Health Adventure: Ear Infections

Before I even get started I want it to be known that I am not anti-medicine/anti-science. I believe that God has given men wisdom to discover ways to heal and save the human body. But as the Source of this wisdom and the Creator of these bodies I believe He knows best how they can be healed, and in being Creator I believe He created our bodies to heal themselves in many aspects. I am thankful for the science of medicine beyond words. It is because of medical advancements that I am alive today and that Natalie, my oldest daughter, is only a few months away from turning seven. It is also because of the science of medicine that I can experience the joy that comes from my two younger children, Caleb and Eliana. I do feel, though, that we have become too dependent on medicine and we forget that our bodies were created with the ability to heal. Not only did God create our bodies with the ability to heal but He surrounded us with natural resources for healing.

I have begun a journey in discovering truth about natural healing and I want to share what I am learning. My sharing comes with no judgement for the path that anyone chooses. I only share because it has positively impacted our lives so greatly. For me, it took hearing the some things several times before they sunk in and began to cause a change in my thinking. So, if this is the first time you are hearing this or maybe it's not new to you but you find comfort in hearing it from another source, I hope you find the following information as intriguing as I have.

Also, I am not a physician or trained medically in any manner. If you are having any type of health issue please seek proper care.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are one of the most common childhood illnesses. As a child I fought ear infections well into my high school years. Even after having tubes put in my ears at an early age I continued to suffer from sever ear infections. As a baby and toddler Natalie suffered from ear infections as well. At two she underwent surgery to have tubes put in her ears as well.

My information is limited and each individual case is different, but I am of the opinion that most cases of chronic ear infections can be resolved with the use of natural and homeopathic remedies and chiropractics. (Again, please seek the advice of a medical professional, especially a chiropractor, if you feel necessary)

Here is some information that I have learned concerning ear infections.

Most ear infections are viral, and while doctors are taught to "watch and wait", they prescribe antibiotics, without testing or waiting, because it is expected by the parents. Giving the child antibiotics then weakens their immune systems, making them more susceptible to bacterial ear infections, and then the vicious cycle of chronic ear infections begins. Another factor to the susceptibility to ear infections is diet.

Here are some homeopathic remedies for ear infections:

* "Hyland's Ear Ache Tablets": encourages healing and decreases symptoms

* "Herb's for Kids Willow and Garlic Oil": natural antibiotic/antiviral and soothes pain

* "Sovereign Silver Colloidal Silver": natural antibiotic/antiviral/antifungal (can be administered by mouth and put directly in ear)

Below is a link to several case studies that show a link between chiropractic care and the resolution of chronic ear infections

http://icpa4kids.org/Chiropractic-Research/Ear-Infection-Otitis-Media/

Research Tools on Natural Healthcare (provided by my doctor):

www.mercola.com - Run by Dr. Joseph Mercola, M.D., a foremost leading authority on natural healthcare

www.icpa4kids.com - Website for International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. Has many research articles spanning not only chiropractic journals, but medical journals as well.

www.909shot.com - Website for National Vaccine Information Center. Gives parents the latest research concerning vaccine safety and efficacy.

www.naturalnews.com - Run by Mike Adams, "The Health Ranger". Journalist on the quest for the truth in all things healthy. Challenges the latest news, researches and provides consumer information on natural health products.

Another good source for information on wellness is http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org . It is a quarterly magazine that also has article available online. If anyone else knows of good sources for information on natural healing I would LOVE to know about them.

I hope that you find this information helpful. I am happy to answer or find the answer to any questions you may have.

On my adventure of discovery,

Heather

New Adventures

SO much is changing in the Duhon house right now. We are joyfully entering into some new adventures and praying about others. One of the new adventures we are heading into is HOMESCHOOLING! The other adventure we are now journeying through is our health. I am SO very excited about both of these adventures.

Homeschooling

I am SO excited about homeschooling. Last year, when Natalie was ready to enter Kindergarten, we considered homeschooling but it just did not feel like the right timing. Not only did the timing not feel right but Natalie also REALLY wanted to go to school. She had imagined being in the classroom and with the class being asked a question she could raise her hand with the answer. We felt like it was important to give her that experience. Her experience was good, even with having to switch schools mid-year due to our family moving to a different part of Dallas. Now, though, we know homeschooling is what our family is called to do. My great friend, Lindsey, has introduced me to the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling (www.simplycharlottemason.com) and I am SO very excited about it, it is the perfect fit for our family. Charlotte Mason was an educational revolutionary in the late 1800's in England who had a genuine passion for educating children of every social class with a wide curriculum and living, hands on education. I know I will expound more on this as I continue to learn more and prepare for the coming school year!

Health

Wow! I don't even know where to begin...oh wait, yes I do. In January of this year, after being in pain for over two years, I finally decided to go to the chiropractor. I had been to one before and understood some of the health benefits of chiropractics, but ultimately it came down to finances. Well, pain got the best of me and I no longer cared what it cost I was MISERABLE. I called up my same friend, Lindsey, and got a recommendation for the chiropractor she saw while living here in Dallas. She referred me to Dr. Jennifer Taylor (www.taylorfamilychiropractic.com). We LOVE Dr. Jenn. When I went to see her I got so much more than someone that just cracks my back. I found someone that cared about me and my entire body. When I started seeing her not only was I in pain but I was struggling with depression, my hair was falling out, I was moody and had not been able to lose any weight since having Caleb 18 months prior. She helped to discover that my body was not functioning in several different areas, including my adrenal glands and thyroid. We began with strictly chiropractics and I noticed an immediate difference. Within two weeks I had the whole family in for evaluations and were are all receiving chiropractic care. What is so great about Dr. Jenn is that she is not only passionate about chiropractics but also nutrition. We have learned so much from her and we are striving every day to live healthier lives. Six months later I am down 30+ pounds (with exercise and healthy eating as well), Natalie no longer receives regular allergy shots, Matt no longer walks around with candy and sugar products at hand, my kids are healthier and more emotionally balanced, and we are healthier and happier all around.

Some of the things we are learning (and I will expound upon w/ my limited knowledge):

1. The truth about childhood ear infections (and other diseases) and how they can be treated without prescription antibiotics and surgery.

*I wish I would have know this before putting Natalie through surgery to have tubes put in her ears.

2. Alternatives to some "traditional" OTC medications for adults and children

3. Raw milk vs. Commercial (store bought) milk and why the latter is not good for you

4. The dangers of sugar

5. The dangers of artificial sweeteners

My only intention is to share what I have learned. It is hard not to share this information once you know it, but it is up to you to do what you want with it.

So, those are the two biggest things happening in our family.

Hope this finds you well!

The way to a (little) man's...

Obedience is through food (his stomach).

Thought I was going to say heart, huh? As a Momma I don't have to fight my way to his heart it's already mine, at least for now. I know one day he will grow up and his heart will go to another woman, but for now it belongs to me. The way to his obedience, though, is through food! As an almost 2 year old wearing 3t-4t clothes it is obvious that he enjoys eating. In fact he has yet to learn the word "hungry" to indicate his need for food he simply walks up to me and says "Momma. Eat." So, when I need his obedience and I know there is a treat already in mind I use it! The other day the kids and I made sugar cookies and I took full advantage of using them to get Caleb to take a bath (which is not usually a fight but this time he had cookies on the brain). I have not forsaken discipline to teach obedience but I do try to choose my battles :)

My little Man

The one who has my heart as much as I have his

Chased By Rain

Our first adventure for today was our Garage Sale. I have been preparing for this sale for a couple of weeks, but it has definitely consumed my attention the last few days. We have a few things around the house that need replacing. We were given a new dining table that I am so excited about. It is just a plain black wooden table but it's just what I wanted.

I wanted a table like this for several reasons:

1. Ours was too big for the space. It has been since it was given to us. I never complained about the size because I would rather a table that is slightly too big than too small.

2. Ours was solid wood but had two glass pieces in the center - I don't think I even need to explain why I didn't like the glass - 3 kids

3. Ours had fabric seats and backs. Again - 3 kids. While the corduroy cleaned easily it was still a pain. Our new chairs (2 still needed) and bench (Matt will build) will be wooden.

I have sold our old table and chairs on craigslist and made enough to buy material for a bench. So I am trying to raise money to cover cost of chairs.

The girls also need new matresses for their beds. They are still sleeping on the used matresses that came with the bunkbeds when I bought them in October of '07. Natalie has requested a new matress for a while so I owe her a new one.

There are a few other 10 year old kitchen items I would like to replace as well!

All of that to say, with all of my hard work of getting ready and setting up for the garage sale we were run off just a few hours into it by the rain. It started as a slow drizzle and quickly progressed into a hard rain. Our garage is detached from our house and is set back in our yard so we threw everything into the back of the van and scrambled to get the rest into the garage. We were so soaked we had to change clothes.

It was quite the adventure and pretty fun at the same time! Here's hoping for the rain to hld off in the morning so that I can continue the sale!

( I will post pics of the new table next week after Matt finishes building the bench)

The Start of Something Grand

Alright, so I am going to set up two blogs. This one will be one that documents the life and adventures of our incredible family. I hope you enjoy as I share our joys and frustrations and challenges. I will be creating another bog where I will share thoughts and discoveries as I explore deeper the greatness of our great God!

Love to all,

Heather