NRT - BELLY ACHE!

In my last update, I let you all know that due to stomach upset, I was taken off of all of my supplements for a few days until I saw my CN again. I saw her, and she instructed me to take Antronex tablets three times a day, and to take these for one full day before beginning everything else I had been taking, with a couple of small adjustments. Today (4/29) I began everything again. I added the HVS chemical liquid (at the center they call it "the chemicals") to my water bottle, with about a liter of water. I drank about two cups or so of water while taking my other supplements this morning. Within a very short time I could tell my belly was off. The connection was undeniable. I immediately emailed the Clinical Nutritionist and informed her that I was discontinuing the HVS. Over the next hour or so I ended up feeling so sick I though I would vomit. I knew that once the water and HVS passed through my system I would be fine, so I continued on with my day, but YUK! For a while there I felt pretty awful. Once the stuff passed my stomach I started to feel much better right away, but still felt a bit off for quite a while. Later in the day I received a response from the CN instructing me to stop the HVS until Sunday, then start with 1/4 capful in my water bottle to see how that goes. I wrote back saying that I would prefer to find another way to achieve our health goals for me. The stuff makes me sick. I don't want to take it! I haven't heard back from her yet, but I intend to stick with my guns with this one. I realize that holistic practitioners say that when you are "detoxing" you can go through a period of feeling unwell, but this is ridiculous. I'll stay toxed, thanks. Anyhow I am continuing to take everything else, and I feel fine with that stuff. It'll be interesting what the CN suggests next. It may determine how I feel about continuing with all of this stuff. I am a lotta dollars out, and not a lotta better. I want to keep on and make it work if possible, but not enough to feel physically ill like that. Sighs. I'll update when I hear from her.....

Worm composting - Additional Information

I wanted to add this info., for any of you who might consider making a worm composter. After setting our bin completely up, I found a piece of paper in the box the worms had come in. It had basic information on it, but I found one thing especially important: when they arrive, they will need a drink! When we got our bin all together, there was about 1/4" of water in the bottom of the bin. I was a little concerned that this would be a problem. In fact, the worms all went right to the bottom, and by the night time, the water had been absorbed by them! They were thirsty. They are shipped in "bone dry peat" which, according to the paperwork, protects the worms during travel time. It reduces the chance that they will freeze or overheat. But when they arrive, they want to get wet.

It's really fun to watch them. They are producing castings (soil) already, and are breaking down the materials in the bin. I am absorbed with them! =) I need to find out how often to put scraps in the bin. They've got quite a bit to work with at the moment, but there are 500 of them, and they apparently are capable of doubling their numbers every 90 days!

Worm composting - They're Here!!

At long, long last, the worm compost bin has become a reality. After finally getting our bin together, complete with drilled air holes (thanks, hubby!) we attempted to get red wiggler worms from our local bait shops. They informed us that they are also trying to get their hands one some. Funnily enough, when I mentioned that we wanted them for composting, one bait shop guy responded, "I know, I know." Ha! Guess we're not that odd around here after all. Anyhow, I went online and ordered 500 red wigglers from Uncle Jim's Worm Farm in Spring Grove, PA. I realized that once I had placed the order, I really had to get things together for this thing!! I put our bin out and collected all of our appropriate table scraps in it (fruit and veggie left-overs, but no citrus, etc.) Then we waited....

They arrived today. Here's what the package looked like:

The first step in preparing a worm composting bin is to find a bin with a lid. The size will depend on you. Ours is a former bird seed box cum rock holder. It's clear, which I love, has a lid that opens 1/2 way, and has a carrying handle. Perfect!

The first thing we did was to hand-shred a bunch of newspaper. There's no accounting for taste, but the worms allegedly love it! 

We filled the bin about 3/4 full.

My daughter went out to the back yard and collected a handful or two of both soil and sand, and a few leaves.

Add the soil mix and mix it into the newspaper.

The worms! 500 red wigglers heading for their new home.

Nature girl!!

We watered down the newspaper/soil mix. It really lowered the stuff way down. Once we placed the worms on top, we shredded some more newspaper and gently placed it on top. We then made a space in one corner of the box, and added our collected kitchen scraps. They are getting a lovely mix of cantelope melon rinds, celery, and other good stuff. I have read that we can add coffee grounds, which we have plenty of in this house. I also read that we should have usable rich soil in about 3-4 months. 

I promised to bring this bin to DD's school, and now I want to keep it! But I get it back at the end of June when school ends. I think I'll keep it for a few days, anyhow. =)

Clyde. The first worm to be named. (grin)

Switched - NRT Appt. 4/28

In my last update, I mentioned that due to belly-aches, the Clinical Nutritionist I am seeing suggested I discontinue all supplements (I was taking 12 pills a day plus a liquid that I added to my water bottle) until I saw her again. This morning I saw her. First, I had a heart test. The same test I had the very first time I went to the Natural Health Improvement Center. The woman who conducted the test placed a strap around the lower part of my rib cage, and attached a wire to me also. I had to lie on the table, relaxed, without talking, for four minutes. I then had to stand facing the wall, also not talking, for an additional four minutes. She then printed some papers out, and I was off to see the CN. She did a number of tests in the fashion of NRT (holding various viles and bottles of stuff and pressing on my outstretched arm and so forth.) She explained to me, while showing me one of the print-outs, that I am "switched." She said that this means that my body is "doing the opposite of what it should." (???) She informed me that I would be starting another new supplement. This one is called "Antronex." She told me to take this one three times a day, starting today. She said to take only the Antronex today, and to begin the other supplements tomorrow. She reduced the Lact-Enz (probiotic) from 3 a day to 2 a day, and said that this is do to my positive dietary changes. (Funny, I had sort of a poor diet week this past week.....) I am to restart the chemicals in my water (which I am sure caused the belly-ache issues, but what do I know) and restart the stuff I take on my own. (vitamins, calcium, Vit D...) I had to get clarification, because I have trouble making sense of it. She claims that the Antronex is going to "take care of the other stuff" gesturing to a list of the other supplements. ??

I left baffled. But of course I'll read about it all online. As usual, she was not able to explain things very well to me, but I can get the info. on my own. It all seems goofy. But my skin DOES seem to be doing ok. It's not better exactly, but I'm still not using steroid cream (which is amazing and awesome) and it's not THAT inflamed. So that's all good. So...... I continue on....

NRT - Blocking and Switching

I am waiting for some information on blocking and switching from the Clinical Nutritionist I am seeing. After getting belly aches several times over the last week or so, she told me to discontinue taking all supplements. She claims that my belly issues may be due to "blocking and switching." I went ahead and did a google search. This website seems to explain it pretty well. It actually explains a few things the CN has done with me that has otherwise not been explained. Like the red light for scars thing. Hm.

Interesting Update On NRT/Natural Health Stuff

For those following my trials with the Natural Health Improvement Center, you might find this interesting. A few days ago I had a belly-ache. I didn't think to much about it. Then yesterday I got another one. Being fairly unusual for me to get stomach-related issues, I was now wondering what was going on. I had recently starting adding Detoxosode chemicals to my water bottle each day, as directed by the Clinical Nutritionist I'm seeing. I thought that perhaps this was causing my issues. If you've read my past posts on all this stuff, you'll remember that when I first started taking the probiotic supplements my CN suggested for me, I was also taking one on my own, and the two of them together caused some gut upheaval for me. I emailed the CN, and let her know what was happening. She wrote back instructing me to discontinue the chemicals for the weekend (I emailed her Thursday afternoon.) I immediately rinsed out my water bottle and having been drinking plain water ever since. Some time this morning I realized I had forgotten to take my morning supplements. This is the first time I've forgotten the morning pills. Even after giving myself a mental reminder to take them when I got home form taking DD to school, I forgot again. I'm sure this is my brain telling me that something I'm taking is causing my issues. Anyhow, despite all this, this afternoon my belly started acting up again. I figured that maybe it takes a day or two to get the chemical stuff out of me, but either way, I again emailed the CN to give her an update. (As she had requested) She emailed back telling me to stop the supplements. I emailed for clarification, as there are a few things I take on my own: vitamins, vitamin D, calcium and fish oil. She confirmed that I am to stop taking everything. She claims that I am either "blocked" or "switched." She says she will send me information tomorrow regarding what all of this means. So I'll discontinue it all. It isn't without some reservation, because I know the vitamin D and the other stuff is important. But as I keep saying, if this is going to have any chance of working, I have to follow the program. So, that's the deal. My belly mellowed out in the evening, and I feel fine now. I have had no problem eating, or had any related issues, just a belly that feels unhappy with what's in it. So we'll see. I will update as things transpire.

NRT Visit # Uh...um...er...

Well, you can see that NRT is not helping with my memory at all. But that's not why I go.

Today's visit actually seemed like a visit. That is to say that the Clinical Nutritionist I see actually spent some time with me today. As usual, she asked me how things are going. This question is so general I never know how to answer. I said, "I'm plugging along." "So what's hard?" she asks. As she did last time. Uhhhhhh.... I dunno. I told her that I was doing better with our diets, but that it's a process...blabla...... She asked about my skin, and I informed her that my skin has not been happy this week. I also mentioned that I haven't used my steroid cream in 3 weeks. (I think?) She said that it is not surprising to see a bit of a relapse. Now that I'm not "masking" the issue with the cream, she will be able to see what the underlying issues are. Hang in there. Ok. A reasonable response. Possibly even true. Hm. Anyhow, I'm still skeptical. After all, I've lived with my skin for a long time, and the issue ebbs and flows. But, I am going to give this my all (not just all my $$...) so... She asked about our water. If it's town or well water. (well) Where did I grow up? What kind of water there? Do we have hard water? (Think so....) Do we use a softener? (No) I asked if a filtering shower head was a good idea. Yes. She said tht the water is treated with chlorine. So next came my newest supplement! This one is allegedly going to push the chlorine out of my body. It's a liquid, and it gets added to my water bottle each day. One capful. It's called "Detoxosode", and it's made by Standard Process. She "tested" DS too to see if he can handle it. (He's still nursing) She rounded the visit out by telling me that I'm doing better with our diets. =) I knew that, but it's nice to hear, anyhow. I'm scheduled to go back next  week. While I do sort of enjoy my weekly "assignments" I look forward to being able to put a little space between visits.