Abortion - Should it be Illegal?

Abortion is a sticky subject. One nobody chooses to talk about. But with the election growing near, it's a concern on many women's minds.  However, should abortion continue to be a choice? Or should the government step in and make anyone who gets an abortion responsible? Should she be prosecuted? Should the doctor be prosecuted? What if it's stopped before it gets that far? Should women fear for their well-being when it comes to abortions?

I'm going to give you a few scenarios to discuss: 

A girl goes into a bathroom, has a baby, throws the baby into the trashcan and is prosecuted for murder....is this the same as if she had walked into a doctor's office and got an abortion? She killed the baby either way, right?

A woman walks into a doctor's office to have an abortion in her eighth month. Something goes wrong with the abortion and the baby is born alive. Should medical attention be given to the baby? This is a question because the medical treatment law for aborted babies may be banned with the next president. For the baby to live through the abortion is this torture for the baby? Why did this mother wait until her eighth month? Should late term abortions be legal?

I read this article http://www.worldnetdaily.com/?pageId=79274 and felt sick to my stomach. Wouldn't that be the worst nightmare? To realize that you had made a mistake and you couldn't take it back?

I just wanted to throw a couple of topics out there and hear what you have to say on the issue(s). What other scenarios can you bring up? I look forward to hearing from you!  

Happy Fall

Happy Fall!

Good Nutrition on the Road

I love vacation. 

 And I absolutely love going sightseeing and eating out at new restaurants. However, one of main complaints about vacation is being irregular - don't be embarrassed. It happens to the best of us. It doesn't matter how long I'm on vacation, I become constipated. Okay, so this isn't at the top of everyone's conversations when they get back from wherever they've gone - they're usually showing pictures, sharing stories - but this is a huge problem. At least for me.

While I'm at home, I try to cook nutritious meals for my family. Now, we go out for the occasion pizza, but for the most part, we eat at home. Plus, the gas prices keep us at home as well. 

When I'm on vacation, I have a hard time keeping up with my healthy eating habits.  For the past three years, my family and I have been eating organic food. So how can a person eat like this on vacation?

1. I make sure our hotel room has a kitchen, this way I can cook some of the time. 

2. I go online and make a list of all the grocery stores in the area, especially that sell organic foods. The store Whole Foods can be found in many places. Even if it's not organic, I try to purchase healthy foods from other stores, like fruits and veggies to pack on our outings. 

3. I make a list of restaurants that offer organic foods. If I can't find any, because they are few and far between, I find places that offer healthy options. This seems to help.

Don't get me wrong - we'll occasionally eat at places that have wings and other junk, but I try to make that a treat for my family. I also try to drink plenty of fluids while on vacation. This seems to help with any bathroom problems!

Women's Silent Pain (That Nobody Talks About)

If you're wondering what I'm talking about - it's endometriosis.  I know several people who suffer from this agonizing, debilitating disease of the uterus.  Some even end up getting a hysterectomy because of it. It's affecting young girls, not just women.

Although she wanted more children, my friend had a hysterectomy at 30 years old.

But why?  Why is it striking women? And are there any natural treatments for it?

About.com comes through again. It lists several natural treatments for Endometriosis.

1. Reduce chemicals (PCBs) in your diet - animal fat (high-fat dairy, fish and red meat).

2. Flaxseed - yet another place I read that flaxseed is good - flaxseed is high in fiber and lignans

3. Eat your veggies, ladies - Add foods that improve estrogen metabolism to your diet - Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, broccoli and cabbage all contain indoles

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids - I was a little confused when it added fish to #1, but I think they're talking about mercury and fish high in mercury....But we know what foods are high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids, don't we? Salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies - DELICIOUS!

5. REDUCE YOUR STRESS - no need to add anymore to this one

6. Hydrotherapy - for you child-bearing women, we know what a sitz bath is - it's sitting in hot water for three minutes, moving to cool water for one minute, and repeating this 3 times.  Although, I just sat in warm water for awhile.  I can't stand to sit in cold water!  Don't do this while you are menstruating.

7. Tea with ginger - what isn't tea good for?  This can help with the nausea if applicable

I hope these remedies help you.  Noone knows why women are being singled out with this disease - maybe because men do not have a uterus!

Let me know.  If you have something to add, definitely give me a shout!

Sources:

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/endometriosis.htm

http://www.painrelief101.com/chronic-pain/natural-relief-for-endometriosis.htm    

Darkness after Pregnancy - The PPD Nightmare

Many women, like myself, have found themselves in a dark, depressed state after the birth of their child.  For once in my life, I'm not afraid to admit it.  I suffered from postpartum depression.  I know I'm not alone.  There are thousands of women like me out there.  Just like me, some are in denial. 

Let me start from the beginning. 

My husband removed my blouse, he kissed my neck ever so gently - okay, not that far back. I'll start in the hospital room. I knew right away something was wrong with me.  Everytime the baby cried, I wanted the nurse to take him to the nursery.  It was like his tiny, little shrilly screams etched a hole into my body, and drained me of all my energy. When I got home, it became worse. I started lashing out at family members, including my other children. I know now my problem was obsessive.  I believe everyone who goes through PPD has some sort of OCD. The need to be perfect...the perfect mom.

Just one example of my neurotic behavior - I didn't want my baby to get sick, so I refused to take him around anyone that appeared sick.  My sister's child had croup at Christmas time that year.  I lost my mind and left because she wouldn't keep her child away from my baby.  Yes, it was understandable on my part, but I went way over the top. What I said to everyone was inexcusable.  My older sister called me the next day concerned.  As she should be.  I was falling apart and I didn't know how to stop it.  I was like this for about 9 months, but I didn't feel completely normal until my son was three.    

I cried all the time. It didn't matter what it was about, I cried. 

I had horrible thoughts of my baby getting hurt - like me dropping him over the balcony of our deck, or him being placed in a hot oven.  It wasn't thoughts of me doing it, it was thoughts of it happening. Therefore, I stayed away from the deck and oven.  I knew I'd never hurt him, but I just couldn't stop the thoughts.

I know now that I should've got help.  Like many women, I refused to take medication in fear of it harming my son, since I was breast-feeding.  I should have at least sought a support group.  There are so many out there, too.

Here's a great website http://postpartum.net/local-support/?state=illinois - in the address/URL field, just type over Illinois and type your state

I ended up writing a book.  It's fiction, but the characters and story is very much real.  Some of it's about me, and some of it's about a women who committed suicide because of postpartum depression (true story).  It's dangerous, and anyone who thinks they have it should get help. My book isn't published yet.  I'm still looking for an agent.  It's called Sommer Never Ends.  The character's name is Sommer.

I just got lucky.

Send me a comment and let me know if you suffer or have suffered from PPD. 

Inspire and Believe

I'm going to share my writing story, and I hope you are inspired.  I hope to be a role model for others because God knows I've needed one in my weakest moments.  And there are still many weak moments. 

I can call myself a writer - freelance, no doubt, but a writer.  I couldn't always do that.  And it's still my dream someday to be referred to as an author, but only time can tell.  My love is fiction. When I write and create characters, make-believe and often very real in my mind, I lose myself.  I can be whoever I want to be.  I can be anywhere I want to live.  My mind is a maze and the readers can follow.  But to get to where I need to be, I write nonfiction. It's a way of life for me right now. 

Wow, have I been used. I've written for companies, only to find out they are scams later.  I've worked for two months and didn't get paid.  I wrote for a magazine that didn't exist.  Should I have given up? No way!  What I intend to do is learn from my mistakes. 

My writing career has been one difficult road after another. I've looked everywhere for an agent and have come up with noone.  Sound familiar?  So many writers know and live my story.  But how frustrating it is.  To have a dream that may never be fulfilled. 

However, if there is one thing I have learned, it's never give up.  No matter how many miles I have to go, I will not give up.  Someone told me at the beginning of my journey, "you have to have thick skin to make it in this business." They were absolutely right.  By now, I should be an armadillo. 

Never give up.  Because I won't.  We writers have to stick together, and I believe in you.  You just have to believe in yourself.

Great Article on Foods that are Good for You

I just had to share this article that I read on www.painrelief101.com.  It gives a comprehensive list of foods that are good for you, as well as what its good for.  Check it out and let me know what you think! http://www.painrelief101.com/natural-health-treatments/foods-good-for-you-a-quick-reference-guide.htm

Governor Palin on Women's Health

November is fast approaching. The big day of voting for our president of the United States can be a nerve-racking day - especially this time around. We all know that this country can't afford another four years of what we've endured over the past eight.

The current presidential candidates have been asked about women's health - and they've been fairly honest (at least, we hope they have been). But what about those running for vice president? It's important to know what they stand for as well, since he or she could be our president some day.

If you didn't know, there is a law in Wasilla, Alaska making rape victims pay for rape kits - the ones used for forensic evidence - while Palin was governor. This leads me to my question - where the heck does Governor Sarah Palin stand on women's health? I'm republican, but it scares me to think she could stand for something like this. 

Although the law was overturned by state legislation prior to her becoming governor, Governor Palin had this to say on the issue in an article in U.S. News that stated, "The entire notion of making a victim of a crime pay for anything is crazy. I do not believe, nor have I ever believed, that rape victims should have to pay for an evidence-gathering test. As governor, I worked in a variety of ways to tackle the problem of sexual assault and rape, including making domestic violence a priority of my administration."  

This made me feel better to hear her say she didn't stand for it. However, can't something be done about it? I still worry about who to choose. I like Sarah Palin for everything else she stands for - she is such a strong woman. So, that helps me in my decision. Let me know what you think!  

Source:

U.S. News & World Report, Health, retrieved October 5, 2008 from http://www.usnews.com/blogs/on-women/2008/10/03/where-is-palin-on-womens-health-issues.html 

Soy - To Eat or Not To Eat

Soy - To eat or not to eat, that is the question.

You read an article or hear on the news that soy is good for you. So, you vow to put soy in your diet daily. Look at all the health benefits, right? It prevents osteoporosis, fights cancer, keeps the heart healthy. Heck, it even helps with blood pressure and menopause. Why not eat it?

Well, there have been studies out there warning women that it can cause breast cancer. What information is correct?

Here's the low down on soy. 

It depends on the soy that you're eating, whether it's good for you or not. When fermented soy is eaten, it is said to have more benefits. A list of these fermented soy products are: natto, miso, tempeh, soy sauces and fermented tofu and soymilk.

Nonfermented soy products include fresh green soybeans, whole dry soybeans, nuts, sprouts, flour, soymilk and tofu. These are the ones that are a no-no.

You want to watch nonfermented soymilk. Always go with the organic variety.  In nonfermented soymilk, the soybeans are washed in alkaline or a petroleum-based solvent. Next, they're bleached, deodorized and filled with additives. Then, after the beans are heat-blasted and pulverized into flakes, they're mixed with water. I'm not 100% sure this process is correct, as it was a blog, but it doesn't sound good.

Why is fermented soy so good for us?

Fermented soy is better because during the fermentation process, inhibitors called trypsin, located on the soybean's coating that hinders the nutrition absorption in our bodies, are removed.

In a Japanese study, they found that the daily intake of soy products such as miso and natto (created by cleaving the beta-glycosyl bond of genistin, a chemopreventative agent) for Japanese was between 1.5-4.1 mg/person and 6.3-8.3 mg/person. These levels are quite a bit higher than Western Europeans or Americans, and note that the rate of mortality for these two groups for prostate, breast and colon cancer are higher than Japanese.

I don't know what to believe. I can't tell you what to do. But every research is pointing to fermented soy, and the benefits far outweigh nonfermented soy at this point. I'll keep researching.

Sources:

You Think Soymilk is Healthy? retrieved on October 8, 2008 from http://hiddensoy.com/WP/?p=10   

mercola.com, Soy Bad, Soy Good: The Pluses of Fermented Soy, retrieved October 8, 2008 from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/08/04/fermented-soy.aspx

Jiva, More About Fermented Soy, retrieved October 8, 2008 from http://www.jivasoyhealth.com/page/1235539

October is Domestic Violence Month

Did you know that October is Domestic Violence Month?  I was unaware of this until I was driving through a town that posted a huge banner stating this.  I don't feel like this day is announced enough. Not when our women and children are suffering from abuse every day of their lives.

The Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of October for those who work so hard to connect to battered women around the world. They work diligently to end the violence against women and their children.

Hopefully, communities will come together and begin celebrating this wonderful day, as I know, we all know women who have lived a life of abuse.

Everything in Moderation

Often when we turn a year older, we make a mental note to begin eating healthier. Exercise more. And we vow that we're going to spend more time meditating and relaxing.  In fact, we do these things that are on the list labeled "getting in shape", but what we don't realize is everything on this list should be done in moderation.

We shouldn't go overboard is the key. Exercising is great, but you have to go easy and listen to your body.  What you did last year, may not be what your body will allow now. 

In regards to healthy foods, did you know there are some that can be bad?  We believe if it's good for us, then we should eat it everyday, right?  Wrong.  Even good things can be bad if we eat too much of it.  

1. Soy - we've heard time and time again that soy is great for helping women stay healthy. However, if you eat too much soy, this can cause problems down the road.  What you have to watch are soy products that are processed - i.e. soy nuts, soymilk, soy burgers - these processed foods do not retain the beneficial compound omega-3 fats.  Some of them are also made from GMO (genetically modified organism) which make them very unhealthy.

2. Vitamin A - too much of this vitamin can weaken bones, hence the excess of people developing osteoporosis and brittle bones.

3. Grapefruit - although this fruit is packed with vitamin C, it can alter some prescription drugs, especially cholesterol meds. After a period of time, it can keep the kidneys from breaking down the meds and causing kidney failure.

4. Broccoli - this veggie can interfere with prescription medication for blood thinning. It can also cause hyperoxaluria if a person who is prone to getting calcium oxalate kidney stones eats more than 1-2 cups.

5. High grit (whole grain breads common in organic bread) and acidic foods (carbonated drinks, uncooked vinegar, citrus and uncooked tomato) - adding these two together can cause Odontolysis, wearing down of the teeth.

6. Veggies with seeds like cucumbers and tomatoes - can cause problems with those who suffer from diverticulitis and can only take 1-2 cups to start the gas.

7. Potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes - can cause those who suffer from arthritis more pain - the reason, a chemical called solanine is found in these veggies.  This chemical can cause inflammation in some individuals.

After researching for this article, I found it hard to believe these natural, healthy foods can cause such harm to our bodies. I will continue to research this topic, as I believe that organic, natural foods are the key to good health. Maybe there's a way to get off prescription meds and let our food be our medication. 

Source:

webmd.com, Grapefruit Juice, retrieved November 4, 2008 from http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/tc/grapefruit-juice-and-medication-overview

WebMD, Soy Sense, retrieved October 6, 2008 from http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/soy-sense

Newbie

Thank you for making me feel welcome. I love writing about nutrition, health and fitness, so I hope you like what I add to this site.