My Rite of Passage (girl talk)

I thought I’d write a little about the “rite of passage” I’m in. Yes, as it’s known “the change” or “menopause”. I was dreading this as much as I dread going to the dentist. As it turns out, if one has lived well and continues to do so, it’s not a big deal especially when compared to what I’ve been through with Lyme Disease. The hot flashes don’t even compare to the night sweats from Bab’s (Babesia- American Malaria). So, I’m the last person to complain about dressing in layers or throwing off the covers at night or turning down the thermostat. Bring it on! The only part I’m not cool with is the extra “natural” weight gain. Susun Weed talks about this being an added benefit to going through this change more smoothly. The extra ten pounds of “good” fat, good muscle and good bone will be your best ally. It’s finding that place of accepting a body that doesn’t look like a teenager any longer. It’s accepting the new me. The healthier me. So, I’ll continue walking and running and gardening and doing whatever I can, but learning to accept the new body that now houses the new me.

We’ve been eating organic farm fresh foods for awhile now, probably 10-15 yrs. My body isn’t full of preservatives and additives. I don’t eat sugar. I don’t eat whites of any kind except soy free chicken egg whites with the orange yolk. I eat lots of grassfed meat, raw dairy, raw ferments, and organic veggies, lots of good fats and some supp’s and herbs mostly for the Lyme. I don’t take Rx med’s unless my life depends on it; literally. I’ve been a “wise woman” for awhile using herbs and such. As a result not only am I finding healing from the wretched Lyme Disease, but I suppose I have assisted my body with this “passage”. I’m actually celebrating this time of life. It’s been 40 long yrs that I’ve lived out the curse…I’ve done my time. I’m looking forward to this phase of life. The kids are leaving home gradually, and we’ll retire soon. Like I’ve posted before, life is hard, but God is good.

Psalm 34:8

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Here are some good suggestions by Susun S. Weed; The Wise Woman of herbs. I found her site Menopause Metamorphosis. There she talks about many of the issues facing woman in this passage. I took note of some basic herbs and nutrition guides that will be of help to anyone.

1. Good Protein: raw yogurt (I do all raw), lentils, grassfed meat, soy free eggs, lots of raw dairy including cheeses.

2. Phytoestrogens: Nourishing herbal infusions, lentils, roots and seeds.

3. High Quality Fats: Help the thyroid and immune system. Herbal infusions. full fat raw yogurt, organic chocolate (see my recipe for guiltless chocolate), EVOO, raw butter, nuts and seeds.

Some of the herbs she listed are: Stinging Nettle, Oatstraw, Red Clover , and Comfrey.

A. Stinging Nettle: (Urtica dioica) builds energy and strengthens the adrenals, makes bones flexible, gives you healthy hair, and beautiful skin. 1 Cup of Nettle Infusion=500 mg Calcium, generous amounts of bone-building magnesium, potassium, silicon, boron and zinc. Excellent source of Vit A, D, E and K. And is a good source of B Vitamins.

(couldn’t find a pic of Oatstraw)

B. Oatstraw: (Avena sativa) reduces high cholesterol, increases libido, and strengthens the nerves. It has a generous 300 mg of Calcium, and plenty of minerals. Steroidal saponins nourish the pancreas and liver, improve the digestion and stabilize moods. And is a good source of B Vitamins.

C. Red Clover: (Trifolium pratense) is better than its cousin Soy. Red Clover contains 4 phytoestrogens compared to soy which has 1 (isoflavone). It in fact has 10x more phytoestrogens than soy “milk”, fewer calories, more calcium, and no added sugars! It is the world leading anti-cancer herb. It also improves memory. And is a good source of B Vitamins.

D. Comfrey: (Symphytum) leaf is free of the compound (PAs) found in the root that can damage the liver. It is also known as “knitbone” an ally to those with thin bones. Comfrey contains special proteins used in the formation of short-term memory cells. (that’s what I need) And it has a soothing mucilage that adds flexibility to joints, eyes, vagina, and the lungs.

Directions for making a Herbal Infusion

1 oz = 1 Cup

1 oz of Nettle leaf, Oatstraw, Red Clover, Comfrey or other herbs. Add to a Qt size jar and fill with boiling water. Allow to brew for at least 4 hrs or overnight. Strain and drink 1-2 cups/day.

Disclaimer: All information is for educational purposes only. If you need medical advice please seek it from a trained professional.

Garden Work Day

Today was a work day for my husband and I. We got the other two raised beds filled and ready for planting. First we layered some newspaper on the grass and then our wonderful neighbor with a tractor used the bucket to fill them with dirt. I amended them with a bag of peat and leafgro each. I dug the holes for the split rail posts, hoping it will work well as a trellis. All that’s left is laying down some landscaping cloth so I can shovel pea gravel in the isles. We ran a new fence so the dogs wouldn’t walk on the beds. They were very unhappy to be left out. We worked long and hard today finishing with a few cabbage plants and some spinach seeds, mustard seeds, and mesclun. Our night time temps are still falling well below freezing so I covered everything with plastic so it doesn’t die if frost falls. I also amended my other four beds with some more leafgro and put a layer of straw on my potatoes. I planted 27 potatoes so there’s hardly any dirt left for hilling. I figured that straw will work fine since I’ve read of others doing it this way.

A view of my trellis and new beds.

New Cabbage Plants

More new plants

I’m going to keep the planter on the deck with some lettuce, kale and mustard greens for easy access to the greens for meals.

It was a very productive day and The Growing Challenge is helping me with motivation. I’m so thankful to God who is bringing healing from this wretched Lyme Disease. I have more and more energy every day. Yesterday I did have some claw marks on my right thigh; a sign of the “Cat Scratch Fever” being active. So, my feet are hurting pretty badly but with the grace given me, I can get through it. I’m grateful that tomorrow is a day of rest, because I’m going to need it badly.

Jewelweed is a Winner

Good new on the poison ivy scene. My hands have been the last thing to heal and that’s mostly between the fingers. Every night I go to bed and think it’s finally over! Then I wake up with a new spot or two on my fingers. My legs were left scared pretty badly and sooooo dry then I got a prickly rash. One important herbal med we keep on hand is tea tree oil. Since I was left pretty desperate with no where to turn, I went to my trusty herb medicine chest. I mixed it half & half with rubbing alcohol and sprayed it on several times a day and did so for 10 days. It dried things up very well. But it didn’t stop the spread. Then when I finally got out I bought some Jewelweed. Jewelweed works better for controlling the rash before it spreads. Yesterday I had a little spot on one finger and I applied the Jewelweed with a cotton ball, holding it on for a few minutes. This morning the spot was gone….I know you’re thinking, yeah, it’s just on the other hand. No, I don’t think so, I already had it on the other hand and it wasn’t completely dried up. The amazing thing about Jewelweed is that it grows in areas right next to Poison Ivy. So, I warn you if you are going to wildcraft Jewelweed, dress appropriately; long sleeves, gloves, long pants and boots! Jewelweed is a winner in my book along with our trustworthy Tea Tree Oil. Isn’t creation amazing! I do have two questions for God though and that is why He created snakes and poison ivy???

I know, I know…..did you notice…..I hope you did. I have been experiencing amazing healing and I learned how to do links! My brain isn’t full of cotton anymore or at least not today and my amazing daughter showed me how. I know you’re probably thinking duh! But if you find my post called “Confessions” you’ll understand more clearly. This is truly a milestone and I use them to mark my road to healing from Lyme Disease & Co.

That deserves another 🙂