God Kisses

Some people call it lucky, some call it blessings, I call it God kisses. You know, that moment when you are totally blown away by a smell, sound, something you see or a tangible gift. They can seem random but always come right when I need them. Sometime in droves and sometimes they fall down from the sky as one long embrace.

God kisses, I need God kisses. Mind you, I’m not talking about a “good works,” or “what comes around, goes around” ideology because honestly, there is no reason I deserve these special moments. I believe they just come simply because we’re loved, no matter what. They are pure grace.

This is entry about a day filled with God kisses. This entry is about thanksgiving even in times of trials.

We’re in Shawano, WI at the moment, volunteering at Camp Tekakwitha. (I plan to write more about that soon) It’s been a long week physically, my cancer treatment was successful but exhausting. On top of that, we had the added bonus of a few other ailments visit the Holland bus. Craig got himself wrangled up in a bed of Poison Oak and ended up consumed head to toe. We tried to find healing with natural means but couldn’t keep up with the pain and itching. So, he went to  urgent care and is slowly recovering with the help of steroids. At the same time, our son lacerated his left leg while playing a camp game and ended up in the ER with a whooping 17 stitches. So by the weekend, I really needed some TLC.

It was Saturday. I decided to run into town to replenish my ingredients for my nutritional therapy. I had an other treasures I was hoping to find as well, but only a few dollars to spare, along with a TJmaxx $50 gift card from my friend Kim. My first stop was St. Vincent’s thrift store, where I found fabric for our couch, which was totally shredded after 3 years of use. The fabric cost $7.50! Score!! My day was off to a great start. I recognized the little kiss and was so grateful.

Next, I met a friend for lunch. I really wanted to see her but was concerned about my budget. When I arrived I discovered it was “Restaurant Week” and my whole meal, including an appetizer, main and dessert was only $10! So, I was able to experience a rejuvenating lunch with a dear friend and another God kiss!

Next I went to TJmaxx to find sheets for our Queen size bed. We’ve had the same sheets for about 10 years. You know how it goes, there is always something else that is needed, so you just keep making due. But this time, with the gift card in hand, I was ready to take the plunge and by new bedding. So, I went in but before I could get to the back of the store to look at the sheets, I got side tracked. Near the front of the store there was a stand with all sorts of soaps and Essential Oils by Plantlife. Why is that significant you ask? Well, folks began to respond to my blogs about my cancer journey, many of them suggested that I look at adding EO’s to my treatment. I agreed and already had a few basics on hand, however the cost of buying the really good ones was discouraging. So, back to TJmaxx. I approached the display and found a gift set of 8 EO’s by a company that’s mission is to consistently create all-natural body care products using the freshest organic herbs and 100% pure essential oils.  The package which would normally total over a $100 was on sale for $40! The extra few dollars on the gift card I used to buy Craig some of Plantlife’s soap to help with his rash.

The kisses were falling like manna from the sky. My last stop before going to get my nutritional therapy supplies was Goodwill. As I walk through the doors, I just knew I would find bedding. Sure enough! I found a brand new Ikea slat grey bottom sheet for $6.

I ended my day at Woodman’s grocery store where I had just enough left over to purchase all of my ingredients for my favorite green morning smoothie, filled with cancer fighting properties and healing nutrients.

These kisses are beautiful gifts, they come in all shapes and forms. This time they came in the form of treasures but they are all meant to lead us to the same giver. Take note, celebrate with thanksgiving and give a kiss back.

Hey, are you keen to try my Green Smoothie out?

Here’s the recipe:

Green Morning Alkalizing Smoothy

1 cup Frozen Pineapple chunks

1/2 Frozen Banana or 1/2 fresh Avocado  (this creates the smoothy texture)

1-2 TBS fresh chopped Ginger

1/2 cup fresh Spinach leaves

1 TBS fresh Basil

1 TBS fresh Cilantro

1 TBS fresh Parsley

Cayenne pepper to taste (I use about 1/4 tsp.)

1-2 cups Coconut Water

Blend well and drink up!

 

 

Advertisement

A Perspective On Healing; Part 4

You know the old saying, “You are what you eat.” Well, it appears that it’s a semi-true statement. It’s also true that food has been used for ages to heal patients of ailments and diseases that modern science can not seem to concur.

Hippocrates, found that all foods leave an ash residue after metabolism which is either alkaline or acidic, depending on the mineral composition of the food and the way in which individuals digest them.  If your diet is largely composed of meats, fish, cheeses, breads, white flour, white sugar, greasy take-away, chocolate, coffee, wine, beer and cigarettes (all acid-forming), you may suffer from acidic complaints. Things like Acne, cold hands and feet, Constipation, Diarrhea, dizziness, excess head mucus (stuffiness), Heartburn, joint pains that travel, Hyperactivity, irregular heartbeat, lack of sex drive, low energy, metallic taste in mouth, muscular pain, and panic attacks are some of the signs of over-acidity. More bothersome things like Asthma, Bacterial and Fungal infections, Bronchitis, Cold sores, Depression, Ear aches, Flu and Colds, Gastritis, Hay Fever, Insomnia, Migraine headaches, Psoriasis and Sinusitis are also symptoms of over-acidity. And, most seriously, Cancer (all forms), Crohn’s disease, Erythematosis, Hodgkin’s disease, Leukaemia, Multiple Sclerosis, Schizophrenia, Systemic Lupus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis are all linked to an over-acidic diet. So, the more acidic your foods digest the more infections, cancer and other diseases can take up residency in your body and in the end, the food you eat will be your demise.

Researchers and authors alike, find that the ratio of 80% Alkaline-forming and 20% Acid-forming foods is the key to food therapy. The basic premise that Cancer can not grow in an Alkaline environment was convincing enough for me to take a look further. I think the evidence that wheat, sugar/high-fructose corn syrup and industrial seed oils are toxic to the body and contribute to virtually all modern, degenerative diseases – from diabetes and obesity to heart and autoimmune disease is solid. And, yet I am a skeptic. I am not interested in promoting some new fad or diet that is the same old, same old crap. I want to be healed. I want healing! I can’t explain how it feels to know that something is growing in my body that doesn’t have permission. It is infuriating and confusing. However, knowledge is power and as I learn more and more about food science, there are little battles being won. My hope is by seeking education and understanding in this matter and by being diligent and disciplined that what I put into my body will help to fight the terrorists who are trying to take my body captive. My hope is that by relaying this information, you will also be inspired to look deeper into the God-given resources that are available, that you will feel empowered to fight the good fight.

But, what does that mean? How does it work?

Here is what I’m learning at the moment.

Balance is important. My daily food intake consists of 80% alkaline forming (mostly fruit and vegetables), while 20% can be acid-forming (protein and starch). They can be eaten at different meals, so if I eat meats (acid-forming) as a meal, I must have alkaline-forming foods for the rest of the day. If I have a day of too much acid-forming food, I can balance up by eating 90-100% alkaline-forming foods for a few days to restore alkalinity.

I started by eliminating 20% unhealthiest foods in my diet including processed foods, white sugar, flour, dairy and meat. I kept a food journal for 1-2 weeks as well as making a mental note of how foods make me feel. Then, using a 80/20 food chart, I began to craft a menu that would incorporate the foods my body needed to create a non-inviting environment for the cancer. I’m still working on that, and have learnt to be patient. Changes can only happen at my body’s organic pace. I’ve also learned to be patient with others. This is new to me and my ability to communicate effectively what I can and can’t eat has been cumbersome and awkward. But, folks are generally accommodating and the more I understand the smoother the communication is becoming.

I’ve also learned that rest and sleep are alkalizers.  Emotions also play into our bodies PH levels. So, my focus is on taking pleasure in the little things, laughter, good conversations, love while eliminating fear, worry, anger, gossip, and envy.

So what foods do I eat?

In the morning I make a smoothy packed with some or all of these alkalizing foods, Mango, watermelon, lemon, kiwi, pineapple, cayenne pepper, ginger, cinnamon, raw spinach, raw kale, 1 tbs coconut oil, avocado, and almond milk.

For lunch I usually eat a salad with lots of greens, asparagus, red onion, bell pepper, beets, radish, cucumbers, etc…

This is a concoction that I made up. It’s light and refreshing and 90/10, so gives me reserve for the evening meal.

Sweet Potato, Fennel Wraps

Serves 4

 

4 Spelt flour wraps (can also use flat bread made with cornmeal, rice or amaranth flour)

1 Tbs Coconut Oil

Sweet Potato, peeled and thinly sliced 

Fresh Fennel, washed and thinly sliced

Red Onion, thinly sliced

Avocado, cored and sliced

Red Cabbage, thinly sliced

Rocket (Arugula) 

Cayenne pepper/Pink Himalayan Salt (To taste)

 

In a small frying pan, heat oil. Add Sweet Potato and Fennel. Salt and pepper to taste, Sauté for 3-5 min until slightly soft and remove from heat. Let cool. 

Line each wrap with all of the fresh ingredients, add sautéed veggie’s and fold. 

Enjoy with a fresh fruit salad or a quinoa salad. (Or enjoy without the wrap as a salad.) 

 

If I have been mostly alkaline all day, I might include a piece of fish or glass of red wine in my evening meal.

I use a number of resources online to look up food items to see where they sit on the Ph scale. I have found that in my baking I can compromise with coconut sugar or maple syrup, and coconut oil has become my go to in all cooking or baking. Besides the benefit of being on the alkalinizing side of the Ph scale, it is also the only oil that actually helps  to lose belly fat. I am experimenting with different gluten-free flours, and really like Pamela’s artisan flour which includes a mixture of Brown Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, White Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Sorghum Flour, Arrowroot Starch, Sweet Rice Flour, Guar Gum.

One of my favorite blogs on the subject is by The Alkaline Sisters, they have recipes and more ideas. Check them out at: http://www.alkalinesisters.com/sisters-blog/

When the motivation is to “stay alive” it changes your perspective on diet. I’m not interested in promoting some fad diet or having political debates about food, I just want to live, and live well!

So, if I’m coming to your house for dinner, don’t fret. I’m not a food fascist and won’t be judging what you put on the table. I’ll eat what I can with a grateful heart, and trust that if you are ever in a situation where something foreign tries to take your joy, you’ll already have a life line and a friend in me.

To read the whole story from start to finish click here.

Perspective on Healing; Part 1 

Perspective on Healing; Part 2

Perspective on Healing; Part 3