The Girls and FCLO

Drew and I have been taking fish oils for a while. There is a lot of information out there about FCLO and its benefits. Modern Alternative Mama and Modern Alternative Health both have great information in their archives. Some believe it, some don't. I have seen definite improvements in my health and my family's overall health with the addition of FCLO to our routines. Sometimes I taste the "fishyness" when I swallow and sometimes I don't. Our immune systems have been amazing since we started taking them and we had been kicking around the idea of starting the girls on them for a while. Paired with our shift towards Real Food and healthier living, FCLO was a logical supplemental step for all of us.

After the Christmas Crud took out both girls and Drew, we decided that while their diet and supplements helped to fight off sickness quickly, they needed an extra boost to keep them well. We ordered more FCLO from Green Pastures for us and added a bottle of oil for the girls.  I was worried that the girls wouldn't want to take it or would fight the taste. We decided to get the liquid cinnamon oil for the girls because it offered the best taste and was well received in other children by what we read online.

We also did NOT call it Fermented Cod Liver Oil. Seriously, who really wants to put THAT in their mouth. When I approached the dinner table with the dosage for the first time, Miss Moo asked me what I was telling her to take. I told her the first thing that popped into my head, "Magic Medicine." My thinking was twofold. One, she was getting over being sick at the time, so she equated medicine to making her feel better, not to tasting badly. I also know that my girls love anything magical, so medicine that would magically make her better was a win/win.

That was the first week of January. This week marks the last week of February. Both girls still take their magic medicine. Moo reminds me when I have failed to give it to her. Everyone has recovered and stayed healthy despite being exposed to many sick friends and family- some who have even had the flu.  I certainly don't think it's the FCLO alone, but I do know that it has helped.

So, if you've been curious, give it a try. You will be surprised at all the benefits you receive as you change your diet and your lifestyle.

I'm New to the Neti Pot

Although I managed to escape the funk from getting into my ears or my chest, I didn't escape congestion. This ailment was probably fed by the fact that I'm pregnant and have a higher production of mucus that usual due to heightened estrogen (and other hormones) levels. Yippee.  Luckily, I had a scheduled visit with my fantastic midwife and I was able to tell her all about the germs in my house and the steps I had taken to fight them off.

A Quick Recap

I tried to do all I could, especially when I wasn't at home with my medicine cabinet, to stave off any infections or horrible viruses from zapping me and Baby Boy.

• Emergen-C: 1,000 mg , 2x a day since the onset of the girls' and Drew's symptoms.
• Kombucha: One bottle twice a day -  I increased this by adding the second bottle.
• Zinc: I was taking a zinc supplement but it seemed to create some nausea so I stopped after two days.
• Elderberry syrup: 2 tsp, 2x a day.
• Pregnancy Tea: All kinds of goodness, including nettle and peppermint. (You can get some from Totem Herbal.)
• Regular, daily multi-vitamins: We use doTerra.
• Good, real food.
• Resting and staying off my feet when I could.

My Midwife's Suggestion

I mentioned the concern that I had over the change in color I was experiencing in my nasal discharge, shall we say. I told her all I had been doing to fight off the funk and my overall healthy status other than my congestion. I asked for any additional tips she had and she suggested a Neti Pot.

The Neti Pot

Image by epidenver via Compfight.

A Neti Pot is a little, ceramic pot that looks like a tea pot that has been stretched. It is used to irrigate the sinuses and clear them of any congestion and debris. You use it by mixing up a solution of salt and warm water and pour the solution up one nostril into the sinuses and out the other side. Gently blowing can rid any additional clumps that were loosened. Then the process is repeated on the other side. 

This process is very different than a saline spray that is sometimes used when experiencing congestion. A saline spray is good for moisturizing nasal passage when they are congested and temporarily relieving symptoms. However, they do nothing to remove the mucus or blockages that are present in the sinuses. 

Neti Pots can be used therapeutically. Regular use will remove mucus and prevent bacteria from growing and causing infections. It's use is also helpful in preventing ear infections. Clearing out blockages in the sinuses prevents anything from backing up into the ears and breeding bacteria. Much like hand washing to get rid of germs and prevent the flu, Neti Pots wash the germs out of your sinuses and prevent the funk.

I've Never Done This Before

I've never been a fan of anything going in my nose. That's a serious understatement.  I'd fight my mom about nasal and saline sprays as a child to the point I'd make myself sick. Yet, here I was as an adult, purchasing a device to pour a salt and water solution through both sides of my nose.

I read websites and the instructions- several times. I climbed into the warm tub and filled the Neti Pot. I added my salt and mixed it. Then I stared at the pot for a few minutes. Here I was a 32 year old mother of 2.6, but I was afraid of the Neti Pot sitting on the side of the tub. I took a deep breath, placed the spot in my nostril, got a good fit, and tipped my head down and to the side.

What Happened?

At first, nothing- I wasn't tipping my head down enough so nothing was happening. I relaxed my face and tipped my head a little further down the left. The warm salt water started running up my nose and into my sinuses. It felt similar to getting water in your nose but not nearly as painful because it was flowing through, not being inhaled. It wasn't nearly as horrible as I thought it would be.

I felt things in my head loosening. Some water/discharge mixture did flow/fall into my mouth and I'd spit that out. After using half the solution, I switched and cleaned the other side. The process was a lot easier now that I knew what to do. I emptied the pot, bent over, and gently blew through my nose to get everything out that was loosed but not removed. 

When it was all over, I felt like my head was 20 pounds lighter.  My ears, which had felt stuffy for the last two days, seemed to be loosening. Over the next hour or so I would get the sensation that my nose was running, so I'd blow it and get a lot more grossness out that I anticipated. My cough from drainage stopped. I had no problems breathing clearly and that distant sick taste in the back of my throat disappeared.

Moving Forward

I plan to use the Neti Pot daily for the next two weeks to be sure that I have washed out all possible bacteria from my sinuses and allowed my ears to drain completely. I will then use the Neti Pot every 2-3 days as a preventative measure to keep things clear and germ/bacteria free. I've also done a little bit of research on naturally treating sinus infections and will be getting some garlic supplements to start taking. I will be staying on those through the end of the pregnancy in order to prevent the development of Group B Strep, which we'll discuss soon.


Have you ever treated your sinus congestion or infection naturally? What did you find most helpful?

Diagnosis: Mommy Knows Her Stuff

On Wednesday morning the girls and I dressed warmly and piled into the van headed for the pediatrician's office. We were fever free but still full of symptoms of the funk. Miss Moo was overly sensitive and being a bit mean to me which is generally an indication that she's actually sick. Miss Roo was still battling a runny nose and puffy eyes. Drew (and in turn I) had been up most of the night due to his cough.  I was doubting everything I had done to treat what I had been certain was a virus and afraid was letter my children suffer needlessly.

What it Looked Like

 * Cati Kaoe * via Compfight.

When the funk moved it, I felt that the girls had a virus. Their fevers, when present, weren't high. Their symptoms came and went at around the same time of day- nighttime was far more difficult on all of us than the daytime. Their runny noses were clear and their coughs were a result of that drainage. They felt bad but they weren't miserable and still wanted to play. However, the high fever spike (104.3) that Miss Moo had on Tuesday after several days of the funk indicated to me that something more was going on. I continued to keep her comfortable and did give her a half dose of fever reducer along with cold compresses to get her fever to a manageable level.  We coasted through the day and I decided to call the pediatrician the next day.

So what happened at our visit? 

I found out I was right! All of the funk has started as a virus. Viruses must run their course - you can only treat the symptoms. Antibiotics only work when an illness is bacteria-based. Giving them to a child with a virus won't help kill the virus and will possibly prevent the antibiotic from working in the future if needed. Both girls had clear lungs and congested heads. Moo's emotions and fever spike were due to an ear infection. Her ear already presented puss and tons of fluid. The doctor was amazed she wasn't complaining or crying with pain. Roo also had fluid on the ear but was holding her own against the virus. Everything that I had done to help them and treat their symptoms had been just what they needed. And treating them cautiously had made Moo's spike in fever present as an even bigger red flag.

What I Did

• Liquids: When the funk started, I upped the girls Vitamin C intake by offering more orange juice as well as giving them Emergen-C as a special drink. I also made sure their cups were constantly refilled with juice or water anytime they were low.
• Low Key Play:  I kept them busy with activities that didn't exert them too much. Coloring and drawing, building blocks, babysitting with their dolls, watching movies together- anything that would keep them focused and relatively contained.
• Food: Getting them to eat when sick is tricky. I tried to get food in that was protein rich - chicken breasts- or could easily carry more than one focus - bagels with butter and cream cheese.
• NOT Treating Low-Grade Fevers: When the girls had fevers, they were 101 or less. These fevers aren't dangerous and illustrate that the body is working to fight off an intruder. Treating them could have led to a weakened defense against the virus, so making them comfortable in clothing choices, cool drinks, and compresses made more sense to me.
• Lowering the Room Temperature at Night: The first night, Roo's cough sounded almost croup-like. She began to panic and I grabbed a blanket and took her out onto the deck. Within 30 seconds her breathing was much less labored and within 2 minutes it was completely normal. I kept her in a cooler room that night to ensure that she could rest. For the next several nights she'd start in one room and end in another.

What We're Doing Now

Moo is on a 10 day course of antibiotics. I'm not happy about it, but her ear was pretty far gone by the time we got to the pediatrician. After one dose, she is acting noticeably better. Her fever is gone, her congestion is draining well, and there is less coughing. 

Roo is still battling the virus and we are doing our best to keep it as a virus that we are treating.

• Melaleuca: I have a bottle of doTerra Melaleuca in what I affectionately call my apothecarium. I mixed two drops of oil into to TB of water. We put a dropper full in her ear and let it set about a minute. We then drained it and put some cotton in to get the excess. We will repeat this in the morning and evening tomorrow.
• Chiropractor: Roo and I will head to the Chiropractor for adjustments. Having her neck and spine adjusted could open up her ears and sinuses and allow that fluid to drain out rather than backing up and growing bacteria.
• Massaging her neck: Our Chiropractor showed me a trick with Moo when she was little and would get congested. Rubbing her neck gently downward on either side from behind her ears down will relax those muscles and promote drainage if there is any fluid gathering. I did this with Roo tonight and her nose began running again. I hope this means we're on the right track.

And Poor Drew...

has bronchitis. He's also on an antibiotic and is starting to look normal again. I'm grateful for teacher immunity and pregnancy preparedness. Although I am exhausted from trying to take care of everyone and grow a baby, I have only had a few allergy like symptoms and have responded well to Emergen-C, Elderberry syrup, FCLO, and tons of fluids and teas.  I'm hoping my adjustment tomorrow will ease any congestion I still have then. And that we're all well soon.

Do you try to balance "wait and see" with "go and check"?* What guidelines do you use?

* Thanks, Kim :)

A Few Pregnancy Tips

Unsurprisingly, this pregnancy is completely different that my first two. I'm craving savory instead of sweet, I have a LOT of water retention, I'm not constipated, and I still occasionally feel yucky in the afternoons.

I had a jump in weight gain over the last 6 weeks in numbers, but not in how my clothes fit or what I look like (other than the belly). My midwife wasn't terribly concerned, she just asked me to drink more water and pregnancy tea (mine comes from Totem Herbal ) and to keep an eye on it.  When I got home I asked Drew if I looked bigger. We both decided I didn't I just looked, well, puffy.

So, the water drinking began. Wanna know what happened? 9 lbs GONE in 2 days. NINE!! Guess I need to drink more water, huh?

I've also been having a lot of leg cramps and general sluggishness this time around. I know that I'm caring for two girls full time and keeping a house going (can anyone hear Drew snicker at that one?) but I feel worn out even past that. I've done some research and here are some things I've learned.

• I need more sleep - I'm not getting much more than 6 hours a night and my body and my baby need rest.
• I need more water - Other than the retention realization of this week, I have been really lacking in the water department. 8-10 glasses, DAILY - at least.
• I need to snack - I need to get protein rich snacks in when I can and not stuff myself to misery at meals.
• I need more potassium - This particular need is a difficult one because most people use bananas as a go to and I really, REALLY dislike them. A lot. So, I looked up some alternatives and I'm adding them to my routine and shopping list. My top 5 right now are: avocado  spinach, yogurt, brussel sprouts, and tomato juice.

Do you have any tips for pregnancy fatigue and water retention? What are your favorite snacks?

Modern Alternative Health September 2012

Yesterday marked my first article at Modern Alternative Health.  Enjoy and Happy Thursday!!

Back To Stress Again – Simple And Natural Stress Relievers

Image courtesy of 55Laney69 via www.flickr.com.

Back to school (or homeschool) can also mean back to stress time for many. Schedules become hectic, sports are in full swing, and parents and children have a lot more on their mind than sprinklers, fireflies, and playing outside until dark. Stress can manifest itself in many ways. Often it leads to anxiety and panic for many people. Here are a few ways to treat and reduce stress and anxiety in your daily life, no matter what the cause.

Stress Relieving Sushi - This Mama's DREAM!!

This week marked the launch of another terrific site, Modern Alternative Health. As you  may know, I am a contributing writer at the orginial site Modern Alternative Mama and I  am honored to have a spot as a contributing writer at the new site.

My first post at MAH is scheduled to debut on September 26th. It deals with ways to reduce stress naturally  through diet, herbs, and relaxation activities. As a family, we are evolving towards a natural based heath system in our house. I've done quite a bit of research in the past 6 months on ways to help accommodate this shift in lifestyle.

One thing that I kept finding, unsurprisingly, is how great fish is for us. Fish is loaded with naturally good fat.  In particular, fish contain large amounts of  OMEGA 3 Fatty acids.   These fatty acids have been proven to help brain function, help lower risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease, and increase immune system functionality.  The oilier the fish, the more Omega 3's - salmon is an example. Omega 3's also help reduce inflammation in the body.  Fish contain a large amount of vitamins A and D which promote healthy mood and immune function, critical for everyone but particularly those of us staying home with little ones.

I carried on with my research and noticed that a lot of articles that mentioned fish as something we should all be eating also mentioned SUSHI. Anyone that knows me really well knows that I took this information and ran with it!!

An evening of sushi with Drew.

Sushi rolls, be they traditional rolls or handrolls, are curled up in a little sheet of seaweed deliciousness called Nori. Nori is made of dried, roasted seaweed that has been pressed into thin sheets. It is versatile, tasty, and full of wonderful, health boosting surprises. Nori is LOADED with protein and essential vitamins, like A, B, and C. So much vitamin C, in fact, that it has twice as much as an orange.  Nori also has a tremendous amount of iron and magnesium.

Now consider that when you order a salmon roll, it carries some veggie in it as well - cucumber, avocado, etc. Add the goodness of oily fish, loaded Nori, and fatty avocado and you have a health roll to rival most vitamins! I am STOKED!!!


So consider adding some sushi, or even just Nori, to your diet or pantry. It's a great way to lower your stress levels, build your immune system, and satisfy your palate in one easy step!

I wonder if Drew has been feeding me sushi all these years for these reasons?? ;)

Would you add Nori to your weekly diet? Why or why not?

Direct links to sources in this entry:

http://www.parenthlete.com/2012/03/05/nori-the-healthiest-edible-paper/

http://www.sushishrine.com/sushi_seaweed_nori.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid

doTERRA Oils at Bathtime

I recently became introduced to doTERRA oils. I learned a decent amount and signed up for the membership. When our first shipment came I was thrilled.

Moo and Roo always enjoy bath time. There is splashing, giggling, and general busyness. This activity sometimes means that Moo won't be able to settle down for bedtime. She isn't really acting out or being "bad", she simply can't shut off her brain and go to sleep.  Enter doTERRA.

I started placing three drops Serenity and Balance in the bath water as the tub filled. The girls would start out fun and splashing and be calm and gentle within ten minutes. When bath time was over, I'd add a few drops to my fingers and rub them on the back of their necks. Daddy would do bedtime and everyone would be asleep within 30 minutes.

Then we skipped a bath time because we hadn't left the house. Moo was up until 10 and finally fell asleep in a bed she made outside my bedroom door. Again, she wasn't being bad. She just wanted to be where someone was because there might be something going on. The next night I FORGOT THE OIL.  Again, up until 10 singing in her room and "reading" books.

This afternoon we are heading to NanaPop's house. I have already packed our oils so that we can try our experiment there. Bedtime is usually more time consuming there but the girls essentially settle down. I am optimistic that things will go more smoothly because we'll have oils AND Daddy.

What tricks do you use with your little ones? Would you consider aromatherapy?