Thoughts from a reformed Department Store Makeup-aholic

Thoughts from a reformed Department Store Makeup-aholic
There was a time in my life that I fell overwhelmed, uncertain, like my nerves were on edge. I would get nervous in the car, and feel off. Like the strong person I once was had left the building.

A very dear friend of mine discovered that she felt the same way, but it was mostly triggered when she wore cosmetics.

What? I doubt it, plus I am a makeup girl. There is no way I am going through life without my "face" on!

Years later, when Dan and I started diving into a natural lifestyle, looking at perfume and cologne as triggers for Dan's Asthma, was an obvious change. It seemed like a no brainer. Use naturally derived scents instead of synthetic. Done!

Wait!

What about fragrance in other products? Shampoo, aftershave, lotions,  and Makeup! 

One of my favorite things to do was to go to Nordstrom and buy new lipsticks, try different foundations, and of course we can't forget skin care!

Different makeup techniques and products are some of my favorite things! I love getting dolled up and feeling pretty <3

What the heck was I to do if makeup was actually causing me and my family harm? I kiss my kids and husband while wearing makeup.

Then I remembered my friend and her discovery years ago! Could it be that toxic makeup was actually affecting how she felt?

I didn't even want to think about not wearing makeup, it's not happening!

So I began to research, thanks Google! And I found a few, very few, clean makeup brands with plant based options. I ordered some and gave them a try. Some were okay. Not the Department Store Quality I was used to, but at least there were options.

There brands I would stay away from are Arbonne and Tarte. Mostly because they are not as clean as they lead you to believe.

Companies I like a lot are Omiana, and 100 Percent Pure, with my favorite being
Savvy Minerals.

With Savvy you will NEVER find:

Bismuth, Carmine, Coal tar, Dimethicone, Formaldehyde, Hydroquinone, Lake dye, Mineral oil, Nano particles, Oxybenzone, Parabens, Petroleum based ingredients, Phthalates, Polypropylene, Silicone, Sulfates, Synthetic colorants, Synthetic fragrances, Synthetic preservatives, Talc, Triclocarban, or Triclosan.
Savvy will also never use any of the 1,328 banned ingredients on the European Union banned cosmetic list.

What I want you to know is... you can make the switch! And when you do, I want to hear about it!

 My friend noticed that her feelings of being unsettled, overwhelm, and not being herself all went away when she swapped out toxic makeup for cosmetics that were good for her!

If you or someone you love is suffering, we want to help! We have a community of others, just like you, who are embracing natural ways to improve respiratory health. We share up-to-date resources, to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters, in learning what foods, products and nutrionals are helpful and safe, and which are not.

We are sharing our experiences with you. Please be sure to consult your doctor.
The information in this video is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.

xoxo Liz

Found this information helpful? Then you you will LOVE my 3 step formula to improve lung health!
Check it out right here!


Asthma Recovery Tips - Top 3 Foods to Avoid

Asthma Recovery Tips - Top 3 Foods to Avoid
For years we accepted my husband, Dan's asthma diagnosis as a lifetime illness that would be managed by medications. We never thought asthma and COPD was something that could be improved or irradiated.

In fact, in 2007, Dan suffered a severe asthma attack that landed him in intensive care for a week! The follow ups with pulmonologists after his stint in ICU, were also daunting experiences. He was in addition to the label of asthmatic, Dan was now also suffering from COPD.

What? Dan was only 32 years old! What is his future going to look like? Will he eventually succumb to these diseases? How did this escalate so quickly?

In 2017 Dan and I watched the movie "The Magic Pill" on Netflix.

It was totally up my natural wellness alley so I was excited to sit down and learn. I did not expect to ball my eyes out!!!
The stories in this documentary are so powerful! Each person in this film suffered from a different disease, but weren't improving. Each were put on a diet where they eliminated processed foods, and ate organic, whole foods, while abstaining from gluten, dairy and sugar.

For Dan and I, the lightbulb turned on.

However, not relating to Dan's Asthma, it was our youngest daughter who's language delay was pretty severe.

There is a little girl in the movie who suffered from autism, and she was completely non verbal. After 10 weeks of eating organic whole foods and eliminating gluten, dairy and sugar from her diet, she began to speak!

I was in tears watching her transformation and Dan and I decided, right then, we would immediately begin eating this way in our home.

It was incredible how quickly the clouds lifted in Harper's brain. You see, brain function begins in the gut. Crazy right?



All four of us began to eat whole foods, and stayed away from sugar, gluten and dairy. We knew if we wanted to girls to eat properly, that we would also need to adopt this way of eating.

It was pretty challenging until we developed a routine, but soon it became easier and easier.

We also noticed our oldest daughter, Avery, who has symptoms of ADD, was also doing better!

It wasn't until a year later and a half later that we noticed Dan has stopped using his asthma inhaler. This is an accumulative result using, essential oils, dietary supplements, eliminating toxins in our home, AND DIET!

We knew we were onto something, a sure fire system to help others achieve better respiratory health!

If you or someone you love is suffering, we want to help! We have a community of others, just like you, who are embracing natural ways to improve respiratory health. We share up-to-date resources, to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters, in learning what foods, products and nutrionals are helpful and safe, and which are not. 

We are sharing our experiences with you. Please be sure to consult your doctor. 
The information in this video is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.

xoxo Liz

Found this information helpful? Then you you will LOVE my 3 step formula to improve lung health! Check it out right here!


asthma recovery, asthma, copd, the magic pill

Could Amino Acids really HELP?

Could Amino Acids really HELP?
Could Amino Acids really HELP?

When Dan and I began our health journey it started with food. As time when on it turned into supplements, then cleaning up our home environment. The journey became a gradual effort that resulted in Dan saying good bye to his asthma meds for good. 

Yes. Read that again.

Dan said good bye to his asthma meds.... for good. 

Here's Dan with our youngest daughter. 

As we began sharing our asthma recovery story, we wanted to pinpoint what exactly was most integral, for Dan, in weening off of his inhalers. 

Side note: Dan did not intentionally ween off of his asthma medications... he would forget to use them because he felt so good, and one day he announced,
 "I haven't used an inhaler in weeks!" 
That's when we realized we were onto something amazing!

ONTO AMINO ACIDS!

As we incorporated more supplements into our daily lives, we included drinking a wolfberry purée drink and adding in an organic form of natural, plant based sulfur powder. We also take a sulfur supplement, in capsule form every night. Both of these nutritionals are fabulous amino acids! 

Amino Acids are amazing for decreasing inflammation. 
Why would someone with respiratory issues (or anyone for that matter) want to decrease inflammation? 

Amino Acids, because of their anti-inflammatory properties, may ease asthma symptoms. 
Ani-inflammatories stops the lungs from swelling and narrowing when a trigger is present. 
This swelling and narrowing of airways makes breathing difficult! 

So now rather than using a long-acting bronchodilator, we manage Dan's pulmonary disease with daily sulfur supplements. In fact, when presented with a trigger, we've made our wolfberry drink with sulfur, rather than using a fast acting rescue inhaler. 

The best part of Dan getting off of his medications, was no more side effects. 
There was a time that Dan was extremely angry, irritable and down right intolerant. I would walk on egg shells because he was quick to shift into a foul mood. His temperament did not make for a loving marriage, and I wondered why he was so miserable and what was the root cause. 

I go into more info about the side effects Dan suffered in my Asthma Medication Side Effects post. 

Nowadays, Dan is full of love and joy and has an incredible zest for life! I can honestly say he is  completely different now. The debilitating effects he suffered are gone and instead of fearing a breakdown in his system as he ages, Dan embraces building strength, endurance and wellness!

If you or someone you love is suffering, we want to help! We have a community of others, just like you, who are embracing natural ways to improve respiratory health. We share up-to-date resources, to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters, in learning what foods, products and nutrionals are helpful and safe, and which are not. 

We are sharing our experiences with you. Please be sure to consult your doctor. 
The information in this video is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.

xoxo Liz

Found this information helpful? Then you you will LOVE my 3 step formula to improve lung health! Check it out right here!

What are some Asthma Medication Side Effects to Watch Out For...?

What are some Asthma Medication Side Effects to Watch Out For...?
When we started our natural health journey, I didn't realize the affect it would have on Dan's Asthma Recovery. Quite honestly, I didn't know asthma recovery was a thing! 

When I met Dan, I saw his as a strong, powerful, confident man. Everything you would think of when it comes to bravery and male prowess. I have to admit, I was surprised when I came to find out he had been pretty ill as a child! 

I never really thought of Dan's asthma as a big deal. He had his inhalers/medications, and I just assumed, he was managing his disease just fine. Right?

WRONG! 

The side effects of Dan's asthma medications put a tremendous strain on our relationship. 
Here are some of the symptoms that he suffered: 

1. Depression

This is the symptom that can spark the others. Depression is no joke and can cause all sorts of issues for both the person attempting to cope and the people who loves them. Depression is more than feeling bumbed out or down in the dumps. The following 7 symptoms, for us, were clues that dan was suffering from depression. 

2. Anger

This one is ugly. I couldn't understand why Dan seemed to suddenly dislike me. It was as if I killed his beloved pet. Perhaps I am being dramatic. In all seriousness, it is painful to go back to the time when I believed he had no love for me. His anger was there all the time. I walked on eggshells not wanting to set him off. I want to be clear that Dan was still a good husband. He is a wonderful cook, takes care of the house and the laundry, while I work. He has always supported me and would die for me. But at this time in our marriage, I could not figure out why he seemed to become so upset so quickly, almost daily. 

3. Irritability

The irritability was there... All. The. Time. If there was something that day, that didn't go exactly according to plan, that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Next would be the negative comments, complaints and grumbles, and from that point on, at least for the foreseeable future, there was this incredible tension. Life was no longer fun. 

4. Feelings of impending doom

I can't say that Dan felt like he was going to die, or that the sky was falling... but this showed up more like, fear of loss of income, not being financially secure, and feelings of desperation. Any challenge that came our way was a big deal. Life felt overwhelming, for both of us. And he continued puffing on that inhaler day in and day out. As these symptoms mounted, his frequency of use increased. 

5. Mood swings

When we would have happy moments, they almost always ended with the conversation taking a turn and the negativity arising. Dan is a surviver. As a child he insisted on not letting his diagnosis beat him. Looking back, I think the depression, feelings of doom and irritability, made him angry. He was frustrated with his unhappiness and couldn't figure a way out. For a strong and powerful being, like my husband, this had to be scary, frustrating and made him feel weak, not in control. 

6. Intolerance

Dan had intolerant behavior. Things had to be a certain way or he would spiral into all the other feeling we discussed earlier. I began to notice friends and family would avoid Dan, and would only have light small talk with him. 

7. Aggressive behavior

Another symptom of a symptom... aggression is a good one to recognize in anyone, child or adult. This can look like negativity, quick movements, yelling, and being always on the offense. It's interesting, when I would bring this behavior up to Dan's mom, she would just shrug it off, saying, "He was born grouchy". Hmmm, maybe it was the nebulizer treatment he received just hours after birth? 

8. Temper Tantrums

These times would be when I wanted to put Dan in time out and give him a reset. Instead these would turn into arguments, that went on and on. It was exhausting. Nothing ever was resolved because this was an overload of frustration from all of the above. 

9. Leg cramps
Oh the leg cramps! They would show up in the middle of the night and awaken Dan out of a sound sleep! Imagine the worst charley horse ever! He mostly got them in the hamstring or the calf. I would literally have to stand on the muscle to release the cramp. Ouch!
10. Cramps in the hands

As a professional musician, the cramps in the hand are not only painful, but impacted his career.  These cramps weren't just painful, but would impede mobility and distort the shape of the hand, until the cramping subsided. 

There are many other symptoms out there, and they can be different for everyone. The bottom line is recognizing that both behavioral changes and physical changes can be side effects of meds, is a HUGE step in starting your own recovery journey. 

If you or someone you love is suffering, we want to help! We have a community of others, just like you, who are embracing natural ways to improve respiratory health. We share up-to-date resources, to help you navigate the sometimes tricky waters, in learning what foods, products and nutrionals are helpful and safe, and which are not. 

We are sharing our experiences with you. Please be sure to consult your doctor. 
The information in this video is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness.

xoxo Liz

Found this information helpful? Then you you will LOVE my 3 step formula to improve lung health! Check it out right here!
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