Menopause A Cruel Joke?

Menopause is another adventure that all of us women have to take. Our true passage into womanhood, so it is said.
If you read my previous post you will know that I have been going thru a struggle of my own. Anxiety and
depression. If you have gone thru this you know just how hard you have to fight to find yourself, and regain  peace of mind. I'm doing so much better now, but not quite 100 percent. Which I'm happy to have a few days of normalcy then the daily mental battle one goes thru with anxiety and depression. My doc thinks that the source of my anxiety and depression is related to hormones.

With my age of 47  and the fact that my sister is experiencing menopause now at age 48 it is a good possibility.  I do not have any family history  regarding when women in our family entered this stage. This is because the women in our family have had  hysterectomies before they could naturally entered into menopause

Hormones play a significant role in our womanly bodies. Many disturbances can and will occur from hormones being out of balance.  Weight gain, or loss, Anxiety, Depression, Irritability, Insomnia, Breast Tenderness, Vaginal Dryness, Heart disease, Osteoporosis, Thinning hair, Dry Hair and Skin and the happy little list continues.

I'm going tomorrow to have some blood work done, to check my hormone levels. Then we will go from there.

In the meantime I will have to continue to deal with this roller coaster of emotions, and  anxiety. I'm also researching what natural solutions to menopause are available. After reading my different materials on the subject of menopause there is really no specific protocol to follow. It is really finding what works for your body. Trail and error.

There are several herbs one can take to help with the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue etc. Then again it is trail and error to find the combination that works for oneself.

There is hormone replacement therapy as well. Since my mother is an ovarian cancer survivor and a carrier of the BRCA 2 gene my sister and I are not good candidates.  I have several books to read. The first HRT-Free Menopause Breakthrough by Marilyn Glenville, also I' m going to start reading The Wisdom of Menopause by  Christiane Northrup.


Lots to learn on this subject that effects the lives of millions of women. Dibilating to some, and for some it has been smooth sailing.

All I know right now, is that I want to feel like myself again!

Visitors Came To Call

It has been several weeks since I've posted anything. Not my intention, but I have had a few unwanted visitors stopping by. Anxiety and Depression.

Those who know me, know that I have battled these thieves before. I call them thieves, because they steal from me. They take my courage, stability, my reasoning and leave me feeling empty, uncomfortable in my own skin, and take away the ability for me to  find happiness in my daily life.

Those of you who have these unwanted visitors pounce upon you unexpectedly, understand my words.
I, thru mental strength, and strategies pull my pieces of Armour together to fight. You have to fight the battle because you stand on a thin line, a tightrope. If you do not stand up to these intruders you will cross the line into the black hole, you will fall off the tightrope.

The conversations in your head are constant. A series of arguments with these intruders. They want you to be weak, they want you to feel insecure, hopeless and worthless. But... you have to carry on... You have to find the strength deep down within, a place you do not go to readily. Because you have a purpose, a mission, you are an important person in this universe.

I'm told due to having an abusive childhood, and a previous abusive marriage that I'm prone to these bouts of anxiety and depression. That traumas are buried deep within me and when I have these bouts of anxiety and depression it is my brain saying "Hey there is some stuff in here that needs to be dealt with" But, do I want to deal with this stuff? No, not really. They are scary things, this I know. When in therapy I scratched just the surface of these scary things, just opened the door a crack. That is all I needed to do, before I slammed the door shut. I know I do NOT want to go there. All thru the traumatic years I had a visual in my head. A visual of mason jars in a pantry. These mason jars held the scary events of my life. I could stuff these traumas into a jar and screw the lid on tight, place the jar on the shelve and close the door.

Is that a healthy way to deal with emotional pain, with emotional abusive, with sexual abuse? I'm sure its not. But to survive it all, that is what I did. I'm told until I take each jar in my hand and open the lid and let the scary things come out, I will have these intruders visit me now and again. So, which is more difficult for me now? To go thru the pure exhaustion of fighting these thieves or to open the jars in the pantry? This is what I have to find the answer to. I know I do not like the battle, the mind torturing excursion of anxiety, panic, and depression. I know I'm a fighter, if I wasn't I would of lost the battle many years ago.

I have been able to heal myself from a multitude of health issues with living a green life This has made a dramatic difference. If you have the same battle as I, then you need to know that it is extremely important to live a green life. Yes food can heal. God gave us everything on this earth to heal. Food plays a very large role in our bodys daily chemistry. Organic Food is part of my armour in this battle. Supplements, herbs and aromatherapy always provide me with ammunition for getting me thru this battle.

I'm feeling much better today. 3 weeks of constant aromatherapy, eating serotonin boosting foods, sleeping on a regular schedule, deep breathing exercises, yoga sequences for anxiety and nervous energy, some kava kava, Valerian root, 5-HTP..a mood journal and a few fantastic self help books later.


Mornings aren't so good, but after my yoga, green smoothie and meditation I start to feel better. By mid afternoon my head begins to clear and clarity enters.

I have been able to keep up with my business, and with life because I have an amazing young woman who works with me. My daughter Liz. She gives me my pep talks, she holds me up, she has been my rock.
  I have my 3 amazing sons who call me to remind me how much they love me and need me. I have my 8 year old daughter who doesn't really understand what is going on except the Mommy isn't feeling  well, so she hugs me. Those warm enveloping hugs, filled with love. My husband, so patient, non demanding, loves me unconditionally. I have wonderful customers who, send uplifting emails that brighten my day.  So, I'm coming along. I have trudged thru this maze before and have always found my way, and I will continue to do so, because I  have a mission, a purpose in this universe.

I am a Mother, Wife, Sister, and a Friend.

If anyone reading this, battles anxiety and depression, please remember your not alone. Talk Talk Talk about what your feeling, acknowledge what your feeling, reach out because....

YOU HAVE A PURPOSE IN THIS UNIVERSE!

In the next few days I will post some of my recipes, titles of books, and other bits of information that help me get through this rough patch in hopes that it may help. In the meantime if anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me.

Peace
Shelly

Giveaway Relief From Spring!

 GIVEAWAY CLOSED: CONGRATS TO ANNE-MARIE! 
Spring is finally here, which is very exciting for those of us who had a snow filled winter! If you suffer from seasonal allergies it might not be such a joyful time. Trees, flowers, grass all growing, blooming and depositing pollen on just about everything including our hair, skin, and clothing.

I suffered from seasonal allergies,  the itchy watering eyes, sneezing and the one allergy symptom that really drives me crazy is an itchy nose.When you suffer from allergies there are other health concerns that can arise. Sinusitis is one of those health concerns. Allergies effect our nasal passages and this can cause swelling and congestion. Which can lead to a sinus infection, due to mucous not draining properly. There are a multitude of other issues that present themselves when dealing with allergies such as a headache, stomachache, fatigue, sore throat and even depression.

What you can do: Stay indoors between  5 AM and 10 AM (when pollen is at its worst)

Wear a hat, gloves, glasses,a paper mask, and a long-sleeve t-shirt to minimize pollen contact

Check your pollen count daily for your city and state http://www.pollen.com/allergy-weather-forecast.asp 

Take a shower after being outdoors to wash off pollen from skin and hair.

Purchase an air purifier for the areas of your house that you frequent (living room, bedroom)

Keeping house windows closed and car windows closed

Use a (HEPA) filter for vacuuming and air filtration

Drink lots of water

I have been able to reduce my allergy symptoms effectively by doing the above but I have also incorporated the following to keep myself symptom free.

 Boosting ones  immunity also aids in relieving allergy symptoms. You can do this by taking Vitamin C
Start with 500 mg vitamin C with meals three times a day during allergy season and increase to 2,000 mg total per day as tolerated by your digestive tract.

Taking Quercetin abundant in  in apples,along with other dark colored fruit and vegetables. But you can purchase it in  the for of a supplement.. Quercetin inhibits the production and release of histamine. Because bioflavonoids work a little more slowly than prescription antihistamines, you need to start taking Quercetin at the start of allergy season ,before symptoms progress. Take 1 to 3 250-mg capsules with meals, three times daily. I will eat 2 organic red apples daily as well as drinking Green Tea. Foods rich in Quercetin are red onions, red grapes, tomatoes, cranberries, citrus fruits, cherries, green leafy vegetable.

 Honey:: The honey of local bees can work like homeopathy on allergies. Taking a teaspoon a day of local raw honey is the recommendation. Children under the age of 2 are not included in this recommendation.

I also have taken Nelsons Allergy & Hayfever pillules this is a homeopathic remedy that works very well.

In our line of Joyful Girl Products I developed 2 items that will help any seasonal allergy sufferer. First our Allergy relief nasal inhaler.Our allergy relief nasal inhaler contains essential oils that will keep nasal passages open, aide in keeping allergens out, and supports  respiratory function. Also it will calm your nose when the itch presents itself. Our second item is our Allergy Relief Aromatherapy Spray. I love this! The essential oils I have used in this spray help control airborne allergens and helps to purify the air. Spritzing through  out the house, on bed linens, in your car with aid in keeping air passages open, and cleansing the air. This blend is very rejuvenating as well. I will spritz my environment then I take 3 deep cleansing breathes. I'm not one for over the counter medications, people do have to make the best choice for themselves. I personally have been able to control my allergy symptoms with natural means. I feel much healthier and happier doing so. Essential oils are wonderful healers and the aromatherapy benefits are extras for me.

Our Giveaway: We are giving away 1 Allergy Relief Kit. Our Kit contains 1 allergy relief nasal inhaler and 1 two ounce Allergy Relief Aromatherapy Spray

Mandatory Entry: Check out my store Joyful Girl Naturals and tell me in a comment another product you would like to see as a giveaway!  You must do the mandatory entry first or all other entries will be deleted.Please leave a separate comment for each entry. If you earn 2 entries then leave 2 separate comments for the action required.

Extra Entries:
2 entries become a public follower thru Google Friend Connect on the Left sidebar.
3 entries: Become an email subscriber, subscription needs to me confirmed
2 entries: Following me on Twitter JGNP
3 entries: Tweet this giveaway
2 entries: Fan me on Facebook

Giveaway is open to US and Canada persons 18 years of age and older. Winner will be chosen thru random.org. Winner will be contacted thru email, please make sure your email is visible thru blogger or in your comments. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize after being contacted by me. Giveaway closes April 21st at 11:59 pm EST

Toxic Baby

 One of my missions when starting Joyful Girl Naturals is education. I know moms do not like to be told "Your lathering your baby with toxins" or "You could be damaging your daughters reproductive organs" So, I try and not be so harsh. I will then just simply ask you moms "Do you know what each ingredient is listed on the products you apply to your babies, toddlers, children?"

Do you know that Johnson & Johnson has some of the most toxic products on the market? Ahhh yes the lovely un-natural fragrance of Johnson and Johnson's baby lotion with Aloe and Vitamin E is rated a 7 out of a 10 on the ewg . 10 is the most toxic, 7 is not far behind.  The ingredients in this lotion are linked to health concerns such as Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, other concerns are Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes

Whoooaaa!!! Lets just stop right there. Super Scary right? Yes it is. Everyday I have at least 6 emails from parents who have babies, and toddlers with major skin issues. Eczema is on the rise.. Why is that?

From many recent studies it can be due to the chemicals we apply on our children and the pesticides we feed our children.

Please print off  the  Safety Guide to Children’s Personal Care Products here ewg
this will give you a list of ingredient to stay away from as well as healthier options for toothpastes, body washes etc. Please keep Joyful Girl Naturals in mind as well. I do offer our Joyful Baby Line as well as Toddler Tubtime line and for the older child our Joyful Kids line. O.k. I know a little overboard, but hey we like to have something for everyone! I also make my products from scratch, so I can customize products for your child.
I have many customers who has children with nut allergies, so I make their products with alternative oils

I know it is crazy to some that the lotion, baby wash, shampoo they use on their kids can cause health concerns, reproductive concerns, learning disabilities, etc. It is true, and after a little research you will understand that dressing your little ones in green products can make a big big difference.

Gather up your non green baby products, log onto the EWG and check out each ingredient..Have a trash can near by, cuz once you read about the health concerns listed that are associated with your diaper cream you wont think twice about tossing it.

A Green Baby is a Happy Healthy Baby!

Peace

Charm Factory Giveaway Over At Leslie Loves Veggies

Wow, Leslie Loves Veggies is having another fantastic giveaway. Right now you can enter to win your choice of a finished charm bracelet valued at $24.99.
I personally would love a charm bracelet with all Peace Charms. The Charm Factory has several Peace charms I have had my eye on. The large Peace Sign Hand Charm, The Peace Heart Charm, The World Peace Charm, and the Peace and Love Cut Out Charm.
Head on over to Leslie Loves Veggies and enter her Charm Factory Giveaway. Who knows you maybe be wearing your favorite Charm Bracelet soon!

Super Save Sunday 3/14/10

Our SSS for today is for our wonderful Shaving Cream. 25% off today only! Our shaving cream is made with organic cocoa butter for a moisturizing shave. Our shaving cream can be labeled for the Natural Man or Joyful Girl.

Commercial shaving creams are loaded with skin irritants and toxins. Neither of which is necessary for shaving.

A common ingredient in several shaving creams is Methylparaben. Any ingredient ending in Paraben is an ingredient you should avoid. Parabens contribute to cancers,endocrine disruption,neurotoxicity, and is a known skin irritant.

This ingredient is used to preserve your product. This preservative is used so the shelf life of your shaving cream can be sustained for longer than necessary. Not worth the health concerns it contributes.

Another ingredient that is common in commercial shaving creams is Propylene Glycol. This unhealthy ingredient is linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, Penetration enhancer (opens pores to aid in your skin absorption), brain and nervous system effects. This ingredient is used to contribute to the viscosity of your product and as a penetration enhancer.

Now, these are only 2 ingredients that I pulled from a list of shaving cream ingredients browsing popular products. I would say 90% of the ingredients of these shaving creams contribute to health concerns.

Why is it important to stay away from these ingredients? If your not green yet, you may not realize that these ingredients can contribute to health concerns you are already experiencing. Skin irritations, reproductive concerns mainly infertility, and migraines to mention a few.

Yes it is true that the ingredients in your skin and hair care as well as your cosmetics maybe the cause of your migraines, recent bout with anxiety, skin conditions, even depression.

Our skin is the largest organ of our body. What you put on your skin you are consuming. Now, I know if a bottle of  Propylene Glycol was in front of you, you wouldn't drink it. So why are you putting it on your skin?


If you envision your skin care, hair care, & cosmetics as food you might want to know what your eating!

Eat healthy you only have one you!

Peace

Cancer In A Bottle???

Spring is upon us. Sunshine, cool breezes, budding trees and flowers are on the way. Most of us like to do a little spring cleaning this time of year. In our house we clean green. No harsh chemicals, no coughing, sneezing, opening windows to let out vapors that form from scrubbing bubbles or bleach.
Why go thru that? Why submit yourself and your family members including your pets to an array of cleaning products that also can do the following:

1. Contribute to Cancer
2. Disrupt your endocrine system
3. Create reproductive concerns
4.Irritate lungs and eye tissue
5.Pollute your household environment with toxins
6. Vapors from some cleaning products are absorbed by the skin and lungs. So children and pets are at risk even though they aren't actually doing the cleaning.
This is only a slight glimpse of health concerns that can occur from using chemical laden cleaning products.

There is this misnomer that our cleaning products have to smell medicinal, or have that bleach type smell in order for them to kill germs and really clean our homes. This is simply not true. Distilled White Vinegar has proven to kill most germs, bacteria and mold.
Heinz states that its vinegar when using a 5 percent solution kills 99.9 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of molds and 80 percent of germs including viruses. That is pretty impressive. Considering you don't have to worry about the health concerns that we pay for in most supermarket cleaning products.

Did you know that there are over 80,000 chemicals being used in the United States? Most of these chemicals have never been tested for safety. Hmmm makes you wonder why the US has the highest cancer rate, obesity rate, infertility rate etc etc etc.

 Understanding the dangers to our children alone should prompt you to safely dispose of your chemical laden cleaning products and make the switch to green cleaning products.

Reading the facts about the hazards of chlorine one chemical used in many cleaning products, will have you shaken in your boots!  Did you know that in the making of chlorine bleach trace amounts of mercury are leached into the environment as well as into your cleaning products.There are many other facts that are terrifying pertaining to chlorine bleach.

Think about it, become informed as to what you are wiping your high chair tray with, the toilet seat, your kitchen counter tops and door knobs.

You can learn about safe green cleaning at Care 2 make a difference. This is a great website with an abundance of information for being green.

To get you started on making the switch to cleaning green I'm going to give away one  Cleaning Green Kit to one of my followers.

Your kit will include :
1 -8 oz bottle of our   Kitchen Cleaner 
1 -8oz bottle of our Bathroom Cleaner
1 16 oz tub of our Multi Fizzy Cleaner 

Not only will these products clean and disinfect your household but they provide aromatherapy benefits as well. Invigorating, Uplifting and Revitalizing benefits due to the essential oil blends. 

To enter our Green Cleaning Giveaway you must do the following:

Mandatory Entry:Be a follower of my blog via google friend connect (left upper sidebar) leave me a comment that you are now a follower. If you are already a follower just leave me a comment letting me know. You must complete this action first or all other comments will be deleted

For additional entries:Leave a separate comment for each entry

1 entry: Become a Facebook fan (left side bar) leave a comment letting me know you are a fan.

2 entries: Subscribe via email or Rss feed. Leave me a comment that you are a subscriber or that you are already a subscriber.

3 entries: Tweet this giveaway leaving your tweet link in a comment

3 entries: Tell me one health hazard you learned about one of your current NON GREEN cleaning products.If you are already cleaning green tell me one important reason you switched.

This giveaway is open to US residents only 18 years of age or older. Contest will end March 20 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be notified via email (Make sure your email address is visible in your blogger profile or leave it in your comments) The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email,