Safety First

Throughout time, many have found a cure for ailments in herbs, oils and tinctures, by using what naturally grew "by the wayside" so to speak. Mother Nature has always been an excellent source for medications. Her healing powers are remarkable and astonishing.

However, I would like to instill on you again the importance of being careful with taking natural supplements. Even though nature provides, if taken without any knowledge and good directions, it may backfire on you. Yes, even natural products can have negative or bad side-effects.

Be Safe, Be Savvy When Taking Supplements.
A certain supplement may sound like just the thing you need to feel better and improve your health, but remember it's your health that's on the line when you plunk down money at the register.

Whether that register is in a drug store, discount chain, grocery store or health food store is not as important as whether the brand is trustworthy and the product has been studied. A handful of private organizations are in the business of keeping tabs on supplements, each offering a variation on a certificate or seal for supplements it deems consumer-worthy. The three main companies cornering the certification market are ConsumerLab.com, NSF International and United States Pharmacopeia (USP). All three test supplements to determine, among other things, if what's in the bottle sizes up to the label's ingredient list. Look for a blue and yellow United States Pharmacopeia (USP) seal or a symbol from NSF or Consumer Lab.com.

Because you are your own best health advocate, make sure you answer these questions before you swallow anything. You can find some answers right here in this A-to-Z guide or by talking with your doctor.

-What are the claims made about the supplement? Are they realistic?
-Why might this supplement be worth taking? What effects is it supposed to have?
-Are there unbiased studies or history of use to show it's safe? Will the manufacturer provide a copy of studies for you to review with your doctor?
-What are side effects you might experience?
-How much should you take?
-What time - and how many times per day - should you take it?
-Will it interact with other medications you are taking?
-Will it interact with other supplements you are taking?
-Will it interfere with other medical conditions you have?
-How long should you take it?
-How long before you see results?
-Is it worth the price?
-Is the brand reputable?

If, after answering these questions, you decide a supplement is worth a try, follow this advice to achieve the best results and help ensure your safety:

-Let your doctor know the supplements you are taking.
-Know that some supplement can affect the outcome of medical tests.
-Try one new supplement (single active ingredient) at a time, and keep a record of its effects. Note the brand name and the dose.
-Don't take more than the recommended amount. You can overdose on anything, no matter how "safe" it appears to be.
-Keep a list of all of the supplements you are taking, along with your other medications. Don't stop taking your prescription medications, unless your doctor tells you to.
-Call your doctor if you have any unusual symptoms or feel worse after using a supplement. Be sure to keep the container the supplement came in.
~Arthritis Foundation.

Those practising natural healing and using natural remedies, were often seen as practitioners of witchcraft. Let's keep in mind though, the pharmaceutical industry is based on, and often uses, natural ingredients for their products.

Don't go "wandering off" by yourself and your own judgement. Keep in mind, even the knowledge of Homeopathy is acquired through a long and intensive study!

So is the knowledge of God's word. Bible study teaches us how to become a better person, how to live according to His commandments and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is not something you learn overnight, it is a life-long process. But it is a very pleasant, comforting, peaceful and secure one, walking in and with Jesus and with the encouraging fellowship of our brothers and sisters. :-)

1 John 1:3
that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Tree Hugger

Being outdoor is always restful and relaxing. Taking the "outdoors" in, is helpful, healthy and can be extremely medicinal. I am talking about all natural herbs and oils. Many of them contain substances and supplements that can either cure all kinds of ailments, or are extremely helpful toward easing the pain.

These supplements are often referred to as Homeopathic. Even though they are all natural, that doesn't mean you can take them whenever and as much as you like. Too much can cause some side-effects you would rather avoid. So, stick to the recommended dose!

"Pine Bark Extract Relieves OA Pain, Improves Function

A new study to be published in the April 2008 edition of the Journal of Phytotherapy Research shows Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, reduced osteoarthritis symptoms by 56 percent.

In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, held at Italy's Chieti-Pescara University, 156 patients with knee OA received 100 mg of Pycnogenol or placebo, daily for three months and were then evaluated using a number of tools. Patients were permitted to continue taking their choice of pain medication provided they recorded every tablet in a diary for later evaluation.

The pycnogenol group also:

- Experienced a 55 percent improvement in joint pain
- Reduced pain medication use by 58 percent
- Had a 63 percent improvement in gastrointestinal complications
- Reduced stiffness by 53 percent
- Improved physical function scores by 57 percent
- Enhanced overall well-being by 64 percent

"The results of this study are significant as they clearly demonstrate the clinical action of Pycnogenol on OA and management of symptoms," says Gianni Belcaro, MD, PhD, a lead researcher of the study. "The use of Pycnogenol many reduce costs and side effects of anti-inflammatory agents and offer a natural alternative solution to people suffering from OA."
~ Arthritis Foundation, 4/23/08.

Personally, I rather take all natural supplements, medications and vitamins. I know from experience they do an excellent job. Sometimes it is inevitable to have to take pharmaceutical medications, in which case the same warning is in effect: stick to the recommended dose!

We all need guidelines and directions when we don't know what to do, or what would be best. In this case, the general and homeopathic physicians and pharmacies have the knowledge and clearly give recommendations. We would do well to follow their guidelines.

God's recommendations are clear as well. His word is guidance and leadership, available to anyone who is willing to follow it. It is the road map to inner-healing and everlasting life! :-)

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Critters' Cooings Part VI

Hey you guys!!! It's been a while since I have been talking to y'all, but I finally got around to it, as you can see. I stole Opa's chair while he wasn't looking. Yup, I got in it myself, since I climb up and down chairs and couches these days. Even coffee tables, but they won't let me do that. Why not? Beats me! Oma already got everything off of it when I am around. I like to investigate, hehe.

I am walking and running around for quit a while now. That can get me in trouble, but since they "baby-proof" and close all the doors, there is not much mischief I can get into. Besides, it doesn't bother me when the doors are closed. I lay in front of them and peek through the slits under the doors. Sometimes even try to stick my hands through and even talk through it. They ain't fooling me, hehe. Oma thinks that's both clever and funny.

Oma is dancing with me. She picks me up, holds her hand up, I put mine in hers and then we swirl around. I love it! She says I am always in such a good disposition, hehe. I like to make people laugh. Sometimes I just go like "hehe", watch how they react, go like "hehehe" again and they all start laughing.

Look how many teeth I already got and they are still coming in by the truckload. My hair has grown too and I have all those curls. No use brushing them, they stick out any way the can. Opa calls me "Cotton top, curly mop", haha.

Oma calls me "Squirmy boy", since I can't (or rather won't) sit still, haha. Too much to see and do. Except when I need to nap. No fooling around when Oma lays me down. No matter how hard I try. Make her laugh, share my pacifier with her ( just yank it in her mouth when she least expects it, grin), or try and explore her face and hair. Nope, "night-night" is "night-night"! That's okay, when she lays her hand on my forehead, I am usually off to dream land.

I like sharing, you wanna play with my toys? :-D

What I like most is eating!! Each time Oma goes to the kitchen, I run after her and go like: "Mmmmm"! No problem when it's time to eat and a snack in between is easy to get as well. But boy, that woman is hard to convince, after my tummy is full. Yeah, I would eat all the time if they would let me, sigh.

There are some comprehensive words coming out of my mouth, I still babble along a lot. I'll get the hang of it, hehe. The other day, Mom came to get me after I got up in the morning and I said: "Hi Momma". I could wrap her around my little fingers for the rest of the day, grin.

I wanted to talk about my brother Leo, but Oma says he needs to have his own space. Duh, like he can hit these keys. Not! Those little hands go anyway but where he wants him to. I love him though. I try to share my toys with him but Mom says he is still too little, so I give him kisses instead.

Me and Leo have been dedicated in church last Sunday. I am not sure yet what that means, but I have faith Mom and Dad will do a good job. Actually, both bro and me can rest assured the entire family will. :-D

I hope y'all are doing well. Gotta go now folks. I will try to get back sooner next time. I know you can't see it, but I am waving bye-bye! :-D

Psalm 34:11
Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Grandma Passed Away

Yesterday, my Mom called to let me know that my grandmother had passed away last Sunday. It was to be expected. Grandma had been ill since last January and many in the family suspected she would not even make it till her birthday, which was end of February.

She did, and reached the respectable age of 102 years! The picture below was taken when she turned 100 years of age.


Things went downhill after Grandma's birthday. She deteriorated fast. She got cervical cancer and due to her age, the doctors didn't think it wise to do surgery. She got morphine for the pain and had to have astronaut food because she couldn't eat anymore. Physically, she got worse, but mentally she was very much up to date until the end. Praise The Lord!

I can not tell you if she was saved. I don't know, but I pray she was. I would like to see her again one day. :-)

Ephesians 2
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

What's For Supper?

When you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis or any other related Arthritis disease, you can relate to this:
Your knees are killing you. Your fingers are stiff and anything you try to hold, hurts. Your wrists are so inflamed, every movement makes you want to scream. But... you have to eat and prepare a meal.

Been there, done that! I pushed myself through the pain and became resourceful in finding ways to make cooking easier. Here are some very useful tips complemented with my own findings:

Batch cook.
Prepare two chicken breasts at a time and refrigerate the leftovers to use in salads or sandwiches the next day.
You can also prepare more, put them in good freezer bags and freeze them. All you have to do is take them out and heat them in the micro-wave. It is super-easy and still as delicious as when you prepared it. Keep in mind though not to keep prepared meat in the freezer longer then about 4 months. After that it looses it's flavor.

Consider convenience.
Try frozen, pre-cut vegetables and fruits.
In spite of the common believe, frozen vegetables and fruits are just as healthy and rich in vitamins and nutrition as fresh!

Stock the crock.
Place meat or poultry, pre-sliced vegetables, spices and liquid in a crock pot, turn it on and hours later, enjoy a hot, cooked meal – and only one pot to wash.
You can also use a pressure cooker to reduce the time of preparing a meal.

Nuke it.
Microwaving can heat frozen vegetables or leftovers quickly, without adding fats or depleting nutrients. Using a micro­wave oven on the counter top eliminates stretching or stooping to cook.
Microwaving is a good alternative to heating up food. Experience has taught me though, that it cools of quicker and heating larger portions still take quite some time. Try placing food on the plate, heat and eat.

Grip with ease.
Use kitchen or cooking utensils with padded handles or grips.
If you don't have those, buy some cheap round foam insulation material. It already has a hole in the middle and slides over the utensils. Even over a knife and fork. It makes gripping and holding the utensils so much easier and less painful. I know, because I did it! :-) You can even put a piece in your purse or pocket to take with you and use in restaurants or anywhere else.

Belly up to the bar.
Instead of standing at your counter or stovetop, pull up a high barstool and sit down to chop, mix or stir.
It helps and if you don't have much space to put a stool, try one of those folding barstools. They take up less space and are light weight.
~Arthritis Foundation.

I hope these tips were of some help and if you have some of your own, I am eager to hear them! :-)

Even though it is very painful at times, you just have to push through it. It is better for staying mobile and it increases your pain-level. No, it's not easy, but in the end it will get better.

Not only physically we are challenged. We may go through lots of trials. They may be painful and difficult. Our faith is tried, but we push through it and not only do we come out stronger, things have turned out for the best!

Revelation 2:10
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Redneck Lifestyle

You may already have seen our mansion on Kc's blog. To be honest with you, it's nice to have all that space, but it's a little too big for us. Besides, the cleaning is a pain. Oh well, as I use to say: The sky is the limit!


At least the grass is done real quick.

So you won't have any problems getting to the guest house, whenever you come over.

Ohhhh, we will have a cook-out, while you're styaing. We got this new grill and it works like a charm! Actually, it is multi-functional. It's a grill and microwave in one.

You may call us Rednecks, but you gotta admit, we are pretty ingenious when it comes to inventions and making due with what we have! grin.

Seriously, sometimes life seems to consist of nothing else but work. Whether that be mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Maybe all of these. God will never put more on us then we can bear and will even provide us with the strength needed to bear it. More so, He gives blessings in everything!

Where would we be without God's love and provision? He provides all we need and even then some, although it may not always be what we want. It is up to us to count our blessings and to rejoice in all He gives us and to use them to the best of our ability to do good, to share with others and to give praise for His everlasting grace and mercy!

Ecclesiastes 5:18

Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.

A Blessed and Happy Easter!

A very Blessed and Happy Easter to y'all!

1 Corinthians 15:20

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.