Sunday, May 13, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Facts of Life
Levi: Mom! I caught a mom and a baby butterfly!
Me: Really? Let's see.
(Levi comes in and shows me. It is obvious to me this is NOT a mom and a baby).
Levi: Are they stuck?
Me: Uh, yeah, they're stuck. You better let them outside.
Levi: Wait, I want to get them unstuck!
Me: No, you better just let them go.
(Levi totally ignores me and tries to "unstick" them anyway. I am surprised how much it takes to get them unstuck. Weird creatures. Anyway...)
Levi: There! I got them unstuck. Now they will live longer because they are unstuck.
Me: Um, I guess. (to myself: Please, don't ask questions; I'm totally not ready for this)
Levi: That baby butterfly really loves me!
Me: (to myself: I doubt it).
Saturday, February 25, 2012
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| Another random picture tells me I need to get newer pictures off my camera. |
"Literature is dangerous except when taken in large doses." -Martin Cothran
(Meaning when we read a literary work, it is persuasive, and we tend to think that is the way it is, or should be, or how great minds think. But it's not until we have read around in a lot of literary works, that we can evaluate a new idea against other ideas).
That's all.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Levi is a "good kid."
I have to say, I've always wanted my boy[s] to be "good kid[s]." I don't want Levi to worry about being cool or tough (not that I want a sissy or a dweeb). Of course, he's 5, so there are not many kids who aren't "good" at this age, but I really can see him staying a good kid forever. Maybe that's wishful thinking; maybe I should knock on wood.
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| My bug smasher |
He's a normal boy in that he likes weapons, sports, etc. But he's never gruesome, he's easy to teach (the easiest kid in joyschool, I assure you), he's not off the wall, he's respectful to me and his sisters most the time (sometimes when I don't really deserve it, too). He's sensitive to the needs of others. He really wants to do what is right. The other day he was talking about choosing the right and said, "Well, it's hard to choose the right all, ALL the time." But what really blows me away (and everyone away who sees it) is how he responds to the diet we're on.
Would you believe he hasn't had any sugar in 8 months? ANY. None, zero, zip. We have honey occasionally, and fruit as our only sweeteners. We haven't had any processed food in 8 months. NONE. That means I bring our own food wherever we go. If the primary teacher brings a treat for the kids, I bring something for Levi to eat instead (and sometimes it's just cucumbers, and he's totally fine with it). Anyway, there are a lot of things we can't have (will spare you the details), and he never, ever complains. In fact, at every meal he stuffs his face saying, "mmm." Or, "for dessert can we have an apple?"
*side note: I have to be strict with this diet. Although I've been health conscious for a long time, I was never strict like I am now, because I didn't see the point. The diet we are doing is a healing diet, and any "cheating" messes it all up. So we don't. One day, when the diet is over, we can relax a bit.
Anyway, I think my good-sport little Levi needed a blog post about him, because he really is a trooper. His attitude about the diet is the only thing that's been easy for me (Dana has been pretty good, too, I might add. But Levi trumps). When we first began the diet, the primary pres. brought a treat and Levi passed it up saying, "I can't have that. I'm on a diet." The entire primary staff thought that was pretty amusing. And Levi didn't even think to tell me about it. He wasn't proud or anything. He was just following the rules. The adults told me.
Many times primary teachers or substitutes tell me what a good kid he is, and how he knows his scriptures so well. The primary pres. was giving a lesson on Jonah, and had a brain stupor as to where Jonah traveled to. Levi shouts out, "Nineveh!" I probably spend 3 min. a day on family scripture study, so it's not that I'm drilling him here. He just remembers the stuff.
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| Captain Hook |
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| Halloween was the craziest. We were actually doing an anti-candida portion of the diet where we could have no sweet things at all - no fruit, no honey, not even sweet veggies like squash. The kids were such troopers. Not one complaint at the halloween parties we attended, or at all. They went trick or treating, and spent an hour or so smelling their candy before they put it in a bucket for the "Switch Witch" to come and switch it out for Hungry Hungry Hippos. So all of this - in the trash. They look unhappy in this picture, but they really didn't have a problem with it at all. I am glad the anti-candida portion is over. |
Sometimes with the things that come out of his mouth, I think to myself, "Are you for real?" He really is "perfect" in a way. Not that he's perfect. I use that term loosely, as we all know that person we'd describe as perfect. He certainly has his quirks and his shortcomings (2 major ones I can think of: peeing his pants, and being 100% non-self-entertaining, ha ha). But I really couldn't have asked for a better little boy. I just love him to pieces.
Oh, yeah, with peeing his pants. So I have reason to believe that his pants peeing is physical, so I've been giving him a glass of water with a big scoop of magnesium citrate in it before bed. It is GROSS. Really. But he always drinks it, saying, "I don't like this, but I'll drink it so I don't pee anymore."
Friday, January 13, 2012
Who knew?
Some of you know, my family started an intensive diet in June to cure up our gut issues. It has pretty much turned my life upside down, and to simply put it, I get really sick of cooking and meal planning. However, I am very grateful I came across this diet, and I plan to see it through to the end - probably another year and a half. Someday I will tell you more about it (but I will say 1. Dana's anxiety is decreasing dramatically, 2. The dark circles under my eyes that I have had for at least 12 years are WAY lighter, and 3. Camille can eat cow's milk, whereas before I couldn't even eat it, as she would react through it in my milk). ANYWAY, I am part of a yahoo support group for the diet. Pretty much it is the group of the crunchiest people who collectively know everything about natural living. I have been interested in health/natural living for many years, but these last few months I have come along way, thanks to the group. I thought I would share some things I have learned from my yahoo group, that I thought would be interesting/helpful to anyone who is interested in natural living, whether or not you are doing this diet:
Bubbies Pickles. These are a very common go-to snack around here. Unlike regular pickles at the store, they are lacto-fermented (the same process that turns milk into yogurt), and so they are not only still raw, but also contain beneficial bacteria. I make lacto-fermented foods at home, but for anyone who prefers snacks to be pre-made, these are awesome. You can get them at the health food store in the refrigerator section. They are spicier than regular pickles, so you may need to get used to them a little. I love 'em.
findaspring.com. Because we are renting, we haven't wanted to purchase a water filter. This website shows where all the natural springs are, and the pH and other info about them. Cool, eh?
Chaffin Family Orchards Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I am not a big fan of the taste of EVOO on anything except sometimes salad. It's a very strong flavor. I used to cook with it, as that significantly decreased the taste. What I didn't know is that EVOO should never be heated, as it has a very low smoke point and turns into trans fat (I only heat saturated fats, now, for cooking). Well, this brand of EVOO is very mild. This is due to the type of olive and that it's harvested late in the season. I make mayo with it, and although I can still taste the olive oil flavor, it doesn't bother me. It is expensive, but one thing I've really come to believe in the last year is that the type of fat you use has a major impact on your health, more than other factors. I used to like canola oil, because it is mild, until I found out what it really was. The only vegetable oil I use now is EVOO.
Custom Probiotic 11 Strain. Probiotics are the new buzz word these days. And rightfully so, I think. Pretty much the diet we are on is one big probiotic treatment. We are repopulating our guts with all the good guys and killing off the bad. Anyway, not all probiotics are created equal. There are, of course, different strains. But there also are maintenance probiotics that maintain good health, and there are therapeutic probiotics that increase health. They can be expensive. This is the brand we use, though there are several. It's expensive per bottle, but the dose is very small, and it lasts a long time. I have seen it do a lot to my kids' bodies.
If I think of any others that you might like to know about, I'll post again some other time. Hope this helps someone!
Bubbies Pickles. These are a very common go-to snack around here. Unlike regular pickles at the store, they are lacto-fermented (the same process that turns milk into yogurt), and so they are not only still raw, but also contain beneficial bacteria. I make lacto-fermented foods at home, but for anyone who prefers snacks to be pre-made, these are awesome. You can get them at the health food store in the refrigerator section. They are spicier than regular pickles, so you may need to get used to them a little. I love 'em.
findaspring.com. Because we are renting, we haven't wanted to purchase a water filter. This website shows where all the natural springs are, and the pH and other info about them. Cool, eh?
Chaffin Family Orchards Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I am not a big fan of the taste of EVOO on anything except sometimes salad. It's a very strong flavor. I used to cook with it, as that significantly decreased the taste. What I didn't know is that EVOO should never be heated, as it has a very low smoke point and turns into trans fat (I only heat saturated fats, now, for cooking). Well, this brand of EVOO is very mild. This is due to the type of olive and that it's harvested late in the season. I make mayo with it, and although I can still taste the olive oil flavor, it doesn't bother me. It is expensive, but one thing I've really come to believe in the last year is that the type of fat you use has a major impact on your health, more than other factors. I used to like canola oil, because it is mild, until I found out what it really was. The only vegetable oil I use now is EVOO.
Custom Probiotic 11 Strain. Probiotics are the new buzz word these days. And rightfully so, I think. Pretty much the diet we are on is one big probiotic treatment. We are repopulating our guts with all the good guys and killing off the bad. Anyway, not all probiotics are created equal. There are, of course, different strains. But there also are maintenance probiotics that maintain good health, and there are therapeutic probiotics that increase health. They can be expensive. This is the brand we use, though there are several. It's expensive per bottle, but the dose is very small, and it lasts a long time. I have seen it do a lot to my kids' bodies.
If I think of any others that you might like to know about, I'll post again some other time. Hope this helps someone!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Fall Pumpkin Soup
I don't even know where I'm going with my blog. It's really turned into a "I feel like posting something random today" kind of thing. So today's random thing is this yummy soup I've been eating day and night around here. Jason's parents grew 60 pumpkins this year. They gave us lots. Kind of sad, but I used to think all you could do with pumpkins were carve them, or make desserts. Not so! It's a healthy vegetable that doesn't need sugar to taste good. And I have to say, when I'm in a hurry to read a recipe, I get a little annoyed by long introductions, so I'll interrupt myself here and give the recipe to anyone who still has pumpkins left:
Fall Pumpkin Soup
Butter (2 TBS) (I use more)
Small onion (1)
Small garlic clove (1)
Curry powder or paste (2 tsp), or to taste (I use a lot less, since the curry we have is very spicy)
Real salt (1 tsp) —
Freshly-ground black pepper (1/4 tsp)
Cayenne to taste
Very fine grated fresh ginger (1 TSB)
Chicken broth (4 cups) (Homemade broth is a very nutritious food, full of gelatin and other things that heal the gut lining. Don't use bullion or canned broth! Skip the soup if you're going to do that :)
Roasted pumpkin or squash (3 cups) pureed.
Coconut milk 3/4 cup (I actually use homemade sour cream, added just when serving. It's just yogurted cream, so it has the beneficial bacteria, as long as the soup is warm, not hot, when added. Coconut milk is good, too, though).
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut the pumpkin in half and scrape out the seeds and pulp.
3. Place cut side down on baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes to an hour, or until cooked through. Puree.
4. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
5. Cook onion 5 minutes, until softened.
6. Add garlic, curry powder, ginger, salt and pepper and cook 1 minute more.
7. Add broth and roasted pumpkin; mix well. (I take a stick blender here, and blend it up a little).
8. Reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
9. Stir in coconut milk and serve.
I know there are a billion recipes flying around the web, but there's my contribution.
Fall Pumpkin Soup
Butter (2 TBS) (I use more)Small onion (1)
Small garlic clove (1)
Curry powder or paste (2 tsp), or to taste (I use a lot less, since the curry we have is very spicy)
Real salt (1 tsp) —
Freshly-ground black pepper (1/4 tsp)
Cayenne to taste
Very fine grated fresh ginger (1 TSB)
Chicken broth (4 cups) (Homemade broth is a very nutritious food, full of gelatin and other things that heal the gut lining. Don't use bullion or canned broth! Skip the soup if you're going to do that :)
Roasted pumpkin or squash (3 cups) pureed.
Coconut milk 3/4 cup (I actually use homemade sour cream, added just when serving. It's just yogurted cream, so it has the beneficial bacteria, as long as the soup is warm, not hot, when added. Coconut milk is good, too, though).
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut the pumpkin in half and scrape out the seeds and pulp.
3. Place cut side down on baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes to an hour, or until cooked through. Puree.
4. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
5. Cook onion 5 minutes, until softened.
6. Add garlic, curry powder, ginger, salt and pepper and cook 1 minute more.
7. Add broth and roasted pumpkin; mix well. (I take a stick blender here, and blend it up a little).
8. Reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
9. Stir in coconut milk and serve.
I know there are a billion recipes flying around the web, but there's my contribution.
Monday, October 31, 2011
How much do you know about vaccines?
*Note: View the video by Nov. 5 for free. Video at bottom of blog.
Vaccines are something I've contemplated writing about for some time. But I knew it would bring a lot of controversy to my blog (good thing comments are closed, ha ha. However, you're welcome to email me). There are strong feelings either way, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to invite that. But as I thought about this, I realized that most, if not all people, who are 100% pro-vaccine (and pro the schedule recommended by the AAP) have not read the other side of the story. All they know is our children aren't getting polio, we're living longer, and that vaccines have been "proven" safe and to not cause autism. They may have read a research article or two, or even 6 (there are some that show safety in vaccines. Doctors, of course, are told to read those). I would guess there are very few people who have thoroughly studied vaccines - listened to both sides of the story - and still decide to vaccinate their children on the AAP schedule.
Above I said 100% pro-vaccine, because, actually, I am pro-vaccine. I believe they are extremely important to society. I believe many people are alive today, who otherwise would not be, because of vaccines. However, I also believe that just because vaccines are HELPFUL, and even ESSENTIAL, does not make them HARMLESS.
Levi is fully-vaccinated. I prayed hard before giving him the MMR. [I'll insert here, that MMR is not the only one in question, but the only concern I knew of at the time]. I have a brother with autism, and it's always scared me. I asked my doctor about it before, and he said, "This is what the government says..." and he handed me a paper. I read it and said, "I'm just nervous, because my brother has autism." He looked surprised and said, "Oh. Your brother has autism. Well, you can make the best decision." I'll never know what that pediatrician was thinking. I'll never know if he has suspected a connection, but is afraid to voice it. It's scary to be a Maverik doctor today, especially when it comes to vaccines. I'll talk about that in a bit, when I talk about Andrew Wakefield. However, most doctors do believe in vaccines, and the schedule, but I can almost guarantee it's only because they believe what they were taught in medical school, and didn't research it any further.
Long story short, Dana is only partially vaccinated, because at that point I took the time to read about vaccines. I'll tell you, I didn't want to leave her unvaccinated. I really wanted to believe vaccines are safe. Why wouldn't I? Then she could be protected from all these diseases, and would have no ill-effect. Our insurance even covers them 100%. As I studied the "vaccine-awareness" side of things, I had many questions. And I SEARCHED hard for answers. But I couldn't find them. I was so frustrated, I almost wrote a letter to SOMEONE - (but I didn't know WHO - the CDC? My pediatrician?) and demanded the answers. I wanted them to assure me that vaccines were as safe as they say. I never did write a letter. I got busy with life and decided I would wait until my kids are a little older, then vaccinate slowly, one at a time, and only certain brands, and certainly not things like chicken pox.
Yes, I know my kids have an absolute low risk of disease, even if unvaccinated, because other kids are vaccinated. I really believe in herd-immunity. So why am I spreading the word about vaccines? I have no idea; I should just shut my mouth, and let my kids ride the waves. But I guess it's because I believe every parent has the right to know.
Anyway, a while back my friend emailed me and asked me about vaccines. There was a lot of media-press at the time against Andrew Wakefield - the British doctor who found a connection between the MMR and autism. He has been stripped of his medical license and basically dragged through the mud. Mention Andrew Wakefield to anyone and they'll basically say "oooeeeewww." My friend said she'd seen on facebook a lot of people saying they were so glad Wakefield was proven wrong and a fraud, and that vaccines are indeed safe. I wrote her an email explaining what I thought of Andrew Wakefield and vaccines:
After I wrote this email, I watched some youtube videos on Andrew Wakefield. Basically, he's getting ripped to shreds by his interviewees. He looks stressed (and worried) and keeps saying, "for the children, for the safety of our children..." I'd encourage anyone to watch them. Just google it. He may be a good liar, but if so he's an excellent actor. I thought he seemed honest.
I believe vaccine injuries are related to the condition of the gut. I think if your child has eczema, or allergies, or reflux, or colic, or anything showing a compromised gut, you may want to fully research your vaccine decision. THAT, however, is a whole nother piece of info. Email me if you have questions about it.
http://vimeo.com/31036452
Here is a video showing what I concluded at the end of my vaccine research. I just watched this, and think it's an excellent portrayal. It's not anti-vaccine, but vaccine-awareness. You can watch it for free until Nov. 5.
Vaccines are something I've contemplated writing about for some time. But I knew it would bring a lot of controversy to my blog (good thing comments are closed, ha ha. However, you're welcome to email me). There are strong feelings either way, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to invite that. But as I thought about this, I realized that most, if not all people, who are 100% pro-vaccine (and pro the schedule recommended by the AAP) have not read the other side of the story. All they know is our children aren't getting polio, we're living longer, and that vaccines have been "proven" safe and to not cause autism. They may have read a research article or two, or even 6 (there are some that show safety in vaccines. Doctors, of course, are told to read those). I would guess there are very few people who have thoroughly studied vaccines - listened to both sides of the story - and still decide to vaccinate their children on the AAP schedule.
Above I said 100% pro-vaccine, because, actually, I am pro-vaccine. I believe they are extremely important to society. I believe many people are alive today, who otherwise would not be, because of vaccines. However, I also believe that just because vaccines are HELPFUL, and even ESSENTIAL, does not make them HARMLESS.
Levi is fully-vaccinated. I prayed hard before giving him the MMR. [I'll insert here, that MMR is not the only one in question, but the only concern I knew of at the time]. I have a brother with autism, and it's always scared me. I asked my doctor about it before, and he said, "This is what the government says..." and he handed me a paper. I read it and said, "I'm just nervous, because my brother has autism." He looked surprised and said, "Oh. Your brother has autism. Well, you can make the best decision." I'll never know what that pediatrician was thinking. I'll never know if he has suspected a connection, but is afraid to voice it. It's scary to be a Maverik doctor today, especially when it comes to vaccines. I'll talk about that in a bit, when I talk about Andrew Wakefield. However, most doctors do believe in vaccines, and the schedule, but I can almost guarantee it's only because they believe what they were taught in medical school, and didn't research it any further.
Long story short, Dana is only partially vaccinated, because at that point I took the time to read about vaccines. I'll tell you, I didn't want to leave her unvaccinated. I really wanted to believe vaccines are safe. Why wouldn't I? Then she could be protected from all these diseases, and would have no ill-effect. Our insurance even covers them 100%. As I studied the "vaccine-awareness" side of things, I had many questions. And I SEARCHED hard for answers. But I couldn't find them. I was so frustrated, I almost wrote a letter to SOMEONE - (but I didn't know WHO - the CDC? My pediatrician?) and demanded the answers. I wanted them to assure me that vaccines were as safe as they say. I never did write a letter. I got busy with life and decided I would wait until my kids are a little older, then vaccinate slowly, one at a time, and only certain brands, and certainly not things like chicken pox.
Yes, I know my kids have an absolute low risk of disease, even if unvaccinated, because other kids are vaccinated. I really believe in herd-immunity. So why am I spreading the word about vaccines? I have no idea; I should just shut my mouth, and let my kids ride the waves. But I guess it's because I believe every parent has the right to know.
Anyway, a while back my friend emailed me and asked me about vaccines. There was a lot of media-press at the time against Andrew Wakefield - the British doctor who found a connection between the MMR and autism. He has been stripped of his medical license and basically dragged through the mud. Mention Andrew Wakefield to anyone and they'll basically say "oooeeeewww." My friend said she'd seen on facebook a lot of people saying they were so glad Wakefield was proven wrong and a fraud, and that vaccines are indeed safe. I wrote her an email explaining what I thought of Andrew Wakefield and vaccines:
You know, I don't think anyone really knows except Andrew Wakefield and God. I don't know what to think of it, though it's not really anything new. They stripped him of his medical license last year. All that happened recently is they are doing some series on him, defaming his name. He, as far as I know, has never admitted it was fraud. He still stands by his word. Maybe it's true. According to the people making charges against him, he received several hundred thousand dollars paid by lawyers for compensation if/when the parents were reimbursed by govt for the autism. That would be the only motivating factor, that I can think of, why he would do something like that. But even still - several hundred thousand dollars - not really worth losing your medical license for, you know? Maybe if it were millions. He probably made $200 a year before that, why would he give up his whole career for 2 years of wages or so? Why would he make up something like that? Unless he's an evil person and wants measles, mumps and rubella to come back, what other motive would there be? That's the thing with vaccines. It's us against the diseases. I just don't see why people would make stuff up, if they didn't really believe it themselves.
This is what I do think about vaccines (I may have already told you this, and it's still kind of the same as before): the govt wants everyone vaccinated. I have a hard time believing it's for money, as some people believe. Maybe it is, I don't know. But I think it's because they want to keep diseases at bay. And if people believe vaccines cause autism, they would not get their kids vaccinated. So, maybe vaccines don't cause autism, and everyone (including me) is worrying about nothing. But maybe they do, so the governments are hiding it, no matter the cost. It's better, for the good of the whole, to have 1/150 get autism than to be huge breakouts in numerous diseases. And I do say government s, because if it is a conspiracy, it's a world-wide conspiracy. Every country knows the cost of people not vaccinating. But maybe vaccines are as safe as they say. It's hard to imagine, though, looking at the evidence against vaccines. Some of the main things I find interesting:
1. They have not tested all of the vaccines together. They say, "hep b is safe, and the dtap is safe" but they haven't tested the 30 something shots they give kids by the age of 2 all together, at least no evidence I can find. So, WHY haven't they tested it? Vaccine awareness groups are saying that many shots is overwhelming the immune system. Kids are too young; they're done too fast, etc. Their response: The vaccines can't be overwhelming the immune system because every person is exposes to thousands of viruses on a daily basis. The immune system is created to withstand a lot. That's their only response? Well, it's a dumb one because the way we are "exposed" with vaccines is nothing like exposure in real life. Injecting living or dead viruses directly into the body - not natural. And all of the preservatives. It needs to be tested, not some cop-out to that very good point vaccine awareness groups bring up.
2. They also attack vaccine awareness groups saying, "You're changing your story. Before it was mercury, now it's too many shots at once..." So. So what if they are? They are pretty sure there's some connection - many of them because they saw their kids CHANGE - go from normal and healthy, to stop talking, stop looking in the eye. That change is what's so weird to me. What else really is a blatant change in their environment? The pollution is the same, their diet is likely the same. Doesn't make sense. All it is is people trying to make sense of it. Who cares if they change their story. It's not anti-vaxers against pro-vaxers. It's everyone against autism. But I see that as an argument all the time. A waste of breath, I think.
3. Autism isn't really on the rise, they say, just the way it's diagnosed. I think that's BS. They usually chart it through the school system, because that's a standard, where most people attend. So they say, "Well, there are fewer cases of multiple disabilities, learning disabilities, etc. and all of these other classifications. The kids who were getting classified as that are now labelled as autism." WELL, actually, according to the government's own records, autism classification is going up by a MINIMUM of 10% a year, some years as much as 23%!!! The other classifications ALL TOGETHER are going down, but only by 1 or 2% a year. I can't find the site that gives the stats (it's just a govt site), but if I do, I'll send it over to you. I saw it myself. So, it seems autism IS going up. So why are they denying that it is?
4. The fact that 1/150 children is being diagnosed with autism, the numbers are rising, and the government is being so lethargic - not doing anything to find out why. Seriously, WHY is that happening? If it's not vaccines then what? A few people die of swine flu, and the medical field, media, and govt are all over it. Six people get e. coli from spinach, and again, they are all over it. There are MILLIONS of people in the United States. That means there are a LOT LOT LOT of kids with autism. And they are pretty much ignoring the issue. Why?
5. Looking at the government's VAERS system, you can see that vaccines sometimes, very clearly cause serious neurological damage. If it can cause those things, why not autism? It's neurological. BECAUSE, autism is too tragic, too common, and if people believed it, they wouldn't vaccinate.
As for Andrew Wakefield, his argument was that autistic kids have measles in their guts. Well, kids with autism, I don't know if always, but often have major digestive issues, which is why a gluten-free, casein-free diet is so beneficial to many. One theory I've heard, that makes sense, is that some kids, whose digestive systems are having problems anyway, can't digest the mercury and other preservatives in the vaccines. [I've read much more about this gut issue, btw, and now have a lot more thoughts on it].
And why people believe the headlines? Because they believe the government is altruistic, and is completely honest, and the only reason they haven't known the truth before now, is because there wasn't enough evidence. But now there's evidence (they think). My mom said to me last year, "I heard today on the radio they just did a new study, and found that vaccines for sure are safe." All I said is, "I know that the government wants all babies to be vaccinated." But people are waiting for that new study to come out to prove it all. When really, if it is a conspiracy, we're not waiting for the truth, we're just trying to not be hoodwinked.
This is what I do think about vaccines (I may have already told you this, and it's still kind of the same as before): the govt wants everyone vaccinated. I have a hard time believing it's for money, as some people believe. Maybe it is, I don't know. But I think it's because they want to keep diseases at bay. And if people believe vaccines cause autism, they would not get their kids vaccinated. So, maybe vaccines don't cause autism, and everyone (including me) is worrying about nothing. But maybe they do, so the governments are hiding it, no matter the cost. It's better, for the good of the whole, to have 1/150 get autism than to be huge breakouts in numerous diseases. And I do say government s, because if it is a conspiracy, it's a world-wide conspiracy. Every country knows the cost of people not vaccinating. But maybe vaccines are as safe as they say. It's hard to imagine, though, looking at the evidence against vaccines. Some of the main things I find interesting:
1. They have not tested all of the vaccines together. They say, "hep b is safe, and the dtap is safe" but they haven't tested the 30 something shots they give kids by the age of 2 all together, at least no evidence I can find. So, WHY haven't they tested it? Vaccine awareness groups are saying that many shots is overwhelming the immune system. Kids are too young; they're done too fast, etc. Their response: The vaccines can't be overwhelming the immune system because every person is exposes to thousands of viruses on a daily basis. The immune system is created to withstand a lot. That's their only response? Well, it's a dumb one because the way we are "exposed" with vaccines is nothing like exposure in real life. Injecting living or dead viruses directly into the body - not natural. And all of the preservatives. It needs to be tested, not some cop-out to that very good point vaccine awareness groups bring up.
2. They also attack vaccine awareness groups saying, "You're changing your story. Before it was mercury, now it's too many shots at once..." So. So what if they are? They are pretty sure there's some connection - many of them because they saw their kids CHANGE - go from normal and healthy, to stop talking, stop looking in the eye. That change is what's so weird to me. What else really is a blatant change in their environment? The pollution is the same, their diet is likely the same. Doesn't make sense. All it is is people trying to make sense of it. Who cares if they change their story. It's not anti-vaxers against pro-vaxers. It's everyone against autism. But I see that as an argument all the time. A waste of breath, I think.
3. Autism isn't really on the rise, they say, just the way it's diagnosed. I think that's BS. They usually chart it through the school system, because that's a standard, where most people attend. So they say, "Well, there are fewer cases of multiple disabilities, learning disabilities, etc. and all of these other classifications. The kids who were getting classified as that are now labelled as autism." WELL, actually, according to the government's own records, autism classification is going up by a MINIMUM of 10% a year, some years as much as 23%!!! The other classifications ALL TOGETHER are going down, but only by 1 or 2% a year. I can't find the site that gives the stats (it's just a govt site), but if I do, I'll send it over to you. I saw it myself. So, it seems autism IS going up. So why are they denying that it is?
4. The fact that 1/150 children is being diagnosed with autism, the numbers are rising, and the government is being so lethargic - not doing anything to find out why. Seriously, WHY is that happening? If it's not vaccines then what? A few people die of swine flu, and the medical field, media, and govt are all over it. Six people get e. coli from spinach, and again, they are all over it. There are MILLIONS of people in the United States. That means there are a LOT LOT LOT of kids with autism. And they are pretty much ignoring the issue. Why?
5. Looking at the government's VAERS system, you can see that vaccines sometimes, very clearly cause serious neurological damage. If it can cause those things, why not autism? It's neurological. BECAUSE, autism is too tragic, too common, and if people believed it, they wouldn't vaccinate.
As for Andrew Wakefield, his argument was that autistic kids have measles in their guts. Well, kids with autism, I don't know if always, but often have major digestive issues, which is why a gluten-free, casein-free diet is so beneficial to many. One theory I've heard, that makes sense, is that some kids, whose digestive systems are having problems anyway, can't digest the mercury and other preservatives in the vaccines. [I've read much more about this gut issue, btw, and now have a lot more thoughts on it].
And why people believe the headlines? Because they believe the government is altruistic, and is completely honest, and the only reason they haven't known the truth before now, is because there wasn't enough evidence. But now there's evidence (they think). My mom said to me last year, "I heard today on the radio they just did a new study, and found that vaccines for sure are safe." All I said is, "I know that the government wants all babies to be vaccinated." But people are waiting for that new study to come out to prove it all. When really, if it is a conspiracy, we're not waiting for the truth, we're just trying to not be hoodwinked.
After I wrote this email, I watched some youtube videos on Andrew Wakefield. Basically, he's getting ripped to shreds by his interviewees. He looks stressed (and worried) and keeps saying, "for the children, for the safety of our children..." I'd encourage anyone to watch them. Just google it. He may be a good liar, but if so he's an excellent actor. I thought he seemed honest.
I believe vaccine injuries are related to the condition of the gut. I think if your child has eczema, or allergies, or reflux, or colic, or anything showing a compromised gut, you may want to fully research your vaccine decision. THAT, however, is a whole nother piece of info. Email me if you have questions about it.
http://vimeo.com/31036452
Here is a video showing what I concluded at the end of my vaccine research. I just watched this, and think it's an excellent portrayal. It's not anti-vaccine, but vaccine-awareness. You can watch it for free until Nov. 5.
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