5-HTP

What is 5-HTP? It is a plant extract from a bean of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia).

Completely natural.

What does it do? It simply encourages your body to raise the serotonin (a hormone) in your brain.

The following excerpt is taken from www.5htp.com

"5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that is the intermediate step between tryptophan and the important brain chemical serotonin. There is a massive amount of evidence that suggests that low serotonin levels are a common consequence of modern living. The lifestyle and dietary practices of many people living in this stress-filled era results in lowered levels of serotonin within the brain. As a result, many people are overweight, crave sugar and other carbohydrates, experience bouts of depression, get frequent headaches, and have vague muscle aches and pain. All of these maladies are correctable by raising brain serotonin levels. The primary therapeutic applications for 5-HTP are low serotonin states as listed in Table 1.

Table 1. Conditions associated with low serotonin levels helped by 5-HTP

Depression
Obesity
Carbohydrate craving
Bulimia
Insomnia
Narcolepsy
Sleep apnea
Migraine headaches
Tension headaches
Chronic daily headaches
Premenstrual syndrome
Fibromyalgia

Although 5-HTP may be relatively new to the United States health food industry, it has been available through pharmacies for several years and has been intensely researched for the past three decades. It has been available in several European countries as a medicine since the 1970s."

When Joshua was 8 months old I had insomnia, even though I was exhausted. I just couldn't sleep. A trusted friend suggested 5-HTP to me and I started taking it. Within 3 days I was sleeping much better. I started taking 5-HTP again about a week ago because I was having feelings of depression and was craving sugar, chocolate and carbs. I still don't feel 'up to par' yet but I'm not crying every day anymore. I also have more energy and am starting to feel like myself again.

They are not paying me for this post by the way. I just want to share this info with you because it really is a great herb that actually works.

It has one side effect- mild nausea. But it was very rare in the studies taken and the people experiencing it did not complain about it. It cleared up six weeks after first taking the "drug".

It's non-addictive. You take it for awhile (about 3 months) and then you can just stop whenever you need to.

It's somewhat affordable. It's over the counter and it's completely safe, yes even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

If you are experiencing any unexplained headaches, migraines, insomnia, aches and pains, depression, cravings for carbs...try taking 5-HTP for awhile. Give yourself two weeks and see if it works. I highly recommend it.

Ok that's all. :)

Mother's Milk Tea

A tea recipe given to me by a friend. It's very refreshing and I drink it once a day now, either hot or as iced tea.

Equal amounts of:

Fennel- helps with milk supply
Camomile- calms
Catnip- calms
Nettle- nourishing, good iron source
Lavender- calms
Lemon balm- balances hormones

blend together in airtight jar or container. Store in a dry, dark, cool place.

1 tablespoon of tea per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes.

For iced tea, steep until desired darkness. Add a little bit of sugar (I add 2 Tb per 32 oz/4 cups) and lemon juice (1 Tb per 32 oz/4 cups). Refrigerate. So refreshing!

These ingredients can be found at a whole foods co-op or health store.

Two Girls

Madelynn is making efforts to roll over. She prefers to sleep on her stomach (Shh, don't tell anyone). She has a strong neck and she is working on her legs of steel: kicking, standing, pushing against the side of the couch. Madelynn is 11 weeks now (about 2.5 months). She is sleeping longer at night. Her eyes are still blue, she is chubbier, and she needs a bath.



Rachel is doing well, though tired from the weekend and a little slip in the gluten free diet. (She got into some Saltine crackers at church.) She finally has all her teeth in and is continuing to gain weight. Doesn't she look so much better?:

Her vocabulary is slowly becoming more understandable and less whine-y. Recently Joel and I took the kids aside and created a new rule (guideline?) about blankies only being in their beds. (as opposed to dragging them all over the house) They took it rather well and as a result Rachel has been less lethargic and more playful.

'A Day in Thunder Bay' or 'A Summer Celebration'

The last few weeks were highlighted by the arrival of our passports. Yes, we waited to the last minute and beyond to apply for our ticket to cross the border. And when those tickets arrived, I anyway, was very excited. So combined with my itch to go somewhere different and Joel's idea to celebrate summer, we loaded up our van and took a day trip to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. A stop to Tim Horton's was definitely in order. It's been a year and a half since we have visited the coveted coffee and sandwich haven. Mmmm...

Next stop, a picnic lunch at Hill Crest Park. It overlooks Lake Superior and the Sleeping Giant. The view was fabulous and it was a gorgeous day, nearly perfect.

(See the large double double in this picture?)

After lunch, we visited some friends (Mary and Duncan), and then it was on to Chippewa Park. There was a small amusement park with a carousel:

and then a Wildlife Center where a raised boardwalk allows you to look down upon the animals in a more natural setting than a zoo. It was mainly North American wildlife, but none of us complained about seeing a moose up close and four Great Horned owls. Lots of fun!

To top off the day was a quick supper in the van, a little bit of shopping, and one last stop at Timmy's. We got home at about 10:30 pm and are now reaping the repercussions of the delightful, yet exhausting day on this beautiful Monday morning. Many tears have been shed today, though none by Mother, so it hasn't been too bad.

Happy Summer to you all and enjoy the last bits of sunshine (such a nice expression, eh Elizabeth?) while you can!

Sin Murmur

This is a great song with a great message. If you don't like rap, turn your volume down and read the lyrics.

Joel, Joshua, Mark and Oliver's Camping Trip (First of Three New Posts!)

Our friends, Mark, Kelley, Oliver (3.5) and Karis (almost 1 yr), came up to visit. It was so great to see them and reconnect. The men and boys went camping and fishing for a few days. They had a great time as you will see in the pictures and video.

The boys exploring the amazing world of bait (leeches in this picture). Mommy is glad she wasn't there.

Joshua...well he'll tell you in the video.

At about the same time as Joshua's fine catch, Oliver snagged one too!!



Joel and his (little) Northern Pike.

Fun Photos of the Kids :)

Our three Kiddos, aren't they sweet?

Rachel's curly hair (it had been sectioned off into four twisty "buns" during the day)

Joel's Lincoln Park Missions Trip

This is Lincoln Park Community Church in Duluth, MN.
125 years old, it was the first Baptist General Conference church in Duluth

As the neighborhood of Lincoln Park has degenerated economically in the last decade, the church has re-focused their mission. They are servants of Christ in a dark and dangerous place, bringing His light into the hurting and hopeless all around them. Consequently, those who fill the pews do not have the resources to easily support the facilities needed to continue the outreach.
That's where we, as their brothers and sisters in Christ, come in.

Three of us from _____, with the backing of our whole church, went to Duluth for two days to work on their building. Our primary project was to purchase and blow in cellulose insulation into their large attic space. We hope the extra R-38 will significantly reduce their heating costs.

Lincoln Park's Pastor Paul and Trustee Ron loading the blower, three stories down.


Joe on the other end. (He's in there somewhere!)


Myself working on an opening to get into the space above their entryway to add styrofoam insulation

One of Lincoln Park's men, scraping the kitchen floor after we pulled up the old linoleum. We bought new commercial tile, but did not have the time to install it.

Dan and Mike of Lincoln Park tearing shingles off an entryway roof.


Myself finishing up the new shingles.
We had a great couple days serving Lincoln Park alongside the men of that church. We helped to continue a relationship between the two churches that goes back to 50's or 60's of last century, and look forward to going back again.

Second Milestone

The one milestone every parent anticipates...Madelynn slept through the night for the first time last night! Yes, she won't do it all the time, but boy, it was nice to wake up to my alarm and not feel exhausted.

Aforementioned quilt

Because Renee won't show this off - I will. This is Renee's first attempt at quilting and my Christmas gift to her. Half a year later, having caught a few moments here and there between mothering and giving birth, with the help of the ladies at the quilt shop, and from Nana and Grandma Fern, a machine borrowed from Stephanie; and with a few tears and prayers later... we have this great quilt hanging in our bedroom. I'm proud of her and her perseverance. Joel.

Hmm, What should I title this Post?

The last two weeks have been quite full, if you have already guessed by the lack of blog posts.

Joel went on a missions trip two weeks ago to a Baptist church in Duluth. This church is more than 120 years old and needed some work done. I think Joel is going to blog about it so I won't steal any of the surprises.

Let's see, what else? I've been terrible with the camera these days so no pictures today. But I can give you a quick update...

Raspberry Picking. The kids did great. Joshua ate some of course, but he contributed probably a cup worth to my bucket to save for later eating! Rachel ate every single one that she could find, and then wanted some of mine.

Madelynn is growing out and up and all over. She is a cutie and is smiling more. Her smile is more like an open mouth smile, like the letter D on it's side. She weighs 10.5 pounds and is 22 inches long. She is an all around content baby. (whew!)

I'm still waiting for summer to hit here. It's been cold. But now I see the ditches are full of brown and yellow, so maybe summer got skipped and we are now heading into autumn. I might cry here in a few minutes...

Josh and Rachel help with Madelynn, the garden and the dishes. They love to play together, fight together and be silly together. Over all, they are happy, good kids.

Hmm, what else?
Getting together with friends, holding baby chicks, playing outside, going to the park, going on walks, seeing a juggling show on the front lawn of the Library, riding tricycles and bicycles, hiking, books at the Library, running errands with three kids (!), planning for upcoming events, eating ice cream, VBS, pool parties, birthday parties, finished sewing a quilt, eating watermelon, eating freezie pops (yes they are gluten free), doctor visits (not too many!), Fisherman's Picnic (rides, bratwurst, lots of people and a parade), chatting with neighbors, going through kids clothes (10 grocery bags 2T and under, all gone to the budget shop!!), being a mommy and a daddy and being a family.

Well, that should cover it. I hope to take more pictures these next few weeks. Hope you are enjoying your summer!

Two Month Mark

Happy Two Months Madelynn!