Category: health and wellness

Posted in Christian living, cross cultural living, health and wellness, Life, travel, Uncategorized

Cruising the World!

Posted on by narellejkelvin

Cruising can be a nightmare or amazing! Here are some thoughts and tips we have discovered in our very short experience.

I have always had an aversion to the thought of cruising. The only one I was interested in was not far from my home in Far North Queensland in Australia. That was because it was a lovely area but also because you were mostly close to land something I liked!

My aversions were a few:

  1. I don’t  like the ocean and get sea sick easily.
  2. You lose sight of land and those waves can be fearsome.
  3. You are with a couple of thousand other people on a tin tub in the middle of ocean and can not get away from them!
  4. Germs and food poisoning stories abound.
  5. Way too much food and I didn’t want to watch people or myself make gluttons of ourself!
  6. Way too many excesses all up with too many imbibing too much alcohol.

So all up it was not what I considered a nice holiday. However, one ferry ride we took across from Finland to Sweden was such a wonderful experience that I thought it might not be too bad to go on a more defined cruise.

We were offered a two for one deal and after Paul said he really wanted to go and visit Alaska we headed off for our 40th Wedding Anniversary with three thousand other people.

We opted to spend a bit of time in Canada before the cruise and loved the amazing country.

The cruise was for 10 days so we were indeed locked up with a lot of people but it didn’t feel to constricted. We opted to do a lot of walking in the ports rather than pay loads of money on tours organized by the cruise liner. We have since discovered that there are definitely options out there rather than join up with the masses.

Things we have learned on our very limited cruise experiences:

  1. Unless you are cruising an area that has spectacular views, don’t pay extra for a balcony – You are hardly in your room and when you are it is usually to sleep or nap so dark is good! And preferably not close to a lift!
  2. Higher isn’t necessarily the best! The sway is considerably more in the event of bad weather.
  3. Washy washy! Washing hands is imperative to avoid nasties. Health issues in such close quarters are really important as is what you eat and drink on land at the various ports. Take care!
  4. Be alert! Travel always requires that we remain aware of our surroundings. There are some not so pleasant people out there and situations, so be smart.
  5. Get off the ship and shop around! There are better tours that can be found at the docs and even outside the port fences! Get a group together and negotiate a fair price for your drivers as well as yourselves. We appreciated our small intimate group and our ability to negotiate our time and sightseeing, instead of being dictated to along with 70 other people.
  6. Get away from the tours to support local artisans and retailers. Bartering isn’t fun for me but if I feel they are giving me a fair deal I will buy. If I feel I am being ripped off I walk away!
  7. Have fun and get to know other guests. There are some amazing people out there to meet. Don’t just sit with your friends and family.
  8. Don’t be the rude, whinging tourist! Treat your cruise staff with respect and patience. Treat the locals with respect as well. They are trying to make a living in some pretty hard circumstances. RESPECT!
  9. Take phone numbers of your tour guides. It can come in handy. Paul left his phone in the taxi we hired and we were able to contact him and connect to get it back – and gave him a nice tip for being honest and driving back to us!
  10. Have fun! This a great time to relax, enjoy new sights as well as be pampered!

So just a few thoughts as we embark on our third cruise – This time to Italy and the Adriatic Sea – Just a little excited about it! This is my dream cruise!

Back soon

Until next time

Blessings Narelle

The amazing sights you see along the way
Stella Days!
Heading out of Vancouver. Cruising the Alaskan waterways
Heading out of Miami through the Panama canal.

 

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Posted in Christian living, communication, energy, faith, health and wellness, Life, Love, prayer, Uncategorized

Dance Like No-one Is Watching You – Know that He is Watching You!

Posted on by narellejkelvin

Dancing – the activity of dancing for pleasure or in order to entertain others. Recently a Facebook memory came up of my grandson doing his crazy little dances he would do as he underwent Leukemia treatment. He liked to “Move it move it” to the music from “Madagascar” and kept us all smiling among the many struggles and caused lots of pleasure, entertaining us with his very different moves!

He taught me a valuable lesson at the time, “You can laugh, or you can cry! You can sit down and mope or get up and crack a few good moves!” We all learned to do some “butt dances” each time we finished a project, saw a good result, or had just had enough of hospital monotony!

Our boy showed us the moves!

At the same time of this memory another Facebook video came up of a little champion, Molly Jane, who has faced incredible challenges in her little life, outliving every prediction of death from doctors. The joy in her face as she danced to some buskers on the street was wonderful! If only they knew who was dancing and entertaining their fellow humans!

https://www.facebook.com/jessica.louises/videos/10213132765293046/?t=14 see her dance to the beat here.

The two videos sparked a memory of a scripture in me which says, “Rejoice always and again I say rejoice!” There are so many scriptures that refer to leaping for joy. Not just doing a shuffle but leaping for joy and in great excitement.

I remember over the years there were times of trouble or dark times that I was encouraged by God to praise Him and to leap for joy. Sometimes it felt like I was a “little ridiculous” but I would praise Him with my voice and by dancing my moves for His entertainment! I was doing my “butt dances” or my victory dances before they had actually come to pass!

King David was mocked by his wife for dancing with joy, in his undergarments no less, as he headed up a procession towards the now Jerusalem! Good enough for a king – good enough for me to dance to my King in my home!

So recently amidst some challenging moments, I started to dance (or rather leap around). Let me tell you the first day it was a challenge – for the flesh and also for the knees and feet! However, the next day, it was truly a time of leaping in victory!

So lesson relearned! Rejoice ALWAYS and again I say rejoice! So I am following some young people’s lead, and doing a few moves to shake off the negativity and praise the God who gives us the victory and causes us to overcome!

Blessings and great joy

Until next time!

Narelle

Posted in autoimmune, energy, health and wellness, inflammation, isagenix, Life, Night shade Allergies, thyroid, Uncategorized, weight loss

The Battle with Food! Keeping Unhealthy Weight Off!

Posted on by narellejkelvin

My mum always struggled with food. Her weight burgeoned after she quit smoking in the early sixties. Food became her next addiction. However, really when I think what she used to eat I don’t think she ate excessively – a lot but mainly the wrong types of food.

She was told by a dietitian early in the sixties not to eat white bread as she was probably gluten intolerant – this before it became a buzz word for food intolerance issues! She paid no heed and bread was always her downfall.

I am not going to get in to gluten debate now as there are way too many who know more than me and I would suggest researching this aspect of food, but I would like to discuss is the battle with food many of us have.

I remember those nights of sitting alone at the dinner table after everyone else had left: Staring down at the now cold, limp beans and stew lying untouched on my plate, sobbing and trying to catch my breath from literally an hour of fighting with my mother over not eating.

The battles raged constantly over my eating habits until finally she gave in and allowed me to eat raw vegetables in the afternoon as she prepared the evening meal and she wouldn’t serve me stews allowing me to eat alternatives. (Even now I gag as I think of those meals – It wasn’t her cooking all the time just my likes)

She always made us a three course breakfast which I loved: fruit, cereal, protein of some sort and toast, with a juice. It was a good way to start the day because I rarely ate much thereafter until later in the afternoon.  In the tropics anything other than a crispbread would be a soggy mess by lunch time at school!

Now I look at it, I felt really good after that regime kicked in. Fresh vegetables and fruit as opposed to life sapping cooking, and very little red meat, with some cheese, little bread and minimal sugar – in any form! I felt good!

So fast forward nearly 50 years later and the battle with food continued but this time with me arguing with myself. Sugar entered my life in my late teens, as did caffeine and other forms of nasties. I still preferred, lightly steamed for raw vegetables, and not a great fan of red meat but introduced breads, pastas, and rice and other foods that didn’t agree with me. So now after years of progressive weight gain, and digestion issues I am discovering the theory of the “leaky gut” syndrome.

Autoimmunesecrets.com really offers some amazing insights into areas that I have struggled with, (to the point of feeling suicidal, the same as described by one gentleman on this program). I had to find out answers pretty much for myself because Doctors couldn’t find answers with traditional testing, and thanks to my naturopath who persevered, we discovered food intolerance that were literally crippling me and causing me incredible pain.

My battle with food seemed to continue but in a different form, me against my body! Lately however, after hearing some of these ideas from the guys above I really feel like I have come to a better understanding with my body – “I will do what I can and body, you need to do what you do well!”

I have always been thankful for my body but the struggle was real. I am now addressing the gut and really concentrating on eating as I did when I felt well – eat well during the morning and afternoon, light at night. I still have some limitations but trusting that soon I might be able to incorporate night shades back in to my diet once again. In the meantime addressing the gut issues has resulted in loss of weight, and inches, as well as feeling well – my main focus always!

Isagenix Products

Ensuring I have enough of the correct vitamins and minerals, and utilizing other supplements to increase my energy levels and boost metabolism has been a major key to wellness. A customer asked me recently what I was using from the Isagenix range of products.

 Click here to see the some of the products I am using. I really recommend the cleanse regime to begin with and then follow up with the vitamins and energy drinks to keep going! Cleanse for life and I loooove the Ionix Supreme drink for warding off sickness or strengthening the immune system.  People comment on cost but my doctors visits or lack thereof over the past 4 years is testament to keeping healthy. I also calculated the cost of shakes and bars and find that it is very cost effective as meal replacements for a period. I also find that the amount of ingredients is usually over other comparative products – a nice bonus.

One other thing I am doing is working with my health program on my Samsung phone. It keeps track of my calorie intake, and usage, as well as my sleep. I am competitive by nature so competing monthly with one million other users and being in the top 2 or 3 percent in terms of steps per month is a great incentive for me! Find what works for you and use whatever it takes to release those pounds, into the blue yonder!

My accountability now sees me having released only abut 5.5 kilos or 12 pounds over a few weeks about 1 kilo or 2 pounds a week, a nice steady amount, and the inches are dropping and muscle is returning to areas that haven’t seen it for some time! My shoulders are thankful for the chest drop let me tell you!

Health is a journey but stay focused; do what you need to to stay motivated. I look forward to hearing some of you share about your journey to healthy living!

Blessings for now

Until next time Narelle

 

Posted in Christian living, communication, faith, health and wellness, Life, Love, Marriage, Uncategorized

Love Doesn’t Insist on Its Own Way

Posted on by narellejkelvin

Love doesn’t insist on its on way!

What is love? I will tell you what it is not!  It isn’t seeking to be self-satisfied by gaining its own way. You can choose to demand your rights, or you can chose to walk in love which is self-denying! In one translation it says, “Does not keep a record of wrongs done to it!” Ouch!

How many times do we maintain a list of wrongs? It may not appear you are holding on to someone’s “wrongs” until a situation arises and all of a sudden all those previous irritations, wrongs, abuses, offenses come rushing back and enter into the argument or situation. It creeps in making us feel and appear very ugly – as the southerners here say.

Ugly – unpleasant, nasty, disagreeable, alarming, tense, charged, serious, grave; a good word to describe what it looks like to continually insist on our own way! Yet the world tells us we should be seeking to do what makes us happy or satisfies us and our own desires.

This word is contrary to that thought and not easy to fulfill. As a young wife I followed my mother’s example of holding wrongs or pain in until like Vesuvius an explosion would ensue, and all manner of “stuff” would come spewing out!

I followed suit and would retain and retain until finally it would all come out when the toothpaste was squeezed the wrong way! No wonder poor Paul would wonder what he had done. Of course it wasn’t the toothpaste – but it was the last thing on top of all other “wrongs”.

Thankfully the years have taught me not to allow perceived wrongs to fester until a weeping sore oozes out rubbish that is completely unrelated to an incident! Now I communicate what I am feeling without the emotion of anger attached. It is much more painless and usually results in a resolution. It also gives me time to assess.

What exactly am I reacting to? Am I responding to something that has more to do with my own self then the other person really wronging me? Is it really something that needs to be addressed to the other person or something I need to work out between myself and God? Is it something that is best left blowing in the wind?

So as I learn to walk in love I will not insist on my own way or keep a list of wrongs. I can let a lot of useless emotions go or confront in love something without the festering! Only in His Grace!

Until next time

Blessings and Love

Narelle

 

 

Posted in Christian living, communication, grief, health and wellness, Life, Love, Parenthood, Uncategorized

A Time to Move – A Time for Change

Posted on by narellejkelvin

While undergoing missionary training I will never forget the comment by our lecturer who said the life of a missionary is one of good-byes. Never a truer word was spoken!

We said goodbye to elderly parents, siblings, our older children and in time our grandchildren as we moved across nations. I said goodbye to my father not knowing it would be the last time I saw him alive.

Goodbyes and change are never easy. As “third culture kids” missionary children are quite adept at change but nevertheless it is still a major grief process for them as well.

Grief is the word I use because ultimately no matter how “exciting” a new venture is whether it is leaving country, town or house, there is always going to be elements of grief associated. Here is a quick overview of what you leave behind.

  1. Family and friends – You are almost certainly leaving behind many you love, in some cases never to see them again or perhaps with an interlude of many years.
  2. Familiar places – Familiarity breeds contempt but mostly it breeds a sense of comfort. We like to know what the packaging says on what we eat. We like to go to our favourite hairdresser, car mechanic, business operator, or any of the many other connections we make when settling in to a place.
  3. Church family – We know these people. We have journeyed with them for perhaps many years. We know what to expect in a worship service or at least be able to understand what is being said and sung!
  4. Our precious things – Sadly we all are attached to the “Things” in our lives. When they are packed away and we don’t know when or if we will ever see them again there is an element of grief attached to that also.
  5. Work and school – Leaving behind familiar work and school situations, friends and colleagues. Also leaving again the comfort of familiarity as we move on to the unknown.  Encourage them to stay in touch with old friends as I do myself. You will of course drift away from certain friendships but I do try to stay connected with friends and families as well as old work mates.
  6. Memories – We accumulate just as many memories as we do “stuff”. To leave these behind can be heart wrenching.

Allowing ourselves to walk through the process of grief is imperative and to each of us this will look different.

I remember one of my little girls I taught, going about the classroom just before she and her family were due to leave the country. She was touching each book, special place, saying out loud this would be the last time for…  She also talked frequently about her last experiences; sleep over, concert here, etc etc. It went on for a few weeks and towards the end of the school year she wanted to have a farewell party for her little friends. Her mother eventually came in very concerned.

I asked why?

“Because when I leave a place I don’t say goodbye. I just leave without looking back or really having a farewell anything.”

To me, her daughter had the better coping mechanism! She was finalizing her memories, and giving healthy closure to her relationships! You must give yourself and your family time to grieve and process. We each do that differently!

Grief comes in many shapes and forms but if not dealt with well, can leave lasting negative impacts, particularly on children. Here are some practical helps I have learned over the past 30 years of traveling and change.

  1. Family and friends – Set them up for the farewells. Give them time to process and also try to be as cheerful as possible. I remember crying myself to sleep each night before we left country as I faced the prospect I might never see my parents again. I had a tape that I was playing and after the tears it brought peace to my soul. “Because He lives I can face tomorrow!” None of us knows what tomorrow will hold whether we stay or leave but we know that He does know and we can trust in Him. He will take care of those we leave behind. Grieve certainly, but then find your peace in Him.
  2. Familiar places – When we go overseas it is always a challenge to establish new connections but we face it positively and with anticipation of finding new friends. Someone said to me just the other day about Paul, “He doesn’t know a stranger does he.” I think that is a key. We embrace the challenges of finding the new! If you complain and whine and harp back to the “old place” you will definitely feel the negative affects of change. Embrace positively. Talk to new friends about their best people they have found for tasks until you set up your own network of the familiar.
  3. Church Family – I thank God I am part of an amazing world wide family! It is not just one denomination or people group. It is “church” the body of Christ and in our many years of travels we have been blessed by many different church family. It is good to get rooted in one family but not always possible. Keep your arms and heart open to the family.
  4. Our precious things – We always take just a couple of precious things with us, including photos (now more easily transported with digital photos). This is really important for children and I don’t recommend leaving behind their favourite toy. I remember one woman who said each time they moved as a Navy brat, she had to leave her toys behind! They don’t need to take it all but the really precious ones for sure. I also made sure we took a couple of familiar Christmas decorations, to make it feel like home. Naomi has one donkey made from a wooden peg in first grade that has traveled the world and is still placed on her tree each Christmas!
  5. Work and school – For adults it will require time to adjust to new work place routines and colleagues, and so it is with children – but on steroids! They are already facing daily challenges, particularly teenagers, but to uproot them at that age creates a whole different set of emotions and issues. I remember in my 5th or 6th grade Janice left town! I couldn’t believe how it made me feel to think I would never see her again! Encourage your children regularly! Naomi found her strength and peace as she left school, family and even country with two scriptures. Psalm 91 and Joshua 1. Be strong and of good courage. You can encourage them to grow through the time rather then succumb to the pain of grief.
  6. Memories – These you will always have. But you are pressing on, moving forward into new memories. Take the time to talk with children and encourage them to start to believe for new memories.

Change is inevitable no matter where you are or what stage of life you are at. Paul gives the analogy of a boxer. If you resist a punch it will hurt but if you move with it, it won’t hurt as much. The more resistant you are to change the more it will hurt. A positive, respectful attitude towards each other will help you all move through the process and enjoy the journey.

You have a choice on how you handle change – Choose life or death. Choose to live in a positive, embracing mode or resist and fight with a negative attitude. It is up to you. There are so many wonderful new adventures you can enjoy.

Until next time

Blessings Narelle

Posted in Christian living, gardening, health and wellness, Life, Love, Marriage, Uncategorized

Cruising Alaska – Prostitutes and Marriage

Posted on by narellejkelvin

In December 2015 we celebrated our 40th Wedding anniversary and part of our 12 month celebration apart from walking the Camino,  included setting sail in May the following year for a cruise in Alaska.

It was a cruise Paul has always wanted to do and the weather, and cruise liner did not disappoint. It was very different to walking across Spain carrying a pack and almost felt indulgent! It was our first cruise for longer than an over night trip and I really wasn’t sure how I would handle living for 10 days  with thousands of other fellow travellers, eating and doing other “stuff” that I don’t particularly like doing eg drinking or cabarets etc.

But away we sailed! Firstly we spent a few days in Victoria. We would be passing that way later but we really wanted to see the Butchart Gardens without sharing with two thousand other people and for only a few hours. So we walked from the “Waddling Dog” a very quaint British feeling hotel that we fell in love with, including the resident British hound dog – 5th version of the Waddling Dog.

It was a small walk, only about 20 kilometers, but we enjoyed seeing the homes, paths through forests and meeting locals along the way. Walking really lets you see a place from a different perspective.

 

It was a comforting feeling to get the walking sticks back out.

We spent the day walking the amazing paths of flower gardens blooming with tulips and other spring beauties. I absolutely adore gardens and exploring them but the work required to nurture and grown them is colossal. Every sense soaked up the beauty and hard work created by Jennie Butchart and her team.

The next day a great friend of ours from the Camino caught up with us for a little while dropping us off to the ferry to take us to the mainland, with a promise to catch up when we came back with the cruise in a couple of weeks time.

We spent a week exploring British Columbia, staying at our time share in St Ives at Shuswap Lake.  The drive across and the surrounding country were magnificent and just how I always imagined Canada to be.

Returning to Vancouver a week later we then set sail up the Inland Passage.  The weather was amazing each day unveiling breathtaking scenery. Stellar was the word the staff and rangers used often!

One stop was Ketchikan. As we walked around the small town snuggled against the mountains, we discovered Creek Street. Creek Street is a great viewing spot to watch the salmon run although we were a bit early. There was a particular place though that saddened me. It is called Married Man’s Trail. This was the muddy path married men took to visit one of the 20 “houses of ill repute” found on Creek Street in ages gone by. Trust me the street isn’t that long or deep so they must have been falling over themselves!

There is a bridge that crosses over from the main township but the married men followed the trail to the “houses” so they wouldn’t be seen. I watched as many laughed and took photos with “girls” dressed for photo opportunities and all thought it was a good laugh. I didn’t. I thought of the many young girls who would have found themselves possibly trafficked but definitely abused by the men and as well ostracized by the “normal” women of the community.

I found it sad that men felt the need to visit the ladies of the night! The Street was also the place for liquor to be smuggled to in the era of prohibition! So it was definitely a party street.

What I find sad is how men relinquished their vows to visit prostitutes and still do. The Bible says that the marriage bed is not to be defiled. Having to look outside of marriage to be fulfilled is destructive on so many levels. There is of course the physical side of sleeping around which can attract any number of diseases. Then there is the emotional drain of secret keeping as well as becoming emotionally involved with someone else. Finally the spiritual aspect is the most dangerous. Jesus said even to look on a woman with lust was considered adultery! So bottom line looking outside of marriage for sexual satisfaction will lead down the path of destruction!  It will destroy your marriage, possibly your physical life and definitely your spiritual life.

I think of the Butchart Garden and the effort it took to create such a place of beauty out of an old quarry and I stand in awe of that work. Yet similar effort must be given to the marriage relationship to cause it to grow beautiful things. Nurture the relationship, plant good seeds, and keep it fed and watered with love. Also keep the marriage bed fun and faithful!

Don’t find yourself walking down a married man’s lane and heading to a Creek Street – either figuratively or in your imagination.  Marriage is too precious!

Blessings for now

Until next time

NarelleIMG_095020160512_105853IMG_0952

 

Posted in autoimmune, dementia, energy, Hashimotos, health and wellness, inflammation, Life, Night shade Allergies, stress, thyroid, Uncategorized

Alzheimer and Dementia – Inflammation, Diet, Auto Immune connections?

Posted on by narellejkelvin

The third video in the series on Auto immune diseases discusses the links to dementia and Alzheimer and other neurological diseases. The link was only up for a limited time so I would consider purchasing the entire set of information if this area is of concern to you or yours.  I am going to. This in helpful formation is in all one place with great explanations.

If you have ever watched a love one suffer with dementia or Alzheimer disease you will find this video probably a little sad that you hadn’t seen something like it before or at least all in one place to be able to really get a fuller understanding of it.

The more I explore inflammation and the issues that ensue, it is very challenging and makes you sit up and look at what we eat, what we allow in our home e.g. cooking, cleaning, make up even, not to mention  EMR!

If you were like me EMR meant nothing! It is basically the micro waves that surround us everywhere and with all the wireless devices that are used within the home situation as well as work places, it is little wonder we are tired and struggling with energy loss.

I also loved the explanation of hydration within our systems. I love water, so it is not a big issue for me but I know many who barely drink enough to pee and poop let alone hydrate the rest of their systems.

Fasting is also a healthy practice. So that is a nice prompt to get back in to the practice. I have always found it to be a spiritual and physical practice. It has always been an important aspect of healing for me at various times in my life. I will follow this up later with a blog as I really believe in this.

So these videos are really another important message for health and wellbeing. Check it out. 

 

Until next time

Blessings Narelle.

 

 

 

Posted in autoimmune, energy, fertility, Hashimotos, health and wellness, inflammation, Night shade Allergies, stress, thyroid, weight loss

Adrenal Dysfunction, Auto Immune Diseases including Hashimotos, Diabetes, Thyroid and Infertility – Examining the Links

Posted on by narellejkelvin

Adrenal dysfunction is so connected to Auto Immune disease! After years of adrenal issues caused primarily from living at high levels of stress, not sleeping well or enough, and ultimately really not caring for myself, I succumbed to some serious health issues!

This second video is so interesting and covers many different areas of dysfunction starting with the relationship between adrenal and thryoid systems. I can not recommend this video enough! The information is so helpful in understanding the correlation of all of these systems within our bodies.

“All or nothing” comments from the woman at 1:24 has really challenged me and is a bit of a wake up call. As with any product you take from the system, responses do seem to come back with a vengeance if you weaken and partake! I have been really cutting back on gluten products, prepackaged anything, and also sugary products, but in the last couple days I have eaten some gluten products and jelly (sugary) products and suffered with pain. So back to the commitment board! But more importantly I want to see this problem fully fixed so I can get back in to a “normal” routine and enjoyment of all healthy foods!

Fertility issues, energy, diabetes, hormone imbalance, thyroid issues, immune issues, so  many diseases and issues, are caused by unhealthy diets, and environmental toxicities. We know it but this video really highlights the need to cleanse and heal. I like the balanced approach from most of the health professionals.

This is an amazing video pointing out so many different aspects of our unhealthy lifestyle. I urge you to take the time to listen to this series a few times over if necessary to get the most out of it! Click here to connect!

I am looking forward and believing for healing to be able to live a healthy life, by eating closer to the food chain. How about you? So many have said they will listen to the video but how many will follow through to even do that, let alone make changes to their lifestyle? How determined to gain good health are we? Find new hope for health – check it out now.

Keep eating well – living well.

Until next time

Blessings Narelle

 

 

Walking the Camino – How to Prepare

The Camino de Santiago is an 800 km or 500 mile walk through France and Spain. It is a pilgrimage walk that has been around for thousands of years that has many trails originating around Europe. It was said that you could step outside your door and begin the pilgrimage from anywhere in Europe. During the time of occupation by the Ottomans in Jerusalem the Way of St James became a safer pilgrimage and acceptable in the eyes of the church for pilgrimage absolution.

St James was supposedly buried there after having floated there from Jerusalem on a ruder-less boat. I don’t know about that. There are many beliefs surrounding the pilgrimage that many believe or don’t believe but there is one binding factor with nearly all pilgrims who we encountered or spoke to had one thing in common: the sense of being called to walk The Way!

Many including myself when they find out about the Camino Way have a strong sense that not only would they like to do the long walk but there is a strong feeling of “having” to do the walk.

For me it started after I watched the movie, “The Way”, written and directed by Emilio Esteves and starring his father Martin Sheen.  It is the story of a father who completes the trek after his son dies on the Way getting caught in bad weather: something that is a common occurrence as seen by the memorial headstones dotted along the pathways.

Once I saw the film I knew I had to do it. But at the time I was pretty much chair bound with illness and pain. However, within a couple of years I set the date to make the journey.

It was 2 years down the track, the year we celebrated 40 years of marriage and Paul turned 60. Also, it would give me time to gain my health back, while starting to train for the walk.

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In training in the Philippines. Early hours of the morning because past sun rise, the heat was too much.

One of the first thing I did was buy a pair of comfy training shoes. They were light, a size larger then I needed (to help with blisters), and didn’t confine my feet and cause pain. The first pair of shoes that didn’t cause me pain!

I walked in rain, in the cold, the heat, the day, the dark, by myself, and with others. The time rolled by as the miles did.

So here are some of the preparations myself and Paul underwent to prepare for the Camino.

  1. Set a date – Setting a date  brings the goal into focus and plans will begin to take shape.
  2. Train – Set up a training program and stick to it. I tried to do at least 6-8 kilometers a day more on others in any kind of weather, wet, cold, hot, everything except for thunderstorms – They were a no go!  I would also recommend stretches to build strength. The one I didn’t do enough of was to door more hill climbs.
  3. Carry a pack – The more I started to walk I would add weights to a pack to increase my ability to carry a pack. I even used coral rock in the Philippines to get used to the added weight.
  4. Study – Increase your knowledge of the paths you will follow. Understanding the terrain and what is ahead in terms of weather, and accommodation. Also understanding how diet and water affects walking.
  5. Purchase the correct equipment –

       –  Pack – We changed Paul’s pack right at the end. It has to have a waist band to                 take the weight and not pull on the shoulders.

–  Rainwear  – A good rain coat is important. We will probably go with the Atalaa next time. Our ponchos were ok but not great. They needed to be longer although they were light weight – always a consideration. The Atalaa people seemed to just cruise by unscathed by the weather on themselves or their packs.

– Footwear – Of course it goes without saying – correct footwear is a must. I was told to go a size bigger and it worked. Two pairs of socks fill the gaps. Duct tape is a must. Prevents blistering!

– Underwear. We opted mainly for bamboo socks and jocks. I would hope for a better fitting pair next time that dried quicker. Also undergarments that wick moisture away from your body too.

 – Poles – this is not last for any reason but they definitely were our definite bring along. Some did walk without them – good luck to them. I would never think of it! They were invaluable. Spring loaded were good but not particularly necessary. We didn’t go very expensive due to financial constraints and it really didn’t seem to make a difference, except the tips do wear out after 40 days of pounding. They can be purchased along the way.

6. Stay the course – There may be  road blocks or at least detours so persevere. Keep focused. Don’t give up!

 

 

 

Auto Immune – It’s not in your head – It’s in your body!

There is so much to write about today I feel a little concerted. I will start with Auto Immune Secrets first though. Auto Immune diseases. As I have said before on a previous blog found here it has taken me years to recover and discover just what was happening within my body. Two burnouts took its toll on my immune system. Finally a diagnosis of Hashimotos and then a realization that food allergies, (night shades) primarily, were creating havoc in my system and finally as I undertook methods to heal with diet changes, medication, prayer, life style changes and I felt like I was a renewed woman

A crisis within my system this past week and a flair up of inflammation caused me to look again at just what is happening and then I found this!  AutoImmune Secrets . If you click on here it will take you to a link that you can join up. So far they are not selling anything except the understanding of what is happening to your body. I related particularly to the story of the first guy Arthur’s story at 1:32. It is my story! Even to the point where suicide became an invasive thought despite my strong belief about that being any sort of option! Praise God He showed me years back how to walk in healing and health that is why this weeks crisis was a real bummer!

I would encourage anyone who is struggling with autoimmune problems such as diabetes, thyroid conditions, lupus, or un-diagnosed issues or been told it is in “your head” when your body is screaming another reality, check this out.

I believe in Jesus as my healer and also believe we need to take care of this body we have been given in maintaining health. This is so hard to do in this day and age with the amount of environmental toxins, and food additives etc, not to mention the stress levels we live under.

But God is good and led me to this site!  AutoImmune Secrets   has come at a great time. I want to see my body completely healed – and this video offers insights and hope to the millions who like myself struggle with keeping on top of  living a healthy lifestyle.

I look forward to Episode 2!

Until next time

I will write the next blog while sipping my golden milk. Thanks Jo Kelvin and Naomi Darg for the recipe!

Blessings Narelle