Life with Environmental Illness is miles away from "normal" life. Sometimes it's hard to see past the limitations on every side. But even here, in our little "glass boxes," we have things to be thankful for.
Below is my E.I. list of Thanks.
Some of the things in this list are necessary to our survival in this E.I. life, others just make it a little more bearable day by day.
When you're healthy, it's easy to take your blessings for granted.
But I'm sure all my E.I. friends would agree we've learned to be VERY thankful for things like these!
-air purifiers
-baking soda
-shower filters
-organic farmers
-100% cotton
-health food stores
-TV
-radio
-land line phones
-massage
-music
-sunshine
-the postal service
and
-the promise of a perfectly healthy body in heaven!
"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18).
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Saturday, June 25, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Laugh Out Loud
Proverbs 17:22 says,
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
You've probably heard this verse many times, but have you ever taken it seriously? Or rather, have you taken it laughingly?
Laughter is one of the sweetest gifts God has given us, benefiting our minds, spirits, and bodies.
Did you know that during a hearty laugh your diaphragm, abdomen, heart, lungs, and liver actually get a massage?
Laughter also releases an instant flood of your body's "feel good" chemicals (like endorphins), which boost your immune system and reduce your levels of damaging stress hormones.
Humor also helps both sides of your brain work together and helps you get rid of toxic thoughts and emotions.
Laughter is also good for your heart because it leads to increased blood flow, which helps protect against heart attacks.
Do I have you convinced yet? The scientific evidence for the physical benefits of laughter are undoubtedly clear (unlike this sentence). =)
So how often do you laugh...not a little chuckle, but a real deep belly laugh? Once a week? Once a day?
Whether it's reading Garfield cartoons, watching a funny movie, or remembering comic experiences from the past, find some ways to get your laugh-ercise this week.
And keep on smiling! =)
(Much of this information is taken from "Who Switched Off My Brain" by Dr. Caroline Leaf.)
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
You've probably heard this verse many times, but have you ever taken it seriously? Or rather, have you taken it laughingly?
Laughter is one of the sweetest gifts God has given us, benefiting our minds, spirits, and bodies.
Did you know that during a hearty laugh your diaphragm, abdomen, heart, lungs, and liver actually get a massage?
Laughter also releases an instant flood of your body's "feel good" chemicals (like endorphins), which boost your immune system and reduce your levels of damaging stress hormones.
Humor also helps both sides of your brain work together and helps you get rid of toxic thoughts and emotions.
Laughter is also good for your heart because it leads to increased blood flow, which helps protect against heart attacks.
Do I have you convinced yet? The scientific evidence for the physical benefits of laughter are undoubtedly clear (unlike this sentence). =)
So how often do you laugh...not a little chuckle, but a real deep belly laugh? Once a week? Once a day?
Whether it's reading Garfield cartoons, watching a funny movie, or remembering comic experiences from the past, find some ways to get your laugh-ercise this week.
And keep on smiling! =)
(Much of this information is taken from "Who Switched Off My Brain" by Dr. Caroline Leaf.)
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Sunlight
Today I'm speaking to myself when I say that one of the best and simplest things to do for better health is to get some sunshine!
Our skin uses energy from the sun to make vitamin D in our bodies. Vitamin D performs many essential functions in the body, including strenghthening the immune system and facilitating mineral absorbtion. It is vital for good health!
Some people worry about getting skin cancer from sun exposure. Yet we know God created the sun, and for thousands of years people have lived outside without a high incidence of skin cancer. One theory is that it's only too much sun in addition to a bad diet that leads to skin cancer. A healthy diet with adequate nutrients and healthy fats actually works together with energy from the sun to give the body many benefits.
(This info and more is in "The Maker's Diet" by Jordan Rubin.)
So how much sun is the right amount?
The Natural News website says:
"If we were to expose at least 20% of our skin to sunlight all year round for up to 10 minutes a day without any SPF, then we would ensure adequate amounts of vitamin D. The fairer your skin the less direct exposure is needed to activate vitamin D synthesis. For people with very fair skin, just a short burst of sunshine on their skin would also be enough."
( http://www.naturalnews.com/022889.html )
Obviously we don't want to get sunburned, and some people will be able to tolerate more sun exposure than others. But if you're like me, getting any sun at all is the challenge.
My goal at the moment is 10 minutes of direct sunlight three days a week (which will be a big improvement over no sun at all).
What's your goal? Why not pray about it, and ask the Son to help you get the sunlight you need. =)
Blessings,
-Joanna
Our skin uses energy from the sun to make vitamin D in our bodies. Vitamin D performs many essential functions in the body, including strenghthening the immune system and facilitating mineral absorbtion. It is vital for good health!
Some people worry about getting skin cancer from sun exposure. Yet we know God created the sun, and for thousands of years people have lived outside without a high incidence of skin cancer. One theory is that it's only too much sun in addition to a bad diet that leads to skin cancer. A healthy diet with adequate nutrients and healthy fats actually works together with energy from the sun to give the body many benefits.
(This info and more is in "The Maker's Diet" by Jordan Rubin.)
So how much sun is the right amount?
The Natural News website says:
"If we were to expose at least 20% of our skin to sunlight all year round for up to 10 minutes a day without any SPF, then we would ensure adequate amounts of vitamin D. The fairer your skin the less direct exposure is needed to activate vitamin D synthesis. For people with very fair skin, just a short burst of sunshine on their skin would also be enough."
( http://www.naturalnews.com/022889.html )
Obviously we don't want to get sunburned, and some people will be able to tolerate more sun exposure than others. But if you're like me, getting any sun at all is the challenge.
My goal at the moment is 10 minutes of direct sunlight three days a week (which will be a big improvement over no sun at all).
What's your goal? Why not pray about it, and ask the Son to help you get the sunlight you need. =)
Blessings,
-Joanna
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Blessed...
Blessed is he who has regard for the weak;
the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.
2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life;
he will bless him in the land
and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.
3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed
and restore him from his bed of illness.
-Psalm 41:1-3
the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.
2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life;
he will bless him in the land
and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.
3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed
and restore him from his bed of illness.
-Psalm 41:1-3