Because I read only the front of the Trident Gum Package and not the fine print on the back, I didn’t notice that Xylitol wasn’t its only sweetener. Trident with Xylitol also contains Aspertame and Sorbitol, which Dr. Rogers does not allow because of their harmful effects on the body! Please see my revisions to the original product review here.
I found this article on-line today about buying produce locally as a step to organic eating. How do you feel about buying your produce from local farmers?
Click here to read the article.
Slurp! Sarah has created another succulent, bone-healthy recipe for the crockpot!
Combine in the crockpot:
1/2 cup Marsala wine (or cooking wine)
1/2 cup water
4 medium chicken breasts
4 medium potatoes, quartered and sliced
2 Roma tomatoes, halved and sliced
1 cup portabella mushrooms, sliced
1 zucchini, cut into 1/4″ slices
1/2 cup raw almonds
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped onion
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Serve with garlic bread made from toasted millet loaf slices, spread with Earth Balance buttery spread and sprinkled with garlic salt.
“Bone” apetit!
“I asked the Lord three times to take away my [thorn in the flesh]. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
My husband, George, leads a Bible study for the New Smyrna Beach chapter of Christian Surfers. Last night he presented an intriguing Bible study by first asking everyone to write down their goals for their life–up to ten goals.
Okay, your turn. Take a minute or two and write down your goals.
Once they were finished, George asked those who felt comfortable to share their goals, which they did. Goals among the adults centered on providing for their families, being a better spouse or parent, reaching goals at work or in their hobbies, being more faithful people of God, and getting to heaven. On the other hand, the goals of the groms (young surfers) included being happy, making good grades, going to college, getting a good job, and being closer to God.
Next, George asked, “What are your crosses?” Several weren’t sure what a “cross” was, so George explained that a cross is something that causes you to suffer–some life experience that you don’t want–either past or present.
Your turn. What are your crosses? Write them down.
Not so many from the group wanted to share what their crosses were, but a few did. Crosses listed included: selfishness, the duties of life, fears, getting old, the death of loved ones, wayward children, and physical disabilities.
The third and final question George asked was: How are your crosses helping you to reach your goals, allowing God to work in your life, bringing you closer to God, or equiping you to be a better servant of God? I have to admit that this question hit me between the eyes. Never before had I considered the possibility that my crosses were helping to make me into the better person I wanted to be and helping me to achieve even higher goals than I had set for myself.
Is it possible that your crosses are also helping you to achieve your goals?
For instance, my divorce and annulment in 1999-2000 still ranks as my heaviest cross. Yet, the fact that God helped me to raise my five precious children continues to strengthen my faith. When I felt most alone and afraid, God provided our daily bread through stable work for me and through the kindness of others. He provided emotional and spiritual support through extended family and through my church family. It is said that it takes a village to raise a child, and I know that God provided that village for my children. Although I wish my kids had never been touched by the painful fallout of divorce, I am grateful that they have experienced healing, the grace of a caring stepfather and of our blended family, and the continued love and support of their close-knit extended family members. My goal to be a woman of faith experiencing God’s unique ways of loving and caring for my children is being met as I have carried this cross.
The diagnosis of severe osteoporosis was heavy cross to bear. In a moment, my self-concept changed from that of everyone’s Rock of Gibraltar to that of a fragile flower. Yet, I have discovered real strength–physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual–as I have learned about how my body, mind, soul, and spirit must work together in a sort of “friendship” in order for me to find balance, peace, and health. My quest for a natural way to reverse osteoporosis and restore my bone density has led me to outstanding physicians, to a healthier way of eating, to a more peaceful schedule, and to writing for this website so that I can share with others what I have learned. My goals of becoming healthier and more fit, more emotionally stable, and of writing for publication have all been met as I have carried this cross.
A third cross has been this broken shoulder. Yes, the injury began with terrible pain that required morphine for any measure of relief. And yet, it has brought blessings, too. Because I can’t drive, I have had more time with my husband and children, as they’ve chauffeured me from place to place. I have experienced the love of my husband in a new way as he has tenderly taken care of me–bathing me and washing my hair when I could not, helping with housework that I cannot accomplish one-handed, and now doing the preliminary “passive” physical therapy exercises on my arm according to the doctor’s instructions. My daughters also helped to get me properly groomed and dressed, and they have done the bulk of the cooking. Because I could no even begin the indoor and outdoor remodeling projects I had planned this summer, I have had more time to visit with the people who are dear to me. I have had more time to pray and reflect, more time to read and write. I still got to finish my first college class in American Sign Language because of the kindness and understanding of the instructor, who allowed me to sign as best I could. And my son welcomed me warmly as his newest part-time employee, despite my injury, cheering me on as a “real trouper.” From the vantage point of experiencing love in my life and having time for the people and activities that matter most, the blessings of this cross have far outweighed the trials.
I understand better now what Paul meant about his “thorn in the flesh.” I, too, will boast of my weaknesses, for in my weakness the power of Christ’s love is made strong. In Him, my crosses are more than just the lumber of my life. Jesus, the Master Carpenter, builds them into the goal posts of victory!
Would you like to get a free chair massage? Tomorrow you can! It’s only one of the features of tomorrow’s Grand Opening of Bourne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Orange City.
Here’s the skinny: Dr. Ashley Bourne has been my family’s chiropractor for more than a year, and he has been a godsend for us! He treated my daughter, Kelly, for whiplash after two back-to-back auto accidents. He also adjusted my neck, spine, and hips as I became more physically active in my effort to reverse my osteoporosis. When I would get discouraged, he was there to cheer me on. In fact, when I considered giving up running, thinking perhaps I was too old to take up the sport seriously, Dr. Bourne urged me to stick with it. He continued to help my body to adjust to new muscle development and athletic demands through a variety of gentle techniques and specially designed equipment to correct spinal misalignments, eliminating pain and promoting freedom of movement. More recently Dr. Bourne has treated muscle groups surrounding my broken shoulder to reduce pain and improve healing.
Tomorrow’s Open House will feature wellness screenings, information, vendors, refreshments, free chair massage, and activities for the whole family. Bourne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center is located at 2425 S. Volusia Ave., Suite B2, Orange City, just south of Enterprise Road in the Whispering Pines Center. I’m planning to get there early and make a beeline for the massage chair! Hope to see you there!
A new problem popped up this week as I began Week #3 of healing my shoulder fracture: itching! I started waking up in the middle of the night, itching incessantly on my back, chest, abdomen, and left arm and shoulder. No amount of scratching relieved the itch, so I tried soaking in a hot vinegar bath. That worked temporarily, but then the itching got worse! Next, I tried taking a warm Aveeno bath. This helped for a while, but again the itching came back, making it extremely difficult to get restful sleep.
The solution? My daughter, Mary, who is a massage therapist, theorized that the itching might be a symptom of my body’s processing of the dead blood cells from the internal bleeding and swelling that had pooled in my arm and trunk area after the accident. She suggested that helping the lymph to break down and eliminate these dead cells might relieve the itching. To that end, I gave myself a dry brush massage with a natural bristle brush, stroking my skin in motions toward the heart. I also drank a LOT of water, along with a cup of herbal tea mixed with a teaspoon of non-acidic Vitamin C powder. Amazingly, the itching stopped!
Tonight I again woke up at 1:00 a.m. with “the itch.” So, I got out the dry brush and ran it over the itchy skin in motions toward the heart, drank a large glass of filtered water, and fixed myself a cup of blueberry tea with non-acidic Vitamin C powder. Thanks be to God, the itch is GONE, and I am ready to go back to sleep.
Sweet dreams!
It is impossible to walk rapidly and be unhappy.
—Mother Teresa
I read this quote of Mother Teresa’s and decided to try it out on a day that I felt…well…less than happy. I had broken my left shoulder in a biking accident three weeks prior and, while I was grateful that I was on the mend, I was tired of wearing the restrictive sling-and-swath dressing that felt mostly like a straight jacket. The doctor had okayed walking, as long as I didn’t jar the arm. So, I decided to take Mother Teresa’s advice and go for as brisk a walk as I could manage without putting my arm at risk.
You know what? Mother Teresa was right! I enjoyed the sunshine, the breeze against my face, and every flowering plant I passed. By the time I got home, I felt invigorated and uplifted…in a word, happy!
Well, I woke up again during the night. This time I was just plain hungry! I’ll be glad when this shoulder fracture heals and my sleep habits return to normal. In the meantime, I’m glad we had a variety of tasty leftovers in the house!
Middle of the night: 1/2 cup long grain rice, 1″ square of leftover baked salmon, 1/2 cup leftover summer squash & tomatoes, 2 cups blueberry tea with Beyond C powder, water
Breakfast: Fruity Protein Shake, supplements, Bone Cocktail
Lunch: Tossed Salad. water
Supper: Out to dinner at Main Street Grill - Chicken Almond Stir Fry, Main Street Salad with Balsamic Vinegar dressing, water with lemon
Bedtime: Bone Cocktail, supplements, water
My sleep schedule has been “off” since I fractured my arm. I usually wake up sometime during the night from either discomfort, thirst, or hunger, and I end up staying awake for an hour or two. Sometimes I have a snack. Sometimes I take a mild pain reliever, or put a heating pad or ice pack on affected areas. Eventually, I go back to sleep. It’s a good thing that this injury occurred during the summer when I am not teaching and have a flexible schedule!
Middle of the night: Cup of blueberry tea with Beyond C Powder
Breakfast: Bowl of oatmeal with a tablespoon of organic raisins and a sliced banana, supplements, water
Lunch: Tossed salad, small serving of baked salmon, water
At the movie: ABJ Sandwich (Almond butter and grape jelly on Ezekiel bread), cucumber slices, sunflower seeds, almonds, bottle of water
Snack: Slice of Sarah’s Pumpkin Pie
Bedtime: Almonds, Bone Cocktail, supplements, water
*Note: Because I read only the front of the Trident Gum Package and not the fine print on the back, I didn’t notice that Xylitol wasn’t its only sweetener. Trident with Xylitol also contains Aspertame and Sorbitol, which Dr. Rogers does not allow because of their harmful effects on the body! Please see my revisions to the original product review below.
This week at Wal-Mart I discovered a new treat to add to our OsteoDiet for reversing osteoporosis and promoting bone health: Trident Gum with Xylitol!
Correction: Sorry…I can’t add this product to my diet after all. 
What it’s for: Chewing enjoyment! Great taste! Fresh breath!
Correction: Tastes great, but I still have to avoid it.
What’s good about it: Xylitol! My doctors do not allow me to include processed sugars (sucrose, fructose, etc.) or artificial sweeteners (Aspertame, Nutrisweet, Sorbitol, etc.) on my osteoporosis diet, but they DO allow Stevia and Xylitol. Now, to me, Stevia has an strange aftertaste, but Xylitol tastes just like table sugar! Xylitol also inhibits the growth of bacteria on the teeth and reduces tartar.
Correction: Trident, you’re on the right track adding Xylitol. Now to get rid of the Aspertame and Sorbitol!
What’s bad about it: Nothing that I know of!
Correction: Aspertame and Sorbitol, as well as food coloring and preservatives.
It’s better than: Spry sugarfree gum with Xylitol. They both taste great, but you get more gum for your buck with Trident.
Correction: Turns out that Spry sugarfree gum is the real hero.
It’s not as good as: Double Bubble bubble gum, but hey! I can’t have sugary bubble gum anyway, if I want to put maximum effort into building my bones.
Correction: Spry sugarfree gum uses Xylitol as its only sweetener.
Why I use this product: Convenience! I visit Wal-Mart more often than the health food store, and it’s great to be able to buy gum that I’m allowed to chew when I’m buying groceries.
Correction: It’s back to the health food store for me! Health is more important than convenience.
Best place to get it: If Wal-Mart has it, it’s bound to be available in most grocery stores.
Correction: Spry sugarfree gum is available at DeLand Bakery & Natural Market and at other health food stores.
For more information about this product: Visit Trident’s website at: http://www.tridentgum.com.
Correction: For more information on Spry Sugarfree Gum, visit http://www.sprydental.com and visit the “shop now” section.
Continuing success story of my natural fight against osteoporosis that led to my losing 30 pounds in 5 months!
