I've been having a really rough time with Wren lately. She's explosive and aggressive and is almost constantly hurting Tetra. I have tried to be understanding, I have tried putting her in her room until she calms down, I use "yucky spray" when she bites, I have tried spanking (which just fuels the fire), and several other things to try and help her realize that she is hurting people and her behavior is not acceptable. Nothing is working. She will be ok for a day and then she is back to hurting Tetra and even Fennec occasionally.
Yesterday, after Wren and Tetra had been fighting all day, I had Erick take Wren for a walk. I looked up "vitamine deficiencies that cause aggressive behavior". I came across this article. The article is found on the Weston A. Price Fountation website. It is kind of long but so interesting. I thought some of you might want to read it. Not only does it cover aressive behavior, but several other "conditions ". The article was also helpful for me because we all know aggresivness is something I struggled with as a child and still struggle with sometimes even now. I hope the ones that read the artical benefit from the information it has in it. If you don't read the whole thing at least read the first four sections. Love you all!
Monday, August 17, 2015
Saturday, August 8, 2015
DIY Laundry soap
Hey guys, in our journey to try to live less processed, more whole lives, I've been wanting to experiment with other things as well--not just food. So, enter laundry soap! It is homemade, and works well. I got this recipe from How Does She. It makes a ton, and fills a 5 gallon bucket about 1/2 way full. It costs about $25 for the whole thing, but it also lasts forever. I feel it is more price effective, and does just as good of a job. I used purex crystals for the scent this time around, but I'm thinking of doing essential oils next time. You should try it!
So far, I'm loving this! I used the old purex bottles to make some small gifts for people moving into our neighborhood. It seems to be pretty well accepted, and that way, I don't have to worry about allergies, food sensitivities, etc.
Ingredients
- 1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax- Found in the detergent aisle
- 1 (3 lb 7 oz) Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda- Found in the detergent aisle
- 1 (3 lb) Container of OxyClean- Found in the detergent aisle
- 2 (14.1 oz) Bars of Zote Soap- Found in the detergent aisle (You can also use Fels Naptha)
- 1 (4 lb) Box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda- Found in the cooking aisle
- 2 Bottles of Purex Crystals Fabric Enhancer- Found in the detergent aisle
Instructions
- Grate zote soap with cheese grater or food processor.
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bucket.
- Use 1-4 Tablespoons per laundry load. (I think 2 is plenty for H.E. washers)
So far, I'm loving this! I used the old purex bottles to make some small gifts for people moving into our neighborhood. It seems to be pretty well accepted, and that way, I don't have to worry about allergies, food sensitivities, etc.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Confessions of a Food Addict
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A BRAIN DUMP. NO FILTER OR EDITING.
Hi, my name is Stephanie, and I'm addicted to food. Not just any food. Well, really it isn't food. I'm addicted to junk. I'm addicted to junk, and I feel like crap! There I said it! I love junk! All things processed. Ice cream. Chips. Soda. Fruit snacks. Cookies... Junk. "Food" that has been basically invented in the last 100 years. I'm totally an addict. I've tried to stop in the past. I stopped sugar cold turkey for a few weeks. When I had sugar again, my desire for sugar was worse than before. I went on a totally non-processed, non-gmo (corn and soy), non-dairy diet. Yeah...it lasted a month before I got so tired of ratatouille, and curry that I totally lost it and binged my way back to my starting weight and beyond.
What is my deal? Why am I like this? It seems that no matter what I try I always end up with the same problem. I love junk, I want junk, I crave junk. I know it's not good for my body. I know what I need to do. But every time I try, I end up feeling like a failure. You see, I am a very all or nothing type of person. I'm totally committed, and if I make a mistake, it is so easy for me to throw my hands up in the air 'cause I blew it, and give it all up. Counting calories? Don't even get me started. It's bad guys. It's really bad.
I mentioned before that I feel like crap. I do! I'm so so tired. I feel grumpy. I am quite positive my hormones are out of whack. I was very depressed after having Josh, and I am starting to feel it coming on now. I often feel sick to my stomach. I feel heavy (well, I am at the heaviest (not pregnant) weight I've ever been, So I don't know why I somehow expect not to??). All this despite regular exercise. Also, I think I may be developing hypothyroidism. I don't want to be this way. I used to be much happier. Much more patient. What happened? Well, some might say I have three kids, and I just had a baby so go easy on myself. Yeah, I did just have a baby 6 months ago!! I'm sorry, but I should be at the point where I'm able to handle things.
I have come to the conclusion that I cannot live like this anymore! I have been working on devising a plan. Some way that I can snap out of it. Some way to change my life. You know, you hear a lot of weight-loss success stories, and the most successful ones have one thing in common: no processed foods or sugar, and a whole lot of fruits and vegetables. But some diets have weird restrictions. And things that I think are unnecessary. For example, if you are doing a certain diet and have to take supplements? That is a red flag to me. I believe that if I am eating as God intended me to eat, I won't have to take supplements. So I've come up with something that I think will work for me. Something I will gradually fine-tune and perfect until it is working well for me and my family. For now, it is a whole foods, plant based diet, with some exceptions.
This is what is going through my mind right now:
-Limit processed foods. If it's not a plant based food, it's probably processed. If it is a plant based food, it could still be processed, but probably not as much.
-Limit sugar. Especially white sugar. If you must sweeten things, use honey (as raw as you can get it), and perhaps maple syrup.
-Limit meat and poultry. I like meat, I do. But as much as I like meat, I don't think I need nearly as much as I'm eating. If I do eat meat, I want it to be from a cow or chicken that had a good life. None of this slaughter-house never see the light of day, antibiotics pumped, meat that is sold in most markets today. Call me hippie or granola-y, but that's how I feel. Side story: At church one Sunday, we were talking about the Good Shepherd. The sister teaching was Navajo and shared a story of her Aunt. A shepherdess. Her aunt knew each individual sheep or goat. When the time came for an animal to be slaughtered, she would calm it down, talk to it about it's life and personality, and finally thank it for it's life. After that, there was no struggle, and the animal gave itself up. Amazing huh? Obviously, not all farm raised, grass-fed beef/chicken/pork story is going to be this way, but it made me remember that animals are living, breathing beings with personalities, and we as humans are supposed to protect and provide for them. In the word of wisdom, it mentions that meat should be eaten sparingly, in times of winter and famine. And that is just what we are going to do. HOWEVER: We will be eating fish. Wild-caught as much as possible. (Thanks Nathan!) Farm raised fish have a pretty crummy life too. :(
-Limit dairy products, unless it's straight from the cow. You know, the kind that says "not for human consumption on it? Yeah. That. Honestly, I will be quite happy with plant based milks. (Almond, cashew, and rice to name a few.) Cheese is going to be the hard part. But I feel so much better when I am not eating a lot of dairy. I was going to say it will be hard to live without ice cream, but there are ways to make it a plant based affair. :)
-Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you want. No calorie counting allowed!
-Eggs are ok as long as they are free range, from the farmer eggs. We know a man that is swimming in the eggs made from his chickens, so we are good there. We eventually want to raise chickens, so it won't be a problem later.
-WHOLE Grains, tubers, and nuts are totally allowed!
- Be as self sufficient as possible. It is our dream to one day be able to live totally off the grid if we wanted to. If this dream is ever to become a reality, I need to work on it now. That means no store-bought bread, and becoming more granola-ish than I ever thought I would be. But here I am.
-If you really, really want it, leave home. Ok, that sounds cruel, but I'm talking about cravings here. Ice cream in particular for me. Meat for Daniel. We have decided that if it is a craving we've had for a few days, it is ok to indulge a little. But not at home! (Unless I make it myself, following our rules.) If I want ice cream, I can have a little, but no more 1/2 gallon cartons! Only small, over-priced single servings at our favorite local ice cream shop. That way, it will be hard on the wallet, and we won't do it as much as we would if we could just bring it home. It's also better ice cream. :)
So I think this is about it. It seems really long and limiting, but as far as I can tell, this high-processed diet that industrialized countries have gotten into is no good. Now, are there some exceptions? Of course. Are we going to be food snobs? NO WAY! But at home, this is how it will be. The truth is, I can't live the life I am leading anymore. I'm worried for my health, my husbands health, and my kids health. I want to change when I am young and it's easy. I want to run and not be weary and walk and not faint. I want the blessings that come from leading a healthful and active life. This is not something I've just thought about today, or even this past week. I've been thinking of it for months. Years even. It is time.
Hi, my name is Stephanie, and I'm addicted to food. Not just any food. Well, really it isn't food. I'm addicted to junk. I'm addicted to junk, and I feel like crap! There I said it! I love junk! All things processed. Ice cream. Chips. Soda. Fruit snacks. Cookies... Junk. "Food" that has been basically invented in the last 100 years. I'm totally an addict. I've tried to stop in the past. I stopped sugar cold turkey for a few weeks. When I had sugar again, my desire for sugar was worse than before. I went on a totally non-processed, non-gmo (corn and soy), non-dairy diet. Yeah...it lasted a month before I got so tired of ratatouille, and curry that I totally lost it and binged my way back to my starting weight and beyond.
What is my deal? Why am I like this? It seems that no matter what I try I always end up with the same problem. I love junk, I want junk, I crave junk. I know it's not good for my body. I know what I need to do. But every time I try, I end up feeling like a failure. You see, I am a very all or nothing type of person. I'm totally committed, and if I make a mistake, it is so easy for me to throw my hands up in the air 'cause I blew it, and give it all up. Counting calories? Don't even get me started. It's bad guys. It's really bad.
I mentioned before that I feel like crap. I do! I'm so so tired. I feel grumpy. I am quite positive my hormones are out of whack. I was very depressed after having Josh, and I am starting to feel it coming on now. I often feel sick to my stomach. I feel heavy (well, I am at the heaviest (not pregnant) weight I've ever been, So I don't know why I somehow expect not to??). All this despite regular exercise. Also, I think I may be developing hypothyroidism. I don't want to be this way. I used to be much happier. Much more patient. What happened? Well, some might say I have three kids, and I just had a baby so go easy on myself. Yeah, I did just have a baby 6 months ago!! I'm sorry, but I should be at the point where I'm able to handle things.
I have come to the conclusion that I cannot live like this anymore! I have been working on devising a plan. Some way that I can snap out of it. Some way to change my life. You know, you hear a lot of weight-loss success stories, and the most successful ones have one thing in common: no processed foods or sugar, and a whole lot of fruits and vegetables. But some diets have weird restrictions. And things that I think are unnecessary. For example, if you are doing a certain diet and have to take supplements? That is a red flag to me. I believe that if I am eating as God intended me to eat, I won't have to take supplements. So I've come up with something that I think will work for me. Something I will gradually fine-tune and perfect until it is working well for me and my family. For now, it is a whole foods, plant based diet, with some exceptions.
This is what is going through my mind right now:
-Limit processed foods. If it's not a plant based food, it's probably processed. If it is a plant based food, it could still be processed, but probably not as much.
-Limit sugar. Especially white sugar. If you must sweeten things, use honey (as raw as you can get it), and perhaps maple syrup.
-Limit meat and poultry. I like meat, I do. But as much as I like meat, I don't think I need nearly as much as I'm eating. If I do eat meat, I want it to be from a cow or chicken that had a good life. None of this slaughter-house never see the light of day, antibiotics pumped, meat that is sold in most markets today. Call me hippie or granola-y, but that's how I feel. Side story: At church one Sunday, we were talking about the Good Shepherd. The sister teaching was Navajo and shared a story of her Aunt. A shepherdess. Her aunt knew each individual sheep or goat. When the time came for an animal to be slaughtered, she would calm it down, talk to it about it's life and personality, and finally thank it for it's life. After that, there was no struggle, and the animal gave itself up. Amazing huh? Obviously, not all farm raised, grass-fed beef/chicken/pork story is going to be this way, but it made me remember that animals are living, breathing beings with personalities, and we as humans are supposed to protect and provide for them. In the word of wisdom, it mentions that meat should be eaten sparingly, in times of winter and famine. And that is just what we are going to do. HOWEVER: We will be eating fish. Wild-caught as much as possible. (Thanks Nathan!) Farm raised fish have a pretty crummy life too. :(
-Limit dairy products, unless it's straight from the cow. You know, the kind that says "not for human consumption on it? Yeah. That. Honestly, I will be quite happy with plant based milks. (Almond, cashew, and rice to name a few.) Cheese is going to be the hard part. But I feel so much better when I am not eating a lot of dairy. I was going to say it will be hard to live without ice cream, but there are ways to make it a plant based affair. :)
-Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you want. No calorie counting allowed!
-Eggs are ok as long as they are free range, from the farmer eggs. We know a man that is swimming in the eggs made from his chickens, so we are good there. We eventually want to raise chickens, so it won't be a problem later.
-WHOLE Grains, tubers, and nuts are totally allowed!
- Be as self sufficient as possible. It is our dream to one day be able to live totally off the grid if we wanted to. If this dream is ever to become a reality, I need to work on it now. That means no store-bought bread, and becoming more granola-ish than I ever thought I would be. But here I am.
-If you really, really want it, leave home. Ok, that sounds cruel, but I'm talking about cravings here. Ice cream in particular for me. Meat for Daniel. We have decided that if it is a craving we've had for a few days, it is ok to indulge a little. But not at home! (Unless I make it myself, following our rules.) If I want ice cream, I can have a little, but no more 1/2 gallon cartons! Only small, over-priced single servings at our favorite local ice cream shop. That way, it will be hard on the wallet, and we won't do it as much as we would if we could just bring it home. It's also better ice cream. :)
So I think this is about it. It seems really long and limiting, but as far as I can tell, this high-processed diet that industrialized countries have gotten into is no good. Now, are there some exceptions? Of course. Are we going to be food snobs? NO WAY! But at home, this is how it will be. The truth is, I can't live the life I am leading anymore. I'm worried for my health, my husbands health, and my kids health. I want to change when I am young and it's easy. I want to run and not be weary and walk and not faint. I want the blessings that come from leading a healthful and active life. This is not something I've just thought about today, or even this past week. I've been thinking of it for months. Years even. It is time.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
After All It Is His
I've been doing some...interesting research lately. You know how I wrote about circumcision a while ago? Well, I've never stopped researching about it, but lately instead of researching "circumcision" I have been researching "the functions of the foreskin". Which I HIGHLY encourage all of you to do even if you might be done having kids. There are plenty of sights that DO NOT have images of male penises, so you wont be feeling like you're looking at porn.
Ladies...foreskins have so many totally awesome functions that it blows me away they are routinely cut off here in the U.S.
What are the functions of a foreskin?
Some sexual functions:
Foreskins act as a rolling bearing during intercourse, therefore eliminating painful intercourse. (I don't know about any of you married sisters, but unless I'm really, and I mean REALLY excited lube is definitely a necessity.)
Foreskins stimulate partners genitalia, thus a better experience for the said partner.
Foreskins store pheromones and release them on arousal.
Foreskins store, release and distribute natural lubricants.
Foreskins help women orgasm.
Some protective functions:
Foreskins protect the glans (top of the penis) from becoming keratinised, and keeps the glans soft and moist.
Foreskins protect the nerves of the glans which keeps the erotic function of the glans.
Foreskins protect an intact infants urethra from contamination. (As long as it is not prematurely retracted.)
Foreskins protect against frostbite thanks to the foreskins richness in blood vessels.
Needless to say...
Foreskins have several functions and they are very, very useful. Not only for men but more women as well. In fact, I wish my husband's foreskin had not been cut off because guess whose sex life is effected? You got it, mine. Not that I love my husband any less because he doesn't have a foreskin.
Also, there are several risks in cutting off a foreskin. Did you know that every time a doctor snips a baby boy he's guessing on how much foreskin to take off? Lot's of men, when they hit puberty and after puberty, have very painful erections and intercourse because the amount of foreskin that was cut off did not leave room for his penis to grow. As a consequence, the growing penis stretches the skin around the penis causing scarring and lack of sensitivity. The doctors never know exactly how big the infants penis is going to get, so they guestimate. If the doctor is not right on, the boy suffers.
Here are some links to article I encourage you to check out:
http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/info/foreskin.html
http://www.circumstitions.com/Functions.html
Several times in the past I have questioned my decision not to circumcise my boys. After doing this research, unless it was medically necessary, I would never circumcise. There is no question. Even if I had already circumcised a son and then had another son...I would not make the same mistake twice. I would be taking away too much from my little boys to circumcise them. When my boys get older, if they decide they don't like their foreskins, they have the choice to keep it or cut it off.
I have a firm belief that, he should decide what happens to his penis...after all, it is his.
Ladies...foreskins have so many totally awesome functions that it blows me away they are routinely cut off here in the U.S.
What are the functions of a foreskin?
Some sexual functions:
Foreskins act as a rolling bearing during intercourse, therefore eliminating painful intercourse. (I don't know about any of you married sisters, but unless I'm really, and I mean REALLY excited lube is definitely a necessity.)
Foreskins stimulate partners genitalia, thus a better experience for the said partner.
Foreskins store pheromones and release them on arousal.
Foreskins store, release and distribute natural lubricants.
Foreskins help women orgasm.
Some protective functions:
Foreskins protect the glans (top of the penis) from becoming keratinised, and keeps the glans soft and moist.
Foreskins protect the nerves of the glans which keeps the erotic function of the glans.
Foreskins protect an intact infants urethra from contamination. (As long as it is not prematurely retracted.)
Foreskins protect against frostbite thanks to the foreskins richness in blood vessels.
Needless to say...
Foreskins have several functions and they are very, very useful. Not only for men but more women as well. In fact, I wish my husband's foreskin had not been cut off because guess whose sex life is effected? You got it, mine. Not that I love my husband any less because he doesn't have a foreskin.
Also, there are several risks in cutting off a foreskin. Did you know that every time a doctor snips a baby boy he's guessing on how much foreskin to take off? Lot's of men, when they hit puberty and after puberty, have very painful erections and intercourse because the amount of foreskin that was cut off did not leave room for his penis to grow. As a consequence, the growing penis stretches the skin around the penis causing scarring and lack of sensitivity. The doctors never know exactly how big the infants penis is going to get, so they guestimate. If the doctor is not right on, the boy suffers.
Here are some links to article I encourage you to check out:
http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/info/foreskin.html
http://www.circumstitions.com/Functions.html
Several times in the past I have questioned my decision not to circumcise my boys. After doing this research, unless it was medically necessary, I would never circumcise. There is no question. Even if I had already circumcised a son and then had another son...I would not make the same mistake twice. I would be taking away too much from my little boys to circumcise them. When my boys get older, if they decide they don't like their foreskins, they have the choice to keep it or cut it off.
I have a firm belief that, he should decide what happens to his penis...after all, it is his.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Blessingway
Have any of you heard of a Blessingway or a Mother Blessing? I was recently invited to one, and I think it is a beautiful way to celebrate motherhood. Baby showers are great because everyone gets together to give much needed gifts to the baby, but a Blessingway is special because they are held to celebrate motherhood. Plus, it's a way to support and pamper the expectant mother. Check it out!
http://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregnancy/blessingway-what-is-a-blessingway#.U4ytuJRdVWQ
http://motherblessingway.wordpress.com/about/
Sarah and Stephanie, would this be something you would be interested in having before your babies are born? If so, I'd love to be the one to organize it for you. :) Love you!
Photos by Smiles by Stephanie
http://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregnancy/blessingway-what-is-a-blessingway#.U4ytuJRdVWQ
http://motherblessingway.wordpress.com/about/
Sarah and Stephanie, would this be something you would be interested in having before your babies are born? If so, I'd love to be the one to organize it for you. :) Love you!
Photos by Smiles by Stephanie
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Friday, May 2, 2014
Another Mormon Channel
This episode didn't look SUPER appealing to me. Listened to it today and LOVED it. Haha, they mentioned a book called Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. Leo and I have been reading it together and listening to some of his lessons. We've enjoyed it and think there are great principle to take from it. Anyway, the episode is great! There are 2 episodes of this one.
http://www.mormonchannel.org/gospel-solutions-for-families/77
http://www.mormonchannel.org/gospel-solutions-for-families/77
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