AIM For Balance Nutrition & Wellness Products

watercress-high in Vitamin B1

I am starting a series on Vitamins. They are SO essential to our immune system and our whole body health.

I will be giving you food examples that can help you get the RDA of each Vitamin, and how the Vitamin best works and what its’ adversaries are.

Should you wish to supplement with high quality products…I will be talking about products from The AIM Companies. A whole foods, nutrition company based in Nampa, Idaho that has been around for over 30 years.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) is essential for energy production, brain function, and digestion. It helps the body make us of protein. It works well with other B Vitamins, magnesium & manganese.

Some good sources are trout, tuna, lean pork, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, wheat bread, watercress, squash, lamb, asparagus, mushrooms, green peas, lettuce, peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, yeast & beans.

Deficiency symptoms can be tender muscles, eye pains,, irritability, poor concentration, prickly legs, poor memory, stomach pains, constipation, tingling hands, rapid heartbeat.

Daily Requirement: RDA 1.4 mg

Toxic Levels: Not a concern

Adversaries are antibiotics, tea, coffee, birth control pills, alkaline agents, sulfur dioxide (a preservative) overcooking & processed foods.

100% of 6 B Vitamins PLUS 6 KEY electrolytes in 2 servings!

Supplement with AIM Peak Endurance: 100% of 6 B Vitamins PLUS 6 KEY electrolytes in 2 servings! View Data Sheet here https://www.theaimcompanies.com/datasheets/2/72E.pd

Whole Body Nutrition

AND/OR AIM BarleyLife Xtra…a whole food with 2% of your Daily Value in just 1 teaspoon. View Data Sheet here https://www.theaimcompanies.com/datasheets/2/65E.pdf

Find these and other TOP QUALITY supplements at www.myaimstore.com/aimforbalance

Relieve tension with my therapeutic wrap

Many years ago my husband bought a wrap for me that was filled with corn and you could either heat it or use it cold.  I liked it, but found that it lost its heat fast, was very heavy and didn’t conform well to my neck, where I was having most of my problems.  I suffered from stress related migraines and had to lay down in a dark, quiet room to get relief.

After some time of looking for a better wrap, my husband and I decided to create our own.  He is very much the brains behind the beginning of this endeavor.  He now helps me to cut the material, as I cannot cut a straight line to save my life!

I choose to fill them with rice and make them longer and skinnier, so they would wrap around the neck, arm or knee area more comfortably.  I also made them lighter in weight, just heavy enough, but not so heavy as to cause discomfort from wearing it around the neck.

For Fall and Winter, I make them from Polar fleece or flannel.  A good friend of mine suggested I add  mittens and gloves, and I thought that would be fun.  For the spring and summer time, I make them from soft cotton and leave off the gloves.

I found that different essential oils and scents  really helped me with to cope with stress and helped relieve my headaches.  That is why the HUGGZ come scented with Young Living essential oils and essential oil blends.  I can also make them unscented fro those who are sensitive to smells.

Thieves® Oil Essential Oil Blend:  Formulated with highly antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-infectious essential oils.

Thieves® Oil Blend was created based on research of a group of 15th century thieves in France who protected themselves by rubbing themselves with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing plague victims. This Young Living proprietary blend was university tested and found to be highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health. This proprietary blend has also been documented to kill over 99.96% of bacteria it comes into contact with.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) has a sweet, spicy fragrance that is stimulating and revitalizing. An important ingredient in Thieves® Blend due to its wonderful immune-enhancing features.

Lemon (Citrus limon) has antiseptic-like properties and contains compounds that amplify immunity. It promotes circulation, leukocyte formation and lymphatic function.

Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum verum) Warming and stimulating, it is comforting during the cold season.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata) is cooling, refreshing and energizing. Because it is relatively gentle and non-irritating, it is the preferred choice for children.

Rosemary* (Rosmarinus officinalis CT cineol) has a fresh, herbaceous, sweet, slightly medicinal aroma. An energizing oil, it may be beneficial for helping to restore mental alertness when experiencing fatigue.

*Caution—-Do not use on children under 4 years of age, pregnant or nursing women

Peace & Calming Essential Oil Blend:  Formulated with the essential oils of tangerine, ylang ylang, blue tansy, orange, and patchouli.  The gentle scent of Peace & Calming encourages deep relaxation and can assist with meditation to promote a peaceful night’s sleep.

Tangerine: can help relieve muscular contractions by calming and relaxing the walls of the muscles to treat spasms. The sweet citrus-like aroma of tangerine oil, when inhaled has sedative like qualities and can ease nervous tension and promote sleep. This can help in treating anxiety and stress.

Ylang Ylang: fights depression and relaxes body and soul, thereby driving away anxiety, sadness etc. It also has an uplifting effect on mood and induces and feeling of joy and hope.

Blue Tansy: Induces peace, comfort and relaxation, and is used to relieve  nervous tension, anxiety and stress. It banishes emotional strain instantaneously.

Orange: Gives a happy, relaxed feeling and works as a mood lifter.  It gives relief from anxiety,  anger, depression and inflammations.

Patchouli:  It uplifts mood, drives away disappointment and relaxes tension.

I am now in my second full year and have sold over 100 HUGGZ.  Contact me at [email protected] for details on how to order your very own HUGGZ!!

Acid pH and low oxygen

Oxygen levels in the body are directly related to pH.  Increasing pH from 4.0 pH to 5.0 pH increases oxygen to the cells by ten fold. Each whole number increase by tenfold again, so 4.0 pH to a 6.0 pH increases oxygen by 100 times and raising pH from 4.0  pH to 7.0 pH increases oxygen levels by 1,000 times.

Unless the body’s pH level is slightly alkaline, the body cannot heal itself.  You cannot  improve your health until pH levels are above 7.  All drugs and medications ( over the counter & prescription) are toxic and can cause the pH to be acidic.

Acid decreases the body’s ability to repair damaged cells, decreases the ability to get rid of  heavy metals and it makes the body more susceptible to fatigue and illness.  Everything pivots on a balanced pH.  When body pH drops , enzymes are deactivated, digestion is interrupted; vital nutrients are not effectively assimilated.

Disease cannot survive in an alkaline state.   But, in a low oxygen/low pH (acidic) state, viruses, bacteria, yeast, mold, fungus, Candida and Cancer cells all thrive.

An acid pH can result from poor nutrition, eating too many foods that leave an acid ash,  stress and anxiety, lack of sleep, exercise, environmental toxins, a slow ITT that leaves toxins accumulating in the colon, or any process that deprives the cells of oxygen and other nutrients. The body will try to raise the pH by using the minerals in the alkaline reserve, mainly sodium from the stomach and calcium from the bones, as well as potassium, magnesium and iron.    This is the cause of Osteoporosis and a number of other diseases.

If there are not enough minerals in the alkaline reserve,  acids buildup in the cells, causing pain, which may be diagnosed as Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, MS, Lupus, etc.

To order products that can help balance the body’s pH, go to  www.aimforbalance.com

Hydrochloric acid (HCL), which is produced by glands in the stomach, is necessary for the breakdown and digestion of many foods.  Insufficient amounts of HCL can lead to indigestion.  HCL levels often decline with age.

Stomach acid self-test—You can determine if you need more HCL with this simple test—Take one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.  If this makes your indigestion go away, then you need more stomach acid.  If it makes your symptoms worse, then you have too much stomach acid and should take care not to take any supplements that contain HCL.

If the results of the stomach acid self-test showed that you need more hydrochloric acid, sip 1 Tablespoon of pure apple cider vinegar in a glass of water with each meal to aid in digestion.

A lack of digestive enzymes can cause intestinal problem.  There are different enzymes that break down each type of food.  Sometimes we can be missing one of more types and that cause a problem when our bodies try to break down that type of food.  Digestive enzymes are classified based on their target substances.

• Proteases and peptidases split proteins into amino acids.
• Lipases split fat into threefatty acids and a glycerol molecule.
• Carbohydrases split carbohydrates such as starchand sugars into simple sugars such as glucose, the simplest sugar on earth.
• Nucleases split nucleic acids into nucleotides.
• Pancreatin contains all three digestive enzymes. 

If food is not digested properly, it ferments in the stomach and upper intestines, producing hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and organic acids.  These acids do not help digestion, but are factors in gas and bloating.

Tips to help with indigestion:

Chew your food thoroughly.  Digestion starts in the mouth and chewing signals the rest of the digestive system to prepare for breakdown and absorption.

Drinking liquids with meals contributes to indigestion because it dilutes the enzymes needed for digestion.

Eat fruit by itself and on an empty stomach.  Wait at least 15 minutes before adding any other food to the stomach.

Include in your diet fresh papaya (which contains papain) and fresh pineapple (which contains bromelain). 

Papain is a digestive enzyme, collected from papaya fruit. Papain hydrolyzes proteins and has a proteolytic capacity (digests proteins).

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme (digests proteins) obtained from the pineapple plant. Bromelain hydrolyzes proteins.

Limit your intake of lentils, peanuts, and soybeans.  They contain an enzyme inhibitor.

You can add a reputable supplement of digestive enzymes to your diet and use them as long as you need to.  AIM makes one called Prepzymes and it works very well.  Check out my on-line store www.aimforbalance.com and see all the amazing AIM products!

Add acidophilus to your diet.  Acidophilus can be useful for indigestion because a shortage of the “friendly” bacteria is often the cause.  You can add a reputable supplement of digestive enzymes to your diet and use them as long as you need to.  AIM makes one called FloraFood and it works very well.

Email me at [email protected] for more information or visit my on-line store www.AIMForBalance.com

Every husband and wife on earth dies and goes to heaven. God comes and says “I want all the husbands to form two lines. One line for those that controlled their wives on earth and the other line for those that were controlled by their wives. I want all the wives to go with St Peter.”

There is much noise and moving about . The next time God looks the wives are gone and there are two lines. The line of the husbands that were controlled by their wives was 100 miles long, in the line of husbands that controlled their wives– there was only one man.

God is puzzled and said. “I gave you instructions on how to head of your household. I created you in my image, and yet you were all controlled by your mates. Look at the only one of you that stood up!” Tell them my son how did you manage to be the only one in that line?
The man said, “I don’t know. My wife told me to stand here.”
Now this is just a silly joke. God did not intend for man to control woman but to take care of and love her. And women, it is our job to be the helper and biggest fans to our husbands.
If you haven’t guessed…Our topic today is control. I think everyone may have a different opinion on what that means.
Let’s start with what the word control means…I consulted my friend Webster and he says, “

control
1. that which serves to check, restrain, or hinder; restraint
2. power or authority to check or restrain; restraining or regulating influence; superintendence; government; as, children should be under parental control
3. to exercise restraining or governing influence over; to check; to counteract; to restrain; to regulate; to govern; to overpower
Let’s take it one step further…what is a control freak
someone with a compulsive desire to exert control over situations and people
We all need to have a certain amount of control. But when is it too much?
When we dominate someone else, that is too much control. When we make all of their decisions without even asking them, when we have all the answers but don’t listen to the questions, when we think things should be a certain way and we will not budge from it. I think it is anytime we take our own wants and put them above what others need because we know best.
It may be because there are lots of things in this world we cannot control— just a few examples—What we can’t control— the weather, time, day/night, how long we or our loved ones will live, our health (to a certain extent) who we fall in love with, who our children will marry (although I would like to) and the list goes on…
I used to get leadership and control mixed up. I seem to naturally gravitate towards leadership roles and too often forgot to delegate and let go of the control. It has taken me years and I sometimes still fall back into those patterns, but with God’s Grace, I am moving forward. I am learning to Leave the unknown up to God and trust Him with the future of things that are out of my control and even things in my control.
I am a planner and that can very easily lead to control. I see something in my mind and sometimes have a hard time delegating what needs to happen to get the vision done.
When my boys were little, I would be the mom that had everything in the car or diaper bag or backpack that they or anyone else could possibly need.
I covered all my bases and always had a plan b, but I made sure everyone knew plan a. Of course, planning for tomorrow is right and good. But my mind can turn planning into controlling so easily. I can become an obsessive master planner that can’t let go of the issues and leave them in God’s hands.
Things we can and should control:
What we put in our mouths—we are what we eat
Things that come out of our mouths—the tongue can tear down and build up in seconds—let’s use it to build up people, including ourselves
What we think, especially of ourselves—positive and negative outcomes start with our thoughts
Our attitudes—can make or break our stride
God is ready and willing to help us, all we have to do is ask.
Proverbs 21:1 “The Lord can control a king’s mind as He controls a river; He can direct it as He pleases.”
It is impossible for us to control a river, we try with Dams now and then, but if the water wants to get out, it will. God can help us give Him control by focusing on Him.
Electric blankets—Did you know there are now electric blankets with dual controls…so you can each “control” the temperature you want…no more fighting over the temperature—but they forget that heat travels around under the blanket and crosses that invisible middle line… and if you suffer from hot flashes, 1 degree up can feel like 20!
A woman is shopping and is up at the register:
“Cash, check or charge?” I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse.

“So, do you always carry your TV remote?” I asked.

“No,” she replied, “but my husband refused to come shopping with me, so I figured this was the most legal evil thing I could do to him.”
Speaking of the remote control…
Everyone fights to be in control of it. Men just have to have it. They seem so much more peaceful with the TV remote in their hands…And what does it really do anyway…just works on the TV or other electronics…or does it??
Have you seen the movie “Click”? Adam Sandler stars and he is given a remote control device that he can use to control events and people in his life…he can fast forward through arguments, fast forward to an upcoming event, rewind to events as it benefits him, pause events and even turn down the volume or mute peoples voices. Are you thinking the muting button may be a good thing once in a while???
And my personal favorite—What is the deal with control top pantyhose? It takes all my control to just get the darn things on! What do are they in control of, oh yeah, they keep my stomach in, but what happens if fat rolls over the top…or what if when they run…are they no longer in control. If I wear them—am I in control?
I know I have been kind of silly this morning—So, I will leave you with something serious—My prayer—
Lord, give me the strength to handle the things I need to have control over,
the Grace to let go of the things I do not need to control
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Have a Blessed week and let God have Control.

I don’t know if anyone can relate to this, but here it is:

I have two sons, one is 24 and the other is 16.  They are growing up…well my oldest, Ricky, is grown up, but Benjamin is not far behind him and it makes me so sad. It was hard to see Ricky grow up, but I always had Benjamin to fill in the gap with extra hugs, kisses, and I love you’s.

 I know I must let go, but it is more difficult this time than I imagined.  I kept telling my husband Michael not to get so sad about Benjamin growing up…just enjoy each moment… and I am falling apart more than him right now..I know this too shall pass…

I know we are supposed to give them wings and let them fly.  It sounds good and philosophical, but in reality…it stinks!

This is how I know Benjamin is really growing up and starting to test his wings…my heart is breaking…Ever since he’s been born…I have been in the habit of lying down for a few minutes with Benjamin most nights when he goes to bed and we talk or read or laugh…he under his covers and me on the edge with a sleeping bag.  Sometimes I fall asleep in there and wake up a couple of hours later and go to my bed.  Sometimes I just listen to him breathe…crazy I know.  But it is a kind of contentment…that the world is as it should be.  Ever feel that way?

Well,the light before last, he did not ask me to come in with him, once in a while that happens, but then last night, he didn’t ask me either.  Two nights in a row, I know he is changing and not on purpose, but moving away from me.  It would be easy to just barge into his space, but I do not wish to intrude…it is his space, and I am there by invitation only.  He has done nothing wrong, it is a part of breaking away from me and I understand and do not hold it against him, but I am sad.

As I said, he is my youngest, our last one…it has been years since we cuddled and watched Little Bear, and made a tent in the living room on a rainy day, but those few minutes before he falls asleep each night were my lifeline…holding on so tight, so he doesn’t completely slip into adulthood.  Sorry tears have messed up my typing…so glad for spell check:)

Anyway,  I just have to have faith that my husband and I have raised both boys well and they knowand treasure the value of family and will not depart very far from home. 

I know God has a plan for this part of my life too.  I will continue to hold on to each moment and grab all the loy from each second that I can.  It is changing, but maybe something better will take the place of traditions that are passing??

Life is a bumpy ride, but SO worth it!  Grab all the sticky kisses, muddy hugs and giggling I love you’s  that you can…they are priceless.  God Bless.

Warm water and lemon.

Greens

Protein shake (1 scoop chocolate and 1 scoop vanilla Nutri Burn protein powder) 1/2 banana, 1 T ground flax seed, 1T natural PB, 8 ounces almond milk, 4 ounces water…YUM!

celery sticks, water

2 pieces ham, 1/2 cup mashed potatoes, 1/2 squash

DD coffee…decaf, cream only and 1 packet Stevia…I know…I’m bad, but I went shopping with my best bud,Rhonda and that’s what we do!  It was a treat!

garden salad, FF italian dressing.

HFB and lots of water.6

So, what fish and seafood can we safely eat according to God’s Word?  Fish that have both fins and scales, like Anchovy, Barracuda, Bass, Black pomfret (momchong), Carp, Cod, Crappie, Drum, Flounder, Grouper, Grunt, Haddock, Hake, halibut, Hardhead, Herring (alewife), Kingfish, Makerel (cobia), Mahi-mahi (dorado, dolphin-fish, not to be confused with the mammal dolphin), Minnow, Mullet, Perch (bream), Pike (pickerel, jack), Pollock(Boston Bluefish), Rockfish, Salmon, Sardine (pilchard), Shad, Silver hake (whiting), Smelt (frost fish, ice fish), Snapper (ebu, jobfish, lehi, onaga, opakapaka, uku), Sole, Steelhead, Sucker, Sunfish, Tarpon, Trout (weakfish), Tuna (ahi, aku, albacore, bonito, tombo), Turbot (except European turbot), Whitefish.

Wow, that’s alot!

Did you notice lobster and other shellfish ARE NOT listed?!  It is because they filter water in and out of their bodies, therefore ingesting the toxins in the water and if we eat them, we get the toxins too.  They were created to keep the oceans and lakes clean.

Many foods fit into the guidelines of Gen 1:29…like wheat, rice, oats, barley ( I know of a great barley product, called BarleyLife by AIM, it is a whole food in the young barley grass stage.  My family mixes it with water and takes it every day!  It is amazing!)  Check it out at www.AIMForbalance.com also millet, rye and other grains; legumes of all kinds (peas, beans, etc.) bush and vine-bearing fruits and veggies (melons, grapes, berries, squash, tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, etc.)  Every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed (Gen 1:29) Apples, pears, apricots, plums, mangoes, avocado, etc.)  AND nuts, large and small (coconuts, cashews, walnuts, almonds, etc.) 

Those are all so Yummy and so good for us…who wouldn’t wanyto eat them?!  You can feel the energy they give your body.  God designed us, therefore He and He alone knows what we need to not just survive, BUT to be healthy!  We also need 22 amino acids, but our bodies can only produce 14, so we need living proteins and other nutrients to be healthy.

What foods aren’t we supposed to eat and why?

Fat of the cattle, sheep and goats (Lev. 7:23)  Toxins are stored in fat.

Do not eat the blood. (Duet. 12:16)  Blood is the body’s transport system, carrying it it all waste products for disposal.

Do not eat meat of an animal torn by wild beasts (road kill) (Exod. 22:31)

Distinguish between clean and unclean. (Lev. 11:47)  What animals were created and for what purpose, like shellfish (lobsters, clams, shrimp, etc.) are cleaners of the oceans and waters.  They filter out the toxins from the water and it gets stored in their bodies.  If we eat them,we could get sick.  It is not a sin to eat them, but they have the potential to make us ill.  It is sad to hear for some of you that love them so much, but just beware.  I will look up what sea creatures we CAN eat, because I really like fish!  More soon!