ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar)

I should have posted this information in my past entry about apple cider vinegar. My step-father introduced me to it. He informed me that many people 'way back when' used this remedy to help them achieve a healthy pregnancy. I'd heard about it many times before on different boards and things, but didn't give it much thought. However, when I researched it I found that there are countless benefits of using ACV. Here's a link to a very thorough website. http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html

Specifically I'm taking ACV to lower my blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. In doing so I should also see a few pounds drop. As well, ACV is supposed to clean out your system, purify your blood and level out all your ph levels. All of those things combined will help my fertility.

Currently I'm taking 2 teaspoons twice a day diluted in some hot apple cider and a drop of honey. I tried taking it in water and I absolutely couldn't stand the smell or the taste. I can't taste it in the hot apple cider so that works for me right now. Also it's important to note that the unfiltered unpasteurized organic apple cider is the only one that is beneficial to your health, because it's the only one that contains the 'mother of vinegar' which are the little stringy things floating around in it. I was able to find mine at my local grocery store over with the condiments and pickles. But many people may have to go to a health food store to obtain the right kind.

Hope this information helps. Be sure to check out my last post for a real personal entry.

~*Melody"*~

Here We Go Again...

Well it's been a couple months now since our last miscarriage and it's time to hop back on the trying to conceive train. Again.....

So I'm not exactly thrilled about it, but I know it's something that we must do if we plan to use the next couple years effectively. I've yet to start back on the vitamins and supplements, but I have used my natural progesterone cream, plan to start the soy isoflavones on Thursday, and have added apple cider vinegar twice a day. We are still determined to stay on the natural side of treatments.

I think I'm healthy enough now to add some exercise back into my daily routine. Adding exercise has been proven to give your ovaries an added boost, so hey why not. I'd love to loose some weight, but I'm really not focused on that right now. I just want to be as healthy as I can be and hold my child in my arms. I know it's going to be hard getting myself to exercise again. It's been over a year now since I've even been healthy enough to attempt exercise. But it's time now.

Lately several people have challenged my faith in regards to stopping trying for our own child and going down the adoption route. It's very strange that so many different people would come at me with the adoption card all at the same time (this is not said in disrespect to anyone adopting or a child of adoption). Now I'm not against adoption in anyway and I'm not saying that we won't ever adopt a child, but right now I believe that God is telling us to wait. I'm waiting on His promises to us. It's a difficult thing to be in a constant state of waiting, but it is what God has told me to do and it's what I will continue to do, no matter how much it hurts.

Psalm 25:20-21

20 Keep my soul, and deliver me;

Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,

For I wait for You.

Psalm 130:6 My soul waits for the Lord

More than those who watch for the morning—

Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

Hear my heart Father and bless my complete faith and trust in You. I want you to use me for your glory Lord, even if that means showing myself and others the beauty of waiting on You. Be lifted up and glorified in me Lord. Let Your will be done and move Lord, move Lord. Let that latter rain fall afresh on me. I desire You Lord. I desire to hear Your sweet voice say, Child I am pleased with you. I want you to be pleased in me Lord and not just me pleased with me. Continue to help me Lord as I battle against this vessel of clay; this tug of the flesh that I'm constantly pulling against. So tonight I pray these words and scriptures over my life....may You and Your Word ever be alive in my life......In Jesus Name AMEN.

Goodnight Bloggers,

~*Melody*~

Turning Around

Things are beginning to turn around for me. I'm feeling a lot better and have gotten over the initial coping stage of my loss. It always takes so time to be able to look at the other side of things. Adrian and I had a good teary chat yesterday that helped me a lot. It's amazing to have someone to talk to.

My water broke on Saturday morning. Thankfully I was at home and near my master bathroom. I had a ton of fluid and was still leaking some up until Monday morning. I've been feeling my cervix dilate off and on, but have yet to pass anything from my uterus. I have one more day of the progesterone cream, so it may be another 5 days before I see any results. Hopefully everything will pass as quickly as possible so I can get on with the next cycle. On day 3-7 of my next cycle I'll be taking 40 mg of Soy Isoflavones to help induce proper ovulation. If I ovulate properly I'll be able to avoid another molar pregnancy.

I have also gotten back on my vitamin and supplements regimen that I was on before. I'm already feeling stronger. The pregnancy cravings are slowly tapering off, but I still feel some of the effects of the weird hormones, especially when I'm around a baby.

Overall things are looking up again. I can't wait to get started on my next cycle so we can begin trying for our miracle baby. I'm not giving up for 2008 yet.

~*Melody*~

Not Quite a Transition Yet

Well...the natural progesterone cream did not work for me. I've been off the cream now for 6 days and there's still no sign of AF. So I'm at a stand still yet again. I'm not really sure where to go from here. I desire any thoughts you may have and all the prayers you can give.

This has discouraged me quite a bit. I was hoping and praying that a treatment that seems to work for everyone would work for me. I guess I'm certainly not average in any aspect of my life.

~*Melody*~

A Very Quick Update on...

...Naturopathy....
I had to stop taking Biotin because it was actually making my blood sugar levels be higher in the morning and to fluctuate often during the day. I was very sad that I had to stop taking Biotin because it has many benefits for PCOSers, such as normalizing blood sugar (well not me), helping boost metabolism, raising good cholesterol, and helping the liver to metabolize fat out of your blood stream. It also has been proven to help with restless leg syndrome, mild depression and lethargy. I saw a major improvement in my restless leg and even felt overall somewhat more positive than usual. Unfortunately this is just another treatment that works opposite of what it should with my body.

I have been using Natural Progesterone Cream for 12 days. I have two more days of rubbing 1/4 tsp. on each night. At the end of the 14 days, I should have a normal AF (aunt flow) on my own without the use of medications (like Provera). AF should come within 5 days after stopping the cream. I will write my experiences with using the cream vs. placebo in a few days. I know that several people have been curious about this particular treatment.

I am recovering from the flu and have been unable to take any natural treatments other than my cream for several days. I hope that my short hiatus will not alter the overall effects of the treatment so far. Again I'll report on this in a few days and will finally list the benefits of the treatments I'm currently taking.

Until then.....
~*Melody*~

P.S. You can check out my Twitter above (and on my other blogs) for the latest up-to-date, in your face type updates from me. It's sorta like bullet prayers, but not prayers, just thoughts....so bullet thoughts.


Oh and a bit of eye-candy.... Take a look inside my pantry at all the organic vegetables we've been eating and loving.....

Where Did January Go?

I can hardly believe that January has already came and gone. It seems like this year has started off rushed already. I have began taking natural treatments (from here on out called naturopathy) and am seeing some minor results. I am taking the following vitamins and supplements: Biotin, Chromium Picolinate, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Folic Acid, and a Prenatal Multivitamin. I have certain days that I rotate taking the Vitamin C and D. The next time I post, I'm going to insert the reasonings and benefits behind taking these specific ones. I just don't have the time today. I'm also planning on adding Vitex (chasteberry), Evening Primrose Oil, Natural Progesterone Cream, and Green Tee Extract in the near future. I believe there's a few others too, but they aren't coming to my mind right now.

Overall my organic diet is going well. I'm still enjoying the more natural tastes of everything I've tried. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd say that it would be a close race between organic milk, cream cheese and green beans. LOL, what a mixture there ! But seriously I just love that I'm ok with the difference in taste of these things, but even more happy that my husband is ok with the changes. Financially I still haven't seen a great increase in our food budget. I'm a bargain shopper and really stock up on foods when they are on sale. A few weeks ago I got 12 lbs of organic boneless chicken breasts(raw) for only around $6 after tax. There was a sale on organic canned veggies that same week and I stocked my entire vegetable pantry. It's all a matter of choosing to spend your money wisely and in a timely manner.

Ministry update: Wow have I really jumped into doing things with my church. I'm finally beginning to feel a part of things. I really don't have time to elaborate fully today, but I just want to praise God for helping me to overcome the 'me' battle I've been facing for a while. We leave next Thursday for a youth worship conference at the beach. I'm so excited at the opportunity for these kids to really get to know RL and I. I hope that I can let my guard down fully, relax and just be myself. I know I can with God's help.

Personally: 2008 has brought some great times and also some very sad times. There have been a lot of highs and lows already. I'm praying about how to be able to share some of those lows with people out in blogland. Hopefully I'll be able to do that soon. I'd also like to share some areas that God really opened my eyes too. In the past several weeks, I've been through one of the hardest times emotionally, but one of the best times spiritually. It's a very odd thought how that could all happen at the same time, but it has.

Creatively: I've been making more and more little projects here and there. If you want to check out those you can see them at my Etsy shop and soon I'll have information about each of them posted on my creative blog.

Ok now I'm off to get in the shower and get ready for a day out with my husband. We're going to spend some time together in honor of Valentine's Day. I can't wait to get outta here! ;-)