Be Warned-Side Effects Ahead

I was inspired to write about side effects from a recent article by Dr. Mark Hyman regarding statin drugs. In the article he writes that, on top of many negative side effects, statin drugs have be shown to increase the levels of blood insulin. This increases a persons risk for diabetes. He writes about how lowering a persons cholesterol with lifestyle change also lowers blood insulin. I began to realize that we need to look at the side effects of a plant based diet. Here goes:

Blood insulin lowers,

cholesterol decreases

blood thins

inflammation resolves

eyesight improves

pulse rate slows

weight normalizes

sleep improves

skin gets clearer

nail and hair more shiny

breathing improves

snoring stops

brain gets clearer

mood becomes stable

hormones realign

no or less PMS symptoms

bowel movements regulate

teeth get stronger

breathe gets pleasant

less excess mucous throughout the body

sex drive increases

sex gets better and more intense

headaches reduce

ear ringing stops

liver functions better

exercise performance peaks

energy goes up

mood improves

you become nicer!

This is just a partial list of the SIDE EFFECTS from a plant based diet. Perhaps if when given the options between drugs and lifestyle change people could see the two different lists, the medication and lifestyle change.  Then maybe they would stay clear of the meds and change their lifestyle. If they change their lifestyle...they change their life! There are almost no negative SIDE EFFECTS from eating a plant based diet.

A report came out yesterday that American women are in worse health then ever. Something needs to be done. Well, I've done my part. The above list are the side effects of eating well. You have been warned.

The Handbook In Your Heart

What would you do for your child? Let me rephrase that...what wouldn't you do? Would you make sure that they were safe and protected? Would you do anything to keep them from harm? Would you "take a bullet" for them? That has always been how I have felt. I will keep them safe and unharmed..... until the go off to college. Then they need to take over the controls. I am not talking about being a "helicopter parent"- one of those parents who hover over their child. But since my almost 18 year old was an infant I have felt responsible for her health and emotional well being. Since I left the hospital 18 years ago and they apparently ran out of handbooks, I went with it. 

Now my daughter is leaving for college in September. The cut off point when I don't have to be the one to take her to the doctor, decide if she can stay home from school or if she needs medication. I won't be there to fight her battles. Legally, I don't have to do much for her anymore. I have read and heard about parents cutting the umbilical cord at a much earlier age but that never felt right to me. Did I do her a disservice, keeping her under my wings? Maybe. If I did what happens now that she will be on her own and free to make decisions that will most likely breed some mistakes. Hopefully, she has learned a thing or two from me.

Like trust your body. It is an amazing piece of machinery. Or eating your greens is vital to getting the proper nutrition. It's better to be happy and together than right and alone. And of course, wearing white before labor day is okay now. But here's what I really hope she has learned.

That as a mother, I have done my best.

That moving from a place of love rather than fear always feels right.

That even though it appeared I made mistakes whatever needed to happen happened.

That being a strong individual is a good thing. 

That caring for someone or something you love is never easy but always rewarding.

That if you listen to others instead of your true wisdom, you will be living in some else's dream.

That the handbook you follow is the one in your heart. 

As September draws closer and college awaits, I feel confident that she will be prepared to handle anything. She will fly now with her own wings and bind her own handbook in her heart. And of course, I will always be there if she needs me. It says so in my handbook.

A Poem-"Healing"

I was sick 

and then I got better

and it wasn't because a change in the weather

IT WAS A CHANGE IN ME

 Fear

That maybe doctors don't know everything

that maybe there is no drug that can cure me

That maybe there isn't a G-d!

I was sick

and then I got better

and it had nothing to do with anything anyone did-EXCEPT ME!

I was sick because I lived sick.

I ate sick.

I ate pain.

I ate stress.

And my body didn't like it and she fought back.

I took the pills-those little magic capsules of chemical created promises that did nothing!

I did physical therapy until my muscles cried "Stop it already and look deeper"!

I was sick-really sick and then

I GOT BETTER!

I stopped listening to him and started listening to her, my body. My Temple. My holiest of holies. 

And I began to worship the body I was given so my soul could heal.

I took amazing care of my temple and made a sacred promise:

No I will never poison you again.

No I will never deny you perfect nourishment.

No I will never compromise your well being in order to please someone else.

YES to life

YES to love

Yes to Me.

Laura Lehrhaupt 7/12/10

Why the oil spill is my fault...

This morning I saw pictures of the birds that are drenched with oil from the gulf spill. My heart aches and I feel sick. While it easy to blame people in this disaster it is less easy to see how I played a part in this whole mess. So as painful as this is, here is my admission.......

I drive....alot. I want cheap gas. I complained when gas was over $4.00. I have been on my share of planes this year and I have a boat (more like a large tub but it still uses gas). I consume much to much and I admit it. I am stuck in a vicious cycle. I need to drive because I need to get places because I need to get things that make me drive! Now that I am locked in this terrible ball of yuck I can't get out. Like the birds, I am drowning in brown slimy shit and I feel a heaviness on my shoulders.

Sure some people may say "Stop driving as much, buy less, and slow down." That is too simple. I am way in here...up to my knees and that seems unlikely. What needs to happen?

First, I need to stop burying my head in the sand. I need to know that people risk their lives, lost their lives so I can have this American life. I need to understand that if companies are drilling too deep to plug up the well in an emergency they are digging too deep. Like am too deep in this oil dependent life, the well is so powerful, so deep, cutting it off seems close to impossible. I need to try to need less.

Second, I will explore other energy options. I need to look for ways to cut down my consumption because the government isn't exactly likely to show me ways. I will teach my children how we can have an impact, as small as it may be.

And finally, I need to pray. I believe in prayer. I believe in G-d. And I believe that we are all connected and BP's mistake is our mistake. So while I am angry and sad, I first have to admit that I contributed to the greed that caused this problem. The good news is that if I did it, I can start to undo it. I hope you will too.

The Vet, My Dogs And Compassion

Recently I took my rescue dog to the vet. Snickers had worms. Lots of white nasty worms. The worms were persistant and Snickers was having loads of poop accidents in the kitchen. I took him back to the Vet unannounced and they were so kind to my pup. Actually, to both of my dogs. The technician gave love, showed concern and spoke softly to my dog. Like she really cared because she did. I felt such a sense of comfort and relief. After all taking in another dog hasn't been an easy adjustment for us. I can see why someone kicked Snickers out.

So far, he has chewed 2 expensive harness collars, eaten the trim in the kitchen, eaten my son's sneakers and my daughter's favorite flip flops. He sheds like crazy and well, you know about the pooping problem. The other day he lifted his leg up on the living room sofa that I inherited from my merticulous deceased grandmother. Oy! She must be having a fit in heaven. She always loved Judge Judy's book "Don't Pee On My Leg And Tell Me It's Raining". Well, how about your sofa? It isn't a mystery why Snickers was homeless.

On the other hand, he is so loving. He actually gives hugs. I have never had a dog that gives you a hug. It feels great. It is easy for me to forgive his past offenses. And whatever future ones I have yet to experience:(

Anyway, I am still a newbie to the dog world. We've had Tootsie for 3 years, which is the longest I have ever had a dog. It's interesting to me how "we", dog owners, talk to one another as if we are talking about a child. These dogs are like my children. That is why when Snickers got the white paw treatment at the vet, I was in awe of the obvious compassion the staff had for him. Which got me thinking....why don't humans treat eachother like that? Why don't I feel the "compassion" at the pediatrician, the dentist, teachers, guidance counselors? People who help us take care of ourselves would best serve us by being kind, loving and compassionate. Sometimes I get that. Sometimes the compassion train has long pulled out of the station. I am not complaining. I am just observing. And noting that I will make sure to surround myself and my family (yes the dogs,too) with loving, kind and compassionate people. It's that or next time anyone in my family needs care I am going to my vet!

Me and Tootsie

 The camera phone freaks out Snickers....he definitely has baggage but I love him!!!! So no picture of him yet.

Lost-The End

I watched the series finale of Lost last night with half the nation and need to comment on my take of the ending. First, I got hours of enjoyment from the show so I feel like bashing the ending would seem....spoiled and entitled. After all, they gave me so many great episodes, how can I complain? The show takes tons to produce. And I am talking all the behind the scenes stuff. The cast & crew totaled over 400 people!

That said, I am may be a bit unsatified from the last episode with regards to the storyline. Sure, I could be annoyed that for the life of me I don't get the black smoke monster, the cork holding in the light, when babies can't be born on the island except Claire's, how did a polar bear get on the Island, who dropped them food in season 1, what significance does the song "Downtown" have with relation to Desmond, was Mr. Whitmore good or bad, how did the time travel thing work, why is Walt so special, what was the Dharma initiative about anyway, How come the beautiful eye-liner guy wasn't in the church (was he, did I miss him?), Why didn't Danial Faraday have to go into the church....????? I have many more.

I would rather point out that the show, with all it's crazy symbols, some real some smoke and mirrors, was about relationships. About taking your life and sharing it with someone.  Not to be perfect but to have relationships, healthy ones, with the people whom you feel a connection. The connection you have between people is not a tangible. It's an energy. A vibration that can only be felt intimately between each other. It is precious and may be a short lived relationship. None the less it is one that makes each of you a better person. Together you are more than the sum of your parts. This is what Lost was about. Relationships that we should hold sacred and close. Never forgetting that in a instant things can change. Shifts happen and poof...the person can be gone. But that energy, that connection will always be there. And being aware of it will lead to gratitude. Once we are grateful we can't be spoiled.

So sure I got tons of questions for the writers of Lost. But for myself, I got a lot of answers. Thanks for your message. I got it loud and clear. No Man/Women Is An Island.

My Boobs

I have been thinking about my boobs lately. How I have often critisized them and loathed them. What did they ever do to me? Well, they have given me hours of pleasure, nourished all three of my children and been the object of my husbands affection. So what gives?

I'll tell you what gives. Heidi Montag, Pamala Anderson & loads of other women who inflate their breasts with fake body parts. They look like human floats and men seem to LIKE it! It's bad enough I am not perfect but now I can't even measure up to these sex symbols. Literally! I am not ever going to be a E or F bra cup. I don't want to and well...it ain't gonna happen. How the definition of sexy has changes since I was a teen. When I was a teenager this was the sex symbol:












Or this:

or this:

or this:

Now we have this:

or this:

Or this:

No wonder I have been thinking about my boobs. I have boobs in my face all over the place. Today I vow to love my small, perfectly imperfect, slightly sagging but still youthful in a way, breasts! If you love your NATURAL breasts I want to hear about it. Oh and if you love your implants.....I don't:(

Coconut Oil Oh Yea!!!

I am extremely careful about what I put on my vulva. I see all these crazy creams and I get really nervous. Don't get me wrong,  I understand that some women are looking for the "WoW" factor-a real rush. I would recommend trying the cream on another part of you body before you put it south of the border. The inside of your forearm will do. If the cream is "edible" you can try it on the inside of your cheek since the tissue there is much like your vulva. But I have a better option. A secret that I am only too "excited" to share with you.....

Organic Coconut Oil!-It is all natural, edible, anti-fungal. It's good for your hair, your stir-fry and any place on your body where there is dry skin. And it is economical. It is a great lubricant without any side effects*. You can bake with it too. It isn't greasy at all and smells like coconut, which is quite pleasant.

So before you run to the drugstore to get one of those fancy tickle-your-fancy lotions, give coconut oil a try. It is found in the organic section of most supermarkets and in health food stores.  I am pretty sure you will be satisfied.



*unless you have a coconut allergy

How Well Do You Know Your Vagina?

I found this great article on the Dr. Oz website. Seriously, pay close attention to your VJJ. She gives you messages and can help you to stay balanced. Enjoy!    Click Here For The Article

New Year New Hope

It's been a little over 3 years since I started to heal myself. The journey has been an interesting one to say the least. Today I feel I can say I am 100% healed. I do not suffer from Vulvodynia anymore. I want to share something I have learned about the mind/body connection.

Today, I can turn off the switch that would start the Vulvodynia. I have figured it out. Here's an analogy: Have you ever walked into a darkened bathroom that your not too familiar with and carelessly flopped around for the light switch. You have to urinate so badly so you keep reaching for the switch. Perhaps you reach to the right and fumble around a bit only to find that there is no switch. But you HAVE to go and there is no way you are walking away from that bathroom. Ah ha! You think to yourself. I haven't gone to the left. So you reach around to the left and after a moment or two find the switch. You are then able to relieve your bladder. Now it's two days later and you find yourself in the same situation but this time you know the switch in on the left and you go there this time right away. Maybe you fumble a little but you've got it down. Okay, It's a week later and again you are in a hurry to go urinate. You find the bathroom, turn to the switch and in no time flat you are in like Flynn. This is the way I made the connection between my body and mind. I can turn off the switch even before I feel any burning. I have found the light.

If you want to find your light, look left, look right but don't turn around and walk away. You will never heal if you don't keep looking for the switch. It's there. Have faith!