2010 – Healthy Choices Part 2

Since I spent a lot of time lying down from morning sickness, I spent a lot of time reading books that greatly encouraged my new goal. (see last post)


Below is a list of some of the books I read this year on health, and herbal healing.
Once again, - herbs were something I had always been interested in, but overwhelmed by.
My sister’s son’s experience with a staph infection the doctors had no answers for prompted us both to do some studying.

Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhner
A very excellent book, - very thin and I thought easy to read. It gives a quick history, ‘the how and why’ and what the results have been of current synthetic anti-biotics. It then describes the God created natural options available, and some basic recipes and suggested uses.
I think it is a must read for every mom.

Cancer - Step Outside the Box by Ty Bolllinger
My grandma was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer last fall. Already interested in the topic, (to me it was one of the biggest, scariest I-know-nothing-about-it medical dragons)

The first third of the book talks in depth about the current 3 modern medical approaches to treating cancer, why they are used and takes a hard look at the results.

The second third of the book lists specific alternative treatments gives brief overviews of each and gives sources where you can learn more about each one.

The third part of the book, the one I was most eager to read, addresses a multitude of products, foods, toxins etc. with a basic summary of how they affect us, and sources for where we can find out more. (I read quickly through the first two and concentrated on this one)

I knew going in that this was going to be one of those books that could overcome and overwhelm me with fear, frustration, and ultimately a ‘well everything is going to kill us apparently, so I might as well give up’ attitude if I wasn’t careful. –

So before I even started the book, I got a notebook,- and made a list of all the things I knew we were already doing ‘right’, no matter how small, to give me a boost of encouragement. I was surprised to see it was longer than I thought. I also prepared two other lists….

A) Small things I could fairly easily work on changing, (not eating out so much, - cutting out more sweets, etc)

B) And a list of bigger, more long term things I would have to discuss with Andrew and change as money and time and my courage would allow. (Selecting a water purification system, - instead of buying bottled, making all the bread we eat, from fresh ground flour etc.)

Then as I read through the book, I would jot down notes of topics I wanted to study more, - and added to any of the three lists as I read about things that hadn’t even crossed my mind.

Finally, - I tried to set realistic expectations for myself. – I didn’t have to upset our whole world in a day. – Doing SOMETHING was better than nothing. –

And I learned to rely on the wonderful support system in our church fellowship of like minded ladies, which have helped me bridge the gap as I try to think outside the ‘all or nothing box’.
So, I buy a freshly ground bag of whole wheat flour each Sunday from a family in church, until I someday get the money/nerve up to commit myself to the whole grinder/wheat buying process.
In all honesty, since I’ve wanted to make most of the bread we eat, - in reality this means we just eat a lot less bread… :(

Though I have been able to keep up a pretty steady supply of whole grain quick breads for breakfasts, and muffins.



This book I first got out of inter-library loan, but soon realized it was one of those I would have to own... An absolutely excellent resource that can guide you to the right books and web sites for so many subjects.

Be Your Own “Doctor” -101 Stories - An informative Guide to Herbal Home Health Care
By Rachel Weaver M.H.

Mom actually gave me this book for Christmas, and it is my newest favorite! The subtitle ‘101 stories’ is very accurate and why I love it so much.

– It is one thing to read about an herb and what it CAN be used for, - but a very different thing to read account after account of daily happenings, - situations like what you will experience in real life, - see exactly how she decided what to do, what she did, and the results.

An excellent, excellent very easy and enjoyable to read book, another must have for any mom.

These are some other great reference books that have been very useful.


Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pederson
Practical Herbalism by Philip Fritchy MD ND CNHP
Growing 101 Herbs that Heal by Tammi Hartung

Genetic Roulette by Jeffrey M. Smith
This book was too much for me. –It briefly explains what genetically modified food is, and why it’s been made. It is basically case study after case study showing the results of different animal’s and people’s documented reactions to genetically modified foods. I only read a few and was sickened. This is an area I’m not sure what to ‘do with’. Not even sure if there is anything I can do. –



And finally, here are a few websites that I have found very helpful.



http://www.bulkherbstore.com/



Great source of products and information and inspiration!



http://www.vitacost.com/



Great source for suppliments, and many other products with a flat $5.oo shipping rate.