#10 Kidney Cancer awareness

March is Kidney Cancer Awareness month.  In case you don't know this about me, at the age of 19 I was diagnosed with Kidney cancer. I had a tumor on my right kidney and they went in and removed it.  I was very blessed in not having to take chemo or radiation and since then it has changed my life and the way I view life.

If you are a fan of Christian music, Mark Hall from Casting Crowns was recently this past week diagnosed with the exact same thing as me and I believe he had surgery yesterday. 

Today, March 12th is actually wear Orange for World Kidney Day.

Since I have had my kidney removed and I have one functioning kidney, I value and think that my kidney is very precious.  When you face any terminal type of ill

ness, it truly changes everything about you. 

Now that I am walking closer to the Lord, the way I eat and the way I live is something that is very important to me more now.  God has shown me what type of ingredients and chemicals that most of our foods have in them.  Our bodies are not made to break these down or to consume.  I can see why we have so many health issues.  When I look at food, I honestly look at it and think, is this man made or did God make this?  Even God given foods like fruits and vegetables have chemicals on them.

This week in my weekly Healthy Living advice is to look more at the ingrediants in your foods.  What I was always told, is "If you cant pronounce it, you don't eat it".  Also look to see how many ingreadiants are in there.  Do they really need 47 ingrediants to make a cookie?  Think about it!

When or if you start to eat clean, give yourself 30 days.  You will start to realize and to notice in how you feel and that alone is addicting.  When I get in my vacation lazy weeks, I start to feel like CRAP and I get excited to go back on eating clean. 

This will always be a struggle of mine, but I know I have the drive to keep the body and temple God has given me, healthy as much as I can.

Red Flags

I had went to the Dr and I had done a healthy regimen from my Nutritionist in losing some weight and when I went to the Dr, I gained a pound.  This was a month process and I invested time, money and energy into what the nutritionist wanted me to do.  Lets just say, I wasn't a happy camper.  The Dr and I started to talk and for the past year I have been doing pretty much the same thing.  He requested that I shock my body and do the complete opposite.  He wanted me to try this diet in which you lose a pound a day and he wanted me to read up on it before he was going to prescribe anything to me.  I read about it for two weeks and it sounded great.  I really didn't see anything risky or even bad on your health because it was a natural product (hormones).  There were certain things you had to do to make sure nothing bad happened, but I knew I was going to do that and beyond.

The (first flag) that came is when I realized that I didn't want to pray about it, kinda like my first marriage, ha!  I knew that I didn't want to hear a NO! but if you truly think about it, then that means you must already know its going to be a No!  I went ahead and prayed about it and I heard God tell me (second flag), "You don't need to do this."  I brushed it off, thinking it must just be me thinking that.

So for the next week I keep reading and reading about it.  I read reviews, I ordered a book, I ordered other things that I was going to need to make this successful.  I never had 100% peace.  My human self wanted me to have peace about it since I wanted to reach my goal and because I hadn't read anything bad and plus, my Dr requested it.

The morning before is when my package was supposed to be coming to me with 2 main things that I needed.  It was supposed to be delivered that day and then I got an email stating it was delayed (third flag).  I looked it up and called the carrier and it was 2 hours away the night before and then it got shipped to New Jersey.  Well I live in Texas and so they said it would be 6-8 days before it was going to be delivered. I was upset, but didn't care and was still going to do it.

That afternoon I'm getting ready and I'm headed to my friends house and we are going to take before pictures and on the way there, I'm listening to a Christian station and Mark Hall from Casting Crowns announced about his Kidney Cancer (fourth flag).  I remember thinking about this diet that I was going to do and I'm not sure why I related it to my kidney cancer.

That night when I was going home I remember that I cant have oil supplements and one of mine is that I take and I had forgotten to get some when I was at the store so I stopped at Wal-greens.  {Before I begin what I'm about to explain is not my behaviour at all and even looking back I can see that it was the Holy Spirit just guiding me.} So I go to the vitamin section and I stand there and see Gummy Vitamins.  I'm thinking, "Well I cant have sugar or sweets so maybe, I can use these?"  There were 2 bottles left, but one had sugar and one didn't so they looked funny to me.  This is where I know it wasn't me, because I stand in line at the Pharmacy and ask the stupid question to the Pharmacist, "Why do these look different?"  I proceed to tell him why I need them and what I'm doing (like he cared) and that's when he looked at me funny and told me that I don't need to be messing with my hormones (fifth flag) and that I should contact my Urologist.  In that moment, I was reminded of a few years ago when my Gyno wouldn't give me birth control.  In fact he didn't enter the room and told me that he would lose his license because birth control has a hormone in it.

So that night I googled cancer and the diet name (why I didn't before, I have no idea) and all these things started popping up.  This is a hormone diet and hormones feed off of things.  These reviews were stating how these people had rapid tumors growing and some of them didn't even have cancer in their family.  Its not 100% proof to know if it caused it, but the fact that I have had a tumor double the size of my kidney and have cancer cells sitting there was a good (sixth flag).

The next morning I contacted my Urologist and at this time, I already knew in my heart that I shouldn't and wont be doing it.  I was so bummed, but I think I just needed that (seventh flag).  Well he told me that he would recommend that I not do it.  I have realized that my health is so much more important than this possible fix of my plateau.  I need to keep doing what I'm doing and push harder and it will happen.  In fact since I started back on my healthy diet and adding more stuff to it, I have lost 6 pounds in 5 days.  I have also prayed and asked God to help me and I feel like He's smiling down on me and blessing me.  

Another red flag that I have encountered lately is that there is an opening at my job in a different department with more pay and better days off.  I never felt at peace and in fact the other day I started to fill out the application and in the middle of filling it out, I clicked out of it.  I asked my grandpa to pray about it too, but in the middle of me telling him, I told him not too, because I already know the answer.  

Gods plans are so much better than our own.  He sees what the future lies ahead.  I thought about if I did this diet, ignoring what I felt and all the red flags and me possibly getting cancer, would I be mad and upset at God that I got cancer?  I probably would, even though I pretty much caused it on myself by ignoring God.  

I want this blog to not be about the diet, but to be about how God loves us.  He loves and cares so much about me that He threw people, things and delays at the right time and even myself to stand in a line to ask a stupid question.  I am so thankful that I went against what I wanted and listened to God and now He is taking care of me and helping me lose this weight.  Its not going to be easy, but that's okay!  I honestly want what God wants in my life.  He knows that we get stubborned and we can get fixated on certain things if it looks good or if its what we want, but he loves us enough to warn us and to lay it on our hearts to do it or not to do it.

So if there is something in your life that God is calling you to do or maybe to not do or even to wait then listen to God!  He knows the outcome and the reason even if we don't.  He knows your walk and knows exactly where your at in this life and what season you are in.  He loves you and wants to give you the best and sometimes we have to go through difficult to get to the best and sometimes we have to wait to get it and also sometimes God says No.  Just know that Gods No is best for you!  

#9 Getting plenty of sleep

Its an obvious one but I know its a crucial one.  We need rest to make sure that our bodies are restoring themselves properly and if we really think about it, it helps our mental state and our mood swings.  I know scientifically they say your supposed to get an average of 6-8 hours each night, but I do think it depends on the person.   

Sleep, we all love it, especially when you wake up from a great night's sleep. In the past, sleep was often ignored by doctors and surrounded by myths, but now we are beginning to understand the importance of sleep to overall health and well-being. In fact, when people get less than 6 or 7 hours of sleep each night, their risk for developing diseases begins to increase. Benefits are given below :-

You need plenty of sleep to stay healthy. Getting a good night’s sleep can have many benefits.
The

• You will be less likely to get sick.
• You will be more likely to stay at a healthy weight.
• You can boost your brainpower and your mood.
• You can think more clearly and do better in school and at work.
• You can make better decisions and avoid injuries. For example, sleepy drivers cause thousands of car crashes every year.
• You can lower your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.

How many hours of sleep do you need? 

Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. If you are having trouble sleeping, make changes to your routine to get the sleep you need. For example, stay away from caffeine in the afternoon. Kids need even more sleep than adults.

• Teens need at least 9 hours of sleep each night.
• School-aged and preschool children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep.
• Newborns sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day.

Does it matter when I sleep?
Yes. We have a natural cycle for when we feel tired and awake. Sunlight plays a big role in this cycle.
Our “biological clocks” are set to make us feel the most sleepy between midnight and 7 a.m. We’re most alert during the day, although many people have a sleepy period between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Our natural sleep cycle is very hard to break or change. When people have to work during the night, they can have trouble getting enough sleep during the day. People who travel to a different time zone can also have trouble sleeping.

Why can’t I fall asleep?
Many things can make it harder for you to sleep, including:

• Stress
• Pain
• Caffeine
• Some medicines
• Sleep disorders, like insomnia

How can I tell if I have a sleep disorder?
Signs of a sleep disorder can include:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Trouble staying asleep
• Sleepiness that makes it difficult to do daily tasks like driving a car

If you have any of these signs, talk to a doctor or nurse. You may need to be tested or treated for a sleep disorder.
  
Take Action! 

Small changes to your daily routine can help you get the sleep you need.

Change what you do during the day

• Exercise earlier in the day, not right before you go to bed.
• Stay away from drinks and foods with caffeine (such as coffee, tea, soda, or chocolate) late in the day.
• If you have trouble sleeping at night, limit daytime naps to less than 1 hour.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. Alcohol can keep you from sleeping soundly.
• Don’t eat a big meal close to bedtime.

Set a bedtime routine

• Go to bed at the same time every night.
• Get the same amount of sleep each night.
• Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet.
• Avoid eating, talking on the phone, or watching TV in bed.
• Try not to lie in bed worrying about things. Learn to manage stress.

If you are still awake after staying in bed for more than 20 minutes, get up. Do something relaxing until you feel sleepy.

If you are concerned about your sleep, see a doctor
Talk with a doctor or nurse if you have any of the following signs of a sleep disorder:

• Frequent, loud snoring
• Pauses in breathing during sleep
• Trouble waking up in the morning
• Pain or itchy feelings in your arms or legs that may happen more often at night
• Trouble staying awake during the day

Even if you aren’t aware of problems like these, talk with a doctor if feel like you often have trouble sleeping

#8 Nature Box

Every month I order from Nature Box .  Its a website where you can order over 100 different kind of snacks.  Im not a big grab a bag of chips and by the time I know it their gone kind of a person.  So I just snack on a few at a time and they last me and I don't have to worry about whats all in them.  You can also choice if you want sweets or protein or some without sugar, etc.  Also every month you get an email stating what you want next in your box and they automatically take it out of your checking and in the mail for you.

 

Vegan

Our 60+ vegan snacks include dried fruits, nut mixes, and more.*

Made without gluten

Sensitive to gluten? We have 60+ snacks that are not made with wheat, barley, rye or other gluten ingredients.

Made without soy

We have 60+ snacks made without soy ingredients.*

Non-GMO

We have 55+ non-GMO snacks to choose from, with even more on the way!

Made without milk

If you don’t consume milk and milk products, we have 75+ snacks for you!*

Made without nuts

We have 60+ snacks made without tree nuts, and we're working overtime to add more.

*Just keep in mind that all of our foods are processed and packed in a facility that handles tree nuts, peanuts, milk, wheat, egg, and soy.

 

You can try a free trial too if you go to their website.  If it wont let you I have a code you can ask me for and I will give it to you!

#7 YES pills

I started taking YES pills about a year ago.  They have changed the way I feel and when I don't take them, I can totally tell a difference.  Here's a little info on them.

PEO Challenge: How to Get Enough Parent Essential Oils (PEOs)?

Parent Essential Oils start out in food, but by the time the food processors finish, these precious nutrients can be either converted to unhealthy trans fat, removed, or deactivated. Food processing presents an insurmountable problem whose hazards may be minimized by supplementation. Chemical processing and high heat transform PEO 's and other unsaturated oils into trans fats. You may recently have heard on the news about the damage trans-fats can do.

Your appetite can constantly stay "on" because your body is hoping you will give it these precious, essential oils.

Below are typical steps a food processor uses to make commercial cooking oils like those you buy at your local supermarket and eat at your favorite restaurants. Even though you may not want to consume them, it's nearly impossible to completely avoid them.
PEO Solution

Many of us are overdosing on harmful trans fats and not getting enough of the unprocessed oils containing the precious Parent Essential Oils. The EFA are cold-pressed and organically produced. You can rest assured there are no fishy oils that need to be masked with other flavors.

Fish have no oil glands so creating fish oil supplements basically means you get "juiced" fish. "Juiced" fish is the worst way to get your EFA's. No fish oil! And vegan.

Fish are exposed to contaminated water supplies. Fish toxins, including mercury, may magnify into higher and higher levels in these concentrated fish oils. Even if fish oil supplements claim to have removed harmful toxins, the processing needed to do so may also alter the natural oils. You do NOT want this regardless of who is making the claims for concentrated fish oils. Furthermore, fish is high in derivative omega 3—not the required Parent Essential Oils nature intended us to get.

Instead of relying on fish oil containing mostly "derivative-based" omega 3 oils, we use healthy organic Evening Primrose oil, organic high linoleic Safflower oil a and sunflower oil, all excellent sources of "parent" omega 6, along with organic flax oil for "parent" omega 3, to obtain what we consider the ideal science-based “parent” omega 6/3 combination.

The proper Parent Essential Oil ratio based on science is another extremely important issue that needs to be addressed. There is a misconception among nutritionists that we already get plenty of omega 6 in our diets. The problem is that we get very little pure, unadulterated "parent" omega 6 oils because, to get long shelf-life, most will be turned by the food manufacturers into cancer-causing trans fats or damaged in some way making them ineffective. Furthermore, and of extreme importance is the fact that you can easily "overdose" on excess omega 3, which can cause serious health problems. More than 97% of your body needs at least a 4/1 ratio in favor of unadulterated "parent" omega 6 over "parent" omega 3 because that is what your tissues and organs are made of.
Our unique PEO formulation takes into consideration the good unadulterated "parent" omega 6 you may already be getting in your diet, as well as carefully balancing it with the proper ratio of "parent" omega 3. We are the leaders in EFA science with such a specifically calculated balance, using naturally produced seed oils instead of fish oil, and providing the parent oil, and not just the derivatives.

We bring you convenience without compromising quality or requiring refrigeration. How do we know that our formula is so great? Because thousands of people from around the world rave about it. The Yes EFA formula satisfies your body's need for these essential oils thus reducing the body appetite naturally.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to take a minimum of 4 YES™ Parent Essential Oils daily for nutritional support and to help assist with appetite fulfillment. If you think you may forget, it is best to take all 4 at once, rather than to take just 2 on any given day. You may be pleasantly surprised with your new, lower appetite. The Yes Parent Essential Oils has a cumulative effect. You won't notice the full impact for a few days or first few weeks. That is why Yes PEO is so successful!

Stepping out in faith....Part 2

I wrote part 1, before God was just AWESOME and showed me what happens walking with Him and walking in faith does.  I want to share my little story over the past few days.  Ill be explaining people as A, B, C etc to not confuse anyone.  

On Monday I texted my preachers wife to see if they needed any volunteers to watch some little kids on Thursday because a bunch of moms get together and share about Jesus (MOPS).  A few weeks ago on our Wednesday class she mentioned it and asked if anyone could that would be great and the following Thursday I had plans already and I couldn't attend but God never let me forget it.  So because I wasn't a member I needed to fill out an application, which I totally understand and while we were texting I asked if she could pray for me to join the church.  I mentioned in part 1 where I kept waiting on God to pretty much come down and shine His heavenly light on me and make a flashing sign with his booming voice for direction.....okay maybe not that extravagant, but looking back I pretty much think I felt that way!  God himself directed me there physically when my GPS didn't work and I do believe I have a blog post on that (CLICK HERE TO READ THAT POST) and I have loved everyone there and have enjoyed growing there as I started going on Sunday with my lifegroup and also church service to now in a woman's group on Wednesday.  Those doors I guess wernt open wide enough for me to see.  

I had asked my grandpa to pray for something specific a week or so ago and when my grandpa was honest with me and told me that he never heard anything and neither did I, its like something clicked.  I know I am walking the path God wants me too, I know I'm trying to obey him in everything that I'm doing, so why cant I hear him?  Then I was told by my preacher and even heard it other places that when you are walking so close to God, you don't need to hear Him, you know because you are in His will.  I remember one time praying for something and God told me NO, because I was going too do it and He didn't want me too.  

I've been really trying to spend time with God and I've been talking to Him as if He is in the room with me.  I turn everything off and just lay there and joke with Him and cry with Him and laugh with Him.  I've been praying for some people to come up to me and start talking to me at church because for some bizarre reason I've been quiet and kinda shy.  Well on Wednesday night person A asked me what my name was and we started to chat.  Person B came and sat next to her and I asked her a question on some products that she sells.  After the class I go up to my preachers wife and I gave her the application and if I could join.  We went into the office and it turns out that I know alot of the preachers family and friends, small world, but while I was in there person C invites me to a Home Bible Study.  At first I was a little skeptical because of the unknown in not knowing anyone and something new (those doors though, the ones you pray for and yet they are given to you but you don't want to walk through them in fear).  I took the information and was a little excited but still in my head weighing it out.  

The next morning I go to church and watch nine 2 years olds and I had so much fun and learned alot about that age.  The lady that I was helping with and I took them into another room to play.  While we were in there another class came in and Person D and I started to talk and ask questions.  I got to know a little about them and we went on our way to take our kids back to our classes.  After watching the kids and while I was leaving, Person E and I walked out and she started to talk to me and she mentioned on going to a Bible study that evening that she never went to before and we realized it was the same one, so to me that was confirmation that I should go.  I knew someone who was going to be there and also it was her first time too, so then I got excited and I really enjoyed getting to know her too because she took the time to talk to me even when she had somewhere to be.  

That night it was time to go to Bible Study and I knew Person E was going to be there and we met outside and walked in.  Person C was also outside and so we all walked into the house.  Then I see person A and person B in there and said Hi.  While I was sitting there and after I met everyone Person D walked in.  All these people talked to me in about a 24 hour time span and they were all there.  They all took the initiative, but yet, all didn't know that I was invited to that Study except for Person E.  I can see Gods hand at work in this and I never would of known how God orchestrated it if I never went to the Bible Study.  I don't think it just happened or it was a coincidence, I know because I keep walking out in faith that God is showing me how Sovereign he is and how He is answering my prayers.

I am very thankful and honored that God led me to this church and has placed all these great people in my  life.  I love my church and that most of the people that go there are about my age group and we are all walking this same but different paths of lives.  I love the fact that I learned that I don't need to hear God in every single thing.  I guess I had a fear of walking down the wrong path or getting off course and I guess I self-doubted.  Once I let go and trusted God, I can see His hand in it.  I'm starting to realize I might be a slow learner, haha!  We are all on this journey of life and we are all walking different steps at a different speed, but the question is if our purpose is if we are walking the path that God has for us and if we are walking with Him and in His will?  I know I was doing NO ONE any favors, except maybe the enemy, by me sitting on the side lines not doing anything, waiting on God. 

 

I know that if we are walking with God and we start to get of track He will let us know.   

Stepping out in faith.... Part 1

I wrote this weeks ago and I want to share it all put together.  I write my blogs a lot away from home and then never get around to publishing them. Don't forget to read part 2.

I've sat back for awhile now and kept asking God questions and I would never hear an answer.  I knew that God was waiting or needing me to do something, so I kn
ew it might not be instant.  I finally asked a loved one of mine to pray for a certain amount of time for the answer too and they never heard anything from God either.  The same day that I accepted that I might not hear an answer or if ever, is when my whole world started to make sense.  

I was reminded of Job in the Bible when he asked God over and over in prayer and God never answered him.  Finally, Job gave up and trusted God and that's when his blessings started to happen.  When I finally gave up and started reading the Bible directly, then God started to speak me.  

I realized I have been living for God, but not LIVING for God.  I had it all wrong.  Instead of waiting on God to guide me, I was waiting on God to tell me what to do.  I heard a few sermons and a tug in my heart that I need to take the step out in faith and allow God to direct me.  I have taken a step and I already feel excited about life!  I want to keep stepping and keep stepping and I know God will keep opening up the doors.  I blogged a month or so ago about doors being shut and I do believe that was from God, as I have peace about them all, but the reason alot of doors haven't been opened is because of me.  

Don't get me wrong, I know God knew I needed to get to this place.  We are all different, we all have our difficulties in overcoming or even learning and all in different time spans.  I have learned so much over this past year and wouldn't change anything.  Gods been gracious to me and has given me the time and resources to learn and because of that I appreciate it so much more.  Also, because of me learning and in Gods word so much the enemy is after me too, so its a wave of emotions as I begin to FULLY do Gods work.

I just love Christ and what He has done for me and is doing even up to this moment in me typing this.  He has never left me or forsaken me even when people on this earth has.  There is no greater love than the man who has given up His life for me so that I may live with Him for eternity.  I want to share that with anyone and everyone who wants to hear or even for the people who might not want to hear.  I want to be able to show who Christ is through me, through my words and my actions.  I know the enemy wants me to be quiet and take what I want and not share it and I have fallen for that trap the past few months, but I cant anymore.  Even if one person reads my blogs and it encourages them in some way to either grow closer to God or to know Christ or to even take that step of faith like what this blog is about then I did my purpose.  We just never know when we talk to someone or when someone is watching us what kind of seed we are planting in their lives.  

I never want anyone to see me or think I have it all together, because hunny.....I DO NOT!!!!  I want to share all the good God has done for me and all the bad I have done.  I want to share what I have learned or the hard lesson I endured, because I know someone out there is or will go through it too.  This is my gift....this is my purpose is to share my life, my testimony and to help and encourage others out there.  I don't want anyone on this earth to feel alone or abandoned, because I have felt that alot of times in my life, but MY HEAVENLY FATHER was always there.  He never left and most of the time He didn't seem like enough for me, I always thought I needed a humans touch or someone to talk too, but GOD has been showing me that He is always there and wants me to run to Him.  I think in a way that's why alot that has happened this past year, has happened to me.  

This is what I prayed for, this is what I needed to endure and will endure to be a woman who fears the Lord and wants to honor Him.  You start to really see whats important, who's important and what your purpose on this earth really is about.  Its time I step up and put my walking shoes on and take the step of faith in help building the kingdom of God.