Banana muffins, recipe for your weekend!

So I made this recipe this morning for my girls and thought I would pass it along to you for the weekend.
Hope you enjoy!
2 ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs
2 Tbsp honey
2 tsp vanilla
1/8 cup melted coconut oil
1 cup brown rice flour
1/4 tsp sea salt
3/4 tsp baking soda

combine all wet ingredients, add to dry ingredients, stir well to combine all.
grease your muffin pan, or silicon muffin liners, or use cupcake paper liners,
fill each cup 1/2 way, top with crushed walnuts or blueberries (as I did per request of the Tiny Trotter)
or get creative!  Not necessary to have a topping at all.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min, till a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

For some reason I could only get 11 out of the dough, sorry for any inconvenience!

Things I buy at Trader Joe's

For those who live in and around the Nashville area, there is a Trader Joe's in Green Hills right beside the mall.  When I talk to people about eating healthy, they always comment, "It's so expensive, I can't afford it."  So my reply to those kind of comments is simple, can you afford to be sick and go to the doctor and buy prescriptions? Then you can afford to eat healthy.  See if you make a real effort to not eat boxed and processed foods, then over a short amount of time, you will notice your health will greatly improve and you will not need to go to the doctor as much nor take medication.  It is all in the way you look at how you spend your money now, and how you want to invest in your future.  I don't know about any of you, but I want to live to be 110!  Not only live to that age, but feel great, still be doing yoga and taking no medications!  So I have found that Trader Joe's has organic and Non-GMO (genetically Modified) foods as well as no preservatives and artificial ingredients.  The best part of that is also that they are WAY cheaper than most retail chain grocery stores.  For example, a bag of whole organic carrots, $0.89.  Yep, no typo there, truly they are eighty-nine cents.
So here is a list of what I typically buy there: (and keep in mind I also drive an hour to get to  my local store)
Applegate Farms lunch meat, I buy about 5 packs of an assortment from ham to turkey
(this company has no nitrites or nitrates in any of their meat products)
Applegate farms organic beef hotdogs, 1 pk (these were found to be in the top 5 best hotdogs available)
Trader Joe's applewood bacon, 4 packs (again their brand also has no nitrites or nitrates)
Herb infused goats cheese (this is a large roll for the same price as the small one anywhere else)
Chicken thighs, 3 pks (these are boneless and skinless, and cook up so much more moist than the breast)
Organic baby spinach, 1 bag
bag of whole organic carrots
bag of organic celery
baby bok choy (look up what this is if you've never heard of it)
cucumbers 5 pack
bag of Kale
hummus, my husband likes the horseradish flavor (only way I can get him to eat raw veggies!)
Gluten Free mac n cheese (now this is a special treat for my kids because it is a boxed food)
gluten free oats
frozen green beans (the ones for $1.99, and these are AMAZING stir fried in coconut oil with garlic)
frozen fish (just make sure its wild caught)
supper food frozen mix (it's quinoa, sweet potatoes, kale and some other stuff)
Organic greek yogurt (the big tub, I use in place of sour cream)
eggs
coconut milk in the carton (original, unsweetened) use in smoothies and that mac n cheese
kerrygold butter (this is made from grass fed cows)
almond meal (I cook most all baked goods with this!) 5 bags
crushed garlic (its in a jar, makes cooking with garlic so much easier!)
sea salt grinder
black pepper grinder
assorted spices
assorted herbal teas (my fav, Ruby Red Chai)
Chia seeds (great source of omegas, can put in smoothies or on top of salads!)
Nourish shampoo & conditioner (chemical free, I'll post more on that later)
oatmeal & honey soap bars
tea tree oil facial soap pump
moisturizing facial lotion
jerkey (and assortment) their beef is grass fed
raw nuts (an assortment, almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts) 
organic rasins
freeze dried mangos (again a treat for the kidos)
organic popcorn (the whole kernel kind, I pop on stove top in coconut oil)
cocoa powder
organic tomato paste
applesauce squeezers (carrot and apple, treat for kids)
tortilla chips (they are the kind that are tri colored and have flax seed in them)
avacados
sweet potatoes
pearl baby tomatoes
onions


If this list seems incomplete, I also shop at sams, the farmers market, and publix to fill in the gaps
I'll post those lists another day!

Note: don't go shopping on a weekend, or in the evening.  A Sunday morning or some afternoon before school is out is best.  This local T.J. is crazy busy and has a not so great parking lot!

 

The first steps of the plan

I know I mentioned last night that I was going to check my blood sugar and see if maybe this MODY thing was also a problem for me.  I have had a 4 hour glucose tolerance test back in the fall and it showed that I was severely hypoglycemic, however that diagnosis can play into either MODY or Adrenal Fatigue.  So I checked my glucose around 7pm, it was 84.  Then I ate a huge carb loaded meal.  Brown rice pasta with marinara sauce and chicken, in the amount of about 2 cups of cooked pasta alone not to mention the other stuff.  Then I topped it off with 3 squares of dark chocolate.  I waited 2 hours from the beginning of my meal time and retested.  My glucose was 104, and I was so happy because that is within normal limits.
So I feel that maybe this puts me back at looking more into Adrenal Fatigue.  I received an email this evening from the Holistic Health Care Specialist I had contacted.  She is sending me a test kit in the mail with directions on how to test.  It is a saliva spit test and will give a more accurate picture of what exactly the adrenals are or aren't doing.  This is STEP 1, along with me sending her copies of all of my most recent labs and tests.
So, I went to Yoga this morning, had a relaxing early lunch with 2 friends, went to the chiropractor and got adjusted, plus made sure to eat small meals every 3-4 hours all day.  Today was a good day, meaning I did not have one dizzy, faint feeling all day!  Yippie, thats a first in a LONG time!
I did also go to Trader Joe's today for groceries and Sam's, so the fact that I was in public places with fluorescent lights and didn't have a "spell", is really wonderful!  I love Trader Joe's because they have such a great business moto, or mission that the company stands behind.  If you have never shopped there, I encourage you to visit their website and read about them.  Then check it out for yourself!  I shop there about every 2 weeks and have never found a product I didn't like.  I'll write another post on what I buy there for anyone who might be interested.  Surprisingly enough, they are significantly cheaper on so many things than other chain grocery stores.  And those  stores don't have such the wonderful mission behind them!  (no, I'm not getting paid or even a discount to endorse them, I just really like the place that much!)

What have I decided to do?

Last night I finished reading the book "Adrenal Fatigue, 21st Century Stress Syndrome" and although enlightening,  I need a plan.  I am such a typical type A personality and I desire planning and structure when it comes to health issues.  Other aspects of my life...not so much.
So, I found a Holistic Healthcare Professional and have sent her an email to see how she can help me.  I plan to do the saliva spit test and check my cortisol levels throughout the day and especially when I feel the worst.    I met her at a Women's Health Conference in Columbia, TN back in June 2012.  She also has helped another mother I know, who has also suffered from Adrenal Fatigue. 
On another note, my cousin after reading yesterdays blog contacted me today and shared with me that she suffers similar symptoms and has been diagnosed with something called MODY.  This is a Type 1.5 diabetes, read more about it here.   http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14047009.php, So, giving me something else to consider, I went and bought a blood sugar monitor and will be also looking at where those levels are, especially when I feel BAD!
So...what I am doing for now is consulting a professional for a plan and some direction, monitoring my blood sugar, practicing YOGA 4-6 times a week, trying to rest as much as possible, continuing care 2 times a week with my chiropractor, and hopefully starting next week, also seeing a counselor to learn how to handle some of the major stress issues in my life.   
Not sure if I mentioned this in yesterdays post or not, but also one of my labs that were drawn back in the fall that came back positive was an ANA.  This is usually positive in people that have Lupus.  So imagine my horror when I was referred to a specialist.    The specialist did rule out Lupus, thank heavens, but he said that people who have celiac disease also have a positive ANA lab.  I have an aunt who has this and I also had a form of psoriasis back Jan-March 2012 called granuloma anulare (GA).  This is why last March I cut out all grains from my diet for 3 months.  I introduced corn first, then rice and did fine.  To date, I still have not reintroduced wheat or gluten.  Reason being because when I accidentally have some cross contamination, it seriously causes me to be doubled over in epi-gastric pain.  SO...I just AVOID it majorly!  Not worth it AT ALL!

Adrenal Fatigue

Ever heard of it?  The first time I heard of this was when I had every test, scan and lab done for my symptoms and at my whits end went to a chiropractor to get help with a messed up neck.  He simply listened to my symptoms (which I will list in a min) and said, "you have adrenal fatigue".  I replied by saying, "well, I had a CT scan and my adrenals were fine".  Well come to find out, this adrenal fatigue is a syndrome, unrecognized my the medical community.  Adrenals can look fine and yet still be in severe fatigue.
What are adrenals you may be thinking?  They are hormone secreting glands that sit on top of your kidneys.  Check out adrenalfatigue.org for more information on the anatomy and function of this gland in which we can not live without.  
So what are my symptoms?  I shall go back about 5 and a half years.  I was pregnant with my tiny Trotter at the time and remember I was walking into Target to do some Christmas shopping, when all of a sudden I felt as if I was about to pass out.  I quickly left and ran to my car and laid down.  After I felt like I could drive I just went home.  These type symptoms seemed to be the first ones I remember.  That and I would see stars periodically and feel dizzy or light headed.  After the baby was born I don't remember them happening too much, but then when she was about 4 months old I had all of a sudden lost about 19 pounds on tops of my baby weight.  Everyone close to us thought I was sick.  Then about 2 years later, it started again. I went to my doctor and told him and said that it seemed worse in fluorescent lights.  He wanted me to see a neurologist and then performed an EKG.  That was normal, and sadly enough, I never scheduled a neuro consult.  I joined a gym instead and began to feel better.
That lasted for almost a year and then the symptoms came back with a vengeance.  I felt like I could pass out almost anytime I was in a public place with fluorescent lights and then I would panic.  I was always foggy headed and would wake up feeling like I hadn't slept a wink.  I hit a "slump" every day around 3:00 where I literally had to take a nap.    Then around 9:00 I had too much energy and couldn't go to sleep, and if I did, could stay asleep.
Now I also felt weak and shaky if I hadn't eaten in a few hours, even if I had eaten tons of protein.  I was working out and eating right and yet kept hanging on to weight around my middle.
Then it go so bad, I woke one morning and my arms were numb from the shoulders down and tingling.  I could grip them but couldn't hold the grip.  So I couldn't hold anything in my hands.  I thought I was having a stroke or heart attack.  I was having major anxiety and panic.  "I just wanta feel normal again!"  I went to another doctor and told him to spare no expense, I wanted to find out what was wrong.  MRIs, CTscan, ultrasound, every blood panel you can run, and a 4 hour glucose tolerance test, and all it revealed was my C spine 4-7 was out of wack, and I had cyst on my right ovary, and I was severely hypoglycemic.  So the diagnosis for me was that I need to take anti-anxiety meds.  desperate to feel normal again, I agreed to take Lexapro 10mg.  After 6 weeks of taking this, I felt NO better and against my doctors advice, I weaned off of the meds.  I then went to a Maximized Living Chiropractor and began to understand what was really going on.
I am now reading "Adrenal Fatigue, 21st century stress syndrome" by Dr. James Wilson.  This has opened some major doors for me to understanding this better.  At this point I am planning to finish the book and then order myself a saliva test to get started on healing my self of this.
Certain things that trigger this are Energy Vampires in your life, certain places, and even sometimes lighting.  I did a history timeline and figured out that my original stressor was when I witnessed my grandfather die of a massive heart attack in front of me and I could do nothing to save him.   (Being a nurse, that was pretty hard)
Then most recently it was walking through a horrible colon cancer diagnosis with a good friend.
Its crazy how stress can get us and truly make us SICK!
If any of the symptoms sound like you...I encourage you to buy the book and read it!  Also refer to the website for more details.
Follow me on this journey as I DO plan to heal completely and feel like ME again!

Homemade bone broth

Ingredients:
One whole pastured chicken from a farmer you can trust, or at least organic one preferably not fed soy
Water, filtered
Scraps from organic celery, carrots, onions ( yes I mean the leafs of celery, unpeeled carrots, and brown skins from onions)
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
3-5 garlic cloves, busted open to release their good medicinal properties

In a crock pot add add ingredients with enough water to fill to the top.
Turn on low and cook for 8 hours
Then remove chicken, pull all the meat from the bones, add back to the broth in the crock pot the bones and all skin, joint and carcass pieces.
Add more filtered water to bring water level up to the top again. Cook 8 ,
More hours or over night.
Cook and either freeze or bottle and keep refrigerated.

This will be more like a thick gel consistency. Because it has the gelatinous bone matter in it which has amazing healing properties. Simply heat from cold and drink warm or use as a soup base.

I do this at least once a month so that I am never left having to buy the runny, thin boxed broth ever!

What do I use the meat for you might ask?
Chicken enchiladas or tacos, or nachos (yes we love Mexican)
Chicken and rice soup
Chicken salad
The possibilities as endless, get creative!

What do I do when my child gets sick?

Well, I'll start off by saying that yes I am a nurse, but I have started to move away form western medicine.  Yes there are times when it is necessary, but for my first defense, I don't choose to use that type of healing.
So what's in my medicine cabinet you might ask?
Oil of oregano
Lavender essential oil
Humidifier
Homemade chicken bone broth
Elderberry syrup
Grapefruit seed extract
Emergen-C
Greens first
Garden of life raw probiotics
Coconut oil
Chamomile tincture
Ginger
Garlic
100% Concord grapes only no sugar added grape juice
Peppermint essential oil
Epsom salt
Raw apple cider vinegar
Fermented cod liver oil
Echinacea tincture
Hydrogen peroxide
Garden of Eden salve
Raw unfiltered local honey
Cinnamon
Eucalyptus oil
Slippery elm throat drops
Sea salt crystals
So now that I have listed all of these things you are probably wondering what some are and what they are used for as well as where to get them.  Well the tinctures I make myself. I order the dried herbs from bulkherbstore.com and their website also gives instructions on how to make a tincture as well as a description for what each herb does.
Immune booster: take at first sign of cold or flu
Oil of oregano (I get mine from my chiropractor, Kestner FamilyChiropractor)
Grapefruit extract (chiropractors office)
Emergen-c (most drug stores, give 1/2 pkt to kids)
Raw apple cider vinegar (I buy Braggs, found at most major chain groceries in health section)
Elderberry syrup (I make my own, however Sambucus is a good sugar free brand)
Antiviral, antibiotic, anti microbial: take once sick
Homemade bone broth (I will post recipe in another post)
Coconut oil (can add to a smoothie or hot tea)
Ginger (detoxes the body, be sure to drink lots of water)
Garlic (for kids I slice off a sliver and put on their feet in their socks at night, a detox)
Echinacea tincture (don't take for longer than 10 days)
Raw unfiltered honey (especially good for sore throats and taken daily for seasonal allergies)
Sea salt crystals (chiropractor) these are good to balance the body's pH. Gets rid of a sore throat instantly and if you feel nauseated, kicks that out as well.
Daily vitamins:
Probiotics (I order on amazon)
Fermented cod liver oil (amazon)
Greens first (chiropractor) use as a replacement to juice
Essential oils:
Eucalyptus, on chest and bottoms of feet for cough or sinus cold
Peppermint, use on forehead for headache or sprinkle in bath when upset stomach
Lavender, good for cuts and scrapes, also to calm and relax, sprinkle on pillow or in bath water
Chamomile tincture I use for a fever reducer, and also to calm and help sleep
Stomach bug:
This is where the grape juice comes in. If you have been exposed but not vomiting yet, drink it 3 glasses within first 24 hours. Prevents the bug.
Once sick, Epsom salt baths, detox the virus, and ginger tea given after vomit occurs by the dropper full warm will stop the vomiting from occurring. Child may still feel bad for 24 hours, but should stop the worst symptom.
Sorry for the complete overwhelming overload. Just wanted to share my tips and what's worked for us. Don't go out and buy all this, just pick a few and try things to see what works for your family.
Oh and one more tip: for fevers, this is a good response that the body is fighting something. In children under 3 months however, seek immediate attention for any fever! From 3-36 months, try to wait and treat a fever unless it is above 102. Anytime however a fever is over 104.5, please intervene with medication or seek medical attention from your doctor or a
ER.
As always please use your best judgement as a parent and consult your doctor if you are unsure.Bulkherbstore.com