Christmas Miracle

When I first learned Lizard has Parkinson's Disease, I spent about six hours researching everything I could about the disease and its treatments.

One of the promising avenues I discovered is mannitol, a natural sweetener found in, among other things, cauliflower and kelp. It had enjoyed magnificent success in mice, honey bees and fruit flies during clinicals, but was dropped because it's not something on which Big Pharma can make zillions of dollars.

The sweetener is found in most sugarless mint gums; it's the white powder on the gum. After reading about some of the testing currently being done non-scientifically, Lizard began chewing the gum several times a day, especially during the two-hour gap between when his official medication wears off and when he takes the next dose. We didn't do more than that until we had talked to both his primary care and his neurologist to get them on board with what we wanted to do, which was, participate in the Clinicrowd study.

We do not recommend trying this without involving health care providers. It's so important, I'll write it again. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRYING MANNITOL AS A WAY OF TREATING PARKINSON'S WITHOUT THE SUPERVISION OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

After working out a program with both the doctor and the neurologist, Lizard began taking mannitol mixed into plain unsweetened yogurt. He began with a very small amount and slowly, over the course of about six weeks, worked up to the recommended dosage.

There were times when he wanted to give up because it seemed to be taking so long. He often said he felt more of an effect when he was chewing the gum than when he was taking the pure powder in his yogurt. It does have side effects. He initially experienced indigestion, and this lasted for about two weeks, then recurred when he began increasing the dosage. Another side effect could be helpful for many suffering from the digestive setbacks of Parkinson's. For Lizard, the mannitol has improved his digestive function. He has to be careful about when he takes it so he doesn't have surprises when he is unable to handle them. But with the help of his medical personnel, he's been able to work out an adaptive plan.

The week after Thanksgiving, Lizard got home from work and brewed his routine cup of decaf, then quickly emailed me.

"I'm drinking my decaf, and it smells heavenly," he wrote.

I was in the middle of a work deadline and didn't immediately pick up on the real meaning of his joy until after I responded about the decaf brand we'd had to settle for on the last grocery shopping trip because the store was sold out of his favorite band. I thought perhaps he might like this new brand better.

After I hit send, I realized he had not smelled fresh-brewed coffee in more than a decade. I immediately responded again and asked him to verify...

"You can smell the coffee???"

Yes, indeed! He could! Lizard had lost his sense of smell before he met me. He could smell some very strong scents, such as when a car hits a skunk on the highway, and we drive by the site hours later. Not the kind of thing anyone wants to smell.

He said the reason to drink coffee is primarily the smell. Aroma of the gods, he called it. He said perhaps the mannitol is working after all. He said he will continue taking it.

The following weekend, I had him take a whiff from my lavender essential oil. He could smell it! It wasn't strong, but he could smell it for the first time ever.

The next day, we made our own little Thanksgiving turkey after picking up a breast for half price. We got dinner in the oven, made a pie, made stuffing, made mashed potatoes and gravy, then went for a walk around the lake, him swinging his arms in exaggerated cross-country ski movements because that also is supposed to help people with Parkinson's.

We got home, unlocked the door and swung it open. I delighted in the aroma of the baking turkey breast with rosemary and sage from my indoor garden.

We had a wonderful private mini Thanksgiving meal, then enjoyed the next chapter of "Lord of the Rings" before retiring to our evening ritual of journal-keeping. He dictated to me, "When we entered the kitchen after our walk, I could smell our turkey. It's the first time I've ever been able to smell a meal we made."

Thanksgiving isn't over. It really is just beginning.

Blessings are unfolding. Miracles are real. Hope and faith are such marvelous things!

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Pearly Whites

I just recently had my third teeth cleaning and dental check-up since switching over full time from store-bought toothpaste to baking soda and peroxide.

I had my third great check-up!

'Nuff said!

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Saving Private Iris

Who knew slugs could take up residence in the very same area surrounded by forest wildfires just two years ago?

We enjoyed a gorgeous, non-characteristic eight-day rainstorm that brought out creepy crawlies. Snails without shells. I had to look them up to find out how they got here, if they are good or bad, and what to do about it if hundreds of them are crawling up the irises.


Yes, slugs do in fact occur in Colorado when the weather's just right. They can do quite a bit of damage. I could see part of that damage on my iris leaves. I was not a happy camper.

The best way to get rid of them, I learned, is reduce humidity and raise the temperature.

Okay, let's see, where's that arid desert climate button? Or perhaps I should drive my car more than I ride my bike and trigger some of that global warming? Ha ha ha ha!

I like this Seattle-like weather, and I hope it sticks around for a while because my garden knows the difference between rain and tap water, and my flowers prefer rainwater. However, I don't want the ugly little beasties to multiply and replenish my garden for the next tropical storm.


Second best way to get rid of slugs, I read, is caffeine.

We'd just dropped a Mountain Dew-addicted friend off at the airport. We'd stocked the fridge for her and still had a few sodas. We don't drink soda. Particularly Mountain Dew. We had a hilarious name for the nasty yellow stuff when I was in high school... I wasted no time pouring Rocky Mountain Pee Water on the irises.

The Colorado State University Extension office was right. The slugs died on contact with the Sugary Camel Pee. More rain came a bit later in the day and hopefully washed away or watered down the pop so the flowers didn't have to drink it.

I've since learned salt does the trick, too. A few of my co-workers told tales of putting out a bit of beer in recycled lids; the slugs are attracted to the beer, crawl in and drown. A few of my co-workers like the Mountain Dew idea better because they don't like wasting "good beer."


While checking around for more sign of slugs, I discovered the true columbine-chewing culprit(s).

YIKES!!!

I'd thought the neighborhood deer had devoured nearly all my tender columbine shoots before taking a siesta on top of my hyacinths and squishing my salvia sprouts flat just a few weeks earlier. I was very happy my mostly deer-resistant and bunny-resistant garden seemed to indeed not appeal to the mule deer appetite. But I was pretty annoyed with these fellows for nearly killing my columbine.

The Lizard had been washing mud off the mountain bikes in the driveway, just a few yards from the snoozy bucks. After I pointed my finger and accused the grungy-looking (because they are shedding their winter coats and even a bit of antlers) criminals, The Lizard squirted the deer with the hose in an attempt to gently show them they are not welcome in this diner, er, um, yard.

They glared at him and then rolled their eyes. They did not budge. We clapped our hands. We made loud noises. We tried to shoo them.

They truly do think our property is their flat and our backyard is their dining table.


Now, taking a closer look at the newly re-gobbled columbine, I realized the deer were innocent. I had unknowingly falsely accused them. The new columbine leaves, or what was left of them, were covered with tiny green caterpillars. Inchworms. More creepy crawlies. They were having a feast. Perhaps even a family reunion. More than 20 of them on one small plant with one small bloom about to open.


Once again, I did some quick research to find out what to do about "tiny green caterpillars" and found an organic chemical-free recipe for caterpillar reduction that would not be harmful to pets, children, birds or other wildlife. The best remedy, of course, is a long list of hungry dinner guests: birds, spiders, ground beetles, etc. Too early in the season for praying mantises.

Water, Sriracha powder, olive oil and peppermint essential oil were quickly combined and generously sprayed all around the columbine. One by one, the tiny green caterpillars in a variety of sizes, which would have one day grown and transformed into brown moths, fell to the ground.


Now that my drought-tolerant garden roots are hardy, I don't have to water at 4:30 a.m. before pedaling off to work on days I ride. But on rainy or misty days, I do have to inspect the irises with a flashlight or headlamp before I pedal away.

I guess living in the country like we do, I should expect a variety of garden terrorists. It seems to always be something.

There are times when it's tempting to throw in the towel. And then the flowers begin blooming. Then all the time I must spend weeding and controlling creepy crawlies proves priceless. A beautiful garden is a heavenly thing.

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Au Natural

Infused Epsom salts as an effective defense against arthritis have been in my arsenal for about six years. Initially, I used the store-bought salts pre-infused with rosemary, spearmint and eucalyptus. A soak at the end of a long, hard, winter day, was just what my arthritic back needed for my whole body to attain a good night's rest.

The store-bought Epsom salts became more and more difficult to find, as well as more and more expensive. A couple of years ago, I bought a book about essential oils to learn more about natural remedies. It taught me I could try making my own bath salts. Since then, I've bought regular Epsom salts and used whatever oils were appropriate for whatever I was experiencing at the time. I saved money, and I didn't have to go searching for a specific mix of pre-infused Epsom salts anymore.

Win, win!

As I learned more about essential oils, I began to rely upon them more than over-the-counter remedies. Less chemicals. Less expense. More self-reliance. More control over what goes on and into me.

Win, win!


homegrown lavender
During the rampant forest fires two and three years ago, I found essential oils in a humidifier to work better than any allergy medications I've ever taken.

A couple of years ago, I bought homemade soap from a co-worker and absolutely LOVED the way I felt after using it. I'll never use store-bought soap bars again unless necessary. I'm convinced we have so many chemicals in most everything we buy these days, much of the real purpose of any store-bought household or body cleansers is diluted beyond helpfulness. I'm hoping to begin making my own soap this year, but until then, my co-worker's homemade exfoliating oatmeal soap is one of my best cleaning investments.

About a year ago, I decided to try something a few of my friends and many people I didn't know were trying. I took the plunge into a shampooless world.

I had been a Breck or Herbal Essence girl ever since I was in grade school. I have been a conditioner addict because my baby-fine, thin hair is so tangly. I've longed for beautiful hair like what I see in advertisements and in the various forms of media, but I just didn't think I had the genes for beautiful, shiny hair.

For the past several years, I've unsuccessfully fought dandruff. I knew part of the problem was the shampoo and conditioner remnants on my scalp, and each time I shampooed, I was adding to the build-up. I have tried to use good products, but the problem just didn't get any better.

Last year, I followed a friend's advice and tried using nothing but baking soda, tea tree oil and lavender oil (mixed with water) as my shampoo, followed by apple cider vinegar as conditioner. I was skeptical of the apple cider vinegar. Until after that first wash.

HOLY COW!!!!!

My comb went through my hair as easily as ever, and my hair felt better. With just one baking soda/ACV shampoo, I had already made a difference in the texture of my hair. My hair was soft and shiny, my scalp tingled, and oh, the natural curl!!!

I'd learned how to wash dishes with baking soda and ash from the camp fire back in seventh grade during girls camp. I should have known all this time baking soda is a great cleanser. I think I remember my grandmother using it instead of soap products in a pinch.

I'd read the smell of the apple cider vinegar doesn't last. It doesn't, but it's a whopper while you're using it. Also, I learned the very hard way, don't get this stuff in your eyes!


2011


2011


Now


Now
Initially, the most difficult thing about making my own shampoo and conditioner is they are water-thin. I was accustomed to gooey stuff that was easy to see and feel saturating my hair and my scalp. I had to get used to the thin and penetrating nature of making my own.

After the first poo-less shampoo, I researched how to make the home solution thicker. Easy enough; stuff readily available in the kitchen may be added. The same stuff used to thicken gravy and sauces. Corn starch, arrowroot powder or guar gum. I tried mixing a tiny bit of arrowroot in my homemade baking soda, water, tea tree oil and lavender oil shampoo, and although the mixture did thicken up nicely, I didn't like the feel of my hair using it. So I went back to using the thin mixture.

It took a while to become accustomed to the thinness of homemade, but now it doesn't bother me, and I've found I don't use as much. The drippy stuff goes down the length of long hair without having to keep reapplying. It literally goes everywhere all by itself. Gently, and without tangle-imposing work. I do still massage my scalp, and the dandruff is gradually subsiding. The overall feel of using baking soda, apple cider vinegar and essential oils on my hair has been magnificent. I can never go back now.

I've since learned sage oil in the shampoo, in addition to the lavender, supposedly helps darken gray (or silver in my case), plus it smells good, and I grow my own. One day, I hope to be able to make all my own essential oils. I now add sage or lemon oil to the lavender oil in the apple cider vinegar, and I'm now using apple cider vinegar "with the mother" because it's just all kinds of healthy in several different ways, a second of which I'll get to in a minute. In the meantime, I've already shared why I like sage; lemon is supposed to bring out shine. Plus, it smells really, really good.

I've also used chamomile, which is supposed to be good for conditioning. The oil is pretty darned stinky. I didn't mind the smell as much when I infused the vinegar myself with chamomile blossoms growing in my backyard.


Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon and Lime Suncatchers
Before all this, I had tried African black soap (for both hair and skin), and I liked it, even though it does have some chemicals. I'm not sure it will be feasible to take my pre-mixed little baking soda and ACV containers that are viable only a few days after I mix them for a whole week of shower trucks during Ride the Rockies, so I've decided to pour the leftover African black soap into empty hotel shampoo bottles to carry along with us. The African black soap doesn't have an expiration date, and it doesn't have an many chemicals as other commercially popular brands of shampoo.


neem seedling
Another thing I've learned along the way is lavender, rosemary, sage and thyme are supposed to help reduce mosquitoes. I have been growing these spices in the garden for years. I grow them in the kitchen and living room in an effort to help fight indoor predators.

Unfortunately, white flies in my neck of the high-plains-meet-foothills seem to be ignorant of spice technology. These pests even try to feast on my two miniature indoor neem trees, and that's not supposed to happen. (Neem oil is supposed to repel all insects.) However, the other pesties seem to take note of what we're growing, and I have noticed an improvement in the reduction of fruit flies, spider mites and even mosquitoes.

I LOVE the smell of lavender, so last summer and fall, I tried using straight lavender oil instead of Avon's Skin So Soft during my biting fly bicycle rides. Biting flies HURT. Period. They, too, sometimes ignore repellents. But the lavender seemed to do the trick. I did find I have to carry a small bottle of it with me and reapply to sweaty areas often, but that's not such a bad thing. Smells really, really nice!

Some people have a low tolerance for applying undiluted essential oils to their skin. I am one of the lucky ones. I have no problem, and as long as the lavender works, I'm going to stick with it.

This brings me to another natural skin application I heartily recommend.

While doing all this research and testing different homeopathic remedies, I came upon several recommendations for the mother of apple cider vinegar as a treatment for acne.

I do not have acne, but I have had the complexion of a teenager since I became a teenager. It's the one aspect of aging that has not taken a stranglehold on me. My mom used to tell me when I was a pimply 13-year-old, "One day you will be so glad you have oily skin because all your friends will be wrinkly, and you'll still be smooth." She didn't mention zits would be included in that smoothness, but she did try to drill into me that oily skin was not the end of the world.

I have tried every commercial product. A was a Noxema girl. I was a Strident girl. I was a Clearasil girl. I was a witch hazel girl. I have always washed every morning and every night. I carry little pads around with me so I can dab problem areas throughout the day. Nothing worked. Nothing. No one ever told me about apple cider vinegar. Of course, I had to try it the moment I first read it might be a great remedy for some cases of acne.

For the first time in 42 years, I'm finally beginning to see some zit relief. I still get them, and they still drive me nuts. But breakouts are not anywhere near as bad as they have been my whole life. I get two or three at a time now, as opposed to... well, I'm not going to divulge the count. Just trust me when I say there's a reason I learned to retouch photographs of teenage girls with problem skin.

I know the horror. I know the embarrassment. Still today, at age 55, I still wake up every once in a while with a Klingon gorch. I don't wear makeup because that only clogs my oily pores. So I must grin and bear it. Zits bother me more than crooked teeth, split ends, dandruff, hose runs, broken fingernails, chin hair or even the unforgiving accidental unexpected release of methane gas. I have hated my skin for 41.5 years. Apple cider vinegar with the mother has made a new woman of me!


fibery apple without the mother
Of course, apple cider vinegar is supposed to have multiple other health benefits, too. I tried putting a teaspoon of it in my filled water bottle. I don't know if it lives up to all the claims made about it, but weight loss might be 100% true. After just one gulp of my ACV-infused water, I wasn't thirsty anymore. Perhaps I should drink a gulp of this stuff before every meal. Ha ha!

And now, for another, and possibly the best, use of natural stuff on skin...

I recently read an article claiming lavender and tea tree oil, mixed with a bit of carrier oil (such as jojoba, coconut or almond) works great to help with arthritis pain. No need to tell me twice!!! I already knew from experience these oils in a warm Epsom salt bath help relieve muscle pain.

I tried the lavender/tea tree/coconut oil mixture almost immediately. As soon as I could get the brew mixed.

It worked so well, my husband is trying it now, too. I know this might not work for everyone, but it works for me better than the Bengay, Icy Hot and Flexall I've used for years. Smells a heck of a lot better, too. Mineral Ice comes close and doesn't smell as obnoxious as some of the others, but my preference now is lavender and tea tree oil. Oh, how I wish I'd known about this remedy eight years ago!

There's a great deal of satisfaction in knowing I'm making my own body and hair products, knowing what goes into each and the way I feel after using them. I love not having so many plastic bottles to throw away every month. I love not having to buy more shampoo and conditioner every time I go to the store. And you can't beat the cost benefits of baking soda and water. Pennies per use. Pennies!

Next up, I'm going to try making my own deodorant. I've already been experimenting with my own body balms. I can't wait to try homemade bath bombs. I can remember using baking soda as toothpaste as a child; maybe I'll even go back to that one day.

Naaa... I like the flavor of the commercial cinnamon stuff I'm using!


homemade fingerling potato soup with homegrown rosemary

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