Halloween '09

I have discovered how to make this frozen treat at just the right time!

Joel has been teething a lot the past few days. Right now, at almost 9 months, he has two lower teeth and 2 top teeth coming in quickly(and boy is he crawling!). He has seemed to be a lot less fussy with these top teeth in comparison to the lower ones.

I have occasionally used the Baby Safe Feeder and inserted frozen sweet potato puree, broccoli, and banana. He loves to chew on this and massage his gums while enjoying these new tastes.

Today I ran across a site, Mother-2-Mother, where I found a recipe for frozen breastmilk popsicles.

What is better than a frozen teether that is also nutritional?

For younger babies, you can pour expressed breastmilk into ice cube trays (just like making baby food) and let it freeze. Then, just place it into a Baby Safe feeder (mesh teething bag) and let baby enjoy and teethe on it.

Or, you can use a cap from a Gerber bottle and a soft pacifier. Just pour a bit of the expressed milk into the cap, put the paci on top, and freeze. The milk will freeze to the pacifier like a tiny popsicle!!

Eventually you can add other ingredients to make a healthy, delightful treat for your child.

What methods have you used to help your child through the teething process?

Read more about this cool treat at Mother-2-Mother.

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston

I have totally avoided the blogosphere for more than a month!!

This summer, my husband Jeremy and I decided that it would be great if I wrote an eBook on my experience with Natural Childbirth. I learned SO MUCH while I was pregnant with my son Joel, so why not share all of that great information with other newly pregnant women who want options available with childbirth?

So, I spent about 6 weeks  this past summer writing 12 steps that I believe every woman can follow in order to have a beautiful, unmedicated birth (assuming the pregnancy is low-risk).

Well, I can say the book is done. My husband (my COACH) even added his own little “corner” of advice and motivation for women and coaches alike.

We are just finishing up some great bonuses and completing the website where it will be available VERY SOON!!

My goal is to reach as many women as possible who are searching for ways to have a natural childbirth. So many women are just uneducated and misinformed about the birthing process, and I am here to tell them that childbirth does not have to be difficult.

I will keep you updated as everything comes to completion. It is the beginning of a new month so it will be out by the end of November!!

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston

The following outline need not only apply to flu season. The best medicine is prevention! Full-time prevention!

Right now, it seems like I can’t go anywhere without seeing some kind of advertisement for FLU SHOTS.

I thought I could escape from the brainwashing of the medical community and pharmaceutical companies by avoiding the TV.

Apparently not.

So, since “flu season” is beginning, am I supposed to freak out and get a flu shot? Pretty much…Fear always motivates people to do things.

Oh, they also forgot to tell you that you have a 50/50 chance of getting the flu even if you’ve been jabbed in the arm with the vaccine.

Enough of my ranting…

Allow Your Body To Fight Off Influenza On Its Own!

1. Refill With H2O: Did you know your body needs plenty of water to flush out toxins that compromise your immune system? While you sleep, your body builds up toxins in the digestive tract. To naturally flush out these toxins, you must start your day with a glass of water to rehydrate the body. This improves immune system function and allows your body to operate at its highest potential.
2. Sleep…zZz…: A great night’ s sleep is like a reset button for your whole body. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can make you more likely to become sick because of an overgrowth of bacteria in the body. When we are fighting a sickness, our body naturally promotes sleep. So why not boost your immune system in the first place by getting adequate rest?
3. Pro-Biotic It: “Probiotic” means “A microbe that protects its host and prevents disease.” When you supplement your diet with probiotics, you increase the flora of “good” bacteria in your gut. Did you know the digestive system is where most of your natural immunties “hang out?” If a person has a poor digestive system due to an inadequate, non-nutritious diet, they are very likely to have recurring sickness. Their body’s defense mechanism (immune system) to sickness can never get the proper armor up because that armor is essentially nutrients. Probiotics get that armor up. Learn more in the post Probiotics: Are They Good For Our Kids?
4. Get Some Sun: Did you know the best way to get your daily dose of Vitamin D is to get out into the sun for a few minutes? The skin produces Vitamin D when it is exposed to a certain amount of sunlight radiation. Vitamin D blood levels are at their highest in the summer but reach their lowest levels during the flu and cold season (winter). When you can’t get out, or if it’s the dead of winter, load up on fish which is high in vitamin D. There are supplements out there, but do your research before buying.
5. Exercise…even if it’s just a little: Do your best to get your heart rate up with aerobic exercise for 20-30 minutes a day. Go for a light walk with the dog and baby. Run up and down the stairs a few times. Have sex! Do something!  Stress leads to a weakened immune system. Exercise relieves stress. Therefore, exercise boosts the immune system.
6. Receive Regular Chiropractic Adjustments: Chiropractic care was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Regular Chiropractic Adjustments work to correct any nerve interference in the nervous system. Chiropractors know that nerve interference prevents the body from working optimally. To prevent this nerve interference, they adjust the spine into proper alignment and all systems are “GO” (including the immune system). The mainstream medical community really does not understand Chiropractic. But now you know. Chiropractic focuses on “prevention” and “healing from within.” Learn more Chiropractic and Pregnancy.
7. Eat, Eat, Eat!: Eat nutritiously, that is. Did you know that low blood sugar equals low immunity? One step to a healthy immune system is to eat breakfast! Eat like a healthy King at breakfast. Make a breakfast burrito with eggs and bell pepper. Make a banana smoothie with flaxseed or hemp oil. Have some hot whole-grain cereal with fruits and nuts. Or take some yogurt on-the-go. When you start out eating healthy at breakfast, you will tend to eat nutritiously the rest of the day.
8. Supplement: There are way too many supplements out there that market the illusion of “healthy.” Did you know that we chew most of our food? DUH! But think about it…Most supplements are made to be swallowed. If you swallow vitamins and minerals in pill form, you are not able to chew. Chewing is one of the most important parts of the digestive process! In fact, many vitamin companies use binders, fillers and hard chemical coatings that diminish absorption. Hospital orderlies often refer to these undigested pills and tablets that pass through a person’s intestinal track as “bedpan bullets.” This is not to say that every supplement will not be absorbed. How about a liquid vitamin on LuckyVitamin? Or a whole-food chewable supplement like Chews4Health? And you’ve got to check out Garden of Life.

There’s my preventive strategy to keeping sickness away.

Like I always say, “A body at EASE is without DISEASE!”

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston

A few years ago, I was introduced to Jordan Rubin and his best-selling book The Maker’s Diet.

Jordan introduces  the diet of the Hebrew People dating back thousands of years and recorded in the Bible from God. This is a diet full of raw, cultured, and fermented foods to support a healthy immune system. The book goes over many other important principles that we could talk about for quite awhile.

Jordan outlines his philosophy in a statement on his Garden of Life website

Please join me for a moment in picturing a world where good health is a given, not a matter of chance. In this imagined world, chronic obesity is no longer a problem and couples never rely on fertility drugs to conceive. The 4,000 people we lose prematurely every day to cancer, diabetes and heart disease would still be with us. And when we do contract an illness, we are not dependent on “drug-care,” but are instead able to take control of our own health with lifestyle changes and advanced nutrition.

I believe his statement to be very true. Unfortunately our leaders play a big role in what we perceive to be right and true. Gradually over time, we have strayed away from what is truly healthy and fallen into a trap of preservatives and toxins slapped onto a store shelve and marketed as inexpensive and great for you and your family.

Just take a look at this short video clip by Jordan. He outlines the principles in one of his books

The Great Physician’s RX for Health & Wellness: Seven Keys to Unlock Your Health Potential

1. Eat to Live
2. Supplement with whole-foods/superfoods
3. Practice advanced hygiene
4. Exercise and body therapy
5. Reduce toxins in your everyday environment
6. Avoid deadly emotions
7. Live a life of prayer and purpose

When you follow these 7 principles, I know that your life will be improved dramatically.

Remember… “A body at ease is without disease.”

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston

As a mom, I am always looking for a quick and easy way to relax.

There isn’t always a lot of time to take part in relaxation, but when I can relax I go for a good book and a cup of TEA!

A fragrant mug of Lavender and Chamomile always does the trick…

But when I’m about to start my day I switch to a tea that will energize my soul…

I love a dark cup of Oolong as I read the Scriptures in the morning.

I have found 4 different teas for whatever your mood may be:

Pick Me Up!

“Oolong” Tea: The best Oolong tea leaves come from China and Taiwan.  The tea is a happy medium between green (unfermented) and black (fermented) teas, as oolong is semi-fermented. Out f the three, oolong has the highest polyphenol content. It is full of healthy antioxidants which are vital for healthy skin and body.

Oolong has even been known for centuries as a metabolism booster. So skip the coffee jitters and sugar boost and opt for a cup of oolong. Right now I am drinking oolong made by YamaMotoYama

“Green” Tea With “Goji” Berry: I have always enjoyed drinking green tea. I feel so healthy and vibrant when I drink it and the energy stays with me throughout the day. Yogi Tea has a blend of Tibetan Goji berry, which is known for its energizing properties, liver protection, and immune and circulation system boost.

A blend of green tea and Japanese Matcha green tea. If you have every steered away from green tea due to bitter taste, then try this blend with a sweet berry flavor.

Take Me Away…

Organic “Chamomile” With “Lavender”: I am a dear fan of anything lavender. So this tea easily went into my top favorite tea list. Chamomile tea always allows me to wind down after a busy day as a mom. Plus, lavender in any form is a great way to relax your body and prepare for a great night’s rest.

Traditional Medicinals has a chamomile and lavender blend, along with lemon balm, which all have digestive and nervous system sedating properties. This tea is great if you’ve had a late dinner and can’t get to sleep because your food is still digesting and your body is restless. The taste and aroma is very floral, so proceed with caution.

Organic “Rooibos” With “Honeybush”: One day I picked up a box of this tea totally unaware of what “rooibos” was.

Rooibos, or “red bush” is grown in South Africa and has just recently grown in popularity in the west. It has no caffeine, a natural sweet/woody flavor, and has many health benefits. Children can drink it and I have even used some of the tea bags for diaper rash on my son.

It is great for pregnant women as it is high in iron and relieves heartburn and nausea.

This tea is also made by Traditional Medicinals and it also contains a blend of honeybush, hibiscus flower, and rose hip, which are excellent ingredients to maintain glowing skin.

Drinking tea instead of coffee is great for your health. Tea does not give me the “crash” that I experience when the caffeine from coffee has worn off.

Tea is rich in antioxidants and it comes in a variety of blends and flavors. Loose-leaf tea will give you the best flavor and health benefits.

Adagio Teas has a great site full of every tea imaginable. You can get sample packs at a low price in many different flavors before you buy the whole bag of one flavor.

To Your Cup ‘o Tea,

Olivia Johnston

Taking advantage of Chiropractic care during my pregnancy was very important to me.

I began going to my Chiropractor at about 6 months of pregnancy due to some back pain from the pregnancy and my job as a dog groomer. Early one morning, at about 3 AM, I could not sleep because of a sharp muscular pain in my back. I decided to look for a Chiropractor in the area while surfing the internet to pass some time.

I found one very close to me and she was on my way home from work. I read many different articles on how important Chiropractic is to a pregnant woman and even a newborn infant!

I have been adjusted regularly at the Chiropractor for almost a year now and I have never felt better or learned as much as I have by Chiropractic.

My Chiropractor performed a special adjustment on me while I was pregnant called the “Webster Technique.” This technique that reduces interference to the nervous system, balances out pelvic muscles and ligaments which removes tension in the uterus so the baby can remain in the best position possible.

When performed regularly, the Webster Technique has a 94% success ratio in turning a breech baby to allow for an easy delivery. Many births by C-section can be prevented by this technique as many babies who are breech must be delivered by C-section. With regular prenatal Chiropractic care, the need for medical interventions during labor is greatly decreased.

Pregnancy is very hard on the spinal cord. Excess weight from the baby creates spinal misalignments (subluxations) and changes in posture which affect the whole body and well-being of the mother and baby.

To decrease common pregnancy complaints such as:

• heartburn
• rib pain
• pubic pain
• headaches
• sinus congestion
• low back pain

Take advantage of chiropractic adjustments throughout pregnancy!

Chiropractic care is necessary for optimal development of the baby growing inside mom’s belly. Pregnant women receive specific attention and education during pregnancy so as to provide a great health potential for both the mother and baby.

Pregnant women also experience problems in the pelvic area. A lifetime of stress to the area, plus pregnancy, creates a great deal of misalignments which greatly decrease the pelvic opening for labor. The woman’s pelvis supports her growing uterus with specific ligaments. If the pelvis is unbalanced, the uterus cannot enlarge symmetrically with the growing baby and thus reduces the maximum amount of room for the baby.

If you are pregnant, I urge you to find a Family Chiropractor who is trained in Prenatal care and Pediatric care.

My son’s birth went very smoothly and I know a big part of that was due to regular Chiropractic care during my pregnancy. If you want to know your developing baby will stay in the best possible position for labor, then you must begin getting special adjustments now!

If your goal is to have a safe, natural birth (without medication) you can greatly increase the likelihood by getting adjusted so the baby is ready to come out!

Search for an International Chiropractic Pediatric Association member in your area. Doctors in this group are dedicated to you and your child’s well-being from a holistic perspective.

Here is a great informational video on the subject:

Please feel free to email me on any questions you may have about Chiropractic and to hear more about my experience.

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston

When I’m in a hurry and I want to get in my fruits and veggies for the day, I go for a Bolthouse Farms® beverage first.

This company is 100%

I have enjoyed their juice, smoothie, and protein concoctions for over 5 years.

The great thing about these drinks is that they are:

Bolthouse Farms

• Gluten-free
• No preservatives
• No artificial colors
• No artificial flavors
• No genetically modified ingredients
• Excellent taste!

Now compare those promises to the average bottled beverage you can pick up at a service station. Those drinks are full of high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, vitamin-free, and artificial flavors. Your body is not provided any nutrients when you drink these beverages. So why not try a natural smoothie?

Take a look at what you will get in a “Green Goodness” fruit smoothie (my favorite!)

1. 1.5 Apples
2. .5 Pineapple
3. .5 Mango
4. .5 Banana
5. .5 Kiwi Fruit
6. Broccoli, Spinach, Garlic, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lemon Bioflavanoids
7. Spirulina, Chlorella, Green Tea, Blue Green Algae
8. Echinacea, Barley Grass, Wheat Grass, Nova Scotia Dulce
9. Zinc, Manganese, Iron, Folic Acid
10. Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C

Now that is a nutrient-packed beverage!

Bolthouse Farms® makes more than just yummy smoothie drinks… Try these:

• Lemonades
• Super-fruit beverages
• Protein drinks
• Fruit juice
• Yogurt dressing and Olive Oil Vinaigrettes
• Many carrot varieties

You will find excellence and nutritiousness in every Bolthouse Farms® product!

I trust a company that has been producing amazing produce for more than 90 years in California’s fertile San Joaquin Valley.

If you buy processed fruit juices now, I recommend you begin to merge over to the Bolthouse Farms® products. Prepackaged fruit juices rarely contain any whole-food nutrients and are full of sugar. Even if the price tag is cheaper, the illusion of it being “healthy” is just a marketing ploy created by those companies. As parents, if we do not have the time to make fruit juices ourselves, then we must make the best choices when it comes to our kid’s beverage choices.

Your kids will not even realize how good these drinks are for them because the taste is so great!

Try these beverages as a base for smoothies when you don’t have a lot of fruits or veggies on hand.

Visit the Bolthouse Farms® Website to check out the ingredient list in their products. Where else can you find the antioxidant spirulina and green tea in the same beverage?

Find Bolthouse Farms® beverages in your refrigerated fruit section in Grocery and Health Food stores.

Your health will thank you!

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston

Natural Hemp Products

When people are asked what they believe “Hemp” is, they usually respond by saying, “Isn’t that marijuana?” Unfortunately, this reaction is typical of most Americans who have ever heard of hemp. Stigmas against hemp have grown from the negative view of marijuana; however, the hemp plant is quite different from the marijuana plant.

The plant has a multitude of potential uses such as:

• paper
• plastics
• fabrics
• fuel

Hemp could replace numerous industries, such as cotton in the U.S., which would cut costs and benefit the environment.

First of all, both hemp and marijuana come from the same plant- Cannabis Sativa L. However, hemp does not have the same intoxicating effect as marijuana. Hemp contains less than one percent of THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol)-the chemical compound responsible for the “high” marijuana creates. This “high” is why hemp’s cousin, the marijuana plant, is illegal in the United States. However, the level of THC in the marijuana plant is much higher than in hemp. One marijuana plant typically contains anywhere from 3-20% THC, whereas hemp is bred to contain very minimal amounts of THC.

John Cloud, a staff writer for Time magazine, says, “You could roll and smoke every leaf on a 15-ft. hemp plant and gain little more than a hacking cough.” His statement is truly poignant. Anyone who thinks they will be able to get high off of hemp is foolish. So, why is the cultivation of hemp illegal?

Up until the mid-20^th century, hemp cultivation was legal in the U.S. With the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, domestic cultivation of hemp was prohibited. Many farmers based their income on the crop, so the ban crushed their industry. However, in 1942, the government lifted the ban and encouraged farmers to cultivate hemp to help with the war effort.

Hemp was used for supplies such as rope. Unfortunately, the relaxation of the laws against hemp was terminated in 1957, and the ban continues today under the 1972 Controlled Substances Act.

Since the Act, there has been a growing movement pushing for the legalization of hemp, but not until now has the government given much attention to the topic. To date, 28 states have introduced hemp legislation and 15 have passed legislation; 8 (Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia) have removed barriers to its production or research.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) considered hemp a “schedule-one” controlled substance, which are those substances that have a “high potential for abuse.” Until now, the DEA has ignored proponents for hemp by backing the agency’s argument about the trace amounts of THC in hemp.

Former head of the DEA, Asa Hutchinson, even pushed to outlaw any food products made from hemp due to possible presence of the substance THC. Hemp is grouped into the same category as Heroin. However, hemp does not have potential for abuse in comparison to drugs like heroin. Once again, the amounts of THC that can be found in some hemp crops are too low to be considered mind-altering.

Unfortunately, those opposed to hemp cultivation believe that the production of the crop will lead to the legalization of marijuana plant in the U.S. However, when the marijuana plant is placed in hemp fields, the hemp will undoubtedly degrade the quality of the marijuana crop because the plants will cross-pollinate.

If a farmer wishes to produce true marijuana, hiding the plant in a hemp field would be a foolish mistake. U.S. agencies use the argument that hiding marijuana in a hemp field will make it much easier to produce marijuana in the U.S.

In addition, the hemp plant and the marijuana plant are noticeably different in appearance. Marijuana plants tend to be short and bushy, while hemp plants can have stalks reaching 25 feet. Also, cultivated hemp grows a slender, nearly leafless lower stem, whereas marijuana strains are bred to have abundant leaves, glands and flowers where the intoxicating THC is stored. The differences in size and appearance can aid in distinguishing the two plants.

Britain, Canada, and other countries have been growing hemp for many years without major incident. Hemp is grown legally in about 30 countries, including many in the European Union, where it is mixed with lime to make plaster and as a “biocomposite” in the interior panels of Mercedes-Benzes. Only the U.S. government has such a strong feeling of disgrace against the plant.

Unbeknownst to much of the public, hemp has  innumerable benefits. For example, adding long-fiber hemp pulp to recycled paper greatly increases the number of times it can be recycled before the fibers are too short.

If hemp could be grown in the U.S., it could revolutionize the agricultural industry, thus boosting our nation’s economy. The plant is so versatile that practically anyone could find some use out of hemp goods.

Over 25,000 products can be manufactured from hemp, including hair conditioner, diapers, insulation, clothing, carpets, paper, and even perfume.

The hemp plant itself has many appealing characteristics. Because hemp grows quickly, more of it can be manufactured in a short amount of time in comparison to other fibers, such as wood. Any plant that grows at a high rate in a sustainable climate is favorable to farmers and industries.

Also, hemp is naturally resistant to most pests, so it doesn’t need pesticides or herbicides. This phenomenon can lead to less pollution in the environment. Farmers would not have to spend much-needed time and money on products to prevent insect infestation in their fields. With hemp, the U.S. could save money on production costs, thus reducing the price of products while benefiting the environment. Hemp’s advantages are countless.

Overall, hemp is simply an all-around resource. However, government policy is hindering its full benefits. Agencies for hemp have addressed all of the benefits of hemp. But, the DEA believes that marijuana could be grown in hemp fields if hemp could be grown on U.S. soil. Once again, that reasoning is based on premises that have not been well thought-out.

Hemp is grown differently and looks much different than marijuana, as previously stated. Hemp supporters must continue to send the facts about hemp to their legislators. Everyday consumers should buy hemp products to increase the already growing hemp market. The hemp plant has the potential to restructure the agricultural economy. This resource aids in the protection of the environment. There are so many benefits. The legalization of industrial hemp is just one step that could update the way our nation uses its natural resources.

Check out VoteHemp for more info on hemp.

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston