EMTs in My Bedroom

This is the hardest blog post I've ever had to write. It's hard because it forces me to admit that I am vulnerable. I hate doing that. Seriously hate it. I "have" to write this post because I need to be 100% transparent and because I want to use it to educate others and to encourage others that "vulnerable" does not mean "weak." They are two very different concepts.

Let me clearly state I have Type 1 diabetes, not Type 2. People with Type 2 diabetes typically do not experience this degree of extremes in their blood sugars. I also want to clearly state that I was 100% fine as soon as my blood glucose levels returned to normal.

Last night, for some unknown reason, my blood sugar dropped to dangerously low levels. My husband, Terry, did everything right, but my sugar refused to come up. He was forced to call 911. Before the EMTs arrived, I had a seizure with mild convulsions. For the record, a seizure is caused when the brain receives conflicting signals. Symptoms vary but may include staring into space, appearing awake but being non-responsive, etc. Since the brain's only source of "fuel" is glucose, it is not unusual for diabetics to have seizures - but not convulsions - when they have low glucose levels. A convulsion is a series of involuntary, rapid muscle contractions that are sometimes caused by the abnormal electrical charges occurring in the brain during a seizure. The belief that seizures always cause convulsions is false.

My heart breaks that my husband had to experience this. I can only imagine how frightening it must have been. As I said, he did everything perfectly. I spent today thanking God for him and his wisdom. From what he tells me, I fell asleep (probably due to a low blood sugar) and then awoke but was completely unresponsive. My eyes were open, but I was not acknowledging his presence and would not respond to verbal cues. I was having a seizure.

He fixed a solution of sugar and water and was able to get me to drink from a straw. (He's brilliant, by the way!) He then took a blood sugar. It was 25. I've had sugars of 25 and lower before and been completely coherent. The fact I was still unresponsive with a sugar of 25 indicates my sugar had been much lower and that my brain function was still mildly affected by the seizure. (Which is very temporary and perfectly normal.) He called 911 when I failed to become responsive even after drinking the sugar water.

The EMTs gave me IV glucose and I finally "came to" about 25 minutes later. It took a total of over sixty minutes between the initial seizure and complete coherency. One of the interesting things the EMTs told me was that I appeared to be "ready to fight" when they arrived. The brain is an amazing organ. My survival instincts were fully functioning even when the rest of my cerebral functions were not. Seeing strangers enter my bedroom caused me to react belligerently. On some level I knew I needed their help, but they had to talk me into letting them help me. I apparently changed my mind in the middle of receiving the IV, because I jerked my hand away and succeeded in spraying the carpet with blood.

The EMTs who came were incredible. A man and lady, they were experts but were also very kind and personable. Unfortunately, I failed to ask their names. I owe them a debt of gratitude and need to call to find out who they were.

I want to share what I experienced and what I remember in the hopes it will help others understand what it's like to have a seizure caused by low blood sugars. I remember becoming extremely tired and lying down. The sudden tiredness was a signal my blood sugar was low, but I was not capable of recognizing that at the time. I have no memory of anything until I began having a strange dream where strangers were in my room and a blond woman was speaking very firmly to me. I thought it was a dream, and then wished it were when the realization hit that the woman was an EMT and that my sugar had bottomed out. I became coherent when my sugar reached the mid-30s. The EMT checked my levels and got a 40 after I became coherent and was conversing in a way that made sense. As soon as coherency returned, I began eating fruit to continue the upward rise of my blood sugar. As I said previously, a blood sugar of 40 is low, but is not a level that typically causes incoherency for me. I've had diabetes for over 45 years, so my body has developed an ability to tolerate extremes that most people could not. That fact scares me more than anything else. I hate to imagine how low my sugar was when I first had the seizure. 

After coherency returned, I was embarrassed beyond belief. Was it wrong to feel embarrassed? Of course it was, but that's how I felt. I was mortified to have needed the help and felt horrible to have put my husband through what he went through. Could I have prevented this event? Probably not. I maintain exquisite control of my blood sugars and work hard to maintain control. I probably didn't eat enough yesterday, but there is still nothing that can explain having a sugar low enough to completely destroy my ability to function. Stranger still is that drinking a large amount of glucose failed to raise my blood sugar rapidly enough to restore coherency.

Strangest of all is that my liver had already released the store of glycogen (a natural sugar) that the body typically uses to raise blood glucose levels in emergency situations. My blood sugar should have been in the 400s after that combination of events, yet the highest it got was a very temporary 216. Drinking sugar water, eating fruit, receiving IV glucose and the liver's release of glycogen should have sent my blood sugar through the roof, but did not. My sugar quickly dropped to 95 once the IV glucose wore off This can only mean that my pancreas actually kicked in at some point and did what it was supposed to. I've spent the last 10 years working hard to restore function to my pancreas. The fact my efforts appear to be working is very encouraging, but does mean I must be even more diligent in controlling my blood sugars. I'm ok with that.

The after-effects of an extremely low blood sugar and seizure vary. Mine included a splitting headache and a body temperature of 94 degrees. My body stopped maintaining a normal body temperature in an attempt to provide more glucose to the brain. In effect, I had hypothermia and a reduced core temperature without being exposed to cold. A long, hot bath was the only thing that worked to restore my core temperature to normal.

There you have it. I always want to be 100% transparent when it comes to my health. Sharing this was harder than you know. I hope it helped provide some education and understanding on some level. More than anything, please remember that people with diabetes can't always control what happens with their blood sugar. We try our best, but our bodies sometimes do things that can't be anticipated. Please read my follow-up post, Corn in my Veins, for the unexpected side effects I experienced from the IV solution I was given. Important info for anyone with a corn allergy.

How Much Food Do We Waste?

It is my incredible pleasure to share a guest post by Randy Clark. Randy is a top-notch marketer (his bio follows his post) who also has a great sense of humor and an interest in natural foods and community action. I highly recommend following him on Twitter and Facebook. It is an extreme honor to share his post.

How Much Food Do We Waste?

Last Friday evening, my wife and I attended a reception for the Hoosier Auto Show sponsored by the Circle City Corvair Club. Corvair owners, (It’s a car from the sixties) had driven from Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio to show their cars. The event was catered. I understand last year they ran out of food. This year, there was plenty of food. As a matter of fact - there was too much food. There were four unopened containers of pasta, and bread. I sent a tweet asking who could use the food and Pamela suggested the Wheeler Mission. My wife and I left the reception to deliver the food. It was needed. It would have been thrown away. It would have been wasted.

The awards banquet was the following night. Jonathan Byrds  had been hired to cater the banquet. The food was excellent and the employee setting up the service was great. But, there was a lot of food left over, unopened containers of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. I asked the service person what happened to the food and he told me it was all carefully packed, put in a cooler at Jonathan Byrd’s, and donated to Second Helpings. This is as good of an example of corporate responsibility, community involvement, and caring from a business - as you will find. It made my night.  

Americans waste about one pound of food everyday for every American

According to an article published in the New York Times:  “Americans waste an astounding amount of food — an estimated 27 percent of the food available for consumption, according to a government study — and it happens at the supermarket, in restaurants and cafeterias and in your very own kitchen. It works out to about a pound of food every day for every American.”

Waste not, want not

The Jonathan Byrd service person shared a story with me. His Grandmother had lived in Europe before World War One when much of Europe was in a depression. After World War One she waited in breadlines with her family. As an adult she moved to America and experienced the great Depression. She had learned the hard way. She didn’t let much go to waste. They had some land on Long Island where they planted a large garden, raised livestock, and dogs. What the family didn’t consume was feed to the hogs, the dogs, or both. Like he said - not much was wasted, and the conservation lessons were not wasted on him. My new friend wondered aloud how much we could all learn from his grandmother today. I don’t have to wonder.

Every night 190,000 children go to bed hungry - in Indiana

Green Answers answered the question, “How many people go hungry everyday in America?” “According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 500,000 households suffer from hunger each day.  They are classified as 'food insecure.' “  According to The Guardian over a million American children go hungry every day.”  Feeding Indiana’s Hungry (FIsH) brings it home with this statement, “Every night 190,000 children in Indiana go to bed - hungry.”

Stop Wasting - Start Helping

Second Helpings - Take Action

Wheeler Mission Help

Food bank Locator

What else do we waste?

Here's a few more thoughts on waste.

Randy Clark

Randy Clark is the Director of Communications at TKO Graphix, where he blogs for TKO Graphix Brandwire  Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He is a beer geek and on weekends he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under The Radar. He is the proud father of one educator, one Principal, has four amazing grand children, and a public speaking wife who puts up with him. His twitter handle is @randyclarktko, Face book: Randy Clarktko.

Simple Ways to Evaluate the Validity of a Research Study

This post was transferred to my permanent website. It can be read in its entirety there by visiting: http://goodworkswellness.com/simple-ways-to-evaluate-the-validity-of-a-research-study/

I know first hand that scientific studies often make claims which are not valid...

This post can be read in its entirety there by visiting: http://goodworkswellness.com/simple-ways-to-evaluate-the-validity-of-a-research-study/

What Does a Diabetic Look Like?

"Wow ... you don't LOOK like a diabetic!" I hear that comment frequently. I know it's a compliment, and it's one I appreciate, but I confess the comment offends me. There, I said it. Being told I don't "look like a diabetic" offends the heck out of me. Why does it offend me? Because it implies that people with diabetes are sick, can't function normally and should look like invalids or be morbidly obese. Nothing could be further from the truth!

I've had Type 1 diabetes for over 45 years. Yep. Almost half a century. In spite of that, I travel frequently, ride a motorcycle (as the rider, never a passenger), keep a crazy schedule, live life to the fullest, and prefer to say I have diabetes instead of referring to myself as a diabetic. (The difference in perspective is huge.) Diabetes has NEVER stopped me from doing anything, and it never will. Well, ok ... I confess having diabetes could have once stopped me from parasailing, but I lied and said I didn't have it. (God forgave me.) There are laws that say I can't get a commercial driver's license, fly a plane or scuba dive, but I can darn well do everything else. Having diabetes means I have to plan ahead. It doesn't mean I had to give up.

Although I have Type 1 diabetes (the type that is controlled using insulin), most people in the US have Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is typically controlled using diet, exercise and oral medication if needed. Some things discussed in this post are more applicable to people with Type 1 diabetes, some are more applicable to people with Type 2. Regardless of which type of diabetes we are blessed to have, people's perception of us changes the minute they hear we have "it." The judgment and assumptions drawn are often incorrect and always unfair.

Based on what I see in the media (I've been known to throw things at the TV during commercials for diabetes products) and hear from people unfamiliar with diabetes, here's what I suspect a diabetic is "supposed" to look like:

• Diabetics have syringes for arms & legs, a pill bottle for a head, and one leg in the grave: The fact I have diabetes doesn't mean my life is controlled by it. I have challenges and have to consider things others don't, but I control it ... it doesn't control me. Period.
  
  
• Diabetics are all fat: Diabetes has become such a common disorder that it no longer has a "standard" demographic. People with diabetes come in all shapes and sizes. Some are rail thin, some are grossly obese, and most of us fall somewhere in the broad range between the two. Not all fat people have diabetes, and not everyone with diabetes is fat. Please let go of that stereotype and move on.
  
  
• Diabetics spontaneously combust if they eat sugar: The myth that diabetics can never eat sugar is just that ... a myth. People with diabetes do need to make careful choices when it comes to food, but an occasional indulgence is not going to kill us. Frequent indulgences may, but please don't freak out or give us a disapproving look if we eat a cookie in front of you, ok? We're smart enough to know what we can and cannot eat. People with Type 1 diabetes take extra insulin to counteract the effect an indulgence has on their blood sugar. People with Type 2 diabetes hopefully exercise or use other methods to counteract dietary indulgences. I don't mean to imply that people with diabetes can eat like pigs. (Or like most people in the US eat.) People who have diabetes and eat whatever they want with no regard for how it affects their blood sugar typically suffer higher rates of complications, such as blindness, amputation, heart disease, etc. However, eating a single Twinkie won't cause us to spontaneously combust. I promise.
  
  
• Diabetics are weak invalids who have a lot in common with Eeyore: Most people with diabetes lead full, vibrant lives. They do if they choose to, at least. They have challenges, but they choose to control diabetes instead of letting diabetes control them. Yes, it is true that diabetes has the capacity to kill us if we don't control it, but many people with diabetes are invalids because a medical professional at some point in time convinced them they had no other choice. Many people with diabetes have told me the doctor who diagnosed them told them they had diabetes and went on to say their condition would continually deteriorate and that they would eventually die a horrid death from it. Instead of telling them they had diabetes and that their condition could be controlled, their doctor sucked the hope right out of them and then sent them home to die. It's criminal, but it happens more frequently than people realize. The truth is that there is no reason people with diabetes need to let it interfere with leading a full, vibrant life. None. I don't mean to imply diabetes is not a serious disease that is ruining lives. It is ... but not for everyone.

There you have it. Apparently that's what a diabetic is supposed to look like. I guess I can only thank God that people are surprised I don't look like one. When people find out I have diabetes, I often see their foreheads crease with concern and their eyes glaze with pity. I don't choose to spend much time with those folks. The people I adore are the ones who acknowledge I have diabetes but who form an opinion of me based on who I am, not what I have. They are the friends who hand me a bottle of juice when they know my blood sugar is low, but who don't assume it's low when I'm having trouble doing something. They ask before assuming. I love them. Dearly.

If you know someone with diabetes, I can almost guarantee they would LOVE one of these t-shirts as a gift. I want one of each!

Why You Should NEVER Use Splenda (Sucralose)

Hello! This post was transferred to my website and may be read in its entirety at:


Why You Should Never Use Splenda


Please read it there. Thanks much! Be well!


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The Dangers of Splenda (Sucralose)


I'm often asked which artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes I prefer. The answer, quite simply, is few of them because most create a wide variety of negative side effects. The newest, Splenda (Sucralose), has its own dangerous history and set of dangerous consequences. The dangers of Sucralose and the side effects of Sucralose cannot be denied. Sucralose is marketed as Splenda. I use both names in this post.

If you're interested in reading about another common product which research has proved to be dangerous, please read my post: Why You Should Never Use Hand Sanitizer: The Dangers of Triclosan ...


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Hello! This post was transferred to my website and may be read in its entirety at:


Why You Should Never Use Splenda


Please read it there. Thanks much! Be well!

The Golden Corral Dilemma

This post was moved to my permanent website, http://goodworkswellness.com. You can view it there in its entirety at: http://goodworkswellness.com/the-golden-corral-dilemma/

Today my son turned 17. Birthday tradition in our house is that we go out to eat at a restaurant chosen by the birthday person. For some unexplained reason, Jared chose to eat at Golden Corral. Not Fogo de Chao, not Fujiyama ... Golden Corral. Off we went! So what does one eat at Golden Corral that's relatively healthy? Here's what I had ...

Lessons Learned at my First Indy Food Swap (It was a blast!)

Last Saturday I had the extreme pleasure of participating in Indy's first Indy Food Swap. I want to start this post by complimenting and thanking Suzanne Krowiak, whose vision and hard work made the event a huge success. Thanks, too, to Sacha Brady (@Zigged), who volunteered to make everything run smoothly. You can learn more about the Indy Food Swappers on their Facebook page: Indy Food Swappers and on Twitter at: Indy Food Swap.

It was so much fun to chat with everyone who participated and to view the amazing diversity of handmade foods shared. I highly recommend attending the next event in October! I failed to take pictures of the items I took with me to trade, but the pic in this post shows the delicious items I traded for. Every one of the unique, handmade items is truly delicious!!

As with most things in life, I made mistakes at this first swap and learned valuable lessons as a result. Here are my tips based on the lessons I learned the hard way:

1) Take small servings so you have more to trade. I wasn't sure what the typical serving size would be, so I took large portions. For instance, I took homegrown, organic herbs and packed large amounts into quart-size bags. In retrospect, I should have packed the herbs into sandwich size bags. Doing so would have given me four items to trade instead of just one. Most people brought sample sizes to share. Quantities traded did vary, though ... everything from 4-ounce jars to 16-ounce jars of liquid items, and everything from plates of four cookies to a plate filled with six cake balls. Obviously, anything goes, but packaging items in smaller quantities will allow you to trade for more items.

2) Don't be afraid to bargain: Because there is such a diversity of sizes and quantities being traded, be ready to get creative and flexible about what you're trading. If someone wants to make a trade you don't think is fair, don't be afraid to offer to trade a different quantity or to ask for two of the item being offered. Most people are more than willing to bargain with you.

3) Niche items may not be popular: I took a jar of kefir grains and coconut water kefir and found that most of the people at this swap didn't know what they were. That gave me a great chance to educate people, but meant that very few swappers showed an interest in trading for them. Obviously each swap will have different attendees with different interests, so it's hard to say what will or will not be popular at each event. I'm such a firm believer in the health benefits of kefir that I'll probably continue to take a jar, but am prepared to take them home if no one wants to trade for them.

4) Is it better to bring single servings of many items or many servings of a single item? I'm still not sure what the best answer is to this question. Please share your thoughts. Is it better to bring one serving of several different items, or multiple servings of a single item? I took single portions of four different things, but wound up wishing I had multiple (smaller) servings of some of them. Most people had a single item with multiple portions to trade. A few folks had two different food items with multiple portions. The bottom line is that you can potentially take home one new item for each item you bring to trade, so having multiple portions allows you to try far more items.

I can't wait for the next Indy Food Swap! Did you go to the most recent one? What lessons did you learn? If you've never been to a food swap, what questions do you have?

Stop Being SAD NOW

This post was moved to my permanent website. To read it in its entirety, please visit: http://goodworkswellness.com/?p=124 

You know it's coming ... that time of year when you just feel down, have no energy, and would be perfectly happy hibernating until spring. The winter blues aren't just in your head...

This post was transferred to my permanent website. To read it in its entirety, please visit: http://goodworkswellness.com/?p=124 

10 Unique Uses for Zucchini

It's that time of year when people are begging their friends and family to take excess zucchini off their hands. Zucchini is far more versatile than people realize and has many more uses than the old stand-by of zucchini bread!Nutritionally, zucchini is a great source of fiber and has significant amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium,Vitamin A, lutein, Vitamin C ... and is a fair source of Omega 3 fatty acids!

So what do you do when you have zucchini coming out of your ears? Try the following ideas that are a bit off the beaten path:

This post was moved to my permanent website, http://goodworkswellness.com. Please view it there by clicking: http://ow.ly/co4Wz

Make Your Own HEALTHY Beer Loaded with Probiotics!!!

It is incredibly easy to brew your own healthy beer, in whatever flavor you want, that will be loaded with probiotics and enzymes. Since I'm basically a very lazy person, I did a lot of research and experimentation and simplified the basic technique to make it even simpler. My technique follows. Enjoy!!

I again want to state that I do NOT condone the consumption of alcohol and encourage everyone to use moderation in all things. I "approve" of this beer simply due to the probiotics and healthy enzymes it contains. In spite of its healthy ingredients, it should only be consumed in small quantities.

Please see my previous post, Starting Your Own Ginger Beer Adventure for a summary of the ingredients and supplies you will need. This post assumes you are already familiar with the supplies you will need.

There are three simple steps involved in brewing healthy beer. They are:

1) Making a starter culture
2) Making a flavoring syrup
3) Brewing the beer

Each of these steps is incredibly simple. The entire process takes a little over two weeks, although the start culture only needs to be made once. You can also choose to allow the beer to brew longer to create a higher alcohol content, but that is optional.

STEP 1: Making the Starter Culture

The starter culture is a fermented liquid that is brewed to create a high level of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria then spur the fermentation and production of alcohol in the beer. To make a starter culture, follow these steps:

1. Fill a quart Mason jar 3/4 full with purified water.

2. Add 1 tablespoon grated or finely chopped ginger and 2 teaspoons sweetening agent. Stir well, cover jar with a breathable material (a coffee filter or cheesecloth secured with a rubber band works well) and allow to sit out, unrefrigerated, for 24 hours. (Note: I put a lid on my starter culture, but I open the lid several times a day to release the gasses produced during the fermentation process.)

Note about sweeteners: The sweetening agent will be consumed during the fermentation process, which means it’s technically fine to use white sugar. I never use white sugar in anything, so I have experimented with a variety of sweetening agents. If white sugar isn’t appealing to you, you may substitute agave nectar, Sucanat, palm sugar, honey (not raw), molasses, maple syrup, etc. Note that the flavor of the sweetener will slightly affect the taste of the starter culture and the beer it's used to create. Organic Black Strap Molasses creates a "malty" flavored brew; agave nectar produces less of a flavor. Sucanat or palm sugar add no flavor at all.

3. On a daily basis for the next 7 days, add 2 tsp grated ginger and 2 tsp sweetening agent every day, stirring well. (If possible, stir 2-3 times during the day to hasten the fermentation process.)

4. When ready, the Soda Starter will be “cloudy” and slightly bubbly. If mold forms on the surface during the initial week, skim it off. If mold is persistent, start over.

STEP 2: Making a Flavoring Syrup

The flavoring syrup provides sugars to feed the fermentation process during the brewing process. The flavoring options are limitless. The following instructions are for making a Ginger Beer. I've experimented with fruit beers, but the Ginger Beer is simple and tastes great, so I recommend starting with it as a first batch. I currently have a batch of Pumpkin Ginger Beer brewing. Only time will tell how it will turn out, but I have high hopes! Follow these steps to make a flavoring syrup:

Ingredients:

1 Gallon Purified Water
1 1/2 cups sweetening agent
4 tablespoons grated/chopped ginger (more or less can be used based on preference; don't bother peeling it)
Juice of one organic lemon or lime (1-2 tablespoons)

1, Heat half of the water until boiling, add the ginger and sweetening agent, and boil for about 15 minutes. (Note that you may want to boil the syrup longer if you're making a fruit beer.)

2. Remove from heat, pour into a gallon glass jar which already contains the other half of the purified water. You may want to add a metal spoon to absorb the heat and prevent the jar from cracking. (If you don't have a gallon glass jar and will be brewing in a plastic container, remove the pot from the stove, add the remaining water, and allow to sit in the pot until completely cooled after following the remaining steps.)

3. Add lemon or lime juice. This step is very important. Lemon and lime juice maintain an acidity in the brew that helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

4. Allow to cool completely.

STEP 3: Brewing the Beer

Now the fun starts!!

Ingredients

Flavoring Syrup made in Step 2
1 cup of Starter Culture made in Step 1
1/2 teaspoon baker's yeast (champagne yeast will produce a finer flavor, but plain ol' Fleischman's bread yeast works well.)

1. Add one cup of Starter Culture to the cooled Flavoring Syrup. (The remaining Starter Culture can be saved for up to six months or you can continue making more by adding 2 tsp sugar and 2 tsp ginger every time you use some top make more beer.)

2. Pour about an ounce of the liquid from the jar into a bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the liquid and allow to sit until it's thoroughly absorbed. Blend well, then add back to jar. Swirl jar to blend.

3. Cover jar with a breathable cover such as a coffee filter/cheesecloth secured with a rubber band

4. Allow jar to sit on the counter, unrefrigerated, for 3-21 days. After at least two days, the sugar in the brew will be consumed and the brew will no longer have a sweet taste. Most brews develop a definite beer flavor after around 3-5 days. Taste your brew every few days to judge the taste and decide when you want to stop the brewing process. The longer you allow the beer to brew, the higher the alcohol content will be.

5. When the brew process is complete, put a lid on the jar. Putting a lid on the jar creates a carbonated beer. Most beers become bubbly but don't develop the carbonation we've come to expect from mainstream beers.

6. CHECK THE JAR EVERY 12 HOURS AND RELEASE CAP TO RELEASE GAS BUILD-UP. I've heard horror stories of glass jars exploding, but I've never had it happen. Making your first batch in a 2-liter plastic bottle makes things a little easier. When the pressure on the bottle builds until you can't compress the bottle, place the bottle in the fridge.

7. If desired, pour the brew into individual bottles, cap them tightly and allow them to sit for 12-24 hours to re-build the carbonation. Refrigerate after that.

YOU MUST REFRIGERATE THE BREW TO STOP THE BUILD UP OF GAS. IF YOU DON'T REFRIGERATE IT, YOUR BOTTLE(S) WILL EXPLODE.

That's it!! Please let me know if you try it. Maybe we should schedule a home-brew tweetup!! :)

As always, feel free to follow me on Twitter at @IndyHealer

Starting Your Own Ginger Beer Adventure

Please visit http://goodworkswellness.com/starting-your-own-ginger-beer-adventure/ to read this post in its new location. Thanks very much!

My Experiment with Healthy Beer

Before I dive into the subject of this post, let me state that I do NOT condone excess consumption of alcohol. Although I don't think drinking high amounts of OTC beer to be a good thing, I also don't think an occasional beer or glass of wine (or Margarita or vodka tonic) will destroy your health. There is actually some research that suggests drinking red wine may be healthier than drinking tap water, so "moderation in all things" is a great mantra when it comes to alcohol.

After making non-alcoholic ginger ale for quite a while, I recently experimented with brewing my own alcoholic Ginger Beer. My incentives for brewing my own beer included:

1) To create a truly gluten-free beer. Since this beer contains nothing but ginger, this was easily accomplished.

2) To brew a beer that retains its health benefits because it is not pasteurized. (The "stuff" you buy mainstream is pasteurized, which effectively destroys the beneficial microorganisms that could potentially make beer healthy.)

3) For the mere heck of it and so I could say I'd done it.

I made Ginger Beer using a very simple process that included creating a starter culture using water, ginger and agave nectar. I then created a ginger syrup which I combined with the ginger starter culture. I allowed this to ferment for a few days and then added a tiny bit of yeast to start the production of alcohol. I also added lemon juice for flavor and to inhibit the growth of non-beneficial bacteria.The good news is that the fermentation process consumed the yeasts, meaning that this brew would not feed Candida.

Here are the conclusions I drew from my brew:

1) Ginger Beer maintains a healthy amount of beneficial probiotics: In spite of the yeast used to stimulate the production of alcohol, Ginger Beer is still a fermented product high in probiotics. I tested this by adding the final product to a small amount of yeast. The addition of the beer killed the yeast. (Yahoo!) I also confirmed this by testing the beer using an EDS (Electrodermal Stimulation) unit. The Ginger Beer consistently balanced people's allergy points and their Candida points. I found this very encouraging!

2) Ginger beer is cheap to make. It cost less than $3 to brew four liters of Ginger Beer. (Take that, Guinness!) Total time was approximately half an hour once I perfected the process.

3) Ginger Beer has a very mild taste. Ginger Beer smells strongly of beer but doesn't have the strong "bite" or bitterness that many beers have. Although sugar is used in the brewing process, the sugars are consumed in the fermentation process and no sweet taste remains. (I actually found that adding a bit of stevia improved its taste, but I'm not a beer drinker and don't generally like the taste of beer.) Ginger Beer has a strong ginger afternote, which I really liked. My biggest encouragement was that my husband, who's a bit of a beer snob, didn't describe Ginger Beer as tasting like "weasel piss" and actually said he likes it. (Sorry for the bluntness. That's his term for bad beers.) I also found that the probiotics and ginger in the beer could actually be used to settle an upset stomach. Imagine that!

4) Ginger Beer gets you wasted. I confess I'm a lightweight because I rarely drink. However, the alcohol content of my Ginger Beer was high enough that a single glass (6 oz) created quite a buzz. Batches left to brew longer than a week smelled more like distilled liquors than beer and had a much stronger effect. Again, moderation in all things is advised, but Ginger Beer did the trick when used as a muscle relaxant or as a calmant following a rough day.

There you have it! I'm not sure I'll continue brewing Ginger Beer, although I have enough starter culture to last a lifetime, but brewing it was quite an education!

Have you brewed your own beer? Please share what you brewed and whether you thought it made you healthier or not. Have a great week!

Myths About Kombucha and Candida

This post was moved to my permanent website. It can be read in its entirety at: Why Kombucha and Candida Don't Mix. Please click the link to read the entire article. Thanks!

This post is dedicated to everyone who has battled Candida and who wants to do everything possible to avoid making things worse. Although Candida in small quantities is a beneficial yeast our body requires for balance, the high sugar content of the Standard American Diet (SAD) often feeds Candida so that it grows like crazy and overtakes the digestive system and other body systems. (See The Top Six Ways to Maximize Digestion for more info.) I will write more about Candida in a future post. Today, let's address why Kombucha feeds Candida and should be avoided at all costs by anyone who suffers from or is prone to Candida overgrowth.......

This post was moved to: Why Kombucha and Candida Don't Mix. Please click the link to read the entire article. Thanks!

Top Six Ways to Maximize Digestion

This post was moved to my website and can be read in its entirety there. Please visit: http://goodworkswellness.com/top-six-ways-to-maximize-digestion/ to read the post.

Digestive issues are becoming a widespread problem. They are so widespread that even babies and toddlers are now afflicted with painful, inconvenient digestive problems...


This post was moved to my website and can be read in its entirety there. Please visit: http://goodworkswellness.com/top-six-ways-to-maximize-digestion/

What Your Poop Should Look Like (Why Euphemize?)

This article was moved to my permanent website. Please read it there:

What Your Poop Should Look Like (Why Euphemize?) http://ow.ly/mF2sK 

Please visit me at Good Works Wellness Research, LLC

How Motorcycle Riding Improves Physical Health

This blog post can be viewed in its entirety on my new website at:


How Motorcycle Riding Improves Physical Health


Please read it there!

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This blog post is dedicated to every rider who's sick to death of those "motorcycles are so dangerous" conversations, to every mother who's convinced her son or daughter is insane for riding, and for anyone who needs a really good excuse to go out and buy a bike. The bottom line is that riding a motorcycle is a form of low-impact exercise that improves muscle tone, can assist with weight loss, and has a multitude of health benefits. These health benefits include but are not limited to:

• Healthier, stronger knees and thighs: A well-known orthopaedic surgeon in Indy once told me that motorcycle riders have fewer knee problems because riding a bike strengthens key muscles used to hold the patella and other bones in the knee in place. He told me that riding a motorcycle may reverse knee pain and problems and can most definitely prevent them. Most of the key muscles used to hold knee bones in place reside in the thigh. Ever notice that chicks that ride bikes have nice thighs? There's a reason! Additionally, backing a bike into a parking spot, especially uphill, is basically like doing leg presses with a 600 pound weight. It works!

This blog post can be viewed in its entirety on my new website at:


How Motorcycle Riding Improves Physical Health


Please read it there!

Shining Light on the Truth About Sun Exposure

This post was moved to my permanent website: Good Works Wellness. Please view the complete version of it here: http://goodworkswellness.com/shining-light-on-the-truth-about-sun-exposure/


One of the greatest myths perpetuated by 20th Century marketing scams is the belief that sun exposure is harmful and causes skin cancer. This myth has perpetuated a lack of Vitamin D in this country and may even be INCREASING the incidence of skin cancer due to certain chemicals contained in sunscreen. Let's look at the truth ...

Important Info from the Institute for Responsible Technology

This information is so important I felt the need to share it. It is especially important to me because I recently found out I have an auto-immune condition that is attacking the lining of my digestive tract. I'll spare you the gory details, but the results are not fun. I'm blessed to be able to control the symptoms using a variety of natural methods, and to be receiving a European Amino Acid protocol designed to modulate the auto-immune system and reverse auto-immune conditions, but information like what is shared below infuriates me. PLEASE read and take measures to protect yourself and your children.  If you have any autoimmune or allergy issues, this information could explain its origin. Please read and act accordingly. Many thanks to the Institute for Responsible Technology for allowing this information to be freely shared. Please share on your blogs and social media accounts. Thanks!       Watch this two minute video, Double Dipping Danger, produced by Alex Bogusky, and then read about new evidence below showing even more harm from genetically modified foods. Click HERE to play.

Dangerous Toxins From Genetically Modified Plants Found in Women and Fetuses

by Jeffrey M. Smith

When U.S. regulators approved Monsanto's genetically modified "Bt" corn, they knew it would add a deadly poison into our food supply. That's what it was designed to do. The corn's DNA is equipped with a gene from soil bacteria called Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) that produces the Bt-toxin. It's a pesticide; it breaks open the stomach of certain insects and kills them.
But Monsanto and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) swore up and down that it was only insects that would be hurt. The Bt-toxin, they claimed, would be completely destroyed in the human digestive system and not have any impact on all of us trusting corn-eating consumers.
Oops. A study just proved them wrong.
Doctors at Sherbrooke University Hospital in Quebec found the corn's Bt-toxin in the blood of pregnant women and their babies, as well as in non-pregnant women. (Specifically, the toxin was identified in 93% of 30 pregnant women, 80% of umbilical blood in their babies, and 67% of 39 non-pregnant women.) The study has been accepted for publication in the peer reviewed journal Reproductive Toxicology.
According to the UK Daily Mail, this study, which "appears to blow a hole in" safety claims, "has triggered calls for a ban on imports and a total overhaul of the safety regime for genetically modified (GM) crops and food." Organizations from England to New Zealand are now calling for investigations and for GM crops to be halted due to the serious implications of this finding.
Links to allergies, auto-immune disease, and other disorders
There's already plenty of evidence that the Bt-toxin produced in GM corn and cotton plants is toxic to humans and mammals and triggers immune system responses. The fact that it flows through our blood supply, and that is passes through the placenta into fetuses, may help explain the rise in many disorders in the US since Bt crop varieties were first introduced in 1996.
In government-sponsored research in Italy, mice fed Monsanto's Bt corn showed a wide range of immune responses. Their elevated IgE and IgG antibodies, for example, are typically associated with allergies and infections. The mice had an increase in cytokines, which are associated with "allergic and inflammatory responses." The specific cytokines (interleukins) that were elevated are also higher in humans who suffer from a wide range of disorders, from arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, to MS and cancer (see chart).

Elevated interleukins	Associations
IL-6	Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, various types of cancer (multiple myeloma and prostate cancer)
IL-13	Allergy, allergic rhinitis, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
MIP-1b	Autoimmune disease and colitis.
IL-12p70	Inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis

The young mice in the study also had elevated T cells (gamma delta), which are increased in people with asthma, and in children with food allergies, juvenile arthritis, and connective tissue diseases. The Bt corn that was fed to these mice, MON 810, produced the same Bt-toxin that was found in the blood of women and fetuses.
When rats were fed another of Monsanto's Bt corn varieties called MON 863, their immune systems were also activated, showing higher numbers of basophils, lymphocytes, and white blood cells. These can indicate possible allergies, infections, toxins, and various disease states including cancer. There were also signs of toxicity in the liver and kidneys.
Natural Bt is dangerous
Farmers have used Bt-toxin from soil bacteria as a natural pesticide for years. But they spray it on plants, where it washes off and biodegrades in sunlight. The GM version is built-in; every plant cell has its own spray bottle. The toxin doesn't wash off; it's consumed. Furthermore, the plant-produced version of the poison is thousands of times more concentrated than the spray; is designed to be even more toxic; and has properties of known allergens—it actually fails the World Health Organization's allergen screening tests.
The biotech companies ignore the substantial difference between the GM toxin and the natural bacteria version, and boldly claim that since the natural spray has a history of safe use in agriculture, it's therefore OK to put the poison directly into our food. But even this claim of safe use of Bt spray ignores peer-reviewed studies showing just the opposite.
When natural Bt-toxin was fed to mice, they had tissue damage, immune responses as powerful as cholera toxin, and even started reacting to other foods that were formerly harmless. Farm workers exposed to Bt also showed immune responses. The EPA's own expert Scientific Advisory Panel said that these mouse and farm worker studies "suggest that Bt proteins could act as antigenic and allergenic sources."But the EPA ignored the warnings. They also overlooked studies showing that about 500 people in Washington state and Vancouver showed allergic and flu-like symptoms when they were exposed to the spray when it was used to kill gypsy moths.
Bt cotton linked to human allergies, animal deaths

Indian farm workers are suffering from rashes and itching and other symptoms after coming into contact with Bt cotton.

Now thousands of Indian farm laborers are suffering from the same allergic and flu-like symptoms as those in the Pacific Northwest simply from handling genetically engineered cotton plants that produce Bt-toxin. According to reports and records from doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, as well as numerous investigative reports and case studies, workers are struggling with constant itching and rashes; some take antihistamines every day in order to go to work.
It gets worse.

All thirteen buffalo of a small Indian village died after grazing for a single day on Bt cotton plants.

When they allow livestock to graze on the Bt cotton plants after harvest, thousands of sheep, goats, and buffalo died. Numerous others got sick. I visited one village where for seven to eight years they allowed their buffalo to graze on natural cotton plants without incident. But on January 3rd, 2008, they allowed their 13 buffalo to graze on Bt cotton plants for the first time. After just one day's exposure, all died. The village also lost 26 goats and sheep.
One small study in Andhra Pradesh reported that all six sheep that grazed on Bt cotton plants died within a month, while the three controls fed natural cotton plants showed no adverse symptoms.
Living pesticide factories inside us?
Getting back to the Bt-toxin now circulating in the blood of North American adults and newborns—how did it get there? The study authors speculate that it was consumed in the normal diet of the Canadian middle class. They even suggest that the toxin may have come from eating meat from animals fed Bt corn—as most livestock are.
I'd like to speculate on another possible source. But I warn you, it's not pretty.
The only human feeding study every published on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) was conducted on Roundup Ready soybeans. Here's their back story: Scientists found bacteria growing in a chemical waste dump near their factory, surviving the presence of Monsanto's Roundup herbicide. The herbicide normally kills bacteria, but this organism had some special gene that allowed it to survive. So Monsanto scientists figured, "Let's put it into the food supply!"
By forcing that genes from that bacterium into soybean plants' DNA, the plants then survive an otherwise deadly dose of Roundup herbicide—hence the name Roundup Ready.
In the human study, some of the subjects were found to have Roundup Ready gut bacteria! This means that sometime in the past, from eating one or more meals of GM soybeans, the gene that had been discovered in the chemical waste dump and forced into the soy, had transferred into the DNA of bacteria living inside their intestines—and continued to function. That means that long after we stop eating GMOs, we may still have dangerous GM proteins produced continuously inside of us.
When the results of the study emerged, the funding from the pro-GMO UK government mysteriously dried up, so they were not able to see if the same type of gene transfer happens with Bt genes from, say, corn chips. If it does, it means that eating Bt corn might turn our intestinal flora into living pesticide factories—continually manufacturing Bt-toxin from within our digestive systems.
I don't know of a test that can confirm that this is happening, but the Canada study may be showing the results—where Bt-toxins are found in the blood of a very high percentage of people.
If the "living pesticide factory" hypothesis is correct, we might speculate even further. Bt-toxin breaks open the stomach of insects. Could it similarly be damaging the integrity of our digestive tracts? The biotech companies insist that Bt-toxin doesn't bind or interact with the intestinal walls of mammals, and therefore humans. But here too they ignore peer-reviewed published evidence showing that Bt-toxin does bind with mouse small intestines and with intestinal tissue from rhesus monkeys. In the former study, they even found "changes in the electrophysiological properties" of the organ after the Bt-toxin came into contact.
If Bt-toxins were causing leaky gut syndrome in newborns, the passage of undigested foods and toxins into the blood from the intestines could be devastating. Scientists speculate that it may lead to autoimmune diseases and food allergies. Furthermore, since the blood-brain barrier is not developed in newborns, toxins may enter the brain causing serious cognitive problems. Some healthcare practitioners and scientists are convinced that this is the apparent mechanism for autism.
Thus, if Bt genes were colonizing the bacteria living in the digestive tract of North Americans, we might see an increase in gastrointestinal problems, autoimmune diseases, food allergies, and childhood learning disorders—since 1996 when Bt crops came on the market. Physicians have told me that they indeed are seeing such an increase.
The discovery of Bt-toxin in our blood does not confirm all this speculation, but it does provide food for thought. And hopefully, that food is non-GMO.
Our Institute for Responsible Technology joins other organizations worldwide calling for an immediate ban on GM food crops, and the commencement of rigorous independent scientific research on the safety of GMOs in general, and Bt-toxin in particular.

Action Alert: While we work for a ban on GMOs, in the mean time click here to sign a petition for President Obama to require labeling.

Jeffrey M. Smith is the Executive Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, author of the #1 international bestselling book on GMOs, Seeds of Deception, and of Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods. To avoid GMOs, which is the advice of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, visit www.NonGMOShoppingGuide.com.

For references to this blog, go to: http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/1412

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Ending Allergies Forever (No ... really!)

One of the most common complaints I hear right now is that everyone is miserable with allergies. I used to suffer with allergies and KNOW how awful it is to feel that exhaustion, congestion and frustration. The problem with allergies is that the increased mucous and inflammation in the nasal cavities and lungs are true breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. The constant battle against the allergens also depletes the immune system, further weakening an already weak body. Many people with nasal allergies develop secondary viral or bacterial infections that knock them down even further.

In addition to daily use of a Neti Pot, keeping windows closed, or even wearing a mask while outdoors, there are natural products that can eliminate symptoms and even reverse the allergy. A list of natural remedies follows:

- Treating the symptoms: My favorite tool for combating allergies quickly and efficiently is to use a natural combination of Quercetin, Stinging Nettles (they don't sting, I promise), Bromelain and N-Acetyl Cysteine.These natural ingredients not only reduce and eliminate the congestion and inflammation that makes us miserable, but also STOP the allergic reaction. How? These ingredients strengthen cell walls and prevent the release of histamines from what are called Mast Cells. The mast cells are responsible for the allergic misery many people know so well. Stopping the release of histamines stops the allergic reaction and prevents the misery. My favorite combination of these ingredients is called D-Hist. D-Hist not only works amazingly well, it works FAST, often within 30 minutes. Follow the instructions on the bottle and use a loading dose before backing down to a maintenance dose. D-Hist is also available in a Jr. version (http://amzn.to/d-histjr). You can order D-Hist online at http://amzn.to/d-hist or can find it in most healthfood stores. You can also order the adult and junior version online at http://loganmd.com/pharmacy.html.

- Combat the auto-immune reaction: There is a wide variety of homeopathic remedies formulated for specific allergies. These remedies come in versions that specifically target allergies to tree pollen, hayfever, flowers, molds, etc. Some are regional to target specific plants/antigens in your region. Homeopathy works by using an extremely tiny amount of all-natural products to stimulate the body to naturally heal itself or reverse a condition. Homeopathics are known to effectively lower the body's "attack" against allergens and thereby reduce and eliminate the symptoms. For people with extremely severe allergies, homeopathics combined with D-Hist are often a powerful combination to bring fast relief. Please contact a trained practitioner before selecting a homeopathic remedy. Many different factors need to be considered in selecting the correct remedy. In my practice, I use systematic EDS testing to ensure the correct remedy is used.

- Identify the food connection: I used to have horrific seasonal allergies, often spending months on antibiotics because of the chronic infection that resulted from the attack on my nasal passages. My doctors insisted there was not a food connection, but I insisted there was and found a holistic NP who ordered a food allergy test. Guess what? The test revealed multiple food sensitivities. Within two months of eliminating all the foods I was allergic to (and there were many), my nasal allergies completely disappeared. The bottom line is that my nasal problems weren't caused by seasonal allergens. My nasal passages were already inflamed from my food allergies and were merely worsened by the seasonal pollens and molds. Today seasons come and go my nasal passages show no change ... until I slip and eat something I shouldn't. In working with patients, I have found that many of them experienced the same "miraculous" disappearance of allergies once food allergens were eliminated. Food allergies often cause very mild symptoms that most people don't associate with a food sensitivity. Nasal congestion is just one of many possible reactions. Food allergies can be identified by a simple blood test that tests for over 375 different allergens, or can be identified by an elimination diet that eliminates the most common allergenic foods and then gradually adds them back while watching for symptoms. Even if you don't have any true food sensitivities, many people find their allergy symptoms diminish if they eliminate dairy. If your allergies are horrible, try eliminating all dairy and wheat products from your diet for two weeks. If you do this, let me know what changes you see.

Allergies make us miserable, but they CAN be combated! Some doctors in the US are trained on a European treatment that uses injections of highly-specialized amino acid combinations. These combinations help the body restore and balance the auto-immune system and often completely eliminate food and environmental allergies. I'm starting this treatment soon and am hopeful my food allergies will soon be gone.

If you are interested in receiving more information on seasonal allergies or in being tested to determine what remedies are best for you, please feel free to contact my office at 317.598.4325. Private consultations are available in person or over the phone.

I'm sick! What now?

This is the first of what I hope will be many videos. The quality is very poor (I'm working on that), but the information is valid. Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks so much!

How Much Should You Weigh?

[I am blessed to have been asked to join the staff of the Fat2Fit Club blog (Fat2Fit Club) as one of their resident experts. This post first appeared on their wonderful site.]

Those of you who know me know that I DO NOT consider weight to be a valid measure of health. However, many people are curious about what their “ideal” weight might be. We are inundated with pictures of rail-thin models, both male and female, who probably have to run around in the shower just to get wet. These images can make us think that abnormally low weights are healthy, which they often are not. The truth is that we each have a very unique ideal weight, and that it may change as as our lifestyle changes. My belief is that how we FEEL is far more important than how much we WEIGH. Most people begin to feel more energy and have a more positive outlook as a result of losing weight. Increasing exercise levels can often accomplish those things even if weight loss does not occur.

I’ve shared a formula below that provides a guideline … NOT an absolute. Again, please don’t get hung up on numbers. Merely use this formula to help you set your own goals related to weight loss. For instance, my “ideal” weight as a 5’6″ woman with a large frame is 140 lbs, a weight which many people would consider “heavy.” Because of my physical make-up, I can fit into a size 4 at a weight of 140. Obviously, everyone’s physical structure is unique, so use the formula that follows merely as a suggestion. I confess that I find it runs a bit thin, so please do not be alarmed at the number it delivers as your "ideal" weight. Take it with a grain of salt and focus on improving your overall health.

Body weight is dependent on a lot of different factors. Believe it or not, bone density, liver size and brain size can affect weight. (So, the next time someone says you’re overweight, just tell them you have a big brain.) The numbers are not as important as the physical and emotional effects your weight has on your outlook and attitude.

A very simple formula for calculating your ideal weight is:

Men: Add 6 pounds for every inch of height over 5 feet to a base weight of:

Small Frame: 110 lbs
Medium Frame: 115 lbs
Large Frame: 120 lbs

Women: Add 5 pounds for every inch of height over 5 feet to a base weight of:

Small Frame: 100 lbs
Medium Frame: 105 lbs
Large Frame: 110 lbs

*I modified the formula to include the following:

Women: Add 5 lbs of body weight if you have a C cup bra size; add 7 lbs if you have a D cup.

Ok … what do you think? Is this formula crazy? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

In my next post, I’ll share a formula for how to determine how much food is needed to maintain whatever “ideal” weight you choose for yourself.

Have a glorious day!

Pamela Reilly, Naturopath, CNHP, CNC, CPH
Good Works Wellness
http://goodworkswellness.com

If those of you in Indianapolis would like personal support in your fitness and weight loss journey, feel free to check out my Smart & Fit Program which starts in September: Smart & Fit Program

The best thing about blogs, they just keep going

Sorry for the random title. I used this title as a celebration of the fact that I met my blogging goal two whole weeks in a row. Woo hoo! (Lame, I know, but bear with me.) This will be a short post. Longer posts with much more in-depth information will follow.

To keep this blog going and grabbing your attention, I would like to ask you to share what topics interest you. Do you have health issues you'd like to see covered? Do you battle with bad eating habits? Are hormonal imbalances driving you crazy? Are you ready to conquer your thyroid gland? What information can I share that will bless and benefit you? Please let me know!

I have a long list of potential topics lined up, but want you meet your needs. Please share your thoughts! Thanks so much! Have a glorious day!

Diabetes & the Art of Motorcycle Riding

For some reason, the fact I have diabetes AND two X chromosomes causes people to respond with shock and amazement when they find out I own and ride a motorcycle. The reasons for this are a mystery to me, but the phenomenon is universal enough that I felt compelled to share some information about why there's no reason to be shocked that a female with diabetes rides a motorcycle and lives to tell about it. I'd also like to share some tips that will hopefully help others with diabetes step out of the box, buy a bike and start living in the fast lane!

Much of the information in this post is related to information shared in my post: How Motorcycle Riding Improves Health. Please read that if you need to prove to someone that riding a bike makes you healthier!


I see absolutely no reason why a diabetic should not ride motorcycle. However, folks with diabetes who want to travel on two wheels need to understand that they must ride responsibly and exercise caution. This includes ensuring they maintain blood sugars at normal levels. People with diabetes obviously need to check their sugar before riding. I recommend eating a snack including one or two servings of carbohydrates and at least one serving of protein prior to riding (without taking any additional insulin) to help prevent unexpected low glucose levels. A rider with diabetes should always travel with a fast-acting source of glucose such as fruit juice, glucose tablets, a banana, etc. It's that simple. Diabetics should never be without a source of glucose, anyway, so packing a snack is plain ol' common sense. It is also wise to carry a form of protein, such as nuts or a nut butter, to help maintain sugars at a stable level.

The most important factor to remember is that riding a motorcycle requires greater physical exertion than driving a car. Because of that, diabetics who ride may discover they need far less insulin or medication and/or need to eat more when they ride. I find I'm able to turn my insulin pump completely off on the days I ride long distances. This is a wonderful additional perk to riding! The increased physical exertion, which borders on a mild form of exercise, also increases insulin sensitivity for 8-12 hours, further adding to the health benefits of riding a motorcycle. I've learned to eat some carbs and protein before I ride and to turn down the basal rate on my pump (or turn it off entirely) to avoid an unexpected low while I'm on the road. I've also learned that if I kill the bike when starting from a stop light, I need to pull over and check my sugar immediately. That simple indicator that my reflexes may not be at 100% is worth paying attention to!


The amount of insulin I use on the days I ride long distances is often 1/2-1/4 what I use on a normal day. This means that riding a motorcycle boosts my mood, increases life satisfaction, is more fun than words can describe, and improves my health! It just doesn't get any better than that. Regardless of how many wheels you choose to travel on, be smart, travel safe, and live abundantly!

Simply Raw & Holograms ... Who Knew?

Hi, all! I have a couple quick announcements. For those who are familiar with the movie, "Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days," it is on sale right now for HALF OFF! You can view the information at:

Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days

For those who aren't familiar with the movie, it follows 6 diabetics as they follow the raw foods lifestyle for 30 days. The healing they experience is truly miraculous. Each of them gets off of all medications, has their blood sugars return to normal levels, and have many other health issues disappear in just 30 days of eating raw, living foods. My own story confirms that the raw foods lifestyle brings miraculous healing. I have dropped from using more than 70 units of insulin per day to using anywhere from 8-15. Because I've had diabetes for more than 45 years, my own healing will take more than 30 days, but that's ok! Since starting the raw foods lifestyle almost two years ago, I have experienced a multitude of other health benefits and miraculous healing. I now offer raw food coaching as part of my Naturopathic wellness practice due to my desire to share this healing potential with anyone and everyone.

The movie lasts about an hour and a half and is incredibly inspirational. I recommend that everyone share it with anyone who has diabetes or who has a family history. It is a life-changing experience!

And ... I also wanted to share information about a product that has brought wonderful benefits to my life. Please know I am sharing this information because I know many of you suffer from fatigue, poor sleep, or constant pain, conditions which this product can help with!

I recently began using holographic chips to gain energy. Although I was very skeptical at first, I am now a firm believer! The company, Cie Aura, is relatively new but bases their science on years of research. I've been using the chips called "Pure Energy" which claim to increase energy levels. I've found them to be amazingly effective. I've also used the "Pure Rest" chips to gain a good night's sleep, and the "Pure Relief" chips to get pain relief when needed. Every chip has worked incredibly well. I have also shared relevant chips with friends and family who had a need. The chips have worked every time.

The chips claim to have energetic frequencies stored in them which target the needed health issue. Holograms have the capacity to store the energy or information equivalent to that contained in 10 CDs, so the energetic potential of these chips is huge. As I said, I was skeptical when I heard about them, but am a firm believer now. After doing much research, I've come to appreciate the science that supports the effectiveness of these chips. You can learn more about them at: http://bit.ly/bdKd8C.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to receive additional information about either of these products. God bless you in your healing journey!

The Wonders of Goldenseal

Hello! This post has moved to: http://goodworkswellness.com/the-wonders-of-goldenseal/. Please visit it there to see the complete article.


Many people have heard of the herb Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) but have little idea of the multitude of uses for this versatile herb. Goldenseal has been used throughout history as a medicinal herb, partly because of its amazing ability to stimulate the body’s own immunity. The bushy plant typically grows wild in rich soils. The Goldenseal plant has bright yellow flowers that produce a beautiful red oil when infused. Goldenseal is now an endangered species due to excessive wild harvesting. It should therefore only be purchased from companies who grow it and who do not wildcraft it ...