THE VITAMIN CONSPIRACY!

Lately I've had lots of people asking me about vitamins. What brand should I get? Are vitamins good for you? What vitamins would you recommend taking? A multivitamin? questions questions questions. All very good questions.

I don't have time to go into great detail, but I figured I'd touch on a little for today since, well...you are what you eat!

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

1. Are vitamins good for you?

YES! of course they are. Without vitamins, you would...well... die. Let me give you a little background on where the term Vitamin came from.

There once lived a man named Casimir Funk (1912).

He was a Polish biochemist.

As he studied, he became aware that sickness and disease may come about due to a deficiency of something in the diet, and presumed that adding that special something (we know now its really something(S) since there are lots of vitamins we need) may cure the illness.

Anyway, as Mr. Funk studied, he began to realize that this substance was necessary for life (vita). He also noticed that this substance contained Nitrogen, which is an (amine)...

Thus (vita)(amine)=vitamine.

(Later nutritionists and biochemists realized that only a few of these substances contained an amine group, so the 'e' at the end was removed. Anyway, there is your history lesson for the day. :) (http://www.vitaminwonders.net/aboutv3.html))

While I have stated YES VITAMINS ARE GOOD FOR YOU, is it best to get them via supplements?

No.

Your body is pretty dang good at what it does.

Take a few minutes.

Think about all the things your body does without you even thinking about it...or telling it to do.

CRAZY!

As we know, many of our anscestors lived for much longer than we do now, and they did not have supplements! They also did not experience chronic disease like we do now. What were our anscestors doing that we aren't?

They were roaming the forests, hunting their meat, picking their berries and veggies, and pulling their corn, etc.

Did they use hormones to make their crops HUGE and free of any insect bites?

NO.

Did they go to the lab and recreate the vitamins (to the best of their ability) inside this lab and proceed to put them into supplements?

NO.

If they did, would they put the cheapest ingredients they could inside their vitamins to save the most money and make a big profit?

I bet they wouldnt.

Lastly, would they test their vitamins to make sure that what they CLAIMED was in them, was really in them?

I bet they would.

So I may be giving our anscestors the benefit of the doubt, but thats just because I think they were pretty cool. I think they had much more integrity than we do now. I personally think many businesses have become corrupt. You aren't going to convince me otherwise, so just smile and nod if you disagree. haha

The point of these random questions is to lead into my reasoning as to why supplements are not the best way to get your vitamins.

1. Supplements are not regulated. The FDA regulates your food, but not your bottles of multivitamins. Quality, purity, and potency are a mystery. Are you really getting what the label says on the back of your vitamin bottle?

2. As I said, your body is good at what it does. Supplements have different bioavailabilities. This means your body absorbs them differently than it would if it was getting the vitamin from your food. Here's the part that persuades me to get my vitamins from my diet: You will NOT ever overdose on vitamins or get toxic amounts from your food! This only happens from SUPPLEMENTS (and I have experienced what it feels like to get toxic amounts of a vitamin from a simple supplement and I'm telling you first-hand..not only is it painful (depending on the vitamin you overdose on), but it can also be FATAL and have horrible side effects!). When you have tons of Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) in your body and you don't need anymore, your body will simply absorb less and excrete more. This goes for all the vitamins and minerals you get from your food. Pretty cool huh?

3. Studies have shown that eating your fruits and vegetables provides more benefits than taking a supplement. Why? They have the same amount of vitamin in the supplement as the fruit/veggie...maybe even more in the supplement...

Right now nutritionists do not quite understand why. Theory is, Fruits/vegetables are a unit. You benefit from the entire UNIT, not just the couple vitamins within the fruits and vegetables. Thus, supplements do not contain all the things those fruits and veggies have. Just something to think about.

4. We live in a world full of deception. Companies put cheap ingredients in their vitamins, and often put way more than we need. Our bodies need things in balance and moderation. When we get out of that balance and moderation, we see negative effects. For example, Vitamin E and Vitamin K are antagonists. If you get tons of Vitamin E, you reduce the absorption of Vitamin K, and vice versa. (I won't go into the biochemistry of it for your sakes haha) Both are extremely important, but overdosing on either is not good for your body. Vitamin E can cause an increased tendency for bleeding (definitely not good if you get in a car accident....hello hemorrhage), GI distress (aka nausea and vomiting), increased severity of respiratory tract infections, and muscle weakness. Vitamin K can cause liver damage if ingested in large amounts. In my opinion, I'd rather just stick with getting it from my food and save myself from getting cheap ingredients (meaning not the best forms of the vitamin for our body) and from having these kinds of toxic effects.

5. Have you ever noticed the claims on the supplements and food that say stuff like, "Whole grain oat cereal like Cheerios lowers cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer." Then theres a *star* next to it and at the bottom of the box it says, "This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease." That basically means that what they are saying may or may not be true. They know that the public knows little about nutrition and the rules and regulations with claims, so they try to persuade you to buy their food/supplement because of its "positive health effects," when it may not do anything close to what it says it does, OR it may be up for debate, OR it may be close to what it says it does, but the actual supplement doesn't contain what it "claims it contains." Did i lose you? Just know...it sounds a little sketchy. haha At least I know that my cucumber is a cucumber and the FDA makes sure its not actually a rectangle full of poison. Just saying..

6. Lastly, getting full on fruits and vegetables means your less likely to eat a huge bag of fritos and cupcakes. Besides, research has shown you are more likely to binge on junk food than fruits and veggies, so you're eating healthier, and less. Soooo...I know you are thinking...what you're saying is focusing on getting your vitamins naturally means your body will be happier Danielle? Yes! Sounds like a win-win! haha

Okay, so now that I've probably turned you away from supplements I'll say this.

None of us are perfect.

Sometimes we eat cookies instead of strawberries.

Sometimes we drink a coke (don't do it!) instead of water.

In SOME cases, you may need to occasionally take a vitamin if you aren't getting close to the daily values of vitamins that you need.

If you are going to do that, here is what I recommend.

Look for the USP verified label. (I'll post a picture of it somewhere on this)

This label verifies the following:

1. Trust: The USP Verified mark is backed by USP's nearly 200 years of experience setting standards for medicines and dietary supplements that are recognized in U.S. law and used around the world.

2. Quality: USP has ongoing audits to verify the product is made in accordance with current FDA guidelines.

3. Purity: Testing by USP confirms that the vitamin does not contain harmful levels of specific contaminants.

4. Potency: USP has determined that the vitamin contains the amounts of ingredients stated on the label and that it will dissolve and release ingredients in the body.

(I copied these statements right out of an informative article)

Basically this company checks for quality, purity, and potency, so at least you are getting what you THINK you are getting.

You can find many USP verified supplements at Costco. (I love Costco!) :)

One last thing, magazines will go off about all the different things you need to take, enzymes, etc. Guess what? You're body already makes most of these, so you may just be wasting your money! Be sure to look into things before you go on a supplement buying splurge, and research the hazards associated with taking different supplements.

I hope this helped you to make an informed decision about how to get your vitamins and minerals. I'll continue to answer your other questions as I have time. I plan to post things about each individual vitamin and mineral when I get a chance, and to tell you what foods to eat to get them so stay tuned! I also plan to touch on antioxidants a little! Woo hoo! Eat your fruits and vegetables! Your body will love you, and you'll love your body! :)

Have a WONDERFUL DAY! :) Love you! :) (PS: I did not proofread this, so if i made some grammatical errors, or got confusing, forgive me, and then talk to me sometime and i'll try to explain better :))

I Stand All Amazed

Do you ever have those days where you seriously feel like you are the most inadquate person alive?

Lately I've had some thoughts weighing on my mind. That being said, since I'm me, I tend to push those thoughts aside and pretend like they don't exist. I seem to do that with every problem I have, it being a coping mechanism. As a result, however, they've been building and building and building up lately, and beginning to weigh into my conscious thoughts a little too much. Not wanting to bother anyone with my pitty party I've been silently allowing them to fester. Finally today I sat down and realized, "If I don't face these challenges head on right now, I'm never going to be completely happy again."

I decided to take this problem to the lord. I went into my room by my bed and knelt. I said a silent prayer, asking the lord to help me with the issues at hand and to help me to recognize that the answer i'm getting is from him and not me fabricating one. I set my scriptures down and allowed them to fall to whatever page they would. Normally they go to a page that has a bookmark in it or something, but this time they did not. I opened to 1 Nephi 21: 14-16.

"But behold zion hath said: The lord hath forsaken me, and my lord hath forgotten me-but he will show that he hath not.

"For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.

"Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

These verses have a dear place in my heart from other experiences I have, and I know that the lord knew that, and knew exactly what I needed to hear. As i quietly knelt in awe at how the lord had so perfectly helped me with my problems at hand, I thought about how incredibly lucky I am to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I feel so incredibly indebted to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for all that they have done and continue to do for me. I am so grateful for the unconditional love Jesus offers me. The lord loves each one of us so much, and is always mindful of us. He hears our prayers and waits for us to come to him, with his arms outstretched. I want to share this gospel with everyone because I know how incredibly enriched the gospel makes our lives.

I can wake up everyday with hope because I know that the lord has overcome the world and has suffered for each and everyone of our sins so that we can return to live with him someday, and have the incredible blessings that he has.

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. I know that my redeemer lives.

If you haven't come to know Christ, I invite you to today. Pray to ask the lord if he is there, and if his gospel is on the earth. You are his child, and he loves you more than you can comprehend. Search the scriptures dilligently, and you will find answers to the questions and missing pieces in your life.

I had to share this because I feel I would be ungrateful for all the lord has done for me if I did not. I love life! I'm so grateful for my friends and family as well and all that they do for me! Have a wonderful day! :)

Angry Angry Hippo!!

Have you ever had someone tell you

"My life is so much harder than yours. Yours is so easy you have a great family, great job, great home...you have everything!"

I must admit I used to have the "i want to sock you in the knee cap" urge when people would tell me that.

Then I started reading this book "The proper care and feeding of husbands." (compliments of Alexis L). No folks, I am not even close to getting married. (You can go ahead and laugh at me now). But after growing up in the home that I did, I kind of have a complex about marriage. I'm afraid I'll end up with a crazy man or that he'll cheat on me or abuse me or my kids! I know thats so bad to worry about, but I do. I thought reading this book would maybe warm me up to marriage and all that it entails (since I've been resisting considering it for the past 3 years haha), and wow it has seriously changed my life. All this time I thought the book would just warm me up to marriage, but it has encouraged me to change work on myself and develop traits and abilities that will help me not only in my marriage someday... (whether in this life, or the next..ok? haha), but in life RIGHT NOW. As Alexis has mentioned, she is so mean to women! haha throughout the entire book she just rails on women and all the things they do wrong in marriage. While I disagree with her approach to teaching how to be a good wife, I have found so many incredibly valuable tips from reading the book, and its really opened my eyes to understanding how men (and even just people in general) think and work.

One thing she talks about is kind of the art of reverse psychology.

When someone (if your married this could be your husband) comes up to you and rants about how hard their day was and how lucky you were to be at your "easy" job (whatever your daily tasks/jobs entail), you automatically feel like this hippo:

Before you can say hippopotamus, you are now feeling defensive, misunderstood, and hurt. This kind of talk does not help anyone. Now the person who said it, is either getting chewed out by you, or feeling really bad for taking no thought as to the fact that YOUR day may have also had its blunders and difficulties.

Instead of behaving like that, try this:

"Hey! How are you doing today (friend, babe, whoever that special someone is :))? I missed you so much I bet you had such a busy day! I don't know how you do it with all that you have going on each day (with school, work, kids, your crazy aunt Jemyma)! We should go relax and unwind from the busy day!" (I cheesed it up, but you get the drift)

How did that make you feel?

I felt good. haha

Even if you can guarantee your day has to have been harder, is the competition really doing you any good?

I am DEFINITELY no expert at relationships (thus why I enjoy this book and learning how I can better myself). I do, on the other hand, believe this to be true. As soon as we show that we care about others and recognize that each person has their own life circumstances and difficulties, they automatically want to reciprocate sympathy, love, affection, understanding, etc. etc. etc.....etc.

Who doesn't want that? :)

Welp, thats all folks! (not sure where this Texas accent came from..)

Make it a great weekend!! :)

Lacey and Neil contemporary, time by mia micheals

Because I never really had a close dad in my life, I love watching this. I imagine my reunion with my Father in heaven will feel somewhat like this. Im so grateful for my father and his son for being here for me, and loving me. I am forever indebted. Missing my father. Can't wait to be with him again.

Enjoy.

wet and WILD

So for Elyse's (my sister-in-law) birthday we (and when i say we i automatically am referring to my family haha) went to Wet and Wild. (the waterpark in Glendale...listed as one of the most extreme water parks) ya baby! It was SO MUCH FUN!

At first when we got there I was thinking to myself..hmmm... now would be a good time to be married. The group consisted of: Nicole & Ty, Monique & Adam, David & Elyse,...and me. yep just me. haha It ended up being really fun though! We got in the wave pool first and Monique threw on her goggles. Typical Monique! LOVE IT! i was wishing i had brought mine.

The best part about the night was making jokes about me being by myself and asking random strangers to ride with me. I went up to one lifeguard and asked him if you were allowed to ride in a double tube on your own. I stared at the floor awkwardly and a little tear dropped from my lonely face. JUST KIDDING! but i really did ask him. haha he replied yes and then my sister was starts cracking up. Me: Whats so funnY? Nicole: did you just ask him to ride with you in a round about way? Me: NO! Nicole: right! hahah

The rest of the night proceeded in that way. After one of the slides everyone took a while to get down after me, and so i stood awkardly all alone with the lifeguard. Finally i broke the silence. "So...do you like your job?"

"Ya sure"

"Do you get paid well?"

"Uh huh."

"well thats good."

(awkward silence)

"so do you ever get bored?"

"ya sometimes."

"thats rough. Its hot! You must get so hot!"

"ya i do...thats why you gotta like the job or it sucks."

(in my head..isn't that an epic thought..haha)

"well cool. Maybe i'll become a lifeguard some day."

"ya you should."

(My sibblings arrive..thank goodness)

"well nice meeting you!"

I swear the poor lifeguard thought i was just a lonely girl trying to find a friend. I think she was relieved when she realized i did actually come with people. haha

To finish off the night we went on the scariest ride. It was like the sidewinder at sunsplash, (the big half pipe thingy) only the beginning of the ride is nice and slow, and you sit in a big round tube that can fit up to 4 people. As I was standing in line I was so cool about it. "Ya this ride is no big deal I'm stoked," I'd say to passerbys. Then as we got up to the front of the line I hit panic mode. "Wow we are really high up aren't we?" "hmm this is looking kinda freaky." "you know that red slide looks fun. I bet we could hit up that one instead..." Unfortunately the time came to get inside the tube of doom. I felt as if i was stepping into my coffin. "Goodbye! I yelled to the new friends i'd made in line." Then just as the lifeguard pushed the button to make us go I managed to yell out, "Wait is there a certain position i should sit in to not die?!" He pressed the button to stop the ride in a frenzy and just stared at me. I stared back. Then i mustered a half smile. He pressed the button to go. I guess that was a bad question. haha

To lighten the mood i sang "yo ho yo ho a pirates life for..."

then we went down the big half pipe.

"MEEEEEEEE AHHHHHHHHH"

It was CRAZY!! we definitely got air! i'd say my life flashed before my eyes but really I didn't see anything cus i closed my eyes and screamed until the ride ended. haha

When we finished my legs were literally jelly. LIterally. If you wanted a PB&J, you could just place me on some bread. haha The ride was totally fun tho! We went on it again and the second time was even better! I loved being with my family. They are so fun!

Overall the night was a blast. I am so incredibly blessed because there is no one i'd rather be with in the world than my family. They are my support group, my best friends. I honestly don't know where i'd be without them. I'm so grateful for them in my life.

Right now life is peachy! I'm wondering when big foot is going to come and smash my peach with his hairy foot! its gotta be coming soon right? Oh well that that don't kill you, can only make you stronger!

Anyone want to come party with me? Make a healthy dinner and then ruin it with some delicious chocolate cookies? :)

Thats alllllll folks. have a good day:)!

California Vacations are the best!

As im sitting at home thinking about all the things i need to get done, i decided to not do any of them (its not a proud moment for me) and look up old pictures and videos instead.

As I did, I came across these random videos from my trip to Disneyland with CJ Everts. This trip will definitely always remain in my memory..haha

We had a few set backs (cough cough...major tire blow out) which led to...

walking a mile to get to a phone that had service on the free way (you know those random ones they have like every mile in case something like this happens haha),

flagging down random passer-bys on the free way to help us get the tire fixed,

and then me remembering i have triple A and calling them shortly. (woops!!)

Some nice Christians stopped and helped us change the tire, and offered us water (god bless!!!) haha. (Oh if you are wondering why we didnt just change it ourselves...we forgot to bring any tools...strike 2! or is this 3? I lost track at this point) haha

After waiting around for about 2 hours to get the problem solved, we hopped back into the car (we didnt actually hop, but i will say we kept pretty good spirits up despite the situation we were now in haha) and headed to America's Tires!

Once there we had to wait a while to get a new tire put on (we were driving the spare to America's Tires, hoping we'd make it) Once the tire was put on we were back on track ready to see Cali for the FIRST TIME! (okay aside from the fact that CJ grew up there and I'd been there like 10 times haha we're trying to make this trip epic okay?! haha)

Cali was a blast! Cj was a great host! At about 6am the next day after staying up way too late i awoke to Cj creaking my door open slightly to see if i was awake. when i responded with "good morning Cj what are you doing its 6am..." He responded with "Yay you are awake!!! Lets go to Disneyland! I've been waiting all morning for you to wake up!!" If theres anything people know about me, I'm definitely anything BUT a morning person, but seeing that excited face say those words I couldn't help but smile and roll out of bed. haha

Disneyland/Cali Adventures was AMAZING!! I'm pretty sure we went on every single ride at both parks! SO MUCH FUN! (Minus Tower of Terror--which you see in one of the pictures posted...i despise that ride...but i went on it anyway and Cj found it hysterical haha) by about 11pm though i was pretty much unconscious with exhaustion. Cj wanted to stay until midnight. I didnt have the heart to tell him that i may just pass out on the next ride. haha We agreed the last ride (if its even a ride) we'd go on was the Tiki Room. All i remember is waking up every couple minutes and saying i liked one of the birds when Cj would ask me if i liked it. He thought it was pretty funny..

Overall the trip was so fun! got to go to the temple (always been a dream of mine!) and lay on the beach at night (another dream of mine!) Also ate at Chipotle for the first time! (YUM YUM)

We had no setbacks on the drive home and had an awesome time!! So lucky i got to go!

Help!

Sooo i just started this blog, and i have no clue what i'm doing. haha

Any advice....?

How to make it cute.... (since i'm specially challenged)?

xoxoxo

:)