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Epilepsy Insight: 5 Things I Would Do Differently at Diagnosis

Looking back on the past always seems to be a tricky business. There are bound to be a few things you wish you could change…if only you knew then what you know now! 

There is a very long list of things I would do differently at the time of my initial diagnosis with epilepsy. With all of the knowledge I have gained thanks to 10+ years of living with Catamenial Epilepsy, I have grown a lot as a person and as a patient. Most of all, I wish I had pursued holistic medicine from the very start. I have found so much success through these methods of healing, I can’t help but wonder if I would be completely healed today if I chose holistic methods back then…

The truth is, I don’t know. I may wonder from time to time about the answer to this question, but despite my regrets I am still grateful for the knowledge I have gained through the uncertainties part of living with epilepsy. 

That lack of understanding I started this journey with has now become a well-curated collection of information. And not just any information, but information derived from personal experience. Those trial and error processes can be terribly frustrating…they’re time consuming, challenging, and usually have a 50% chance of failure. It is the other 50% chance of success that keeps me going…You don’t know until you try, right?? Not everyone shares my enthusiasm for risk, but I am determined to find my own recipe for recuperation. Each day of my journey continues to perfect this recipe so, in the meantime, I thought it might be helpful to my fellow Epileptic Warriors out there to share some of the things I have learned whilst carving my own path. Who knows? Maybe it will help someone else avoid the same mistakes I made…I certainly hope so! More than anything I hope my upcoming insights serve as a guide to help others establish a foundation for their own trek toward healing. 

My biggest goal will always be to help others in similar circumstances avoid the same mistakes I made. Therefore, I would like to share the top 5 things I wish I had done differently at the time of my initial diagnosis. These also happen to be the fives things I would recommend other epileptics to do as well. These upcoming words are simply a suggestion, of course, for those willing to listen since I am not a medical professional. Whether it is the very first day of your diagnosis or 10 years later (like me), you are never too late to pursue total body healing.

That being said, let’s get to it, shall we?

 

1. Blood work

It is incredibly overwhelming to be diagnosed with a medical condition like epilepsy, therefore getting in-depth blood work completed isn’t always at the forefront of a person’s mind. Especially when he or she is simultaneously trying to figure out how to prevent his or her life from being turned completely upside down. I know, I’ve been there. 

This is my first recommendation and the action I wish I took when I was 15 years old because it is the key to discovering exactly why your body is having seizures. Seizures are misfires in the brain, therefore they are not supposed to be happening, but when they do happen there is always a cause. It’s up to you to find this cause and blood work is the best way to see what’s going on inside your body. You will be able to identify deficiencies, inflammation, and other issues that may be contributing to your seizure activity. 

So, I suggest you get thorough blood work completed, the Organic Acid Test from Great Plains Laboratory is a wonderful urine test that will give you a comprehensive examination of the current condition of your body’s vitamin and mineral levels at a metabolic level. You see, deficiencies are usually part of the problem. Where there are deficiencies there is also over-compensation happening within the body to supplement these deficiencies. However, this constant over-compensation usually results in even more deficiencies because, before you know it, all of your vitamin and mineral sources have been depleted in order to maintain balance. 

In the end, no balance has been achieved and now we have multiple deficiencies to fix instead of just the one. So, get a blood work panel and/or the OAT completed so that you will have a thorough examination of your levels…if you have deficiencies, pinpoint these so that you can work to heal them through food and vitamin supplements. Before attempting a “Plan for Healing” you must first understand what it is that needs to be healed. It will save you time and it will prevent lots of unnecessary trial and error. To read more about my deficiencies and why I wish I found them sooner, click here to read my experience with Vitamin D. 

 

2. Holistic Medicine

In 2009, at the time of my diagnosis, I had full and complete faith in the doctors of modern medicine. That is, until the only solutions they could provide me with were anti-epileptic drugs, birth control (for the hormone imbalance), and brain surgery. I wasn’t happy about any of these options, but what else was I supposed to do? At this point in time, you couldn’t even find a keyword match in Google for “Catamenial Epilepsy.” The only place my mom could find the slightest mention of “Catamenial Epilepsy” was in a medical journal written by a neurologist from the Mayo Clinic. It wasn’t much, but it was a lifeline for my family and I when we felt like we were going crazy over the possible hormone/seizure connection. 

One year after my diagnosis, I was received as a patient at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for one week of special testing and doctor appointments. I had already been placed on their general waitlist for the opportunity to come to the Mayo Clinic so it felt like a miracle when a spot unexpectedly opened for me. The prospect of having my particular case reviewed by some of the most highly-respected neurologists within the U.S. inspired a hope for normalcy for the first time since being diagnosed. 

However, when I sat down to discuss my circumstances with my neurologist, she had nothing new to add regarding Catamenial Epilepsy. The organization that authored a medical journal regarding the elusive subject failed to pass the knowledge on to the rest of their neurology department. At the end of my week of testing, her only solutions were more drugs and brain surgery with a success rate of 60%…not exactly ideal when we’re talking about the human brain. I’m not that keen on risk! The gynecologist’s only solution was birth control. Once again, a disappointment. 

I was met with a disappointing reality during my final consultation…

My solution does not lie within modern medicine. 

The birth control was the last straw! Previously, I had only suffered 3 gran mal seizures over the period of one year. After beginning the birth control, I had 14 gran mal seizures in one week. It turns out, the gynecologist from the Mayo Clinic prescribed me an estrogen based birth control despite my blood work results showing I was estrogen dominant and suffering from a severe progesterone deficiency. But sure, add in even more of the “excitable” hormone. Naturally, the seizure activity spiked due to the additional flow of estrogen. 

Immediately following this terrible increase of seizure activity (seizure activity that actually landed me in the back of an ambulance) holistic medicine finally became a serious consideration for me. I stopped taking the birth control, began pursuing holistic methods, and I haven’t looked back since. 

Visiting the Mayo Clinic is one of my biggest regrets from my past. What should have been an incredible opportunity to find healing instead left me worse off than I had been before. I constantly wonder what state my body would be in if I hadn’t taken that birth control. It definitely hasn’t been the same since! But it was definitely the push I needed to begin researching Holistic solutions. 

 

3. Diet Change

I had no idea just how bad my diet was when I had my first seizure. I was actually trying out the Special K diet at the time to supplement my workout schedule and to help support my body nutritionally. HA! If only I knew how little nutrition exists in any processed food product. This is the primary reason why our bodies struggle to fight off deficiencies from malnutrition…we are not eating the proper foods to supply much-needed vitamins and minerals naturally. So, of course deficiencies are rampant right now! 

Cut out the processed products such as frozen foods, chips, candy, cereal, sauces, etc. as soon as possible! Take charge and supply your body with foods composed of natural ingredients. Foods made from scratch in your own kitchen and made 100% with real ingredients. I know, this sounds scary AND I’m sure it sounds like a lot of work…but trust me on this one, every minute of your time you dedicate to your diet will benefit your body in the long run. In fact, your body will rejoice to have real food instead of chemical ingredients that typically compose the ingredient labels of those processed food products. I have three words for you, Made From Scratch. Need recipes in order to do so? The internet is your best ally where this is concerned because it is filled with lots of yummy recipes! Just check out some of the recipes I have here on Seize the Day Blog. 

People don’t always realize the reality of the internal damage that ensues from malnutrition. It is too easy to think, “Oh, everybody eats these food products, they’re fine! If they were really SO bad there is no way the FDA would approve these ingredients!” I used to think the same thing, then one night I woke up on the floor unable to speak, unaware of my location, and unable to recognize my own brother…do not wait for a drastic life event to inspire healthy change. Pursuing a healthier lifestyle is always a good idea!

 

4. Go Organic

Because I had no clue about the dangers of processed food products, I also failed to realize the necessity for Organic food products. In my eyes, there were never any particular characteristics that caught my eye because I never took the time to research the difference. It just seemed like a trendy diet choice to be “healthier.” I could not be more wrong! Harmful and cheap pesticides are used by the majority of non-Organic farms, therefore protecting one’s body from these chemicals should always be a priority whether you’re struggling with a health condition or not. The fact is, Organic foods are better for you. The Organic growing methods eliminate pesticides and they are typically Non-GMO. Personally, I find these two characteristics vital for every food group because I’d rather not consume something that holds the potential to harm my body. 

Preventing the build up of chemicals within your cells will actually be possible by saying NO to non-Organic foods and YES to Organic in every area of your diet. The average grocery stores, such as Vons, are consistently their Organic food selection, which is incredibly convenient! Lucky for those of us seeking organic diets, there are lots of wide spread specialty Organic grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Market, and Trader Joe’s (if you are in the U.S.). Whole Foods is definitely my favorite, but each of these stores carry an amazing selection of organic foods! Sprout’s Market offers coupons too, so if you’re looking to purchase organic groceries and not break the bank…this place is for you! I understand how expensive these products are so do as much as you can, but also be sure to meal prep before you grocery shop so that you do not make any unnecessary purchases.

 

5. Research Seizure Triggers   

The mind/gut connection has always been a highly debated subject in modern medicine. Why people are so eager to refute this theory is quite baffling to me because my own personal experience has shown me firsthand that more than a connection exists between the brain and the digestive system. The foods you eat can affect more than just your midsection, they can also impact your seizure activity. Every person is different, therefore some amount of trial and error will be necessary to determine any seizure triggers unique to You. In the meantime,  information on foods known to be trigger seizures in epileptics of all ages is available and it is best to make yourself aware of the potential risks as soon as possible. 

I often feel like I am much more sensitive than other people since being diagnosed with epilepsy. Food can be my best friend or my greatest enemy. There is no in between, unfortunately, so it is important to be aware of the typical foods that tend to increase seizure activity beforehand. My goal in sharing this little tip is so that I can help other epileptics to actively avoid these same foods in their own diets. It is also a great first step in working toward a healthier diet overall. I know that I am always working to minimize my seizure activity so just in case some of my readers are also interested, keep reading for a few foods you should always say NO to!  

In particular, soy, caffeine (this includes coffee and chocolate), alcohol, sage, cloves, grapefruit, fermented foods, and refined sugar are ingredients that consistently impact epileptics. These are only a few of the most basic triggers, therefore I highly recommend doing your own research on the full list of foods. 

Soy is my prime seizure trigger. If I had known this sooner I would have cut all soy-related products and food types from my diet immediately. Since this is one of my recommendations for other epileptics I obviously did not do it for myself back in 2009. Instead, it took a seizure in the middle of a P.F. Chang’s Restaurant to wake me up to the severe food allergy/seizure trigger I had acquired along with my diagnosis of epilepsy. One thing is for sure, life is never boring! In this case, however, I would prefer boring and I would like to help prevent any chaos for those also struggling with epilepsy…take the time to do some research, knowledge is always worth the time spent!  

Throughout this journey with Epilepsy I feel like I have always and will continue to learn something new everyday. I’m no genius on the subject nor am I a medical professional. I would simply like to help prevent some seizure activity for my fellow Epilepsy Warriors across the globe by sharing my personal experience. Although I cannot change my past decisions, hopefully my recommendations above will help those of you reading this to avoid the same mistakes I made. I am incredibly grateful for all that I have learned through the trial and error experiences, but what good is this knowledge if I do not share it with others? 

So, best of luck to each and every one of you! You are not alone in your battle! If you have any questions about the information I provided above, please feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com. 

Thank you for reading!

Vitamin D: A Prime Cornerstone of Your Total Body Health

 

What comes to mind when I mention Vitamin D??? Probably sunshine, milk, and maybe even fish. For me, I always think of the milk jugs at the grocery store. Especially the one with the cute little logo of a cow and the huge balloon letters above announcing “Vitamin D Added” and basically screaming to the consumer “Yes, this is healthy, please buy me!!!” Society has taught us to associate Vitamin D with milk or sunshine, however, it has failed to convey that Vitamin D is so much more than spotted cows and sun rays. For starters, Vitamin D isn’t a vitamin at all! This so-called “vitamin” is actually a hormone and it is a crucial part of your well-being…

We’re always told that we need Vitamin D to be healthy, but we’re never informed of the reasons why. Why is it so important that I drink milk, eat fish, and spend time out in the sunshine?? As a child, I always figured that Vitamin D is necessary because it is called a Vitamin so my body must need it…that seems reasonable enough, right? The answer to this question is always YES. Your body does need Vitamin D to function properly. However, your body needs the correct amount and the correct form of Vitamin D in order to supplement your body’s need for this important nutrient. 

In my case, I simply believed that my body was getting ALL of the necessary vitamins and minerals through the chewable Flintstones vitamins I had every morning as a child. Little did I know these supplements are actually equivalent to sidewalk chalk in both texture and nutritional value. Plus, my eating habits at the time were terrible! My intake of chemicals from processed food products was higher than my intake of good old fashioned vitamins and nutrients. Unknowingly, I was prepping my body for disaster…

I assumed my body was super healthy because, on the outside, it did appear that way. However, on the inside I was deteriorating and a lot of that had to do with my lack of Vitamin D. Not the synthetic Vitamin D that is added to products like milk, but the natural kind of Vitamin D that is found in organic food products such as dark leafy greens and wild caught fish. 

So, why is the need for Vitamin D so important?? Well, not only does this vitamin/hormone provide the foundation for the human body’s ability to absorb and assimilate other key hormones, but it also contributes greatly to proper brain function.

I only recently learned that a Vitamin D deficiency alone is enough to cause epileptic seizures. In fact, it is highly recommended by holistic doctors that any person experiencing seizures should get a blood test done to check their bodily levels of Vitamin D. Here is a question for my fellow epileptic warriors out there…Have you ever been told by your neurologist to have your Vitamin D levels checked??? If your answer is “Yes” than Yay for you and I’m super jealous of the amazing neurologist you apparently have! Unfortunately, for the majority of people the most common answer to this question is NO. 

I recently met with my own neurologist and he was genuinely surprised at the possibility of a Vitamin D deficiency being the cause of my epilepsy. He had no knowledge of the connection between Vitamin D and the brain. 

Vitamin D was never even mentioned to me by any of the medical professionals I visited over these past ten years of living with epilepsy. Whether it was at my local hospital or the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. There was always zero mention of “Vitamin D.” This is why I am so eager to share my personal experience with Vitamin D in relation to epilepsy. It is necessary for proper brain function and, if you are struggling with epileptic seizures, it may be just what you need!

Take a look at my own deficiency and my body’s reaction to the holistic Vitamin D supplement I began just three months ago…

In January, I finally found a Holistic doctor who prompted me to get blood work done that specifically measures my levels of Vitamin D. As per usual, the blood work results presented a helpful numerical zone indicating the general “Healthy” level for all human beings. In this case, the ideal level was somewhere between 30 and 100. With 30 being considered as a deficient level and, therefore, concerning. 

I expected my levels to be low, but I never expected what the test results displayed…

I literally did a double take when I checked my result page and found my level to be “1.” Yep, that’s right numero uno. Basically, I have no Vitamin D whatsoever in my body.

My first thought was, “How can a person’s body even function with that amount of Vitamin D?” Or lack thereof I guess I should say. I’m living proof that a body can function without Vitamin D, but it definitely cannot function properly. I should have known something was amiss when my actual neurologist (as opposed to his office staff) contacted me to both announce the arrival of my test results and to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. During my appointment, he immediately began discussing ways to help treat my extreme deficiency…I had passed the level of concern and landed somewhere in the region of emergency. 

According to Healthline, “In the US, current guidelines suggest that consuming 400-800 IU (10-20 mcg) of vitamin D should meet the needs of 97% – 98% of all healthy people.” This would equal out to 5,600 IU of vitamin D per week if doing the 800 IU dose. Apparently I fell into the 2% – 3% that requires a different level…

My neurologist recommended I begin a weekly dose of 50,000 IU of Vitamin D immediately. I was wide-eyed when he announced that dose, I mean fifty thousand…is a dose that large even possible?? His prescription was for an over-the-counter synthetic Vitamin D supplement that I would take once a week. This is always an option, of course, but I have plenty experience with synthetic vitamins to know that this is not the best option. I was also concerned that 50,000 IU of Vitamin D all at once might be a bit of a shock to my body.  

When introducing any new supplements to my daily regimen, I move like a turtle to avoid increasing my seizure activity. If the dose calls for 2 tablets, I begin with 1 tablet for at least a week (sometimes even a month) before adding in the second tablet. Lucky for me, there are other options for Vitamin D supplements besides pharmaceutical drugs that will not only allow me to apply my turtle-like pace, but will also supply my body with vitamin D in its natural form. 

I am currently using “Seeking Health Optimal Vitamin D Drops,” which is an organic liquid supplement. One drop contains 2,000 IU of Vitamin D3. So, I began by slowly introducing one drop, waited for a week and introduced another drop until I reached the recommended dose of 50,000 IU. It took a month to reach the full dose (like I said, I move at a turtle’s pace), but I finally did it. Currently, I am taking 4 drops and 8,000 IU of Vitamin D daily, which brings my weekly total to 56,000 IU of Vitamin D. 

I frequently read warnings about giving your body too much Vitamin D and, therefore, creating other issues. However, due to my extreme deficiency, my body has been loving this extra-large dose! I began taking the Vitamin D on 3/16/19 and it only took ten days before my body began showing evidence of absorption. I had one more gran mal seizure on 3/26/19 before I began seeing a decrease in my seizure activity, both gran mal seizures and partial seizures. 

Here is a brief summary of my seizure activity over the past three months since beginning the Vitamin D3 supplement:

March 2019 (I began Vitamin D on 3/16/19) – 11 Gran Mal Seizures, 13 Partial Seizures 

April 2019 – 0 Gran Mal seizures, 9 Partial Seizures

May 2019 – 0 Gran Mal seizures, 9 Partial Seizures

June 2019 (so far) – 1 Gran Mal seizure, 4 Partial Seizures

I was so excited to share my experience with Vitamin D particularly because of the immense success I have experienced. If I’m being honest, 2017 and 2018 were my most difficult years I have ever experienced as an epileptic. Not only was my seizure activity at an all time high, but I had also reached a point where improvement seemed impossible to obtain. I understand what it feels like to hit rock bottom, so if this is the case for anyone out there Do Not lose hope just yet! Something as simple as a vitamin supplement has made a world of difference for me and I believe it is something worth exploring for every epileptic. 

Yes, I just recently had one gran mal seizure in June, however, prior to that occurrence I went 80 days without a single seizure. Almost three months. My seizure activity hasn’t been this low since the very first year I was diagnosed with Epilepsy. 

To fix any deficiency in the human body takes time. My body went fifteen years depleting itself of Vitamin D (and a number of other vitamins too!), therefore, it is going to take time to build those same levels back to a healthy point. Not everyone requires such extreme Vitamin D supplementation, but for those who are deficient I recommend getting a jump on this sooner rather than later. I certainly wish I had! Oh the things I wish I knew during those first years of diagnosis…

The natural form of Vitamin D is something that every person needs to understand before they can go about supplementing their bodies correctly… 

For starters, let’s debunk those silly stereotypes that have been associated with Vitamin D. It took me years to discover that I am NOT eating healthy when I drink a glass of milk with my breakfast. Why? Well, the added Vitamin D is not the kind of Vitamin D you want in your body because it is a synthetic form of the hormone. The corporations claiming to offer a better quality product are actually doing the exact opposite. Dairy products come from pregnant cows, therefore milk is already swimming with plenty of hormones in its natural state. No extra hormones are required to improve milk’s effect on your long-term health, especially synthetic forms of a vitamin! As is the case with every other hormone, consuming synthetic hormones will actually disrupt your body’s natural ability to produce said hormone. Drinking milk infused with synthetic Vitamin D will only disrupt your body’s ability to function properly and naturally. What I’m trying to say is that even though the jug of milk may scream “Vitamin D” and “Healthy,” you’re actually buying into a societal lie. Milk is not your #1 source for Vitamin D. 

If you are a big fan of milk, but you don’t want the synthetic hormones in your body, try Organic Raw Milk. Unfortunately, you will usually have to purchase this type of milk through a private farm to guarantee that it is truly raw. This may sound like a total inconvenience, but there are actually many private farms just here in the United States who are capable of shipping items cross country. 

My favorite is Miller’s Organic Farm, it is a Private Membership Association therefore you must pay a fee to become a member in their farmshare before you can purchase any products. Once a member, you can order as many products as you wish and they offer a wonderful variety! I actually purchase all of my dairy products through this farm because everything is raw! Nothing is added, it is straight from the cow just as it should be! The farm is located in Pennsylvania and they have no trouble shipping my groceries all the way to California. To get in contact with Miller’s Organic Farm visit the link above or call (717) 556-0672. 

Even though raw dairy products are filled with lots of wonderful nutrients, I have found that they are not your best source for Vitamin D. And No, drinking milk on a daily basis will not provide your body with all of the vitamins it requires. 

Next, we have the sun. The lengthy list of people who have told me that sunshine is my best source for Vitamin D has probably surpassed my own height and continues to grow. The sun is a wonderful source of Vitamin D, however, it is incredibly difficult to absorb large amounts of Vitamin D from sunshine. Direct sunlight must be on the skin in order for any Vitamin D to be absorbed. It cannot penetrate clothing and seep into your skin below the fabric. The areas covered by clothing are blocked from Vitamin D absorption. In addition, cosmetic products such as makeup, lotion, body oils, and sunscreen or tan lotion block your body’s ability to absorb Vitamin D from the sun. So, in order to absorb a large amount of Vitamin D you must sit out in the sun for hours without any clothing on. Does anyone have the time for this? And what if it is Winter? Yikes! Not your best source of Vitamin D either. Although sunshine and fresh air for other purposes are always great ideas! 

The truth is, Vitamin D is sourced in numerous foods, however, a large amount of people aren’t consuming organic food products. Nowadays, if you actually want healthy food you really have to work for it! Those organic prices are no joke! However, I have found the benefits of foods without pesticides and other horrible chemicals greatly outweigh the cost. 

Lastly, I would like to discuss the hormonal side of Vitamin D. The human body naturally interprets every hormone it receives through hormone receptors. You have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, testosterone receptors, and Vitamin D receptors (just to name a few). The source of these different hormones varies and, unfortunately, a lot of these hormones may be synthetic due to dirty hormones existing in processed food products, skincare, the environment, etc. It is these dirty hormones that we need to avoid as best we can in our personal regimens due to the fact that the human body cannot interpret something that is not meant to be absorbed. Dirty hormones are often stored in our cells because our bodies literally have no idea what to do with them. This may sound harmless, but dirty hormones can be stored in the human body for years and years. If you are constantly exposed to dirty hormones on a daily basis, this storage becomes an impressive collection that will begin disrupting your body’s ability to function properly. This yet another reason why eating organic is an absolute must for your long-term health. 

Dirty sources of Vitamin D exist just the same and need to be avoided in order to successfully supplement this nutrient. All synthetic versions of Vitamin D are dirty sources…that milk I discussed earlier with the cute little cow on the front happens to be the perfect example of such sources. These synthetic sources will be received by your body, however, they will be stored in your cells instead of being disbursed to the proper locations where they can be absorbed like natural Vitamin D. 

Vitamin D is considered a hormone because of the way it is read and disbursed by your hormone receptors. While other vitamins are sent to a variety of locations throughout the human body, Vitamin D is sent to the area with other hormones. Not only is it sent to this location, but it is also the foundational hormone necessary to keep the rest of your hormone levels stable. Your levels of Vitamin D will determine how many of your hormones are produced and assimilated. 

Personally, this has been quite the mind-blowing epiphany since my type of epilepsy (Catamenial Epilepsy) is caused by a hormone imbalance. It truly is no wonder why I am struggling with seizures once you consider my Vitamin D levels in relation to the rest of my hormones. I lacked that foundation of healthy Vitamin D levels, therefore, many of my other hormones failed to absorb correctly, as well. Currently, I am working on building my levels of Vitamin D through natural supplementation with the hope that one day soon the rest of my hormones will become stable and my epileptic seizures will finally seize (pun intended :-)). 

Every human body is different, therefore, each person’s recipe for success will vary. Vitamin D seems to be working wonders for me, but this is one epileptic’s experience. My intention is not to diagnose or treat any medical condition, it is to share with anyone willing to read my blog that a solution may be out there and if I can somehow help another’s journey my goal has been reached! If you have any further questions for me about Vitamin D or anything else, please feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com. I am more than happy to provide feedback! 

 

Sources:

Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-dosage#section2

Miller’s Organic Farm: www.amosmillerorganicfarm.com

Vitamin D Supplement via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Servings-Physician-Formulated-Seeking-Health/dp/B003800UXG

 

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: 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.

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.

RAW HONEY: The Sweet & Sticky Side of Natural Skincare

Finding a healthy, chemical-free set of skincare products has been an absolute nightmare for me lately! There are so many reputable companies proudly claiming that their products are paraben-free, phlalate-free, and sulfate-free, but the ingredients in their formulas say the exact opposite. Some days I research products for hours without finding any cleansers, toners, serums, or moisturizers that are truly chemical-free.

Not to mention, fad ingredients like Rosehip are becoming widespread amongst the little guys and huge corporations producing skincare products for the face and body. And while Rose hydrosol is an incredibly beneficial ingredient for balancing your overall complexion, its sister ingredient, Rosehip, is an absolute nightmare for your hormones because it naturally increases your estrogen levels. Be careful not to mistake the two ingredients when reading the label of a product because though they do share a similar source, one can benefit your overall body while the other can act as a hormone disruptor.

Little side notes like these are crucial for me when choosing a skincare regime because I’m already fighting against estrogen dominance. I need a product that is going to compliment my health not capitalize on an existing issue. Is this such a grand request to make for the products I put on the most absorbable organ in the human body? We may not always see the pores in our skin, but they’re there just the same and they will absorb the cosmetic products you put atop them.

I’ve gotten to a point where looking to cosmetic companies for products containing clean and healthy ingredients is no longer an option. Honestly, with the large amounts of poor quality ingredients being approved for use these days, finding good-quality skincare products is yet another overwhelming feat to accomplish. It’s seriously almost as difficult as trying to find organic jalapenos at the grocery store. Whenever I do find them, I can’t help but do a little victory dance in the produce section. I may look crazy, but I just found pesticide-free jalapenos…and do you know what that means?? Bacon, Jalapeno, and goat cheese grilled cheese sandwiches! Yum (psst…there’s a link to the recipe included)!

Back to the topic of skincare…

Should we just give up and use the substandard products? Oh how those cosmetic companies would love for you to do this and use their products! But, my answer will always be no! I already have seizures, I’m not exactly looking to add anything else to my medical history. If you’re teetering between using the standard chemical-filled products and truly healthy products, remember this one very important fact: You deserve better! Your body deserves better! And so does your overall self-esteem!

Be better than synthetic-filled products! Living a healthy lifestyle just feels good because it’s good for you! Also, if you’re experiencing problems with acne and breakouts, consider this: are these chemicals helping to clear up your issue or are they contributing to it? Logic tells us that bad ingredients will produce bad results while good ingredients can’t help but improve upon your body. When you put a moisturizer, for example, on your face, the effects are far more than just skin deep, contrary to what you see in the mirror.

I recently took the high road and ditched the commercial skincare products altogether. They weren’t producing the results I was looking for anyway, plus I wasn’t feeding my body nutrients by putting those chemicals onto my skin. In reality, I was actually poisoning my body and getting nothing in return except poor health. No extra soft skin, no perfect pH balance, no clear skin. I’ve reached the point where I’m no longer asking “Which product should I try next?” rather I’m starting to wonder “Why am I choosing to poison my body?” It’s as though I’ve hit a brick wall in the search for the perfect skincare regime. Honestly, now I’m questioning my methods altogether.

Well, the dilemma with this confusion brings us right back to the commercial skincare industry.

Society tells us that we should use these amazing and cutting-edge brands that have not only been promoted by well-known dermatologists, but are advertise incessantly on social media platforms, television, and paper advertisements. We don’t always realize it, but we’re bombarded by this industry on a daily basis to believe their lies…one lie in particular: buy these types of products if you want positive results. So it really shouldn’t come as that much of a shock to discover that everyone and their brother not only uses this particular method, but views it as the normal way (and sometimes the only way) to treat skin issues, as well.

I certainly fell for these lies! Even after I ditched the chemical skincare products, I was still searching for something similar only healthy. I’m talking about still using the same basic system recommended by the dermatologists. If you look at any supposed “well-rounded” skincare system, it is typically comprised of a cleanser, a toner, possibly a serum (depending on the severity of your acne), and a moisturizer. Some other systems also recommend an eye cream and some sort of spot treatment for stubborn cystic acne. But wait, there’s more! An exfoliant once a week to clean dead skin off the surface of your face is held in high regard by skincare professionals AND on top of all this, a facemask to replenish your skin and make it “glow.” I’ve used plenty of facemasks over the years from a variety of brands and I’m still yet to see my skin “glow.”

If you want to get really complicated, you can also try the Korean method which uses anywhere from 7-15 different products in the routine. I wouldn’t recommend this method to anyone who is typically in a rush in the mornings. Not only is it time-consuming, but it is also complicated. I have tried this method and I have to admit that using 7 products for my regime did produce decent results in my skin, but it was nothing to brag about. In fact, I’ve actually had better results from using only 3-4 products. As you can imagine, this amount of products from a name brand company cost a pretty penny! Worst of all, at the end of the day, the penny was prettier than my skin and I was sick of it!

I then moved on to a more natural form of skin treatment. I found some products by a company called Rawsum Organics that are natural enough to eat. The company called their product raw skincare because not only were their ingredients natural, they were also organic and food grade! Their set consisted of the standard cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and exfoliant. However, instead of a huge ingredient list only found on the packaging because it is literally too long to fit on the product itself, the entire set of skincare printed each ingredient label loud and proud on the very front of each bottle. Why? Probably because the ingredient list for the cleanser only consisted of four ingredients total, the toner 3 ingredients, the moisturizer 3 ingredients, and the exfoliant also 3 ingredients. You could combine the ingredient lists of the all four products and it would still be less than the ingredient list of one commercial product. Who knew this even existed??? I was shocked when I found the set, but more than anything it restored my hope that maybe the cosmetic industry isn’t completely devoid of good quality manufacturers.

I used these edible skincare products for almost two months and never experienced any interference with my epilepsy. Typically, skincare products contain the soy-derived ingredient, Tocopherol, which is a seizure trigger for me, personally. To my great relief, Rawsum did NOT use any soy-derived ingredients. To my great dismay, they did use other ingredients that just did not react well with my skin-type. I have oily skin naturally and although I noticed the Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, and Castor Oil ingredients on the labels, I was desperate for something free of chemicals. As expected, my skin reacted with increased breakouts and an incredibly uneven skin tone. It reached a point that made it absolutely necessary for me to make a change. I still recommend the Rawsum products to anyone with a dry skin complex, but Oily-Combination skin types should be wary. There is no guarantee that your skin will react the same way mine did, but it’s always good to be careful!

When the raw products didn’t work out, I had absolutely no idea what to do next. Finding the Rawsum products was a miracle from God, I knew that trying to find something similar was going to be a long shot. I stopped researching products being sold by other organizations and started researching DIY skincare. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, I do it with food all the time, so why couldn’t I do it with my skin products, too? Plus, if I was able to find a decent recipe for a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, it would be a guarantee that I was finally feeding my skin instead of harming it.

Why hadn’t I thought of this sooner??? Well, I have but other rabbit trails got in the way and my actually pursuing the idea. Part of me probably thought it was going to be too much work and the other part of me still had faith in the skincare industry. I was also skeptical about whether or not I could actually make something that would be beneficial, not just some crazy concoction that pales in comparison to the typical products with the perfect texture being sold today. I failed to look past the outer and focus on the inner because the ingredients of these products are far from perfect.

This time around, I was out of any other ideas, I had already tried the majority of options provided by commercial products, and my skin was NOT looking good.

I was way past the point of “pulling out the big guns” and I had reached the state of desperation where, as anyone who has also been in my shoes knows, anything is possible. And I do mean anything!

My skin had seen better days and I wanted nothing more than to clear it up. The acne on my face and neck confirmed the obvious…my pores were being clogged by my previous choice of skincare and the visible blockage was spreading quickly…I needed a miracle and I needed it yesterday.

As I researched recipes for a healthy cleanser, one ingredient kept popping up in a majority of the recipes. It was Raw Honey. Huh…so simple. Was it actually possible with its natural sucrose structure to improve my acne rather than add to the existing problem? The answer is yes. Honey is famous for being anti-bacterial and healing to the skin. Though we mostly use honey for eating purposes these days, this delicious nature given product was commonly used amongst medical professionals as a disinfectant to treat burns, cuts, and other minor injuries. As it turns out, honey has been used to heal the skin for generations…we just forgot this helpful information thanks to all of the commercial products that have been created over the years to replace it (although not one of them has ever been able to compete with the natural abilities of raw honey). You can’t create God-given abilities in a lab, no matter how hard those scientists try! I’m sorry to burst those scientists’ bubble (actually, I’m not), but Honey is one of a kind! I just like to give a shout out to those hard working bees across the globe…thanks for doing what you little guys do day in and day out!

Right now, I don’t know what I would do without raw honey and I hate to think about what my skin might look like if this simple product wasn’t the beneficial powerhouse history has proven it to be!

I decided to skip a DIY recipe and go back to the basics instead. I started using just straight up organic raw honey (I prefer Tropical Traditions, you can’t beat the quality of their product!) on my face instead. After I get out of the shower, I spread an even layer of honey on my face and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. I usually leave it on my face for the full ten minutes just so that the honey has plenty of time to really get into my pores and clear out the bacteria causing my breakouts. After ten minutes, I wet my hands with warm water, not hot water! Hot water will kill the beneficial elements in the honey that not only clean your skin, but naturally balance the pH levels in your skin, as well. Bye, bye red blotchy skin when you use raw honey as your cleanser and toner!

Once your hands are wet, take some time to thoroughly rub the honey into your skin. Think of it as working the honey even deeper into those pores. In this way, you will also incorporate water into the honey mask, loosening the sticky layer, and making it much easier to wash off.

Once the honey is completely removed, I like to pat dry my skin using a washcloth. Instead of rubbing the cloth across your face, pat your skin so that you are not wiping away any honey residue that might be left. When I say residue, I mean the good stuff that is happily soaked into your skin already, not the leftover sticky substance that was missed while washing. I’m not expecting you to leave any honey on your face all day, that would be inconvenient for anyone. By all means, wet your washcloth and wipe that honey off!

The pat dry method helps to further work the honey soaked into your pores further into your skin. You definitely want this on your skin all day, which is why I have chosen not to use a toner afterward.

The toner is a potent cleansing device that will wipe away anything on the surface of the skin. It does not discriminate, therefore, it will wipe away the beneficial matter in addition to the detrimental matter. Using a toner means removing the healthy leftover honey in your pores, you do not want to do this nor do you need to! The honey is already attending to this issue.

The toner is also created to help restore balance in your skin’s pH levels, but the honey takes care of this issue too (and much more successfully than any other product I’ve used in the past). So I have found it to be irrelevant in my honey based skincare routine.

I do, however, still follow up the honey with my moisturizer despite the fact that I am yet to find a chemical-free commercial moisturizer product or a decent diy recipe for this particular product. I’m still on the lookout and once I find one I will be sure to announce it here on Seize the Day Blog. Until then, I’m stuck with what I have. I tried only using the honey and not following it up with anything, but my skin felt shriveled, tight, and like it needed a serious drink of water. If you have any suggestions for a natural and chemical free moisturizer, please comment!

I apologize that I do not have a healthy moisturizer to recommend in combination with the Raw Honey. However, if you are interested in the moisturizer I am currently using and which I have found to be the best yet in accordance with all skin types, I can most definitely share that info!

The brand is Karin Herzog and it is called Oxygen Face. For a more intense moisture delivery I recommend the brand’s Vitamin H Cream. My mom uses this one and she loves it! Both products ship the fastest from amazon if you are interested in trying them out (there is a link with the product name above and in the sources list below). The ingredient list isn’t perfect, but it is free of soy-derived ingredients and I do not have a seizure when I use it! This is a huge benefit for me and also says something for the overall quality of the moisturizer despite the chemicals.

Who knew that something as well-known as honey, could be so beneficial for human skin? It took about three days to begin seeing serious changes in the amount of acne on my face, but it only took one use to begin seeing healing. I honestly could not believe my skin when I looked in the mirror after rinsing off the honey mask for the first time. Not only that, it felt good to put something on my skin that I knew was healthy for it, truly healthy. I haven’t been able to say that about my skincare in a long time! Finally, an affordable product that will treat your skin at a miraculous rate! Honey is fed to people from all walks of life on a daily basis, so why not feed it to your skin too???

 

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.

Sources:

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2008/12/estrogen-in-moisturizers-may-worsen.html

https://www.dermstore.com/product_Vitamin+H+Cream_13414.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQjwnubLBRC_ARIsAASsNNlo1amiPsI9WPx5u52-alnzf63GxCphbxHxqwaUxAmBVrc1bOThXc4aAmIHEALw_wcB&scid=scplp13414&sc_intid=13414&utm_source=fro&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_term=skin+care&utm_campaign=500686

https://www.amazon.com/Karin-Herzog-Oxygen-Face-Ounce/dp/B0002Y5JC8

https://us.karinherzog.com/en/about-us

https://healthytraditions.com/organic-raw-honey-17-6-oz-glass-jar.html

http://www.rawsumorganics.com/mini-kit.html

http://www.rawsumorganics.com

Rosewater

https://wellnessmama.com/13344/homemade-honey-face-wash/

Hormone Overload: Phytoestrogens & Xenoestrogens

Hormones are one of those incredibly relatable topics because we ALL have them and we ALL deal with them in one way or another during multiple points of our lives. A lot of us are probably thinking back to those puberty days when acne and unstable emotional reactions were at an all time high, but the truth is hormones are with you at every stage of life. Our bodies just happen to cope with them differently depending on the stage. So, yes, our bodies do outgrow the acne and emotional breakdowns, but unfortunately, we never fully leave those pesky hormones in the past.

Here’s the main problem I happen to have with hormones: keeping them stable. I do not believe hormones were this difficult to control in the good old days when people cooked more at home using recipes and real ingredients.

What I mean by this is that when someone wanted to make fajitas for dinner (maybe for game night?), they would make fajitas and everything required from scratch using only fresh ingredients. No, I’m not kidding. People used to cook everything using the “from scratch” method and you know what? They were a lot healthier because of it!

Are you wondering why I chose such a random food to use as an example? There is a rhyme to my reason. I actually just finished making crock-pot fajitas for dinner tonight; they’re slowly cooking as I type this sentence.

In addition to a multitude of other ingredients, the recipe I used (link above) calls for 1 pack of fajita seasoning, 1 jar of salsa, and 1 bag of frozen fajita mix veggies.

I am extremely sensitive to the majority of ingredients used in processed foods so obviously this wasn’t an option for me, personally. But, for many other people, they’re just fine with these “short-cuts” and take advantage of the time saving options offered by the local grocery store. Yes, these do provide you with a bit more time to put toward other priorities in your life, but the minutes given back are only momentary. The long-term effects of these poor quality, processed food products can last a lifetime. They chip away at your health as if it was old paint on the side of a building until you are left with nothing but a weak immune system or worse, a serious illness.

You don’t want to chip away at the paint; you want to add a topcoat in order to protect the existing paint. Fresh ingredients will serve as your topcoat because they contain the vitamins and nutrients the human body needs in order to function properly. So, instead of using a jar of salsa, I found a fantastic recipe for blender salsa and made it completely from scratch. No need to worry about hidden ingredients because I chopped, peeled, minced, and measured every single one!

Instead of settling for a packet of fajita seasoning (notoriously known for containing large amounts of monosodium glutamate (MSG)), I made my own using common ingredients found in your typical spice rack (in other words, real not synthetic!).

Lastly, we have the bag of frozen fajita mix veggies…honestly, it’s as if these food companies are selling laziness. It really isn’t that much work to slice up a few bell peppers. I would know since I just finished doing it not even 30 minutes ago! There is something about frozen foods; they have this funky aftertaste that I really can’t stand! I know freezing food is supposed to prolong its shelf life, but sometimes it tastes stale once you cook it! Bypass this issue or even the possibility of this issue by skipping the frozen foods altogether. You’ll find fresh bell peppers to be much more flavorful when they’re baking in the crock-pot. At this point, it is more about the quality of meal you want to prepare than it is the extra five minutes you are trying to save.

So what do hormones and fajitas have in common?? Here’s the powerful thing about food…depending on what you eat, the effect on your health can be beneficial or it can be detrimental. It’s up to you and the choices you make in your everyday diet that will determine which category you fall into. Ideally, people want to be in the “beneficial” group. Realistically, the majority of people (especially in America where fast food has become second nature) are eating themselves into the “detrimental” group.

Fast food is not the primary culprit, either. Products such as fajita seasoning packets, salsa from a jar, and frozen foods are contributing factors, as well. The ingredient label on any processed food product never fails to be polluted by synthetic ingredients.

Though this is an unfortunate fact about the food industry today, there are actually two synthetic ingredients in particular that I would like to discuss. They are called Phyto-Estrogens and Xeno-Estrogens, perhaps you have heard of them already. If not, continue for a full description and how to avoid these dangerous ingredients. They have grown quite popular in recent years and are, therefore, included in a vast amount of processed food products.

You probably noticed the female hormone, Estrogen, in the name of these two ingredients. If you were wondering, No, these are not naturally produced forms of Estrogen. They are synthetic and they are detrimental to your hormone stability whether you are male or female.

Here’s the thing about Phyto-Estrogens and Xeno-Estrogens, they are imposter ingredients that have been created in a lab. If you look up the word “phyto” in Webster’s Dictionary, you will find its Greek origin to be ‘phuton,’ meaning ‘plant’ or ‘phuein,’ meaning ‘come into being.’ Do the same thing with “xeno” and you will find the Greek origin to be xenos, meaning ‘stranger, foreigner,’ or ‘strange.’ And that pretty much says it all…

“Come into being,” not naturally derived from the human body. Phytoestrogens are typically extracted from plants, but make their way through the lab before they’re put into food products. It is difficult to find details on phytoestrogens and their process of “coming into being,” therefore; you have no guarantee about the quality of the source. In addition to this shady process of creation, phytoestrogens also pose a problem in the way that they interact with the human body.

Their reaction once inside the body is actually quite worrisome and just plain annoying. Phytoestrogens have one goal when they’re floating through your digestive tract, waiting to be dispersed to the next place deemed appropriate by your body…And that goal is to replace the existing estrogen hormones produced by your endocrine system.

If given the opportunity, these synthetic hormones will latch onto your estrogen receptors and try to take the place of existing forms of estrogen that have been produced by your own body. If you consume phytoestrogens on a daily basis, you just might be destroying the balance of estrogen or testosterone in your body without even realizing it.

As for xenoestrogen, its name destroys any chance of this ingredient blending in or attempting to be derived from real ingredients. Anything put into creating this imposter ingredient is chemical and ‘strange.’ Scientists actually named this ingredient perfectly! For them to actually get a clue and name an ingredient appropriately while risking the exposure of its true nature makes me wonder what exactly the ingredient label is for xenoestrogen. On second thought, it’s probably better not knowing. Either way, this alone should be motivation to avoid xeno-estrogens completely.

Whether you are male or female, your body is already naturally producing a number of hormones to fill the necessary need. If you are deficient in one hormone, you can be sure that your body is going to work extra hard to compensate for this imbalance and eventually heal the deficiency altogether.

Your body knows what it is doing when it is working with the proper, natural forms of hormones. It can digest, metabolize, absorb, and disperse these types of hormones, thereby keeping your body healthy and balanced.

Synthetics are another story entirely. First, your body cannot metabolize synthetic hormones the same way it metabolizes your naturally produced hormones because their chemical makeup is different. Your body will not recognize phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens as your naturally produced form of estrogen. No matter how hard scientists try they will never be able to perfectly replicate a hormone so that its behavior is identical to the original. Chemically derived hormones mimic naturally produced hormones.

“Part of what makes phytoestrogens a bit tricky is their ability to both mimic estrogen and act as an estrogen antagonist (meaning they behave in the opposite way of biological estrogen). They affect the body by attaching to estrogen receptors. Because they aren’t specifically necessary for a human diet, phytoestrogens can’t be considered actual nutrients” (Dr. Axe).

Dr. Axe provides some very enlightening information on phytoestrogens, the most important being the fact that they “can’t be considered actual nutrients” (Dr. Axe). I’ll say! They’re more like the exact opposite, which is why they are so incredibly bad for you and your long-term health.

Like I said before, synthetic forms of a hormone will affect both males and females if either is exposed. If your diet includes processed foods, chances are you have already been exposed. What this means for you is that your body now has to keep your naturally produced hormones stable, as well as, the synthetic hormones you are feeding to it. When your body is processing large amounts of synthetic hormones, this will easily lead to a hormone imbalance and possibly even improper function of the way your body detects and handles hormones.

When the human body is consistently fed a mix of natural and synthetic hormones, it can get confused as to which is the proper form it is supposed to absorb. You want to maintain that ‘stranger’ label on the synthetic forms, such as phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens. Familiarizing your body with these hormones will only lead to hormone imbalances, which can lead to a variety of other issues.

While some people like to argue that extra estrogen in the body can be beneficial for women in the midst of menopause, I still do not recommend considering synthetic sources as a healthy solution for hot flashes, mood swings, and other symptoms associated with this particular stage of life.

It is also wise to avoid foods that might be full of estrogen-based ingredients, some of these may be phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens, some may not. Being aware of the primary estrogen-based food sources is the best way to protect your body from exposure to synthetic hormones when your endocrine system’s level of sensitivity is at an all time high.

“For example in men, how high or low their natural testosterone level is to begin with would presumably affect whether or not the dietary and environmental exposure to estrogen is high enough to cause side effects. Research also suggests there may be more safety concerns for babies, boys, and teens versus grown men. Avoiding unnecessary increased exposure in young males may be a good idea” (Superfoodly).

Your timing when it comes to consuming these types of foods really is key to maintaining good endocrine health and preventing the onset of serious conditions such as Catamenial Epilepsy.

I can’t help but wonder from time to time what my life would be like today if I knew this information about synthetic hormones and hormones, in general, when I was younger. I certainly would have made some serious changes to my diet if given the opportunity!

A hormone imbalance for your body is basically one big state of confusion. Picture an intersection without the traffic director…cars are going when they aren’t supposed to. People have no idea if it’s their turn or someone else’s turn. I hate that dilemma when you and another car arrive at a stop sign at the same time. I don’t want to be rude and just go first, but at the same time it is usually when I’m in huge hurry. It is stressing me out just thinking about it! Overall, I think that any driver would agree this situation is just one big mess! The intersection needs the traffic director if any balance is to be restored.

Your endocrine system is this intersection…when a hormone imbalance develops, the nice organized flow throughout your organs turns into chaos and only becomes worse. Trust me when I tell you that hormone imbalances are not easy to reverse once developed! So, instead of waiting until it becomes absolutely necessary to pay attention to, do what you can now to keep your levels balanced.

While there are many things you can do to maintain this balance, one of the most influential factors lies with your lifestyle habits. Have you ever heard that saying, “You are what you eat”? You probably have. And while you may not be a cow after eating that delicious hamburger, you just might be on your way toward estrogen dominance if that meat is not antibiotic-free. Pay attention to those small details when the quality is concerned. Organic, range-free, non-GMO, antibiotic-free, and soy-free are characteristics you want in the types of foods you consume.

Read those ingredient labels carefully and keep your eye out for these ingredient names: Pinoresinol, Lariciresinol, Secoisolariciresinol, Sesamin, Hydroxymatairesinol, Matairesinol, Syringaresinol, Daidsein, Formononetin, Genistein, Glycitein, Biochanin A, and Isoflavones. (Superfoodly)

Each and every one of these ingredients is a synthetic form of estrogen. Avoid them like the plague! These are the characteristics you do NOT want your food to possess! Reading the ingredient label takes a few extra minutes, but it sure does help you determine whether a product is beneficial or detrimental to your long-term health.

Superfoodly has compiled a list of the Top 50 High Natural Phytoestrogen Sources, while I’m not going to include that entire list in my article, you can visit the link above and read the complete list for yourself. Who knew doughnuts contained enough phytoestrogens to claim the #16 spot? For the sake of this article, I’ve included the top ten foods from this list.

  1. Flaxseeds (379,380.4 phytoestrogens)
  2. Soybeans (103,920.0 phytoestrogens)
  3. Soy Nuts (68,730.8 phytoestrogens)
  4. Tofu (27,150.1 phytoestrogens)
  5. Tempeh (18,307.9 phytoestrogens)
  6. Textured Veggie Protein (16,223.9 phytoestrogens)
  7. Miso Paste (11,197.3 phytoestrogens)
  8. Soy Yogurt (10,275.0 phytoestrogens)
  9. Soy Protein Powder (8840.7 phytoestrogens)
  10. Sesame Seeds (8,008.1 phytoestrogens)

The fact is, we are living in an age where synthetic estrogens (both phyto and xeno alike) have become go-to ingredients for the majority of processed food companies. Even Organic companies are incorporating increased amounts of Soy derived ingredients, which also means an increased amount of phytoestrogens. The sooner you choose to avoid foods containing large amounts of hormone levels, the better chance you have of keeping your endocrine system in tip top shape.

 

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.

Sources:

Dr. Axe – https://draxe.com/phytoestrogens/

Superfoodly – https://www.superfoodly.com/estrogen-foods-list-50-high-phytoestrogen-sources/

Webster’s Dictionary – https://www.merriam-webster.com

Pinterest – www.pinterest.com

The Country Cook – https://www.thecountrycook.net/crock-pot-chicken-fajitas/

Kim’s Cravings (Blender Salsa Recipe) – https://www.kimscravings.com/best-damn-salsa-ever/

Retraction for “Drink This to Calm Your Crazy Hormones!”

A little while ago, I posted an article called “Drink this to Calm Your Crazy Hormones.” In it I discussed Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, an Organic herbal drink that I was led to believe helped those with every kind of hormone imbalance. Partly by a doctor I am no longer seeing and also by the advertisement on the product box from the Traditional Medicinals brand, which claims to “support the female system.”

If you have an Estrogen deficiency, then, Yes, this product will help your female system. But, if you’re like me and you have a progesterone deficiency then Red Raspberry Leaf is literally not your cup of tea.

Don’t get me wrong, the quality of this product is superb and the flavor is fantastic. If you happen to be looking for an herbal tea with a taste similar to Black Tea, look no further you’ve found it with Red Raspberry Leaf! But those of you with a hormone imbalance, in general, need to be very careful when consuming this product due to its effect on the Estrogen hormone. By increasing only one hormone, rather than regulating the entire “female system,” it has the potential to throw everything out of balance. Which is no bueno!

When it comes to the original article I posted, my quarrel happens to be with my own misconception (and if I’m being totally honest, Nature a bit, as well), which is why my intention in this article is not to criticize any company selling this flavor of tea. I am simply trying to inform my readers of the effects this herb can have on the human body, most especially the female system.

Did you know that certain herbs and spices have extra capabilities beyond their flavor??? For example, mint leaves freshen your breath, ginger is an anti-inflammatory root (therefore excellent to eat or drink during cold & flu season), Turmeric is very effective in healing sensitivity or inflammation in the teeth and gums, so on and so forth. Check out my article: “6 Common Seizure Triggers That May Be Lurking in Your Kitchen Cabinets” to learn more about household ingredients with special capabilities.

Like these seasonings, the red raspberry leaves and seeds can influence hormone levels by increasing your body’s production of Estrogen when consumed.

***Quick insight: Estrogen is your body’s excitatory hormone, Progesterone is the calming hormone.

When I first posted my original article on the subject of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, I was under the impression that the herb itself helped to regulate your hormones naturally, getting them to a healthy level….each and every one of them.

I could not have been more wrong! Since I am currently battling Catamenial Epilepsy (originally caused by a progesterone deficiency/an overabundance of Estrogen), this little gem of a fact (heavy on the sarcasm // insert eye-roll) made me want to scream. Let’s just say that the doctor who originally recommended it to me (for my progesterone deficiency no less!), will get a well-deserved earful if she ever sees me again! Thanks to her, I religiously drank this tea on a daily basis for the past three years. I don’t see how it couldn’t have had some kind of effect on my hormones and, consequentially, my seizure frequency. No wonder why it’s been so difficult for me to balance to my hormone levels!

I would like to sincerely apologize to each and every one of my readers for misinforming them as to which hormone this tea affects. I understand the huge impact something like this can have on people’s health, so I am truly sorry if my recommendation for this tea has negatively impacted any of my readers.

Please consider this article a retraction for “Drink this to Calm Your Crazy Hormones.” Red Raspberry Leaf Tea will NOT calm or regulate all of your hormones; it will only increase your body’s natural production of the Estrogen hormone.

Like I’ve said in past articles, my knowledge is based on experience through a process of trial and error. So far, everything else that I’ve posted has proven to be correct. However, if anything does turn out to be incorrect (like the Red Raspberry Leaf Tea) in even the slightest way, know that I will inform you immediately! My goal with Seize the Day Blog has always been to help my readers (and hopefully save them from making the same mistakes I’ve made) by sharing everything I have learned while on my own personal journey with Catamenial Epilepsy.

So, although I will no longer be using this tea as a Holistic solution for my hormone regulation that doesn’t mean it won’t work for other people. Truth be told, my sister has actually found this tea incredibly beneficial to her menstrual cycle despite the natural affect it has on Estrogen levels. This is probably due to the fact that we do not share the same hormone imbalance.

If there’s anything I’ve learned over the past eight years, it’s that hormones are tricky no matter how you handle them. Therefore, as I conclude this post let me leave you with one last tip: drink Red Raspberry Leaf Tea with caution whether you have a hormone imbalance or not. Herbs and spices can affect the body (whether negatively or positively depends on each person), especially if you consume too much of one specific item.

To learn more about hormones, hormone imbalances, and what I’ve done to help manage my own hormone imbalance check out these articles:

 

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.

Drink This to Calm Your Crazy Hormones!

 

Raspberries-Teatea box:counterRaspberries-Tea

Okay, ladies, how do you deal with your crazy hormones? Whether you’re menstruating or just happen to be having one of those months where your emotional stability can become compromised over the most minute situations (like your inability to find your sunglasses whilst they sit comfortably atop your head), how do you, as Bernadette from The Big Bang Theory would say, “ride the dragon”?

Pharmaceutical companies happily push pills like Midol and birth control our direction, but from my experience these “magic” pills really aren’t very magical at all. If anything, they make things worse by pumping synthetic hormones into our bodies and screwing up our hormones even more (not very “magical” in my opinion)! I’m not even going to mention the side effects that also come along with these so-called “solutions” because they’re atrocious. It’s exhausting to research drugs like these because once I’m finished reading the warning section of the box, I can’t decide if it is good or bad! It’s incredible how contradicting the claims on the front of the box are from those on the back. This may explain why they now print the negative information in such small font…the pharmaceutical companies are crossing their fingers that, if it is borderline microscopic, we’ll just give up and buy it with the hope that we won’t die after taking it.

tea box:kettle 3

 

This is why I propose you skip the pharmaceuticals altogether! My experience with Catamenial Epilepsy and, therefore, a severe hormone imbalance, has helped me find alternative solutions to things like taming my hormones. In this case, one of the solutions I have discovered and would like to share with my fellow ladies is an herbal tea called Raspberry Leaf Tea. This may be the first time you’re hearing about this natural herb, but it has actually been around for years! Our ancestors used it to heal multiple health problems including the flu, diarrhea, headaches, menstrual cramps, hormone related problems, and many other illnesses!

Please remember, I am not a doctor nor am I any type of healthcare professional, so be sure to take into consideration any allergies you might have to the tea before drinking it. I have simply experienced, firsthand, the beneficial effects this tea can have on hormones and the female system as a whole.

tea box:mug

I recommend the Traditional Medicinals brand of Raspberry Leaf Tea because it is both Organic and non-GMO verified. It is a very good quality product and you can easily find this brand of tea at a multitude of locations including Target, Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Market, and various supermarkets. I also suggest drinking it like you would regular iced tea, it is much more delicious at a cold temperature! My mom, my sister and I all drink the tea so we typically make large batch of tea, large enough to fill a two quart pitcher and store it in the fridge. If you would also like to prepare a larger batch, 8-9 tea bags give it the perfect amount of flavor.

This tea is also naturally caffeine free so you can drink it anytime during the day or night without having to worry about how it will affect your night’s sleep. Although this tea does conveniently support the female reproductive system, it is a naturally occurring herb therefore there are zero hormonal additives. No need to worry about synthetic hormones tampering with your current hormone levels!

raspberries

 

 

In my house, my dad and brother avoid it because we call it “Woman Tea” (Let’s be honest “Raspberry Leaf Tea” is a bit of a mouthful), but men can drink this tea, too! They’ve got to be dramatic about it so now they’re missing out on a really healthy and tasty beverage! But, hey it’s their loss…plus, there’s more for us girls, right?