It has to start with you

Healthcare or being more health conscious in my house has been going on for the last 3 or so years. Before that, chalk it up to being a young 'know it all' 'unbeatable' or whatever. I got cancer. Thinking that there was nothing wrong with the food we ate since we had this sound organization taking only our best interests at heart, the FDA. But that is not true, in my opinion. In 2011, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. What a wild, crazy, scary ride that was and still is from my residual side effects and the fact that I am high risk. In my studies during my time being stuck in my bed not having the energy to play with my then 3 year old and 7 year old, I read a lot, and looked things up that would make my mind crazy. 

Some don't understand how one can get Lymphoma. Its really quite easy. At some point your immune system plummets, you have a cancer causing agent in your body, your cells then mutate and your immune system doesn't fight against these foreign cells. In my case, I guarantee that one of my cancer causing agents were fake sugars. During that time I was obsessed with losing weight. I had this idea of what I needed to look like and I thought I was going about it the right way. I was eating healthy, drinking an insane amount of water… with Crystal Light flavoring. I was consuming at least 5 packets a day as well as using splenda in my coffee each morning. But I was drinking water, right? Whats wrong with it? The artificial stuff in CL.This article from the National Cancer Institute is particularly interesting in the section about aspartame. www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/artificial-sweeteners

But then the Mayo clinic turns around to say that we have no worries with these artificial sweeteners. www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/artificial-sweeteners/art-20046936 Its kind of bothersome. The good thing about this link is that it educates you with the names of these artificial sweeteners, so that you will join me in knowing what is good and what is not. 

Do you know what all these artificial sweeteners are in? Pretty much everything. Its hard to avoid. When it says less fat, less sugar, what do you think the filler is? THE FAKE STUFF! You are better eating the real, (what has been labeled 'bad') stuff. You cannot just read the front of a box anymore folks. If you can't read or understand a word in the ingredients, you are better off putting it back unless you have read up on it and know your products. Did you know that honey you purchase at stores, if it says PURE honey is indeed NOT Pure? It could be filled with up to 80% High Fructose Corn Syrup. WHAT?? Yes. In fact, the only way to avoid that is if if say 100% PURE! Otherwise you are only getting about 10% of the real honey. Sad huh?

I know you are thinking, "but its so pricy,' well its going to get pricier if you continue this way! What do you think your cost is going to look like when your a senior citizen who hasn't been conscious of what you have put into your mouth and body? Its better to put forth the effort now and stop whats convenient and start putting a little more effort into yourself and your family. 

There are real ways to cut costs in eating the right way. You don't give your children the options of the crap. Whose the parent? YOU ARE! Im not saying its easy! But if you start now, early, you are setting them up with a foundation of what is good for their life too. I purchase every other week from a volunteer ran company called Bountiful Baskets (www.bountifulbaskets.org) they deliver in many areas around the US ( if its not near you,  get a group together and they WILL come to you. Where there is a need there is a way- look at how it worked out for Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams ;) ) They deliver round laundry baskets FULL of fruits and veggies. From there I make all sorts of things. It has really challenged me to be creative with my meals. You can find real great tasting recipes for items on Allrecipes.com. I am famous in this house for having long tubberware containers of fruits and veggies sitting out for my children to eat on all day. Because, literally my boys would eat ALL DAY LONG! Why not give them the food thats best for their bodies??? They love them so much that now, if I cook the veggies, Rosington says, "these are brains, I can't eat this Mama!' he prefers them raw. How great is that?? 

Now I am NOT saying I am perfect! I will be the first to tell you its hard. I have a hard time with natural cheeses. I think they taste whack and I love me some cheese. But we do drink Almond milk, we don't eat processed meat (if we can avoid it) We were blessed to find a man near us who slaughters his own beef and we get a chunk when he does. Grass fed everything is better. Does it not freak you out on meats that grow in a short span of time to this great massive hunk of meat? Where a chicken should be full grown in 8 months is full grown in 1 month! Thats some serious steroids! And coming from someone who has been on steroids before know how I felt over a span of 10 months… how much are they feeding OUR FOOD to get them that big? Then you want me to ingest that? Yikes. I don't think so.

Well, here I am again… ranting and not staying on topic. Im women, what can I say!? Im like spaghetti, its all connected in my brain. 

Want a better way to live? It has to start with you!

-s

Healthy Living

Our family has been on this health kick for some time. I guess its been a solid two years. Its hard! One because everything is so expensive! Its like 5$ for a pound of chicken at the store. But luckily we have been able to purchase grass fed cows and eat off that for some time and recently found out about a company that has organic chicken for super cheap too! Stick it in a freezer and hope the power doesnt go out for an extended time! We also do get fruits and veggies from bountiful baskets- LOVE them! round laundry basket size containers filled with fruit in one and veggies in another. Now, if I could just get my hands on a wild hog for some bacon or something. Doesn't that sound yummy? We go through so many darn free range eggs too! Those things are not cheap either. I have entertained the thought of getting some chickens in the backyard, but frankly, I don't have time for that! But, for now, its fun to look at how I would design my chicken coop :) I live a wild and crazy life, huh?

As far as eating healthy we try to stay away from processed as much as possible. We don't drink many sodas and when we do it just makes us sick to our stomaches. I make most everything. Thats why when we thought we might get iced in for a couple of days with no power I had to get my rear in gear! We had nothing to just grab and eat besides some fruit. It has made lunches easier as a lot of time I just put out a tray of fruit and a tray of raw veggies and we eat on that. Like right now, Im munching on strawberries, grapes, carrots and celery.

I am excited to get back to my pre sick weight. It has been quite the challenge to do this.
I have heard many people say they do cleanses. There are so many to choose from! I am going to do
the DoTerra oils cleanse ( I know, you are already thinking here she goes again talking about oils)
I don't know about most cleanses, but this one does your entire body, organs and all. Its a process over 90 days. I will start on Monday once I get my stuff. I feel my body needs this. I am positive I still have remnants of that nasty toxic chemo in my body. Things definitely don't work exactly the right way like they use to. It would be great if the cleanse dissolved and pushed out the mass still in my chest, but thats wishful thinking. It can however, clean out my GI track, organs, my blood vessels and jump start my metabolism to shred some 20lbs or so. I am the one person who found 40lbs on chemo- but with all the steroids I was on, I couldn't help myself but eat a king size box of fudge rounds every other day. Ha! I know! King size- I should be a boat! Luckily I don't eat sweets much now. I don't love them. I will eat peanut m&ms, but even thats a rare treat. I could stand to just drink chocolate almond milk as my sweet treat outside of fruit.

I am also looking to stick to this clean eating diet which is really a no bad carbs thing, my good friend Janice shared it with me. Protein + good fat + veg for both breakfast and lunch and for dinner
protein + veg + good fat + carb along with eating fruit sparingly. I can do that.
Anyone want to join me in this cleanse and healthy eating? Its not too bad a price and you don't have to get it all at once, but over the next 90 days. Let me know if you want to join me! I'd love to have the support and friends to do it with.

I am excited!!! Its getting warmer here too, so we will be outside more. Although the pollen count is crazy today. Its over 2000+. I knew it was bad, as I was on the phone, sneezing and all gross feeling out of nowhere. But I will take this over the cold! We have definitely had a go of winter this year. We haven't seen snow in 3 years and we got it 3 times! Yet, there seems to still be some varmints finding there way into my house. I found a copperhead snake in my garage a couple of weeks ago. I screamed and ran out like crazy! Pretty sure I almost made Danny Mac and Jon pee their pants a little too. It was funny.

Well… I guess I will be done with this boring ( to some) blog for now… I'll try to come up with something jazzy to say next time :)

Love you all!!!



wanna learn more about oils? check out : www.mydoterra.com/stephanielowrey


Here's my photo now- I will add a post photo. Hoping for less all around the edges :)

This is my blog I can say what I want

I had a rant earlier today that brought out my opinion which I try to keep to myself and fail often at.
Hence my post earlier. But I was complaining about negativity and well, now Im going to be negative or put some folks in their place I think they need to be.

At first I thought that all these makeup less self photos were silly and just another Facebook thing to keep us entertained. But, throughout my day I would see them and then remember they were doing it for cancer awareness. I thought it was cool! Then, later today I saw an article where this person is ripping people a new one for posting these, because she has had cancer and if, I quote, "she had seen it in the midst of her chemo she would have wanted to muster the energy to beat them with her drip stand" Seriously?? Im not making any less of this person's battle, but to sit here and act like positing makeup less photo is a vicious "how could they" big deal, is absurd.

I can't tell you how many times it has made me think today, not only of those I know and love who have cancer, but also those dear to me that are sick in general just because of these photos! This has had my mind going on things I can do for those people or others! This is a REAL sickness and many die every day from it. Most don't have a clue what some go through to try and get better. You literally kill your body to make your body better. This is no walk in the park and I can guarantee these folks posting themselves with no make up mean no harm, BUT GOOD! Yes, I am sure everyone knows what cancer is. But when were they reminded how real it really is? Lets get a grip people! AND then those of you who have never had cancer want to sit here and agree with this person upset about these photos?! Shut it! You have no idea and are just jumping on a ban wagon because its a negative one.
Im not saying its easy and I don't welcome it to come again. Frankly, Im terrified to ever have cancer once more, but the truth is, its there and if plastering faces on Facebook with no make up raises awareness then by golly post, post, post! Heck, get naked! I don't really care an no one else should if its making people think. Do whatever you can do to raise whatever awareness for whatever sickness has hit yourself or your family!

So having had my rant here are some photos for you to gawk at. I have never shared myself once I lost most of my hair and shaved it because I was so sad and depressed that I lost it in the first place. Made my poor husband shave it. But, who cares because clearly as you can see in my next photo of my NAKED face, it grows back.

I have two other things to say, one, thank you, from the bottom of my heart for those who stood by me through some of my hardest times during my sickness and two, go share your naked faces!

Love you all!

Ah!

This last week has been pretty crazy, though when isn't it?

I was talking to a friend this last week and realized something-
I never have had a passion for something like Levi has his music. His is a deep passion. I enjoy doing most everything I have done, while I was doing it. I baby sat, worked in the office of a plumbing company, worked my way as a manager in Steve Madden shoes, worked my way into management for the clothing company Areopostale (all this by the time I was 19) worked at a daycare, at a cafe, then made my way into the restaurant business where I became a FOH restaurant manager and event coordinator and my last job before I was laid off was working in an office assisting in daily office blah, and warehouse stuff. It would seem to me, that every one of my jobs have brought me to the place I am now. I literally use all these skills I learned in what I do now. No, I may not literally sell apparel, but I do use the basic skills to sell that apparel when 'selling' or promoting Levi and when I get to talk to all the wonderful people I meet. I certainly had to learn people skills. I have always been an outspoken, blunt and honest to a fault person. You either love me or you don't. I still tend to want everyone to love me, but I have learned, I cannot win them all like I'd like. Having said all that, I am now having to use my (old) skills of accounting, as I am now our accountant ( :-| ) Not by choice, but we deal with the hand that we are given. I think that considering all the craziness that happens on a regular basis, we handle quite well…. Mainly because I have an oil for that lol

Anyway, trying to change things over and get them settled was quite the event, especially while driving from state to state on our way to our destination. Now Im learning or relearning rather, what all I need to be doing. I am always up for a challenge.

We had a great time seeing some of my family in Bloomington. We went to the Legion with my Grandma and enjoyed ourselves. They had a live band, that wasn't bad, and my children proceeded to fight over a girl to dance with. See, she was the only girl close to their age. She was clearly interested in Boston, but Rosington was on a mission. Boston went to get some air with Levi, Rosington saw the girl on the dance floor with her dad and walked right up and asked if he could cut in! It was the cutest thing! He proceeded to dance with her the next 7 songs! Boston came back not happy lol He's not one to really go out and ask a girl, he is more shy. But he was on a mission then and asked her if he could have the next dance. She was pleased! They danced a couple and then we had to leave. I got the look of death from the both of them. Ha! Oh well… clearly they had a good time.

We had a show in Indianapolis on Saturday so after I accepted my polar plunge challenge we were off.
Sorry to those who missed the epic polar plunge! It was pretty great!

I was grateful to Ms. Penny for putting together an oils class for me and grateful for all the ladies that came to listen. I hope they really do enjoy them as much as we have.

The show was amazing!! Levi has seriously been spot on the last several shows I have seen him play. Not saying he isn't normally, but he has such a spark to him. You can see the love he has for his music. I thoroughly enjoy seeing him play on all levels, but the intimate settings are the best. We are very lucky to have the support of all of the Levites and of those who have not found their way to our group yet. Its growing daily!! Last week he was #126 on the Radio Free Americana charts and this week his is at #50!! I am so proud and excited to see where this constantly winding road goes.

Round 2

Well, here is my 2nd attempt at my blog... the other was deleted by accident :-/

Levi had a pretty good weekend on Jekyll Island- we seriously love that place. Our family vacation their every year. It's always so pleasant. We appreciate it so much more now. Levi played a couple of shows and got to see some lovely friends. If you are ever on the island, you must go check out SeaJays and order the clam chowder. Yum! We love the Rah Bar too! 

The little men and I held down the fort. My sister and myself redid a room for Levi to have a writing space. It looks pretty sweet if I don't say so myself :)

Church was sweet and I look forward to hearing the rest of the lessons. Keep Calm and Choose Wisely- if only we all stopped to think, if I say _____ what are the short term and long term consequences?? I totally needed to hear this!

The rest was spent hanging with some friends we haven't seen in a while. I wish I could spend so much more time with so many people. It's insane that it's already the 10 of March!!! It was just January 1st! Where does the time go??!! Grateful for the time I do get. 

Still selling oils and having a class this week. I'm excited!! It will be good to see some of the faces coming!! 

Shoot me a question if you have any! 

Church message this week.

This is part of the jaw from a cow that we found scavanging on some friends property.

Cow teeth

Rosi and I on the back of the four wheeler 

Boston giving me some sugar before ball practice 

Deep Blue Oil Blend

Deep Blue

A Soothing Blend

According to recent studies, more than half of us are sufferers of ongoing discomfort. Deep Blue® is dōTERRA®'s soothing solution to this challenge. Wintergreen, camphor, Peppermint, blue tansy, blue Chamomile, Helichrysum and osmanthus work together to ease achy joints and sore muscles. Its effects are deep and penetrating with sustained results. Once gently rubbed into the area of discomfort, Deep Blue's cool therapeutic benefit will be felt almost immediately. For topical use only.

 Deep Blue^® Roll-on Dispenser or oil          

The roll-on dispenser makes this soothing blend much more convenient to carry anywhere and have available immediately when the need arises. (However you can make your own roll-on with coconut oil or grape seed oil in a roller ball)  Below are suggestions on how to use the roll-on or the traditional blend in a bottle for a variety of situations.

Apply topically with gentle massage directly to areas of discomfort and pain. This would include areas of inflammation, sprain, bruising, sore muscles, joints, arthritis, rheumatism, and carpel tunnel. Combine with warm compresses for best results. Relief for these issues can also be effective in a bath using 4-5 drops agitated in the water or using a dispersing agent.

Pain blends are very effective against headaches and migraines. Topical massage application to areas of origin and discomfort is effective. Follow up using cup and inhale, diffuse, or carry a tissue cup and compresses.

Use topically with light massage with a carrier for children’s growing pains.

Use for irritating insect stings. Apply often until swelling, pain, and irritation subside.

Apply gentle massage on sore and tender areas that have endured the trauma of surgery.

For athletes, gently massage major muscles before and after sporting events.

dōTERRA Deep Blue® Rub                       

It is a rich, topical cream infused with Deep Blue^® Soothing Blend of Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils that provides targeted comfort to tired and sore joints and muscles. Formulated with a proprietary blend of natural plant extracts and other powerful ingredients, Deep Blue Rub provides a comforting sensation of cooling and warmth to problem areas. With close to 5 ml of dōTERRA's top-selling Deep Blue® essential oil blend of Wintergreen, camphor, Peppermint, blue tansy, German Chamomile, Helichrysum, and Osmanthus,

Deep Blue Rub is an essential addition to your bathroom cabinet, gym bag, or first aid kit. Deep Blue Rub is blended in a base of moisturizing emollients that leave your skin feeling soft, not greasy and is the choice of massage therapists and sports practitioners for applying dōTERRA's Deep Blue essential oil blend.

Release week-

So, we had the release of Levi’s record last Tuesday. Has it already been a week??? Wow!

Tuesday morning while I had guests in town from California and Virginia for the CD release show, Levi was stalking Facebook, Twitter and iTunes. Levi was definitely on it both that morning and that night! It was great! The whole band was tight and put on a great show for the SOLD OUT Red Clay Theatre show.

We sold about 140 CDs and auctioned off our first game (show) ball that was designed specifically for the show by our very own Danny McAdams and signed by all the guys in the band. The winner was Jeff B. there was a close call by another, but Jeff walked home the winner, but not without a fight J

Wednesday myself and Levi drove like a bat out of hell to get to Nashville (because we woke up late after hanging out with one of our favorite people), where Levi was invited to be a Friends and Family member of the Country Music Hall of Fame- pretty sweet!! We met the board members and those that make that place work and took a nice tour of the facility. Its pretty cool! That evening we went out to see my most favorite band, Shovels and Rope!!! I was loving it, but clearly you do not dance or even head bob in Nashville, because that is not the ‘cool’ thing to do. Rough crowd! They also revamped their songs from the record, which was alright, but I wanted to sing a long! Couldn’t really do that with them mixing it up. But all in all in was a good night!

Thursday was busy for Levi. He had two radio interviews that morning. We had lunch with a good friend of ours and then chilled for the afternoon.

Levi’s 2^nd CD release night was pretty sweet as well. We sold our 2^nd game (show) ball that Danny also designed that went home with Michele B. We had a different kind of crowd, but the guys were just as spot on if not better! We had a couple of dancers, but mainly a listening room. Lots of people who have worked together to make this album what it is with publicity and getting Levi’s name out there. I don’t know what we did before Caitlin. She is the best! We ended the great night, hanging with friends and fans at Losers.

We are both thankful for all the people who put their time and hard earned money into helping Levi stay at what he loves. Cant wait to get him out there to share this music with more of you!

You can get Levi Lowrey’s music at his website www.levilowrey.com or on iTunes- share the love!

January Lowrey Happenings

???

Is it a blogging sin to blog more than once in a day? Well, since I have never stuck to any mold, I will do what I do and do what I want J I much to say about nothing, but I will do it anyway.

I decided that I am going to recap January 2014. Moving forward when I fall into my inconsistence I will recap whatever time I missed… Its only fair, right?

So January, I’m going to have to grab my brain (calendar) for this. Looking through the month, it doesn’t look like a lot went down, I guess it had more pop ups then usual. We rang in the New Year here at the house with a few friends. Nothing crazy, no traveling this year and no sickness which is a first in a couple of years.

 Levi played The Joint in Las Vegas and I was able to join him last minute. We had a really great time! Didn’t see much else besides the Hard Rock where we stayed. We did venture over to Mandalay Bay, where, don’t laugh, I officially gambled for the first time (and lost) and Levi won. While there we went to a club and I danced my brains out! Not Levi of course, but he was a good sport and hung out anyway. Though if you could have seen his face, he was not into it.

We filmed Levi and Clay do a wing challenge at Wild Wings. Levi clearly won, but we’ll let Clay have it this time.

Vegas was fun, but there is no need for me to go back. I wasn’t really interested.

We announced the Clay vs. Levi tour. The East Coast will be rocking with these guys in April. Jealous? The tour starts in New Hampshire and ends in Atlanta. You can check dates and get tickets at www.levilowrey.com

We all got that nasty stomach bug going around…

We got a new puppy. He’s mainly German Shepard with a little something more, but not sure what he is mixed with yet. He is peeing all over the place. I wanted him. I suppose this is what I get. I know he’ll grow out it, he’s still learning.

Then we got snow! FINALLY! We went out and played in it twice. That’s enough snow for me. I’m good till next year or so.

I also decided to seriously pursue this oil business. Since they keep blowing my mind and I have seen daily what they can do, why not share with others what they can do and that we have Better alternatives?! My body has been through the ringer and I have used modern medicine and have many long term side effects that will never go away. Why not pursue a better way to help myself and my family and maybe make a little money at doing it? I have two goals with these earnings, one to pay for my oils addiction and two to feed my traveling budget so I can get on the road with Levi more and maybe to dive too.  So, if you feel so inclined to know more about oils or ask me. Check out

www.everythingessential.me

www.mydoterra.com/stephanielowrey