From going homeless to being able to have her own home…this is a journey of a mom of faith who believed and walked through the fire. She is now debt free and is able to provide for her two children and live with a ‘kingdom mindset’.
Change can be difficult but a change that includes uncertainty and the possibility of being homeless with two children is unimaginable. Why did she leave? For her children and her safety and sanity.
Penny LeClair left a very destructive marriage with her two children feeling depressed, full of fear, angry, broke and…was homeless. She went from living in a three-bedroom two-bath home, with two cars, hot tub, and camper kind of life to living in a 9X10 room in her parents’ house.
With only clothes and a set of bunk beds for her children Penny had no money and worked only 12 hours part-time to support her children and herself.
What does it take to switch things around?
According to National Alliance, to End Homelessness:
Domestic violence is the immediate cause of homelessness for many women. Survivors of domestic violence are often isolated from support networks and financial resources by their abusers, which puts them at risk of becoming homeless. As a result, they may lack steady income, employment history, credit history, and landlord references. They also often suffer from anxiety, panic disorder, major depression, and substance abuse.
What makes Penny different from the statistics?
Before Penny left her home, the spirit of fear was lying and tormenting her. She felt unworthy, useless and that she would never amount to anything. Fear was taking a hold of her life.
Until one day being led by the Holy Spirit…
She started reading, confessing and meditating on scriptures that the Holy Spirit had prompted her to print out. Penny used the Word of God to fight the spirit of fear. She started confessing who she is in Christ. The Word of God caused her to believe and had the courage to leave her home and venture into the new.
I asked Penny to describe what a faith-filled life looks like and to describe fear.
She said:
A faith filled life is… knowing and believing what God’s word says is true with confidence and then acting on it.
Fear is something I have dealt with most of my life.
Fear is the root to every problem a person can have.
Fear is a spirit that brings torment and the only antidote is to allow God to perfect us in his love through the truth of His Word.
When we know that God loves us with every fiber of our being fear cannot step foot in our lives. (1 John 4:18)
Is it always perfect?
NO, but I finally have recognized when the torment of stress, anxiety, depression, sickness and lack are at my door, I have allowed the spirit of fear to come in through my thoughts and I have forgotten how much God loves me.
Does she still struggle with the lack of faith?
I do not believe I lack faith. What I believe happens is that I have not strengthened myself in an area with full confidence in God’s Word. This leaves me to have unbelief and faith mixed, making me a double-minded person and the Bible says such a person is unstable in all their ways.
The antidote for a double-minded person is to strengthen their faith daily in the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing of the Word of God, and building confidence in the Word of God instead of Satan’s lies. Penny told a story of the father of the boy who was demon possessed in Mark 9 who said I believe, but Lord help me with my unbelief.
Do you struggle with unbelief?
Penny spent two years trying to find a place for her children and herself. It seemed hopeless. She was told she needed to get help from welfare. During that period of her life she was spending time renewing her mind – declaring “who she is in Christ and about her finances”.
The Word of God changed her mind and life. Going on welfare was not the answer to her problems and she refused to give in or give up. Instead she chose to believe in the Word of God and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.
One day while praying, during her homeless situation Penny was led by the Holy Spirit to place an ad in the newspaper looking for a house to rent. The Lord specifically had her wrote everything down – what she wanted and needed in the house. Including the furnishing, kitchen appliances and the amount needed to pay for everything in a month.
At that time she had nothing but $1,000. Would that be enough to pay for the deposit and her list of things? God in his unique ways prompted Penny to give half of the only money she had to a mission trip at her local church.
She faced a huge battle. What if she didn’t have enough money to pay her rent and purchase everything in the list? Until God spoke, “Really, Penny? Are you going to get a house and everything you need with that $1,000?”
Penny realized $1,000 was not going to pay for all her needs and she had to believe in God’s provision. She finally gave in and gave half of the money away.
She said:
We need to ask God for his grace to help us with unbelief, we are not perfect beings, but Jesus is and has completed it all for us.
One week after the placement of the ad, she received a call from her current landlord. He said, “I wasn’t going to rent this house, but I saw your ad!” (God’s favor!) Long story short, they made arrangements for her to see the place, she gave him the deposit and the place was hers.
A month later she received more favors when the landlord remodeled the bathroom, put in all new windows and carpets. She moved into a home on a little over an acre of land surrounded by woods, pine trees and enough room for her children to run and play, exactly what she had written down.
The good news is when she took a step of faith, God opened doors and more doors where opened when she obeyed and relied on his strength and provision.
Imagine this: the day after she paid the deposit, Penny received a promotion at work!
She had more favor!
Now her job gave her the provision to pay her monthly bills with some leftover. She was given everything she needed. Her new home is even better than the old. After five months of sleeping on a fold out couch in her living room, a friend she had not seen for 20 years heard about her situation and gave her a pillow top bed.
Penny recalled:
When I needed something I would go out to the garage or attic and I would find what I needed. God knew everything I would need before I did. Did I do it in perfection, no, but Jesus did. I just kept my eyes, and heart on what His Word said and it happened.
God continues to bless Penny and her two children. After three years of living in her rented home she listed the following blessings:
● I have seen God supply my needs over and over
● We have never gone without, even when it looked like we would.
● He never let us down.
● I am now debt free by using God’s principles on debt cancellation
● And have been given the opportunity by my landlord to purchase my home with him holding the mortgage.
Praise God for his favor, grace and provision. At the midst of chaos and confusion Penny found Young Living Essential Oils. Today her business with Young Living provides another source of income for her and her family.
I asked Penny to give us tips on how to live a life of faith instead of fear. Here are 8 tips:
1. When fear tries to rear its ugly head, boldly cast it out until you have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
2. Use the Word of God meditating and confessing the truth submitting yourself to God first, resisting the devil, so that HE HAS TO FLEE! In other words, come into agreement with God’s Word over Satan’s lies and when that happens, powerful things happen.
3. Renew your mind to God’s word in the areas you are lacking, meditate on those scriptures until they become a revelation to you.
4. Learn the principles of reaping and sowing, tithing and giving
5. Get into a good Bible faith teaching church
6. Find one person who believes as you do and pray in agreement for what you are needing
7. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and build your confidence in God’s Word DAILY knowing it will not return void.
8. He is truly the source of everything we need!
Penny has gone from homeless to a homeowner. She is passionate about equipping, encouraging and helping others transform in spirit, soul and body. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) Are you struggling with fear? Connect with Penny today and be blessed by her article on Powerful FREQUENCY Combination for Healing.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
It can all be gone in a minute. Right now I am camped out at my friend’s house in town where there is still power and internet because for the past 14 hours our home has had terrible storms, flash floods, power outages, and tornadoes.
These pictures (above and below) are just 30 minutes from me and the pictures of the sanctuary underwater is my church Olive Baptist. Is it just me or does it seem like the recent storms this past week, months and years are taking people’s homes and changing lives in a blink of an eye?
Think about it. Most people work their whole life to provide for their family, purchase a home, go on vacations and live a good life. We work and work and work and work towards our goals. The goal can be a home, providing so your kids have a good education, vacations, a career, or anything. How about you? Have you been working hard towards a goal, project, or career?
A couple I know here in the South have a passion for gardening. They love it and live it to the fullest, planting huge gardens that provide for them all year long. They can produce but freeze a lot and are able to almost live solely on their produce. Many months of the year they spend all their spare time gardening. Recently a misunderstanding about the power box for their outdoor freezer turned the power off to their freezer for more than a week and they lost everything. Can you imagine all that work and effort and it’s gone in a blink of an eye?
My friends Dr. Lavonne and Jack Atnip had a serious and mysterious break in where the thieves stole a majority of their lifetime savings, gold, and heirloom jewelry. The police still have not solved nor retrieved any of what was lost and they most likely won’t. Can you imagine working 50 plus years to build up a retirement and it’s gone in a blink of an eye?
I recently achieved a Promotion Advancement to a level called Diamond in Young Living Essential Oils, a company I have worked with for over 14 years. Outside of my Doctorate, I have spent thousands of hours sharing, teaching, traveling, and learning for myself about therapeutic essential oils and how I can help others. To say I worked hard would be a big understatement. So this accomplishment is really special to me. It comes with some really nice perks and financial blessings too.
But one of the things I realized last night as I am sitting awake through this awful storm is all that I have worked for could be gone in a blink of an eye. That is why I am so very blessed that in 2007 I got my life on track.
Back then I only had one focus. To work my Young Living Essential Oils business and achieve higher and higher. Then in 2007 my husband and I decided to attend a First Steps to Success Training with Dani Johnson. It has radically changed my life in SO MANY WAYS. Most of all I realized back then what was important, realigned my priorities, and stopped working so hard on just one thing and learned to put that energy into all different parts of my life. The result- HAPPINESS!!!!
I guarantee you that had I stayed on that track of More More More Work Work Work I would have achieved Diamond in my company but I would not have the full, beautiful, God centered family focused life I have now.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow in our jobs, career, homes, life or even with our loved ones. It or they can be gone in a blink of an eye. That is why we must live today FULL of Life, enjoying every moment and most of all knowing God’s true love for us. I believe it’s where true happiness stems.
God bless you and if you would like to hear my interview with Dani Johnson you can listen to the recording for the next week. Click here. The first hour is Shark Tank Success Entrepreneurs from the business Grace and Lace my interview is in the second hour.
For your Total Wellness;
Mary Starr Carter
the Total Wellness Doc and Mom
P.S. I was writing on Facebook about some of these frightening storms in my new home here in Florida and my friend Kris wrote this funny message as he moved from Central NY to California: Yeah every place on the planet has their own natural disasters. On the left coast we have earthquakes, brush fires, and the Kardashians.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
You ever have one of those days? You know the one where nothing seems to be going right. Or you are exhausted because you were up late working or up early trying to get things done. Last Thursday was one of those days for me. By 3pm I knew I needed some relaxing ME TIME.
I headed over to my mother in law’s who owns a BIOMAT (Verda Jones if you want to know more or about getting one). As I parked I heard the phone ring, I looked down at my phone to see my friend Rebekah calling. Hmmm I thought that is weird for her to call me during the day. I answered the phone to hear my always joyful and never complaining girlfriend seem a little down.
I hadn’t realized it but she had been struggling with her health for several months. I listened to her share how doctors had diagnosed her with couple of different things but after taking the regimen she wasn’t any better. She felt like she was at her wits end.
After asking her a few questions I made some suggestions that I felt could help her get to the root of the problem. After hanging up the phone she immediately made her appointments and was in with her first practitioner by 7pm that Thursday evening. On Monday she had her next appointment.
Here is what she shared on Facebook Monday evening: Praise report!! After 3 + months of feeling like I was under water could not think, breath properly, fatigue, sore body, blackouts, dizziness, no sleep, head pressure, neck stiffness, and much more!! God directed me to rain drop therapy and a chiropractic Dr. I am healed!!! Mind you I went to the doctors previous! They treated me for a middle ear infection which was not the problem. At the end of my rope crying out to my heavenly father he directed my path! Note to self do not wait till the end of my rope!
Rebekah’s pain and discomfort is a common heart breaking story I hear from moms and grandmoms who sometimes live years like that without finding some simple solutions.
Here is a video of a Women’s HEALING RETREAT I put on in 2010. These women spent a weekend away cleansing, receiving essential oil massages and having a lot of FUN!
As a practitioner I try to practice what I preach to you. We all have to work everyday to take better care of myself, make time, save money for self care and learn about things that can help improve our health. If we aren’t happy and healthy our family and life will suffer.
Let our Newsletters, Blogs and Teaching Events help you be Fully Happy and Healthy. Check out some of our upcoming Local Classes and make an appointment for a Raindrop Session today. And don’t forget Chiropractic Care, a simple and safe adjustment can affect your whole body’s health.
For your Total Wellness,
Dr. Mary Starr Carter
the Total Wellness Doc and Mom
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
This year marks the 20th year Heidi M. Allen disappeared while working alone at D&W Convenience Store in New Haven NY. Her last transaction before the kidnapping was at 7:42 a.m. She was 18, set to graduate from high school with honors in May 1994 and had job interviews all lined up.
Heidi has not been found. Where is Heidi? That’s the question that tormented Lisa Buske for years until she found ways to live by Faith and rely on the One True God who loves and gives hope.
How does one cope with a missing family member – losing a sister, child, spouse, mom, dad or best friend? Does one embrace a life of fear, hate, blame or faith, love and hope while coping with the unanswered question?
When Heidi was kidnapped on April 3, 1994, Lisa turned her back on God completely with no plans to trust God again. She started blaming and went on to believe in psychics and the lies of the enemy. She buried her feelings so deep that it began to show up in many areas of her life.
She was wallowing in the dark relying on no one for 10 years until one day a student said, “Mrs. Buske, you need Jesus. Will you come to church on Sunday?”
Lisa told me, “I needed to hear with such compassion and boldness…the healing began. God started to tear down the barrier preventing anyone (especially God) in. Since realizing God didn’t take my sister and the number of ways He worked to help the investigation in those first few moments, my trust, hope and faith have increased.”
Lisa is a woman, mom and wife of faith. She chooses to run to God when the going gets tough. Instead of seeing the negative and evil she lets God work through her to make a difference in the life of others and to share positive, beautiful and encouraging random acts of kindness to those who are in need.
I asked Lisa how does a faith filled life look like and this is what she said:
A faith-filled life is one that reflects the higher power a person believes in. I personally believe in God as the One, True God, so to live a faith-filled life, I must think, speak, write, and live a life God will find pleasing.
A favorite verse that illustrates this is from 1 Corinthians: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. Love will never end…So these three things continue: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, 13
After all, a faith filled life is one full of love for God, others and finally yourself. Depending on your gifts, how this is expressed will vary. I tend to share my faith a lot through the written word: personal notes, cards, messages, and even a text to let someone know I’m thinking of them or share a Bible verse God placed on my heart for them. A faith-filled life doesn’t hide one’s faith but incorporates it into all aspects on our day.
Lisa still misses her sister every day and prays this is the day she is found. Instead of running to darkness, she opens the blinds and her Bible each day and seeks The Light and Son.
Living a life of faith doesn’t mean fear does not exist. Fear and negative voices are always ready to derail us and send us back to “fear-full world.” No matter what situation we are in, fear is always present. Fear robs clarity and focus. Fear will slow us down and worst yet- stops us from doing what we are called to do.
To Lisa, fear is usually disguised as doubt or contemplation when faced with decisions and or situations that require 100% full trust in God. Fear is not of God, it is an attack by the enemy and we waste time focused on the fear itself instead of the One with the power to free us from its snare.
Her greatest fear pertains to her daughter. Since her only sister was kidnapped at the age of 18 and remains missing today- this traffic loss affects and intensifies the fear of letting her daughter grow up.
An example given by Lisa:
Our daughter went to her first amusement park in seventh grade. Rather than facing my fear, I always had an excuse of why we couldn’t go or why she couldn’t go with a friend’s family. Finally, with us as chaperones, she went to SeaBreeze with the band and chorus.
I spent two weeks sick to my stomach because of what might happen to her while at the park. Each time the fear attacked, I went to my Bible and found a new verse to counter. I wrote each one down on an index card and bound them together for the trip.
While at the park, I paced and walked the park to check on the students we were chaperoning but specifically making sure our daughter was with her group.
It came time for lunch and her group returned without her.
I asked, “Where’s Mary?” None of them knew, they went on a ride she didn’t want to so she waited at the end of the line but wasn’t there when they got off. They didn’t look for her, apologize for breaking their group up, or appear nervous.
I sprinted from the picnic area to search the park while swallowing vomit the entire time.
The Scripture verses I had written for two weeks came flooding into my head as I prayed “Lord keep her safe” and then a verse until… I saw her. I ran up to her, hugged her, and asked if she was okay.
She looked at me like I had three heads with a, “I don’t know where my group went. They were on that ride. While I waited I went on that ride (pointed across the walkway) but when I got off they didn’t wait. Whoever got off first was supposed to wait for the other. I didn’t come back by myself because you would flip out.”
She was right. We talked on our way back to the pavilion. Long story short, she wasn’t nervous at all, just hurt and annoyed her friends didn’t care enough to look for her. No one in our group knew where she was BUT God did and He surrounded her with His angels and calmness.
Hundreds of teens walk the amusement parks daily without adult supervision and return home safely, yet the fear connected to my life’s tragedy prevents my daughter from this luxury. We’ve been to a few amusement parks and even traveled out of state on field trips since then and each one gets a little easier to endure. I still spend time reading my Bible, writing verses that touch my heart, and in prayer before we travel but the peace that passes understanding is always evident.
Now one of Lisa Buske’s values in life is, “Not to take a day for granted!”
When asked if she is worried about her daughter’s future, she shared the following:
● I pray for the young man God has for her husband to be a God-fearing, loving, respectful, hardworking, and caring man and father to their children.
● As the preparations for college start, I pray she isn’t struggling with student loan debt like I am today so I try to share mistakes I made to prevent her from financial struggles later in life.
● I pray she chooses the profession God has called her to and that she will enjoy it so it’s not work.
I don’t worry about her future but I do pray for it daily. If I focus on her leaving too much, anxiety creeps in and I find myself searching for a verse to remind that God is Omnipresent and will be with her wherever she goes. I must trust and rest in this truth. With God in her life and heart, combined with the parenting she’s received, the foundation for success is in place.
Another of Lisa’s values is “I try to take each day as it comes because tomorrow has enough worry of its own, the Bible reminds of this a few times. “
These days Lisa is a busy paraprofessional at her local school district where she encourages, inspires and educates kiddos during their foundational years. While offering academic support, she prays for opportunities to share Jesus with them through her actions and words.
She is an author and has written several books, namely Where’s Heidi? One Sister’s Journey, When the Waves Subside: There is Hope, Encourage Others: One Day at a Time and her newest release No More Pain: I Can Fly. Her books are inspirational, encouraging and empowering and offer the message of hope, love and faith. She also blogs regularly at http://www.lisambuske.com/ so others will hopefully see it’s possible to survive, thrive, and be alive after tragedy.
I asked Lisa for suggestions and advice for women who are struggling with fear and lack of faith. Here are Lisa Buske’s eight steps to fight fear:
One: First and foremost, you need to admit you have fear. When we ignore or attempt to hide our fears, this is when the devil gains a foothold into our heart. The only way to eliminate his control over your life is to admit and face your fear.
As you face your fear, remember you aren’t alone nor were you designed to live life in this way. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Two: My advice to help you flip the focus on your faith instead of your fears is to write a list of your fears. Start at the top of a clean piece of paper, listing each fear on its own line, leaving three to four lines before listing the next.
Three: Once your list is complete, grab your Bible, and open to the concordance or dictionary. Look up the words you’ve written down. On the lines you’ve left empty, write down the verses that relate to the fear you’ve listed. Don’t look up the verses yet, right now you are only compiling a list of verses that might relate and help you keep your eyes focused on God and not the issue.
Four: The next step is to count how many different verses that can possibly help you face and overcome your fears.
Five: This will empower you, because God provides far more solutions than you can list problems.
Six: Now the fun begins. Once a day, pick no more than three fears and start looking up verses about each.
Seven: In a one subject notebook, hand write (no typing) the Bible verse and its location. If you want to step it up a little, develop a paraphrase for this same verse and hear how God speaks to you when it’s His Word spoken in your voice.
Eight: During this process, your fears are replaced with Truth, Hope, Power, and Love as your faith is strengthened, renewed, and enhanced. Don’t give up, the old is gone and the new is here! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Her book, When the Waves Subside: There is Hope was written to illustrate the strength and beauty she saw in her parents after suffering their greatest loss, the abduction and presumed death of their youngest daughter. Lisa had heard from parents who’ve lost a child to disease, suicide and accidents that this book brought healing and encouragement.
No More Pain: I Can Fly is also written to encourage the grieving parent or friend after the loss of a loved one before it was their time, usually the young.
Lisa wrote on her website, though she may not have her sister in her life, she has a loving and faithful God who strengthens and helps her through each day with joy and hope. Please visit her website at www.lisambuske.com.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
A year ago on the 16th of April my beautiful miracle baby Sarah Grace was born. This little baby decided to come into this world later than we expected. So every few days was having to get checked.
My wonderful midwife Deb Bissonette of www.septemberhillmidwifery.com was such a blessing, making sure I had the best possible care. Having a midwife and home birth was a wonderful experience but God’s grace marked this birth as a extra special miracle to me.
To celebrate the life of Sarah Grace and the life of all children I would like to share a few pictures and let you hear in a video I made about the miracle of her birth: http://www.thetotalwellnessdoc.com/the-miracle-of-sarah-grace/
I am recently reminded how precious life is as some of my close friends and family have lost loved ones. Today’s blog is about the story of Sarah Grace’s birth but we must all remember how miraculous all life is and every day we get with the ones we love.
Don’t take any day for granted, we are blessed to have them.Love,
Mary Starr Carter
a Sentimental Momma & the Total Wellness DocP.S. I hope you enjoy the story: http://www.thetotalwellnessdoc.com/the-miracle-of-sarah-grace/
Mary Starr Carter
a Sentimental Momma & the Total Wellness DocP.S. I hope you enjoy the story: http://www.thetotalwellnessdoc.com/the-miracle-of-sarah-grace/
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Sarah Grace 2014
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
In my quest to teach my children the art of eating well, I’ve decided to do less of sugar and more of wholesome foods. My two kids’ birthdays fall in the same month. As a total wellness doc and mom I’m always looking for alternatives to celebrate.
Birthday celebrations are synonymous to sweet treats, sugar laden birthday cupcakes, cakes and more sugary treats. What do you do if you are looking for ways to celebrate the special occasion of each child without indulging in sugar or baked goods? What if your children are gluten intolerant and suffer from sugar hangovers?
I asked these questions too. So I’m on a quest to seek out “gluten-free” kids’ birthday celebrations around the world.
Germany
In the Middle Ages the Germans came up with Geburtstagorten, the first birthday cake layered with sugar to celebrate Kinderfest – young children’s birthdays. In the 17th century birthday cakes became more elaborate with the introduction of icing and decorations. It was catered for the wealthy.
By the 18th century with the creation of modern cookware, birthday cakes became more affordable and were accessible to all consumers. (Source: Proflowers)
That was the origin of birthday cakes.
China
In the Chinese culture the actual birthday of a child is usually not celebrated in grand scale unless it is the child’s one month and one year birthday. These two days are celebrated with dyed red eggs. It is definitely a sugar-free occasion.
The Chinese believe that everyone turns a year older on Chinese New Year Day. “Birthdays” are celebrated on that day with new clothes, new shoes, new haircuts and children receive money in red packets.
On a child’s birthday, simple bowls of noodles are served during lunchtime because it symbolizes long life. The child in turn has to give respect to his or her parents and the elderly before given gifts of money.
Such tradition has been passed down for generations and the Chinese immigrants in parts of Asia like Malaysia and Singapore are still following the same traditions.
The Netherlands
According to BirthdayCelebrations.net, in Holland a child’s 5,10, 15, 20 and 21 birthdays are also known as crown years. They are the most important birthday celebrations. The birthday child receives gifts and family members decorate a birthday child’s chair at the dining room with seasonal flowers or paper streamers and balloons.
Have your heard of the term “go Dutch”? “Going Dutch” means you pay for yourself. A child will bring birthday treats to school to share with classmates and teachers. An adult celebrating his or her birthday is expected to bring and share a birthday cake, the slagroomtaart with the co-workers.
Slagroomtaart is a layered sponge cake with fresh fruit and whipped cream. It is not gluten-free.
The Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania
Africa is diverse in cultures and traditions. The Maasai tribe of Kenya and Tanzania celebrate their children through several rites of passage. They include birth, puberty, “warriorhood” for males and marriage for females.
Early in the morning on the child’s first birthday, the mother chooses a sheep or a cow and the men of the family slaughter the animal.
Then children and women wash themselves and put on the best beadwork outfits. Mother and birthday child will shave their heads. The elderly of the family is responsible in naming the child.
Next important celebration is puberty where circumcision is done. Boys celebrate this rite of passage between the age of 11 to 14 and the girls when they get their first period. You can read more about this from the Southern Nazarene University’s website.
Birthday for the Maasai tribe is more of celebrating the transition or different stages of a child’s life. It defines the moment of manhood, womanhood and responsibility.
Mexico
In Mexico, birthday celebrations include rice and beans for family and friends and a piñata hanging from a tree with treats for the children. No birthday parties are complete without the piñata.
The birthday child is blindfolded and given the honor to hit the piñata until it breaks and have all the goodies flow out. Children attending the birthday celebration will rush to pick up as much goodies as they can.
A children’s book about Rosa Maria, a grandma preparing a birthday party for her youngest grandchild called Arroz con frijoles y unos amables ratones (Rice and Beans and Some Friendly Mice by Pam Munoz Ryan) shows readers the art of slow cooking of rice and beans and an occasion that involves the whole family to celebrate an important day for a child.
Israel
Besides the importance of the 13th birthday, the second or third birthday of a child is important to the Jewish culture. It is celebrated because the child was weaned and the uncertain stage of infancy is over. According to Jewish Encyclopedia, Abraham made a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned.
The Chabad organization suggests the birthday child find a quiet place to think about the past year – what went right and what should be fixed and spend time praying. They are to read the Psalms (Psalms according to their age, age 10=Psalms 10), study the Torah and share with friends what they learned.
The birthday celebration includes giving extra to charity, eating a new seasonal fruit, showing gratitude to God and getting the aliyah (blessings).
These days in cities and richer neighborhoods throughout the world, birthday cakes and candles are a norm for birthday celebrations. You can find them in China, Israel, Mexico and a handful of the Masaai tribe.
From this research I’ve learned two lessons that could be implemented at any home celebrating kids’ birthdays.
1. There is no right or wrong way of celebrating kids’ birthdays. We can adjust and make whatever suits our family’s needs. For families who choose to have gluten-free or sugar-free celebrations, there are now options to get gluten free cakes or sugar-free birthday cakes. Here is a sugar-free birthday cake recipe from Dr. Greene.
2. Birthdays are about creating family traditions and celebrating the rites of passage- a time to add affirmation and encouragement. It is also a time to celebrate the child and let him or her know how much you appreciate them and their growth. It is a perfect moment to speak words of life for the next year. Read more about rites of passage from Focus on the Family.
A friend shared about how she celebrated her children’s birthday. Other than the usual gifts and goodies, each member of the family will speak words of encouragement, even to a child who is three. Words like “John, I like how you have learned to share your toys with your brother, how you have learned to keep your toys away when asked and I also appreciate how you encourage me with kind words whenever I lose in our Uno games.”
Another friend has pictures of the birthday child throughout their life up all around and then Bible Scriptures that encourage the child. After the opening of gifts the adults and or kids will say a blessing over the birthday child.
How do you celebrate your kids’ birthdays? Please share. If you would like to know why we are so “hooked” on sugary treats, read more “10 Hidden Secrets Why You Can’t Get Your Hand Out of the Cookie Jar!”
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
Last night my husband and I graduated from Financial Peace University. FPU is a 9 week Biblical based class that teaches people how to handle our money God’s way. The great thing is whether you are a Christian or not you can get amazing results following this program.
I’d like to tell you in the past 9 weeks we have paid off all our debt and are sticking to our budget and investing in our future, but that would not be the truth or real life. See most families, couples and individuals are living out of control when it comes to finances. They spend more than they make, they think they can out earn their purchases and they don’t have any idea what they have for retirement or how they will live. We were not much different. In 2007 we were introduced to Dani Johnson’s WAR ON DEBT and have paid of over 6 figures in debt.
Then our income went up, babies came and we made some not so thought out investments that proved to be drains on our family’s income. Bleeding is what Dave Ramsey calls it. When you make a paycheck every month or every other week and have the money to pay your bills, you can many times get careless with your finances and stop looking at them carefully. So many individuals carry debt that BLEEDS your income and takes from your family.
Debt, especially credit card debt, with as little as 8% interest still can rob you and your family or the world from income that could be used for serving others or benefiting your family.
One of the key things I learned from taking this training is that I needed to change my mindset and thinking about debt and start REALLY HATING IT. For me I put it in perspective of helping children in desperate areas of the world get clothing, schooling, and food daily.
Compassion International is a reputable charitable organization that does just that. When I look at just 1 credit card bill, the interest alone could sponsor 2 children a month at $38 dollars each. And let’s not talk about the THOUSANDS I PAID in STUDENT LOAN Interest LAST YEAR. A WHOLE VILLAGE could have food and education for that BLEEDING.
So this is my resolve… HATE DEBT… owe no man nothing:
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Proverbs 22:7 ESV
I think I have been in slavery for a long time but didn’t realize it because I was earning such a great income. It’s not how much you make but HOW MUCH YOU KEEP.
So this is my new MINDSET and to really take it into practice at a deeper level and a level of accountability, I am going to take the class again. It really is excellent, and usually if you are a graduate you can take it again complimentary. I am very grateful for the men and woman who have gone before me and lived out these principles so I can see the benefits of living a life DEBT FREE, growing WEALTH and GIVING.
Check out Dave Ramsey’s website and find a class near you. It costs around $100 dollars but the average family can pay off about $5000 dollars in debt in 90 days if they get serious.
One of the accomplishments we have started is lowering our grocery bill. I love love love my friend Claudia Looi’s book How to Save Lunch Money and Take Your Family on a Yearly Dream Vacation.
I have been using at least 2 recipes a week out of the book and can save almost $50 dollars a week on the bad choices I was making before including grabbing an expensive salad out, or purchasing 20 dollars in lunch meats a week.
Saving money is FUN, paying off debt is really rewarding and building wealth so you can help someone else or even help entire families is AWESOME!
Let’s get out of debt together. WHO IS WITH ME? Who wants to take the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University or maybe RETAKE IT? I will be doing it I hope you will too. You can get back on track with your money or make it YOUR SLAVE.
God Bless your success,
Mary Starr Carter
the Total Wellness Doc and Mom
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
They say “variety is the spice of life” but could spicing up your food make you healthier? During the past two decades, there has been substantial buzz about the different diet plans, good fats, ethnic foods and ways to add spices to our meals.
European, Asian, Arab and African traders traveled all over in search of spices like ginger, cardamom, black pepper, turmeric and more. Ancient Egyptians, Greco-Roman navigators, Columbus, Vasco da Gama and many other voyagers went on a quest to India, the islands in the Indian Ocean and China in search of spices.
Why did so many men risk their lives for great flavor? Spices were extremely valuable back then and even without the scientific research that we have today, I believe that the people innately knew that these spices were helpful to them. Now that we have the science, it’s even more important that we get some fresh preferably organic spices in our cooking and diet.
Here are five spices to add to your pantry:
Garlic
We are not referring to garlic powder but the real fresh garlic bulb. Garlic has been known to improve health and has medicinal power. Ancient Greeks munched on it raw for immunity. In fact, in recent years the Mediterranean diet that is filled with garlic and olive oil has been proven as a healthier diet.
Garlic has sulfur compounds called allicin that may improve cholesterol levels, prevent liver damage, helps colon health and improves blood pressure. It has antioxidant and detoxifying properties and contains Vitamin A, C and selenium.
You know that slimy garlic skin that is on the garlic after you peel a clove? Leave that on there, it’s where all the good stuff is. Also my trick for not having fingers that smell like garlic afterward handling it is I put a few drops of Young Living’s Lemon essential oil on my hands and fingers rub them together. It works great.
Cinnamon
Used for thousands of years in Egypt and Asia, cinnamon was a prized possession for traders. It was used for treating cough and sore throats, preserving meat during the spice trade era.
Today cinnamon is widely used for flavoring coffee and drinks, baked goods and cooked foods. It may aid digestion, fight congestion and is useful for diabetes and the anti-tumor properties may help fight cancer.
Young Living has Cinnamon Bark essential oil that has antiseptic properties and supports our body’s natural defenses. If you are going to cook with it or add it to oatmeal etc., just take a toothpick size drop.
Essential oils are very powerful but great. Recently Mary Simmons of Better Living Essentials turned me on to hot apple cider in a crockpot with Young Living’s Cinnamon Bark and Nutmeg essential oils… YUM! Warning… it’s got a little kick to it but it’s great!
Ginger
Ginger brings great flavors to foods and drinks and may help as anti-gas and antacid and relieves stomach distress, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion and bowel problems. You can get it in fresh, powdered or oil form. Like anything else, the therapeutic grade oil, fresh and raw product would retain its original properties.
Studies show that ginger has antimicrobial agent and has antioxidant, which may fight inflammation, fever, heal wounds and sores and stimulates circulation. Young Living Ginger essential oil has all the properties of fresh ginger.
Again if you are going to cook with it, use just a little tooth pic drop… Too much oil can ruin a recipe. Ask my husband about the Thanksgiving Pumpkin pie I cooked years ago when I first started cooking with essential oils… let’s just say it was FLAVORFUL.
Turmeric
Turmeric is widely used in Indian and Mediterranean cooking. According to the American Cancer Society,
“Curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, is an antioxidant. Antioxidants are compounds that can protect the body’s cells from damage caused by activated oxygen molecules known as free radicals. Laboratory studies have also shown that curcumin interferes with several important molecular pathways involved in cancer development, growth, and spread.”
Turmeric may protect our liver from toxins; lowers cholesterol levels and improves blood circulation. It has antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Verda Jones of Jones Health Essentials gave me this tip: Take a tsp. of Coconut oil and an 1/8 -1/4 tsp. of Turmeric every day to ward off candida, colds, and flu. You can eat it straight, but we like to add these two to our scrambled eggs in the morning.
Here is a video on how to use turmeric for your cooking:
Cayenne Pepper
The right hot chili pepper in ethnic foods particularly Korean, Chinese and Thai is good for lungs, kidneys, heart and stomach. It may improve digestion, circulation, arthritis and cholesterol.
Cayenne pepper is rich in Vitamin C, B, E, beta carotene, folate, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.
It’s a hard one for some to tolerate but it really is a phenomenal spice. It’s used in the Stanley Burrough’s Master Cleanse to help improve circulation and get the toxins out of the body. Cayenne pepper comes in different degrees of hotness if you purchase it directly in bulk from a health food store. Start with a lower number and work yourself up to the hotter.
Also if you can get to a health food store and buy FRESH BULK organic spices, that is best. Take them home and put them in your empty glass supplement containers and just re-label them.
If you have never used these spices, it may be tough to start using them. Start off with one spice at a time and before you know it, you may be reaching out to your pantry for the spices the next time you cook. And that may spruce up your life and health.
Do you have a recipe to share using any of the above spices? Let us know.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
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This week I got to hang out with some friends visiting from NY. My 60 year old friend and team member Kathryn is a lot of fun and we have been traveling and having fun for 12 years now. People can’t believe she is 60. She looks so young.
My other friend and teammate Lisa is awesome too. She is a grandmother but could pass for late 20s. They make work a lot of fun and I help them stay focused. We worked and played while they were here with trips to the beach and late night dance exercising sessions followed by serious business focus sessions.
They played with my kids and helped me clean up messes. And while I laughed a lot while they were here, I realized something that has helped me a lot lately… even though we are grown up we can still be kids.
10 Things My Kids Have Taught Me About Happiness
1) Hang Out With Your BFF
For many years I was so focused on my career or schoolwork that I lost touch with many friends. It wasn’t until I lived for 3 weeks with a client who had a serious back injury that I realized how important friends are. In my client’s life she had cultivated over a dozen quality friendships. These people were there for her for months as she recovered. All the money in the world wasn’t worth what I saw in having true friendships.
2) Go For a Drive
My son loves to go for car rides. In my life I have had periods of times where I just hated going to work and wouldn’t leave the house unless I had to. Now I realize that getting out makes you meet new people and brings opportunities for service and encouragement. I don’t think it’s good to stay secluded all the time.
3) Read a Book
In the last 3 weeks I have read 2 books. One to encourage me after my loss and one for fun, Divergent. I read to my kids every day and they pretend read all the time. It’s good for your soul especially for moms. I use AUDIBLE so I can listen to books too. Otherwise I’d probably never get through one book in 3 months.
4) Run and Play Like a Kid
I love watching my son on the playground. He loves to run and play and I do too. There is something about running like a kid or the playground that is so freeing. Try it.
5) Snuggle With Your Loved Ones
Whether it’s your kids, honey or stuffed monkey snuggling with them is such a destressor.
6) Watch a Good Movie
The favorite of the month is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in our house, but keeping a good comedy or favorite movie in the house to watch on a Saturday night or rainy day is a must. You would be surprised how much values and inspirational messages you can get from Veggie Tales.
7) Play Games
Recently we got to hang out with our family and play some games. It was fun, made you think and got your mind off all the work piled up at the office.
8) Play Sports
My son loves gymnastics and I do too. He learns motor skills patience and how to be part of a group. As adults, getting a ball and bat or kicking a soccer ball with your kids or in a legeaue can also be fun and a destressor.
9) Don’t Be Afraid to Make a Mess
Life is messy. Clean is boring… unless you live in the woods where cockroaches lurk, be sure to clean up your mess with Thieves cleaner.
10) Be Creative
I don’t think of myself as creative but with kids you have to be and I am starting to find it fun and good for me.
Lastly I would sum it up to say my children have taught me to remember to have fun.
So let me know if you agree with any of these tips in the comment section below.
Mary Starr Carter
The Total Wellness Doc and Mom
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
How does one survive the darkest moments of life and find ways to live again? Mary Anne Zani weathered many tragic and traumatic incidences and has emerged with a new sense of purpose and zest for living. She is a single mom, a fibromyalgia and cancer survivor, has a loved one still in the Missing Person list, experienced death of her mother, mother-in-law and aunt – all within a year.
How did she rediscover life?
I asked Mary Anne this question and this is what she said:
I learned not to take any part of life for granted. It is important to tell my family and friends that I love them. Each person’s life is a gift from God. There are blessings in life no matter how grave a circumstance is.
I also believe that our experiences benefit and help others going through similar hardships. I have learned to live one day at a time and that it is okay to have days where I feel grief. I get in touch with it, pray and let it go. My family’s lives have been turned inside out and through it all God is with us.
Mary Anne is a mom of faith. She has raised two wonderful children who have also discovered their own purpose in life. Her son Andrew is a fitness and personal trainer and her daughter, Angela Marie is a senior in high school.
As a mom I know living by faith is easier said than done. So how does a faith filled life look like for Mary Anne?
Mary Anne said:
Living everyday to the best of my ability as God would have me live is how I look at a faith filled life. In the course of a day, I am in communication with God. I start my day with meditating on a daily spiritual reading that includes scripture passages to reflect upon. Sarah James’ book, Jesus Calling consists of daily devotions.
The themes are focused on thankfulness and trust. Making the best possible choices throughout the day and realizing, I do not have to necessarily like what I must do, take care of or what is in front of me in any given situation.
I need to just do the next right thing. I turn to God and say, “I don’t like this or that, please help me to accept things as exactly how they are in this moment. “
The practice of acceptance is applied through reading a little booklet, Acceptance, the Way to Serenity and Peace of Mind by author Vincent Paul Collins.
The Bible, books and stories of overcomers are ways most moms of faith fight the good fight of faith and live a positive lifestyle. Of course oppositions like fear would always like to derail us.
Mary Anne still suffers at times with the lack of faith especially when there is a lesson. She continued:
I may withdraw and tend to isolate. I go within my head. The mind can be my best friend or my worst enemy. There is a process for letting go and letting God. Life flows when I surrender to God’s ways.
My mind can go to lower frequencies meaning any feelings of anger, frustration, jealousy, hopelessness, and fear can be debilitating. Although these feelings are part of the human condition, it is what I choose to do with them, and how long I choose to stay there. I do have to feel the feelings and let them go. The times I feel like I cannot pray, I realize I do have a prayer; one word, “Jesus.” I call upon the name of Jesus.
We have to admit that life is not always a bed of roses. How do we speak life to a negative situation? Mary Anne’s answer to this question:
This question is based on how an individual perceives a situation. We all have biased perceptions. God is in each situation, both negative and positive. I cannot come up with a perfect solution to a negative situation. God has perfect solutions in God’s timing.
I do what I can and God takes care of the rest. The answers will come through prayer and patience. The importance of being gentle with ourselves and with others is compassionate and loving. The Saint Francis prayer speaks to the contrast in life.
Mary Anne’s life was dramatically changed from working in an administrative position in an Ivy League University to becoming a divorced single mother financially bereft and physically disabled. When she was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer, her children were just nine and eleven years old. Her ex-husband went missing the day after her 21 days in the hospital. His car was found abandoned in another county.
She experienced tremendous health and financial challenges – from one tragic incident after another and the moment she had to tell her young children that their dad was missing. To this day, he has not been found. It was during the six months of aggressive chemo treatments that she found Young Living Essential Oils.
In her own words:
One day a dear friend anointed me with Frankincense oil and immediately I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. I intuitively knew that the oils would be life saving and life giving. She visited with her son who was a support to my children. My children also used the oils that raised their frequencies.
I asked Mary Anne if she could give a few suggestions to moms who are struggling with health, emotional and mental issues. Here are Mary Anne’s tips for living a life of faith:
1. Each person has his or her own path. I encourage women to find their voice within their bodies, mind and spirit connecting to creation. Many of us have been told what to think and how to feel.
2. Find your truths. I am divinely created in the image and likeness of God. Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book, A Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, assists in looking at the self and moving from an ego consciousness and group consciousness to a global consciousness.
3. The idea to look at him, her or them without judgment moves us toward love. We are all created in the image and likeness of God. Honor each life even if you see a person who doesn’t dress as you dress, talk as you talk, live as you live.
4. Love everyone and hate no one. An example is my children have tattoos. Many young people have tattoos. I used to cringe when I would see them on other people. I acquainted tattoos with the dark side of life. I did not know much about them. I have come to the understanding that tattoos are an expression and an art form. Without expression we have depression. The message and gift for me is to express myself, otherwise the outcome is depression.
5. In the past few years I am learning more about life than I ever expected to know. I consider myself an observer. I tell myself. Just observe. See how I feel, and ask myself, is there a lesson in this for me? What is the gift? The gift is the process of the letting go and letting God.
Each of us, including each child has a Higher Power. Children need to have their own experiences and find their own truths. I have guided my children and now release them as young adults.
Please listen to this 50 minute recorded interview to find out more about Mary Anne Zani’s passion and future endeavors. Mary Anne is passionate about helping others find hope:
http://www.marketingscents.com/replay/AI-CB-CCGDFIA-ACAJFJ
You can connect with Mary Anne at http://www.millegrazia.com/
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
5000 is important to me… really important. It may seem like an average number to you or maybe a big number but to me it is everything.
See in 2010 I had my first baby, a beautiful son named Joshua. If you read about Joshua in the Bible you will be BLOWN away at what God did through JOSHUA and for JOSHUA including making the SUN STAND STILL for a day and a half. So when my son was born I wanted him to know God right away so when he was just a baby I would read to him this one book every night, which was a very simple book about Jesus. I read that same book night after night after night.
One day I am reading this book and I get to this page:
I turn then page and read this page:
The boy gave it to Jesus to share. Jesus fed 5000 people with the boy’s lunch.
If you have heard about this story in church, you may know that He actually fed more than 5000. He fed 5000 men (the ones counted back then). He also fed woman and children that day. What an awesome miracle HUH?
Well I want to tell you that that same MIRACLE is available to you. How do I know? Because I have experienced it.
One day I was reading that book and I got to the pages about Jesus feeding 5000 and this overwhelming “GOD CALL” came upon me that I would FEED 5000. Now for me when God calls me out it is usually like this overwhelming VOICE in my HEAD. For some people they actually hear God or see visions but for me, God knows how to get to me without giving me a heart attack.
I knew that the 5000 I was being called to serve was through my soon to be Ministry with Total Wellness. See I had worked really hard for over a decade in my own striving without partnering with God. The result was good. Over 1000 people that myself and my team served but I also had a lot of burn out and strife. In fact for 5 years I had basically stayed at a stand still even though I was working a lot.
Now that I had a son, I was really thinking that there was no way I could grow my health business because I would be so limited in the time I could work and the places I could go. But that day when God called me out to serve 5000 I realized that HE was going to partner with my little bit to MAKE a LOT.
I think we always get caught up in what we don’t have that we forget that even with a little if you partner with God, we can make a lot. Think about it. I am sure you have complained about not having enough time, enough money, enough talents or skills. Or maybe you think I am too overweight to do (blank), I am too old to do (blank), I am too young to do (blank)… I know you say these things because I have too.
Over the years God has JOKED with me continuously about the number 5000. I would randomly be listening to the Bible in a year on my phone and it seemed like I must have heard that Fish and Loaves story at least every other week especially when I needed the encouragement. Someone would call me and randomly share about 5000 something. It is TRUE I am serious. And I am not the only one who God gave this vision to. Some of my team members have prayed about their business and got the vision of $5000 a month commission. Weird but true.
So what is my point? Through these past 3 and ½ years, God opened up doors for me to learn skills to take my little and make it a lot. He brought me coaches who taught me how to utilize the internet to reach thousands through blogging, email and social media. Having more children and moving across the country has decreased the amount of time I could work in my Health Ministry but yet God has showed up and off growing the amount of people we serve in our Facebook community to 5000, close to 5000 on our email lists and our team of associates serve over 5000 people around the world. And what really makes me laugh is since 2010 my monthly residual Health Ministry income has grown by $5000 allowing us to hire 5 more part time staff members so we can serve more people. HOLY MOLY.
It really, really ROCKS my world and it should ROCK YOUR WORLD TOO. Let’s all learn the lesson from this true Bible story shared in this children’s book.
One day Jesus was Preaching. The People got very hungry.
Look around your environment where is there a need to serve others?
One little boy had five rolls and tow fish for his lunch.
Assess what you do have. What are you talents or skills? What do you have access too?
The Boy Gave it to Jesus to share.
Give what you do have to Jesus.
(Note in the actual Bible Verse it says Jesus took the bread and fish and blessed them by giving thanks)
So why not thank God for what you do have and thank Him for how He will use it to serve others.
Jesus fed 5000 with the boy’s lunch.
Never doubt what God can do through you and your little.
So to summarize:
Find a NEED, Assess what you have, Give Thanks and Ask God to Take your Little and Make it a lot to serve others MIGHTILY.
YOU CAN DO IT. I BELIEVE IN YOU and GOD IS WAITING TO PARTNER WITH YOU TO DO THE MIRACULOUS.
Mary Starr Carter
the Total Wellness Doc and Mom
P.S. Still have trouble believing this? Then read SUN STAND STILL by Steven Furtick or download it on www.Audible.com and listen and learn.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
Have you ever met someone whose story just makes you want to cry tears of joy? Whose story truly is a miracle? Whose life is a LIGHT ON A HILL? Well that is Meggan Larson. I first met Meggan at a First Steps to Success Training with Dani Johnson. Over the 3 years we trained together I saw a wonderful woman turn into an extraordinary human being. She and her husband Rob Larson have so many fabulous testimonials of what God has done in their lives and how they have blessed others.
Meggan and Rob have a 3 ½ year old daughter and a son just over 2 years old. When her youngest was just 3 months old she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer called choriocarsinoma. It’s a cancer that mimics a pregnancy. The pregnancy hormone duplicates cancer cells at a rate of a pregnancy and carries it through the body. When she was diagnosed, she had tumors in her lungs, spleen and uterus. VERY, VERY SERIOUS.
Through medical intervention and POWERFUL, POWERFUL PRAYER by hundreds and hundreds of people Meggan recovered from cancer. And even though she had 5 months of chemotherapy, she was able to conceive again. That was a miracle in itself. At 5-6 weeks Meggan started bleeding from a sub-choronic bleed, which in many cases causes miscarriages. Miraculously again the blood bled off and no longer was a threat to the growing baby. BUT they discovered that her placenta was growing into the wall of her uterus, which is dangerous for mommy and baby and will require a C-Section for baby and hysterectomy for mommy.
On February 19th Meggan started bleeding and the doctors decided to take the baby at 33 weeks. Here is little Nathaniel Ethan Alexander Larson at 4.1 lbs.
What a miracle! But I am going to ask you to continue to pray for this amazing woman of faith. Please pray mightily for her recovery, her new little baby, her family and husband.
Here is a picture of her family.
Lastly I want to share with you Meggan’s Blog so you can continue to follow her progress and baby Larson’s progress. I hope that their story inspires you to Trust God, Have Faith and Believe in Miracles: http://prayforteamlarson.blogspot.ca/2014/01/introduction.html
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
Myths About Marriage That Keep You Single and How To Avoid Them
By Aesha Adams-Roberts
I talk with men and women on a daily basis about life and love. And one of the most common points that comes up with all of them have to do with their beliefs about love, marriage, and the opposite sex.
For example, right before Christmas I had my 5th dentist appointment (yeah, I know) and I asked two very attractive, professional single women about their love lives. They willingly shared all the juicy details with me. One, a dental hygienist, told me she had met the love of her life on Myspace a few years ago, and he wants to marry her. In fact, he asked her what would she think if he bought her an engagement ring for Christmas. Her answer: “Why are we talking about this?!” When I probed her for more information, she told me she is scared to get married because all of the marriages in her immediate family ended in (an ugly) divorce, and she was certain that it would happen to her too. The dental associate who was working on my teeth at the time said she hoped one day love would find her. “Are you dating,” I asked? “No,” she replied, “I just don’t go out enough. But it’ll happen for me one day–maybe.”
The beliefs these two women had about themselves and about marriage shaped the actions they did–or didn’t–take. One was sabotaging her chances for marriage, the other was passively waiting for it to happen.
The beliefs a woman has about herself, love, marriage, relationships, and the opposite sex is often the greatest hindrance to her meeting and marrying the man of their dreams, more than any other factor I’ve observed so far–age, race, weight, economic status.
Our beliefs are powerful because they shape our actions. Some of the ways beliefs are formed are through the ways we’re groomed by our parents (whether they were married or divorced or single), our friends, our communities, the media, and our culture. We have the power to say “yes, I believe that” or “no, I don’t believe that” to these influences, but if we’ve experienced something that confirms what any of these sources say, it is often a challenge to believe anything else.
For example, many people believe that 50% of all marriages end in divorce. We’ve heard “experts” quote it as an undisputed fact and we may have even seen divorce happen again and again with our families and friends.
However, a 2005 article in the New York Times by Dan Hurley revealed that this supposedly fact-based belief is not accurate. In reality, 3 out of 5 marriages last until “death do us part!”
Question: What would happen if we collectively started believing that most marriages thrive instead of die?
Another commonly held belief I’ve heard over and over from single women, is that men should always make the first move when it comes to dating. These women are waiting for their Knight in Shining Armor to appear, sweep them off their feet, and ride off into the sunset to live happily ever after.
However, when I asked my Facebook followers what they thought about the belief that men should always make the first move, surprisingly, all of the women said “Yes, they should!” Their rationale was that a man isn’t a “real man” if he doesn’t approach them, that he doesn’t have backbone, and that if he doesn’t pursue a woman, he doesn’t recognize her value and will eventually want the woman to take the lead on everything.
However, most of the men said, “No!” One man in particular said, “As the saying goes, “a closed mouth doesn’t get fed.” Also, I see a woman that makes the first move as confident. Confidence is attractive. (Very)”
Another man’s comment revealed the pressures most men feel when it comes to approaching a woman:
“Let’s see…men run the risk of getting flat out rejected, denied, charged with assault or harassment, called perverted names if signs were misread, slapped, or beat up when making the first move. Ladies at worst, may only face a polite decline. Who should make the first move? The one with the least to lose.”
The men’s comments flew in the face of traditional beliefs about men’s and women’s roles in dating. But more surprising to me was how the women felt the need to defend their positions on why men should always approach a woman. Instead of taking note that attractive, single men were telling them on Facebook (for all the world to see) that they don’t mind if a woman takes initiative and shows she is interested in man, my single sisters held on tight to their beliefs that a man should always take the first move.
So, what’s a sister to do?
If you want to know if your beliefs may be keeping you from the marriage of your dreams, I suggest you spend some time journaling and reflecting. Actually write down the beliefs you have about yourself, about what it means to be in love, about what men should and shouldn’t do, and ask yourself: where did these beliefs come from? Did they come from your family? your religious beliefs? Your culture? Ask yourself: Do I really believe this? Why?
Remember, you have the power to choose your beliefs. Choose wisely because they may be the only thing between you and the man of your dreams!
Aesha Adams-Roberts, PhD is an author, speaker, and dating and relationship expert. After years of making painful dating mistakes, Aesha finally learned what it takes to find the man of one’s dreams. She married hers after just 11 months. Using the time‐tested principles she discovered, she founded AeshaOnline.com, a site designed to help women not just meet, date and marry the man of their dreams, but figure out why they have been unsuccessful in the past. AeshaOnline.com is today’s go‐to site for people who want to know the secrets to happy relationships from dating into marriage, parenting and beyond.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
Since 1996 my husband Jay Carter of www.starrhost.com has been a part of my life. He is an incredible man but when I first met him, he lived a quite different life. I remember seeing his house for the first time and in his TV room was a GIANT can of processed nacho cheese, which he ate with his giant bags of nachos. He drank beer, lots of soda and smoked cigarettes. But one great thing he had going for his health is he was doing A LOT of manual labor everyday; sweating and getting cardiovascular exercise and strength building from his job. Over the years, his lifestyle improved drastically but he went from a manual labor job to a sit at a desk IT Job and he gained a lot of weight.
I have been blessed to see this man overcome addiction, improve his health and grow to learn and understand what keeps him healthy. Like all of us, he has the knowledge but doesn’t always practice it. We have 2 busy children and he has a workload that has him in his office 60 plus hours a week. So making the decision to move to a home where manual labor was a necessity to heat our home and clean up our land was a GREAT DECISION.
In the first few weeks of living here, he lost 12lbs. He says, “I feel so good after sweating outside and accomplishing stuff.” He gets on the tractor, goes out in the woods, takes down a dead tree, cuts it up with a chainsaw, then brings it over to the splitter and then stacks it for us to use. Lots of work but it’s amazing how happy and healthy it is making him.
We need to recognize how important it is to have a Healthy Happy Husband. They are so vital to a healthy family. Here is another example of a man who decided to change his health, David. David’s tips and transformation should be an excellent example to all of us to get healthy and happy.
David’s story and tips:
We all know those people—or maybe you are one; you know, the type that likes to relive the “glory days” of younger years and how fantastic shape they were in. Chiseled abs, thick chest, 30 inch waist…and the list goes on. Up until last year I was that guy too. I had the same excuses as everyone else—college, marriage, kids (I have 3) and work. After over 10 years of being overweight, I decided I was no longer going to reminisce about how I used to be in good shape, I was going to be in good shape, no matter what it took.
I get asked frequently what I’m doing to lose weight—and it never fails that it’s difficult for me to answer succinctly. If I were to pin it to a single factor, it would simply be that I had a mindset change. That mental switch that flipped has led me to developing habits and thought processes which have ultimately changed my body.
1. Figure out your “why”
This probably sounds like “duh” but think about it for a minute. This journey isn’t going to be short or easy. Things will get tough. When it gets hard, you need to be able to focus on why you started in the first place. I have two key moments in my life that I will reflect back on to get me through sticking points and keep me moving.
2. Develop mental discipline
Through my experiences, one of the biggest contributing factors to dieting failure is lack of mental discipline. A lot of us don’t naturally have enough of this to get through a diet successfully/strictly for more than a few days –but the good news is that like other habits, it can be developed. I believe this is one of the MOST important aspects of change. You will constantly be bombarded with temptations: office parties, special events, family gatherings, spouses not on a “diet”, holidays. All these can easily derail your progress if you’re not prepared.
I’m not trying to say that junk food has to be 100% out of the diet, but it’s so easy to indulge here and there and before you know it, all your progress has been compromised. Unfortunately we can’t live in a junk food free bubble while dieting — even if we could, as soon as you come out you will not be equipped to handle it and probably end up back where you started.
3. Stop trying to out-work a bad diet
You can’t out exercise a bad diet, stop trying. I spent years in the gym trying to do this and I never experienced meaningful change until I got the diet right. Just look at all the people in the gym who spend HOURS every week doing cardio or lifting weights and yet still are overweight and out of shape. Conversely, look at people with a “clean” diet that don’t even bother with exercise. [I put clean in quotations because that actually opens up a whole can of worms that I can’t address simply.]
4. Plan ahead
I quickly discovered that if I wasn’t always thinking a day or two ahead to make sure I had the proper food in the fridge, I would get “stuck” being hungry with less than optimal foods around to eat.
5. Track your food intake
It’s so easy to track our food intake these days; most of us have a smart phone or at least a computer with an internet connection. I would recommend utilizing one of the many websites/apps that make this easy; I call it training wheels for losing weight.
My favorite app for doing this is My Fitness Pal. It has a huge food database and you can easily scan the barcode on just about anything and enter into your journal. I also love the ability to “remember” meals and create recipes. Inputting my food takes very little time every day after the initial learning curve. Yes, for this to be accurate you’re going to have to weigh/measure your food, at least initially until you get a good reference. Even after months of this, I still weigh and measure just about everything I eat. Otherwise you are just guessing.
Just recently I took tip 4 “plan ahead” and went a step further. Within the last couple of weeks I actually started to put my food in the day prior. Although this sounds extreme, it takes the emotion out of eating. When you’re faced with hunger it’s very easy to make a snap decision that usually hurts your long term goals. If you’re not ready to take this step, often times simply asking yourself “does this [insert food] help me reach my goals?”
6. Start with the big rocks
Remove sodas, excessive alcohol and fruit drinks from your diet and replace it with water or at least zero calorie options. There is a lot of debate over diet sodas and artificial sweeteners but I can tell you right now that excessive body fat is going to kill you faster than having some Aspartame or Splenda in a diet soda once in a while. If you eat fast food multiple times a week, eliminate it or reduce it severely. Yes you can lose weight eating fast food but it will make it slower and more difficult.
7. Exercise
Notice how far down the list exercise makes an appearance. People in the fitness industry often say body transformation is 70% diet, 30% exercise. I actually believe diet is more important than that. Exercise is the catalyst for change; a good diet lets it happen. Yes you can lose “weight” without exercise, however, exercise does speed up the process and helps to maintain lean body tissue while under a caloric deficit. As most people know, muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat so keeping as much muscle as possible should be a priority. Plus, muscle is what gives your body the good kind of curves.
8. Set realistic goals
You didn’t get overweight overnight and getting back into shape isn’t going to happen overnight either. Be patient but persistent. I found that for me, setting 5lb. short term goals kept me pushing toward my long term goals.
9. Take pictures/measurements
The scale is a liar. Even more so if you’re engaging in any significant amount of exercise. I’ve found that pictures and measurements taken at regular intervals is better feedback for how I’m progressing than the scale—especially as I get leaner and have less fat to lose.
10. Eat mostly whole food
Base the majority of your intake around whole foods—lean meats, eggs, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Personally, I avoid anything that comes out of a bag or box.
11. Make it a lifestyle, not a diet
All diets work great. The problems arise when you stop the diet and go back to eating like you did before. Confession: this started as a diet for me. Eventually I realized that if I went back to eating what I used to then I would go back to looking that way too.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
How I Got in the Best Shape of My Life
By: Christine Parton
For the past two years I have been on a journey to better health. I have always been of a “health conscious” mindset and knew the importance of eating well and exercising, yet more often than not, LIFE got in the way. It’s such an irony that often on our quest to live a good LIFE, a healthy LIFE, many of us are derailed by everyday LIFE. The long workdays, kids and family commitments, etc. that we are left feeling defeated, exhausted and frustrated to the point that we start to accept the unhealthiness of our LIFE and feel trapped.
Fortunately, with enough determination, support and commitment, we can all find our path on the road to a healthy LIFE. As I previously mentioned, I have been a health conscious person most of my adult life. I knew I had a terrible family history of heart disease, cancer and obesity, among others that if I didn’t take control of, I would soon become another statistic. There have been periods of time in my life when I was more “in shape” than others, when I ate a healthier diet and took long daily walks. I worked in a job once where all I did was promote organic, natural food to the community in which I lived. Yet again, LIFE took over. I had two babies in two years, worked stressful corporate jobs and commuted long hours. I did what I could to be healthy. I exercised when I could, I tried to eat right but most importantly, I never gave up and I knew that a time would come when the “stars would align” so to speak and I would finally get onboard the express train to the “me” I always dreamed of.
For me that time came when, mostly out of necessity, I became a stay at home mom. The cost of daycare for two children was astronomical and we had no local family support to provide childcare. Don’t get me wrong, I was very excited and wanted to stay home with my kids and spend time with them. I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown working and commuting for 12-14 hours a day, nursing my youngest (and all that goes with that commitment-pumping while at work, transporting breast milk, etc.), taking care of the home chores, finances, and everything else that happens in LIFE. Fitting time to exercise into my daily routine was almost impossible for this time in my life, yet I never gave up hope that one day, my circumstances would change and I would take hold of the reigns. I did just that in February 2012.
One of the first tasks on my “list” once I quit my job was to find a good gym. I had belonged to other gyms in the past but never stuck to it and would eventually cancel my membership. I researched and visited several local gyms, comparing my criteria and meeting the staff. I eventually settled on an amazing gym, BodyPlex. The have a wonderful staff in the kids’ area whom I felt comfortable caring for my children while I exercised. This was key to my commitment to go almost daily. Again, without family and friends near us to provide childcare, finding a gym with childcare was a non-negotiable. I spent the first few weeks trying various classes and seeing where I fit in and what resonated with me. I also met with the fitness director for what I knew was a sales pitch to join personal training sessions, but for a reason that eventually became clear, I talked to him anyway. I will never forget the words that rang truest to me, “a trainer will push you farther than you will push yourself. They hold you accountable when no one else will.”
It was a stretch financially with only one income however, my ultra supportive husband knew I was committed and encouraged me to go for it. Having a trainer has made ALL the difference in my journey. I decided to meet a trainer once a week and supplement my time with her by taking classes at the gym taught by the trainers. I now work out 5-6 days a week, two days high intensity cardio and 3-4 days weight training. Lifting weights burns more calories than cardio alone. Weight training helps develop lean muscle mass that cardio alone will never achieve. A body with more muscle mass will always burn calories faster. There are just so many reasons to ensure weight training is part of your “get fit” lifestyle.
Working with my trainer has also provided so much insight into diet and how the foods I consume directly impact my ability feel stronger and more successful at the gym. We have all heard it but a high protein, low carb diet rich in fruits and vegetables will do more for you than any fad diet. I rarely stray from my tried and true staples for breakfast, lunch and dinner but I will also add that I never make myself feel “guilty” if I want a special treat once in awhile. I teach this to my kids, a special treat is just that, a treat, it’s not an everyday occurrence.
On my two year journey, I let go of 30 extra pounds of weight that were holding me back from living the LIFE I always wanted. In the process, I discovered a body I had never known before, I am in the best shape of my life as I enter my last year in the 30’s. I didn’t look this good as a twenty-something. My husband, family and friends are incredibly proud and I am too. I made the commitment to make this my new LIFEstyle and eating right and exercising are my new norms.
If there is a day I don’t make it to the gym, the first thing I do is not feel guilty, but then get right back on track the next day. We live in a busy world, there is no doubt about it, but taking time now to make changes will only benefit you down the road for so many reasons. I think of the positive role model I try to be for my children, especially my daughter. I pray she learns healthy living tips from me that she can carry through adolescence and into her teenage years and beyond. I pray that I inspire my family and friends who have been struggling on their own journey to get fit. I strive to share my tips for success and encourage others to discover what works for them.
It’s important to realize what works for one person isn’t necessarily going to work for someone else. The key is perseverance and determination, push forward, cultivate your destiny and take the path that your are drawn to. As a result of getting healthier I have gained so much confidence. I can now go clothes shopping without the tears that once accompanied me. I am also finally teaching yoga, a path I first embarked on 7 years ago yet never felt confident enough to be in front of a class. I am excited to see where my path, my journey continues to take me in life.
If I were to sum up my experience in 5 tips that really “clicked,” I would say:
1. First and foremost getting a personal trainer was the single more successful venture I embarked on. My trainer has become a great friend. She pushed me when I wanted to quit. I cried during our first meeting recalling how much I wanted my life to change. I cried and screamed during our workouts and the countless wall balls, kettle bells swings, push ups and pull ups she coached me through. She also analyzed my diet and continues to give me recipe ideas to stay on track. Words cannot express how I feel about her support, she is the best.
2. Decide when the time is right and when you can really stick to your plans and until it’s the right time, incorporate little things like cutting out one crutch food or taking one walk a week, something is better than nothing. I have always said, “to get anywhere you need to start somewhere.”
I also read recently how crushing New Year’s Resolutions can be to a person. Resolutions are so black and white, you succeed or, more often you fail. In my yoga class, we set “intentions” to start our practice. An intention is something you are focusing on, something you are working towards. You may take one step forward and two steps back but your intention is still set on that idea, that goal.
3. Because I have children, I had to find a way to include them in my lifestyle change. I made sure the kids’ area at the gym was clean, safe, and the staff attentive. I also recently invested in a double stroller. When my son was an infant I put him in a baby carrier on my back, my two year old was in a single jogger and the dog was on a leash. I garnered many raised eyebrows from the neighbors but I just said, “We all needed to get out of the house!” Whether you have children our not, if there is something you may feel inclined to use as an excuse not to exercise, find a way to deal with it. I often think my house might be cleaner if I used my gym time for house chores instead. But in the end, what is more important, a spotless home or your health.
4. I am incredibly blessed to have a loving, supportive husband and my wish for everyone is the same support from home. But, I have also developed some friendships at the gym. Not necessarily people I would see outside the gym but people who I interact with at class and enjoy being around. We talk about our sessions at the gym, we sweat through tough classes together and wish each other well as we depart. I found a great community at my gym and this was key for me.
5. Most importantly, I know that I am human and I am not perfect. I do not strive to be something I am not. I strive to be healthy, to be a role model and live the life I was born to live. I try to practice compassion and forgiveness and know that if I want to eat pizza today, it’s okay. I just don’t eat it everyday. I think we have all fallen victim to the notion that once you “fall off the wagon” you are doomed and you failed. It’s important to get right back on and know that temporary setbacks are part of life and to learn from the experience.
I sincerely hope my stories inspire others and ignite that spark necessary to begin a journey to a better LIFE.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
Picture this: Inside our body there is an elaborate system. A system of maintaining the body with nutrients and eliminating waste. We need nutrients to feed the cells and a well functioning system to eliminate toxins absorbed from food and the environment.
What happens if there is a nutrient deficiency and a broken waste elimination system?
A waste build up will occur. The lack of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fibers will ultimately cause the cells to be depleted of core essentials and possibly shut down and result in toxin overload – poor health, disease and congested digestive system.
Ever experience a clogged sink or toilet? Or walked near a trashcan during a hot summer day? Are they pleasant to look at, possibly breeding worms and smelling bad?
How do you know if you need cleansing and your body is toxic?
According to Dr. Mark Hyman, here are some things to look out for:
● Constipation
● Persistent headaches, muscle aches and muscle fatigue
● Food allergies
● Hormonal imbalances
● Bloating
● Skin abnormalities such as acne, rosacea or eczema
● And more (Source and read more: DoctorOz)
Young Living 5-Day Nutritive Cleanse is a starting point for anyone looking for a gentle and effective cleansing system to help improve overall health. It provides nutritional maintenance, helps balance the extremes of the modern diet and provides essential nutrients, vitamins and protein while you fortify, cleanses and builds your health.
The kit comes with three products and a simple guide to snacking between meals. Here’s why this 5-Day Nutritive Cleanse is easy and effective:
One: Digest+Cleanse
Digest+Cleanse is made with Peppermint, Caraway, Lemon, Ginger, Fennel and Anise therapeutic grade essential oils and coconut oil. It soothes gastrointestinal upset, supports healthy digestion, prevents gas, soothes the bowel, stimulates stomach secretions and helps prevent indigestion and abdominal pain.
For centuries, peppermint has been regarded and used as an herb to soothe digestion and restore digestive efficiency. The d-limonene found in lemon oil helps alkalize and cleanse the digestive and lymphatic systems. While Caraway has been proven to soothe the bowel, improve elimination and ease digestive discomfort and nausea. Fennel helps break up toxins and cleanses the tissues and anise calms and strengthens the digestive system. (Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils).
Two: NingXia Red
Cleansing can take a lot out of our body and we may feel weak and have a lack of energy. The 5-Day Cleansing kit comes with NingXia Red to provide energy and antioxidant on top of all the nutrients found in this super food.
NingXia Red is made from the NingXia wolfberry that contains essential amino acids, protein concentration, high oxygen radical absorbance (ORAC) and superoxide-oxygen radical absorbance capacity (SORAC)- which signifies that the wolfberry has the ability to look for free radicals. Free radicals are harmful to our body. The powerful antioxidant, d-limonene found in NingXia Red can help the liver neutralize and eliminate harmful substances like toxins.
During cleansing, NingXia Red can help create lasting energy, protect the whole body and replenish it with essential nutrients.
Three: Balance Complete
The average American eats between 10-15 grams of fiber per day, which is much lower than the average recommendation of 2-35 grams per day. Dietary fibers help make you feel full faster, control weight, aid digestion and prevent constipation. The lack of fiber is causing Americans to build toxicity in the body. (Source: NLM)
The two forms of fiber are soluble and insoluble. Soluble attracts water and turns to gel during digestion. It is scientifically proven to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. The insoluble fiber helps speed the passage of food through the stomach and intestines and adds bulks to the stool. (Source: NLM)
Balance Complete has 11 grams of dietary fiber per serving which is 44 percent of the daily recommendation. 8.75 grams are soluble fiber and 2.27 grams are insoluble fiber.
This unique blend of fibers called V-Fiber is a blend of soluble and insoluble fibers that may help more absorption of toxins, less bloating and gas, eliminate fats, promote better colon health, balance blood sugar and curb hunger.
This delicious super-food-based meal replacement is a nutritive energizer and cleanser. It is made of NingXia wolfberry powder, brown rice bran, barley grass, extra virgin coconut oil, aloe vera, cinnamon powder and whey protein blend. Balance Complete has high protein, good fats, enzymes, vitamins and minerals needed for your every day maintenance of health.
The whey protein in Balance Complete provides the body with amino acids for muscle strength and recovery. Most importantly this whey protein is from grass-fed, hormone free, pesticide free and antibiotic free cows. It has 75 percent pure protein by weight and is low in fat. Your body needs the protein and fat during the cleansing period.
Here are some testimonials about the taste of Balance Complete and the 5-Day Nutritive Cleanse:
“Hmmm, reminds me of vanilla ice cream!” Kids’ usual response to the first drink of Balance Complete! Amazing to have such a pure body nourishing product tasting so goood. Thank you. Our whole family loves Balance Complete. We might run out of other healthy stuff, but there always is one extra Balance Complete in our kitchen cabinet. – Mary K.
“Young Living” products including the balance complete have changed my life. The balance complete has given me so much energy even my friends are amazed. And, it tastes wonderful! I have a shake every morning for breakfast; sometimes as is or with blueberries. A perfect meal, especially when trying to get ready in the morning with a 3 year old. Young Living has truly been my savior! – Mrs. LPJ
I absolutely love Balance Complete!!! I started the 5-Day Nutritive Cleanse after having 2 surgical procedures. I had no appetite with all the anesthesia in my system, so I figured drinking my meals would be good. It tastes great & I lost 8 lbs. in the 1st 10 days. My goal is to continue releasing 1-2 lbs. every week, so this has been a great start! – Amaris M
I tried this for the first time last week as part of the 5-day nutritive cleanse. I feel do much better, not sluggish from the wrong types of food. I’m surprised that not only is it filling, but I don’t experience food cravings either. It has increased my resistance to temptation because I know I feel better putting wholesome, nutrient rich foods in my body. Great product and I’m ordering more this week! Thank you! – Lenore B.
(Testimonials taken from Young Living)
If you are looking for an easy and fast way to do your cleanse this year, make sure you get your 5-Day Nutritive Cleanse Kit. Order the kit directly retail online at www.orderoils.com or call our office at 315-883-1943 or email info@starrhealth.com and a Wellness Consultant can see if a Health Investor Wholesale Membership is right for you.
I am leaving you with a quote from Denis Waitley: Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
Before I had children up to 2007, I lived a very different life. I lived a life that didn’t include walking with God although I believed in God I hadn’t given my life to Him. In November 2007 I gave my whole heart to God and accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior… ironically at a business conference of all things but hey God knew the only way to get my attention was through the current idol in my life… WORK.
From that day forward my life changed in BIG WAYS. God opened doors, He closed others, He taught me how to use His Word to live my life, He opened up a world of Spiritual Gifts, He brought great blessing and people into my life to bless and He walked me through tragedies and heartbreaks. In December of 2009 I was anointed with the Holy Spirit. See, God is God the Father God the Son (Jesus) and when Jesus died He Left the Holy Spirit to be with us. Most people miss this tip, but it is HUGE. Reflecting back on these past 7 years I can just be overwhelmed by what I call, Holy Spirit miracles and DIVINE God leadings.
When most people think of miracles, they think of terminal illness being cured or something big like that. But I am telling you the Holy Spirit is a miracle in itself and can help bring you peace when you have none, give you a direction when you are lost and give you vision when you have none. But we first need to accept Jesus and the Son of God who died for us for our crap, to renew us, and then we ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
My point in this note today is that the Holy Spirit is one of the greatest blessings we have, yet so many moms live their life without this Divine Source. Here is what I observe when Moms and Women live without access to Jesus or the Holy Spirit.
1. The weight of the world on their shoulders.
Many times I see women with humanistic faith or women who don’t know what God gives them have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Everything is a problem they must solve, income they must earn, children they must fix, careers that they are unhappy in.
2. Idols
Idols are just carved out figures. In today’s society they are everything from our TV to our children. Women who don’t KNOW God and KNOW His Word (and when I say KNOW I mean apply it) can fall very easily down traps of making their career, body, children, entertainment, Facebook and social media their WORLDS.
This leads to problems like poor health, addiction, freaking out when your TV or Internet goes out and worse… raising children who think that they are center of the universe and not GOD. (My opinions, remember.)
3. Drama
Everyone knows a DRAMA MOMMA. No matter what, there is always drama in her life. It’s like she may just attract problems or something. My opinion again is it’s a lack of close connection and walk with God.
4. Co-dependency
Our children will grow up, our loved ones will pass on, looking to other people for our source of joy and happiness can be very dangerous. This doesn’t mean don’t love our children and our spouses with our whole heart, it just means learn to put GOD as your CENTER, God as your ROCK, God as your #1. I guarantee you putting other people as those things will and can be BIG TROUBLE in your future.
5. A Mediocre life
Greatness comes in all different ways but when we can look at things through God’s eyes and call out to His Helper, the Holy Spirit when we are making day to day decisions or more important ones or Follow Him with all that we have… our lives are no longer mediocre but a REAL WALK OF FAITH and a BLESSING TO THE WORLD.
It is my prayer that you will open up your heart to Jesus, accept Him as your everything, be anointed in the Holy Spirit and partner with God on this glorious path that is your life.
GOD BLESS YOU,
Mary Starr Carter
the Total Wellness Doc and Mom
P.S. Don’t know where to get started? Start with this prayer: “Oh God in Heaven, I believe with all of my heart that Jesus has been raised from the dead. I receive your Word and I repent of sin. I renounce the past. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. I receive my forgiveness. I receive the new birth, cleansed and washed in the Word and in the precious blood of Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
Renewing our mind is deeper than daily affirmations and meditation. It starts with Redemption, which is easy and free.
REDEMPTION
After the fall of man, God soon (thousands of years) realized that humans are imperfect, sinful, and forgetful people. In the time of Moses, the Israelites quickly forgot all the miracles God did to get them out of Egyptian Slavery.
No matter how many miracles God did, the people would eventually fall back to bad habits, idolatry, prostitution, gluttonous behavior etc., then they would become slaves or worse… lose their lives.
God recognized that an imperfect people would never be free from their sin so He gave us His only son, Jesus. Through Him we are FORGIVEN and SAVED even from our worse selves.
A STORY OF REDEMPTION
Let me tell you about my friend Steven.
Steven was a troubled young man from New York City who got involved with bad influences. Right up to his early 20’s he was what you would call a bad man. Beating up people, using women, respecting no one. He shared with me what a typical night might be going out and beating someone, picking up a girl at a bar, hooking up, then stealing money from her wallet, and then deliberately peeing on the inside of her purse or car. Nasty huh? He lived at home with his parents then.
One day he looked up in the mirror and scared himself because he didn’t even recognize the man staring back at him. He knew he needed help. All of sudden he remembered this church his mother talked about down the road. He asked her about it and she said they were having a service right now. He went into this church that was foreign to him and listened to the worship music and then the pastor preach.
When the pastor gave a call for those who needed Jesus in their hearts to come and kneel at the altar, Stephen felt a strong desire to go up front. He walked up with dozens of people and kneeled at the altar and then he broke. Without understanding why, he just began to sob and sob and sob. He gave his heart and life to Jesus that night. Although he thought it was just minutes, when he finally looked up everyone was gone but Him and the pastor.
The heaviness he carried for so long was gone. His shoulders and body felt lighter. He was a FREE man. Today Stephen is the father to 5 amazing children and a beautiful Godly wife. He is a hard worker and awesome provider and leader for his family. He is Redeemed.
DELIVERANCE
Now if Deliverance was that easy you would think we would have a world free of Drug Abuse, Prostitution, Adultery, Greed, Murder, Theft, Alcoholism, Pornography, Child Abuse etc.
Sadly this is not the case. See our REDEMPTION or Salvation is easy… you can give your heart to Jesus at anytime and anywhere and you are a NEW person in Christ… but now the hard part comes in.
RENEWING OUR MIND
For years I understood that renewing my mind was the key to renewing my life. I used to say Affirmations Daily, listen to Spiritual People, get Life Coaching, do Treasure Maps, go for Meditative Breath Walks, and get rid of bad MoJo by Burning Sage or wearing White Angelica. But even with all that I was still a mess living in strife and conflict.
Renewing your life starts with salvation. Don’t get me wrong. Jesus can work miracles and deliver someone from bad things in a second when they are redeemed… others will take time, but He gives us the tools.
Tools for Renewing our Mind, Body and Spirit
1) The Bible – It is living Word and if read, heard, listened to, and meditated on consistently it can give you Wisdom beyond anything you have ever known.
2) The Holy Spirit – Most people miss this amazing Helper, Healer, Comforter, Deliverer. When Jesus was resurrected to Heaven, He left with us the Holy Spirit to do all these things and more.
3) Prayer – Is more than a morning or nighttime ritual. Prayer can be an all the time ritual. It can be seconds of silent words to God or it can be on the floor prostrate intense prayer sessions and then everything in between.
4) The Gifts of the Spirit – Most people will miss this too unless they go to a church who teaches this or finds resources like Kris Vallottone.
It’s my prayer that you not only are saved but that you live in the full blessing that God has given you for redeemed life, body, mind and spirit.
Mary Starr Carter
The Total Wellness Doc and Mom
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
It’s that time of year again when most of us are sitting down to review our goals and dreams. We may be taking inventory of the years gone by and thinking through what our next steps to get from passion and dreams to purpose and reality are.
Are you the person you want to be?
A year ago I asked that question and had many responses. I am reflecting on the article and the same thoughts come to mind:
I don’t know if you are like me but until I started improving my life, mind and body I didn’t even realize I wasn’t the person I wanted to be. I was so stuck in my life I didn’t even realize I had dreams I wasn’t living and goals I didn’t achieve. 10 years ago I didn’t see myself as an unhealthy person, or selfish, or lacking in anything… but I was. (From my article Are you the person you want to be?)
Whether we want to get healthier or better at what we do, there are certain steps we need to take. I realized my passion and dreams came through because of a plan, hard work, focus and pushing through challenges. Some plans did not come to fruition. And that is part of the process of taking passion and dreams to purpose and reality.
Les Brown said:
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
Here are five tips and resources to help us get unstuck and move forward to the person we want to be:
One: Setting goals
Setting goals and writing down a plan is important to track your progress and may be a way to stay focused. A goal is used as a guideline and not something that is set in stone. Through my experiences I’ve learned to set goals and give myself grace to evaluate and change the goals.
Last year I shared a free resource from the Mindset Maven, PJ McClure on how to know exactly what you want. It is still available for free. Grab your on his website, The Mindset Maven.
I would like to add another tip. There is a difference between talking about the goals and actually doing it. Here is a video from Derek Sivers published on TED to help you think through the process of setting goals.
He said “Telling someone your goals makes them less likely to happen.” (Source: TED)
Two: Seasons of Life
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 11)
Steven Furtick from Elevation Church has a series called Times and Seasons. In this series he talks about the different times and seasons of life, filled with mountaintops and valleys, blessings and drought, fulfillment and brokenness. (Source: Elevation Church)
Have you ever said, “If I could ever…”? He said every season has a struggle. Whether it is a season of plenty or scarce, this series will set us free from envy and comparison and embrace our season and walk and work on our own passion and dreams.
Three: Embrace Change
I am thinking about our move to Florida and how it makes sense to some and doesn’t for others. Changes are always difficult and there is also a lot of good when we make changes.
Do you remember Borders? They had bookstores everywhere. Today they are gone. Same goes with Blockbuster…they are out of store front business as well. Why? Maybe they were not willing to make changes fast enough. Amazon and Netflix practically swept them off from the face of the earth.
The canals in Central New York are not what we use now for transportation. (Central Nyers you may remember that song from Elementary School “I had a mule and her name was Sal 15 miles on the Erie Canal.”) First the railway replaced them and next came the road systems. You and I would not use the canals to travel to New York City if we needed to get there fast and within a few hours. We have the options to fly, drive or take the train.
What are the changes you need to make to be the person you want to be?
If it is health, we may have to look into taking care of what we eat, nutritional products and a work out routine. If it is getting out of debt, it may be cutting back on eating out and buying knick-knacks. If it is making more money, it may be time to start a home-based business or gain a new skill to work in another job.
Each of these areas require changes and efforts.
Four: Huddle Up
Live Science article on Huddle Up: The Surprising Physics of Penguin Movement could teach us a lesson about huddling up with a group of like-minded folks. The article said:
When male emperor penguins face the minus-58-degrees-Fahrenheit (minus 50 degrees Celsius), 120-mph (200 km/h) winds of Antarctic winters, the birds rely on their neighbors’ bodies to keep themselves — and the eggs that they protect in a pouch near their feet — alive and warm. (Source: Live Science)
Seriously, I started the Total Wellness Health Investors Club for this reason. It is a place that we can huddle everyday and learn from each other, keep each other motivated, and on track to achieving our goals. If you want to know how you can gain access to this private group email me at info@starrhealth.com and put Health Investor in the subject line.
Five: Celebrate YOU
Children’s books teach a lot about embracing our uniqueness and differences. As we reflect on our own lives and setting goals for the New Year, let’s take the time to celebrate the unique YOU.
Reader’s Digest recommended seven children’s books on “Everyone is Different.” One such book Knees: The Mixed-Up World of a Boy With Dyslexia by Vanita Oelschlager is about how a boy accepts his condition and embraces his special talents. Henry Ford and Walt Disney were some of the famous people who suffered from dyslexia.
Do you view YOU as uniquely designed? Celebrate YOU as we move forward to the next year.
Please share and place a comment on this article. I look forward to working and learning with you.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
The stewardess on the plane was an amazing woman with many talents…
She was originally from the Philippines and moved to this country, having had several degrees and different careers during her life. She loved people and just had a caring heart. She and her husband recently adopted a baby girl from the Philippines. Her husband was living in the Philippines with their daughter and she was flying the skies.
They had a home in Texas too and I didn’t ask but I just felt that her heart was with her family…
Maybe her husband could not get citizenship, maybe there were legalities of leaving the country with their baby, maybe they had more help from their family there, I don’t know. But I just knew that although she was a phenomenal stewardess and seemed to love her job, if money didn’t matter she would probably be with her family.
What if she could creatively make money another way without sacrificing on spending time with her family?
I was checking out at the grocery store and I heard the two clerks talking about the upcoming BIG Lotto drawing….
The one cashier said, “if I win I am paying off my school loans and paying cash for Law School.”
The other cashier said… “I don’t know what I would do… Maybe build a new house, but I really could have any house I wanted.”
I asked, “Are you all talking about winning the Lottery?” They said yes. And then I proceeded to question them. Sue, the one cashier in her late 40’s tells me that really she doesn’t want to win the lottery. She just wants to BE COMFORTABLE. Be able to pay all her bills. Get away for the winter where it is warm. And be ableto take weekends and holidays off and not be stuck working the upcoming Easter Sunday Holiday like she is this year.
My heart hurts for both the stewardess and the cashier, not because of the situations they are in but because they don’t see a way out of their situation.
BUT I DO!
It’s called a Home Based Business and simply it’s a small business that you can run from your home or from your smartphone and iPad anywhere in the world.
In 1999 I was introduced to the concept and in 2001 I started getting serious and partnered with Young Living Essential Oils to distribute and market their products all over the world.
Today myself and 100 other associates in our team work 2-20 hours a week sharing, teaching and marketing Young Living products. We serve more than 4000 clients all over the world.
What’s the earning potential on that?
COMFORTABLE…
It allowed for comfort when my husband suddenly lost his job in 2006. It allowed for comfort and a consistent residual income when I wanted to take almost a year away from my business when I had my first son. It allows for us to create jobs. It allows for us to make investments in real estate. It has allowed for me to pay off over $200,000 in debt.
So if you think you want a little comfort in your life, or you want to be able to work from home, or you want to just have enough money to do a few extra things this summer, let’s look at this option further.
How do you know if a Home Business is right for you?
You have to have a strong desire for change
This is a commitment and unless you have a strong WHY you are doing it, then you could quit when times get tough. Don’t start a home business unless you have a strong why.
You have the capital to invest – Company & Training
This is a business and it will require an investment. Most home business initial investments range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. A much lesser investment than starting your own restaurant or storefront business!
In addition, you will need
● Monthly capital for training
● Monthly product
● Marketing expenses
You have the time
18 months of 5-10 hours a week minimum
A true lasting business will require consistent work weekly (5-10 hours minimum, 10-20 hours maximum) for no less than 18 months. You may see results before this but to create lasting residual income, give yourself a time commitment of 18 -24 months. (I also recommend not working more than 20 hours a week consistently or you will end up being burnt out.)
You are teachable and willing to learn new things
Even if you have a background in sales and business, make sure you keep a teachable mind and heart. In this industry you must constantly learn new things. You will need to learn to communicate in new ways like through social media, email, video, etc.
Self motivated and hold yourself accountable
Unlike a job, a home business doesn’t have anyone telling you to work or not to work. No one will fire you if you don’t show up for 2 weeks, but you won’t see the results if you don’t work. Self motivation will pay you huge profits!
You have a product that is consumable or gets used up
A consumable type product based home business creates for re-orders and loyal clients. This is the foundation of any good and long term home based business. This creates an income that is residual, meaning you get paid every month because your clients re-order every month.
You have some passion or excitement for what you are doing
Don’t try to start something you don’t have any excitement for. Passion will fuel your profits.
You are okay with making mistakes
Every business owner makes mistakes. Don’t be afraid to. It’s not about perfection, it’s about results.
You’ve come to an agreement with your spouse and children about your business
This is very very very important. Have a serious talk with your family. Let your spouse or significant person in your life learn about your goals and desire to start a home-based business. Decide together when you will work your business and how you will work the business. For example, Wednesday nights mommy is not home, every Tuesday and Thursday nights, Daddy works on his home business from 5:00-7:30.
You have to be willing to work harder on you than anything else. Personal development
It may sound strange but if you have ever watched seasons of the Biggest Loser you will see the most successful individuals in lasting weight loss work harder on their own issues and improving themselves then anyone else. It’s the same in this industry. The long lasting top earners are the ones who have worked harder on themselves. Their people skills, their issues and challenges, their STUFF.
Where are you at in your life?
Which season are you in?
Do you think owning a home business is right for you? If you are serious and ready to take the next step this month we are interviewing for Associate Home Business owners with our company.
Send me an email at info@starrhealth.com with Associate Position in the subject line and why you think having a Home Business would be right for you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
Every year around Christmastime I bring to my readers a person who is in need. Last year we supported a hard working single mom who had been laid off of work for 6 months and had decided that it made more financial and moral sense to stay home with her son until she could find a job in her field that paid her benefits. An update: She made it through several more months until God blessed her with a wonderful job in her field. She said, “I was blessed to stay home with my toddler for a year and half. It was challenging and a blessing but God always provided for us. This precious time with my son, I will always cherish.”
This year I want to share with you a different story. A story that breaks my heart and puts me back into gratitude any time I want to complain or moan about the challenges of parenting.
This is Nora.
She was born December 11th, 2009 in San Francisco, CA weighing only 1 pound 4 ounces. Nora battled and won almost 4 years with her family and friends. Her lungs were never fully developed and she died due to complications from pulmonary hypertension on November 22nd 2013.
Nora was my mother’s first cousin Fran McCormack’s granddaughter. My heart hurts for Fran and her husband Kevin as well as Nora’s parents. I cannot imagine that kind of loss, but Nora’s life was also a celebration. The following is part from her obituary.
Although medically limited she was like a regular little girl who loved tea parties, car rides, doggies, ice cream cones, baseball, basketball and reading books. She was an avid watcher of and interactive participant in Dora and Diego, Special Agent Oso, Curious George and Bamse, amongst many others. She was passionate about birthday cakes, splashing water, Christmas, hummingbirds, listening to and making music, baking, painting and drawing.
Nora lived an incredibly full life and faced each challenge she encountered with perseverance, strength and grace beyond her years.
With her courage and zeal Nora showed us that each day was an opportunity to create everlasting memories, always pushing for “more” and “again.” She will be remembered by all who met her as an extremely smart little girl with an irresistible sense of humor, overflowing with joy and an indomitable zest for life.
Nora was a miracle and with her passing there is a hole torn out of the hearts of her family and friends. Nora’s life was illuminated by love. Every moment of every day, she was cherished by her parents and cheered on by all those who were fortunate enough to know her. Though her life was unfairly brief, she spent it surrounded by support, always aware of how special and valued she was.
Our children are a gift from God. Having two miscarriages, I recognize how precious a newborn life is. Although I never met Nora, I knew her through my family, pictures and stories. She has helped me realize how precious each day is with my children. Each day is a gift because we don’t know how many days we have with each other. We just don’t know.
This year I would like to make you aware of Nora and her foundation to help other parents of kids born premature with underdeveloped lungs or kids battling pulmonary hypertension. If you would like to know more or how to donate, please read this note from Nora’s parents Claire and Thomas.
And remember if you have it in your heart to support this family but can’t financially right now, you can always pray for them. Prayer can bring peace that passes all understanding.
God Bless your Christmas Week and enjoy every minute you can with your family. I love and appreciate you,
Mary Starr Carter
*************************************************************
Dear friends and family,
Nora would have been four years old today. Those four years were filled with joy and love, but also with struggle and learning – learning how to be parents, medical advocates and healthcare providers. Now Thomas and I are struggling with losing Nora and learning how to live our lives without her.
Many of you have asked what you can do to help us. Unfortunately, nothing can bring back Nora. But we can keep Nora’s spirit alive by giving to other children and families who are battling pulmonary hypertension.
Nora loved birthdays and Christmas. She loved giving and receiving gifts. That is why we created the Nora Thelma Boström Foundation at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. We want to provide education and support to caregivers of chronically ill children and fund research into pediatric pulmonary hypertension. We want others to feel the joy and love that Nora gave to us.
Please consider making a gift in honor of Nora. You can click on the PayPal link below to make a credit card gift or mail a check to the address below. If you are interested in giving securities or other assets, please contact the community foundation at (650) 450-5444 for assistance. Funds raised will be added to the Nora Thelma Boström Foundation at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. All checks should be made payable to “Silicon Valley Community Foundation” with “The Nora Thelma Boström Foundation” in the memo line.
Silicon Valley Community Foundation is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation qualified as exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) and classified as a public charity under IRC Sections 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). The community foundation will provide gift acknowledgements to all donors to the Nora Thelma Boström Foundation at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. All gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
Mail checks to:
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
2440 West El Camino Real, Suite 300
Mountain View, California 94040-1498
Attention: Gifts Department
We are deeply grateful for your support,
Claire and Thomas
Children’s toys did not appear in the market until the 19th century. Prior to factory-made toys, kids were playing with homemade toys and anything they could find in the woods.
Tin toys and clockwork toys went on sale and only rich children had a choice of train sets, toy soldiers, rocking horses, dolls, doll houses, tea-sets, toy shops with toy fruits, vegetables, meat, hats and medicines. (Source: BBC)
Interestingly in the article written by BBC it said, “In many homes, children were not allowed toys on Sundays – except Noah’s Ark because that was in the Bible.”.
Isn’t that interesting?
Through the years the toy world added more things into the market. Kids have options. Toys became affordable and everyone- poor or rich have plenty of toys to purchase at different price points.
Time has changed since then….
Instead of playing toy cars or Barbie alone, toy companies started introducing toys that were battery operated- with light, sound and some even talk back to your kids. Toys from LeapFrog and vTech were some of those toys. Then there were the Gameboy, Wii and Xbox.
Some of these little kid devices even come with WiFi like this vTech device below (photo taken from Amazon).
Now there is another revolution…the world of tablets like Kindle and iPad.
Recently I posted the following question on Facebook that took off like fire:
I am looking at a Kindle Fire for Joshie, after seeing my friends kindles for their kids. They had screen time monitors, and different activities and even some movies on there. I don’t need the latest and greatest, but does anyone have any comments on their Kindles for their kids?
Is there a right or wrong for kids using electronic devices? Are electronic devices like iPad and Kindle Fire harmful to kids’ health and learning abilities?
What are the truths about kids using electronic devices?
I like the answers given by intouchtablets. Children love to touch things! A touch screen in tablets give children the ‘action-reaction’ that creates anticipation and keeps them interested. It also helps developing hand-eye coordination. (Source: intouchtablets)
Another angle to look at is to treat tablets (iPad and Kindle) just like another toy. It should not replace traditional toys like puzzles, Legos, crayons and colored pencils.
I believe there are many educational games and entertainment programs in the tablets but it should not be the only toy a child has. Children still need to touch a physical shape and texture of toys, hear the sound made by physical drums or the softness of a stuffed animal.
A reader, Vicki W commented:
In my opinion, all things in moderation. Harley has been computer savvy since 3. Every teacher he’s ever had has said that he is the smartest in their class. He’s always had his time restricted and it can be a good time management tool in these busy times.
I never had to really punish him for anything, just restrict computer time when his behavior got out of hand. By the same token, Mary, I know this doesn’t apply to you and Josh with such a young age but my sister who works in the high school has said how detrimental she thinks “game mentality” is.
Games always have a way to win, sometimes many, children learn that there is a way to win and winning becomes more important than cooperation or compassion. Kids learn that if they go around this or through that or try something different they will find a way to win. Also my son has asked to go to friend’s houses to play their Wii or whatever the game system is and he’s played things that other parents allow that I don’t, no guns, no violence, etc. By the same token, we live in a world where cyberspace has great presence, lets face it, we’re all here, right?
Leaving kids illiterate of this realm can be crippling moving forward with the rest of the world. Harley loves his Kindle since last Christmas, you can set up time frames for kids easily. If you choose that I would recommend getting a power charger for it, charging can take a long time.
According to recent national survey, 50% of American kids spend four hours or more per day on computers and electronic devices.
The CHLA.org reported that Dr. Mark Borchert from the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles believes that children can develop blurred vision, headaches and other problems when focusing too long on one object, such as a computer screen and those long video game sessions will not permanently damage a child’s eye.
However extensive use of electronic devices will reduce social interactions or less time doing homework.
I recommend an article written in Bits New York Times, The Child, the Tablet and the Developing Mind. The article talks about kids using tablets at the dinner table and how parents use electronic devices to keep their children quiet while dining out. Is it wrong? And the next question sets me thinking:
So will a child who plays with crayons at dinner rather than a coloring application on an iPad be a more socialized person?
Also read Matt Peckham article “Should toddlers use tablets and smartphones after all?” on Time Magazine Tech online section.
Quoting the article:
New research suggests that using screens may in fact yield slight benefits to very young children when it comes to learning.
Whether we like it or not, technology is here to stay. Our society has changed and just like the toys that have evolved since the 19th century, these toys called Kindle Fire, Nooks, Samsung tablet or iPad are now available for purchase and use. If used wisely and correctly I think these are toys that I may have to look into for my children’s education and development.
Since last year, school districts in Florida, Michigan and Alabama are requiring students to take at least one online course to graduate. The online world and the use of electronic devices are necessary for work, business and every day living.
Oscar Wilde said “Everything in moderation, including moderation.”
What are your thoughts? Please share.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
