RECIPES FOR REPAIR: A LYME DISEASE COOKBOOK

Recipes for Repair: A Lyme Disease Cookbook

By Gail Piazza and Laura Piazza

http://www.recipesforrepair.com/

A crucial question which needs to be focused on with persistence is….why can some people remain healthy when harboring a certain pathogen while others become acutely or chronically ill while hosting the exact same pathogen? Coinfection with numerous pathogens does play a part in illness severity but more and more researchers, doctors and patients are beginning to realize that the condition or terrain of the body plays a very important role in determining who remains healthy and who becomes ill.

The foods that we choose to consume have a significant effect on our physical and mental health. Food plays a major role in determining the terrain of our body. Pathogens, such as Borrelia burgdorferi (the Lyme disease microbe) actually change form in the body in accordance with whether the host body has a healthy internal environment or a sickly environment or terrain. Some forms of the germ are more pathogenic (illness causing) than others. Certain foods and infections can cause inflammation, which is capable of setting up a vicious cycle in the body. Which comes first…the chicken or the egg? The authors of Recipes for Repair express this important concept very well in relation to Lyme disease.

“ Lyme disease itself can trigger chronic inflammation, and any inflammation that exists BEFORE (emphasis mine) infection impairs the immune system’s ability to fight off the invading bacteria. The cycle of infection and increasing inflammation gives the bacteria an ever-stronger foothold in the body, causing increasingly severe health symptoms. This relationship between chronic inflammation and Lyme disease explains why the severity of symptoms for people with widespread Lyme disease can vary so greatly, with some people nearly incapacitated and others only mildly affected.”

The authors go on to say that when following the Lyme Inflammation Diet (formulated by Dr. Kenneth Singleton); one should experience powerful anti-inflammatory effects. When inflammation is reduced through diet, this will in turn reduce the overall burden on the immune system. When the immune system has less to deal with, it can more effectively target invading pathogens. Gail and Laura Piazza have based all of their recipes on this logical and important premise….to reduce inflammation and to support the immune system.

“Recipes for Repair” is full of helpful information to get the reader started on a healthier way of eating. In one section there is a very useful tool to aide readers in determining their risk for chronic inflammation. The recipe section of the book is divided into four phases. At the beginning of each diet phase there is a chart of foods that are allowed in that phase. I find this feature much more helpful and encouraging rather than listing only the foods which need to be avoided.

The first phase is the most restricted and it is suggested that this phase be followed for one week. The primary goal of phase one is to quickly abort the mechanisms of chronic inflammation and to detoxify the body. Phase one includes such delicious sounding recipes as Sautéed Salmon Cakes, Deviled Eggs, Sautéed Asparagus Omelet, Carrot Almond Pancakes, Pickled Beets, Moroccan Spice-Rubbed Salmon, and Stir Fried Rice and Vegetables.

 In phase 2 of the diet more healthy foods are added which makes following the diet less difficult. The object is to slowly reintroduce foods which have a higher probability of causing inflammation. This phase of the diet is followed for three weeks. You’ll discover such recipes as Blueberry Oatmeal Pancakes, Chicken Salad, Carrot Pineapple Muffins, Lentil Soup, and Sweet and Tangy Baked Chicken. I found the baked chicken to be absolutely delicious. My husband even complimented the dish!

Phase three is called the reentry phase and lasts for 4 weeks. More grains are introduced here, along with the nightshade vegetables. It is advised that the dieter proceed with caution and be alert to any symptoms which may occur and which foods may have caused them. Butternut Squash and Apple Soup is one of the recipes from this section that I am looking forward to trying.

Phase 4 is the maintenance phase which can be followed for 6 months or indefinitely. Whole wheat flour is the most significant addition in this phase. In order to maintain health processed foods should never be added back into the diet.

I found the general personality of the book to be very appealing. The photos are gorgeous and they really make the reader want to try each recipe pictured. The information in the book was presented in a very clear and organized manner, which makes this inflammation control diet easier to implement. I am a firm believer in the age old adage that we are what we eat. Degenerative chronic disease is becoming more and more common. Diabetes, Chronic Lyme disease, autoimmune illnesses, etc., are reaching pandemic proportions. We need to address this situation by identifying and healing the underlying causes. Recipes for Repair: A Lyme Disease Cookbook does an excellent job of tackling this most dire health emergency and should be read by anyone who is experiencing chronic symptoms. The dietary guidelines put forth in this book are not just valuable for healing Lyme disease but they are for anyone who wants to promote overall health and wellbeing.
Visit the authors' website at http://www.recipesforrepair.com/




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THE VEGETARIAN MYTH

Title: The Vegetarian Myth : food, justice, and sustainability
Author: Lierre Keith

Almost everything we have been taught, concerning what foods are good or bad for us, has been for the purpose of perpetuating our agricultural society where the few have control over the many. It has to do with power, money and slavery and nothing to do with creating optimal health or saving the planet.

In  The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice, and Sustainability
Lierre Keith explains how the practice of agriculture has allowed us to expand our numbers beyond the earth’s carrying capacity. Intensive agriculture eventually destroys the soil, kills native animal communities and makes us dependant on food grown in countries far away. This disconnection from our food supply makes it very difficult to assess our impact on the ecological systems of the world. Keith presents historical data which suggests that it is the practice of agriculture which has encouraged domination, slavery and genocide. I feel the author sums up this idea well in the following quote.
“A colonial arrangement where the power center takes raw materials and cheap labor from the colony, destroying their local subsistence economy and their local land bases, is what we used to call “imperialism”. Now we call it “globalization”. No one calls it justice.” Keith goes further and explains how making countries dependant on other countries to provide their sustenance, does much more harm than good.

The author practiced a vegan lifestyle for approximately 20 years and she strongly feels that her health was destroyed by her total avoidance of all animal products. Her declining health and her aching desire to follow the ways of nature in a humane fashion motivated her to conduct further research and to write this groundbreaking book. She had tried desperately to be vegan and organic, hoping not to have to take life in order to preserve her own. However the more frantically she tried, the sicker she became and the more she realized that in order for something to live, it has to take the life of another….whether directly or indirectly. Keith softens this hard fact a bit by saying that we all take turns giving our life for the benefit of other life. While the reader might not agree with everything Keith has to say, this book is a compelling read and provides much food for thought for vegetarians, vegans and omnivores.

Keith classifies vegetarians into three basic groups: those who are vegetarians for moral reasons, those who chose to eat only plant material for political reasons and those who feel that a vegetarian diet is much healthier than the diet of an omnivore. The author devotes an entire chapter to each of these classifications. I found the whole book to be fascinating, thought provoking and paradigm shifting but I especially enjoyed the section on nutrition. In this chapter the author thoroughly deals with the cholesterol myth. She also looks at the human digestive system, how it functions and what foods it was apparently designed for. How carbohydrates are metabolized and the effect they have on our blood sugar and digestive ability….is also discussed. Keith warns about the dangers of soy and tells us more about the true historical role it has played in the Asian diet.

I have often puzzled over why we can’t find broccoli, tomatoes, string beans, etc, growing wild in our undeveloped woods and meadows. Where did they come from originally? How natural are they really? I’m still not sure I have the answers to those questions but Keith’s book definitely helped to give me more insight into this area of confusion.

Keith feels that overpopulation made possible by agriculture, is one of the main factors which will destroy our planet. She advocates not having children, giving up your car and growing your own food through perennial polyculture. The author strongly encourages us to begin to take the health of our topsoil seriously, before it is too late. She laments that we may already be treading on the path of no return.

Some readers may question whether all of the author’s statements are based on actual truth. However, on the whole I feel Keith presents quite a few legitimate facts. My main concern with the book is her take on the population dilemma. Will the crisis she portrays incite inhumane methods of controlling or reducing the population? Will it lead to the very genocide and global control that she claims to abhor?

Lierre Keith’s writing is passionate, beautiful and sometimes a bit sarcastic. It is never boring. This book may make some vegetarians and vegans furious and many meat eaters feel less guilty. But regardless of the emotions Lierre Keith’s conclusions stir in us, this book is an absolute must read for anyone who cares about their health and the future of our planet. I guarantee that The Vegetarian Myth will not leave you in the same condition in which it found you.

HERBS FOR LYME DISEASE AND GENERAL HEALTH http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=1097153

INSIGHTS INTO LYME DISEASE TREATMENT

Title: Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment: 13 Lyme-Literate Health care Practitioners Share Their Healing Strategies
Author: Connie Strasheim
ISBN: 13:978-0-9825138-0-4
Not all Lyme disease treatments work for everyone. There are many factors which determine a patient’s response to a particular drug, supplement or protocol. This is why it is so important to be familiar with the various options available. The current medical paradigm allows for allopathic methods, natural remedies and a combination of both. The latter scenario seems to work the best for most people when it comes to Lyme disease and the co-infections.

“Insights Into Lyme Disease” offers a very wide variety of treatment choices within the allopathic and natural healing models. This book contains 13 chapters, each one written by a different healthcare specialist. I thought the book was well organized and easy to read. Its pages are jammed packed with solutions which are specific to Lyme disease but which are also very pertinent for use with other chronic illnesses. Most of the natural remedies in the book treat the whole person, which in turn, lifts the spirits and boosts the immune system. Then the body, in its own wisdom, can correct whatever imbalances there may be. On page 207 Dr. Ronald Whitmont tells us, “No single medical specialty contains all the healing methods that are sufficient for the complete attainment of health in all possible scenarios.”

Some of the subjects covered are lifestyle changes, detoxification, hormone dysfunction, homeopathy, spiritual and emotional issues, reducing inflammation, different antibiotic regimes…and much more. People are always looking for a magic bullet which will solve all of their problems. Everyone is searching for one treatment, a specific food, or a single pill which will bring them back to normal. The reality is that many factors are involved in causing chronic illness and therefore many factors need to be addressed in the healing process. Recovery from a longstanding problem takes time, so patience needs to be added to the equation also.

Unfortunately, it often isn’t the pills or foods that we add to our regimen that makes the big difference but more often it is the foods we eliminate. For example, Dr. Metzger writes on page 224. “The root of all evil is not the love of money, but the love of sugar.” She goes on to say, “When I put my patients on the “Sugar Busters” diet, they start getting better, and not only because the diet lowers their inflammation, but also because chemicals and other toxins get automatically removed from their bodies.”

When it comes to the testing for Lyme disease, the general consensus of the doctors who contributed to this book was that clinicians should not rely on the laboratory testing alone but should also use their own clinical judgment. If a patient tests negative for a specific microbe, yet he exhibits many symptoms of that particular condition, then a trial of medication is tried and evaluated. The Lyme spirochete is pleomorphic, which means it changes form. This action of the microbe gives it a stealth capacity, which allows it to hide from testing, the immune system and from the drugs which are used to eliminate it. Different drugs target different forms of the germ. This is why physicians in this book often use two or more types of antibiotics and or natural remedies simultaneously, to effectively reduce the pathogen load on the body.

Many people who have had chronic Lyme disease touch their lives; will tell you that it has changed their lives. While dealing with this illness can be quite an ordeal, often patients have found that this “wilderness” experience broadens their view on life, helps them to wake up and realize what really matters, and brings them out the other side into greater understanding. When people begin to feel better, new talents often develop. Dr. Peter J. Muran has this to say about what Lyme disease can offer us. “If you talk to any Lyme-literate physician, they will tell you that once you have chronic Lyme disease, it never goes away. You’ve got it for life. But I prefer to reframe the situation and prognosis and encourage my patients to say,”Okay, I have this disease. That means I can’t trash my body. I will use herbs, vitamins, supplements and other therapies to support and maintain a strong immune system. And doing these things can, collectively, provide me with a greater and longer quality of life than if I never had Lyme in the first place.” Lyme disease can be the catalyst for teaching us to honor our body’s natural blueprint for health by showing us how to reduce its overall stress load.”

Insights into Lyme Disease Treatment contains a wealth of information which helps patients to do just that….reduce their overall stress load, so that the body can ultimately heal itself. Actually, there are too many treatments and protocols in the book to even begin to summarize them here. I will leave that thrill of discovery to the reader. I feel this book is a very valuable aide to patient and doctor alike. The only problem I found with this book was that it made me want to visit every clinician who contributed! Seriously though, I found the information in this book to be informative, refreshing and hopeful. Two Thumbs Up!

The Evolution Conspiracy

Title: The Evolution Conspiracy: Vol. 1, Exposing Life's Inexplicable Origins and The Cult of Darwin

Author: Lisa A. Shiel

ISBN: 978 -1 - 934631 - 30 - 0

Rarely do we question the premise of scientific concepts. The definition of premise is "a previous statement or assertion that serves as the basis of an argument or theory." Conclusions in science cannot be depended on to be fact when they are based on the premise of theory and assumption.

Lisa A. Shiel, in her book "The Evolution Conspiracy", does a superb job of showing the reader that the theory of evolution is just that...a theory. It is only a theory because it is based on theory and assumption. Shiel methodically takes us step by step from the premise through to the conclusion and demonstrates how the theory of evolution is built on a foundation of sand. Shiel convincingly washes away this theoretical foundation with her documented facts.
The author discusses the theory of all life beginning in the sea from one cell. She examines genetics,species and subspecies, fossils, falsification of data (including DNA evidence), natural selection....and much more.
I think that the following quote sums up the basic message of the book. "Evolutionists love to proclaim that biological evolution is a fact, like gravity. Nobody would argue that if an egg slides off a table, the egg will plummet to the ground. It will not hover or float off into space. Is evolution equally as obvious? A fact is more than mere data. A fact must have passed the reality test, proving itself repeatable (not a singular event), observable and falsifiable." Shiel then raises the question...."Evolution tells us every species alive today sprang from the same source. Can anyone see evolution altering life-forms in this way?"

I feel that Lisa's book is an important contribution, not only for understanding what is really behind the theory of evolution...but also for another reason. Her book gives us the basic tools to evaluate the legitimacy of other scientific concepts. Sometimes theories are promoted as fact for the purpose of promoting social or political agendas. In other words, they can be used to manipulate us. Consider this quote by Bill Keith, former Louisiana State Senator. " Without evolution, there can be no Marxism, no Leninism, no Secular Humanism; unless the universe created itself, unless man is god, unless there is no creator, none of these philosophies will stand."

Lisa Shiel's writing is clear and organized. The concepts and facts presented in this book are easy to comprehend and one doesn't need to be a scientist to follow her logic and common sense. I would recommend this book to anyone searching to understand the truth of man's origins. We have been conditioned to think that if we look deeper into the theory of evolution..then we must be a religious fanatic. Apparently this is one method used to prevent us from discerning Truth. Shiel does not promote her religious beliefs in this book but only examines the legitimacy of the theory of evolution based on the evidence presented in her book.

It's time for us to begin questioning some of the basic ideas which we have been taught are fact.

CURE TOOTH DECAY

The following book review is by Marjorie Tietjen

CURE TOOTH DECAY : Heal and Prevent Cavities with Nutrition

By Ramiel Nagel

http://www.curetoothdecay.com/

Why is our modern society so plagued by tooth decay? Did indigenous people from primitive cultures suffer as we do, with rotting teeth? Knowing the cause of the problem is always the first step in correcting it. Ramiel Nagel, in this book about curing tooth decay, addresses these questions and much more. Ramiel does an excellent job exposing the root of the problem. He explains the difference between true prevention and just temporarily treating the symptoms.

The author is not a doctor or a dentist, but became intensely interested in the subject of curing tooth decay due to his young daughter's badly decaying teeth. This situation caused him to be fearful and it was this fear and his love for his daughter which motivated him to find a solution to his daughter's pain and suffering. I have come to learn through much negative experience with the mainstream medical system, that knowledge acquired through medical school, which is mostly funded by the drug companies and other corporations, is not designed to serve the public's best interests. It is instead designed for profit. Discouraging natural preventative and curative treatments, while promoting only symptomatic treatments, allows the disease process to progress underneath the surface and provides an avenue for future profits.

Ramiel Nagel reveals how this conundrum is especially relevant to modern dental care. I love the following example he uses to illustrate this concept. " In this example, imagine that a tooth is an orange. Imagine a rotting orange, with a small moldy spot. The moldy spot is equivalent to tooth decay. The equivalent of a dentist placing a dental filling would be removing the moldy spot with a knife and filling the spot with glue. Once the mold is removed, the decay process temporarily slows down. A few more days sitting out, and another moldy spot forms. This is just like how, over time, tooth decay continues to progress even after you get a filling." Ramiel travels a bit farther with this comparison, including the root canal procedure.

The author's purpose in writing this book is to share information with readers which will aide them in taking responsibility for their own dental care and for the dental care of their children. Nagel has researched the groundbreaking works of Dr. Weston Price, a dentist who traveled the world, comparing the health of indigenous people eating their native diets, to those in or near the cities who were consuming refined foods. Dr. Weston Price found, without exception, that those eating the unrefined natural foods had very strong constitutions, moral character and well formed facial and jaw structure. Their health was so excellent that there was no need for doctors or prisons. Those eating the denatured foods, in the more "civilized" areas, had to deal with deformed sinus and jaw structure, rotting teeth, increased crime and increased susceptibility to infectious disease.

Nagel stresses the importance of fat soluble vitamins and activators. He explains what they are and what foods supply them. Activators are natural substances, which are not usually present in our modernized diets. They are needed to aide the absorption of important vitamins and minerals. He talks about the importance of eating some foods raw and fermented, including dairy products and organ meats. Fish liver oil also plays an important role in dental and overall skeletal health. The book provides a daily guideline or protocol for curing and preventing tooth decay. Ramiel lists the foods which are important in helping to form strong teeth and bones. He also lists food to avoid. He tells us it is not possible to regrow a whole tooth but decay can be stopped and hard dentin can be formed over the pulp of a decayed tooth, which prevents pain and the need for a root canal. Our body's calcium phosphorus ratio needs to be in balance and so do our blood sugar levels.

I'd like to include one more quote from page 37 of "Cure Tooth Decay" "The longer your blood sugar is out of balance, and the greater the imbalance, the more the calcium and phosphorus ratios are altered, and thus the higher the likelihood of tooth decay. This explains why frequent snacking on sugar causes significant decay; the blood sugar remains out of balance for a longer period of time, causing more calcium to be removed from the bones. This also illustrates that even natural sugars from fruits, natural sweeteners, and alcohols can contribute to tooth decay. All of them can place the blood sugar level out of balance."

Nagel also includes discussion on root canals, fillings, the dangers of fluoride, xrays and a special section on children's dental health. I found this book to be packed with helpful common sense information. I will keep it close by as a personal guide to not only achieving superior dental health but also general overall health. Our teeth are one of the outward visible manifestations of the internal balance and health of the body.

Ramiel Nagel has no conflicts of interest, no products to sell, except his book, which he hopes will reach and help many overcome and prevent tooth decay. This is a very different type of health book, written from the heart. The information provided is rooted in trial and error experience along with extensive research into the works of Dr.Weston Price, dentist Melvin Page, anthropologist Leon Abrams, and others. The dietary advice put forth in this book is not only crucial for preventing tooth decay but for preserving the health of the human race.

HOW A COUPLE FACES CHRONIC ILLNESS

Title: A Husband, A Wife and an Illness: Living Life Beyond Chronic Illness

Authors: Dr. William July and Jamey Lacy July

ISBN: 978-0-595-44726-8


Unfortunately a growing segment of our society is having to deal with the disabling effects of chronic illness. It is important that we try to understand why this is happening so that we can prevent or lessen the incidence of chronic disease. However, in the meantime we need to learn how to cope with the sometimes extreme difficulties inherent in dealing with chronic illness.

Chronic illness is very often a traumatic and devastating experience for both the patient and their caregivers. In the book "A Husband, A Wife, and an Illness:Living Life Beyond Chronic Illness", the authors share with us their deeply personal experiences in dealing with disability, pain, guilt, other emotions and financial loss. Dr. William July and his wife Jamey wrote this book so that families, friends, caregivers and the patient, could better understand the many issues involved when one suffers from long term disability. The authors stress the fact that chronic illness does not just affect the patient but that it can also drastically affect the caregiver.

William July, PH.D has published several books, one of which is a national bestseller. He also appears regularly on television where he shares his perspectives on the psychology of relationships and other issues. His wife Jamey was very active in the field of health and fitness as a model, instructor, author and lecturer. She has also appeared on television and has been featured in several magazines...including SHAPE and Muscle and Fitness. Together they make a most unique team for presenting a book on coping with chronic illness. I found it very interesting and ironic that the difficult issues they have to cope with on an every day basis, directly correlate with their professions.

Jamey and William had just about anything they could ever want until Jamey became ill with Chronic Lyme disease and Morgellon's disease. Heavy doses of steroids were prescribed for her which only made the situation much worse. I'd like to include an excerpt from the back cover of their book.

"We were living the American dream. But when illness invaded our lives, it tore those dreams apart and we were thrust into a fight for our survival. In the devastation, we lost our home, our savings, our cars and even our dogs. We lost everything but each other."

William and Jamey's book very effectively shows readers how they can turn catastrophe into something positive. They share with us the practical ideas which have worked for them and how illness in the family has helped both of them to define priorities and to grow spiritually. Both William and Jamey are very honest about the emotions they experience....and what one can do to work with these emotions, which affect most chronically ill patients and their caregivers. The book has been divided into two sections. The first part of the book shares William's perspective as a caregiver. Some of the subjects he covers are the financial problems encountered, creating a "new normal"and how the caregiver needs to attend to their own needs so that they don't fall apart in the process of trying to be everything for everybody. He advises that the caregiver should set personal goals outside of the illness scenario. This helps to maintain sanity and the sense that life can still be "normal" in some ways.

Most of us who are sick with a chronic disease have experienced the ignorance and arrogance of many physicians. Of course there are intelligent compassionate doctors but it seems that most of us who have an undefinable or unaccepted chronic disease, have a very difficult time finding doctors who actually look at the facts, listen to the patient and try to discover the root of the problem. Doctors are educated mainly by the drug companies and or universities,many of which are funded by the drug companies. So naturally the trend in treatment would be to NOT find the cause of the problem and treat it but to perhaps instead keep the problem simmering so that the patient would require many symptomatic treatments. If a patient is cured, he is no longer a customer.....of the doctor or of the drug companies. This whole situation can be very frustrating for the patient and the caregiver. William includes a chapter dealing with this very difficult dilemma and offers some helpful guidelines on how to navigate through these shark infested waters of the modern day medical system.

Each chapter includes Action Plans, Questions to Consider and Journal Ideas. This book is very validating for patient and caregiver but at the same time it offers real life solutions and even spiritual inspiration. It is written with a deep sense of Love, compassion and hope.

Jamey's section of the book deals mainly with the perspective of the patient. She helps the reader find ways to survive the critical stages of illness. She talks about recognizing your mental and physical pain so that one can confront it and work through it...but yet Jamey and William both caution us not to dwell on or live in the quagmire of chronic illness. Jamey speaks about suffering and how we can lessen it's effects. Some of the ways we can do this are through forgiveness and compassion...for ourselves and for others who may not understand what we are going through. Compassion, forgiveness , attitude, etc, may not sound like very tangible solutions but they can be very powerful tools in making chronic illness more bearable and at the same time aid in our spiritual growth. It is also brought out in the book that positive emotions, such as gratitude and humor, are potent healers. Our emotions definitely effect our physical being.

Jamey very gently shares her experiences and ideas on prayer. Prayer has the potential to heal us physically, mentally and spiritually. Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book.

""The truth is, no matter what affliction, trouble, or iniquity, you may be battling, God's Loving Presence is there for each of us - no matter what. All we have to do is ask and we eventually realize that Divine Love never leaves us, but sometimes our pain and despair can block out our reception. It is as though our spiritual antennas aren't receiving or are being blocked by static in the form of pain, fatigue, and so on. However, if we keep searching for that clear station that channels the voice of God's Love, the static will abate, and this is when we really feel the amazing effects of healing and hope flowing through us."

I want to thank William and Jamey for writing such a helpful book. There is definitely an urgent need for this type of compassionate and practical information.... coming from first hand experience. I am including some questions I had for William and Jamey, along with their responses.

I would like to ask both you Jamey....and William as to whether you feel that in some way your experiences were a gift, to enable you to acquire greater empathy and insight in order to help others? Do you feel that your journey has promoted personal growth and does it amaze you that both of you are being challenged in the very areas of your expertise?

William >>>>That's a very insightful question. Yes, I feel I have become much more empathetic by having this experience. When I'm talking to a person with a chronic illness or a couple, I can FEEL where they are instead of only hearing them. But also, I recognize that though we have an experience in common with millions of others, each person's story is unique and each person/couple is experiencing something unique. But with the common threads that run through all of our stories, that's where we find the empathy to help each other. Facing chronic illness is not time to reinvent the wheel. I want to share what I've learned in this experience by using my gifts. Being a best-selling relationship author, having a doctorate in psychology, and being accustomed to working in the media, presented me with a unique opportunity to bring this message to the millions who need it. The whole idea started when I was struggling personally to deal with the situation, yet, I couldn't find a book out there that addressed the plight of couples. So, reluctantly, at first, I set out to write the book I wanted to read but couldn't find.

Jamey >>>>> I do not believe in "life accidents" and feel certain that all we go through gives us opportunities to either learn, grow and become better/stronger or, to weaken and allow circumstances to get the best of us. I've always been a compassionate person.... someone who gravitates toward caring, giving, mentoring, etc and these tendencies have been very visible in my personal and professional lives. But the extreme challenges and losses I've (we've) experienced from the illness and bad medicine, etc., have just made me more aware and more inspired to encourage others in similar situations.
When I look back at it all, I think that there is an obvious irony of sorts in the fact that I was a professional in an arena where health, physical fitness and strength, and overall wellness were the products or results of my work. Now, through the limitations that illness and the effects of terrible side effects from dangerous medicine have created, I've found myself on the flip side of things. But this is also very likely to be part of the Divine Plan as it makes our story/experience that much more intriguing.

Fatiguing chronic illnesses often strike the Type A personality. Many patients have told me that they used to be very active and were able to handle everything at once. Jamey....do you feel that over stressing the body with very heavy exercise or being in a constant state of "rush" can lower the body's immunity to disease? You mention in the book that your illness may be teaching you to be a Human Being instead of a Human "Doing". In my case Lyme disease has definitely changed my perspective on things, causing me to slow down and pace myself , which allows me to savor life more fully. Do you have any comments concerning this?


Jamey >>>> I have no doubt that stress suppresses the immune system and makes the body more vulnerable for illness (and so many studies are now verifying this). I think that in today's society with so many pressures on everyone to meet high standards (in our finances, careers, physical appearances, etc.), that everyone is vulnerable. Because of my knowledge professionally, in fields of fitness and nutrition, I was always blessed to know to approach exercise in balance so that it enhanced my health,as opposed to being harmful. I've always tried to impress that upon clients and people attending my workshops/lectures. So for me, exercise has been a life-saver. William has often said, if I were not in such good shape prior to contracting this disease that I'd never have survived these last five years and I agree. There were certainly times in the midst of owning and operating a personal training center and raising a daughter, who also was busy in school and dance, that rushing and busyness left its effect on me.
As my health worsened, by necessity I was forced to give up much of my time at work as well as personal family activities.
When illness gets us down and drains our energy, we have to find a place of peace in the "not doing" and in that, is a great opening for spiritual healing and emotional strength. In these moments I've grown tremendously in these areas (but I also believe that we can grow in these areas without the extreme challenges of illness!). In other words you don't have to get sick to get better!

Do either of you have any thoughts as to why so many in the world are experiencing such an increase in disease? Could our struggles be part of a spiritual awakening process?

William >>>>> It is my hope we are experiencing an awakening as a world. Things such as the oil crises, wars, famine, and new diseases, can threaten to wipe out humanity or they can serve as a signal for us to make changes in all aspects of our existence. If I were only looking at it from an existential point of view, I'd say we were doomed. But, my spiritual perspective tells me we are in a renaissance of humanity. The question is, how long will it take us to make the changes we need and what price will we have to pay to come to that realization?

Jamey >>>> I see from a writer, researcher and long time wellness professional, that years (decades) of people generally abusing/neglecting their bodies and their environment has begun to take it's toll. When I was researching for my first book (about silicone implants) I had the opportunity to interview hundreds of doctors and researchers as well as patients. Many of the studies I reviewed indicated that immune related illnesses had sky rocketed over the past 50 to 60 years. Much of this was attributed to poor health habits (diet, lack of exercise) and stress but a significant portion also was connected to the toxicity in our foods, water, air, etc. When you think of it, the entire 20th century was devoted to the "external" material/physical growth/gain through technology, etc. and the quest was not made in consciences, or should I say, conscious matter, thereby leaving toxic leftovers along the way. In comparison, very little attention was devoted to our "inner" selves or spiritual awareness and growth. So we are now paying the price and I think our saving Grace or solution is to turn our attention to the internal in order to find a balance and see things from a spiritual perspective not just a physical one. And, to begin to revere the resources in this world that God has blessed us with.

Are there any thoughts you would like to add that you didn't include in the book or are there any aspects you would like to reemphasize?William >>>> I would like to again point out to both couples and individuals that it's important to have a life beyond the illness. The illness will attempt to trap you into not only the physical cycle, but also the psychological jail it can become. Every day, try to do at least one small thing that is joyful and for pleasure. It can be as simple as sitting outside and watching the clouds roll by. I spent many a night doing that when I was frustrated. Sometimes it's watching a ball game on television. Or, I even play video games. One has to have moments of joy and hope in order to cope.

Jamey >>>>> One thing that we didn't say overtly or specifically, is that life will throw us curve balls and sometimes they slam right into us. It's in those moments or experiences that we are left with two choices; get bitter and give up trying or, get better and do whatever helps each day, to strive toward recovery and embark on a healing path. The other thing is, that when a family/couple are bombarded with illness, it is vital to keep in mind that we are our best advocate (we cannot rely solely on physicians or others for our recovery) and may typically realize that we must maintain a vigilant quest for healing solutions. And, never ever give up because a medical practitioner tells you that he/she cannot help you or because they don't have an answer. I believe with all of my being that Our Loving Creator provides the means for our healing, but it may be a long road and many bumps along the way before we find the healing that we are seeking.

Although Jamey's chronic illnesses are diagnosed as Lyme disease and Morgellon's, this fact is not mentioned in the book. I thought this was a wise move by the authors because their book is geared towards anyone with chronic illness...not just those of a specific diagnosis. Anyone dealing with long-term health problems will find this book to be both helpful and comforting. I highly recommend this book to patients and caregivers. I also would suggest that this book be shared with family and friends, to help them better understand how to interact with their loved ones who are struggling with chronic infirmities.

To purchase their book, to listen to their story and to find out more about Dr. William July, you can visit their websites at http://www.couplesfacingillness.com/ and http://www.williamjuly.com/



HERBS FOR LYME DISEASE AND GENERAL HEALTH http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=1097153

Why Good Things Happen To Good People

Authors: Stephen Post, Ph.D. and Jill Neimark
ISBN: 978-0-7679-2017-9

I had reached page 29 of "Why Good Things Happen to Good People" when I decided to go for a walk in the woods with this book and my new flute. I made myself comfortable in my favorite spot by a trickling stream and opened the book to page 30. The first words my eyes rested upon were.... "Then I walked into the woods, a chapel carved by nature." I immediately knew that I was meant to read this book.

The central theme of Post's and Neimark's book is that if we give to others from our hearts ( not from thought of benefit or reward) that we will reap benefits glorious and unimaginable. I was thrilled that the authors made the definite point that we all have different ways of giving and that once we become aware of these various avenues of sharing ourselves with others, we can expand on our abilities to do so. I personally feel that I am not as up to par with some methods of giving as I am with others. This book reassured me that even if I don't remember birthdays or think of special things to give people during the year, that some of the other activities I engage in are just as important. Activism, being a good listener, expressing joy and humor, can also contribute to lighting up people's lives. We need to find our strengths and capitalize on them. We also need to realize that we are not limited to our natural giving tendencies. "Why Good Things Happen to Good People" shares ideas as to how we can break free from a stagnant pattern and become more joyful while doing so.

I loved the authors' concept that forgiveness is also a form of giving and that holding grudges or hatred towards others negatively affects our own lives as well as the lives of those we are bearing the grudge against. This book is full of practical advice and helpful examples. I would like to share a quote from pages 85-86. It is one of my favorite contemplative exercises from the book.

" Start counting people (from family to friends, colleagues, and neighbors) against whom you bear a grudge or resentment, even relatively small ones. Imagine putting a potato into a sack for every slight or hurt you have not forgiven. Now, imagine that for a week you have to carry that sack around everywhere you go - to the bathroom, in the car or on the train, to work, at your desk, at meetings, during mealtime and in bed at night. Have a good laugh at the amusing image. Don't you feel exhausted just contemplating that huge sack of potatoes?"

The authors have included many studies which have been conducted on the physical and emotional benefits of the various forms of giving. There are also tests throughout the book which help you to gauge where you currently stand and also to help you to monitor your progress towards any goals you may set for yourself.

This book has helped me to understand where my strengths lie and is an ongoing guide towards future goals. "Why Good Things Happen to Good People" is a book about love and caring and leads us together on the path to creating a better world. Everyone should read this book. I know I'm going to keep my copy close at hand

The above review was contributed by: Marjorie Tietjen. Marjorie is a freelance journalist with a B.S. in nutrition. She writes on various topics but has a special interest in public health, education and awareness. Her writings can be found online and in several print publications.

Healing Our Children

Title: Healing Our Children: Sacred Wisdom for Preconception, Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting

Author: Ramiel Nagel

ISBN - 13: 978 - 0- 9820213 - 1 - 6

How we feed and raise our children ultimately determines the future health of our society. In this modern culture we have traded the importance of our children for the importance of materialistic goals. Our world is currently reflecting this tragic shift in priorities. Sally Fallon , who wrote the foreward to the book, provides us with an excellent analogy to explain the reasons for our modern illnesses and discomforts.

Healing Our Children is very comprehensive in it's scope....covering just about every issue that one can think of in relation to a child's health and well-being. The preparations begin even before a child is conceived. In order to have a well formed healthy child, the parents themselves must have an exceptional diet for a period of time before conception and this superior nutrition must be continued during pregnancy and throughout childhood.

The author, Rami Nagel, shares with the reader how the observations of Dr. Weston Price are still relevant today. Dr. Price traveled throughout the world comparing the diets of indigenous peoples who ate only their native unprocessed foods to those who lived in the more populated areas and consumed factory made foods. These devitalized foods were stripped of their nutrients and laden with sugar. He found that those eating the natural foods bore children who were well formed, robust, cheerful and rarely sick.

Dr. Price observed that those who obeyed the natural laws of diet expressed more of the Divine nature and possessed a higher form of manhood. Those who ate the modernized diet produced sickly deformed children who grew up more prone to pain, unhappiness and crime. The communities which followed their native unprocessed diets experienced little crime and had no need for jails. Rami explains it this way....."We were not thrown out of the Garden of Eden, represented by good health and a happy life, but rather, we have forgotten how to nurture and maintain that garden, which is a dormant potential within each one of us."

The author stresses that we must take back the responsibility for our children and that it is our duty and our privilege to fully nourish, nurture and protect. Parents who take the time and effort to do this will be richly rewarded by children who are happy, healthy and bright. Our society will then reflect this rich inheritance.

Nagel thoroughly discusses the types of foods that are important for preconception, pregnancy, and later in the book he talks about the nourishing foods needed by growing children. Many adverse conditions of childhood can be prevented or healed through proper nutrition.

Rami encourages parents to understand and respect their child's stages of development and to not expect more from them than they can comprehend. He and his partner Michelle speak of how important it is for parents to be available to their children, to carry them close when they are young....to provide a sense of connection and security. They try to relay how crucial it is for the mother to bond with her child, and that this is what will help to foster true happiness and close relationships.

Healing Our Children is a refreshingly unique and helpful book. The author covers all facets of raising a healthy child.....the emotional, the spiritual, the nutritional and the practical. I was very impressed. However, there may be some advice given in the book that may sound radical or impractical to some parents. I thought about this for a bit and came to the conclusion that the reason some of the suggestions seemed impractical was because we have come so far from a natural way of living and have created lives which are increasingly artificial. Due to the fact that we live in a modern society, it is realized that everyone may not be able to accomplish everything suggested in this book. This is why Rami encourages parents to take from the book what feels most comfortable for them. Rami does not present a 'one size fits all' protocol. He shares the options and allows the reader to decide what is best for their individual circumstances.

I found the section on vaccines to be especially powerful and motivating. Rami presents the facts and shows us why vaccines are not helpful but in fact can cause deaths, lower immune function and many chronic diseases.

There is also an excellent section which reveals the true purposes of public education and how children are negatively molded by society/government. Mainstream schooling does not appear to be fostering individualism and freedom.

Rami asks "Where do the ideas of what is right and wrong come from?" He suggests that we do not have to give our power away to those who have even less of a clue than we do. He tells us, "We mistakenly believe that those authorities are the ultimate purveyors of truth. Most people whom we fear are totally ignorant of life. In a way they are like robots following a set of rules. They embrace negativity. But they lack the true source of wisdom and power, so they always fail in the end. Only truth can survive; all else falls away."

I highly recommend this book to those who want to raise happy, healthy children who will grow up to be self reliant with a compassionate mindset which will positively affect the world we share together.

Rami Nagel's book is a gift to us all.....a gift of love.......of hope.....and of true solutions.

To Purchase This Book visit

http://www.healingourchildren.net/

The Experts of Lyme Disease: A Radio Journalist Visits the Front Lines of the Lyme Wars

Author: Sue Vogan and Foreword by Warren Levin, M.D.


Sue Vogan's new book, The Experts of Lyme Disease, is a compilation of 10 transcribed programs from her radio show, "In Short Order". The show mainly deals with the subject of Lyme disease and related topics. The purpose of this book is to archive the important Lyme disease information which has been discussed on this program.

The ten guests who were picked for her first book (one of a series) are: Dr. Daniel Cameron, President of ILADS; Dr. Ken Singleton, author of The Lyme Disease solution; Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, author and researcher; Tami Duncan, founder of the Lyme-Induced Autism Foundation; Les Roberts, author of The Poison Plum; PJ Langhoff, author of the series, "It's All In Your Head"; Scott Forsgren, The Better Health Guy; Constance Bean, author of "Beating Lyme: Understanding and Treating This Complex and often Misdiagnosed Disease"....with Dr. Lesley Fein; David Kocurek, PH.D. with The Texas Lyme Disease Association; and Betty Martini, founder of Mission Possible International.

"The Experts of Lyme Disease" contains a wide variety of information, describing many different aspects of the Lyme disease conundrum. The first chapter begins with Dr. Cameron. He speaks about The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and how they claim that chronic Lyme infection does not exist. He shares this thought...."By not expanding on clinical judgment and patient values, the IDSA guidelines try and kill the idea that a doctor that goes to medical school can use their own judgment." It seems that medical guidelines are becoming more of a "rule of law", made to circumvent the whole concept of clinical diagnosis.

Dr. Ken Singleton stressed the importance of the inflammation factor in Lyme disease and how diet can help the patient deal with this problem. Dr. Shoemaker raises the issue of bio-toxins and the role they play in preventing patient improvement. Getting rid of the mold in ones environment is often a huge factor in recovery.

Tami Duncan talks about the connection between Autism and Lyme disease. She tells us that informal studies show that from 20 to 30% of autistic children also have Lyme disease. Of course, due to the poor accuracy of testing and reporting, this number could be low. Tami brings out another important point to consider: Many mothers of autistic children are sick before or during pregnancy with such disease labels as M.S, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, etc. Lyme disease often plays a role in these chronic conditions. In fact, these same mothers very often test CDC positive for Lyme disease.

David Kocurek speaks about his negative experiences with the Texas Medical Board and how they basically govern themselves , with no oversight. Constance Bean tells about her own struggles with Lyme disease, which led her to write the book "Beating Lyme'. She wants to help others to avoid misery she went through.

Then we have Scott Forsgren. Most Lyme patients know Scott due to his dedicated research and reporting on natural health therapies. He also suffers from Lyme disease. In fact, most people who are active in the Lyme arena have a past history with this diabolical disease. Having Chronic Lyme Disease can be a long scarey road to travel, however.... it helps to know that folks like Scott, others in this book and thousands of concerned people across the globe, are being driven by this illness to bring to light the seriousness of this epidemic.

PJ Langhoff is another Lyme patient and author of several books. In The Experts of Lyme Disease, PJ tells us a bit of her experience and shares with us some of the reasons she feels that Lyme is being misdiagnosed and why the patients are being denied antibiotics.

In chapter 9 of Sue's book, she interviews Les Roberts, the author of The Poison Plum. Here we have another author who was led to write a book in response to the trials he experienced with Lyme disease. The Poison Plum is listed as fiction but most people who have had experience with the symptoms and politics of this disease, realize that Les's book reveals the real, often bizarre world of Lyme disease. It is a spell binding thriller which is unfortunately more truth than fiction. I enjoyed reading Les Robert's account in Sue's book of how he came to write The Poison Plum.

The last guest in The Experts of Lyme Disease is Betty Martini, who has been very instrumental in warning about the dangers of aspartame. The interview includes the idea that aspartame can make the Lyme condition worse.....it can cause the body to turn against itself.

I had a few questions for Sue about her book and her Radio show "In Short Order". She answers some of these questions below.

How did you come to write "The Experts of Lyme Disease: A Radio Journalist Visits the Front Lines of the Lyme Wars"?

My publisher, BioMed Publishing Group came up with the idea, since the radio program "In Short Order", has gained popularity. There was a need to preserve the knowledge of the experts.

"In Short Order" has been on the air now for three years. How did it get started?

I was interviewed about my Lyme disease book, NCO: No Compassion Observed. A couple of weeks later I was asked to consider doing a radio show dealing with Lyme disease and that's how "In Short Order" came to be.

In Short Order is now with www.contacttalkradio.com out of Seattle, Washington. Tell me a bit about the show.

The show airs Mondays, 9PM EST, and is sponsored by Master Supplements, Inc.- the makers of Theralac, Enzalase and TruFiber - the supplements I personally use. The show can be heard on HDFM, Ipod, cell phone (free by calling 704-631-4060, press # 1 for mobile radio and # 9 to enter the 4-digit station ID code 2795), and the internet. The number of listeners are estimated to be 200,000. The folks at Contact Talk Radio have been wonderful to work with.

Why do you feel that this book is important to the Lyme disease community?

It preserves the expert's knowledge and can be shared with family members who may not understand the disease. The book will also provide needed information to victims and to their physicians, who may need to hear from Lyme literate doctors, in order to learn the best effective treatment protocols.

This is the first book in a series....who might we see in book two?

Stephen Buhner has been asked, along with Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum and Garth Nicolson, PH.D. There will be ten more great interviews in each book to come. I believe there will be two books per year and if a reader wants to see a specific interview featured, they should let me know. The books and the radio show are for the readers and listeners, so their input is welcome.

When will the new book in the series be out?

I believe we are looking at February 2009.

You have some other interesting news - a new magazine?

Yes, Peer Observations. It's an extension of the radio show. With so many experts and only one hour per week (I am already booked quite a few months ahead), I had to create another way to get the information to those who need it. It will be written for and by professionals but patients will also be able to take away much useful information. For more details, those interested can visit www.peerobservations.com . The more information we present, the better off we will be.

Sue Vogan knows how to ask questions to get to the heart of the subject being discussed. She has worked hard to include on her show, guests who are making a difference. I know I have enjoyed tuning in over the past three years and have learned alot from the interviews. Now these interviews are recorded and are a part of written history.

Review by Marjorie Tietjen

The Poison Plum

Author: Les Roberts



The Poison Plum is presented as fiction but yet the underlying basic message of the book is very true to life. This is a book that everyone needs to read. You don't have to be a Lyme disease patient to appreciate this gripping tale of political intrigue. It is most definitely a page turner and it was very difficult to put down.

The book begins in Alabama, back in the 1940s, where the famous Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment took place. This subject later ties into the plot. Next we visit New London, Connecticut where a retired respected colonel with lyme disease, takes revenge on a boatload of microbiologists returning home for the day from Plum Island. Plum Island is an animal disease research facility off the tip of Long Island, New York. One of Plum Island's employees, Susan Collins, was not on the boat that particular day because she was taking her son, Toby, to the doctor. Toby had contracted a mysterious illness and she was hoping her son would finally be diagnosed with something tangible so he could be treated.

Homeland Security and Plum Island officials discovered that the Colonel had been dying of Lyme disease and they realized that he had traced the origins of this disease to the research labs on this island. The officials did not want this connection to be discovered by the public, so to divert attention away from the Colonel and to put the blame somewhere else, the government officials then conducted raids on the offices of all the Lyme doctors in the area. A particularly famous lyme doctor, Dr. Glen Klinner, was arrested and taken to some unknown location. The Colonel had been a patient of Dr. Klinner and the official government lie stated that Dr. Klinner had given the Colonel specific drugs which caused the colonel to commit this desperate act of what the government called "terrorism", against the United States.

Congressman McDonald then became involved in this developing saga, as Dr. Klinner and his wife Fran, were very close friends of the Congressman.

In the meantime Susan Collins was still having problems trying to get her child, Toby, diagnosed. Susan returned to work at Plum Island where her bosses complained of all the time she had taken off to be with her sick son. They were suspicious and wondered why she hadn't been on the ferry that fateful afternoon.

Finally, Toby was diagnosed with Lyme disease and Babesiosis. Susan had difficulty finding a local doctor to continue Lyme treatment because all the Lyme doctors in the area had been arrested. While Susan is struggling to save her son's life, Congressman McDonald is trying to find where his friend, Dr. Klinner, had been taken to. The Congressman held press conferences to inform his constituents as to what was happening. McDonald received information which led him to realize that Lyme disease may have actually originated at and spread from Plum Island.

As the story evolves, many of the characters are connected, share information and together they fight for the Truth to be revealed. Sometimes the reader may be able to discern where the plot is headed and other times he may not.......especially near the end.

I feel that there is an important lesson to be learned from this book. The main idea I came away with was that we have to come together, we have to do what's right and we need to ask God for guidance, before it's too late.

This book encompasses many aspects of what is really taking place in our world and I think we need to heed the author's warnings. The Poison Plum is very well written and includes all the essential elements of a spellbinding thriller.

Review by Marjorie Tietjen