My husband was making a general immunity order, and had olive leaf extract on his list for some reason – he ordered it and when we arrived we couldn’t figure out why we bought it or why it was on the list. I didn’t remember putting it there at all.

So I look up Olive Leaf Extract and low and behold it looks like a great buy!

From HerbWisdom.Com:

Olive leaf extract is gaining recognition as a powerful defender against sickness, and numerous scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the extract’s beneficial properties. The reported benefits of olive leaf extract’s range from promoting increased energy and healthy blood pressure, to supporting the cardiovascular system, and the immune system.

From research and clinical experience to date, we can say that supplemental olive leaf may be beneficial in the treatment for conditions caused by, or associated with, a virus, retrovirus, bacterium or protozoan. Among those treatable conditions are: influenza, the common cold, candida infections, meningitis, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), encephalitis, herpes I and II, human herpes virus 6 and 7, shingles (Herpes zoster), HIV/ARC/AIDS, chronic fatigue, hepatitis B, pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, malaria, dengue, severe diarrhea, and dental, ear, urinary tract and surgical infections.

I read this after tasting it – and honestly I’m glad I found this info or I wouldn’t be trying it again. It is terrible! If I didn’t have to go sugar-free eventually I’d pass. It’s really nasty stuff. But it looks like it could have some incredible benefits.

So far: Not pleased with the taste but looking forward to the results!

I am so happy in our new location, and best of all, I have some supportive friends who understand and recognize that:

A – I am ill

and

B – I look completely normal

This has been a breath of fresh air for me. In the past, the people around me have been largely ignorant of the disease or resistant to accepting it. That’s caused me to wonder if maybe I’m just a little too paranoid or lazy. I tend to go with the flow in crowds and I pushed myself for far too long to avoid speaking up about my limitations.

It’s hard to plan out 2011 because I don’t know what my energy cycles will be like. But I do have a few specific health goals.

-Eliminate wheat entirely. This is a doozy because I love bread! But in the last few months I’ve ranged from 0% to 40% avoidance and it’s just not cutting it. I need to make a better effort to have rice cakes, rice crackers and gluten free goodies in the house.

-Take vitamins consistently. This has been a financial concern in the past, but with our new reasonable rent and the boosts in my writing business, this is something that can be part of my future.

-Spend time relaxing. Working from home has been an absolute blessing. When I think about the kind of energy demands I had to endure working in an office or as a nanny, I shudder. I could not do it in my current state. But on the flip side, work is always there. There is always something more that can be done or someone else that can be contacted. I’m working on shutting down the work schedule in a healthy way (rather than crashing and burning).

And that’s it for me – no more, no less. Do you have any new year’s goals for your health and well being?

In this first post, I’d like to come clean about something. I have terrible, terrible eating and exercise habits. I have let myself become sick partly because of neglect and partly because I didn’t have a whole lot to work with to begin with. The combination of my poor immune system and food allergies with my terrible, terrible choices has gotten me to this point.

At the age of 31 3/4, I am about 50 pounds overweight. I have a Candida overgrowth, which I am primarily responsible for. Letting this go on has created Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in my system. I have acne, canker sores, dry skin, dry mouth, the list goes on and on.

Over the course of the last seven years since I first suspected that I had Candida, the thought of going through the diet and die off has been two overwhelming. Two pregnancies and countless sleepless nights later, this condition has nearly taken over my body. I am not yet bed ridden, but I know that if I continue down this path I am going to end up there.

Although I have other extenuating circumstances that lead to the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I believe that Candida is a major contributor to my symptoms. CFS is not “curable” but it can be exacerbated or limited by the choices we make. My diet and supplement regimen may never get rid of my symptoms 100% – but it will get me a heck of a lot closer.

Along with my diagnosis of CFS and Candida, my doctor also surmised that I had a wheat allergy as well. I know for a fact when I cut out wheat I feel a lot better. The Candida diet means no sugar and no dairy, so the recipes and resources in this blog will be under those guidelines.

What will you find in this blog? This is partly for accountability. I know that during the weeks that I’ve remained wheat, sugar and dairy free that I’ve felt so much better. The brain fog that effects my memory is lifted from my head and I feel like I can actually function without needing a nap. But making these changes is not easy. I’ve fallen off the wagon one too many times. I now see the promised land of energy and vitality, and I don’t want to get sidetracked this time.

I hope that a second purpose for this blog will be inspiration. It was very discouraging when I first became diagnosed with CFS because most of the resources out there were focused on getting disability payments or having a pity party for yourself. Yes…I went through a pity party time of my own. I felt like no one understood what I was going through and I felt helpless. But then I realized that I could either try to find a solution or just lay down and die a slow death. I’m choosing the former, and I hope to inspire others to do the same. Our journeys won’t be identical because everyone’s circumstances are unique, but we can learn from and inspire one another.

Finally, I hope this blog will become a resource for those who have CFS, Candida or food allergies. It’s tough to make drastic changes to your eating habits and lifestyle without having resources to back you up. If you’re feeling lonely in your choices and your path, here is a place to draw strength and information you need to make these changes.

To your health!!