Does she get much healthy fat? (Non-hydrogenated, such as olive oil, extra virgin coconut oil, almond butter...?) I would encourage you to balance the carbohydrates with plenty of fat and protein. I have (well, had) one chunky kid, my youngest, but she is leaning out since I started cooking with more healthy fats and whole foods. My favorite addition to my cooking is extra virgin coconut oil. It's a medium chain fatty acid that is easily metabolized by the body and very good for you! (The studies done way back were done on hydrogenated coconut oil.) Our bodies depend on our foods to help develop the hormones necessary for puberty, metabolism, etc. It doesn't run on fat free, processed carbs very well. There will be unrelenting cravings and a lack of feeling of well-being without enough good fats, proteins, and healthy carbohydrates. Once I started making things like sprouted grain french toast dipped in omega 3 eggs, drizzled with coconut oil and a tiny bit of 100% maple syrup...she ate breakfast and was off doing something else. No more, "what else can I have???" That was a clue to me that she was missing something in her diet. We used to eat lots of standard American "diet" food, frozen foods, and processed everything. Now, for example, when I cook dinner I sautee my veggies is coconut oil and serve with plenty of protein and quinoa or brown rice and everyone is satisfied. A piece of dark chocolate after dinner and the kids are truly content. They love raw almond butter on their apples, which satisfies them for 2 hours longer that just the apples. Yes, my time in the kitchen is longer, but everyone seems healthier and happier. A great cookbook to check out from your library is "Nourishing Traditions." I encourage you to get rid of processed foods and frozen Healthy Choice dinners (irradiated food) and focus on real, whole traditional foods. My daughter has been eating way less ever since I changed what I buy and cook to the style I described. Good luck...don't restrict her...nourish her!

I've struggled with non-situational "depression" for many years. When I really got down to my actual symptoms, though, it was more that I was easily overwhelmed and exhausted and didn't find joy in the little things. I finally went and had my testosterone (and other hormones checked). One little testosterone pellet every six months and I'm feeling very good. When my pellet is dissolved, it is very obvious, and I'm back in that office for another one. Just another thought for you, as it was the one thing that helped me when I had ruled out everything else.

I agree with the above about meds being off. For me, it happens when I'm sleep deprived.

Yes, I noticed it yesterday when I was reading this http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/home-remedies.html Who knows? I thought it was worth a shot, since so far none of the natural stuff has worked for me. ETA: Washing face with listerine...that had to sting!

I have heard (and plan to try myself) that apple cider vinegar works. Not the purified you get at the grocery, but the unfiltered type by a co. like Bragg's that you'd find at a health food store.

I'm looking for a good slow-cooker beef soup recipe. Would you be willing to post yours? :001_smile:

The issue for me rests in the fact that this "line" is different for everyone. It is human nature to want to prolong life as long as possible. To part with another soul(s) is the biggest thing anyone ever has to do, IMO. It costs money, a LOT of money, in the hopes that it'll be worth it. In my nursing practice, though, I find more often than not that families and patients instinctively know when it's time to stop fighting, and there is a peace when they decide it's time to stop. I can't fathom the idea of a faceless, heartless entity making that ever-so-intimate decision for us.

Wow. This is possibly the best post I've ever read.

I went to Sprouts today in search of nutritional yeast, and all they had was Brewers. Is there a difference?

Do you mean sleep apnea?

Your point taken as well. However, I no longer depend on liberal-leaning newspapers as reporting the facts, either.

Yes, frequently in the night I feel the weight of the world. If I manage to get back to sleep, I wake up and all is fine.

Yet, stories like these are a dime a dozen (this one happens to be from Warriors for Truth): "Under the Bush team a prominent and profitable bank, under threat of a damaging public audit, was forced to accept less than $1 billion of TARP money. The government insisted on buying a new class of preferred stock which gave it a tiny, minority position. The money flowed to the bank. Arguably, back then, the Bush administration was acting for purely economic reasons. It wanted to recapitalize the banks to halt a financial panic. Fast forward to today, and that same bank is begging to give the money back. The chairman offers to write a check, now, with interest. He's been sitting on the cash for months and has felt the dead hand of government threatening to run his business and dictate pay scales. He sees the writing on the wall and he wants out. But the Obama team says no, since unlike the smaller banks that gave their TARP money back, this bank is far more prominent. The bank has also been threatened with "adverse" consequences if its chairman persists. That's politics talking, not economics."

We must also be aware of the fact that some of these banks are trying to pay back the loan, and Obama is refusing to allow them to do so. I don't think I can post links, so just a google on "Obama refusing banks to pay back loans" will pull up some additional information if anyone is interested. I find this sort of thing crucial to the topic at hand.

I don't know if this is allowed, but here's one. It's easy to find other sources. http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/05/19/doctors-flock-to-texas-after-tort-reform/

Some kids are super picky. I serve all that you described on a regular basis. My kids still turn their noses up. Even though the birthday parties and visits with grandparents who can't say no are infrequent, it's enough to pervert their healthy taste buds and put us back to square one. It's an uphill battle I fight every day. But, NEVER have I given in to their whims and allowed them to eat a diabetes-inducing diet as you described. How unfortunate for your neighbor. Maybe you'll be able to turn him on to some healthier options.

I hope the day comes in the near future where U.S. citizens realize it's not the insurance companies causing these problems you describe (although they aren't perfect). We are being sold a bill of goods. Govt intrusion and frivolous lawsuits are the cause of escalating costs. There are so many govt mandates which makes health care ridiculously expensive. And, it has been proven (in TX) that torte reform lowers overall health care costs. Torte reform is not addressed in the current bill(s) :confused1:. This alone would mean HUGE health care reform. One has to wonder why the thought isn't even entertained when they are selling us on the virtues of cost-containment.

Kindness because most of the other choices fall in line after that.

I remember reading one of your posts a while back about how difficult it has been since you adopted. If it means anything, our third dd rocked our world. I don't recall all the details with your littlest one and the severity of it, but our youngest - who didn't stop crying day in and day out for over a year - is a lovely 5 year old today. There was a day that none of us (her parents, grandparents, siblings, Sunday school teachers, or my girlfriends) thought we'd see the day, but there is hope :grouphug:

I used to run, but I've seen so many people come through our surgery center to fix their bad knees and hips as a result of running...AND they've gained weight because they've dropped the exercise. I'm now a dedicated walker. And, it controls my weight just the same; it just takes longer is all.

How is everyone going to supplement with vitamin D? Can you recommend a specific type of D and/or brand name, and are they only in pill form?

I really appreciate all your suggestions. Thanks a million!

Do you mean prescription drops? (As opposed to the OTC drops.) It took dd 2 days to feel relief with the Rx drops.

I would love some advice from those who have done this. Our girls are doing Pop Warner cheer for the first time this year and I need to find $300 in sponsor donations. If I can't find the donations, I have to pay the money out of pocket, which is not an option right now. I'd especially love specific company recommendations :001_smile: Thanks in advance!

I wonder if there was ever a generation that didn't think it was the days of Noah preceding the end of times...(and I do believe in Revelation).