Day 14...Ali's Wedding Extravaganza!

Tomorrow I plan on doing an update on Katrina. I don't have all the info. yet but please keep praying, there have been developments and I believe Katrina will get her miracle!

So...today I am going to share a few pictures from my cousin's wedding. I never really blogged about it, just about how going to Utah was super hard on my health. Never mind that! This is the FUN stuff!

This wedding was unbelievable. It was so special to be in the Temple with Ali and Eric. Ali is one of the most beautiful people I know. She's gorgeous yeah, but that's not the kind of beautiful I'm talking about. Her soul is beautiful. She is wise, kind, mature beyond her years, she has a strong faith and testimony of the love of her Savior, she is generous and pure and so so fun to be with. There is not a time that we are together that I don't end up splitting my gut laughing!

Check out this stunning couple:

After the ceremony:

I love this picture of me with my mom and Grandma. I don't know if I have any pictures of just the three of us.

The Reception: (Watching Ali dance with her dad was definitely the most touching moment of the night, they were both so emotional and full of love for each other. It was beautiful.)

I truly love Ali like a sister and was honored to spend this special day with her!


Day 14 of the Healthy Home Challenge: "Plastic Islands?!?!"

Even though this book focuses on creating healthier homes, it also discusses how plastic has an impact on our much larger world.

"If not recycled or disposed of properly, plastic ends up in our waterways, degrading so slowly that there are now massive "plastic islands" floating in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Bit by bit, lighters, trinkets, grocery bags, and containers break into smaller fragments that fish, marine mammals, and seabirds mistake for food. This can be a lethal mistake--both for the animals and for us.

Suddenly, the toxins we've worked so hard to avoid in our home are found in the marine food chain, where they will make their way back to our dinner tables."

There are many solutions to cutting down on the amount of plastic in our homes and in our environment, but one simple and inexpensive solution is to use reusable grocery bags. I see these for sale everywhere and have accumulated quite a few. I keep them in my trunk and use them as much as I can.

I am still getting in the habit of grabbing them before I go into the store and have forgotten, but as a part of this challenge am recommitting to be more diligent in using these. Today at Target I whipped out my reusable bag!!

Day 12...Easter 2011

Easter definitely snuck up on me this year as I had just returned home from Utah and wasn't feeling very well. However, Easter is always a special holiday for me and the significance of the holiday was not diminished. If anything, it is even more poignant when I am struggling with my health because it reminds me that no matter what happens, because of Christ's sacrifice, I too will be resurrected one day and be able to be with my family forever. What an incredible gift. I don't fully understand the complexity of it but I am eternally grateful for it.

While I stayed home and did treatments and rested before church, Ryan took Harrison to his parents for a little Easter egg hunt and some special time with Grammy and Grandpa. Bless Linda for filling the eggs with almonds instead of candy!! I was thrilled and Harrison didn't know any different!


After church we had a beautiful Easter dinner at my mom's. Terry and Linda joined us as well as our dear friends Bob and Daryl. I am so grateful for my family and love spending these priceless moments with them. Despite not feeling 100%, it was a wonderful Easter!


Day 12 of the Healthy Home Challenge: Germaphobe alert!

From The Healthy Home book, "We've become obsessed with living in a germ-free environment as a result of the scare tactics employed by marketers. We have bona fide germ phobia when we could be focusing our energy on something positive, like boosting our immune systems. ...Your body, when healthy, is beautifully designed to handle germs. We don't need to live in a scrubbed-down, sterilized bubble."

This section of the book on household cleaners was so eye-opening. I know I and other Cfers have to be especially careful of germs but the book also points out that most of the solvents we are using to sanitize our homes are toxic and can break down the molecules on our skin and in our lungs.

The book encourages using products that are nontoxic and biodegradable and/or plant based. I just bought a few bottles of nontoxic, plant based cleaners and air purifiers for our home at Sprouts. It is also very easy to make your own household cleaners with a few inexpensive ingredients that most of us already have in our kitchens. There is a whole "recipe" list in the book.

The parting tip is this: If you are cleaning with products that you wouldn't eat, wear gloves!

Day 11...Breathless Mom Fundraiser

Ask NOT and ye shall RECEIVE...

Last summer when I got sick and realized that a double lung transplant was probably coming sooner rather than later, one of my best friends of 25 years asked how she could help. When my only reply to Jessica was "pray for me," she decided to take matters into her own hands and asked my mom to set up a Medical Fund for me. Jessica and her sister Mique are the founders of Queen Bee Market. They ask the amazing vendors who participate in their market to share part of their proceeds with different local charities (that's how they roll... so generous!) They designated my medical fund to be the local charity for their fall 2010 market. I was simply overwhelmed.

As my journey toward transplant progresses, another dear family friend, Heidi Lee, asked my mom if she could also help. She created the "Breathless Mom" 30 day campaign to raise funds for medical expenses in the future. Just as I was overwhelmed with Mique and Jess's thoughtfulness and generosity in organizing and raising funds for me, I have been completely touched and humbled by all Heidi and her team have done for me. I know they have put in so much work and dedication to put the site together and the video together. My dear friend Lori took all the photos of me and my family and Denise Yamada, who covered Lexi's story in the news and has remained a treasured family friend, narrated the video.


I will go into the details of where I am "at" in terms of my health and transplant in a different post soon but the preparations for transplant have begun. I have felt a lot of guidance and peace during the last year and I am hopeful for a healthy, active future! The funds that have been raised have been such a blessing. It is one less thing that I need to stress and worry about as there will definitely be significant medical costs.

What amazes me is that I did not ask for my friends to do this for me, they just perceived a possible future need and took it upon themselves to help (in a MAJOR way!). I guess true friends usually do know what you need before you even ask for it. Incredible. For all who have supported these fundraising efforts, what can I say but thank you?! I feel so loved and blessed. I truly am surrounded by angels who lift me and give me strength, these campaigns have reaffirmed that to me!


Day 11 of the Healthy Home Challenge: Teflon toxicity!

From The Healthy Home book, "At high temperatures, Teflon is known to release potentially hazardous fumes and particles into the air. ...a nonstick pan at just 680 degrees F on a regular electric stove released at least six toxic gases, including two carcinogens, two global pollutants and a chemical that is known to be lethal to humans."

Wowzers! It also talks about how DuPont recommends that birds be removed from the kitchen before cooking with nonstick pans because they have been poisoned with the fumes and have suffocated after their lungs hemorrhage and fill with fluid. YIKES!

My lungs may not be as delicate as those poor little birds' lungs but I don't want to do ANYTHING to harm the 18% lung function I have left!

Today I bought a "green," PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) free skillet. I bought it at Target and it was about $30. I eventually want to replace all of our nonstick cookware but I use the same small skillet a few times a day, so for now, I just replaced the one I use the most. It's a start!

The book's simple solution for someone who must use a PTFE-lined pan is to keep the stove's burner on medium or lower and to never preheat an empty pan.

I have gotten such great feedback on these tips. Please remember to let me know if you are trying any of the healthy home tips and leave your contact info. either in a comment or in an email to sharlie@larsenglobal.com and I will send you The Healthy Home book as a gift!

Day 9...Sisters are Forever

My big sister Chelsea and her daughter Lauren a few years ago

There is a memory I have that makes me laugh out loud every time I think of it. I'm pretty sure it's one of those "you had to be there" moments that nobody will think is funny. Actually, I'm totally sure because even my sister doesn't think it is funny, (or more accurately, she is just so sick of me telling it) and she was the one there with me.

We were in Vegas for a BYU game. Chels and I took a road trip to attend the game. It was winter and it was freezing, even in Vegas. When we got into our hotel room the first thing we did was turn the heat on full blast. Then, because it was so late when we got in, we went straight to bed. I woke up a few hours later in a pool of sweat and a fog of confusion. My first thought was that there was a fire in our hotel room. Our room was seriously a sauna, we were literally cooking. I think I let out a little moan and I heard Chelsea shuffle in the next bed. Then I heard a barely awake voice, "Shar....are you awake?" I answered yes and she asked, "is it really hot in here?"

I don't know why this is so funny to me. I can't really remember what happened next and I can't remember if I started laughing then or if upon reflection of the incident the next day, I realized how funny it was that she asked me if it was hot when we were both baking under our heavy covers in a room that was at least 100 degrees. The one thing I know is we turned the heat off!

My big sister is such a blessing in my life. At any moment, I can recall a favorite memory with her that will instantly cheer me up and strengthen me. Many of the memories are silly ones but most of them are tender. Chelsea has always been there for me. She is just so loyal and self-less when it comes to being a big sister. She is definitely one of my angels. I will never forget the sacrifices she has made to be in the hospital with me and to be there with me whenever I needed her. We have been on some awesome mother/daughter trips and I cherish those special memories we created!

More than anything, she has been an example to me of an amazing mom. She adores and nurtures her children in the most angelic way and I just love observing her with her family and taking mental notes of how I want to be with my family and especially with Harrison. She is my rock and I love her dearly. I celebrate her today on her birthday with gratitude for her love, support and friendship!


Day 9 of Healthy Home Challenge: "Go to the Mattresses!"

I didn't realize how toxic our mattresses are. Here's a quote from the book to explain,

"The key material of concern is polyurethane foam, a product so flammable that the insurance industry calls it 'solid gasoline.' Fire-retardant chemicals are applied to most mattresses to combat polyurethane's tendency to explode at the slightest spark."

"Nearly any mattress you buy in the U.S. will have at least some flame-retardant properties...Many manufacturers are likely using antimony, a dangerous heavy metal and other brominated fire retardants that are known to disrupt hormone activity and interfere with brain function."

The best solution obviously would be to do a ton of research and buy a new mattress that is organic and made with natural latex and/or naturally flame resistant wool.

If, like us, buying all new mattresses is not in your budget, there is a simple solution in the book that will help.

"Whenever you launder your sheets, open your windows and leave your mattress exposed in order to allow your bed to off-gas for the day."

This week when I washed Harrison's sheets, I left his window open all day and didn't make his bed until he was ready to crawl in it. Try it next time you change your sheets and don't forget to let me know and I will send you a copy of The Healthy Home book!

Day 8...Labels!

Since I am trying to update my blog during this blogging challenge, I decided to add some labels. I am not even half way through my posts but I thought this would give people who are just stopping by a good idea of who I am and what I like to write about.

Day 8 of Healthy Home Challenge:

There is a whole section in the book about sleeping and how to improve our sleep patterns. Since I am off to bed right now, I thought this was an appropriate topic for today's tip!

One of the things that can affect our sleep is a cluttered bedroom.

"A getaway to a five-star hotel makes many of us feel more amorous. For most, it's what is not in the hotel room that puts us in the mood. Gone are the piles of laundry, stacks of bills and stressful conversations that so often await us in our master bedrooms at home. Make your bedroom a place of refuge, where nagging tasks and stressful arguments aren't allowed."

This totally makes sense to me. Since just returning home from a wonderful vacation, I could totally relate to this and realized that I have let my bedroom become a place that is much more cluttered than I would like. Unfortunately there are piles of laundry and toys and books and to-do lists that are adding up! De-cluttering is easier said than done and can be a process. I'm going to break it up and work on one area at a time. Tonight I am going to organize my bedside table and eliminate the clutter! Join me!

Day 6...What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

No, I did not give up on my 30 day challenge. I just couldn't pass up an invitation from my mom to spend the week relaxing with her in sunny Las Vegas! On Mothers Day, I headed to Vegas with my mom and my son and we have been simply having the most fun week ever! Mostly relaxing by the pool, but we've ventured out a few times. I continue to feel stronger every day and think this week has been great therapy : )

More details about our adventures and lots of pictures to come!!

Until then, I will leave you with a healthy home tip that doesn't require me to be at home to apply! This is a perfect tip considering what I've been up to this week...

Day 6 of Healthy Home Challenge:

Got sun?!?!

"In recent years the media has given sunshine a bad rap...the truth is that the health benefits of moderate exposure to the sun outweighs the risks. Exposure to the sun causes us to produce vitamin D, and vitamin D is probably the closest thing we have to a miracle vitamin."

Just a few of the benefits:
strong bones and teeth
regulates immune system to ward off infections
helps to prevent certain cancers
slows the aging process
and triggers the release of serotonin promoting a positive mental outlook

No wonder I'm feeling so happy this week! Another free and easy tip...get some sunshine this week!

I will resume the challenge when I get home in a few days, stay tuned.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Day 5...Walking away from my (health) problems...

I was blessed enough to attend my beautiful cousins wedding last month and although I have no regrets, the trip left me struggling health-wise. She was married in Utah and my mom and I drove and planned to stay for just a few days. I had been feeling strong and felt confident that I would do fine. I brought my portable oxygen concentrator with me in case I needed it.

Well, I was surprised at how breathless I was. I needed to be on my oxygen nearly the whole time. I have spent so much time in Utah over the years but this trip was really hard and it was eye opening. I'm realizing that my body is definitely not as strong as it used to be. My baseline has dropped and even just a few days at a higher altitude affected my lungs more than I expected.

Anyway, my mom and husband were both understandably worried and wanted to get me into the hospital right away. However, I felt like I was just there as I did 5 weeks of I.V.'s in February and March and couldn't do it. I just couldn't go in. I told them to give me a few days to rest and try to recover on my own.

Against Ryan's wishes, I dragged myself onto my treadmill. I cranked up my oxygen to 5 liters and just went slowly, very slowly. It was so tough the first time especially because my lungs were so tight. I kept a careful watch on my saturation and just kept going.

Everyday, I have been feeling more energy. I am definitely not back up to 100% but I'm honestly convinced getting on my treadmill despite feeling like I should actually be going to the ER prevented me from ending up there!

This week I got on the treadmill five times and walked a mile each time I got on. I have resolved to make this even more a part of my health routine as I can really see how it has helped me overcome this set-back.

P.S. Here's a picture of the gorgeous bride....have you ever seen something so beautiful it made you cry?! I wept when I saw Ali, she is an angel in my life and I will never forget being there on her special day! Totally worth it : )



Day 5 of Healthy Home Challenge:

This is another tip that costs nothing and is so easy to do.

The book talks about how toxins enter our homes and one of the ways is through our shoes. "Toxins don't just waft it--they also walk in." When we walk in our homes, our shoes track in dirt and other contaminants that can be harmful...especially if we have kids who are playing on the floor!

The simple solution is to have a basket by your door or a shoe rack in the garage where you can remove your shoes before entering the house. Of course you don't need a basket or a rack, the important part is just to remember to remove your shoes before walking through your house!

I put a basket by our front door so we can have a place to put our shoes when we come into the house. Easy!

****REMEMBER to let me know if you are applying any of these tips in your own home and I will send you your own copy of The Healthy Home book as a gift!!****

Day 4...Face lift.

I haven't changed the format of my blog since I started it in 2007. Today I started playing around with different templates. I think I'll try out a few and see which style feels the best. So for today's post it's just a trial run of a different template!

I also need to update pictures and would like to add labels as well so I'm trying to educate myself on how all this works. I'm a little behind the times!

Anyway, on to my Healthy Home tip...

Day 4 of Healthy Home challenge:

Quote from the book about Plastic,

"Despite the well-known durability of most plastic products, they will ALWAYS have a small quantity of chemicals that are free to leach out under the right conditions. This is a problem because many of the building blocks used in plastics are highly toxic."

They say that glass has none of the health issues inherent to plastic. I plan on gradually getting rid of the plastic in my kitchen and replacing it with glass. Today at Costco I purchased a glass food storage set for $30. A small price to pay to avoid having toxins leach into our families food!
****REMEMBER to let me know if you are applying any of these tips in your own home and I will send you your own copy of The Healthy Home book as a gift!!****

Day 3...Pee Wee Sports Graduation!

This session of Pee Wee sports was so much fun. Harrison's best little friend Thomas joined him and it was so fun to watch them both! Harrison was especially excited for his first trophy!



Day 3 of Healthy Home Challenge:

There is an interesting section on dry cleaning and the chemicals used in that process. I never knew!

The book doesn't suggest never getting your clothes dry cleaned again but does encourage us to find cleaners in our areas that use paraffin-based cleaning agents. It says that the absolute best route to go is a cleaner who uses liquid CO2 which is effective, non-toxic, and easy on the environment.

So today I googled liquid CO2 and found a cleaner in Carlsbad who uses CO2. We don't have to use the dry cleaners that often but when we do, I think I'll drive an extra 10 mins. out of my way to use a safe cleaner!

They also suggest if that is not an option to unwrap and air out your dry-cleaned clothes in an exterior area until the "chemical smell" is gone. This will reduce the exposure to the harmful chemicals. We have some clothes still in the plastic in our closet so I am going to do this tomorrow and let them air out all day!

Day 2...Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month

May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness month. Although I never intended this to be a "CF Blog," I have shared quite a bit about living with CF on this blog, including losing my little sister Lexi to CF 16 years ago. CF is such a huge part of who I am and effects almost every aspect of my life. It has been a great trial but also a great blessing. The perspective to live each moment to the fullest and absolutely love and appreciate life is only one of the many gifts living with CF has given me. Yes, I get discouraged and have faced my own mortality several times in my 32 years, but I will keep fighting every day to honor my sister Lexi and to be able to raise my son and be a grandma one day! I am filled with hope and my faith gives me the strength I need to walk this road. One of our favorite sayings in the CF community is, "One day CF will stand for CURE FOUND!"

Here are a few facts about Cystic Fibrosis (CF) from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation:

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:

• clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and
• obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis

People with CF can have a variety of symptoms, including:

• very salty-tasting skin;
• persistent coughing, at times with phlegm;
• frequent lung infections;
• wheezing or shortness of breath;
• poor growth/weight gain in spite of a good appetite
  

Statistics

• About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year.
• More than 70% of patients are diagnosed by age two.
• More than 45% of the CF patient population is age 18 or older.
• The predicted median age of survival for a person with CF is in the mid-30s.

Day 2 of Healthy Home Challenge:

There is a whole section on fragrance and how we need to be careful and limit our exposure to chemical fragrances. Here is a quote about one of the ways we can do that.

"Your laundry is one everyday part of your life in which you can easily eliminate unnecessary chemicals. Nontoxic, natural detergents are readily available. Reusable cloth dryer sheets or non-PVC dryer balls can be found online. At the very least you can select unscented or lightly scented mainstream laundry products."

I purchased a fragrance free/dye free laundry detergent and also purchased dryer balls to help protect us from harmful chemicals that can be found in scented detergent and dryer sheets. I loved this quote as well and will leave you with this:

"Our cotton sheets should not smell like lavender, and our jeans should not smell like mountain air unless we live in the mountains. We need to retrain our noses to appreciate the true scent of clean--which is no scent at all."

Day 1...February Follow-up!

Okay, to start this off I'm going to do a quick catch up. February was a busy month with Harrison's birthday and Valentines Day.

We decided to have a little party for Harrison. He wanted to have a rally race at the park with some of his friends. So lots of bikes and scooters, great weather, good food, and wonderful friends makes for a perfect four year old party!

He opened a few gifts from mom and dad before the party. ALL he wanted was "Ken Block" clothes which means anything with "DC" on it. He was super excited about his Travis Pastrana too!

Party Time!

This year's Valentines Day was a little different since Ryan is in school full time and had class all day. Harrison and I decided to celebrate it together at Legoland. A perfect momma and son date! Then we came home and decorated and made daddy's favorite meal to surprise him when he got home that evening.

The hearts were complete with 14 things we love about Daddy and on the menu was Ryan's favorite Salmon Salad with fresh french bread with olive oil and vinegar for dipping and some sparkling pomegranate juice! Even though it wasn't the most romantic day, I got to spend it with both my boys and it honestly couldn't have been better!

Day 1 of Healthy Home challenge:

I LOVED this tip from the book and ladies, I'm pretty sure you will love it too! It costs nothing and will improve our lymphatic flow!

From the book,

"Constrictive fabric acts as a tourniquet, hindering critical lymphatic circulation. Lymphatic flow is a delicate process that carries nutrients, removes waste, and fights germs throughout the body."

The book also mentions that it is a fact that, "women who come from cultures in which bra wearing is the norm are more likely to get breast cancer than women who don't."

The Healthy Home Simple Solution:

Reduce stress on your lymphatic system for at least a few extra hours a day by removing your bra when you're in the privacy of your home!

Done and done...that was easy!

30 days of blogging plus 30 days to a Healthy Home plus GIVEAWAY!!

Okay, so many of my friends took on a 30 day blogging challenge. And since my blogging has been very challenged lately, I thought I should follow in their lead to get some momentum going. Somer said to me jokingly last night, "Shar, I keep checking your blog and Harrison is STILL four!!"

There is actually a formula for this challenge. However, I am not planning on sticking to the formula as I have a lot I want to catch up on and blog about that is not included in the outline. I'm mainly just going to shoot for 30 days of blogging. I am also adding an element that I am super excited about. I am reading an incredibly interesting and informative book all about making our homes a toxic free environment.

This is important for everybody obviously but especially for CFers. Many of the symptoms that result in an unhealthy home have to do with the respiratory system and I know that I am open to ANYTHING that can give my lungs a break! Moms will also love this book as we will do anything to protect our kids! This is a refreshing book that doesn't leave you feeling overwhelmed or like you have to live in a sterile bubble to stay safe. There are quick, inexpensive solutions they give and several dangers that are easy to eliminate that we may not even realize!

So, at the end of each blog post, I will include something I have learned from the book and applied in my own home. If you are willing to partner with me and do at least one of the changes I do, I will send you your own copy of The Healthy Home book, a New York Times Best Seller written by Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz!!! E-mail me at sharlie@larsenglobal.com or friend me on facebook and let me know that you are willing to make some changes and include your address and I will send you a book while supplies last!

30 day blogging challenge and 30 days to a healthier home challenge starts tomorrow! Tune in!