Friday, December 23, 2011

MSG Allergies

MSG
Monosodium Glutamate


Many people are plagued by symptoms that they can't explain simply by eating or drinking something that they normally eat, but suddenly they are showing significant signs as I did...beginning by my face breaking out into a bright red rash, itching terribly, feeling flushed, having the rash spread down my neck into my chest area.  One minute I will be sweating no matter how cold it is outside and will have a fan blowing on me in the dead of winter, and then suddenly I will be freezing and getting out of bed to put socks on because I am soooooo cold.  Another thing is I get extremely thirsty or have a dry mouth.  I 99% of the time have something  to drink with me.  I commonly have difficulty concentrating and poor memory (which I now know is called "fibro fog.")  I hate that feeling, knowing that I put something somewhere, but cannot for the life of me remember where that was.  UGH!  I also struggle with obesity...a fact that is embarrassing and a daily struggle for me.  It makes me feel weak, or like a failure which I know are "feelings" from Satan, and NOT the Lord.  I also have symptoms like a diarrhea, pain in my joints, muscles and tendons, bloating, horrible cramps especially during "that time of the month," terrible headaches, & my migraine headaches are intensified too.  Some days I walk around with my sunglasses on in the house.  But I have to because the light, any light, makes my head hurt worse.  I have also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about a year or more ago.  It used to be what I called my "Mono Stuff."  Many, if not all of these symptoms, also are much the same as what I have with my Fibromyalgia, BUT they can also be intensified when you learn of an allergic reaction to MSG.   

MSG has has many, many different names that all stand for MSG.  Ones you commonly don't give a second thought to.  Ones like...Soy Protein, Broth, Bouillon, Citric Acid, Milk Powder, Modified Food Starch, Cornstarch, Pectin (used in canning), Corn Syrups, Soy Sauce, Whey Protein, or Whey, Malt Extract, Gelatin, Caramel Flavoring...and so many more.  I have finally printed off a list for myself because there are so many to remember, and laminated it for carrying it in my purse. 

My eating habits have had to change.  It has NOT been easy for me!  I try hard to not have a bad attitude about it, but I do struggle sometimes.  My friend is also allergic to Wheat & Gluten, but I am not, and yet I feel sooooooo limited on what I can eat, that I cannot imagine what I would be like if I could have no breads (especially my homemade breads which consist greatly of wheat flour and gluten), and only eat 99% veggies and fruit.  I already cannot eat some of my favorite things...like Doritos, frozen pizzas or say Pizza Hut (though I can eat homemade pizza with 100% all Natural sauce and no sausage or pepperoni), Taco Bell, regular peanut butters, chip dips, regular Ranch dressings, no more Miracle Whip (only Real Hellman's Mayo), etc. 

This is a poison that is being put in so many foods that we Americans eat and are feeding our children daily.  How many others are out there who have allergies to MSG, or wheat, or gluten, or...things that are making them sick, but there has been no "diagnosis" for.  Think about it.  Spread the news and start asking the right questions! 
Starting to have an MSG reaction, and beginning to get flushed & red faced, and the rash spreading down my neck.  It generally happens within 10 minutes of eating something with MSG.

                                             Patricia, Pat, Me (red-faced), Michelle & Paula -  our AWESOME Connect Group!  :+)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Remodeled Pantry

 Here are two old what our
pantry looked like until a couple
of weeks ago, and after a
makeover, here is the "new"
pantry.  Slowly, but surely, our
house is being "flipped" from
its original look, to a new look. 
One step at a time...
                                                          

Our 2011-2012 Homeschooled Students




Sheyenne - age 8 (almost)


     This year we are actually down to only having four of our younger kids schooling this year.  5 still in the nest counting our grandbaby, but she is only 6 months old right now.


Noah - age 12

    



Colten - age 10

                                                                                                                      


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

"The Believer's Authority" - Kenneth E. Hagin

     Our church, New Life Fellowship, has started doing small "connect groups" where we get together every other Monday, have dinner, and then study our book.  This is a separate class from our Wednesday night Bible classes, and our Sunday services.  This is probably most enlightening book that I have ever read!!  I don't think that even most Christians truly see and understand the power that Christ has given to US, His body, (as HE is our head), against the devil and all his evil forces.  WE have power over all evilness including the spirits of worry, strife, sickness, bipolarism, stress, cancers, and even the spirit of drama that seems to consume many of our lives! 
     Eph. 1:22 says, "And He hath put all things under HIS feet, and gives head over all things to the CHURCH.  (WE are the church believers!)  Jesus said, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over ALL the power of the enemy: and nothing {nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing} shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19).  The Head is totally dependent on the Body (we believers) for carrying out His plans; that we are seated with Christ in Heavenly places; and that the exercising authority over the power of the air has to be through the Body.  US!!!!  WE are the BODY!  Isn't that an awesome concept to meditate on?!?!



    

Nevaeh Colleen Benedict

Our beautiful youngest grandbaby is almost 6 months old now (on the 8th).  We have been blessed to be able to help raise her, and have had her living with us full-time since July 16th (the day of Ashley & Perry's wedding).  She is a very happy baby girl, smiles lots, and has lots of slobbery kisses to give!  She just loves talking on the phone with her daddy at nights, and sometimes talks and talks, though we don't know what she's saying yet.  She is a much loved little girl by her Mama, Daddy (Meghan & Zach), Mamaw and Papa, aunts, uncles & cousins!!