Seize The Day Blog

Health-Related Articles & Recipes

GAPS Diet Part 2: My Personal Experience & Insight for Epileptics

This article has been on my mind and my heart now for a few months. Since writing the very first article (Crohn’s Disease: Chronic or Curable???) where I both recommended the GAPS diet and discussed in depth exactly what this diet entails, a lot has happened to me personally because of the GAPS Diet. I’ve been unable to share this information due to circumstances in my own life lately, but I believe it needs to be relayed for the sake of other Epileptics. 

When I first began thinking up titles, I strongly considered naming it a “retraction” piece for my original article. However, the more I thought about it the more I realized how extreme that action would be for everyone when, in reality, epileptics are the targeted audience here. 

The truth is, this diet is a fantastic option for those struggling with digestive or stomach issues, such as Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, etc. It is also a wonderful method for rapid weight loss and a healthy option too if the diet is executed correctly (i.e. homemade bone broth, organic food products). 

However, there are some requirements in this diet that can cause increased seizure activity. For example, Phase 1 of the GAPS Introductory Diet is Bone Broth only for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Juice, Tea, and Yogurt are the recommended snacks for this phase. 

This is literally as simple as it gets when it comes to carbohydrates. While this phase can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, it took me about 2 weeks to complete based on my symptoms and how much “gut” healing I truly needed. One symptom I had from the very start of GAPS was increased seizure activity. It got pretty rough for my family and I because we literally could not figure out the cause for this tidal wave of seizure activity. Ordinarily, I can pinpoint the activity to something I’ve eaten that may have contained questionable ingredients or my hormone levels at that particular time (check out more about Catamenial Epilepsy and my personal journey with this condition here)…

Like I said before, this is my ordinary mode of operation. But, if I reevaluated my diet at this time I would find nothing but bone broth for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So what the heck was going on??? 

I mean, if I simplified my carbohydrates any more I’d be reduced to consuming nothing but water and pretending that water could ever be considered a good meal substitute. 

Well, as it turns out, my increased seizure activity had everything to do with my diet. Although the bone broth was incredibly healthy for me, the diet itself was too simple. As an epileptic, I face serious consequences if I do not maintain healthy blood sugar levels. I recently discussed in an article titled (The Key to Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels) just how easily my Partial seizure and Grand Mal seizure activity can increase if my blood sugar is allowed to drop throughout the day. 

The simple carbohydrates that are supposed to be embraced in each phase of GAPS were just that…Too simple. Bone Broth in the first phase and stews in the 2nd phase were not enough to keep my blood sugar level up and therefore made my brain even more vulnerable to seizure activity. I needed foods that were more solid such as protein and fat. Unfortunately, my seizure activity became so intense that I literally had to quit the diet and return to my previous meal plan. 

I had made it to the 3rd Phase of the GAPS Introductory Diet when I made this decision. After only 3 months of dieting, I really didn’t want to give it all up so soon. But it was clear that my body needed meals and snacks that were capable of keeping my blood sugar levels up and my brain strong. Simplifying my diet actually complicated my brain health rather than improving it like it was supposed to. 

Now, I am not saying to avoid the GAPS Diet completely. If my body could have handled the simplicity of those carbohydrates, I would have tried my best to carry on to the next Phase of GAPS until I had completed every phase. I also believe that there would have been some much-needed healing to my stomach and brain. 

I guess what this article is meant to be is an insight for those of you who may become vulnerable when your body’s blood sugar level drops. It is information I really wish I had known before beginning the diet because I definitely would have gone about this diet differently. 

To those who can handle simple carbs without adverse reaction, I still highly recommend the GAPS Diet for healing, detox, weight loss, or whatever you may be needing that can be helped by GAPS.  

You can find the links to all GAPS Diet-Related articles from Seize the Day Blog below: 

GAPS Diet Reading List:

https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2016/10/gaps-diet-reading-list-continuation-from-crohns-disease-chronic-or-curable/

Crohn’s Disease: Chronic or Curable???:

https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2016/09/crohns-disease-chronic-or-curable/

The Key to Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels:

https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2019/01/the-key-to-maintaining-healthy-blood-sugar-levels/

If you try this recipe, please share your feedback through Twitter & Instagram (@seizethedayblog) or email (katie@seizethedayblog.com).

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Paleo Zucchini Bread (Gluten-Free)

Who knew Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free & Dairy-Free could look so good???

When you’re trying to maintain a diet that is strictly Gluten-free, Dairy-free, and Sugar-free, the mere mention of an acceptable bread recipe sounds ridiculous. I certainly wasn’t convinced that something like this actually existed! Well, I was wrong…

After lots of searching, I eventually came across this recipe by Erin Lives Whole for Paleo Zucchini Bread.

Although Erin’s original recipe is fantastic and I recommend checking it out (links can be found above for both the blog and the recipe), I made a few changes of my own to adjust the ingredients a bit so that the flavor of the cinnamon is accentuated. You can find my personal changes written below along with my baking instructions.

Not only is this recipe is a fantastic snack for those mid-meal munchies, but it also provides the perfect amount of healthy carbohydrates and fats to help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels all day long. Healthy blood sugar levels for me means decreased seizure activity so this recipe has been an excellent find for both my brain and my tummy. It’s a Win-Win no matter which version of the recipe you try! The Seize the Day Blog version can be found below.

Bon Appétit!

Simple & Healthy Ingredients!

Print
Zucchini Bread Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Yield: 1 Loaf or 12 muffins

Zucchini Bread Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup Almond Flour
  • 2 T Coconut Flour
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 4 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 cup Walnuts, chopped
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1/4 cup Coconut Oil
  • 1/3 cup Honey
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 1 cup Zucchini, grated
  • Ghee, for greasing the pan

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and prepare loaf pan with coconut oil or ghee (a fantastic dairy-free option and my preferred method, it is much less messy than the coconut oil).
  2. Combine all dry ingredients into a small bowl & mix using a fork. Be sure to mix thoroughly so that you do not have any baking soda chunks in your bread batter. Set aside.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk 4 eggs until combined and smooth.
  4. Add coconut oil, honey, and vanilla to eggs. Whisk until combined.
  5. Add the dry ingredients you set aside earlier to the wet ingredients. Stir until combined.
  6. Squeeze dry your grated zucchini and fold into your batter.
  7. Pour into loaf pan (or cupcake pan, this method is especially fun for those of you with kids). If you want to add an extra crunch to the texture of your bread or muffins, add chopped walnuts to the top of your unbaked batter.
  8. Bake for 30 minutes covered with foil and another 10-15 minutes without foil.
  9. If you can insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out clean, your Zucchini Bread is ready to be taken out.
  10. Let cool completely before serving.
https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2019/02/from-my-recipe-box-to-yours-paleo-zucchini-bread-gluten-free/

Keeping Up With Katie: Post #4

The newest series here on Seize the Day Blog!!!

It’s here…my very first Keeping Up With Katie post for 2019!!! If you’re new to this series here on Seize the Day Blog I recommend checking out these articles before proceeding to the fourth template below. Thanks for reading!

Keeping Up With Katie: Post #1

Keeping Up With Katie: Post #2

Keeping Up With Katie: Post #3

The Key to Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

I hope you all enjoy my feedback on my own personal journey with Hemp Oil (also known as CBD oil) since beginning this Hemp product from the Charlotte’s Web by The Stanley Brothers corporation on July 20th 2018.

Please comment your feedback via Instagram & Twitter or feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com!

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Copyright Info:

All images, excluding those included in the web design, posted on [seizethedayblog.com] are taken by the owner. No images from external sources are used on this blog.

Proper credit should be attributed when republishing any material found on [seizethdayblog.com]. 

The Key to Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

I meant to touch on this subject in my Favorite Product of 2018 article, but completely spaced so I figured “Why not just devote an entire article to the subject?!”…It has been a life changing revelation over the course of 2018 and into 2019. 

The true impact of blood sugar levels on the human brain is still yet to be determined. However, through a process of trial and error I have slowly been able to piece together what I consider to be a breakthrough observation and what I hope will also be a breakthrough for anyone reading this article. 

Low blood sugar levels can cause the brain to become vulnerable. In-between the standard meal time (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is actually the most dangerous time period for me, personally, because it seems to be the time when I am most prone to seizure activity. I have a mix of Grand Mal seizures and Partial seizures, but the partial seizures have increased to a level that surpasses my annual amount of Grand Mal seizures. 

While there are some positives to this development, such as my brain becoming stronger and, therefore, being prone to a less intense form of seizures. I take no pleasure in any seizure activity, big or small, because it means my body is still struggling internally. 

So how do we supplement this internal struggle???

The answer is simple…with food. But not just any food will do the trick, you need food that will be able to build your body back up when it begins doing a nose-dive at those in-between times of the day. 

For me, that food product is Late July’s Buttery Flaky Crackers. And this is yet another reason why these crackers are my favorite product of the year. So, for those of you without gluten sensitivities, I highly recommend snacking on 3-4 crackers in between meals. This gluten-rich snack is like no other when it comes to re-establishing my blood sugar levels. There have been many moments where I believe these crackers have actually prevented a Partial or Grand Mal seizure. Allowing one’s blood sugar levels to drop means allowing one’s brain to drop to a level of vulnerability. Keep your brain at a strong level by implementing a small snack to your daily diet or whenever you feel especially drained, which can easily happen throughout the entire day. You just might find a decrease in your overall seizure activity and an increase in your stamina and mood! 

I have found that when my energy becomes depleted, my mood shifts along with it…I become irritable, impatient, and just plain grumpy. So, for the sake of those around you I highly recommend giving these small snacks a try. 

For those of you with gluten sensitivities, a small snack to try instead of the crackers is guacamole and corn chips. Though this snack is a little more work than a simple box of crackers, it is a well-balanced and delicious mini-meal! Late July also makes a fabulous corn chip product available at a variety of grocery stores including Vons, Whole Foods, and Sprouts. The ingredient label consists of only three ingredients…Organic Whole Ground Corn, Organic Expeller Pressed Safflower Oil and/or Organic Expeller Pressed Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt.

Check out my super simple recipe for guacamole now! 

By implementing the avocados, you are providing a fantastic source of healthy fats for your body. Your body simply cannot have too many healthy fats and using the nutrient rich avocado as your snack will also work to supplement your total-body health. 

If you aren’t a fan of guacamole and chips, you can also try a more leafy-green oriented snack such as arugula salad with a drizzle of olive oil (sea salt and cracked pepper to taste). Arugula is filled with numerous nutrients, but is especially known for being particularly beneficial for the brain and promoting overall brain function. It is key that you include the olive oil drizzle in this snack because this is your source of healthy fats amongst a snack dominated by greens. For those of you who can tolerate dairy, parmesan cheese shavings are also a delicious addition to this mini-salad. 

If you still want something different to use as your snack, that’s okay too! Lucky for us, sweet potatoes make an excellent french-fry or potato chip type of snack. If you decide to go this route, I highly recommend making these in advance so that when you’re feeling fatigued you don’t have to go to a lot of work to make something that is meant to help build your body back up instead of further contributing to your exhaustion. As much as I enjoy baking, it is no secret in my house that this activity can be draining on my energy levels. You know your body best so I would just listen to what it tells you and make these French fries or potato chips when you know you can handle it. That way, when a moment of low blood sugar does strike, all you have to do is access your pantry. Another great characteristic of sweet potato fries or chips is that they mix very well with olive oil (healthy fats). Adding a drizzle of olive oil to your snack is delicious and it boosts your total-body health. 

Life does get busy, but you can always carry around a ziplock bag with the snack of your choice. I like to do this so that I can still maintain a healthy blood sugar level even when I’m On-The-Go. 

Check out Seize the Day Blog for my favorite recipes for Sweet Potato Fries & Sweet Potato Chips!

 

Sources:

  1. Late July Products: https://www.latejuly.com

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Copyright Info:

All images, excluding those included in the web design, posted on [seizethedayblog.com] are taken by the owner. No images from external sources are used on this blog.

Proper credit should be attributed when republishing any material found on [seizethdayblog.com]. 

My Favorite Product of 2018

When I first understood the connection between my seizures and food ingredients, it was a mind-blowing moment for me. It was a moment when I realized how little I actually knew about my own body. Even after 16 years I was just beginning to understand the sensitivities I did possess toward certain ingredients and the very serious consequences that followed these “sensitivities.” The truth is, our processed food products do contain dangerous ingredients. Ingredients that can and will harm the human body. 

So what are you going to do about it??? That right there is the million dollar question because it has the potential to influence the type of immune system your body develops.

The sad truth is that the majority of society chooses the path that could be labeled as “Easy Street.” It is the route where you choose to do nothing and continue on as if nothing is wrong with foods that are made from chemically-derived ingredients. 

It might work better if I point out the elephant in the room sooner rather than later…it is NOT okay to consume products that essentially aren’t real in any way, shape, or form. 

I had to learn this the hard way, but consuming processed ingredients is not a great way to lead your body down a healthy path. Do your body a huge favor and just say “NO” to everything processed.

There were quite a few significant products that I was forced to give up after discovering my own personal food sensitivities. Deciding to choose the route that completely detoxes everything synthetic from my diet may not have been my first choice at the time, but looking back over the past 10 years I only see positive changes. In many ways, this choice I was also forced to make actually saved my life. As a teenager, I didn’t realize the need for a change in my diet. Everything seemed just fine so I carried on like it was. It’s crazy how everything can seem peachy from an outside perspective, but on the inside a storm is actually brewing. 

My storm was Epilepsy. And once the storm broke loose with that very first seizure occurring in 2009, it seemed like my body’s level of sensitivity to everything food-related just sky-rocketed. I began realizing that certain foods I used to have no problem consuming could and would actually prompt a Grand Mal seizure. As you can imagine, this was a great motivating factor to drastically change my entire diet. 

I said goodbye to every processed food product I was so used to consuming and I began to do something incredibly foreign to my daily activities…I read ingredient labels. It was not an easy feat at first because some of those ingredient names are incredibly complicated! This activity has now become habit for me…I literally cannot purchase a product without first checking a label and sometimes it means double-checking (you never know when companies add new ingredients to their product). I continued this behavior because if it meant finding a product that had what I like to call a “Clean” ingredient label, it made sorting through the crazy ingredient names and individually researching the true composition of each ingredient totally worth it. 

At first, I had gotten very used to giving up practically every snack food because finding a “clean” ingredient label can sometimes feel impossible. It had reached a point where it was easier to bake something completely from-scratch than try and find a healthy, clean processed food product at the grocery store. It was definitely a challenge, but it wasn’t impossible. 

Late July Crackers started out as a miracle replacement for Ritz Crackers, but they have turned into a bit of a remedy for certain symptoms post-seizure. It is very strange and I have no explanation for my symptoms, but after a Grand Mal or Partial seizure I get what I would describe as “the Shivers.” It is actually very annoying because my whole body is shivering as if it is cold, even my teeth are chattering, but the temperature around me is normal. I don’t know if these same symptoms also occur for others who, like me, are coping with seizures, but if they do you’ll definitely want to keep reading!

Late July Crackers appealed to me because they taste exactly the same, maybe even a little better than Ritz Crackers. They have become a staple snack in my house because this product is clean, healthy, and a remedy of sorts for my post-seizure “shivers.” I usually eat about 3-4 crackers and without fail my shivers will stop and my brain seems to pull it together in a way that is both speedy and efficient. It is my go-to snack nowadays as well as my treatment option for post-seizure shivering. 

It is worth it to research every ingredient label because clean products, such as Late July’s Crackers, do exist and they do have the potential to go above and beyond their product description. 

Every person’s body is different and, therefore, reacts differently toward varying ingredient labels. So, even if this product doesn’t work the same for you at least you’ll still have a good quality, non-GMO, and Organic snack in your pantry! 

Below I have provided the Late July ingredient label and the Ritz Crackers ingredient label so that you can see the massive difference between the two products…

Late July Organic Classic Rich Flaky, Buttery Tasting Crackers Ingredient Label: 

Organic wheat flour, Organic evaporated cane sugar, Organic expeller pressed sunflower oil and/or Organic expeller safflower oil, Organic palm oil, Sea Salt, Leavening (baking soda, ammonium bicarbonate, cream of tartar).  

Ritz Crackers Ingredient Label:  

Unbleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid), Canola Oil, Palm Oil, Sugar, Salt, Leavening (Calcium Phosphate and/or Baking Soda), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor.   

The Canola Oil, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soy Lecithin, and Natural Flavor will each provoke a seizure in my brain all by themselves. To see these ingredients all mixed together in a single product is basically my biggest nightmare. Avoiding these types of ingredient labels is a must for anyone who wants to eat foods composed of REAL ingredients, not chemicals!  

 

Sources:

  1. Late July Organic Classic Rich Crackers Product Box: available at most health food stores
  2. Ritz Crackers (Original Flavor) Product Box: available at standard grocery stores

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Copyright Info:

All images, excluding those included in the web design, posted on [seizethedayblog.com] are taken by the owner. No images from external sources are used on this blog.

Proper credit should be attributed when republishing any material found on [seizethdayblog.com]. 

Keeping Up With Katie – Post #3

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

  • Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban

Trying to find the bright side in a challenging situation can feel like an impossible task for even the most cheerful of people. Charlotte’s Web Hemp Oil has been my light during the dark times that sometimes come with Catamenial Epilepsy. 

I have found that despite the challenges I face with my seizure disorder, I am still discovering so many new and positive effects from CW Hemp Oil. With anything new, there is always that period of trial and error. However, I have found lately that I am discovering helpful tips that I have been searching for, but due to circumstance, have been impossible to find. Best of luck to each and every one of my readers who may have needed a little extra help, but did not know where to find it. I hope this Keeping Up With Katie article gives you the boost you need!

Product details: 

Charlotte’s Web Hemp Oil, Olive Oil flavor

Keeping Up With Katie – Post #3


 

Sources:

Charlotte’s Web Hemp Oil, Olive Oil Flavor: https://www.cwhemp.com/cannabinoid-hemp-oil-cbd-supplement-everyday-advanced

Harry Potter Quote: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/harry_potter_and_the_prisoner_of_azkaban/quotes/

 

 

Keeping Up With Katie – Post #2

Seize the Day Blog Readers,

Well, an entire month has come and gone AGAIN! This can only mean one thing here on Seize the Day Blog…it’s time for a new post from my very special Keeping Up With Katie series!  

As you’ll see below, Post #2 explores more of my personal journey with Hemp Oil during the month of September 2018. 

I began using this Hemp product from the Charlotte’s Web by The Stanley Brothers corporation on July 20th 2018 and I promise to share ALL of my experiences with this product including the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. You never have to worry about biased evaluations because I am sharing firsthand exactly how this product affects both my total-body health and my current condition of Catamenial Epilepsy with the hope that it will help someone else dealing with similar health issues. 

In this case, September has been a month of positive activity and I am incredibly excited to share the wonderful improvements I have been experiencing over the past 4 weeks. I hope my feedback is both informative and helpful for those willing to take the time to read this very special article. 

As an epileptic, I understand the difficulties of living with a condition that can often put up roadblocks on the journey of Life. Therefore, I hope my own personal experience with this treatment method does help each and every reader requiring such a solution. In all honesty, Hemp oil was not my first choice, but as I’m coming to learn in just two short months of using this CW Hemp Oil…evaluating a product at face value and based upon here-say is never an appropriate way to determine its true worth. 

Month #2 with this product has been eye-opening, encouraging, and, most of all, beneficial.   

If you missed the first post from the series you can find it here or if you’d like more info on the series itself please check out the Introduction Article.

Please comment your feedback via Instagram & Twitter (@seizethedayblog) or feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com! Thank you!

Keeping Up With Katie: Post #1

Seize the Day Blog Readers,

It’s finally here! The very first post for the brand new Keeping Up With Katie series on Seize the Day Blog! For more details on what exactly I’ll be discussing click the link above to read the Introduction Article or click here to check out a sneak peek of the template & all five questions I’ll be answering below!

I hope you all enjoy my feedback on my own personal journey with Hemp Oil (also known as CBD oil) since beginning this Hemp product from the Charlotte’s Web by The Stanley Brothers corporation on July 20th 2018. As you’ll read below, August 2018 has been filled with lots of encouraging improvements and I hope September will be exactly the same!

Please comment your feedback via Twitter & Instagram (@seizethedayblog) or feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com! Thank you!

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Keeping Up With Katie: My Journey with CBD Oil Sneak Peek

Hello Seize the Day Blog readers!

I recently announced the start of a new series here on the blog titled Keeping Up With Katie. While I planned on posting the original article much sooner than September, I did not plan on some recent and incredibly inconvenient seizure activity. Do to these unexpected events, I have reluctantly postponed the introduction to September 1st. But, please be assured that I am still going to be kick-starting this series very soon and I hope you all enjoy the firsthand experience I have gained during my journey with Hemp Oil also known as CBD Oil.

To tide you over until Saturday, September 1st, I am sharing the official Keeping Up With Katie template to give you a sneak peak of what to expect from the brand new series! There are five questions included in the template and I will answer each question to the best of my ability during every Keeping Up With Katie post.

If you have any other questions you would like me to answer about my journey please comment via Twitter & Instagram (@seizethedayblog) or email me directly at Katie@seizethedayblog.com. Thanks!

Keeping Up With Katie logo, template, & related artwork were created by Lauren Dennis exclusively for Seize the Day Blog.

New Series Coming Soon: Keeping Up With Katie

Keeping Up With Katie: My Journey With CBD Oil

Short, sweet, and to the point, but still informative…isn’t that how most people prefer articles these days? Life is busy; therefore, we don’t always have the luxury of time to be able to sift through paragraphs of information. It is this same type of “lack of time” in my own life, which inspired my new weekly series, Keeping Up With Katie.

This series will be a blog post that follows along with my own week-to-week experience with using a hemp oil product. Each week I am going to discuss any increase or decrease in seizure activity, mental clarity, mood, anxiety, and any other changes that occur. This will be a very honest account of my exact experience with hemp oil. Please keep in mind that this is going to be a “trial and error” style of process, therefore, I am going to be learning as I go just the same as you.

Before I begin, let me first give you the backstory on how I reached my decision to start hemp oil. In addition, I will talk about the reasons behind why I chose to use this particular brand over all others and why it is set apart from every other hemp oil out there. Hopefully, if you are looking for a clean and reliable hemp product or have any questions regarding the impact of this product, Keeping Up With Katie will have the answer!

The truth is, I’m frequently making changes in my own daily routine, most that require a process of trial-and-error in order for me to truly determine whether a product or health tip is actually helpful from a long-term perspective. Personally, I have found another person’s experience to be the best source of knowledge on the unknown. Hopefully the knowledge I gain from experience will help each and every one of my readers, as well.

By sharing my experience with this product on a weekly basis, I hope to save someone else from the frustration of making the same mistakes I happen to make along the way. The good, the bad, and the ugly; it will all be included in order to help those of you who are hesitant to try such a product without first receiving some more background information.

The most recent addition to my daily routine and the product I will be exploring in this new series is a hemp extract oil produced by a company called Charlotte’s Web (CW) by the Stanley Brothers. The hemp oil I am currently using is called Hemp Extract Oil Advanced in the Olive Oil flavor.

So, what makes this CW Hemp Extract Oil so special? Well, that would require me to copy and paste their entire website into this post, which I’m sure infringes on some copyright guidelines. So instead, I’m simply going to share a short list of characteristics that initially caught my attention and set The Stanley Brothers’ product a part for me.

First of all, the utmost care is put into their production process. Their soils are tested for heavy metals before planting; they’re working on becoming certified Organic and still adhere to Organic methods in the meantime. No harmful pesticides or chemicals of any kind are sprayed on the crops, all products are gluten-free, vegan, Non-GMO, BPA-free, and are compliant with the American Herbal Products Association’s contaminant guidelines and specifications for Good Quality. To learn even more about the impressive standards embraced by the CW corporation, visit their website here.

I would also like to note that CW Advanced Hemp Extract Oil is composed of only 0.3% Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The rest is Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil and, because I have chosen the “Olive Oil” flavor, a little bit of olive oil. Basically, the CW hemp product is Low-THC (the strain in a hemp product that creates a “high” type of feeling) and High-CBD (the strain that helps the brain by treating problems such as pain, seizure activity, and many other health problems originating in the brain).

A main concern of mine when beginning a product containing an ingredient, such as THC, was the effect it would have on my ability to function. It has been a little over two weeks since beginning the CW Advanced Hemp Extract Oil and, so far, I have experienced zero interruptions in my daily life. This is yet another positive facet of the Low-THC/High-CBD characteristic part of the CW product. You can manage your health concern without worrying about your capability to function at home or at work.

To simplify the Keeping Up With Katie series even further, I will be keeping to a blueprint/outline of my own creation. This way, consistency and a sense of regularity will be guaranteed in every post! The blueprint will contain the following five questions, which I will answer to the best of my ability each week:

  1. Seizure Activity – Have there been any improvements? What general changes can be reported?
  2. How has your mental clarity been lately? Any significant or consistent changes?
  3. How has your mood been lately? How has the CBD oil affected your mood?
  4. Have there been any changes or improvements in your anxiety?
  5. What side effects have you noticed since beginning the CBD oil? If any can be reported, how have those side effects been to deal with? Are they short-term or long-term?

As of August 6, 2018, I have been using this CW Advanced Hemp Extract Oil for 18 days. Although it has barely been two weeks since beginning this product, I believe each question appropriately explores my personal journey (well, so far anyway!). I hope to reveal all of the new and enlightening information as I too am learning it. Beginning something new is never easy, but I’m hoping that this guided journey through my life with CW Advanced Hemp Extract Oil will be enough of an inside look into the product itself to solve any questions you might have.

When I hit that metaphorical brick wall in my own life, I didn’t know where to turn next. I needed to choose the path that would make things go from bad to better. The only challenge I faced was…How on Earth does one determine the exact path that will guarantee this outcome? Well, this is where things can get a bit tricky when all is said and done because it is patience from you and I that will ultimately lead us toward the answer we seek.

If we have patience, we will accumulate the wisdom necessary to determine the quality of a product. Therefore, I figured I’d begin this series by providing a brief history of my recent seizure activity and the positive decrease that has taken place since beginning the CW Advanced Hemp Extract Oil on July 20, 2018:

7/6—7/19 : 11 Gran mal seizures

7/20—8/6 (since beginning Hemp Oil) : 5 Gran mal seizures

The improvement in my overall condition is obvious and my seizure activity has been cut in half! The best part about CW Hemp Oil is that it can be used in combination with a variety of medical conditions, not just epilepsy.

I am so excited about the improvements I have already been experiencing. If someone else can experience these same benefits by using this high quality product, I hope each and every reader is inspired to give it a try. After only 18 days, CW Hemp Extract Oil has already begun to resemble a life-changing product for me. I can’t say for sure if this product is going to be a path with an outcome guaranteeing a happy ending for me where my epilepsy is concerned, but I am remaining hopeful! If you follow my weekly journey through the Keeping Up With Katie series you and I both will soon discover whether or not this product is what it appears to be.

One thing is for sure with the start of this new series, there are lots of good tips and tricks to come on Seize the Day Blog!

My first “official” Keeping Up With Katie post will be on the blog soon!!!

 

Sources:

Charlotte’s Web by The Stanley Brothers: 

  1. https://www.cwhemp.com
  2. https://www.cwhemp.com/blog
  3. https://www.cwhemp.com/about-us
  4. https://www.cwhemp.com/all-charlottes-web-cannabinoid-hemp-cbd-supplements

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.