I know, I know, I’m always complaining about these things…

But I got a referral to a dermatologist recently. Not a big deal, just a little bump that needed to be checked out. I traveled two hours to get there because the referral was made before my recent move North. Not a huge deal, but not much fun early on a Friday morning.

It also decided to snow that morning. After 70+ degree temps, it decided to snow. So be it.

My iPhone mapping program apparently didn’t have the most recent maps and sent me to BFE instead of to the new medical plaza area in Somerset, KY. I arrived on time, but barely.

When I arrived, I was asked for my insurance card. Not a problem. I was then asked for my social security number. I’m used to avoiding this issue. I’ve not had to raise my voice or tilt my tone over this in many months because I selected an insurance provider that doesn’t require that I use this as a form of identification. I like that. I refuse to give such info to just anyone. It’s unnecessary.

I explained that my group and member number would suffice. They disagreed. They also asked me for a copy of my drivers license. I asked why they needed it. They needed a photo ID. I asked why.

Because, I was told, it would protect me from anyone claiming to be me walking in and getting my private records. It was for my own good, they said. I asked how that would protect me. They said that they made a copy of the photo ID and put it in my file and it was in their computer so they would compare it to anyone asking for my info. I told them I understood and handed them a copy of my business card, which has a photo image on the front.

They said that was unacceptable. They needed an official photo. I regurgitated the reason they had just given me and said (holding the image up to my face) that this should suffice to visually identify me should that need ever arise.

They said it was a new mandate and was going into effect next year. I told them we could discuss it next year. They said that it had to be in order by April 1st for their office. I pointed out that it was not yet the end of March, so I shouldn’t be affected. Long story short… I was denied service because I would not produce my drivers license.

I didn’t really care for their privacy policy either, which stated that I could request that they not share my information, but they had final say on that and although they would take my wishes into consideration, they would do as they pleased. Isn’t that cool? I’m so glad they would consider my wishes about my information. They are so thoughtful!

Might I also add that they got all squirrel-ly when I asked to see a copy of the privacy policy that I was signing the paper to say that I’d been provided. They finally handed me a framed copy under glass, rather than one I could keep with my own records.

They were also a bit huffy when I prepared to leave and asked that my papers (the ones I filled out with my personal information before I was declined service) be returned to me. I was told they would shred them. I told them no, that they would hand them over to me and I would shred them myself. I stood there unmoving, unflinching until the receptionist rightly determined that I’d be less trouble if they just handed over the papers in question than if she continued to decline my request.

I cannot possibly be the only person in the world that refuses to cough up every piece of personal information requested when seeking services. Note that word… SERVICES. I’m paying for them, I should be treated accordingly.

When I went to the local hospital later that same day for some x-rays (it was a whole tripping over the dog in the middle of the night, catching myself in the dark and subsequently spraining my thumb and knocking it completely out of socket incident)… I was not treated like an idiot when I declined to give them my social security number. They always ask, I always decline. It’s not a big deal. They don’t decline to offer me service.

Are people so eager to share this info that they assume that if it’s requested that it’s required? Does no one question these things anymore? Am I just bringing drama to my door by refusing?

My uncle came by yesterday afternoon with a cooler full of venison for me. I don’t usually have venison, but it’s so nutritious, I’m going to be cooking with it more this year. I found space in my freezer for about 25 1-pound ground packages.

Venison is one of the best low-fat meats (even lower fat than salmon, turkey and chicken!) And, it’s now being commonly farm raised for the meat quality. My venison was of the wild-caught variety and may be a bit stronger tasting (and more nutritious) than the domesticated type.

This high-quality red meat also contains fewer calories than other red meats and the additional bonus of offering a great source of heme iron (a readily absorbed variety). It’s also a great source of B-12, Niacin, B-6, and riboflavin. And is a good source of phosphorous, selenium, zinc and copper.

So, I’m investigating good recipes for ground venison and hope to find a few that make me plan to have venison in the freezer every fall. I have a farm that’s simply loaded with deer and an uncle that’s always looking for a great place to hunt. (He also has a butcher that takes it from felled to freezer without the need to dress it out.)

I referred to my bookshelf for all the nutritional values. (The World’s Healthiest Foods is a great resource. My copy is well-worn.)

From that book, I learned that I shouldn’t serve the venison to my sons (both of whom have had kidney stone problems in the last couple years), because the meat does contain purines, which can encourage the growth of uric acid based stones and gout in people with those tendencies.

That appears to be the only “downside” to eating venison instead of beef (and even beef has a moderately high level of purine).

(Note: photo courtesty of jpkwitter)

I joined Nablopom several weeks back, committing myself to a daily blog for the entire month of November. I decided that my Twitters didn’t count, nor did posts on other blogs (like my ActiveRain blog or my contributions on RemoteProfessionals.com or other sites.) And, honestly, it’s been a struggle.

I think if I didn’t HAVE to blog daily, it would be easier. But this came at a good time, and it has helped to keep me focused on my blog during a period of time when I’d probably let my blog slide. When things are particularly challenging, I usually don’t talk about the details on the blog. I talk about the symptoms, on occasion, but not the cause. I only explain the cause after the fact if at all. Let’s just say that trying to blog right now is difficult.

I do like the idea of daily blogging, in the same way I’ve always thought it would be great to follow in the footsteps of the great men and women in American history who journaled every day. (more…)

Here’s an informative chart about the value of various wholesome foods, which arrived by email from my mother this week.

Personally, I’d recommend using organic versions of these to boost the value even more. Staying healthy with excellent whole food choices in your diet is one of the best ways to save money and improve overall health.

(more…)

Many of my family and friends don’t understand why I pay more for organic foods. I just don’t want all those extra chemicals in my body. The entire family was organic for awhile, but my husband and the children didn’t want to be JUST organic, so they have re-joined the mainstream. I have not. I avoid food that isn’t chemical free, and when I find myself in a situation where I must eat what’s not organic, I select those items which involve the fewest pesticides, additives and other chemicals.

People who have been to the store with me are often amazed that I’ll spend so much for a dozen eggs in order to get free-range, cage free, no antibiotic-laden eggs. They also don’t understand why I pay so much per pound for the small amount of meat that I do still consume. I only buy from farmers dedicated to animal well-being and those who don’t use preventative antibiotics and chemical laden food supplies for their herds, flocks, etc. I prefer grass-fed and free-range. I’m not a zealot. I love meat. But I believe that quality of life should be a priority and the end of life — all life — should be as humane as possible. Period.

I just found a video on the meat industry that helps me to explain my views — not only from a health standpoint, but also from a humane standpoint. If you want to view the video, be forewarned that it’s graphic and unsettling. With that said… (more…)

I’ve decided to post my recipe for food for pet sugar gliders. I developed the recipe when I was suspect of the artificially colored options, and worried that the little guys were not getting what they needed, nutritionally, from the commercial varieties available.

I supplement this easy to make, at-home version of glider food with fresh (non-chlorinated, non-chemical) water, and a variety of fresh fruits (organic varieties), and some seeds and nuts. Apparently they are doing well with it… and they seem to really enjoy it (they wipe it out!)…

Angela’s Sugar Glider Food Recipe:

3 boiled eggs (cage-free, organic variety) with shells
1/4-1/2 cup Garbanzo Bean Flour (available at grocery stores in natural foods aisle)
Organic Yogurt (Baby Organic Pear Variety)
1/4 cup pecan meal
Dash of organic apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup organic honey
Three large stems of raw broccoli
Teaspoon Vionate For Pets brand Mineral Powder
Tablespoon Rep-cal Phosphorous-Free Fine Calcium Powder with Vitamin D Supplement (ultra-fine powder)

Put all ingredients in a blender (including the whole eggs with shell) and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze. Pop them out into a plastic zip lock baggie and feed gliders a fresh “cube” every day. This proportion is about perfect for our three gliders (there’s usually just a little left over). I started out thawing it first, but one day when I was in a rush, I put it in the cage still frozen and they loved it. Now they get it straight from the freezer in a shallow glass bowl. (NOTE: It will not hold it’s shape once thawed, so you can’t present it without a bowl.)

Hope your furry little guys will enjoy!

I spent the night away from home recently and actually watched “normal” television. (I must say, I couldn’t get back to a “no cable” household quickly enough to suit me.) However… while I was there, I noticed something that I found simply shocking… something that may have “snuck up” on those who watch TV all the time…

I’d noticed (and I think even blogged) about the fact that so many commercials lately seem to be for medications. A few months ago when I was watching TV elsewhere, I was just floored by the number of commercials that were advertising drugs…in a non-specific way. I mean, you see people in fields of flowers with butterflies and happy families and the announcer says something like “Ask your doctor if DRUG X might be right for you!” Now, it never says what the ailment is, never says much other than giving you the visual impression that life will be much sweeter if you are on this particular chemical. It sounds just like heaven… up until the last seconds when a fast-talking, lower voiced announcer whispers about all the reactions, adversities and horrors you may encounter if you take said miracle drug.

To me, that whole concept is mortifying. Simply horrid!

But this visit… it got worse. (more…)

For those who are concerned about junk food in schools, you may be interested in the following legislation: (more…)

Ok, it was difficult for me to determine the category for this post… I mean, is it BUSINESS to get in shape or is it fun?

I think I need a “none of the above” category — but others may consider it “fun” so I’ll stick with that topic header.

Now, if you have a Treo 650 or an iPod Video (what I got my hubby for Christmas) you can now view workout instructions on your tiny screen. (more…)

Yesterday, we went to my sister-in-laws for the holiday meal. We took a broccoli and beef dish, zucchini with pepper jack cheese, a vegetable muffin with cashews and Wayne’s famous pasta salad (a regular recipe and an organic one he made for us).

Alex and I ate only the organic versions, as usual. Wayne (also as usual) sampled some of the typical fare. He usually eats organic with us, but occasionally eats regular food when he’s out. He doesn’t go nuts, though. Since we have started eating organic, he says he only really misses two things — bread and ham. I bake bread occasionally, but he’s SOL on the ham (simply out of luck, that is). So he ate ham at dinner.

He and Alex hated missing out on ice cream, so we got a machine and I make vanilla from organic cream and milk with organic vanilla and local honey.

We pack Alex’s lunch so she doesn’t eat the crap at school — have you SEEN the lunch menus lately?!?! And my seven-year-old reads the labels on her food herself and if she can’t pronounce it, or if she doesn’t know what it is, she doesn’t eat it. It’s pretty amazing.

Anyway, there’s the background and after Thanksgiving dinner, we went to visit my friend, Daphne. (more…)

The last couple of days, I have learned how important my senses are for the way I operate.

First, I’m too impatient to sit and watch water boil. Nor can I bear to wait (like a good cook) when things bake in the oven.

I have to get back to my other projects. I knew this, but didn’t realize how much I depended on my sense of smell to do my baking until the last few days… when I’ve had a cold from Hades that’s blocked all sense of smell. So, my family has endured a cabin filled with smoke, alarms blaring and scorched meals. All because the 7-year-old escorted the latest variety of “crud” home from the public school system. (more…)

Cold weather makes me take a moment to think about life. Life is good. This morning, when I got up (from a toasty-warm bed), it was cold in the cabin. Quite a chill hung in the air.

Then my husband got up and said “Want a fire? Are you cold?” and immediately began the wood-burning stove ritual to get a blazing fire roaring.

Life is good. I spent some time with my sister yesterday and she stayed the night. After I finished work, we went to the Amish food store and got an armload of nuts and dried fruits and fresh fall apples. Then, we went to my favorite cheese place — a family owned business in Casey County called Zimmerman’s Homestead Cheese. They make the BEST cheese in the world there. We buy several pounds from them every month. (There’s a reason I say my family is “cheesy,” I suppose.) When we started eating organic, cheese was the thing we missed most — then I found Zimmerman’s. (more…)

I’ve hit a wall. I have everything going exactly the way I want it to go with the business. It’s a bit busier than is comfortable — but how many people running their own business wouldn’t jump at the chance to complain about that?

Business is good. (check) My husband is awesome. (check, check) and my daughter has gone from struggling with single syllable words to burning through “chapter books” and novels on a fourth to fifth grade level in the last six months. (check, check, check). (more…)

Nothing makes you appreciate life QUITE as much as having blood drawn and getting dental work done. I, in my usual fashion, decided to get all the “yucky” stuff on my to do list done at once. And, today was the day.

Warning, what follows can only be classified as a rant. Proceed with caution. (more…)

I’ve been doing the natural foods/organic deal for quite a few weeks now. And the hardest thing has been the “snacks” to tuck away near my desk for that 3:00-4:00 p.m. “slump” that I hit.

I think I’ve finally found what will work — a little organic combination of goodies!

I’ve discovered dried Organic (unsulphured, unsweetened) Mango. It’s delicious! I think I like it almost as much as my organic dark chocolate squares and my daily handful of organic almonds or walnuts.

It’s not cheap, and I guess you would have to love mangoes as much as I do (which would be a feat) — but if you are looking for a quick to grab, good-for-you little mid-afternoon pick-me-up — try some dried mango slices.

Simlar to “fruit leather” concepts, but this one is not chopped and “reformed” — it’s just sliced and dried and that’s it.

I got mine at Wild Oats Lexington, Kentucky. But, I’m sure you can order them from anywhere.

I’ve gone organic. After substantial health issues, it only makes sense to “cleanse” my system and go with products that are less toxic than the mainstream.

It’s harder than one might imagine, but it has its own rewards.

I’m eating more deliberately. And, I’m even looking at such items as household cleaners, cosmetics, bath and body care with a more critical eye.

Until recently, I was a diet coke junkie. Terribly addicted. I quit drinking the stuff when my health headed south and my symptoms seemed to match some of the reports of aspertame poisioning. (That stuff is a neuro-toxin, for those who care.) I’ll never drink it again, and that’s saying something, considering that I was chugging down 2-3 two-litre bottles a day. And I swore I could tell when the caffiene level in my blood got dangerously low.

Now, I’m doing quite a bit of research on the contents of EVERYTHING. And, I’ve found a great website for health and beauty aids. It’s http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/. From this incredible site, you can look up all the products you use daily to determine if you want to continue to use them tomorrow.

I’ve never been big on makeup, but even the small number of products I use are alarming — when you review all the ingredients and the known issues with each.

Stuff like this, and the other reading I’ve done lately, really makes me wonder what it is that the FDA is really doing.

Now I’m trying to track down safe makeup products and other body-care products on the Internet.

One of the hardest challenges has been to replace my shampoo. I find that of the low-level toxin concern shampoos, that Burt’s Bees Peppermint Shampoo bar is one of the best. I’ve tried several shampoo bars over the years, but always went back to liquid. This particular bar is good enough to make me want to stay.

I’m still trying toothpastes. I have both of the Burt’s Bees toothpaste products, but don’t find them particularly tolerable.

Makeup itself is a more difficult consideration. I’ve had a terrible time trying to locate even lip balm that’s not loaded with unsavory ingredients. I’ve never really worn lipstick, and have used Dr. Pepper lipgloss for the last decade or so, but that’s over now. I have located “Honeybee Garden’s” on www.BeWellStayWell.com, which is a lip balm without ingredients that concern me. Some other products on that site look promising (I’ve ordered a couple to try) but many still use mica and other products and chemicals that I’d rather avoid.

Although it may not make a huge difference, I’d rather be safe these days. it may be something that others (who haven’t been down this path already) may want to consider.

Until next time…

The reason I’ve been rather quiet (relatively speaking) for the last few months has been due to several health issues that surfaced. I don’t like to blog about bad stuff that’s personal – especially not when I’m in the throes of a personal battle.

With that said, I’m feeling MUCH better now, I’m back to work full-force and I’m not feeling guilty for feeling like crap and being unable to do much. NOW I can finally blog about it.

My husband was awesome, as were my kids, and even my clients were understanding (I never thought anything would ever slow down my work!)

With all that said, the Doctors and the over $5K of tests and exams, blood analysis, CT scans, X-rays, EKG’s, ultrasounds, ad nauseum were unable to find anything. The solution was to put me on medications, and then more medications.

Now, I don’t believe in medications, never have. I don’t even take ASPRIN! I’m not accustomed to being “sick” and I firmly believe that most people get SICKER, not better, when they use medications.

During this bout where I was desperate to feel better, to quit having the dizzy spells, to get rid of the swelling, the joint pain, and all the other many symptoms, I agreed to go on meds. Mistake. HUGE mistake.

When I looked up the counter-indications for the meds I was on, it amazed me to find that most of the things I was taking had side effects, which were identical to the symptoms I was taking them FOR. And, if not that, then the one I was taking for symptom X caused the problems I was taking another med to address. And the problem was, I already HAD all these symptoms — so my drugs were possibly exacerbating the issues I was taking them to subdue.

When I asked my doctor about this, she said it was strange, but often medications are given for a solution to the symptoms they cause. Very odd, in my book and frustrating. So, I figured, if I DO get better – how would I know? Especially if medication X causes the symptoms that medication Y erases?

All I know is that I was exhausted all the time, was grumpy, had heart palpitations, my hands and feet were swollen to nearly double their normal size on the worst days, I couldn’t sleep, even had difficulty walking during the worst of it. I had all these physical maladies and then was being given (expensive) medications that didn’t really help, but stated on the information sheet that they could do harm.

After taking myself OFF all the medications (nearly three weeks ago), giving up on the medical community, and putting myself back on an elimination (yeast elimination) diet, I’m feeling 110% better. Some symptoms remain, but they are starting to fade. I’ve gone all-organic and have started paying much closer attention to what I ingest and what products I use.

Why this approach? Experience. It worked once before.

Before Alexzandria was born, I was diagnosed with Arthritis (Rheumatoid variety) and the joint pain and swelling (especially in my knees) was so bad at that point, I was told (and became convinced) I’d not be able to climb stairs in a short while. I had no desire to take steroids for the rest of my life.

On an unrelated note, I also had a recurring infection, which baffled the doctors. I tripped across a book called The Yeast Connection, by William Crook, MD and in desperation; I bought it and tried the diet. In a matter of weeks my infection was gone and so was my arthritis. Gone. Completely. I eliminated sugar from my diet for several years, convinced that was the culprit.

On our wedding day, I ate wedding cake. And after that, I started eating sugar again. I was also drinking between two and three 2-litre bottles of Diet Cola per day. I was an addict, and I admitted it freely. I ADORED diet cola – and Diet Dr. Pepper. I’d drink it hot or cold, fizzy or flat. I even joked that an IV of caffeine would be a quicker, more efficient method of delivery of my “drug of choice” and it would improve my productivity by reducing my trips to the bathroom. I’d be more efficient and could work longer. I said that caffeine didn’t keep me awake. And, I could, in all honesty, go to sleep immediately after ingesting large quantities of diet cola. Of course, since I kept a 2-litre with me at all times, if I ever was going to sleep it would HAVE to be after ingesting a large quantity of my favorite beverage. Do a web search on aspartame poisoning, if you really want to become alarmed. It’s a neurotoxin.

Now, with all that said, I dunno if it was the sugar, if it was the enormous amount of aspartame I ingested, or some other chemical mixture of toxins from the food I ate or some combination thereof – but my body did certainly go awry.

The symptoms were nearly gone by the time I went back for my second appointment with the ear specialist, who was running more tests on my vertigo (so bad at times it made me nauseous). When I told him I’d not had an episode since the last time we talked, a week before, he asked what I’d done differently. I told him about the “no yeast” diet, and my prior experience with the arthritis and infections that disappeared when I went on the diet. He told me that he was quite interested in learning more, and took down the title and the author.

I don’t expect to feel like new again immediately, but I already feel better. My husband said he loves having his wife back and he’s happy to not be worrying about me on a daily basis. He said he never would have believed ANYTHING would slow me down, ever, and to see me like that worried him terribly.

I’m not good at being sick. I don’t like it. It cramps my style and ruins my quality of life. So, I’m doing what I can to fix it.

I still get dizzy occasionally, I’m still dealing with a substantial weight gain during this whole ordeal, and I have a long way yet to go — but at least I feel human again.

I’ve done an enormous amount of research on chemical-related symptoms (particularly from aspartame and other artificial sweeteners) and urge anyone who eats standard USA American Fare to do a bit of research.

Some of the things I’ve read are downright scary! And, eliminating all those products from my diet has delivered a solution to a multitude of problems which left my doctors saying they didn’t know what was wrong.

If you want to learn a bit more, check out the “Healthy Links” I will attempt to collect. This will include resources I want to share and books I recommend you read. I may throw in a few organic food and product resources too. My most recent read was Kevin Trudeau’s Book which I found to be quite interesting. I must admit it was overly verbose (and for ME, that’s really saying something). Phrases like “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” were repeated to the point it was irritating. He spends too much time “witch hunting” and pushing his own website, but the information is thought provoking. If it were “boiled down” into five concentrated chapters, it would be a better read for the information addicts among us. :O) With that said, I still think it’s well worth your time, and wading through the less than informative, and repetitive portions to pan for the gold.

It’s not been easy to go “all organic,” it’s like taking the Yeast Diet and going a step further, but if that’s what I need to do to feel better, it’s a done deal!

Blessings and good health to you all (without that, not much else matters)!