Homeopathy rules once again

I couldn't find the OPC/PCO but I got some optique homeopathic eye drops and they along with rest, Vitamin C, and Echinacea did the trick.  I went back to the doctor and he did not need to prescribe antibiotic eye drops.  I will keep using these amazing eye drops so that I will be able to wear my contacts next week.  

He cussed when I said “yes, I am nursing"

I cured mastitis three months ago without going to the doctor and getting antibiotics.  Now it’s time to cure keratitis.  Yes, I have an eye infection.  It is very red and sore.  I can’t wear my contacts until it clears up.  When the doctor asked if I was nursing I said yes. “S%$#!” he exclaimed.   He doesn’t want to put me on an antibiotic eye drop because I am nursing.  He is going to see me in three days to see if my immune system can clear it up on its own. 

When I had a bad case of mastitis I didn’t want to go to the doctor right away so I pumped up the vitamin C, added Echinacea and cut up raw garlic cloves into pill sized slivers and swallowed whole.  The mastitis was completely gone in 2 days!

Now here is what I will do for this eye infection. 

1. Take 2 500mg Ester C tablets three times a day.

2. Eat a lot of spinach for the Vitamin A.

3. Trying to get more rest now that I am caught up on grad school since fatigue is said to worsen the infection.

4. PCO aka OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidin).  This is an antioxidant that is supposed to help fight inflammation and promote healthy tissue growth.  I’m going to take 100mg twice a day. 

5. I love Boiron homeopathics. I just found out that they make Optique eye drops.  They have calendula in them.  My health food store only had one left, which makes sense since the doctor said eye infections are going around.  

I go back to the doctor on Tuesday and we will see if yet again my natural remedies prevail!

Why I'm not going to boycott BP in light of the Gulf Oil Spill

Environmental Health. The BP Gulf Oil Spill.


I am sad, I am mad. I am praying for all of those people and animals adversely affected by the gulf oil spill.  But I am not going to boycott BP.  Here is why:


1. Most BP stations are not even owned by BP.
2. Not all BP stations sell BP gas.
3. BP sells there gas to non BP stations.
4. When people boycotted Exxon after their spill it had no impact.


This is misplaced activism!


What you CAN do to make a difference...
1. Buy a hybrid or electric car, walk or ride a bicycle.
2. Slow down. I have read that each five mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an extra 20 cents per gallon of gas! 
2. Ask congress to push for renewable resources like wind and solar energy.
3. Give to the “National Parks Disaster Recovery Fund” online or by texting “PARKS” to 90999 on your mobile phone by July 1st. Your money will go directly to the parks impacted by the Gulf oil spill.
4. Ask your senator to make BP clean up their mess.
5. Volunteer to help at Volunteer Florida.
6. Try to conserve energy in your home.  
*Replace all your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. 
*Buy only Energy Star appliances. 
*Use a Programmable Thermostat.
*Plug several appliances into a Power Strip with a timer.


Basically, I believe that this is a warning from God. We need to take care of our environment and approach creation with reverence. Watch the video about Environmental Action below.  It is eye-opening!

Money Saving Ideas, Save $7600 a year

Make your own Laundry Detergent
The recipe I use:
2 cups of Mule Team Borax
2 cups of Baking Soda
2 bars of Hypoallergenic Soap, finely shredded
Mix together and store in a Rubbermaid Container
Use 2 Tablespoons for each load
Annual Savings: $70


Make your own Dishwasher Detergent
Here's what you do:
2 cups of  Mule-Team Borax
2 cups of Baking Soda
Mix together and use 2 tablespoons per load  
Also, Use Vinegar instead of Rinse Aid
Annual Savings: $40


Cut your own hair or get it cut at home 
We love these Wahl Clippers
Annual Savings: $400


Make your own Baby Wipes
You need a Bounty Paper Towel Roll, cut it in half. I have read that you must use Bounty or Viva because cheaper brands will tear.
1 and 1/4 cups of water
1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon of Baby Wash
2 drops of Tea Tree Oil, a natural antiseptic
Put half a roll in a tall storage container.  Mix ingredients in a bowl and pour over the roll, distributing evenly.  Put the lid on and let sit for 10 minutes.  Flip the container upside down and let it sit for another ten minutes.  Pull out the inner core of the roll.  Now you just pull the wipes from the middle.
Annual Savings: $100


Make your own Diaper Genie Refills
Follow these directions at eHow
Annual Savings: $90


Make your own Baby Food...Before you say NO WAY! Check out this study called Cheating Babies: Nutritional Quality and Cost of Commercial Baby Food
You will need a Food Processor, Ice Cube Trays, Strainer, Freezer Bags
Compare the cost based on your brand choice.
Annual Savings: $300 


Cut Coupons and Search for Promo Codes
My favorite coupon/promo websites: Coupons.com, Retail Me Not, Red Plum, Entertainment Book
Annual Savings: $500


Get cash/gift cards for Online Shopping, Surveys, Watching Movie Trailers: My View, MyPoints, Lockerz, and Inbox Dollars
Annual Savings: $100


Cook at Home More
We used to love to go to P.F. Chang's every other week.  Now we bought a Wok and cook Chinese at home. Here is the amazing General Tso's Chicken Recipe that we use.
Annual Savings: $1000


Share a car
We will be sharing starting on June 12th.  We will see if we can make it a year.
Annual Savings: $5000


Do you have any ideas that aren't listed? Please post them as a comment.

Vitamins, Supplements, and Homeopathics for a Healthy Baby

Our pediatrician is board certified in holistic medicine.  I never believed in homeopathic medicines until our Pediatrician recommended them, explained them, and I saw first hand how much they work.  Here are five products I use from her recommendations.    


1. Vitamin D drops.  When we told our pediatrician that Eric and I both had asthma when we were children she recommended that we give Chloe Vitamin D drops.  She said that childhood asthma has been linked to Vitamin D deficiency.  Plus I had already read the latest research about the benefits of Vitamin D to the immune system.  Biotics was the recommended brand.
2. Cocyntal.  This is a homeopathic remedy for colic.  We tried Mylicon but later found out that our doctor said not to use mylicon because it had been recalled before.  Plus, when I gave it to Chloe it made her really hyper. Probably because it is pink and has additives in it.  Chloe got the worst gas when I ate something that had corn or milk in it.  
3. Probiotics.  Our pediatrician said probiotics can prevent gas/colic.  They also help keep baby's immune system strong. We use Solaray's BabyLife because it is non-dairy.
4. Teething Tablets. My cousin, Vita, and my pediatrician recommended these.  They are amazing! They even have a note on the side of the bottle that says: If your baby has been crying, or is very upset, your baby may fall asleep after using this product because the pain has been relieved and your child can rest.  Within 5 minutes of using them Chloe calms down and falls asleep.  I am so glad we had these because otherwise I would have used the infant Tylenol that has been recalled.
5. Gripe Water.  One day I got really dehydrated and so did Chloe.  She became very constipated and fussy.  So the only thing that gave her relief and helped her sleep was this organic formula.  It also stops hiccups immediately.  You must refrigerate it after you open it.

My Birth Story

Laboring at Home

I was feeling some mild cramps all day on Saturday, December 5. I started getting tired and emotional. I was ready to hold my baby. Eric was at work until 8pm. When he got home, I took a bath and listened to the Rainbow Relaxation CD. Then Eric made me Spaghetti. Earlier that night I had no appetite, but suddenly I was starving and I pigged out! I needed that energy to get through my birthing. I told Eric that I thought my surges were getting closer together. We timed a few and they were between 9 and 13 minutes apart. Then, I told him I wanted to stop timing so that I wouldn’t get anxious. Next, we watched one of the funniest movies of all time: Bean. Laughing really helped me relax while I was laboring.

There is nothing to fear but fear itself

Eventually my water broke at 1:20 in the morning on Sunday. I waited for an hour to make sure I was getting closer and stronger contractions. The Hypnobirthing book said to wait until the surges are 3.5 to 4.5 minutes apart to leave for the hospital. So I lay down to rest some more and Chloe kicked so hard I jumped out of bed. Then, I got a strong contraction and my water broke for a second time. I said to Eric “We need to go, now!” So we finished packing my stuff and left for the 20 minute ride to the hospital. I was starting to think that Chloe might make her appearance on the way there! I was praying all the way to the hospital and just breathing through each surge (contraction). When I felt fear or tension coming on, I said, “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a strong mind.” Half way there, Eric said, “You can do this.” And that was the only point I thought that I didn’t know if I would be able to get through it. I didn’t think that because of pain, but because of fear of pain.

At the Hospital

We got to the hospital at 3AM and they were shocked that I was 8 to 9 cm dilated and so calm. We told the nurse that we wanted to go natural. I also told her I didn't want everyone yelling at me to push. I wanted to breathe the baby down at our own pace. The nurse said okay. So I got admitted and into the room at 3:45. I just remember breathing and following my friend, Amanda’s advice to not think about the past or future contractions. It helped so much. I just felt pressure in my back. My mouth started getting dry so Eric fed me ice chips. That was the most refreshing treat I have ever had. I felt like I was in heaven!

To Push or Not to Push, That is the Question

Later, I had a strong urge to push, and my body just did it all for me. Then, the nurse started saying “DO NOT PUSH” because she hadn't checked me yet. She said that I could tear my uterus or something if I pushed before I was fully dilated. I did not even respond to what she said because I knew that I was fully dilated and my body was nudging my baby down on its own time. I didn't ask her to check me because I didn’t want her or my doctor to try to take over my pushing. I laughed in my head through 2 or 3 more contractions and pushes. Then the nurse said, “I need to check you.” By this point I knew that I was crowning. The doctor came in and I got in the stirrups and she said that I needed to hold my breath and push. Immediately a contraction came and Baby Chloe was birthed gently at 5:34 AM on Sunday Dec. 6th. Holding her for the first time was so surreal. I yelled, “I can’t believe we did it. No, God did this!” She was 6 lb and 13 ounces and perfectly alert and healthy! I love her so much and I will be hypnobirthing the next time I have a baby if God blesses me with another precious child.

Pampers needs to recall their diapers!

We got Pampers Sensitive Swaddlers diapers in a newer looking box and were only using them a few times a day. Well Chloe started getting a red rash that looked like a sunburn on her private area. We stopped using the Pampers and within one day all of the redness was gone. I hope that enough people call the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission so that they order Proctor and Gamble to recall these new diapers. You can call them to complain at 1-800-638-2772. I tried calling tonight but just got an answering service. I will call back Monday during business hours.

Some good news...Diapers.com sells Huggies Pure and Natural diapers at a great price. Plus you can use my discount code to get 10 dollars off your first purchase and 5 dollars off your second. Just type in the code ELIP9619 when you check out.