I quickly walked into my bedroom, shut the door for privacy and knelt down beside my bed. Repeatedly, God's message ran through my mind. His amazing revelation may not sound brilliant, earthshaking or important to others, but to me, the unspoken message touched me to the very core of my heart, mind, body and soul.

Tears softly ran down my cheeks as I reflected on the clarity of His profound words, which revealed that on December 21, 2009, as I celebrate another birthday right before Christmas Day that the ONLY thing mattering most in my life is THE GIFT OF HEALTH. Sobbing in grief, I cried for the loss of my health that had previously altered my life two in half years ago to lead me down a path of enduring chronic physical pain, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, fear, anger, frustration and sadness.

What mattered MOST was not to receive fame, fortune, youthful beauty, an exciting tropical vacation or a dream job of being a successful writer. What mattered MOST was to physically, emotionally and spiritually have a higher quality of life. These simple, yet insightful words, spoke volumes to clearly face the revelation that all I want for my birthday, for Christmas and for 2010 is THE GIFT OF HEALTH.

From that moment on, I have spent quality time praying about my health, my future, God's purpose for me and the unexpected medical difficulties that have turned my life upside down. As I cried out to the Lord, I prayed about the daily challenges of coping with all the aches and pains of fibromyalgia, four bulging discs, ADHD and depression.

While I boldly prayed for Jesus to have His will and His way in my life, I earnestly talked to about how I want so desperately to live MORE passionately for Christ, to share His unconditional love to the lost, to energetically travel to foreign countries to gently care for the homeless and starving families who are not even permitted to own a bible and I prayed that I may have the exciting opportunity to reach out to confused teenage girls to share that God has created them to be beautiful, cherished, acceptable and eternally significant, regardless that our worldly society has distorted the meaning of beauty.

Softly, God whispered, "My dear child, it is right NOW that I may use you as a glorious vessel to reach the lonely, to save the lost, to help the starving and to serve the homeless. For it is through my divine strength and holy spirit that resides in you to go forth into this world, to share the gospel, all the while living with chronic pain, earthly challenges and loss of health.

My gift to you is ME........IMMANUEL,ABBA FATHER, KING OF ALL KINGS, THE ALPHA & OMEGA, THE AUTHOR OF LIFE, THE BEGINNING & THE END, THE LAMB OF GOD, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, THE RESURRECTION & LIFE, SON OF THE MOST HIGH and THE MORNING STAR.

Smiling to myself, I become fully aware with the knowledge that I had just been blessed by experiencing what I consider a "divine appointment" with God. Slowly, I dry my wet cheeks, look up to the heavens and praise Jesus Christ for once again, being my miraculous Savior. It is in these little quiet moments of hearing God, sensing His presence, allowing Him to gently nudge me onto the right path to deepen my faith, my hope and my trust in Him that He takes hold of my life to fill my body, mind, heart and soul with the peace that surpasses all knowledge.

MAY YOU & YOUR FAMILY BE BLESSED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH GOD'S LOVE & PEACE.

Copyright © 2009 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

SIMPLE WAYS TO TRIGGER "FEEL GOOD" CHEMICALS!

2009-10-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

Life Quotes

More Orkut Picture Scraps
Exercise is my perfect way to reduce stress. Whether I am briskly walking 30-60 minutes outdoors, doing aerobics, gentle stretching or practicing warm water exercise in a heated pool, exercise is the best way to improve my MOOD, ATTITUDE & FRAME OF MIND!

Several years ago, my girlfriend and I signed up together to take a yoga class at the community college. For me, I preferred brisk walking, low impact aerobics and aqua therapy compared to yoga, but I have heard of others who find yoga to be a very excellent way of reducing stress. It is not so much the exact form of exercise, but rather finding what works for you best!

Now that the Pittsburgh weather is turning much colder, more damp and frequent rain, it has become challenging to enjoy the outdoors. I would love to join a local gym to use the equipment and make the most of the heated pool during the winter months.

I decided to do a little research on the topic of "feel good chemicals" since most individuals enjoy feeling good. According to CNN, "researchers have found that eating chocolate, the number one food craved by American women, causes the brain to release endorphins, chemicals that make us feel good. So we eat chocolate to release and experience pleasure and as a result, we crave chocolate. We want chocolate in times of stress, anxiety, pain and so on. Chocolate is a natural analgesic, or pain killer." (As for me, I crave organic, dark chocolate!)

In a very interesting article posted on AssociateContent.com, titled,"ENDORPHINS: MOOD LIFTERS & DEPRESSION BUSTERS" written by Marilisa Kinney Satchteleben, she stated that the body releases endorphins during strenuous exercise, excitement, fear, pain and orgasm. Her article is summed up by suggesting that the best method to trigger endorphins and in order to feel good, "All you need to do is be constantly running, suffering, terrified or having sex." (I think that I will pass on suffering and being terrified!)

Although, I do NOT recommend this method to trigger your "feel good" endorphins, some classic ways are by the use of morphine, heroine and cocaine. Instead of choosing this extremely addictive method, here are a few ENJOYABLE and SAFER options to release endorphins to have you feeling good in no time at all!

1) The direct result of the power of positive thinking can literally release "feel good" chemicals. Our thoughts truly do have an huge impact on how we feel emotionally and physically. If you want to feel good, begin by changing your thought patterns to become more positive. Practice positive affirmations and post them at locations in your workplace, home and car so you will constantly be reminded of focusing on the positive!

2) Have you ever heard of "runners high?" Well, the good news is that exercise, whether it is running, swimming, aerobics, lifting weights or playing tennis, will release the "feel good" endorphins. The main point is to get your body moving consistently because research has proved that this will stimulate a very positive result.

3) According to Dr. Fuhrman from yourtotalhealth.com, he states, "I personally think that having an orgasm is a great way to get a rush of endorphins. You may have to run for an hour to get a runner's high, depending on your body. Sex is less effort, even if it's a quickie." (Hey, it doesn't hurt to inform your spouse that this is beneficial for BOTH of you!)

4) Are you a risk-taking & adventurous individual? Whether you're watching a horror movie with your hand over your eyes or feeling a rush of wind in your hair as you plummet down a steep incline on a roller coaster, fear releases endorphins. Most individuals are not looking to experience intense fear, just fun! So if you are a daredevil, I dare you to go parachute jumping, bunging jumping, hang gliding, visit an amusement park or go deep sea diving to get your immediate RUSH to feel good!

5) The terrific news for all chocolate lovers is that eating small amounts of chocolate truly do trigger the "feel good" endorphins. Next time you have a chocolate craving, relax, indulge in your favorite chocolate bar and enjoy the delicious taste of chocolate guilt-free! (My favorite is organic, dark chocolate!)

6) Laughter is the BEST medicine and it produces the "feel good" endorphins. This week, how about watching a hysterical comedy, share some silly jokes with a friend or go to a comedy show to enjoy a few good laughs?

7) Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have found that ultraviolet (UV) light can trigger endorphin production. Doctors recommend using sunscreen to protect your skin. However, I discovered that just knowing it's sunny outside can boost your endorphin production and your mood. Therefore, while the beautiful leaves of Autumn are gradually turning color and beginning to fall, take a brisk walk outdoors, enjoy the sunshine and the breathtaking season!

Copyright © 2009-2011 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

MAINTAINING WEIGHT LOSS.....

2009-10-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

One of the challenging experiences with weight loss is keeping the weight off. My organic lifestyle diet began in May 2009 and to my surprise, I have successfully dropped from size 10 to size 6! My total weight loss has been 25 lbs in which I have attempted to maintain for five solid months.

If I have to list the most difficult challenge of maintaining my weight it most definitely is eating the SAME food. In all honesty, after spending five months cooking new healthy recipes, shopping at Whole Foods Store, consistently taking all of my various natural supplements, actively walking and swimming as well as trying to reduce snacking late at night, my struggle has been finding creative ways to change the foods that I eat.

It took me a few months to totally understand which foods and beverages are best for reducing calories and weight. I was particularly focusing on a diet that consisted of eliminating many carbohydrates, foods that thrive on yeast, junk food, dairy, sweets and any meat or eggs containing hormones or harmful ingredients.

I discovered that I actually love organic food and I love hormone-free chicken, beef, turkey and eggs! However, due to the fact that I truly do not enjoy cooking every single day, I reached a point in which I became STUCK.

All of a sudden, at the end of September 2009, after I had lost 25 lbs and I wanted to maintain this weight loss, I no longer had a desire to eat many of the same recipes or foods that I had been eating. Oddly enough, I felt "burnt out" from eating a variety of the same foods or same recipes.

As the saying goes, "VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE!" I firmly believe that what I need to do is to actively seek new foods that are healthy and pure. In addition, I need to change my recipes and to consider something totally different to add to my meals.

This is going to take time, patience, resourcefulness, energy and creativity, but I do believe that if I am persistent, I will discover an excellent new idea to help me overcome boredom and tired taste buds!

My motto for the BEAUTIFUL month of October is to "KEEP ON KEEPING ON!" An energetic fall harvest offers up a bounty of healthy seasonal Eco-loving colorful produce. Hey, if nothing else, I may look into the healthy benefits of eating pumpkin, squash and root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, celery root and parsnips to provide exciting sweet flavors!

Seasonal Autumn foods offer a mixture and an abundance of Vitamin C and A, antioxidants, beta-carotene, potassium and fiber. Ironically, the Autumn foods that mother nature boasts this time of the year are immune boasters and perfect for preventing winter colds and flues.

I challenge you to jump on board with me to commit to eating healthy seasonal organic fruits and vegetables several times daily and see the difference it will make in your life. May this gorgeous Autumn season promote inner harmony, successful weight maintenance and terrific health!

MAGNETIC THERAPY FOR TREATING ADHD SAFELY

2009-08-31T16:57:00.000-07:00

For any individuals interested in alternative methods of treating ADD/ADHD, I recommend looking into magnetic therapy. In the book titled, "THE ADD ANSWER" by Dr. Frank Lawlis, there is helpful information in the 12th chapter explaining the magnetic concept and magnetic therapy for treating children and adults diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.

According to Dr. Frank Lawlis, there is a successful pediatrician located in Harrisburg, PA who has done research on magnetic therapy for ADHD treatment in 28 children. Dr. Bernard Margolis, practicing for over 36 years, is a dedicated physician who has the best interest of his young patients at heart.

Dr. Margolis, one of the pioneers in the field of electromagnetic medicine for ADD/ADHD, has studied the effectiveness of magnets in mattress pads, pillows, comforters and medallions, targeting specific parts of the body. Dr. Margolis studied the effects of his magnetic devices on 28 children with attention challenges diagnosed by their parents and teachers. The parents of the children assessed them on physical behaviors, emotional and attention/memory functions before, during and after using magnetic therapy.

According to "THE ADD ANSWER", of the 28 children, 19 showed SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT in all scores, while using one or more magnetic products. However, Dr. Margolis determined that the children who did not respond well were those who had used only one of the magnetic products, which has indicated that the more magnetic power, the better the results.

An 11 year old patient in the study who had used the magnetic mattress, pillow and disk magnets, responded well. His parents noted that he appeared calmer, rested, more focused and had better behavior compared to his typical behavior without the magnetic therapy. In addition, the boys parents stated that usually when they took their son out to a restaurant, he would have difficulty staying seated, remaining calm and focused. The magnetic therapy appeared to have positive benefits with the 11 year old boy. Yet, after the magnets were withdrawn, the reports turned negative again.

Although there has not been much scientific research into the effectiveness of magnetic therapy for treating ADD/ADHD, it has been cited in MOSBY'S COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE that there has been more than 70 research studies using magnetic therapy. In addition, other research studies have had promising results using magnetic products to reduce severe pain, heal injuries, promote restful sleep and to control stuttering.

The companies that retail the magnetic products are not permitted by the FDA to promise any form of healing or cure for any medical conditions. Presently, magnets can not be patented or synthesized. However, the good news is that magnetic therapy is available to the public without a prescription or the extra expense of a doctor visit.

For parents of children with ADD/ADHD as well as adults diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, using magnetic therapy may be considered a safer method without the negative side effects of using traditional stimulant medication for treatment. For individuals and families interested in holistic alternatives for ADD/ADHD treatment, magnetic therapy just may be the missing link.

Copyright © 2009 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

IS THERE A MINDBODY CONNECTION?

2009-08-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

Recently, I started reading about the mindbody connection. The theory behind the mindbody connection is that individuals, from childhood to adulthood, may experience unpleasant events, such as childhood abuse, the death of a loved one, the loss of a beloved pet, a personal injury or illness, divorce, loss of income or obstacles at work.

Due to the extreme nature of the stressful experience, individuals consciously are not able to cope with the disturbing emotions that are producing very unpleasant feelings. Perhaps, it is socially unacceptable to emotionally react to this traumatic experience? Therefore, the unconscious represses the dramatic emotions and your brain sends a signal to an organ or physical part of your body to distract your consciousness from the source of your emotional pain.

In the book, THE MINDBODY PRESCRIPTION by John Sarno, M.D., states, "NO MATTER HOW WE REACT TO LIFE'S PRESSURES CONSCIOUSLY, ANOTHER WORLD OF REACTIONS EXIST IN THE UNCONSCIOUS. BECAUSE WE ARE NOT AWARE OF THOSE UNCONSCIOUS FEELINGS AND CANNOT, THEREFORE, CONTROL THEM, AND BECAUSE THEY ARE SO THREATENING AND FRIGHTENING, THE BRAIN WILL AUTOMATICALLY INDUCE PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS TO PREVENT THE DANGEROUS FEELINGS FROM BECOMING OVERT, AND THUS BECOMING CONSCIOUS."

Another expert in the mindbody connection is Dr. Bradley Nelson, a chiropractic physician, craniopath, holistic healer, teacher and author of THE EMOTION CODE. In the book, Dr. Nelson writes, " If you are like most people, your life has had its ups and downs. You have probably experienced moments of joy, as well as other times of grief, anger, frustration, and fear.

You may have experienced moments of happiness, as well as depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, or any of a wide variety of emotions, both positive and negative. What you may not realize is that some of the negative emotions you’ve experienced, even though you may have felt them long ago, may still be creating problems for you in subtle, yet very damaging ways. The Emotion Code is about finding those old emotions and releasing them forever."

Today, I had the opportunity to join in a teleconference in which Dr. Nelson discussed The Emotion Code, what it is and how emotions become trapped. In todays teleconference, Dr. Nelson stated that our body is made of energy and the universe is made of energy. The Emotion Code is the biggest breakthrough in energy and how to treat trapped emotions.

Some of the unconscious emotions that become trapped or repressed are listed below:

RAGE
FEAR
HORROR
LONELINESS
GRIEF
HUMILIATION
LOSS
HATRED
RESENTMENT
ANGER
WORTHLESSNESS
TRAUMATIC PHYSICAL PAIN

In the book written by Dr. John Sarno, THE MINDBODY PRESCRIPTION, he says that he refers to the mindbody illnesses and conditions as TMS, which stands for Tension Myositis Syndrome. Dr. Sarno writes that there is a major impact of the emotions on bodily functions. Here is a few of the medical conditions that are linked to TMS:

GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS
CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
GENITOURINARY DISORDERS
SKIN DISORDERS
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
FIBROMYALGIA
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT SYNDROME (TMJ)
CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
MOST LOW BACK & LEG PAIN
MOST NECK, SHOULDER & ARM PAIN
MOST TENDONITIS SYNDROMES

Possibly, the mindbody connection is new to you or you have never heard of it before? I admit, it is a new way of looking at emotional and physical pain. Without a doubt, I have attempted to delve into my own past to see if there are any unconscious or conscious experiences that may have triggered trapped emotions. In all respect, I do not think the average individual has had a stress-free life that has been simply "smooth sailing!"

If nothing else, I hope that this information on the mindbody connection was educational and thought provoking for you. It may not be popular with modern psychology, but within the past 20 years, many have written about the mindbody connection, including authors such as Deepak Chopra, Norman Cousins, Dennis Jaffe, Lawrence LeShan, Steven Locke, Joyce McDougall, Morton Reiser, Bernie Siegel and Andrew Weil.

In todays society, it has become mind boggling how medical diseases, disorders, chronic pain, depression, anxiety and emotional tension has plagued men, women and children to epidemic proportions. While traditional medicine has taken giant leaps in scientifically improving modern medicine, I wonder why there are so many treatments, surgical procedures and medicines failing to reduce diseases, disorders and cancers? Traditional medicine may always be on the leading edge in technology, but I sincerely believe there is credibility of the mind having a very real connection with the body.

Copyright © 2009 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

POSITIVE WORD FOR THE WEEKEND!

2009-08-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow. - Orison Marden

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WELLNESS?

2009-07-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why some people are physically and emotionally healthy, while others have been chronically struggling with one or more health concerns? How can some people work 12 hour shifts and still come home to tackle household chores, while other people are barely able to get out of bed in the morning? Most importantly, the BIG question for the day: WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS?

If we practice good health by taking care of ourselves with proper nutrition, drinking pure water, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep then we can feel confident that we are actively contributing to our wellness. Yet, what about polluted air that we breathe, allergens we are exposed to, emotional stress, unbalanced hormones, our genes that we inherited and the culture that we live in?

There is no doubt in my mind that our culture does have a HUGE impact on our health and wellness. All you have to do is turn on the TV and immediately you will see beer commercials, fast food commercials and sitcoms with people snacking on sweets in the middle of the night. Better yet, take a good look around you to observe how most Americans eat and this will definitely explain why obesity has hit an all time high in the USA!

Next, let us consider the fact that most of our agricultural crops have been nutrient depleted for decades. The meat we eat is from cattle grown on these depleted crops. So is the milk we drink. In addition to depleted crops, our cattle have been injected with hormones and antibiotics to make them grow faster. America’s dairy cows are given a genetically-engineered hormone called rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) to increase milk production. (Hmmm...This may explain the growing problem of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the hormonal challenges that females are facing today?)

According to the American Lung Association, more than 35 million Americans are now living with chronic lung disease. Every year, more than 400,000 Americans die of lung disease, due to tobacco-related diseases, air pollution, asthma and allergies. It is believed that cessation of smoking is the most important factor in preventing the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In the Merriam-Webster's Pocket Dictionary, stress is defined as a state if physical or mental tension. In our society, stress has become an acceptable part of life. Occasionally, we may experience stress from a high-pressured job, lack of proper sleep, getting stuck in busy traffic, demanding children or financial setbacks.

However, chronic stress will negatively effect our physical and emotional health. It can increase blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of a heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility and speed up the aging process. A few helpful methods to reduce chronic stress includes practicing deep breathing techniques, yoga, meditation or prayer, journaling, soaking in a hot tub, practicing visual imagery or receiving a professional massage.

Hereditary diseases and disorders may contribute to our health. A few hereditary conditions are heart disease, breast cancer, depression and obesity. A hereditary condition is one that is genetically predetermined. It is dependent on the genetic material or chromosomes that a person inherits from one or both biological parents. A person may also be a “carrier” of an illness, disease or medical condition without actually having the condition.

The bottom line is that our health is determined by our age, our genes, our stress, our lifestyle, our habits, our environment, our hormones, by what we consume and by the culture we live in. If you want to get nitty gritty about it, we can even include that our health is determined by our financial status. Poverty absolutely does negatively effect health. The lack of income and lack of medical health insurance will have a negative impact on a families ability to prevent and treat medical conditions.

The end result for determining who is responsible for our wellness is that we have multiple factors to consider, but the primary responsibility of our health is determined by each one of us. Therefore, eating right, staying physically active, managing stress, getting proper sleep, increasing water intake, getting plenty of sunshine, keeping unavoidable ailments under control, experiencing peace with God and not smoking are examples of good habits that can help each one of us maintain good healthy. Be your own advocate and take care of yourself!
Copyright © 2009 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

ALTERNATIVE FOR DAIRY

2009-07-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a healthy alternative for milk and butter here is a suggestion to try:

ORGANIC UNSWEETENED ALMOND VANILLA NON-DAIRY BEVERAGE (purchased at local Whole Foods Store)

EARTH BALANCE NATURAL BUTTERY SPREAD - Vegan, Canola Oil-free, Lactose-free, Gluten-free, Non GMO. (purchased at local Todays Market)

YEAST-FREE DIET FOR BEGINNERS

2009-07-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? I understand since I have also been challenged with wellness issues. One of my concerns has been that I had 12 years of taking antibiotics on and off, due to chronic tonsillitis. Antibiotics truly have pro's and con's, but the fact is that antibiotics promote yeast to grow in your body. Some individuals notice itchy vaginal infections, while others may experience challenges with gastrointestinal problems or athletes feet.

If you have been taking antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills or ibuprofen and naproxen, there is a good possibility that you may have a yeast-related challenges with your physical and mental wellbeing. Here are a few signs of yeast-related symptoms:

Chronic fatigue...
Stiff shoulders or headaches...
Constipation and bad breath...
Bloating and indigestion...
Frequent intestinal gas...
Constipation...
Frequent diarrhea...
Sexual dysfunction...
Arthritis...
Chronic hives...
Worsening premenstrual syndrome...
Irritability and mood swings...
Fatigue or lack of energy...
Impotence...
Muscle fatigue and pain...
Hyperactivity...
Urinary disorders...
Bladder infections...
Recurring vagintitus...
Menstrual irregularities...

If you have experienced several of these unpleasant symptoms, consider checking with your primary care physician, gynecologist or a holistic specialist to address your concern. My health and diet suggestions on Girly Girl Goes Green is not to take the place of a medical expert. My wellness blog is to help educate others and share my experience with health-related concerns, including candida.

Here are some beginner suggestions on how to get started on a yeast-free diet:

1) Locate organic shops that sell organic foods (eggs, meat, diary, produce) FREE of antibiotics, hormones, steroids, artificial colors, flavors and artificial sugar.

2) ONLY eat eggs and meat that are free of ALL antibiotics, hormones and steroids.

3) The best website to learn more about the yeast-free diet as well as learn about how to destroy candida is The Yeast Infection Advisor at
http://www.yeastinfectionadvisor.com/candidadiet.html

4) Understand that your family will most likely not be interested in eliminating all of the foods and beverages that you will need to eliminate. Focus on cooking for yourself, but realize that you may need to continue cook separate meals for your family if you are the primary cook in your household.

5) Coconut oil , olive, grape seed, and flax seed oils in a cold pressed formula when available is fine.

6) Raw nuts including pecans, almonds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds are fine.

7) Salad dressings made of olive oil, water, and lemon juice are fine.

8) Consider almond milk, instead of traditional milk.

9) Herbal teas, pure aloe vera juice and filtered water is fine to drink. I love using a squirt of fresh lemon or lime!

10) Fruits to eat include, fresh pineapple, raspberries, blue berries, green apples, grapefruit, strawberries and blackberries.

11) Some of the fresh vegetables to safely eat include, all lettuce, peppers, onions, celery, cucumbers, zucchini, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, peas, eggplant, cabbage, rutabaga, radishes and cauliflower.

12) NO VINEGARS These include ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, pickles, pickled peppers, hot sauce, salad dressings, green olives, horseradish, dips and mayonnaise.

13) Definitely consider taking PROBIOTICS to increase the good flora and bacteria in your body. This will also help destroy the candida.

14) Consider beginning a colon cleanse to remove all toxins from your body.

15) To prevent sugar cravings, an option is to take Gymnema. It comes in liquid or capsules and may be purchased at your local wellness shop or online. The most affordable online website that I found to purchase wellness products is at
www.vitacost.com. (The discounts are amazing and I am satisfied with all of my products.)

16) Try to be creative by coming up with different recipes. Try to be open minded when choosing foods for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks. Breakfast no longer means eating pancakes and cereal so consider eating fruit, scrambled organic eggs or a healthy veggie stir fry.

17) I suggest that you do NOT eat out at restaurants the first few weeks of beginning this diet because the average restaurant does not provide the quality of food that are within the yeast-free diet. However, Whole Foods is one exception and I enjoy eating at their little restaurant area!

18) Try to educate about what foods and beverages are safe to consume. There are many informative websites and books about yeast-free dieting and treatment. The late Dr. William Cook has several books that are excellent to read!

Be patient with yourself during this transition from regular foods to eliminating many foods. The main goal and purpose of the yeast-free diet is to starve the body of yeast. Typically, it could take one to three months to go through this process, but depending on your own personal situation it may take longer.

If for any reason you consume foods that are not listed in the yeast-free diet and you begin to have immediate symptoms of gas, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation or anything unpleasant, attempt to eliminate any items that are causing these symptoms. These symptoms are signs that something you ingested should be avoided.

During my first week on the yeast-free diet, I experienced much fatigue and lack of energy. This is a normal response, especially if you eliminate caffeine as I did. By the second week, I did regain much of my energy and I was exercising and walking to promote wellness.

Best wishes to a new and healthier you!

Copyright © 2009 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

EXCELLENT YEAST-FREE WEBSITES

2009-07-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Now that I am heading into two months on my yeast-free diet, I have found more information that is helpful in educating myself about candida, yeast-free dieting and organic lifestyles. I am still continuing my yeast-free diet, but I have occasionally tried to eat or drink ingredients that were originally eliminated. Dairy does appear to cause negative side effects and it is apparent that this ingredient may need to be permanently eliminated.

Some of the excellent websites that I would love to share are:

The Yeast Connection at http://www.yeastconnection.com/about.html

Yeast Free Diet at http://www.theyeastdiet.com/yeast-free-diet.html

Yeast Infection Adviser at http://www.yeastinfectionadvisor.com/index.html
(This one is my favorite resource that I use often to check on specific foods and
beverages that are acceptable to eat on this diet. In addition, this website has
plenty of helpful information to become more knowledgeable about candida, the harmful side effects of antibiotics and how to promote a healthier intestinal tract.)

Probiotics are extremely beneficial in providing "healthy" bacteria to your body and to maintain wellness. According to the Yeast Infection Adviser, "Anyone that knows anything about probiotics will tell you that you must take at least 10 billion bacteria per day if you want to achieve any kind of health benefits. This dose is for healthy individuals, not for people that suffer from yeast infections. So the dose needs to be much higher if you do have any kind of yeast infection or candida."
To learn more about super potent probiotics to destroy candida and to improve gastrointestinal health, go to:
http://www.yeastinfectionadvisor.com/customprobiotics.html

One of my favorite websites for purchasing wellness products is at
www.vitacost.com and this website provides EXCELLENT SAVINGS!

Please add to my list of excellent yeast-free websites or blogs if you have any to share! Thank you and best wishes for better health!

Copyright © 2009 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

CELEBRATING WELLNESS & WEIGHT LOSS!

2009-06-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

This Sunday will be my 6TH week since I first began my yeast-free diet. I am excited to share with you that I have lost a total of 11 lbs! Most of my clothes are too loose on me and it is such a wonderful feeling to know that I have accomplished to maintain a healthier diet, which is free of yeast, wheat, the bread group, dairy, most sugar and sweets (except an occasional indulgence of organic dark chocolate!), junk food, fast food and meat containing antibiotics, hormones and steroids.

I love shopping at Whole Foods and Giant Eagles organic department. I am sincerely happy to see that my fibromyalgia is not any worse, but I have continued to have some "fibro flare ups", due to overextending myself, which is basically a "NO! NO!" for me. In reality, I overextended myself because I had a burst of energy and motivation to accomplish household chores that have been neglected. It truly felt so fabulous to be able to dig in and get some nitty gritty cleaning accomplished!

My energy has increased, I am able to complete more projects efficiently and I am continuing to enjoy cooking organic recipes. Surprisingly, I am enjoying every bite! I have left my comfort zone by experimenting and eating new foods that I may never have over wise considered.

My body has slimmed down during these past 6 weeks. My 14 year old daughter has been teasing me that she can see my curves and my waist! I am celebrating wellness and weight loss by staying focused on my goal to reduce the aches and pains of fibromyalgia, to rid my body of candida and to reduce the physical ailments that are rooted to both fibromyalgia and an overabundance of yeast.

As far as physical activity, I am still practicing physical therapy stretches, exercises and walking outdoors, which I learned in my six week fibromyalgia program at UPMC Pain Clinic. This week, my family is planning on purchasing a pool for our kids and family to enjoy swimming during the hot summer months.

The benefit of having a pool in my back yard is the convenience to practice aqua therapy for pain reduction on a consistent basis. In addition, I LOVE floating on a raft in a pool for relaxation and to soak up the sun on a beautiful summer day! This is an excellent method to receive vitamin D, which is helpful in eliminating muscular pain the natural way.

As I swiftly turn the corner to reach my six week anniversary for healthier living, I am so very grateful that God has helped me succeed to reach a new achievement. Ultimately, the biblical fact is that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, "DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO IS IN YOU, WHOM YOU HAVE RECEIVED FROM GOD? YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN; YOU WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE. THEREFORE HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BODY."

I challenge you today to take a moment to ponder how you can provide better care of your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit? Do NOT rely on your own strength to kick the habit of smoking, drinking, not eating right or living an unhealthy lifestyle. Instead, lean on your Heavenly Father to strengthen you to make healthier choices to promote a positive physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. By doing so you will not only enhance how you feel inside and out, but you will truly be honoring God, which is an act of obedience.

Copyright © 2009 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

HOW STRESSED OUT ARE YOU?

2009-06-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

This is a list of stressful events in your life which have different number values to show the pressure that it adds to your life. Sit back, take a moment, and review your life over the past 1 to 2 years. Go through the following list. Add up the value of those stressful events that have happened to you or are taking presently place in your life.

Event and Value:

Death of spouse 100
Son or daughter leaving home 29
Divorce 73
Trouble with in-laws 29
Marital separation 65
Outstanding personal achievement 28
Jail term 63
Spouse begins or ceases working 26
Death of close family member 63
Starting or finishing school 26
Personal injury or illness 53
Change in living conditions 25
Marriage 50
Revision of personal habits 24
Fired from job 47
Trouble with boss 23
Marital reconciliation 45
Change in work hours, conditions 20
Retirement 45
Change in residence 20
Change in family member’s health 44
Change in schools 20
Pregnancy 40
Change in recreational habits 19
Sexual difficulties 39
Change in church activities 19
Addition to family 39
Change in social activities 18
Business readjustment 39
Mortgage or loan under $10, 000 17
Change in financial status 38
Change in sleeping habits 15
Death of close friend 37
Change in number of family gatherings 15
Career change 36
Change in eating habits 15
Change in number of marital arguments 35
Vacation 13
Mortgage or loan over $10,000 31
Christmas season 12
Foreclosure of mortgage or loan 30
Minor violation of the law 11
Change in work responsibilities 29

• 0-149 Low susceptibility to stress-related illness.

• 150-299 Medium susceptibility to stress-related illness.
Learn and practice relaxation and stress management skills and a healthy well life style.

• 300 and over High susceptibility to stress-related illness.
Daily practice of relaxation skills is very important for your wellness. Take care of it now before a serious illness erupts or an affliction becomes worse.

BETTER THAN ANY MEDICINE CAN CURE IS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THE PHYSICIAN OF ALL HEALING. IF STRESS IS GETTING YOU DOWN, AFFECTING YOUR PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL OR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, CONSIDER GIVING GOD ALL YOUR WORRIES, CONCERNS AND STRESS.

Note: This scale is derived from the Holmes, T. & Rahe, R. (1967) "Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale", Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 2.

DARK CHOCOLATE IS CALLING MY NAME!

2009-06-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

Eliminating a wide variety of food groups from my yeast-free diet has been challenging, but what I have struggled with the most is craving dark chocolate. I am not sure if it is simply PMS or the very fact that I am not suppose to be eating any sweets, but dark chocolate is calling my name!

The first few weeks of the diet was not too bad, but about a week ago, I noticed that my craving for dark chocolate was becoming stronger. So here it is one month and two days that I have been on the yeast-free diet. I am down 8 lbs and my clothes are getting much too loose on me, which has been a thrill for me! What a terrific feeling to have to dip into the "skinny" box of clothes that I had stashed away in my basement!

Last weekend, my husband and I took our two daughter's to the Pittsburgh Zoo. I knew that I one point there could be temptations when my family would stop at the snack bar. Feeling a bit guilty, I caved into the desire to eat an ice cream cone, reminding myself, "Hey, what is a little ice cream going to matter?" Yikes! What was I thinking? Ice cream DOES matter because it is dairy and yeast thrives on dairy, especially the sweet kind, such as ice cream!

The only good thing that came out of eating the ice cream is that I walked all over the Pittsburgh Zoo and that may have helped me walk off some of the calories. However, yeast multiplies rapidly when sugar and sweets are ingested so I wonder to what degree I have hindered my healthy lifestyle?

To make matters more distressing for me, my family went to Chili's Restaurant for dinner after we left the zoo. I took one look at the menu and realized that there was nothing truly free of sugar, dairy, meat, wheat, yeast, preservatives, sodium and high doses of artery clogging-fat! I searched the ingredients in the salads and discovered that they included tons of ingredients that are a "NO! NO!" for the yeast-free diet.

I suppose that I could have maintained self-control and I should have chosen the healthiest item on the menu, but I felt so limited in my options for healthy eating that I caved in again and ordered a bacon cheeseburger and fries. Of course, now I look back and think that I should have chosen the salad, except that most of them were covered with dairy, meat, wheat and lots of ingredients that I shouldn't eat.

At this point in the day, I had simply blown the entire day of eating pure and organic so I opted to indulge in the delicious molten chocolate cake. If I am going to mess up, I suppose that I should drastically mess up, instead of just a little bit! Hey, why not enjoy the delectable dessert and savor every single bite?

So that is my confession for today. I am guilty as charged. Lord knows, the dark chocolate has been calling my name! I am a bit disappointed in myself for sabotaging my yeast-free diet when I had been doing so good with much self-control for three solid weeks.

Perhaps, sacrificing is why dieting is so tough? The utter fact that I can NOT eat sweets, tempting chocolate, drizzling over tasty vanilla ice cream and moist chocolate molten cake practically brings me to my knee's. Possibly, being surrounded with family or friends relishing in their delightful desserts makes it much more difficult to maintain control?

Whatever the reason, I have learned a valuable lesson about dieting. I have learned that I am still vulnerable to be around goodies, sweets, junk food and restaurants.
For now, I think that I had better steer clear from eating outside my home. In my home, I have the ingredients and the healthy foods that help me to reach a higher quality of life. My goal is to try to shift my focus to the foods that I am able to eat, instead of feeling bad or mad about the foods that I am not able to eat.

This evening, I made myself an organic turkey burger, minus the bun and condiments. It actually tasted wonderful and was very filling! One healthy benefit that I am happy to share is that dark chocolate is actually the MOST acceptable form of sugar to consume. True, it is sugar and technically the yeast may very well thrive off of the sugar. However, the most exciting news is that if I am going to choose something sweet to cheat on my diet, at least the tasty dark chocolate comes with many bonuses for my overall health.

Here are some facts about dark chocolate:

1) Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables.

2) Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the amount found in strawberries).

3) Dark chocolate is good for your heart.

4) Studies have shown that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate everyday can reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure.

5) Dark chocolate has also been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) by up to 10 percent.

6) Dark chocolate stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure. (Terrific choice for reducing PMS anxiety and moodiness!)

7) Dark chocolate contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant.

8) If you are feeling tired, struggling with brain fog and you need a quick "pick me up", choose dark chocolate, rather than milk chocolate because it is the healthier choice. Dark chocolate contains theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants.

9) Dark chocolate has far more antioxidants than milk or white chocolate.

10) Dark chocolate is a natural analgesic, lessens pain and promotes well-being.

Copyright © 2009 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved.

MY ADVENTURE ON THE YEAST-FREE DIET

2009-06-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

Just now, I was finishing up my article discussing my adventure on the yeast-free diet when accidentally, I must have hit the wrong button and POOF! Everything that I just typed vanished into thin air! (Yikes!)

I have been at the computer all day typing for various websites and this was going to be the last website to write an article, but it looks like I have to start over.
The good news about my yeast-free diet is that I have stuck with it for exactly three weeks and five days. What I am most thrilled about is that I lost 8 lbs in total so far and I have needed to purchase smaller sizes, due to some of my clothes being to big on me!

The first week of the diet was the toughest week, due to feeling so exhausted, no longer drinking caffeine and trying to figure out what in the world to eat. Now that it has been several weeks, I have been discovering more about products to try and more about foods to eat that are acceptable on this strict diet.

Today I made for lunch some delicious fried zucchini and organic ground turkey patties with extra virgin olive oil, but no bun or condiments since that is a "NO NO!" on the yeast-free diet. I drink very much filtered water with a squirt of fresh lemons or limes. It helps bring the PH of the body up in alkalinity, which is ideal when trying to destroy the candida and toxins.

I usually snack on organic, raw almonds, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. Although, fruit is usually not part of the first two weeks on a yeast-free diet, due to my attempt to eat foods with a high alkaline PH, I am allowing myself to eat fresh pineapple, limes, lemons, grapefruit, green apples, raspberries and blue berries. (Blue berries are excellent for colon cleansing and constipation to keep things moving along smoothly!)

My daughter's have enjoyed joining me in my 30 minute walks outdoors, but a few times they mentioned ice cream and I absolutely did NOT want to have any temptations.
Did I mention that my favorite is the Dairy Queen Peanut Buster Parfait? I can only imagine how delightful it is, but the end result would not look pretty since I can no longer eat any of the ingredients. I better stick to my raw almonds for now!

Thankfully, tomorrow is expected to have beautiful weather in Pittsburgh and I look forward to getting back outdoors to get back to my walking! A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!