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This is my updated Dr. Mom 101 vlog. Learn my favorite remedies & medicine cabinet essentials for a wide variety of ailments, acute or chronic. All products can be purchased through the STORE tab at DrJana.com. Here are the direct links for each individual product line:
NATURE'S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS: https://www.drjanajoshugrimm.com/natures-sunshine.html Specific Nature's Sunshine products mentioned: Oregon Grape, Seasonal Allergy (liquid), Lobelia Essence, Silver Shield Aqua Sol (various sizes), Silver Shield Rescue Gel, Frankincense Essential oil, Roman Chamomile Essential Oil, Lavendar Essential Oil, Glass Roller Bottles, Carrier Oil, Distress Remedy YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS: https://www.drjanajoshugrimm.com/young-living.html Specific YL Oils mentioned: Seedlings Calm (for infants/babies), KidScents for age 2+ (Snifflease, Sleepyze, TummyGize) NOTES: I add the Oregon Grape or Seasonal Allergy into a cup of Detox Lemonade, into a smoothie or MOST COMMONLY onto a spoonful of raw or Manuka honey to get my kids to take it. However, neither tastes bad and can usually be given to children straight, pretty easily! You simply need to get it in their bodies :)
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“Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence that they are any better than plain soap and water,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). “In fact, some data suggests that antibacterial ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term.” Read more here. My DIY hand sanitizer is an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal spray & immune support without the harmful hormone disrupting & immune crashing side effects of traditional hand sanitizer. When you use chemical antibiotics found in antibacterial hand soap and traditional hand sanitizers, they are strictly antibacterial (antibiotic)...aka: they kill bacteria only, not viruses. Sure, this is helpful in fighting secondary bacterial infections, but it will not kill coronavirus...or any other virus for that matter. Neither will hand washing.
Antibacterial products actually weaken the immune system and wipe out all of the GOOD bacteria (probiotics) on your skin's surface that we need to help FIGHT infection and protect us every day. Traditional hand sanitizers are also known for disrupting hormone balance in the body. OPTION #2: Just use undiluted Silver Shield in an amber spray bottle. Safe for EVERYONE and also kills bacteria, virus, fungus...while only supporting/building your immune system!!! This is what I have available for patients to use on my online storefront. Essential Shield contains 10 different essential oils: 100% pure essential oils of Citrus sinensis (Orange) peel, Eugenia caryophyllata (Clove) bud, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon) bark, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) flower, Citrus x limon (Lemon) whole fruit, Pinus sylvestris (Pine) needle, Rosmarinus officinalis (Wild Rosemary) leaf, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) leaf & flower, Citrus x paradisi (Grapefruit) peel, Thymus vulgaris (Thyme) leaf. NOTE: always read labels to ensure there are no plant extracts/essential oils you are allergic to. Also, if you are sensitive to grains, especially corn or wheat (like me), or struggle with auto-immune of any kind, grain alcohol is a no-no. That was why I chose 70% isopropyl alcohol instead. The alcohol content MUST BE greater than 60% to have sanitizing properties. Also, rubbing alcohol is drying, so just know you may need more moisturizer if you're using it all the time. NOTE: I learned recently that despite popular DIY blogging advice, Aloe Vera gel IS NOT suitable as a stand alone base for DIY hand sanitizer. A) Most are stuffed with polymers. B) It can be incorporated as a 200x powder concentration in the water phase of the formulation...but who in the world is going to sort this out as a DIY'er... if you want to, I'm not the person to ask for advice ;) and... C) If you did use a pure aloe vera gel, you could mix it with the alcohol BUT you would have to be certain the alcohol % stayed above 60%. You could not use essential oils in it because they would likely not stay in solution and you would then have risks for burning/irritating your skin. Sooo...yeah. Before you read any further, let's read Psalm 91 and be reminded of God's faithfulness & hope BEFORE we do anything else:
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. 9 IF you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! 14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Also, God's Word warns us of the increase of natural disasters and disease as evidence we are living in the end times AND that He is coming back SOON in Matthew 24 & Luke 11 (I encourage you to read both chapters, in context). Here's the highlight from Matthew 24: 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for[a]all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines,[b]pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. Definition of Pestilence (Oxford dictionary): a fatal, epidemic disease Ok, now for some science, facts and practical advice. Here are a few more fact-based pieces of news/science from trusted Doctors/colleagues/sources to encourage you with: Coronavirus mortality rate could drop Coronavirus (COVID-19): what a pediatrician wants you to know High dose Vit C used to treat Coronavirus in China 7 Corona Virus Myths & how to beat it naturally Coronavirus: Symptoms & Natural Solutions Developing information is showing that COVID-19 prevention is similar to flu prevention (and all of these can be taken in higher doses for treatment of any virus). The COVID-19 symptoms include: fever, coughs, shortness of breath, upper-respiratory symptoms, GI symptoms, diarrhea, and general body aches. Please stay home if you have any of these symptoms. CALL your Doctor before running to the Doctor/hospital. I personally am offering phone consults in place of in-office visits for anyone who has any related symptoms. I will open up more hours (for phone consultations) temporarily, if needed, to help in any way I can. Let's be part of the solution, and not the problem. Pick a few preventative options from the list and be proactive, but not afraid. Calm others with prayer, truth, facts, and options who are living in fear. Also, if you know your health is not up to par, I highly recommend being proactive and scheduling an appointment to get your health restored, which in turn, strengthens your immune system and mind and is one of the best overall things someone can do. This is not the time to be scared, tired, stressed, and depressed, as it does affect our immune systems. Laughter, faith, hope, gratitude and joy are great medicine! The Nature's Sunshine products on the list below can be purchased at wholesale cost through my online store. All Sunshine Rewards (autoship) orders & orders over $150 get FREE shipping. We have many of them in stock in my office, as well.
*In my opinion, the best options for kids are: Silver Shield, VS-C liquid, Echinace/goldenseal (liquid), essential oils, cod liver oil, beta glucan chewies, the above homeopathics + healthy diet of low sugar/grains, sufficient fruits/veggies, sufficient protein & plenty of good fats which is necessary for a healthy immune system. Also, drink plenty of pure water, fresh pressed green juices with ginger, and be diligent to get them good sleep! **If we get quarantined, enjoy the time with your family. Seek the Lord diligently. Turn the TV off. Pray together, Play together. Take communion together. Get some rest. Catch up on house projects. Cast off fear & search God's Word for how He is working all of this together for our good and His glory. He is aware of every detail of our lives and every detail of the world. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.- Proverbs 17:22 NLT Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. -John 14:27 NKJV When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.-Psalm 94:19 NLT I will do my best to update this blog if/as more information arises. I am praying for all of you, in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Healer, our Protector, and our Peace! If you have been following me for a while you know how passionate I am about getting free, staying free and passing on the torch of freedom to the next generation – a new generation. I had the honor of recording this podcast at the end of 2017 with Alisa Keeton, founder of Revelation Wellness, about home, heart and womb health. Each of us has been given the ability to bear life by adding goodness on the earth. So whether or not you are thinking about getting pregnant, have been pregnant or just want to understand how generational patterns of disease can be passed from one person made in God’s image to another, today’s episode will bless you. The Revelation Wellness ministry, podcast and instructor training have blessed my health, marriage, ministry, and practice beyond measure! Enjoy.  Mercy Reign was born Saturday, February 3 at 4:43am by way of C-section after 48 hours of intense, unmedicated labor. She was frank breech, 9 pounds, 9 ounces and 23 inches long! Mercy was extra-well done (haha) at 41weeks and 3days, extra-large, extra cozy, folded completely in half, and slightly transverse, likely due to how long she was! This was not the birth story I wanted, it was the birth story God knew we needed.
Zach and I did everything we could to prepare for a home (water) birth, something we both dreamed of having. We prayed. We took A Heavenly Welcome's Kingdom Childbirth Class and the 8 week Mama Natural Online Birth class. We chose an amazing Christian midwife with 29 years experience who thoroughly cared for, educated and encouraged us from 9 weeks pregnant through the "4th trimester". We both read Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth book, Hypnobirthing and Supernatural Childbirth. (UPDATE 11/8/19: After an extremely traumatic & extended postpartum journey, God has taught me A LOT. I absolutely do not recommend the book Supernatural Childbirth, which is recommended in the Kingdom Childbirth Class, and the subtly false theology it teaches. This was a pivotal stumbling block for me that nearly destroyed my faith and spiraled me into deeper postpartum depression. I have since learned of thousands of women who have had the same story. Stay tuned for more teaching on this. I have since discovered a solid, Bible-based pre & postnatal ministry, course & resource called Courageous Mom to help me recover and prepare for another pregnancy, if God wills.) Also, a word on Hypnobirthing for those whose "New Age radar" just went up: Chew on the meat & spit out the "New Age" bones - most of the info on what happens in the woman's body during pregnancy, labor and birth + the breathing techniques in this book were very accurate and helpful though I don't recommend the cd or some of the weird visualizations. Ok, back to my story: The Lord specifically instructed me on how to prepare my body before getting pregnant, after He gave me the dream about Mercy. He gave me the words TRUST and DISCIPLINE, and challenged me to get a 1-year chronological Bible to read for 2017 (as of March 2018 I've almost completed it...hahaha...better to finish with grace than become legalistic and ashamed, right?!). I also felt the Lord instruct me to start pilates reformer classes to prepare my structure, as I was just coming off of a serious back injury involving 2 bulged discs and severe muscle spasms. He advised me to lighten my load and work on my adrenal glands/hormones, as my periods had gotten painful and a bit irregular after prolonged high stress. The Lord also nudged me to finally change over the last of my makeup/skincare regimen. I had been using Bare Esscentuals for years and justified that it was "natural enough." I finally took the time to see how EVERYTHING I was using on my face/body ranked on the EWG- Skin Deep App and did my research to find the BEST, most pure and complete cosmetic line once and for all. (I hate changing makeup/searching for new products!) There are hundreds of serious carcinogens, hormone disruptors & other toxins in most makeup/skin care products. I still make my own body butter and anti-aging skin serum, both of which I used (mixed together) for stretch mark prevention throughout the whole pregnancy (and I didn't get a single stretchmark with my 55 extra pounds of Mercy!!!). I had pages of birth declarations and scriptures (you're welcome to use them) typed up that I meditated on for weeks to keep my mind constantly renewed and excited versus afraid. Aside from those specifics, I was already eating super clean and healthy, teaching Indoor Cycling classes 2 times per week and working a balanced schedule. I took responsibility and trained accordingly, as I knew childbirth was not something to "just wing". Everything the Lord advised me to do paid off and served its purpose. I had a wonderful pregnancy despite the fact that it was "God's plan" and not our own in the end. Mercy was head down until 35 weeks when she flipped. My amazing Chiropractor, who specializes in pregnancy and pediatric care, is who suspected she was breech and referred me out for emergency ultrasound for confirmation on Christmas Eve (35.5 weeks). Praise God for the wise words from a dear friend who reminded me: "Remember, home birth isn't the ultimate goal, a health mommy and baby is". That was Truth I needed to remember for such a time as this. This pregnancy and birth experience took me to another level of surrender and trust, once again reminding me that we are not in control. I so desperately wanted to have this baby naturally and at home. I fully believed that God was going to honor "the desires of my heart". We prayed fervently through the end of my pregnancy and had so many others praying (even fasting for us). We did everything to get her to turn (Webster technique, Chiropractic care, Acupuncture, Moxibustion, External Cephalic Version 3 times, inversion exercises from SpinningBabies.com, essential oils, homeopathies to increase my amniotic fluid making more room for baby to move, etc). We were still lead to try to have a home birth instead of cave to C-section immediately since there were zero complications, and I was healthy and low risk through my entire pregnancy. We had to hire Dr. Stuart Fischbein (with Dr. Milo Chavira on call, his backup which is who we ended up with because Dr. Stu was out of town when I went into labor... the plot thickens!) the only Obstetricians in the area who specialize in vaginal breech HOME (or birth center) birth. Sadly, California law will not allow a breech home birth with a midwife any longer (don't get me started on that!). It is pretty much exclusively hospital policy here to force women with breech babies to have a surgical birth and not even allow them to try to deliver naturally. God kept opening doors of hope and possibility. Something I learned from our amazing and very experienced birth team through this journey: If you are trying to deliver a breech baby vaginally, induction and intervention are major no-no's. (Of course, I'm not a fan of either unless they are truly MEDICALLY NECESSARY anyway. One intervention often quickly leads to a whole cascade of interventions, which can have adverse effects on mommy and baby). Because Mercy could not descend through the birth canal due to her position and size, my contractions never developed a regular pattern into active labor, and I never dilated past 4 cm. I had MANY 10-15 minute, excruciating, back-to-back surges as my uterus did its job to TRY to bring her down. I fought to have her naturally, but it eventually became medically necessary to transfer after 40 hours of labor. My water had been broken for nearly 48 hours. I had to surrender. This was my Garden of Gethsemane. “...Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” -Matthew 26:39 NKJV There were some incredibly HOLY moments late in my labor where tears flowed from the depths of my soul. I was able to dance and worship, feeling almost zero pain for a couple hours!! I had a supernatural breakthrough and clearly heard the Lord speaking to me about restoring the family unit, the ancient ruins (Isaiah 61), and the places that have been long devastated through many generations. He spoke to us about making all things new through us, a fresh start, a new and healthy generation, and encouragement that I don't have to be afraid of me or Zach doing the things I witnessed growing up. These have been deep, tormenting and paralyzing fears throughout my life. The Lord "delivered" me as I was delivering my daughter into the world. I was fully surrendered at that point and HOLY is the only way to describe it. Perhaps if my birth story had been "easy", I would have missed out on the healing that only comes through the kind of pain that brings you to your knees. I could quickly get caught up in grieving and re-living my birth story, wallowing in the emotions and making it an idol. Instead I CHOOSE to simply trust The Lord and thank Him for this baby girl that was worth it all!! After all, I don't "deserve" anything. Anything the Lord gives is a gift of grace in reality. Ultimately we had our home birth...with a cesarean delivery and a healthy baby. We did everything we could and therefore, will never have any regrets. In God's mercy and grace, Miss Mercy Reign never once showed any sign of fetal distress through the entire labor or birth or postpartum!! Thank you Jesus!!! We are in love!!! Mercy is so strong and healthy and BEAUTIFUL and FUN and squishy and delicious!!!! God's MERCY truly REIGNS and we can be grateful His plans are better than ours will ever be!!! THANK YOU to ALL who have prayed, called, sent cards and gifts, celebrated and journeyed with us!!! Psalm 136:1 "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER." FUN FACT: A breech presentation is a variation of normal (like us! haha), not a pregnancy complication. It occurs in 3-4% of pregnancies and no one really knows why. Vaginal delivery is ideal for a low-risk breech baby so long as you have a properly trained birth assistant (OB or Midwife). The real problem is that medical schools are no longer training Doctors how to deliver breech babies, so there is a LOT of fear-mongering around this topic. Just as many, if not more, things can go wrong during C-section delivery of a breech baby if a Doctor isn't properly trained (brachial plexus injuries, etc). It is still wise to avoid a surgical birth whenever possible unless it is truly medically necessary like mine ultimately was. My heart grieves when I hear people say "Girl, you get to eat and do whatever you want! You're pregnant. It's YOUR time."
Friends, pregnancy IS a precious and sacred time! Pregnancy is an honor! IT'S CERTAINLY A GIFT!! And it sure can be a LOT of FUN! It is also a season where more rest and focus is required. Receive the gift of rest and slow down. Take care of yourself and rearrange your priorities. Let people bless you (it's crazy how excited people get about babies & baby bumps! I had NO IDEA!) It's a season to bask under the shade of God's grace and ponder the MIRACLE of new life! But grace (pregnancy) IS NOT permission to live by the flesh. The consequences can be long-lasting and are simply not worth it. Stay with me... this is a long one, but there's much to understand to see my point. And please remember that while I'm on baby #1, I have been helping people/patients (pre-natal, pregnant, post-natal, children, adults, families...primarily WOMEN of all ages) for over a decade to restore their health. I often work with very challenging cases. It's not difficult to see where the root of the problems are. Pregnancy is NOT a time to be selfish, neglectful, and disobedient. It is not the time to eat/do whatever we want and justify gluttony and complacency. It's NOT the time to quit exercising unless there's a TRUE medical emergency/necessity. It's also important to take advice from those who specialize in HEALTH care and healthy birth, not from "sick care" providers whose answers tend to be fear-based and lean toward "more intervention." In fact, some good pelvic floor, core, and mild resistance and cardio training are ideal for helping us carry and birth our babies. EXERCISE IN PREGNANCY I taught Spin class 2x/week (yes, turning my resistance and intensity down as the Lord has lead me to), walked and stretched until 30 weeks pregnant. I'm 40 weeks pregnant as I revise this today. I did prenatal pilates through most of the 2nd trimester until I pulled an adductor muscle, unrelated to my workouts, and had to shift gears. My body is used to Indoor Cycling (especially because we ride to worship music & God's Word!) so I continued in what felt good for my body and it sure helped. NOTE: I have FREE online Christ-centered Indoor Cycling videos if you are looking for a safe, grace-based, low impact cardio option, and it feels right for YOUR body. To add 25+ pounds to our female frames in a few short months and then persevere through labor requires strength and flexibility to prevent pain & injury, reduce recovery time, and assist with birthing that beautiful baby into the world. MOST women gain even MORE, myself included... I've gained 50 healthy pounds and don't believe I could have done anything different to gain less. I am not ashamed. I have had a wonderful, complication-free pregnancy and my goal is to create and birth a healthy baby to God's glory, NOT to fit into some man-made estimation of what MY body "should" gain. Exercise discernment and seek the Lord on what kind of exercise is best for YOU and YOUR pregnancy, and ask HIM who should be advising you. It is equally important not to over-do it. Over-exercising can be just as detrimental, and if the Lord says REST, you need to rest. If you are hurting or feel "wiped out" after your workouts, you can assume it is too much or not the best movement for YOUR body right now. Walking is one of the best exercises for pregnancy. Stretching (but not over-stretching... I think that's how I strained my adductor. Thanks Relaxin!) is vital. My hips/pelvis let me know around 22 weeks what was working and what wasn't. During the third trimester, the Lord clearly told me to rest more than anything else (keep in mind, I was still working on my feet for about 7 hours straight 2 days/week in my third trimester), and if anything, the Christ-centered dance workouts on RevWell TV felt better than walking. Each week was different, and listening to the Lord over following some "pregnancy program" has proven quite valuable! Friends, we GET to make human life in our bodies. A baby, a HUMAN LIFE, is made from the raw materials, love and nourishment (physical, emotional AND spiritual) we put into our bodies. Most women are in labor longer than it would take to run a marathon! How long would you set aside to train for a marathon?? It takes work to create, birth and care for a baby. We need to "train" and prepare. It's a sacrificial time. A high responsibility. A time to seek the Lord and be as healthy as possible, NOT so that we can "avoid gaining weight" or "squeeze back into our old jeans postpartum as quickly as possible" and then show off our "hott mom body" on social media. NO! Name of Jesus. Rather we train and care for our temples because we have been ENTRUSTED with the gift of LIFE, of caring for this CHILD OF GOD, hand-made by HIM, placed in our womb, to change the world and be a Light in this dark world. We want to give our children the BEST CHANCE at coming out healthy, alert, whole and thriving. We are the sole care-giver to this baby while it grows in our womb. OUR HEALTH affects baby's health. PREGNANCY AND NUTRITION If we have Candida overgrowth, leaky gut, constipation, auto-immune disease, food allergies, hormone imbalances, irregular cycles, chronic fatigue, skin problems, sleep issues or "other random symptoms," INCLUDING (but not limited to) unhealthy thought patterns, childhood trauma, excessive fear or control issues... THIS IS THE EVIDENCE something is not balanced, the liver and gut ARE NOT well, and that, IF POSSIBLE we need help BEFORE we get pregnant. For those who are already pregnant or who get pregnant unexpectedly, you can STILL DO MUCH to improve your health WHILE you are pregnant, we just have to be more strategic. I recommend making an appointment so that you can SAFELY get the most results in the fastest amount of time by having a custom plan written for YOU. Attempting to self-diagnose via the internet and asking friends on social media, buying random products online from people who aren't actually experts in health will drive you crazy and waste a lot of time and money. Most patients that walk in my office have this story these days. Working with a Holistic Doctor and a good midwife is the best pre-natal care you can get. The way I work: After 1 affordable visit in which I spend an average of 1 hour LISTENING to you, praying with you and testing your body, you will know exactly what's going on with YOUR body, exactly what to do about it, what to eat/not eat/take, and you'll leave with a lifestyle and nutrition plan customized specifically for YOU, giving you the best chance at having a wonderful, healthy, SUPERnatural birth experience! It's not that complicated when you know what you're doing. It may surprise most women that half of the patients I test do not need a prenatal or multi-vitamin. Most of them are synthetic/garbage or aren't what your body really "needs." In fact, I bought the "best of the best" prenatals to try for myself, and they ALL made me feel worse. I simply didn't need a 1-size fits all supplement. I needed more support for my thyroid, adrenals and liver and not just a little of everything. My needs (plan) changed every few weeks as my body changed and baby grew :) That's normal. The Brewer's Diet is a good and reputable site for general pregnancy nutrition questions/recommendations. Again, keep in mind, this is general information, not custom information for the woman who really needs to get well quickly without a bunch of trial and error or guessing before/during pregnancy. Keep it simple: Every BODY needs real, organic foods, high protein, plenty of good fats, lots of greens & veggies, fruit and way less sugar. Lots of water. Real sea salt. Lot of minerals. The specifics from here will depend on the person/patient. Most people will benefit from incorporating raw, fermented foods, as well. There are always exceptions to every "food rule", which is where working with a Holistic Practitioner who specializes in nutrition will greatly help you feel your best, maintain your energy, avoid complications, recover quickly, and grow/carry a full-term, healthy baby!! NOTE: Throughout this blog you'll see several links to the MamaNatural.com website because this is a resource that has been helpful for me at times! I have no affiliation or kickback from this site. I just see no sense in reinventing the wheel as this is already a reallllly long blog ;) PREGNANCY & CHIROPRACTIC CARE If you're having aches and pains, please get in to see a Chiropractor asap (ideally one who specializes in pregnancy) to start getting your pelvis, body and internal chemistry (hormones and emotions) aligned BEFORE the big BIRTH-day. If our pelvis (or spine and other joints) are "twisted" or imbalanced, then the uterine (and other) ligaments are pulling unevenly on the uterus and bones that anchor them. The uterus becomes like a twisted balloon, and the baby no longer has a large, straight shot out of the birth canal. If the sacrum (tailbone) is "stuck" or misaligned, then the sacrum cannot open properly (which is the back side of the birth canal). Bottom line: we want to make sure everything stays aligned and in place and opens/closes properly (as the body grows and changes) so that baby can come out as easily as possible, and at the right time. Don't set yourself up for an episiotomy (which is NOT backed by scientific research, by the way), induction or C-section. Be proactive. Poor posture, weaknesses, imbalances and misalignments are another common cause of the start of the cascade of interventions. Good Chiropractic care will have a SIGNIFICANT and POSITIVE impact on your body's ability to deliver naturally, reduce pain, prevent tearing, reduce pushing, speed up recovery, and keep you calm and strong throughout your pregnancy and recovery. Good Chiropractic care literally has hundreds of other benefits to all the other systems of the body that most peopIe are unaware of. I personally get adjusted at least once a month regularly and now every 1-2 weeks in my third trimester of pregnancy. Baby Mercy will get her 1st adjustment on her BIRTH day since all that twisting and squeezing through the birth canal can cause misalignments to the cranium, TMJ, spinal column, and other bones/joints which affect EVERY other system in the whole body. Interference in these bones causes interference in the development and function of the brain/nervous system, which affects baby's (and all living creatures) ability to latch, breastfeed, digest, rest, sleep, learn, progress, etc. Watch this newborn baby get his 1st adjustment! It's not scary. Again, I implore you... don't listen to gossip, assumptions and fear-based information from people who really don't know what they're talking about. Ask God for more discernment and wisdom. I practice what I preach and it works! ;) Mommies with known symptoms BEFORE pregnancy are pre-disposed to having miscarriages, complications, extended morning sickness, bed rest, pain with pregnancy, gestational diabetes, C-sections or inductions, a traumatic birth experience and prolonged recovery. They are high risk for falling victim to the cascade of interventions that quickly follows the first intervention. Furthermore, the baby is then pre-disposed to having problems such as food allergies, ear infections, colic, sleep issues, diaper rash, thrush, cradle cap, eczema, and/or reflux (spitting up all the time). All of these "symptoms" simply tell us there is something wrong, there is a "gut problem", and our child is not properly digesting/absorbing their food to grow & thrive as best they could, which all goes on to affect learning, behavior, development, brain function and so much more). Sadly, other symptoms and more detrimental side effects (like ADD, learning or behavior disorders, asthma, anaphylaxis, skin problems, etc) typically won't show up in our kids until several months and years down the road. Furthermore, this tells us that mom likely has symptoms she didn't know what to do with (or ignored) before/during pregnancy. Candida overgrowth and leaky gut (amongst other layers of problems) are SO COMMON now that I am witnessing over and over again why so many kids are sick. We add severe insult to injury by vaccinating these kids, giving them an immune overload that can cause severe, lifelong consequences. If we can properly educate mommies and get them well BEFORE (or even during) pregnancy, we can prevent much of this in the next generation. It is absolutely possible to stop this sick cycle in your family. I am living proof! Regardless of whether it starts with mommy or if the awareness comes through a child being sick/having chronic health issues, you must make some changes in how you approach your health/symptoms. Western Medicine is going to keep medicating you and keep you in the "sick cycle." Take this simple home spit test to see if you or your kids possibly have Candida overgrowth. Are we onto something? If so, you MUST stop taking chemical antibiotics and drugs for infections and illness as much as possible (often starts with kids and ear infections) which are adding insult to injury. There are safe, natural antibiotics and medications that are incredibly effective that do not wipe out all of your good bacteria (probiotics) in the process. Once you learn how to kill infections/support the body without chemicals and prescription drugs, you will find that you rarely, if ever, "need" them. Yes there are times when the benefits of traditional medicine outweight the risks, but is is FAR LESS COMMON than what we are being recommended and scared into believing. Neither Zach (my husband) nor myself has taken a prescription antibiotic in well over a decade. I'm not saying that to boast, rather to encourage you that God has a better way, a less invasive way that does not do further harm. We are proof that it is true! With traditional antibiotics, you'll VERY LIKELY end up with recurrent infections, a depleted immune system, and a slow and gradual progression into more symptoms and sickness. Kids are now being BORN with Candida overgrowth and leaky gut because so many mommies have this and don't know it. Stay off the internet to avoid false information and confusion (unless God is clearly directing your research), and find a local Holistic Doctor (quickly) who can properly assess you, educate you and get you on track. The proof is in the healing and I see it every day. This is not "wierd," extreme or rocket science. If you're lead to work with ME, I see both local and long-distance patients of all ages. This is not a process you want to navigate on your own. If not handled properly, the process can drag out for years, the yeast will keep growing back and you'll feel like nothing is working long term. There are usually other layers to address and a GOOD, licensed Holistic Doctor or possibly a Clinical Nutritionist (not a "health coach") will know how to help you. As you pray about who is best to help you and your family, you can refer to this blog to help you make some changes. Watch my Dr. Mom 101 videos to start learning natural remedies THAT WORK that you can use to begin helping your family. When something is over your head, be wise, and see your Holistic Doctor instead of driving yourself crazy. You'll learn more and more over time, and eventually you'll need to go to any Doctor less and less :) YAY!!! HERE'S THE TRUTH What's in our body DOES pass on to baby, whether it is a toxin (yeast, heavy metals, vaccines, parasites, chemicals, etc), medication, emotional baggage, fear... OR ON THE HEALTHY SIDE: good nutrition, love, peace, security/safety & healthy emotional patterns. I strongly encourage mommies-to-be to get healthy/make an appointment BEFORE getting pregnant (when possible), and then surrendering and trusting God with the timelines for conception. It's worth the wait IF God says "wait" or interrupts your "plan" ;) God directed me to WAIT on Him after He gave Zach and I the desire to have a baby, and IT HAS BEEN WORTH IT. I was coming off of a stressful, busy season. I was exhausted and overwhelmed. My cycles were getting a little irregular. The warning signs were there that I needed some self-care. There were other things to "get in order" since God has not called me to close my practice and become a full-time, stay at home mom (at least not now). I heeded His conviction, asked Him for direction and how to best prepare ...and I waited. This is the verse He gave me at the beginning of 2017 as I sought His lead for my body to refresh and heal and prepare to conceive in HIS time. Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength (physical, emotional, spiritual); They shall mount up with wings like eagles (able to soar, endure, be present, stay healthy & sane; prevent unnecessary future problems), They shall run (bear children; raise children; keep up with their children; play; have JOY; ENJOY motherhood) and not be weary (vibrant, healthy, strong, playful, disciplined; persevering), They shall walk (day by day, patient, in step with the Lord) and not faint (crumble under the pressure/fear/work load; not end up medicated, overwhelmed, depressed or sick). *(emphasis = mine) We actually CAN avoid unnecessary consequences of prolonged morning sickness and nausea, excessive fatigue, miscarriage & infertility (of course I'm only talking about those with all their "parts" still), gestational diabetes, and c-sections. These are typically signs that symptoms were ignored prior to pregnancy. Women with the MTHF-R Gene Mutation, like me, are going to be even more susceptible to morning sickness, nausea and fatigue because they have a genetically compromised liver. We need to be even more proactive about our health, diet and stress so that our babies do not suffer as a result of our choices/lifestyle habits. We can do MUCH to prevent our children from being born with or having colic, cradle cap, reflux, food allergies, asthma, eczema, autism spectrum disorder, ADD, learning disabilities, etc. I realize this will offend or bother some people, but my intention is to bring people HOPE for what IS possible, not to shame or blame. We don't know what we didn't know. But now we know. Grace and more grace. My intention is NEVER to cause shame or regret, but to give you HOPE. Hope that YOU CAN CHANGE, whether you want (more) children, are raising children, or have grown children or grandchildren, etc. You have hope to share with others. Hope because there are answers. Hope because God is merciful and gracious and powerful to heal and redeem what the enemy has meant for destruction! I see it happen in my practice every week!! This is HOPE for those who doubt they can get pregnant. Hope because we don't have to suffer as a society as much as we are. If you don't know my story, I was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 24 and told I'd never be able to have kids. LIE. But God... I haven't had "endometriosis" for a long time, and I never had to battle "infertility" in trying to conceive at age 37 (Medical Doctors say I'm HIGH RISK; God says "this is the perfect timing"). I also have 1 of the MTHF-R Gene Mutations working against me (my liver doesn't detoxify properly without a me taking good care of myself on a daily basis >> no wonder I have always felt so sensitive to processed foods, drugs and chemicals!). Yet I've had a wonderful pregnancy with minimal nausea, great energy, good sleep, stable hormones and emotions, and textbook pregnancy measurements/progress! I had mild nausea for about 3-4 weeks and threw up once because I tried to take too many supplements the day the nausea hit... and up came my eggs and breakfast! I've had some hip pain that I mentioned earlier which has been managed through rest, massage, Chiropractic care, stretching, exercise and essential oils/herbs. Yes, God is indeed merciful. God is able to do far above what we ask or imagine, but we must take responsibility for our health and our sin so that we can heal. Obedience matters. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE with God... cuz the Bible says! ;) Neglecting ourselves before & during pregnancy has consequences to our babies and the next generation. It can lead to years of stress dealing with your own and your children's health problems. It can wreak financial havoc and marital tension that can lead to divorce, division, adultery, abuse, and other unforeseen consequences that are unfair to our children. OUR NEGLECT & UNNECESSARY ILLNESS robs our families and The Church (The Body of Christ) of the blessing of our full potential. Who wants to spend their life sick, running to Doctors, filling prescriptions, fighting with insurance companies, run down and chasing another diagnosis?? How much more short-tempered, angry, irritable & depressed are we when we "just don't feel good." How is this affecting our witness of Christ to this broken world?...and to our kids?...our families?...our friends? It's exhausting trying to change our own lifestyle habits & our children's diets once poor habits have set in, BUT it's never too late! Don't let that discourage or stop you if that's where you are starting. I work with families and help them make healthy changes every day. Ideally, we get well before the next pregnancy.... proactive & intentional (again, if possible). Prepared. Trained. HEALTHY >> so we can enjoy the moment & bond with our baby instead of spending 9-10 months sick, miserable, depressed, medicated, overwhelmed & completely exhausted before baby even arrives. If you have already had all your children, but they are sick... Grace! You simply take the next step in the right direction. Ask the Lord where to begin. If you are lead to work with me, we will find a plan that works for your family. YOU CAN CHANGE and YOUR BODY CAN HEAL!!! So much of this is the result of us not being informed as to how to properly care for our temples. Most of the traditional information and training and education and beliefs about childbirth and pregnancy are fear-based and not rooted in Truth or HOPE. Even much of the nutritional advice, books, apps and other resources are full of garbage, lies & fear. Anyone can put anything on the internet. We must learn to sift everything through the hand of God. The BEST, Christ-centered resource I would recommend to every pregnant woman is: The Courageous Mom Pre & Postnatal Course, resources & ministry. This is also ideal for the mommy-to-be who wants a do-over on her next pregnancy and birth (like me! - regarding recovering from the postpartum trauma I ended up going through and preparing for a VBAC home birth, God-willing). Childbirth has become big business, man-made, mechanical and treated like a disease. This is NOT God's plan. Childbirth is every bit physical, emotional AND Spiritual. We were designed to carry & deliver babies (not plan their due dates for our convenience and have them cut out of our bodies because it's more convenient for us or our Doctor or because we are afraid of the pain or because we are 2 days past our due date. What??) Ultrasounds are a blessing for us to be able to take a look inside (WHEN medically necessary) to make sure everything is ok. However, they were never intended to be used (abused) routinely at every pre-natal visit or for our viewing pleasures, especially not the new 3D and 4D Ultrasounds, which are purely for pleasure and not "diagnostic". These are not good for our fragile, developing babies. They are big money for Doctors who make us think we "need them" every visit, and it's easy to say YES when insurance covers it and we (understandably) can't wait to "see" our growing babies. Again, hear me, praise God for them WHEN MEDICALLY NECESSARY. My (bold) questions are these: How many are really "necessary"? Has anyone ever even mentioned to you that doing multiple ultrasounds during pregnancy has risks, and is even thought to be linked to autism, developmental issues, etc? If you knew the risks would you still do it? And is our impatience to "see" everything ahead of time really worth the potential risk? Each of us has to pray and decide that for ourselves. It's not for me. I've posted more info at the bottom of this blog on this topic. Now before someone gets offended, I am aware and grateful that there is a time and place for emergency C-sections and Ultrasounds. Praise God for them (WHEN medically necessary)! But much of what leads to a high risk pregnancy or emergency CAN BE PREVENTED if we are patient, properly educated and encouraged. We must prepare and learn what proper pre-natal care is and what a healthy (not a typical) pregnancy and birth looks like. We MUST learn to walk by faith and trust God above all else in more areas. Fear & hospital birthing are 2 of the biggest inhibitors to a natural, unmedicated, vaginal birth. Did you know: The most common major surgery performed in the U.S isn’t to remove an appendix or replace a knee anymore. It’s to deliver babies by C-section. Approximately 1 out of every 3 babies born in the US is now born via C-section (Born surgically!) This is so sad and so unnecessary. A C-section and multiple ultrasounds are easy to justify when insurance covers it, your Doctor promotes it, your friends are doing it, and you think it's the easier (safer) way to go. But it's not safer. Please, ladies. Wake up. Get informed. We are hurting our bodies, our children and the next generation. There is so much to learn about how enjoyable & simple childbirth CAN BE. There is a better way, the narrow way (literally...haha), the way that leads to more abundant life. God made our bodies to create & birth life!! FEAR is robbing us of our God-given abilities and supernatural birth stories. We have NOT been taught to seek God first before letting our insurance or Doctors dictate our healthcare decisions, or before letting fear convince us we "can't" do this or that. God provides! Are we seeking GOD before reading this book or that blog or taking this class or listening to that friend? We are taking advice from people who don't have the experience we desire for our pregnancy and childbirth. We hold onto stories of fear and trauma, and then other people's baggage & realities become the LIES we believe. This all passes into the womb, onto our kids and into our parenting, and then it becomes our childrens' stories. God is ultimately in control, but there IS MUCH that we are given control of. We can do better, friends. THERE IS SO MUCH HOPE Sisters, we are not our friends. We are not our parents. We are not our last birth experience. We are not motivated by fear. We are not the lies we have believed. A baby doesn't complete us and a baby won't save a marriage. WE ARE a clean slate, a new generation, a new story, a new creation in Christ, daughters of the MOST HIGH GOD (the God of peace, power & miracles). We are forgiven, teachable, redeemed, and unconditionally LOVED by a GOOD FATHER who knows how to parent US and our children and lead us perfectly. We CAN birth our children naturally and with much less pain. We are not afraid of pain for pain itself births so much healing and goodness as we work THROUGH it instead of constantly trying to avoid it. We cannot avoid pain in this life. The FEAR of pain is a place God wants to heal in us. In the moment of labor & delivery, we surrender to the process, let go of ALL fear so our body (uterus, cervix, vagina, perineum) can relax and naturally expel our baby, letting the story unfold, as long as it takes, according to God's will. (C-sections are there in case of emergency. We don't need to panic). I do strongly recommend sitting with the Lord and asking the Lord if there's anything He wants to teach you. Ask Him who should be in the room when you are giving birth (regardless of WHERE you are giving birth). ANYONE who brings up fear of any sort can inhibit labor & your desires for a natural (vaginal), unmedicated birth. If you feel strongly about delivering in a hospital, then pray about hiring a doula as your natural birth advocate. We live in a culture of extreme FEAR. Fear causes three physical, detrimental reactions in the body―tightening of the muscles, reduced blood flow to the birthing muscles, and the release of certain hormones―which increase the pain and discomfort of childbirth. Being properly educated, supported and prepared will significantly help you achieve the safest, healthiest and most enjoyable birth possible, even in a hospital setting. Also beware that the term "natural birth" is being misused, so ask the right questions to the right people and seriously consider working with a midwife (I am using a midwife vs Ob/Gyn and have loved every second of it!) if you truly desire a NATURAL, UNMEDICATED BIRTH WITHOUT INTERVENTIONS, a home birth or a birth center birth. Many women claim to have natural births simply because they have a vaginal birth, yet it's a vaginal birth with a whole slew of interventions, including epidurals. That's... not... natural. What has happened to our common sense? One naive intervention on a scared, misinformed or unprepared mother's part can QUICKLY turn into a cascade of interventions you never wanted that can wreak havoc on you and your baby, sometimes for the long haul. With the rate of c-section births in the U.S. being MORE THAN DOUBLE the “medically necessary” target of 10 percent to 15 percent that WHO says is ideal & safe, I personally wanted to stay as far away from a hospital as possible. This is the highest percentage in history and apparently the statistics are even worse here in Orange County, CA! Furthermore, infant and mother mortality rates have NOT improved with these statistics. My midwife has delivered well over 2000 babies and has had to transfer only about 5% of those women to the hospital. And of those, only about 1% had to have c-sections. This is what the statistics SHOULD look like. Statistically birth center and home births are safer than a hospital birth. Pray, do your research and talk to women who have amazing birth stories.... then decide what's best for YOU. Something has gone seriously wrong. Our culture teaches women to fear birth as a painful and traumatic experience. We are RUSHING something that should not be rushed, often pushing when we need to be relaxing, and panicking over things that don't call for an "emergency". The medical (business) model of childbirth is pushing us to become selfish (yes, I said it) and afraid, and we're being pressured to control everything that happens to us. This is not freedom. This bondage to fear and control is NOT God's best for us or the next generation. Women are being taught to plan everything ahead of time and to intervene and panic when things don't go perfectly according to someone else's agenda/timeline. We are leaving no room to wait, walk by faith and let God's perfect timing and plan unfold. We are being robbed of great JOY and peace. We are being robbed of beautiful birth stories. Childbirth is a great time to "exercise" patience and faith. After all, we're going to need it as we transition into the next season of motherhood, right?! :) Every woman, every baby, and every birth story is different and it should be. Trust God. Trust your body, His amazing creation. YOU CAN have an amazing birth story & experience! SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES YOU MAY ENJOY: Courageous Mom Pre & Postnatal Course (best overall; Christ-centered & holistic; ONLY resource to cover pre AND post-natal, which is essential) Hypnobirthing (book & CD/course) Ina May's Guide to Childbirth (book) Mama Natural Online Birth Course & Website (Holistic, accurate, thorough, affordable) My own Birth Scriptures & Birth Declarations (I encourage you to create your own declarations, too) *Don't let the word "HYPNObirthing" scare you. As with ANYTHING, chew on the meat & spit out the bones. I am not at all confused or dappling in New Age. A lot of info in this book is incredibly helpful, especially understanding how the pregnant/birthing body works & the breathing techniques. I skipped over most of the visualizations & did not find the CD helpful ;) **You'll pay less for these 2 Online Birth Courses than you would pay for 1 local, specific technique course (like Bradley Method, Hypnobirthing, etc). We felt totally prepared, encouraged & informed, while not being limited to 1 technique. Neither course is fear-based, whereas many hospital courses can be. A (growing) LIST OF THINGS TO CONSIDER/PRAY ABOUT PREGNANCY/CHILDBIRTH: WHY does Natural Childbirth matter? Here is a list of the MANY benefits of going natural. Gentle Cesarean: If you're being told you HAVE to have a C-section, FIRST find out if that's actually true utilizing the resources in this blog and praying. Get a second opinion from a trusted natural mama or midwife, someone who won't be "gaining" convenience or financial reward from you having surgery. There ARE times when C-section is medically necessary (such as placentia previa, breech birth like mine, etc), in which case you can still opt for the healthier version of surgery. Check out this article on Gentle Cesarean and know what your options are. Then do your research to find the best hospital to accommodate YOUR birth plan and desires. Midwife vs Medical Doctor (Obstetrician): Midwives are specialists in (healthy, low-risk) pregnancy and giving birth with the role of looking after a pregnant woman and her baby during pregnancy, labor, birth and for a time, post-natally. The care and education you receive working with a midwife is so special and personal. They serve as an advocate FOR you, respecting YOUR desires, YOUR birth plan, and YOUR beliefs surrounding NATURAL CHILD BIRTH. They are licensed practitioners and beyond qualified to help women birth their babies naturally. They support the belief that less intervention is best, allowing you to birth in peace, without fear, without pressure and surrounded by lots of love and encouragement. They are also equipped for trauma, stitches, etc and know when to transfer a woman to the hospital in special circumstances. Since anyone can find an OBGYN or deliver in a hospital, I want to educate you more on the alternatives and the benefits of choosing a midwife. Perhaps you'll be inspired to consider giving birth at home or in a birthing center vs a hospital. Here's a link to my midwife's FAQ's page to help you. Here's another list of interview questions to help YOU find the right midwife. A few more resources about midwifery: Midwives Alliance of North America California Association of Midwifery California Families for Access to Midwives Medical Sharing vs Insurance: Personally, we made the switch from Health Insurance to (Christian) Medical Sharing in 2014. Zach and I are both self-employed and could not justify paying $700+/month for 2 healthy mid-30's adults to have insurance that doesn't cover real health care. We only use traditional health care in the case of an ER visits or trauma. We switched to Medi-Share (but after baby will likely switch to one that covers more alternative health care like Acupuncture, Chiropractic care & Supplements) and have never looked back. We pay less than $200/month and CHOOSE how we want to INVEST in our health. We CHOOSE to carry a high deductible that won't "sink us" in the case of a major health tragedy but at a risk level we are comfortable with. We can get our monthly Chiropractic adjustments, Acupuncture as needed, all our supplements and even pre-natal massage as needed for less than what we HAVE to pay for full coverage insurance we don't use. We don't waste money on alcohol or junk food anymore, so it is more affordable to buy organic, healthy foods (though we still try to be frugal with our spending). We can save the rest (now it's being applied to our home birth... yay!). For my pregnancy we KNEW we wanted to do a home water birth, so we are paying the discounted, out-of-pocket, cash price for that (still less annually than what we would have paid for insurance!). All pre-natal labs are included in the $5400 midwifery fee, Ultrasound is not. When you pay out-of-pocket, you see how much is "covered by insurance" that is not really necessary, and how the traditional health care system is so abused and confused. You THINK about every decision you make when you SEE the money come out of your bank account. We will meet our "deductible" with the pre-natal expenses this year, so if anything unexpected comes up (or for some reason I did have to get transferred to a hospital during child birth or otherwise) all those expenses will be covered at 100%. This is what works for OUR FAMILY because we choose to take responsibility for our health, use natural medicine, and don't run to Doctors quickly. We have been proactive for many years. Typically, families with traditional insurance will choose whatever is covered by their plan. I get it. I would simply encourage you to get informed and educated and hire a doula to help you and advocate for you if you will deliver in the hospital. It is still possible to have a healthy, enjoyable, natural birth in a hospital setting, but you may have to fight for it. You may need to ask trusted friend WHICH hospital is best. You'll want a birth plan. You'll want to know how to best prepare. You'll want to know the different pressures you will likely face. I personally want to enjoy every second of this once in a lifetime experience. We want the freedom to make certain decisions ahead of time (such as: knowing my midwife WELL & knowing SHE will be the one at my birth with another certified birth assistant/midwife, no vaccines, no Vitamin K shot, no Hepatitis B shot, no antibiotics, no chemical induction or drugs, no epidural, no early cord clamping, freedom to choose my birthing position, freedom to use herbs & essential oils & flower remedies as needed, freedom to use the birthing tub, freedom to be patient/breathe without fear/pressures for C-section, freedom to snuggle our baby immediately and welcome her in a loving, peaceful environment and then remain in the comfort of my own home, freedom to play worship music & read scripture cards, freedom to open the windows, eat healthy, drink, etc etc). Statistically, home birthing is safer and healthier (facts you won't get from the hospital, Doctors, or traditional western medicine). Bottom line >> Be informed about your rights, your options, and God's ability to provide for you and your family! Alternatives to Routine Newborn Procedures: This is a well written article. No need for me to reinvent the wheel ;) Ultrasounds: Did you know that there are risks to having routine ultrasounds, 3D/4D ultrasounds and excessive doppler heartbeat checks?? The rule of thumb is the less intervention, the better. They should ONLY be used when medically necessary. Ultrasounds are supposed to be DIAGNOSTIC tests, not a photo booth for the fetus each month. We are abusing these privelages (we need to train PATIENCE, a fruit of the Spirit, and FAITH) and our children are likely suffering for it. Even the FDA (shocker) warns AGAINST 3D & 4D screenings. Here is a great article that thoroughly covers this topic. (Delayed) Umbilical Cord Clamping: Traditionally (especially in the hospital), the cord is cut immediately. It is ideal to WAIT until the cord quits pulsing (20-30min, sometimes more!) before clamping/cutting the umbilical cord. There is vital nutrition, rich blood, stem cells and immunity that come from NOT rushing the birth process. Again, patience. This makes a HUGE impact on baby's future health, further eliminating any need for Vitamin K shots/drops and other "medical intervention". Many hospitals will not allow you this privelage, and it is not an option with a C-section, as they must suture you back up asap to prevent infection and get you off of anesthesia asap. Vaccines: Read my blog called: Educate before you vaccinate. There is a growing list of resources at the bottom of the blog for you to do your own research. Watch the informative (not fear-based) 9-part docu-series called Vaccines Revealed. From here you can get many other resources, as well. National Vaccine Information Center (website, social media, newsletter & calls to action) Children's Health Defense (website, newsletter & social media pages) ImmunityEducationGroup.org (website, social media pages & podcast) Vernix: God's lotion! This is the cheesy white stuff that covers your baby's skin at birth. Try to prevent your support team from wiping it off. Instead, rub it in and don't bathe baby for a few days...or over a week! Vitamin K & Delayed Circumcision: Regarding Vitamin K, we personally will NOT do this (and wouldn't even if we were having a boy). Babies are not supposed to have high Vitamin K levels the day they are born. It's NORMAL. Their levels actually peak on Day 8 as they develop and get good nutrition from mommy's perfect food, breast milk. Isn't it interesting that God told Abraham to circumcise all newborn males on the 8th day?? Genesis 17:12 "From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth." Interesting eh? Check out this blog I found that co-references scripture with science! And for the record, if we ever have a baby boy and decide to circumcise (my husband gets the final say on that decision- ha!), we would still wait until Day 8. Typically, you can find a Doctor's office or Rabbi to do it. Mega-dosing babies with Vitamin K (which is NOT a vitamin, by the way >> Learn more & see ingredients in the Vitamin K shot) is dangerous and illogical. Oral Vitamin K is safer, yes, but in my opinion (IMO) still unnecessary and risky (I simply ask God to give me wisdom because you'll find arguments & "research" these days to match anything you want to believe). IMO, the benefits DO NOT outweigh the risks. I plan to intentionally eat Vitamin K-rich foods and drink Nettle tea in my last month of pregnancy (we should be eating these regularly anyway). My opinion: The further we have gotten from taking responsibility for our own health, refusing to see our own sin, getting good sleep, eating real, organic foods, and eating PLENTY of servings of produce each day (some people get none), the more we are seeing serious chronic health issues and gut problems. We are passing false information, bad habits, fear and illness on to the next generation. Thus, our children and grandchildren are suffering for it. The Body of Christ is suffering (unnecessarily). Western Medicine sees the "symptom" and makes another medical intervention and drug for it instead of educating and encouraging people, never getting to the root of the problem. Thus, there will be no "cure". Medical research also fails to include Biblical, foundational Truth. When it comes to health and "health care", we tend to follow the world's ways blindly without question, uninformed of the risks involved. Does intervening with pregnancy as much as we are and injecting a NEWBORN baby with all these drugs and vaccines really make sense? Does it feel natural? Are we really healthier as a society as a result? (I'll answer that...NO! In fact, we are worse). We have some serious health crises on our hands. Please pray about this... and make sure you cast down ALL FEAR and pride ;) Lord, help us. Teach us. Lead us. In Jesus name. Amen. MERCY REIGN. God has already used this baby girl to bring so much healing, revelation and joy to Zach and I. GOD'S MERCY (kindness & compassion) is a promise to all of us!! We get another chance, whether you are pregnant, desire to be pregnant, are a mom already raising her children or a grandmother, OR a female friend who speaks life & Truth (that's all of us!). YOU are a mouthpiece of HOPE & TRUTH for your family and other women! Praying blessings and Truth over all of you and for a healthy new generation, in Jesus name!! Check out a podcast I had the honor of recording with Alisa Keeton, founder of the Faith-based Fitness Ministry: Revelation Wellness (available on Podbean App or itunes). The RevWell Instructor Training Program changed my life & played a HUGE role in my freedom, which ultimately lead to me saying YES to God's will & bringing children into this world! What blessings we would have missed out on had I stayed "stuck" in my sin and fear and pride. I'm still a work in progress, but I can certainly share what I have learned and what God has redeemed thus far! HOPE HEALS. Approximately 50%-75% of Americans & 95% of Autistic (or Spectrum disorder) people have an MTHF-R genetic mutation. A person with this genetic mutation cannot produce the enzyme called Methyl Tetra Hydrate Folate Reductase (or MTHF-R for short). This enzyme is ESSENTIAL for methylation processes to occur in the body, which are critical for detoxification & wellness. These people are not methylating properly. Your body HAS to be able to break down folate (B9) to ultimately produce glutathione in the liver. Without glutathione, these people cannot properly eliminate toxins from their bodies, particularly through the digestive system (AKA: they are chronically toxic, sick & have liver & gut problems). In case you don't already know, MOST chronic health problems tie into the gut. Did you know that ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Atherosclerosis, Autism, Auto-immune disease, Bipolar & Schizophrenia & other mental illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, IBS, Osteoporosis, PCOS, Hormone Imbalances, and so many other "diagnoses" are primarily inflammatory bowel disorders! Emotions and Spiritual warfare also play a major role that most Doctors are ignoring. I always look at people Holistically. You cannot just focus on symptoms or the location of the pain or symptom. Now add those emotional and spiritual layers to a severely imbalanced gut (and add a genetic mutation that affects nearly EVERY process in the body), and you are now prey for the enemy to turn up the fear, doubt, frustration & hopelessness. Your mind can't work right at this point. BUT... YOU CAN HEAL FROM THIS!! Do not try to do this on your own. You need ask God what the FIRST step is. Ask HIM for a referral to a trusted Holistic Doctor. Adding psychotropic drugs (like anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds), pain meds or other Pharmaceutical drugs to this mess is a recipe for disaster. It does not HEAL the patient. It essentially tranquilizes & numbs them, adding more insult to injury behind the scenes. Eventually the list of meds gets longer and longer while the patient gets sicker and sicker. Medication does NOT get the the root of the problem, it masks it. You have to actively participate in your health journey to get well. You will have to change your diet and lay down some things you used to enjoy. But if we are being really honest with ourselves... cravings and "bad habits" are just a more palatable way of saying "lusts of the flesh". Jesus is bigger than every craving, habit, addiction, obstacle, imbalance & doubt we have. When you truly want to be well, you will do whatever it takes. When the pain of regret or illness surpasses the pain of change, you will change. And you can! Jesus is your secret weapon. I witness miracles every week! In my office, we help you change without shaming you or ever getting mad at you. We always point you back to the Lord and motivate you through LOVE & GRACE. Fear is not of God, so avoid those who use fear for motivation.
Moving on. 95% of our neurotransmitters are produced in the gut (not the brain!). Our gut & brain develop from the SAME fetal tissue. It's all related. Don't roll your eyes. It's true! Remember, 95% of Autistic children have this (heterozygous or homozygous) genetic mutation. The prevelance of this genetic mutation seems to be one major reason why some people are really susceptible to adverse reactions to drugs, vaccines, GMO foods, processed grains & any other chemical or toxin, while other people do not react so significantly. Toxins literally build up in the body causing severe chronic illness, chronic pain syndromes, a compromised immune system, the inability to heal, microbiome imbalances & psychological issues ranging from mild to severe. Folic Acid, found in grains & most processed foods, builds up in these people's bodies instead of being assimilated, absorbed & utilized for healthy bodily functions. Furthermore, the toxic overload of this Folic Acid often masks dangerously LOW levels of the other B vitamins. I thought a bulleted list would be the easiest way to summarize... MTHF-R MUTATIONS CAN AFFECT THE FOLLOWING:
A genetic mutation does not mean you cannot be helped. In fact, this means that once you change your diet and provide the CORRECT nutrients, that you will see significant results in the body's ability to heal from all kinds of chronic and "un-curable" conditions!! There is hope! If you are sick or have any serious "diagnoses," there is much more work to be done in the gut and otherwise, so I highly recommend scheduling an appointment so that I can test you or consult with you to customize a plan specifically for you. If you are/were a patient and you were one of the hard cases that we just could NOT figure out why your blood pressure wouldn't heal, or your gut wouldn't completely heal, or we couldn't get cholesterol numbers into range, or you still feel "stuck"... I BET this is one piece of the puzzle, a key that could unlock a lot of healing pathways in your body. I'd love the opportunity to work with you again! Remember, 50% of the population has this, which means those numbers are only going to increase over the next few generations. If you cannot get to the bottom of your health issues, assume you have this until you learn otherwise and take proper action (see below). Also, I would NOT VACCINATE your kids IF YOU or YOUR SPOUSE has this or any auto-immune condition. Get your child tested for this genetic mutation before making a decision that changes your child's life forever. If you have this or suspect you have this, then your kids are at even higher risk. Read my blog "Educate Before You Vaccinate" for more information. Watch: The Animated Genome to understand what a genome is and why it matters to each of us. This is an excellent 5-minute video in genetics and genomics. WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?
*You can purchase METHYL COMBO through my ONLINE STORE at wholesale cost. Please note: if you want custom care or have questions you will need to make an appointment. I must have Intake & Consent Forms & a thorough consult with you and test you to answer specific questions for you. * NOTE & 2024 UPDATE: While many want to know if they have this gene mutation, I now (in 2024) do not encourage people to spend money on this. I used to. But once you learn better, you do better. If you have chronic health issues, I know and assume you likely have this. I want ROOT CAUSE information. WHAT is stuck in your body? WHAT is causing your health issues? This is the better investment. I now focus on ROOT CAUSE lab testing. WHat is involved in this varies from person to person. But testing for MTHF-R and other genetics does NOT give me information to use to get you well. Identifications of the interferences hiding in your body DOES. And from there I can customize a very strategic detox and health plan just for YOU. Warning: Not all MD's will know about this mutation or believe it is matters. I have had patients who have been mocked, shamed or denied the test by their other Doctors (just FYI). I'm also hearing from patients that Medical Doctors are telling them that if they have only 1 mutation (heterozygous) that it has no affect on your health. THIS IS NOT TRUE. As a Doctor, helping other people intimately through their spiritual and health journey has taught me A LOT. It is a responsibility and honor I take very seriously, and it has taught me great discipline in seeking the Lord for everything. There is so much information available to ALL of us that I’ve found most people are totally overwhelmed and confused. If I allow people to influence me more than God and His Word I will simply be one more MIS-leader putting out information that keeps people in bondage. Seeking the Lord first has changed my personal health, practice and ministry. I have learned how absolutely critical it is to take the time to seek God for how I should take care of MYSELF, for every decision I make, for any appointment I make for myself, before I look something up online, before I take any class or training, before I purchase anything, and before I commit to any “good opportunity” or partner with ANYONE on ANYTHING for ANY reason. I have learned that no matter how much sense something makes or how good something seems, it's not always GOD’S BEST...FOR ME. HE sees the beginning from the end. We can’t. Sometimes He will call us to change something, try something new, take something, do something, quit something, risk something...or do nothing. Sometimes it's simply an opportunity to practice "saying no" or "saying yes" without questioning God.
ALL of it will take faith. Our faith needs to be exercised to be strong. Sometimes all we need to do is spend time at the feet of Jesus, which takes a lot of faith when we are hurting and the fire is raging. We want to DO SOMETHING. We want to FEEL BETTER, but God’s Word reminds us in Isaiah 30:15 “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength”. Often times, LESS IS MORE. It is a radical act of faith and obedience to quiet our hearts and ask the Lord for what we need. In fact, when we train our faith, it MAY BE the only step we have to take, saving us years (if not a lifetime) of suffering, time, frustration and money. God’s Word is true and He cannot break His promises. Let me remind you of a few stories where FAITH ALONE HEALED GOD’S PEOPLE! Mark 5:34 (Jesus said) "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over." Matthew 9:22 "Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well." And the woman was healed at that moment. Luke 8:48. "Daughter," he said to her, "your faith has made you well. Go in peace." Luke 18:42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." Luke 17:19 And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you." Mark 10:52 And Jesus said to him, "Go, for your faith has healed you." Luke 7:50 And Jesus told the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Mark 3:10 For He (Jesus) had healed so many that all who had diseases were pressing forward to touch Him. I now, more than ever, firmly believe that much of the information we have access to (as a patient or Doctor) is a huge distraction, the counterfeit, a cause for fear, a trap into the idolatry of more knowledge, and a trap to self-diagnose, keeping people in the viscous cycle of sickness and hopelessness, thinking they've read, tried and know everything. Sure, the internet can be used for good, but much of it is the work of the enemy. It’s subtle and it’s dangerous. Don't take the bait. Go to the LORD FIRST before you do more research. 2 Cor 10:5 reminds us: "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." You can’t un-read or un-see something. Seeds are planted, many of which are sown in fear, pride, foolishness, worldly knowledge or selfish ambition. Satan LOVES that we are so connected yet so distracted, so deceived, so easily offended, so self-sufficient, and so obsessed with gaining “more knowledge,” that we don’t even think to invite the Lord into these areas of our life. People are so sick, so tired, so confused and so much of it is unnecessary. Only GODLY WISDOM leads to life abundant! Jesus is the Great(est) Physician. We need to unplug and PRACTICE going to Him for everything. He knows what we really need. He knows whether the need is truly urgent or not. He has the resources you will need for however He leads. It may not make sense at first. You may feel like you don’t hear from God right now, but you never will if you don’t try. You have to take the 1st step. You have to spend time with Jesus to know His voice. He is faithful to speak and to deliver. I have YEARS of personal experience (and mistakes and wasted time and money) researching things to death and making health decisions in the flesh. It kept me sick and left me EXHAUSTED, even hopeless. But God used it to show me what NOT to do, worked it all together for good, for His glory and for the good of the Church, giving me a voice to help YOU quit wasting more time and resources. He’s given me a simple system in my own practice to help others get well...and THE FIRST THING WE DO IS PRAY TOGETHER! He has been so faithful to give me wisdom, revelation, prophecy or direction that I would NEVER have through more studying or training or letters behind my name. I’ve worked with hundreds of people who have wasted YEARS of their life trying to self-diagnose, researching things to death, and just “following the system”, making decisions in the flesh, running to various Doctors in the fear of infirmity and discomfort, desperate for immediate relief and answers, only to stay sick, tired, and hopeless, thinking that “nothing works”. Let HIM direct your steps instead of your money, your insurance, “expert opinions”, or advice from friends. Get off the internet UNLESS Jesus specifically directs you somewhere. If HE leads you, He will clear the schedule, provide the money, give you the strength, cause you to persevere, whatever you need. GOD DOES NOT LEAVE US HANGING. He. defeated. death. friends! That same resurrection power lives in you! He wants to do far more than heal your physical infirmities. I am a personal testimony as well as a witness to many hundreds of people who God has used in their infirmities to build radical faith, strength, perseverance, character, peace, wisdom, joy and freedom. He cares even more about our hearts and our Spirit. Proverbs 3: 5-6 TRUST in the LORD with ALL your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Keep it simple sillies ;) BRYCE'S AUTISM HEALING TESTIMONY >>> HOPE!!! I'm SO EXCITED to share this story with you guys!! I got to interview Careen, my dear friend, sister-in-Christ & Office Manager, about her son, Bryce & what God has miraculously healed since May of 2016. I have the privilege of being his Doctor & God has blown our minds!! There is HOPE for Autism and all "diseases". God has showed me how truly simple it can be. God can do the impossible! I have to add: This is Bryce's story. This is not a "protocol to heal autism". What we did for him was HIS CUSTOM PLAN. I prayed for him and muscle tested him. His protocol will not necessarily work for someone else with autism. Each patient's plan will look quite different. Each Autism case will be different. All of our bodies have different layers of toxins, genes, blood type, and many other factors affecting it, and we will all differ in the natural remedies that will work for each of us. If you or someone you know needs help/hope, please pray before you make any health decisions. The Lord will show you who can help/where to go :) Share & Comment if you are inspired in some way! We love to hear what God is up to. Download the FREE PodBean App & SUBSCRIBE to my channel if you want notifications & access to all Christ-centered workouts, Health Teachings, Testimonies & other podcasts I post.  CANDIDA FAQ'S
HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE CANDIDA OVERGROWTH? For starters, you can do this FREE home Candida Spit Test: http://docjana.weebly.com/wellness-blog/candida-spit-test. It is quite accurate. In fact, you can re-do this test monthly as you go through a Candida Detox to watch it decrease in your body, and also to help assess if it's actually gone or not. Most people think it's under control long before it truly is (usually because they want to add sugar/carbs back into their diet way too soon). Next, do you have a white-ish coating on your tongue? If so, that's likely yeast! We're getting warmer ;) To be absolutely certain of what's going on with your health (which is often MORE than just Candida overgrowth), you can schedule an appt with me, and I will evaluate you thoroughly for Candida overgrowth, parasites, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, chemicals, food allergies and a whole lot more. You'll leave with a thorough plan customized JUST for you :) Regardless of what you decide, know this: Candida overgrowth is very serious and difficult to manage without professional help. I'll leave it at that ;) Other Symptoms of Candida overgrowth (Candidiasis) could include:
NOW BEFORE YOU READ ANY FURTHER... I NEED YOU TO PROMISE ME THAT YOU WILL PRAY & CAST DOWN ALL FEAR IN THE NAME OF JESUS! If all signs are pointing to "Yes" for Candida overgrowth, then great, we are getting answers. This means HOPE. Don't freak out. Yes, there's a journey ahead, but God's got everything you're gonna need! None of this catches Him off guard ;) OK, promise??? OK, go! WHAT CAUSES CANDIDA OVERGROWTH? Candida albicans is a yeast (fungus) that is present in all of us. It is a natural and normal part of the body’s gut flora. However, certain factors such as (over)use of antibiotics & steroids, birth control pills, the S.A.D. (Standard American Diet- highly refined, genetically-modified and sugar-loaded), stress, weakened immune function, lack of sleep, and environmental pollutants/toxins all contribute to the OVERGROWTH of Candida and other inflammation (diseases and dis-eases) in our body. Candida Overgrowth can also be called CANDIDIASIS. Candida overgrowth is sort of like having wet glue all over our “insides.” It thrives in warm, moist environments: mouth, gut, anus, ears, vagina, etc. It reproduces very quickly (same thing that happens with a vaginal yeast infection or thrush), and it lives on sugar. Therefore, we have to be very strategic in killing it off. It is one of the most over-looked “stressors” found in the body, and one of the major culprits in MOST serious conditions. I can easily say that about 80% of patients I work with test positive for this. It is epidemic. Here's a webinar I taught called "Balancing Your Microbiome" if you want to listen & take notes. WHAT DOES A CANDIDA DETOX DIET LOOK LIKE? First, I need to make something clear because there is a lot of confusion surrounding this topic. Almost no one will fully overcome Candida overgrowth if they ONLY change their diet or if they ONLY do supplements. BOTH the dietary changes and the "supplements" (different for everyone) are critical to succeed. Once someone has Candida overgrowth, it is a living organism that wreaks havoc on any of the body's systems: the gut, immune system, endocrine system (hormones), hepatic system (liver), genitourinary system (kidneys/bladder), circulatory system (blood/heart), integumentary system (skin), etc. The dietary specifics will be customized for each patient I work with based on their New Patient Exam findings. SO, all that to say..."In general", this is what I recommend after many years of revisions and working 1 on 1 with patients and personally going through this myself: NO: grains (bread/pasta/corn/rice), potatoes, beets, mushrooms, peanuts/pistachios, cheese (or dairy for many), fruit, coffee, alcohol, sugar, coconut H2O EAT: eggs/meat/fish/poultry, LOTS of veggies, RAW kombucha (<2g sugar), RAW sauerkraut, RAW kimchi, RAW apple cider vinegar, nuts/seeds, legumes/beans, non-grain flours (almond, coconut), garlic/herbs, lemon/lime EAT UNSWEETENED: plain yogurt or RAW kefir (if no dairy allergy), coconut, nut & seed butter/milk SWEETENERS: xylitol/erythritol/maltitol, Swerve & stevia will NOT feed yeast BEWARE: aspartame, acesulfame (K)potassium, splenda, sucralose ("sugar-free" chemical sweeteners are toxic) *You will see conflicting info between different Doctors & Nutritionists. I'm not trying to say I have the only plan that works. I'm simply telling you what I've found works with the way I practice & the wisdom God's given ME. Again, these are general recommendations. No one can write a protocol on a website that will work for everyone. Just sayin ;) SO...Pray. Ask the Lord who/what you should follow or listen to. Beware of what you read/find randomly on the internet. Trust. Proceed. You are not given a Spirit of fear or confusion in Jesus name! ;) If you are someone who doesn't like to ask for help and has been driving yourself crazy trying to get better... I graciously ask that you would seek the Lord about this. Ask if there is pride, fear or idolatry of knowledge or otherwise that needs to be dealt with. You can drive yourself insane and spend even more money trying to do this alone. HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE? IS IT THE SAME FOR EVERYONE? A CANDIDA DETOX looks different for everyone. In a "Candida Detox" there is the DIET part and the SUPPLEMENTS part. The time frame for a "Candida Detox" varies depending upon how well the bowels are moving, how sick the patient is, how severe the overgrowth is, the condition of the gut, liver, kidneys, immune system, etc, and the other layers of sickness going on. Most people are unaware of how deep this problem can go. Without knowing and testing you, no one can tell you how long it will take. My best advise is to remember that you walk by faith and not by sight. This journey takes Faith. Have you prayed for faith? Healing? Patience? Perhaps God's answering your prayers?! ;) More people are becoming aware of Candida overgrowth, but we are being lead to believe there is 1 simple program every person does for a set amount of weeks and viola! It does not work like that. To answer the question of "how long" for this initial part of removing ALL sugar, grains & starch from the diet....we generally do this until your bowels are moving daily, your probiotic dose has reduced close to the recommended dosage on the bottle (because it often starts WAY higher than that! Some people need 20 capsules/day of even the really potent stuff!), AND your symptoms are reducing significantly. SO, that can be weeks for some and many months for others. At this point, we can be pretty sure we have the yeast under control and we can begin to (try to) add low glycemic foods back in first. We see how you feel for 2-4 weeks and then add more if we are continuously moving in the right direction. If any symptoms come back as a result of adding in more foods then we know it was too soon for those that caused inflammation/symptoms. Each patient with Candida overgrowth will have variations in their treatment plan, as well as other layers that need to be addressed (usually), so the plan is custom written for each person. The bowels HAVE to be moving daily, which means there is often extensive work to be done on the liver & gut simultaneously OR BEFORE triggering major yeast die-off. Most people have had Candida overgrowth for years, if not decades, so there are many other secondary layers (i.e. auto-immune problems) like an under-functioning thyroid, worn out adrenal glands, leaky gut, food allergies, liver congestion, hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid), etc that we are working on. If they are not addressed a patient could become severely constipated and very sick, or be so run down during the process that it is hard to follow through/focus. Some people will have to be really strict in cutting out all sugars, while others can do a modified Candida Detox Diet. Those with leaky gut, food allergies and a compromised immune system can expect the overall process to take quite a bit longer. Last, yes, there is a small percentage of patients who God leads me to start on a modified Candida Diet, adding berries, sweet potatoes, quinoa and sometimes brown or sprouted rice from the get-go. The Lord is faithful to lead us from visit to visit, giving each patient the patience, perseverance & provision they need, and giving me the wisdom and discernment necessary to help you. He is a part of every visit! Example: If I have recommended a patient to do 3 boxes of my product called Candida Clear, then THAT PART of your program will last 6 weeks. However, the process of "Candida Detoxing" lasts far beyond the time you are on Candida Clear and the initial Treatment Plan I wrote for YOU. We may have to stay strict on the Candida (no-sugar) diet and other supplements for a while AFTER you finish the supplement part of the cleanse. Your custom Treatment Plan will specify what YOU need to do, and specific changes/additions will be determined through each re-evaluation as your body heals and gets stronger and healthier. You can expect to experience unpleasant symptoms in the very beginning as your body detoxes (possible: headaches, breakouts, body odor, fatigue, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, cloudy urine, brain fog, body aches, etc) but this is perfectly normal, and doesn’t last long (usually a few days up to 2 weeks). Some people have very few detox symptoms while others are pretty severe. Please do not compare yourself to your friends or someone you know who has been through a Candida Detox. We are all different. Our bodies and circumstances are not the same. WHEN CAN I GO BACK TO MY “NORMAL” DIET? For starters, our goal is not to return to an un-disciplined lifestyle, holding on to the idolatry of "food", eating lots of sugar and highly processed foods whenever we want. The goal is to "fast" from sugar for a time, in God's grace and according to His will (this takes faith), in order to receive healing and restoration, and to end in a place of greater health and freedom, eating & enjoying whole foods (those that feed YOUR body) and a life of discipline. We will slowly add in low-glycemic foods like quinoa, sweet potato, brown/sprouted rice, berries and grapefruit first, when YOUR BODY is ready. This can be 2 weeks for some and 6 months for others. On average it is 1-2months. HOW CAN I MAKE GOOD CHOICES AT RESTAURANTS?
CAN I HAVE KOMBUCHA? YEP! OTHER SOURCES ARE SAYING I SHOULDN'T EAT ANY FERMENTED FOODS ON A CANDIDA DETOX? I disagree. Alcohol-free, RAW fermented foods (RAW sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar, kimchi, kombucha, kefir, etc) are natural sources of probiotics and enzymes and will immediately kick in the detox process. You cannot catch a buzz from the TRACE amounts of alcohol found in THESE foods. They can be great for the liver/gut and are traditional foods that have been removed from the S.A.D. (Standard American Diet). However, they do contain histamines, so for other reasons some people may not do well with these. For those who suspect these foods bother them, I recommend coming in as a patient so we can specifically test YOUR body and see what is best for YOU. No "food rule" will apply to everyone. As a general rule, these foods are a "yes". I DO AGREE that regular (alcohol-containing or pasteurized) fermented foods like beer, wine, aged cheese, etc will actually make you worse and feed the yeast. These are necessary to avoid in order for the body to heal. And no one would suffer in any way for laying down alcohol once & for all ;) WHAT ABOUT LEGUMES/BEANS, TOMATOES, CARROTS & PEAS, etc?? *ALL of these will simply depend on the person, their blood type, digestion, symptoms, severity of illness, etc. Some people will thrive with them. Others will notice a (significant) setback. I typically say all of these are ok on a Candida Detox UNLESS you eat them and feel bloated, foggy, constipated, diarrhea, fatigued, joint pain, get breakouts or YOUR symptoms return. If I am testing you as a patient, I can confirm whether or not you are sensitive to any of them. Dairy: If any history of asthma, sinus problems or eczema/skin problems, then NO DAIRY. WHAT IS “DIE OFF” AND WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? Die-off is properly known as a Herxheimer Reaction. When these yeast (fungal) cells die and are passing out of your body, (some sources say) up to 79 different noxious toxins are released in the die-off (detox) process. You can expect to experience unpleasant symptoms in the very beginning as your body detoxes (possible: headaches, joint pain, breakouts/rash, body odor, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, cloudy urine, brain fog, body aches, chills, mood swings, sleeplessness, etc) but this is perfectly normal, and doesn’t last long (usually just a few days to 2 weeks). Some people have very few detox symptoms while others are more severe. Please do not compare yourself to your friends or someone you know who has been through a Candida Detox. We are all different. Our bodies are not the same. If the die-off symptoms are really severe or you are not having daily bowel movements, I highly recommend being less aggressive with what you are doing and making an appointment with me or another Holistic Doctor who knows how to help you. Your liver (and possibly kidneys, etc) need additional support. Professional help would be advised at this point. WHAT HAPPENS IF I EAT SOMETHING THAT IS NOT ALLOWED... DO I HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN? Nope. God's mercies are new every day. Most people stumble at some point, some more than others. Sanctification is a process. Don't give up. Ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. Forgive yourself. Bind up any shame, doubt, fear, or guilt the enemy is trying to throw at you, and pick right back up on your next meal. Press on! If your symptoms linger, exercise patience & ask the Lord what to do: schedule a re-evaluation or appointment with me, do a water fast, nothing, take some of the following supplements, eat more veggies, etc. Drinking some extra RAW apple cider vinegar or kombucha, eating some extra sauerkraut or kimchi, or taking some extra probiotics or enzymes may help (if you have them) if you are feeling bloated or constipated. If you have my Silver Shield or Pau D' Arco tea, a little extra of these may also help. WHY DO I NEED TO EAT SO MUCH COCONUT OIL? 2-4 Tbsp/day is recommended for adults. 1 Tbsp/day for older kids/teens (when possible). Do your best. If it's making you nauseous, then decrease to 2 Tbsp/day. It contains Caprylic acid and other amazing benefits which help kill the yeast, detox and heal the liver, feed the thyroid, feed your brain and help with energy, skin, bowel movements, memory, etc. As always, buckets of grace. Avoid if you have known gall bladder issues or if coconut oil makes you nauseous. HOW CAN I GET MORE COCONUT OIL IN MY DIET? Add 2 Tbsp to any smoothie or soup or try my Matcha Latte or Healthy Hot Cocoa recipes. Try my Pumpkin muffin recipe and smear on some coconut oil or any of my soups could have a spoonful of coconut oil melted into them. My recipe blog is a great resource to help you. WHAT CAN I SUBSTITUTE FOR COFFEE AND TEA? Check out my recipe blog for "drinks" you can have. You can use the search box at the top right of any page on this website and search "drinks" or "tea" or whatever you are looking for :) We are always adding new ideas! Check out my Matcha Latte, Healthy Hot Cocoa or Detox Lemonade to start! CAN I DO THE CANDIDA DETOX DIET WHILE PREGNANT OR NURSING? Not intensely. However, you CAN change your diet and significantly reduce sugars/grains/processed foods in your diet, slowly add probiotics and/or take certain herbs to support the liver to gently detox/support the body on a daily basis. However, to more specifically advise, I would need to see you as a patient, test your body and talk in greater detail with you. Know this though: Keeping Candida overgrowth in the body is keeping both mommy and baby sick. So this IS something that needs to be carefully addressed at the proper time. HOW DO I STAY MOTIVATED ON THE CANDIDA CLEAR DIET? Stay close to Jesus. HE LOVES YOU. HE KNOWS…He knows every fear, every weakness, every financial struggle, every addiction, every stronghold and EVERY DESIRE OF YOUR HEART. He will make the crooked places straight. He is doing something so much more than you’ll ever imagine THROUGH this journey…if you’ll let Him. I watch Him use this to build character, perseverance, faith, patience, trust, self-control, discipline, and deep respect for His amazing creation of the human body. He wants to be a part of our journey. HE is our source of strength and self-control as we make these sometimes drastic changes in our lives. Please don’t try to do this in your own strength. Surrender and watch your life change in more ways than you can ever imagine! I am honored to see people fight for their health and follow JESUS into these hard places! Let us not give Satan the foothold of unnecessary infirmity and disobedience to hold us back any longer. Freedom awaits. Remember that you are fasting & sacrificing the "lusts of the flesh" in order to receive so much greater from your Father in Heaven. It will be worth it! "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul." -1 Peter 2:11 KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE!! Philippians 3:12-15 (NKJV) Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. {13} Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, {14} I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. {15} Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. The Gene Myth: Our DNA is NOT Our Destiny (Article by Dr. Caroline Leaf)
Scientific research has shown that 87-98% of mental and physical and behavioral illnesses come from our thought life, which is indubitably a large and frightening number, and contrary to what many of us have been led to believe. In fact, few human processes are turned on or off by a single gene. Most processes require many genes acting together to produce a common result. Thus, the idea fired up by the media that there is a gene for this and a gene for that is incorrect. From second to second, day-by-day, genetic cascades are turned on or off by our own thoughts and experience. Yes, that means we are largely in control! This picture of a multiplicity of genes that fluctuate moment by moment is at odds with the picture ingrained in the public mind: that genes determine everything from our physical characteristics to our behavior. It’s a highly fashionable concept that there is a “gene for this and a gene for that”, and, in particular, it removes personal responsibility from us as individuals. This is unhealthy and contrary to what God teaches us, which is to take responsibility for the thoughts we think and choices we make. Fortunately, since the 1970s research has been challenging the “gene myth” and now we know that the genes in the neurons of our brains are activated 87-98% by our thoughts with embedded emotions, which, of course, challenges the cause and effect model of genetic causation. We now also understand that there is an electromagnetic component to every biological process. So, genes (biological) are how information is stored (like the hard drive of a computer) and energy (electromagnetism) is about how they communicate information (this is equivalent to plugging a computer in, which activates the hard drive to a functional level). Scientists are learning more and more about what turns genes on or off, or, in other words, what influences their activation. They have found that thinking and the subsequent thoughts we build are major activators. Thoughts and feelings turn sets of genes on and/or off in complex relationships. Moreover, science is discovering that, although we have a fixed set of genes in our chromosomes, it’s principally our thoughts that influence those genes which are active. This is an amazing, fundamental spiritual principle as well: “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he”. (Proverbs 23:7) Our thoughts and emotions shape our minds as they stimulate the formation of thought networks (neural pathways) in our brains, which either reinforce old pathways or initiate new ones. In the same way our muscles bulk up with exercise, our neurons bulk up the more we think. So what we think becomes biology; biology is genes, hormones, neurons and electromagnetic systems and all the complex interactions between them. These interactions in turn produce the words and actions we speak and perform. Our genes are being changed moment by moment by the environment of our thoughts and feelings as well as the environment of our families, homes, work, friends and where we live! We assign mental and emotional meaning to facts that are as important to gene activation as the facts themselves. Even the thoughts you are having about the coming week (a week that hasn’t happened yet and may never happen!) are wired into your brain and act as stimulus for genetic expression. So, when all is said and done, we are very much in control, and not victims of our biology. If you are interested in learning more, you can watch Dr. Leaf talk about the Gene Myth on her weekly show. WATCH THE WEEKLY DR. LEAF SHOW ON TBN. The Dr Leaf TV show airs every Wednesday on TBN at 3.30pm PST/5.30pm CST and 6.30pm EST. It also airs Internationally. We recorded our December Health Party, a DYI workshop on how to make Body Butter, Salt Scrub, Whitening & Cavity Healing Toothpaste, Anti-aging Face Serum & Healthy Candied Nuts. Give the gift of health & love for Christmas, birthdays, baby showers, etc. ALL essential oils & xylitol mentioned in video are available at wholesale cost through my ONLINE STORE Our health parties are FREE, open to the public locally, and available online via LIVE WEBINAR for anyone who is not local ;) Go to the EVENTS tab on the navigation bar of my website for more info.
God doesn't care what I eat. My Spiritual life is solid." YES, our Spirit, the only eternal part of our being, is a priority over our physical body. Godly order says: Spirit, soul, body. The world teaches "body, mind, spirit". 1 Timothy 4:7-8 teaches us to train godliness above physical training. However, this scripture is NOT a license to sin, neglect, or live a life without discipline and self-control. Training hard in godliness does not "cancel out" our need for quality nutrition and obedience in the area of diet any more than extra workouts cancel out the need for a healthy diet. There will never be a substitute for eating real food, and we cannot be surprised when we end up with health problems when we lack discipline, care and discernment in this area. I believe this is an area that needs to be brought to light in the Church so that “our Light can so shine before men that they may see our good works and GLORIFY OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN” (Mat 5:16). We are called to be obedient in all areas of our life.
A healthy "diet" for you may look different than what feeds and nourishes MY body. But the common denominator is real, whole, living foods, pure water...foods and herbs that GOD made. My primary job outside of teaching the GOOD NEWS, is to test each patient to customize what foods FEED their body best and figure out which ones are making them sick. There will NEVER be a diet or specific food rules that work for everyone. Some thrive eating clean, grass-fed meats/animal products, and others thrive on a plant-based diet. ALL of us need to be eating a diet heavy in vegetables and leafy greens and far less sugar/starches. There will never be a way around that ;) It seems our culture, dare I say, especially our CHURCH culture, acknowledges that indulgence in alcohol, drugs, pre-marital or extra-marital sex, pornography, vanity, gossip, and other “lusts of the flesh” are clearly sin. However, there is OFTEN little regard given to the lack of self control with food… and COFFEE (and sadly even alcohol in modern church culture). The abuse of these things clearly leads to illness & fatigue (mental & physical), and cause so much unnecessary suffering. PLEASE DON'T RUN AWAY YET….hear me out!!! GOD'S GRACE IS ENOUGH FOR US. It is ABSOLUTELY TRUE what MATTHEW said… “IS NOT LIFE MORE THAN FOOD?”. While we certainly do not want “health” and “diet” to become an obsession or idol, we do have a responsibility to take care of the body God designed for us. RECALL: 1 Cor 6:19 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” Food was given to us to sustain life, and harnesses a power only God could give it, to radically transform our lives. Praise God real food can taste good & be enjoyable!! Praise God for the convenience of whole food supplements & juicing so we can take in concentrated doses of nutrition to make up for what our body has lacked for years (even decades)! The question is: Does not our pleasure, contentment & comfort TRULY come from Jesus? God’s Word says the Holy Spirit is Our Comforter. If some of us are being honest…we have the tendency to choose FOOD (or wine) over Jesus for comfort sometimes (or lots of times!…again, no condemnation in Christ. This is NOT meant to shame ANYONE). We use food to grieve, celebrate, comfort, medicate and entertain. I’m not suggesting that it’s a sin to do all of the above. The abuse of it, however, is. Food is medicine. Real food is alive and gives life. Real food requires no Doctor’s appointment or prescription. Real food doesn’t DRIVE UP health care costs. Real food was made by our Creator, FOR US, for a reason. It is not meant to be something we obsess over and act like health snobs about. Nor is it an area we can keep pretending God doesn’t care about. Every void we try to fill with food (or sex, tv, social media, medication, busy-ness) is an area of brokenness that God wants to be a part of! Just as sex is a good thing, created by God, FOR MARRIAGE, not to be used or abused outside of the marriage....REAL food is a wonderful thing, Created by God, to be enjoyed and used daily to nourish and heal us, even to celebrate with, but not to be abused or perverted. GOD ALONE can transform our minds to have a new and HOLY relationship with food!! Romans 12:2 -I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. THE HOLY SPIRIT is our source of self control. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us SELF CONTROL a fruit of the Spirit! AND YES, WE CAN CHANGE because God’s Word says, “We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us”. (Phil 4:13) AMEN?!! Again, no shame. Ephesians 4:15 exhorts us to SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE. We need to talk about this. People are sick, suffering and dying, and SO MUCH OF IT is totally unnecessary. We are in this together, friends. HIS LOVE is enough!! - Dr. J
& make products that catch the consumer's eye. SOLD! Natural health practitioners, bloggers, social media & documentary producers are getting the word out about the reality of how disgusting "dairy" is in America, about how many people are actually allergic/sensitive to it & WHY. So there's now a higher demand for alternative sources of dairy or RAW dairy: nut cheese or milk (almond milk, cashew cheese, etc), soy cheese (yuck), RAW cheese/dairy (excellent IF your body can tolerate it), hormones/antibiotic-free dairy, etc.
Let's be honest, pretty much the ONLY people who are going to buy "almond cheese" such as this Trader Joe's specific product are those who are die-hard vegan OR those who have a food allergy, most commonly to "milk/dairy/casein/lactose" and don't have the freedom to eat regular processed dairy without suffering. NOTE: anyone who's eating standard U.S. "dairy" (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc) for the most part is doing damage to their body even it's not noticeable YET. The only person who actually COULD get by with this product is someone who is exclusively allergic to soy....but truthfully, there's still plenty of other garbage in here, so it wouldn't be something you'd want to eat often. This is not truly a "health food". A pizza here & there, no worries. But the person who is buying this product specifically to avoid dairy (has asthma, acne/aczema, Candida overgrowth, chronic sinus congestion, Crohn's disease, etc) will end up sick. BUYER BEWARE. REMEMBER, THE ENEMY COMES to STEAL, KILL, DESTROY - John 10:10. He is sneaky & comes in all forms, even the food industry giants. Deception is all around. SADLY, WE HAVE TO SLOW DOWN & READ OUR LABELS, FRIENDS. BE INFORMED. PUT YOUR ARMOR ON. PRESS ON! Grace. You can do this! <<Previous *The videos that auto-populate after Jana's YouTube videos are not posted or endorsed by Jana and in no way reflect Jana's views or beliefs!
Essential oils are all the craze! Praise God healthy and holy things like this are becoming "trendy"!! Dr. Mom has more tools in her toolbox... less people are treating with chemical antibiotics... more people are reaching for holistic remedies for stress, illness, pain and dis-ease! I LOVE IT!!! Essential Oils are SO UNIVERSAL and safe that I use them with MOST people I have the honor of working with!
However, there are a few things to know. "Therapeutic grade" is a common term thrown around which doesn't hold any merit, similar to the term "evidence-based medicine" used to push Pharmaceutical drugs and bash natural medicine. Creative marketing is exactly that...it's a creative way to make things "sound good" but really don't mean anything. You can "create" research to match your claims....it is very sad. Money talks and it is hard to find true integrity with products, food, doctors, businesses, etc anymore. BUYER BEWARE. You MUST know your manufacturer and your product in order to get the results you hope for and expect. Let me tell you a story... A while back I had an itchy spot on my left foot, between my toes. I was pretty certain it was "athlete's foot" (yeast...Gross...I know). Well I use Nature's Sunshine Products and had PLENTY of tea tree oil on hand. I stock like 100 products in my tiny little herb store! Well, something to know about me is...I am frugal ;) SO, I decided since it was just "my foot" I would use this opportunity to use up a leftover bottle of NOW brands ORGANIC Tea Tree Oil I had on hand for a few years. Nothing was happening. ZERO results. After about a week, I got a little concerned thinking this was something more serious... but one thing I KNOW to do is PRAY FIRST. The Holy Spirit told me to try my NSP brand of tea tree oil, better than organic and 100% PURE... as pure and potent as you can get. The rash and itchy-ness immediately started to resolve itself!! I let my "thriftiness" override what I already knew.... and wasted a week suffering with that silly, itchy rash! GET MY POINT?? NO, this is not a sales pitch, rather an example of WHY I use the products I do. I have toured, in detail, the manufacturing facility. I have personally met and picked the brains of the research and development scientists, quality control analysists, etc. I have been to many seminars and asked MANY questions...and PRAYED a LOT. I have used these products for almost 10 years for good reason...they stand behind them, they meet all requirements, they work with utmost integrity, they are affordable, they are accessible through me OR online, at wholesale OR retail, and THEY WORK! Essential oils, herbs and supplements are in NO WAY created equal. DoTerra and Young Living are also quality products that yield results, and I am sure there are a FEW others. BUT I WOULD NOT recommend purchasing essential oils from just any health food store. A label is not created to solely inform you, it is created to SELL YOU. Find someone you truly trust to purchase from who has the results & integrity (evidence!) to back up their claims. Nature's Sunshine products are pure enough to ingest, but please do not do that unless you truly know what you are doing. Topical administration through the spine is actually the most direct access into the bloodstream and cells ;) Check out MY ONLINE STORE to shop for Essential Oils at wholesale prices with no mandatory monthly autoship ...yippy!! SO, I have been really busy and feeling super sluggish the last few weeks – Bowels. energy. Waking up. Thyroid needing extra support lately. Skin a bit dull. Cranky. Irritable. Anxious. OVERWHELMED. Brain fog. Joint pain. Just NOT myself. The EASY, fear-based, take-this-into-my-own-hands solution would have been to call MY Holistic Doctor. BUT… I GOT THAT “CHECK” IN MY SPIRIT… INSTEAD, I felt like I was supposed to start a cleanse (praise God I keep those in stock) and go to bed early to spend time with Jesus.
I laid in bed last night confessing & repenting for my lack of discipline in some areas, laying at the feet of Jesus, asking Him to show me things in my life that distract me from His presence, peace and healing. “Jesus, show me, teach me, help me. FORGIVE ME for my rebellious ways.” I LONG to wake up early daily and have more of a routine, but it seems as soon as I have a good stretch of waking by or before 6am, I blow it. Before long, I’m sleeping until 7-7:30am-ish, my day is full-speed ahead, it’s time to work…and my devotional time gets skipped….AGAIN! Another day overwhelmed and surviving on GRACE. * AND REPEAT * UGH. I know better. I KNOW what a day without “my daily bread” is… hungry, thirsty, empty. “WHY GOD? WHAT AM I MISSING? Is this just “who I am” and I just need to work with it? Or is there something you want to change in me?” I know not to go down the shame and guilt road that leads to NOWHERE GOOD really fast. The enemy fires quick when we’re run down…”you’re lazy, pathetic, joke of a leader, never get it right, always late, never gonna change, phony, hypocrite”…. LIES. LIES. LIES…. Cast those down immediately!! PRAISE: This morning I was awake by 5:45am!!! I sat down with my journal and Bible 1st thing and I heard God say: Make health A priority so that I can be THE PRIORITY EVERY DAY! And then He showed me what MY NEXT STEPS were and what was “out of balance”. He told me I needed to cleanse my liver (confirmation!), set some healthy boundaries with clients and social media, and STOP checking my phone 1st thing in the morning. We also had a chat about “FEAR”. God helped me look at my list of symptoms objectively as I would any client I was working with. It was so obvious. I was not confused. My liver was bogged down. I let things get out of balance and got caught in the vicious cycle of infirmity/busy-ness/emotional chaos. Fear increased as my physical health took it’s toll on my priorities and daily routine. PERFECT LOVE casts out fear (1 John 4:18). My time in the Word, sitting amongst PERFECT LOVE had been lacking. FEAR has been holding me back from setting some new boundaries. God is blessing this ministry and my responsibilities are shifting. GOD GAVE ME GRACE and got me out of bed. HE HELPED ME KEEP MY PRIORITIES STRAIGHT, and in the stillness, I could hear His voice. He was faithful to give me my “daily bread” as He promises!! HE TRULY IS A GOOD GOOD FATHER!! PEACE restored. As I write this at the end of the day, I feel better already!! God, OUR GREAT PHYSICIAN, The Doctor of all Doctors, took me to the ROOT! My thyroid is back to life already! Energy’s up. Poops are great (sorry! TMI! ha). Mind is calm. Anxiety down. Fog is lifting. Skin’s breaking out…that’s a good sign the garbage is coming out! Back to THRIVING in GRACE, not just surviving. * * * KEEP IT SIMPLE * * * But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Mat 6:33 ESV What has YOUR lack of health or discipline cost you?? Our merciful Father has SO MUCH MORE for us, if only we seek Him, ask Him, spend time with Him. We will save ourselves so much unnecessary suffering, so much wasted time and money, so much anxiety, so much frustration. He will show you the NEXT STEPS. He will protect you from becoming obsessive about health and chasing your tail. God’s Word can cut where no surgeon’s scalpel or whole food supplement can! GOD is our Primary Care Physician. He may give you a referral or it may not be what you WANT to hear, but at least it came from the TRUSTED SOURCE of TRUE WHOLENESS! And in that, you can “Trust the process”.
The best time to do this test is the first thing in the morning as soon as you wake up (though it will likely show up in your saliva any time of day). Before you rinse, spit, or put anything in your mouth, go get a glass of water (in a clear glass). Build up a mouthful of saliva (just mouth saliva, do not cough up anything) and spit it into the glass of water. Observe what happens.
If your saliva contains thin projections extending downward into the water, it is a positive sign for candida overgrowth. The projections may look like hair, or small strings, like a jelly fish or spider legs, moving down into the water from the saliva floating on the top. Other positive indications are very “cloudy” saliva that will sink to the bottom of the glass within a few minutes or particles that slowly sink or suspend below the saliva glob. What you are seeing are colonies of yeast which band together to form the strings. ADDITIONAL SELF-ANALYSIS QUESTIONS: Do you have cloudy urine?? Do you have any skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, rashes, acne)? Do you have body odor or bad breath? Do you battle respiratory infections, asthma, or allergies? Do you have a lot of random symptoms that Doctors can’t figure out? Do you have bowel problems (IBS, constipation, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticulitis, gas/bloating, acid reflux, etc)? Do you have food allergies? (all starts in the gut!) Do you have hormone imbalances or thyroid disease? Do you have trouble losing weight? Do you have lots of signs of inflammation or chronic pain that didn't result from an obvious injury? YEP…over 90% of the time, Candida overgrowth is at the ROOT of these things. Stop running to Medical Doctors who want to medicate you and CANNOT help you. Don’t try to conquer this on your own. But be grateful you are getting close to the answer!! HAVE HOPE friends. We DO NOT serve a God of hopelessness, AMEN?! Everything is fixable, God willing!! And He gave us PLENTY of medicinal foods and powerful natural medicine to win the battle! For more information type "Candida" into the search box on any page on my website. Check out more of my blogs on Candida Overgrowth CANDIDA OVERGROWTH FAQ's BALANCING YOUR MICRO-BIOME HOW KOMBUCHA HEALED MY GUT The Lord gave me a great word in 2009 as He called me to start sharing my testimony & past publicly: Once God heals you of your offenses and sin and YOU become OK with YOU then no one can hold it against you ever again. The shame and the guilt end today!! Receive your freedom friends! Tell your story. Make God the main character :) *The videos that auto-populate after Jana's YouTube.com videos are not posted or endorsed by Jana and in no way reflect Jana's views or beliefs!
I was advised to quit using the words HOLISTIC & WHOLENESS to avoid accusations of being “NEW AGE”. I’ve been accused of practicing witchcraft for using muscle testing on numerous occasions over the years. I am well aware of the New Age movement and take every bit of what I do, what I teach, and what I believe before the throne of God for Truth and discernment.
I can’t deny what God’s Word says. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG May God himself, the God who makes everything holy & whole, make you holy & whole, put you together--spirit, soul, & body—and KEEP YOU FIT for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! James 2:26 ESV For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. Psalm 16:9 ESV Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Deut 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. **According to the Bible, mankind is distinct from all the rest of creation, including the animals, in that he is made in the image of God. As God is tripartite — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — man is tripartite: Spirit, soul, & body. “Wholeness” or “holistic” is only possible through God. I DO NOT believe we need to shy away from these words, rather use them & LIVE THEM carefully & clearly. We need to teach people what it really means to be “whole”, which is to share the gospel in Truth. These ARE Godly words that have been perverted and misused by the New Age Movement. People are being deceived. It is simple: We are a SPIRIT, SOUL & BODY, but if JESUS is not at the head of the “spiritual” aspect, we are moving AWAY FROM wholeness. If we are not glorifying God with the things we do WITH and TO our bodies, we are not moving toward “wholeness.” If we are not taking our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, and surrendering our heart and emotions to Jesus, again, we are not moving toward “wholeness.” True WHOLENESS is the likeness of Jesus Christ. Complete WHOLENESS cannot be achieved this side of heaven. And there is only ONE way to heaven, through our amazing Savior, Jesus Christ! GOD’S MEDICINE NATURAL. POWERFUL. SAFE. NO SIDE EFFECTS.  There are a FEW great companies producing quality LIVING OILS, and MANY producing impure, toxic, and synthetic products. I do not recommend purchasing oils off the the health food store shelves (even from Whole Foods, Sprouts, etc). It’s important to #1 – know your manufacturer #2- choose the correct product(s)/oils for YOU (or work with someone who can help you with this), and #3 – know HOW to use your product. When I work with someone, I use various forms of analysis to customize exactly what their body needs. It will often look slightly different from what their friend with similar symptoms needs. Many people do not get the results they hoped for because they simply don’t know what they are doing, they purchase junk products, and/or they get their info from the media/unreliable sources. Thus, you have people who claim natural medicine doesn’t work. ALL of my essential oils are 100% pure, organic and unadulterated, making them BEYOND THERAPEUTIC GRADE. This short video helps you understand what to look for in essential oils, and the hype of marketing. With Nature’s Sunshine Products, we ONLY use the highest quality, organically grown plants, with zero compromise. EVERY single batch is tested. If the raw materials come from the U.S. we can certify them organic. If the raw material comes from India or Africa, for example, we cannot CERTIFY them organic because of that country’s laws. However, we investigate and test everything about our raw materials from the seed history to farming practices to the growing, harvesting and export of the raw materials. Our minimum standard is organic. To Purchase quality oils: CLICK HERE
who were devout to following the “law”) were caught conducting fraudulent business and ripping people off in God’s house. were caught taking advantage of people, using their religious power to manipulate people into buying from them, using THE TEMPLE to do it, AND were over-charging for these “holy goods”. Jesus was furious and drove the greedy, phony, religious people out of HIS TEMPLE with harsh words in John 2:16,19-21 “…Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!…Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then the Jews said, “it has taken 46 years to build this temple, and you will raise it up in 3 days? But He was speaking of THE TEMPLE OF HIS BODY.” We hear about Jesus rising up in anger (controlled & righteous anger) only one other time in the Bible, at the very end of His earthly ministry. Once again, it was in response to people perverting the use of God’s house/the temple. Mat 21:12-13 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and OVERTURNED the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them “It is written ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER’, but you have made it a ‘den of thieves’ “.
BOTTOM LINE: God is very serious about how His temple is to be used; about it being a place where God’s Glory is found. In OUR GENERATION today, the age of grace, the generations beyond Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, WE are the temple, OUR BODIES are the place where God’s glory is supposed to reside. WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Paul refers to our physical bodies as an “earthly house” or “tent” – 2 Corinthians 5:1 “For we know that if our EARTHLY HOUSE, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” How are we building “our house”? What are we building and using it for? Is there anything Jesus wants to “overturn” in our hearts/lives? JESUS CAN AND WILL put “our houses” back in order to be used for HIS GLORY LOVE vs THE LAW
The LAW screams “Responsibility!” LOVE says “Just respond to Me” We never know what lies ahead each day as the Lord guides us in the newness of His Spirit rather than the oldness of the letter. Are we studying God’s Word and leaving room for the Holy Spirit to minister to us each day? Paul tells us the law was not made for the righteous man who is in love with the Lord, who walks close to God, who desires to please the Lord. It was made for the lawless, the disobedient, the ungodly. Those who don’t care about the Lord need the law laid upon them for their own protection. The law keeps the unrighteous from rampant sin AND IT DRIVES THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS to Jesus. 1 Timothy 1: 8-9 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane”…(the list continues) There are people in “church-ianity”, in LEGALISM, who are caught up in the shadows, bound up, critical, and missing out on so much as they drive themselves and others around them crazy focusing on their list of “can & cant’s”, black & white, and putting the same heaviness on others… when the reality is JESUS CHRIST. HE is our sabbath. HE is our rest. HE is the reality. HE is out TRUTH. HE is the answer. HIS LOVE will drive us to repentance. When we look at the law, we must look at the heart of the Father and not get caught up in technicalities. When we read the Old Testament, we can ask “Lord, show me something about YOU and something practical for ME.” May the Lord keep us from the depression and oppression and exhaustion that come from preoccupation with rules and regulations, obligations and stipulations…that we might know what it truly means to be FREE and married to Mr. Right (Jesus) who loves us unconditionally and will lead us day by day in JOY and LIBERTY, free from the bondage of sin AND the bondage of legalism!! Love Wins. Keep your eyes on Jesus. *Message paraphrased from Pastor Jon Courson's Bible Commentary
We are pouring gasoline on the fire. We are completing burning out our little, fragile adrenal glands that are responsible for much of our peace and calm and energy and hormone production and natural pain relief… AS GO OUR ADRENALS & NERVOUS SYSTEM, so go our hormones & other systems!
CHALLENGE: Go without coffee a few days. #1: can you do it? #2: Does this post make you angry instead of curious? Are you willing to ask God for the humility to be challenged? Is there any chance coffee could be an idol/addiction? Is this a primary source of comfort or perhaps a crutch to survive each day? Do you catch yourself saying “I NEED MY COFFEE” ?Sometimes we let stuff go (a fast) just to be certain our comfort is solely coming from the ONE TRUE SOURCE of comfort…Jesus!! AND to see what HE has to show us about our habits. #3 If you feel terrible without coffee…that’s the reality of the state your body is actually in. Your body needs nourishment, not stimulants. Your adrenals are likely FRIED (likely your thyroid, too…I know…I’m sorry), and they are responsible for producing over 50 hormones in the body!! No wonder everyone’s hormones are out of whack?! For years I have worked with people whose lives are out of control and health is failing, so much of which is a direct result of lifestyle habits such as this. Don’t worry, I’m not denying we live in a fallen world, and some things ARE out of our control. The coffee and stimulant issue is one of many layers….but our habits add up to make us either MORE HEALTHY or to DESTROY OUR BODY. This means there is HOPE…we can change through the conviction and transforming power of Christ and it WILL HAVE a direct effect on our health. Yahoooo!!!! You don’t need a Doctor to tell you that! If your nervous system controls all the other systems in the body, then doesn’t it make sense to nourish it instead of over-stimulating it and wearing it out daily? And then if IT tells the adrenals what to do, but our adrenals are like the adrenals of an 80 year old person when we are in our 20’s (yes, that’s what’s happening!!)…then how can we expect to have healthy menstrual cycles, happy and stable moods, a healthy libido (when we are married), breasts that maintain their volume, energy, good quality sleep, peace and calm, maintain a healthy weight, hair and nails that grow strong and long, fertility, mental clarity, good muscle tone, endurance, motivation, healthy thoughts…. NEED I SAY MORE? DO YOU SEE HOW THEY ARE ALL RELATED?? I’ll refrain from getting into Bio-Identical Hormones and Birth control pills. I get to see people healed ALL THE TIME!! Those who humble themselves to saying YES to JESUS, to being willing to change WHATEVER GOD WANTS to change AND THOSE who realize that WE DO have control over many of the factors causing us to be sick (diet, exercise, forgiveness, etc) are the ones that get the good results. It’s really just an act of submission to the Truth, obedience to do the work and being transformed by the renewing of our minds to think and live in a new way. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, in Christ, anyone can change. Just as God made Himself as the Trinity, 3-in-1, He made us in His image…A Spirit, soul and body…they are all part of the whole and cannot be separated. We can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength – Philippians 4:13 Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, BUT I WILL NOT BE MASTERED BY ANYTHING – 1 Corinthians 6:12 Check out a healthy coffee substitute that is 100% good for you: MATCHA LATTE |
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