Thanks to Shutterfly!

Very excited about Shutterfly's offer this weekend:  12 Thank You cards for free!   I designed a simple card I can use for many different reasons I would want to send a thank you card.  I love being able to try an online service and give them a shout out, too :-)   I only had to pay the shipping & small tax.

3x5 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Facebook (8) | Parkside Bed and Breakfast

Our Bed and Breakfast is officially opened. We have named it Parkside Bed and Breakfast, since we are located only a block from Huntley Park and the neighborhood has a very quiet & peaceful atmosphere. There are so many large, mature trees that offer plenty of shade! We've needed that this summer ~ whew! what a hot & humid summer we've had.
Wednesday evening we had our first official BnB guests ;-) They were visiting DeKalb to find out more about NIU and the town itself. It was such a wonderful time getting to know them; I even was able to sit for abit early on Thursday over coffee with the mom. We each shared about our families and life in general. We were blessed to have such perfect guests ;-)

Facebook (8) | Parkside Bed and Breakfast

Gluten free or Anti Inflammatory?

Being gluten free is a real journey. Learning why you react with inflammation is another journey. I have spent hours doing research & talking with people. I'd like to share with you some of what I've learned. If you run across this blog, I hope it blesses you and gives you the "ah ha!" moment, when that light bulb goes off in your brain & you get understanding about your health issues. Then, I feel, and only then, does learning to eat in this new way becomes easier.

I am learning that I need to be more than gluten free & dairy free. This is such a journey to feeling better. I still encounter puffiness & inflammation sometimes and actually have begun to gain weight! I've determined that I have begun consuming too many carbs in trying to replace snack foods, in particular. Rice is something I've switched to (from wheat) and has a very high glycemic value. I need to monitor this better, as well as get more exercise!

Today I decided that I am going to do more research and try to understand where I need to be in a diet. Because there are days I'm more inflamed, it seems like I need to stop eating foods that are not only gluten free, but also some other foods that might cause inflammation in the body. Now you ask... what??? I know, I was there myself not very long ago. How does food cause inflammation, right? And what are they?

I'm now studying about the Paleolithic diet (yeah caveman ;-)) which brings us back to what we originally ate. Does this mean I don't believe in healing? NO! far from it, God is always in the business of healing & I'm believing that I am & will be healed and see that actually happen! BUT for now... following advice of professionals.

If you'd like to check this out and see why so many foods do cause inflammation in the body which then leads to most of our diseases (heart, joint pain, obesity, diabetes, etc) check out these links. I'm offering this information because I know so many of us are being affected unknowingly by what we eat. Hopefully, you can learn a bit and see if you think you might be able to help yourself and change some eating habits.

Yes! It is a process but definitely worth it. Feel free to ask me questions if you'd like. I know somethings, but would help you find out answers if I don't.

Here is a tip I found on an About.com website that I found simple & helpful:
Over all, when you are choosing anti-inflammatory foods to help reduce your inflammation and pain, choose fresh foods instead of heavily processed foods. Here are some tips:

• Breakfast could be oatmeal served with fresh berries and walnuts, with a cup of almond milk.
• Snack on whole fruits, nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetables throughout the day instead of cookies and candy.
• Eat more fish and less fatty red meat.
• Stay away from deep fried foods and bake or stir fry your meals instead.
• Choose green, orange, and yellow vegetables for your side dishes.
• Drink plenty of water, fresh 100% fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas and green tea.

Six months I've been Gluten Free

Hard to believe but it has been six months since I heard the question: "has anyone ever suggested to you that you eat gluten free?" I remembering wincing inside. Yes, there had been conversations about me perhaps being allergic to wheat, but nothing ever had impacted me enough to want to go wheat free. That sounded like a nightmare and I didn't want to go there. Besides, there wasn't any real evidence that I needed to.

I can tell you that within two weeks of going ahead with a gluten free diet, that I lost so much puffiness; my ankles looked smaller as did my wrists and my face. Also, when I pressed on my calves or shins, it didn't hurt anymore. There was a definite difference.

When I see the outward difference it helps me imagine how much better my internal organs and tissues are!

I am hoping and praying that someday I can return to eating some of my old foods. For now, I am pressing on and continuing with the gluten free lifestyle. I'm continuing to research, find new products I like (and the family) and find recipes that look and taste good. This new diet takes some work and perseverance.

Knowing that the inflammation in my body is decreasing and seeing I'm getting healthier and stronger certainly helps me stay away from "bad" foods. If you have any questions.... leave a comment ;-)

Blessings ~
Pam

Looking outside today~ the day after Christmas

What a beautiful day we had today... so snowy, yet not freezin' cold or windy. It was awesome.

Trying to Focus on the Important Things in Life

It's almost Christmas!! We here in Illinois had a very November, after some really crummy days with lots of rain. The farmers were getting very nervous about their crops. Then those nice sunny days with a little bit of a breeze came and surprised all of us. Oh how I enjoyed each and every one of them. It was like a gift from God before the winter season .

I'm trying to figure out what to do with this blog; do I just forget it completely or create one more to handle the political things I'd like to talk about? I don't think I should mix so many topics that are swirling in my head in one blog. I also think it would be easier for me to write if I had two places: one more homey and the other political. If you have a helpful opinion, let me know. Leave a comment, won't you?

So who is ready for Christmas? Have you gotten your shopping done? How about those Christmas cards? Are you still sending them out? Or how about decorating??? Yikes! I have so much still to do. I'm so happy for those that are scratching off tasks on their 'to do' list. Good for you! I think I need to get more organized with my life. I definitely could be more disciplined in some areas.

Back to the family stuff for now ;-) supper has got to get made.

God's richest blessings on each and every one of you who read this!!

Enjoy this Christmas season and be blessed with the knowledge of the depth and love that Christ has for you.

Healthy, Wealthy & Wise

To God be the Glory! It is 2009 and we in America are so blessed! Even with the economic upheaval we're experiencing.... we live in the most desired place on earth. Why is that? Why do so many people from every point on the earth, choose to immigrate to our country, the United States of America?

As the new year begins, it seems natural to pause, ponder & reflect on questions such as these. If you listened to the news or watched TV media, you might think the end of the world is at hand, and everyone is going to be homeless & jobless by the end of the year. I suggest that perhaps we're having a realignment; a readjustment in our economy that had previously ballooned itself out of our sphere! Can you remember hearing just a few years ago about the housing balloon? Everyone was talking about the "bubble"... could it be that that bubble finally reached it's limits and burst? We had to know this day would come. Unfortunately, so many people were caught up in acting on bad financial advice and are suffering severely.

As parents, do you ever find yourselves watching the kids' actions and thinking "this is so out of control". In doing so, you revive yourself out of some sort of robotic motions that always seems to take over in our day to day activities and realize that it is time to get back to the basics of the discipline pattern you chose to follow. Slowly, but surely, you as the parent let the boundaries slip and grow in directions you never intended. The reins that fell slack have to be pulled in and the strong hand holding them has to take control again.

I compare this parenting scenario to our economic one. Things got out of hand and they need to come back to center. These times are never easy, and can be downright painful for many. I pray for my country and fellowman. I pray for our president and president-elect that they will have wisdom and lead our country through these difficulties so that we will be able to some day breathe a big sigh of relief, knowing we made it. We got to the other side, though somewhat dusty & fatigued, but we find ourselves still safe and in one piece. I look forward to that day!

For now, it's time to get back to the basics, like it was for our parents after the depression and World War II. It's time to pinch pennies, clip coupons and turn off the lights when you leave a room! Do you hate to think of that as much as I do? I enjoyed the good times, the more extravagant times as did everyone else. It was so comfortable.

My children grew up in those times, especially the later years. Trimming back at our new level is new to them, but they understand after we explain to them. They follow the news pretty well and we have many discussions with them about the economy and how it affects our family. A quote that we've heard and talked about in church is from Benjamin Franklin. It is part of his Thirteen Virtues: "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." I think we're going to be following closely this virtue and probably the other twelve as well.

I thank God that He is control, that He will protect us and wants to see us be healthy, wealthy and wise. By reading His word daily and focusing on Him, helps me keep the right perspective each day. His words are truth, my friends. Depend and lean on them. Don't consume yourself with what the world says; it will make you anxious and scared. Be wise and listen to what He is telling you through His word and that small, quiet voice. Just listen.... you'll hear it.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29: 11 (NIV)