Power of Positive Thinking

Medication is of course important but do no conclude that a pill dissolving in your stomach is necessarily more powerful than a healing thought dissolving in your mind.

For the next twenty-four hours, deliberately speak hopefully about everything, about your job, about your health, and about your future.

There is nothing at all wrong with having money unless money has you.

The "how" thinker gets problems solved effectively because he wastes no time with futile "ifs" but goes right to work on the creative "how".

To keep motivation going strong, begin at once the mental practice of seeing yourself as an altogether new individual - one who is always vital, vigorous, and excited.

When you expect the best, you release a magnetic force in your mind which by a law of attraction tends to bring the best to you.

Quotes from the book Positive Thinking Every Day by Norman Vincent Peale

Women, Food, and God

I know that I have not posted much on this board in a long time, but I wanted to share this with as many people as I can. This book is something not only every women should read, but every man as well.

I am reading and excerpt of this book on oprah.com and in just the first two pages I have had so many AHA moments, it is amazing. I will be buying this book for presents this year that is for sure.

Watch Oprah today to find out her new epiphany about food. It looks like she is promoting a new book that has helped her figure out the relationships with food.

I have been doing well on my weight loss since I don't have time to sit and eat anymore. Moving boxes up and down stairs is great cardio and weight lifting all in one. I have lost 5 pounds so far.

If you are like me and will not be able to watch the Oprah episode, you can go to www.oprah.com after the show airs in your area and read about the show.

I know that I will be stopping at Borders on my way home tonight to pick up as many books as I can get.

You Having A Baby

Dr. Oz has a new book out these days. You Having a Baby.

I have not read it, but I am a very big fan of Dr. Oz. There is also a workout DVD for pregnant women.

Keep up those positive attitudes and good luck to all.

Breast Cancer

I am taking a stand here and wanting everyone to sign a petition. I don't agree with the new standards that have come out concerning our health. I belong to Illinois Federation of Business and Professional Women and I have seen to many of those women die from cancer.

I received an email wanting us to sign a petition. Here what was in that email:

"The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's recommendations could significantly change breast cancer screening approaches. And while these recommendations are not binding, they are often consulted by health care providers and insurance companies.

Most breast cancer experts agree far more than they disagree. One thing that the evidence clearly shows is that mammography reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure® continues to recommend annual mammography beginning at age 40 for women of average risk and earlier for women with known risks for breast cancer
Mammography is not perfect, but until we can develop more precise screening methods and can more accurately predict which women are at risk for breast cancer it is still our best tool for early detection.

Please sign our petition and help make sure there are no barriers for women to get the mammograms they need.

While controversies like this one make for good headlines, we must not lose sight of the fact that one third of all women who should get a mammogram don't, because they lack access, education or awareness.

This is an issue that needs our focus and attention. If we make progress with screening in vulnerable populations, we will continue to make progress in the fight against breast cancer.
The Komen Advocacy Alliance will continue to advocate for women in this country and will push to ensure that all women have access to mammography."

I urge you to click on the link and electronically sign that petition.

Miscellaneous Info

I am no longer in the mode of fertility treatments, but I still receive emails on the subject. I thought that I would share an email that I thought that you would find useful from Baby Center.

This is a great source for information on diet for both partners and other information about new medical discoveries.

This months issue talks in depth about foods you should eat and those to stay away from while trying to get pregnant. One interesting article is comparison of babies heart rate and success of the pregnancy. I do not agree with everything in the article because I have seen proof on the message boards that the article is not a 100% correct.

Check out the web site. I do hope that it will help you achieve your goal.

Stevia May Cause Prolems For Men

I was doing an article for one of my other blogs about artificial sweeteners and how they can actually make you fat. I cam across some interesting information about Stevia. I always thought that it was a good healthy substitute until now.

According to some research Stevia can lower sperm counts. "Reproductive problems. Stevioside “seems to affect the male reproductive organ system,” European scientists concluded last year. When male rats were fed high doses of stevioside for 22 months, sperm production was reduced, the weight of seminal vesicles (which produce seminal fluid) declined, and there was an increase in cell proliferation in their testicles, which could cause infertility or other problems. And when female hamsters were fed large amounts of a derivative of stevioside called steviol, they had fewer and smaller offspring. Would small amounts of stevia also cause reproductive problems? No one knows." Nutrition Action

There is a lot of information out there about Stevia and really none of it is conclusive. Even the information about it causing low sperm counts is controversial. But when you are having problems already, you don't need to take any chances. I know there are a lot of drinks out now that have stevia as a sweetener and I thought that you may want to have information to make a decision for yourself.

Here are some other web sites you may want to check out.

WebMd
Health World
Wikipedia
Nutrition Action
MSNBC

Vitex

I have had a comment about Vitex. I have not heard of it, so my research bone became activated. Here is what I have learned.


Vitex has been used in Mediterranean countries for years to help women with a wide range of female issues. Vitex agnus-castus L., commonly known as chaste tree, is native to West Asia and southwestern Europe. The small round fruits (seeds) have a pungent scent and flavor reminiscent of black pepper.


"In 1938, a German researcher, Gerhard Madaus, was the first to initiate use of chaste tree in the twentieth century. Recognizing the long value of the plant in gynecological disorders, he designed a series of animal experiment to determine which part of the plant had the greatest biological activity. Madaus found that extracts of the leaves, fruits, and bark retarded estrus (heat) in female rats, without evidence of adverse effects on reproductive performance. The fruits had the greatest activity." Steven Foster


"Chaste tree berry acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary glands by increasing luteinizing hormone (LH) production and mildly inhibiting the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The result is a shift in the ratio of estrogen to progesterone, in favor of progesterone. The ability of chaste tree berry to raise progesterone levels in the body is an indirect effect, so the herb itself is not a hormone. " Natural Health Solutions


"Vitex does not actually contain hormones. It appears to increase progesterone by stimulating the release of a hormone called luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland. Vitex is also thought to normalize excessive prolactin levels and promote fertility.

• Female infertility
  
• PMS, especially breast tenderness, cramping, and headaches
  
• Acne, especially if it is related to the menstrual cycle
  
• Fibrocystic breast disease
  
• Heavy menstruation
  
• Menopausal symptoms" About.com
• 
  

There are some side effects with this herb.


"More common side effects include mild digestive upset or skin rash. Other side effects may include rapid heartbeat, hair loss, headache, dry mouth, nausea, rash, itching and bleeding between periods.

Vitex is not recommended during pregnancy. It shouldn't be used by nursing women unless under the guidance of a qualified health professional.

People with hormone dependent conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and cancers of the breast, ovaries, uterus or prostate shouldn't take vitex.

Small amounts of vitex could increase the production of breast milk in post-partum women. High doses may have the opposite effect and decrease the production of breast milk.

Vitex may affect levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. People with Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, or any other condition in which dopamine levels are affected should avoid vitex unless under the supervision of a qualified health professional." About.com

"Interactions with dopamine agonists (potential/theoretical). An in-vitro study reported that chasteberry constituents had dopaminergic activity that may alter the effects of these medications and possibly the dose needed for treatment: selegeline, amantadine, carbidopa, levadopa, pramipexole, ropinirole, bromocriptine, pergolide. If you are taking any of these medication, it's a good idea to consult with your physician before taking vitex. " Natural Health Solutions

Seek guidance from a licensed naturopathic physician, who would have extensive knowledge of herbs and botanical medicines. Vitex or chaste berry is very safe ad can be taken daily for up to 18 continuous months, unless pregnancy occurs. It is usually taken in the morning as a single daily dose.

As a general guideline, your daily dose could be:
60 drops of Vitex tincture, standardized to contain 6% agusides.
175 mg. or more of standardized Vitex extract, standardized to contain 6% agusides.

You can also take a blend which includes Vitex like Fertilaid for Women to help you balance your hormones and induce ovulation.

I hope this helps answer any of your questions. Good luck to you all.

Sources:

About.com
Natural Health Solutions for PCOS
BabyHopes.com
Steven Foster Group