Emotional & Spiritual

Easy Heartfelt and Handmade Mother’s Day Gifts

May 2, 2012 By Adrienne 8 Comments

Copyright by Moyan Brenn Mother’s Day typically means flowers, right? Not in my house… Unless they’re wild flowers, that is . The other kind costs too much and then dies. Come on over to The Better Mom to find out some of my favorite Homemade Mother’s Day picks from all over the internet. I am sure you’ll find something to please you or the special mother in your life. I’d love to hear, either here or over at The Better Mom, which gift you would most like to receive! Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aigle_dore/7171670995/

Shared at The Better Mom, Skip to My Lou, Cooking Traditional Foods, Not Just a Housewife, Far Above Rubies, Raising Homemakers, We Are that Family, Frugally Sustainable, The Shabby Creek Cottage, The Nourishing Gourmet, The Shabby Nest, Six Sisters’ Stuff, and The Prairie Homestead.

Filed Under: Budget Help, Emotional & Spiritual, Holiday Recipes

Saint Patrick’s Day ~ History & Simple, Healthy Celebrations

March 16, 2012 By Adrienne 22 Comments

Saint Patrick’s Day holds a special place in my heart.

My father is from Dublin, Ireland and March 17th was my late mother’s birthday.

In fact, most of my father’s relatives still live on the Emerald Isle.

I visited there during my college years and it really is a special place. (Though I’m sure in the many many years since then that it’s changed quite a bit.)

Did Vaccines Cause My Son’s Autism ~ Part Two

March 2, 2012 By Adrienne 92 Comments

Today, I continue where I left off in yesterday’s post, “Did Vaccines Cause My Son’s Autism ~ Part One“.

If you didn’t read that post, you’ll want to. The comments there, and on my Facebook page, are compelling – and some get a little feisty.

So we vaccinated our son–with several vaccines.

Starting sometime after his 5th birthday.

At age six, almost to the day, things changed radically in our home.

His unstoppable panic attacks and anxiety ruled our lives.

I’ll never forget the day that I knew something was really wrong.

The day that I knew our lives had changed forever.

The history–For weeks, or maybe months, our son had been developing an anxiety about his clothing being wet. He would repeatedly ask us if he could change his pants, shirt, or socks if he got even the smallest amount of water on them. It was sad to see him so distraught about it and to wonder if this obsessive questioning would ever end.

Real Help for Messy Moms (and non-Moms too)

February 15, 2012 By Adrienne 22 Comments

Eek!

What a mess! This is what can happen when you spend a lot of time:

living with boys
homeschooling
managing special diets
~~spending too much time on the internet~~ writing a blog .

Ahem.

But really. Messes happen. For you too? I sure hope so.

If you find yourself in a real mess sometimes, then help is on the way.

Read the rest of my post over at The Better Mom to see exactly what I have in store for you.

(Hint: It might not be what you expect!)

And you can also find out the answer to the most pressing question of the day: “Is that picture really of your home, Adrienne?”

To find out the answer to that, and more life changing questions, click here…..

Photo Source: Flickr Photo stream of Puuikibeach

Shared at I Heart Naptime, Jembellish, C.R.A.F.T., The Girl Creative, 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Craft-O-Maniac, The Healthy Home Economist, The DIY HSHP, Keeping it Simple, The Prairie Homestead, Today’s Creative Blog, Rook No. 17, Learning the Frugal Life, Far Above Rubies, Time Warp Wife, Not Just a Housewife, Chef in Training, Sugar Bee Crafts, Coastal Charm, Blessed with Grace, Real Food Forager, Tip Junkie, This Chick Cooks, The Trendy Treehouse, Day 2 Day Joys, Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Frugally Sustainable, We are that Family, Women Living Well, Ginger Snap Crafts, Blue Cricket Design, Delightful Order, Momnivore’s Dilemma, and Thrifty 101.

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Filed Under: Adrenal Fatigue, Autism, Emotional & Spiritual, food allergies, Health Concerns

A Must Have for Whole Health in the New Year

January 4, 2012 By Adrienne 22 Comments

It’s a New Year.

Time for a fresh start.

Thinking about

a new diet?
some new healthy changes you should be making in your life?
getting your schedule under control?

Come over to The Better Mom and read about New Beginnings that I need – and continue to need.

It’s part of my holistic view of health – Because it’s more than just our bodies that need to be healthy.

If you are so inclined, I’d love to hear what you think. You can leave a comment at The Better Mom or pop back over here and share your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you!

You can read the rest of the post here.

Shared at Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Day 2 Day Joys, Raising Homemakers, Crystal and Co., Free Pretty Things for You, Fabric Bows and More, Gnowfglins, House of Hepworths, The Diaper Diaries, A Glimpse Inside, Somewhat Simple, The Nourishing Gourmet, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Beyond the Picket Fence, Far Above Rubies, We are that Family, and Frugally Sustainable.

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Filed Under: Adrenal Fatigue, Autism, Emotional & Spiritual, Health Concerns

How a Mercury Filling Almost Took My Son’s Life

November 27, 2011 By Adrienne 168 Comments

Don’t believe me?

Well, it’s true.

There are some stories about our family’s health that I tell on occasion to share about what we’ve been learning.

Recently I thought that I should share some of these “stories” with all of you so that you can learn more about what we’ve been through.

This is one of those stories.

Now, before I start, keep in mind that I used to be someone who never thought twice about

drinking non-filtered water
eating lots of sugar
using a microwave
getting immunizations

Like all those things I mentioned above, I never thought twice about getting mercury fillings either. I mean, you’re telling me that mercury leaches into your body and actually hurts you? Why would my friendly family dentist put something into my body that would actually hurt me? Ahem.

Think again.

Why I am Thankful for — Autism

November 23, 2011 By Adrienne 71 Comments

What? Yes, it is true. My oldest has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism, and it makes life difficult.

But on the day before Thanksgiving, I thought I would share why I am — really – thankful for this trial.

I for sure don’t act this way on a daily basis, as typically I am getting frustrated with my son due to the issues that autism has brought to our family. However, along the path of healing that we have been on, some days I think, “How would I really feel if I were to wake up and find that my son was completely healed?”

And I realize that, I am thankful for autism. Or rather, I am thankful for the parts of my son that have been made special by his affliction.

Here is some of what I mean:

Clang! Clang! Clang! – When Whole Living Goes Wrong

November 10, 2011 By Adrienne 18 Comments

Do you read whole food and healthy living blogs and just feel like you can’t do it all?

Do you think that the blogger behind all of the tips and recipes must have this perfect healthy life?

I do.

Well, I sure hope you haven’t thought that about me.

I’m getting real today.

Getting real about my struggles and about where I need to improve.

Please join me over at the The Better Mom and get a glimpse into my everyday life as a work in progress. Maybe you can identify.

I’d love to hear your thoughts either here or over at The Better Mom.

{Photo Credit}

Shared at It’s a Keeper, Food Renegade, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Gnowfglins, The Finer Things in Life, Designs by Gollum, Real Food Whole Health, The 21st Century Housewife, Real Food Freaks, The Shabby Nest, Lolly Jane, Annemarie’s Crochet Blog, A Southern Fairytale, Ruth’s Real Food, Delightfully Dowling, Marvelously Messy, Add a Pinch, 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, The Healthy Home Economist, Keeping it Simple, The DIY HSHP, The Girl Creative, The Prairie Homestead, Home Savvy A to Z, Natural Family Awareness, Beauty and Bedlam, At Home With K, Time Warp Wife, Not Just a Housewife, Hope Studios, Simply Sugar and Gluten Free, Rook No. 17, Coastal Charm, Learning the Frugal Life, The 21st Century Housewife, Growing Home, Far Above Rubies, Chef in Training, Blessed with Grace, Tip Junkie, Sugar Bee Crafts, Real Food Forager, Crystal and Co., The Stuff of Success, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well, Sugar and Dots, Ginger Snap Crafts, Day 2 Days Joys, Women Who Do It All, This Chick Cooks, Blue Cricket Design, Reasons to Skip the Housework, and Jane Deere.

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Filed Under: Adrenal Fatigue, Autism, Emotional & Spiritual, Health Concerns

Natural Autism Healing (Monster Included!)

October 13, 2011 By Adrienne 53 Comments

Life is hard.

When dealing with symptoms of autism (as with all special needs), it’s harder.

But we are still a family.

We still love each other.

We still have fun.

Here is a story of autism, family, love and fun. And healing.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Autism, Emotional & Spiritual, Health Concerns

Top 5 Reasons to Eat Healthy (one of them may surprise you!)

September 21, 2011 By Adrienne 17 Comments

Do you struggle sometimes with eating the wrong things ? Or just eating too much?

I struggle with this all.the.time. Think just because I have a whole foods blog that it is always easy for me to make the right choices?

Think again.

Anyone else out there like this? I’ve never understood those women who say, “I just don’t remember to eat sometimes. I’m too busy taking care of my kids!”

I basically want to eat healthy, but I need all of the help and motivation that I can get.

Join me today over at The Better Mom where I will hopefully give you some motivation to either make some healthier eating choices, or keep on making the good choices that you have already put in place.

You’ll learn a bit about me and you’ll see why I was so convicted when I started writing this post…

See you there !

Shared at A Southern Fairytale, Delightfully Dowling, For Love of Cupcakes, Ruth’s Real Food, 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Home Savvy A to Z, The DIY HSHP, Marvelously Messy, The Prairie Homestead, Keeping it Simple, Growing Home, Dr. Laura’s Adventures, Learning the Frugal Life, Far Above Rubies, Simply Sugar and Gluten Free, Hope Studios, The 21st Century Housewife, Real Food Forager, Tip Junkie, Day 2 Day Joys, Look Who Found the Marbles, Food Renegade, Life as Mom, and The Healthy Home Economist.