....But you don't look sick!

There’s an experience so many people who live with chronic, invisible conditions have in common: that moment when someone looks at you and, upon hearing you have an illness, exclaims, “But you don’t look sick!”
This phrase can be taken multiple ways. Some choose to take it as a compliment; others feel it undermines the (very real) symptoms they feel and questions the validity of their diagnosis. In any case, the phrase often reveals that the person who said it doesn’t understand how appearances and a smile don’t necessarily indicate how you feel when you have a chronic illness.

 The problem with so many people who live in my world of chronic illness is that we never fake being ill — but we’re masters at faking being well.

Check out my latest podcast episode where I talk about my experience with this and how you can get others to understand lupus symptoms. 

Please feel free to send me a message.

Blessings,

Gina

Epsom Salt Bath Soak and Chit-Chat | Why Everyone Should Do These | Self...

My Breathe Easy Tea to Support Respiratory Health

Several years ago I was diagnosed with COPD and a mild case of emphysema.  I was completely blown away because I had always associated emphysema with smoking.

Over the years, I learnt about various herbs that are very good for respiratory health and created this tea blend.  You can watch the video below for more detail, and I will post the recipe for the blend.

1 part Sage, Hyssop and Rose Hips

1/2 part Elderberry, Licorice Root and Fennel

You may also want to check out Mullein and Thyme for respiratory health.

Thanks for watching!  See you again soon.

Gina

Embrace the Small Miracles

I will Lift Mine Eyes

To fully live we must embrace the small miracles in each moment.

So many reasons to be thankful today, and everyday......

For waking up.

For my parents, and those who played that role through the years.

For family, near and far.

For the sound of my children's laughter throughout the house, even at crazy hours of the night.

For friends, those who have known me forever, and those friendships that are new.

For humor that makes difficult situations easier.

For the ability to learn new skills, and continue to study.

For adventures taken, and yet to be taken.

For beauty that surrounds me in Nature.

For the chirping of the birds early in the morning.

For my favorite books.

For music.

For musical instruments.

For my ability to play the piano, even with achy fingers.

For my gift of creativity.

For traditions.

For weather that changes.

For innovation and technology.

For energy, even when it wanes.

For music left by Elvis.

For family that travels distances to spend time with me.

For quiet mornings, while tired little ones slumber.

For Christmas music playing on the radio.

For a tea cup full of pleasure.

For not too cold November mornings

For pre-lit Christmas trees

For dirty shoes after a nature hike with family

For sip and stroll evenings

For cool November days for hiking with no mosquitoes.

For handmade ornaments

For simple reminders around the house of a life lived....snow globes of places visited,

pictures with friends and family in different parts of the world, rafting on rivers in Taiwan,

listening to the Bhuddists monks chanting in their monastery in the mountains of Taiwan,

making bricks in Mexico,

working with orphans in Mexico,

the beauty of the skyline in Hong Kong,

the sun rising over the Great Wall of China,

cruising on the Cajun Queen on the Mississippi River....and so much more

......Most of all, I am grateful for the empty cross because I know what Jesus did for me, and that Jesus is alive!

10 ways I stay well during cold and flu season.

You can't avoid germs, and it seems even more challenging during cold and flu season.  
Because I have lupus and other chronic illness,es it is very critical that I stay as well as possible.  There is no small cold when you have a chronic illness.  Even a slight cold can cause a huge flare that could last for days.

I have been blessed in that I have not had a cold or the flu in at about 8 or 9 years, and I don't get the flu shot.   This is how I have managed to avoid the cold or flu.

1.  My first line of defense is  using an immune-boosting tonic such as this elderberry syrup.  I know.  I know.  I have lupus.  What am I doing boosting my immune system?  I have not had any issues, and have worked with a Master Herbalist to start healing my gut (more in the next segment), which is where about 75% of the immune system resides.  I even became a certified herbalist a couple of years after I was diagnosed with lupus, and have since been using aromatherapy and herbal remedies to heal my body.

2.  I started to heal my gut by filling up on probiotics.  I also read this book by Dr. Josh Axe, which  is instrumental in helping me to start healing my gut.  It has a wealth of information about the kinds of food that we should be eating to promote gut health.  I also take a lot of other supplements, such as turmeric, ginger, licoroce root, ashwagandha, astragalus and reishi mushroom, to name a few.  These all help to reduce my stress levels.

I also eat probiotic-rich food such as sauerkraut,  kefir, kombucha and miso.  I also love to drink bone broth and make it year round, but especially in the winter time.

3.  I drink a lot of bone broth. You can choose liquid or powder such as this one.

You should be drinking bone broth everyday.  Here's why.

"Bone broth contains lots of nutrients, helps to strengthen the immune system and is also known for its antiviral properties. My son loves to drink a cup of it in he morning, or anytime throughout the day.  It is a great snack, as well as simple lunch beverage."

4. I use raw honey.
Raw honey has amazing nutritional qualities. It is full of antioxidants and also contains powerful antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Honey is so powerful in keeping us healthy because of an enzyme within honey that is believed to produce hydrogen peroxide. In the body, this enzyme fights against pathogens and infections, and prevents the growth of bacteria as it enters the body. I also keep honey sticks around for my youngest son.  He loves to just snack on one periodically.

Adding honey to some of your favorite dishes can help to prevent colds, sore throats, and allergies. Because the heat may affect the enzyme, do not add it to any liquid or dish that is too hot. 

5.  I eat a lot of greens. 

I love seaweed and spirulina specifically. They help increase the production of antibodies so that my body can better protect itself against invading microorganisms. Spirulina specifically stimulates the T and B cells, which are the natural immune cells. It also helps organs function despite toxins and germs that enter.  I also use moringa, fresh as well as in powder form, as well as kale and spinach.

Moringa: Tree of Life or Scam

6. I use essential oils to stay healthy during cold and flu season and all year long. Use an Immune Support Oil Blend such as this one.
This gift set  actually has an immune aid, germ buster as well as a depression buster essential oil blend.

7.  I do Abhyanga, a self-massage using this massage oil.

8. I take Epsom salt bath soaks.  I also add a few drops of the immune supporting essential oils to the tub, and soak for at least 20 minutes. When we are stressed, the first mineral our body burns through is magnesium, and a deficiency in magnesium can cause all sorts of health issues.

8.  I eat Healthy Saturated Fats Daily, such as coconut oil, ghee and real organic butter.  Unprocessed, saturated fats are essential for energy, hormone production, a healthy immune system, and many other important functions. 

9.  I stay hydrated by drinking filtered water. Remember! The center of the immune system lies in the gut, so you need to keep it as healthy as possible to keep your immune system strong. Chlorine is a disinfectant that kills bacteria and is added to most drinking water. It can damage the good bacteria in your gut, making you more susceptible to inflammation, allergies, autoimmune disease, etc. Click here to read about my favorite at-home water filter, and to find out what is in your water. I use filtered to make my favorite Vitamin C packed Hibiscus tea.

10. I drink a lot of my Winter Wellness Herbal Blend.  The recipe can be found in the link, as well as my reasons for using it.

What's in my Self-Care Kit?

What's in my self-care kit?

Self Care is essential!

When you live with a chronic illness like lupus, or POTS and the all the other issues I've been diagnosed with, self care becomes a very integral part of healing and/or coping with chronic illness.  It is a very essential part, if you ask me.

 Self care, for me, can range from buying myself flowers to having an Epsom salt bath soak, and can aid in my journey to recovery.

One of the things I like to have when I am on the go is a "Self-Care" kit.  There are a variety of items that I have in this kit, and each of them serves its purpose.

1. Essential Oils

Essential oils are by far one of the most used items in my kit.  I use them everyday for various reasons ranging from detoxing, to stress relief, to beating fatigue. to treating COPD

My  picks: Eden's Garden Stress Relief Blend  and Plant Therapy Let It Go Synergy Blend

2. Artsy Materials

As an artist, being creative is very important to me, both as a career as well as a way to cope with the pains of chronic illness.  Sometimes I am not able to complete large scale paintings, so I may just sketch in my my sketchbook, or write in my journal, or create poetry, or color.  Doodling is very therapeutic as well. My favorite coloring books are this and this (if you have an irreverent sense of humor).

How I Use The Creative Arts To Deal With Lupus And Chronic Illness

3. Bubbles

Bubble blowing can be great fun, and even offer health benefits. The deep breathing required to blow bubbles is great for relaxation and stress relief.

4. Snuggie Blanket with Sleeves where I literally stay wrapped in warmth. Sometimes you just need a soft blanket to curl up with and I have a nice selection. My sister, Rhonda, gave me one last Christmas, and I absolutely love it.  It is frequently used by my kids as well, and I have to steal it back.

5. My Winter Wellness Tea for Preventing Illness and Providing Relief During the Cold and Flu Season and all year long.

Winter Wellness Tea Recipe:

• 1 part Eleuthero
• 1/2 part Ginger
• 1/2 part Elderberry
• 1/4 part Cinnamon
• 1/4 part Rose hips
• 1/4 part Rose petals (optional)
• 1/2 part Echinacea (optional; do not use if you have lupus)

Note: "Part" refers to your choice of measurement. It could be as small as a tablespoon or as large as a cup.

6. My immune-boosting tonic, this elderberry syrup.  You can also use the Elderberry gummies, if drinking the syrup is not for you.

7. Fidget Tools, like my Rainbow Anti-anxiety Fidget Spinner and Silly Putty or Stress Relief Slime.  My youngest son was given a fidget spinner by a neighbor, and another by one of his friends. I thought it was a was just another waste of money until I tried it one day and realized just how calm it made me feel when I was playing with it.  My son gave me one that is rainbow colored, and I absolutely love it.

 8. Trauma Oil, and my Nerve and Joint Pain Blend. If you have a natural first aid kit, you’ll want to be sure to include Trauma Oil among your primary items.

What is Trauma Oil?

Trauma Oil is a blend of three organic flowers:

1. Calendula,
2. St. John’s Wort
3. Arnica

I use this so much that I created several blends and even wrote a small book with the recipes.

9. Ice and Heat Packs

10.  My Dammit Doll When I'm having a tough day with pain or stress, this is the ideal thing to throw against the wall, or beat into the pillow. 

11. Lotion like this orange and ginger body lotion is great for energizing.  If you need to relax, then this lavender lotion is perfect.

12. Tea and herbal remedies

13. Abhyanga massage and massage oil  

Abhyanga: Powerful Recharger and Rejuvenator of Mind and Body

14. Photos of loved ones.

15. Epsom Salts Magnesium is very critical to cellular health, and Epsom salt bath soak is a very simple way to get an uptake of magnesium. I can relax and detoxify while taking a soothing bath.

16. Cannabis Oil I blend this oil with a carrier oil,  It is a perfect complement to my nerve and joint pain blend.

**This post contains Affiliate links.  

What's in your self-care kit?  Do you have one?  Did I miss anything?  What else would you suggest for my kit?

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to post them below.

In the spirit of thanksgiving.....

This happened two years ago, but it still relevant today.  Reposting from FB:

"I have to share an experience I had yesterday. Right now, I have no WiFi at home so we've been going to the library, a location where I do art classes or to McDonald's for their free WiFi. Nicholas is home-schooled and his curriculum is online so we need WiFi.

As we sat there working, Nicholas' Pre-k and daycare teacher walked in. He reminisced about naps, and how he missed nap time (as if he couldn't take naps still :-) ) The young man sitting in the next booth piped in saying he missed them, too. We all chuckled!

Several minutes went by and I noticed this young man was only sipping on a glass of water. I leaned over and handed him $10. It wasn't much, and I had every dime budgeted, but he was hungry. 

I wish I could have recorded the glistening in his eyes when I told him to get something to eat. When he returned he had so much food, it was clear he hadn't eaten in a while.

Nicholas and I finished up, and prepared to walk to a nearby pharmacy where I had to fill a script for iron, ferrous sulphate, tablets. This was suggested first to raise my iron content to avoid blood transfusions.

I explained this to the pharmacist who told me that she had to get blood transfusions as a result of cancer. The transfusions take about 8 hours to complete.

Then she spent several minutes trying to find my Medicaid insurance in the system, to no avail, even going as far as to call the ER where I was seen.

The prescription was filled, and I was called to the counter. "Here's your prescription, Miss. We couldn't find your insurance info, but the pharmacist paid your bill for you."

Now I know these tabs are not too expensive, but I thanked her profusely, and gave a glance towards Heaven in gratitude."