Date Day Friday

Don and I had a wonderful day together today.  It was the first time we have been back to South Padre Island since our honeymoon four and a half years ago.

The day started out with a few clouds and a very few spits of rain and a slight breeze.

This antique was cruising down the highway at about 65 miles per hour.  Don decided it has been modified.

This album contains pictures I took from the Pier 19 area where we ate lunch. 

		South Padre Island 11-12-2010 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Today was a great day for flying a kite and there were many kite flyers, but the area was locked so we couldn’t get close.

The next album contains pictures taken while we were on the beach.

		South Padre Island Nov 12 2010 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I found a perfect sand dollar on the beach with sea weed still attached.  It was the only sand dollar we saw.

There is a new Bird Center on South Padre that was opened in 2009.  We spent over an hour here on the mile plus board walks. The guide told us of all the plants, birds, butterflies, fish, turtles, and alligators in this natural preserve.  We never saw an alligator, but Don loved the “shell crabs” and I loved the falcon having dinner

From the boardwalk, I also took a picture of our honeymoon hotel across the street.

The sun was getting low, so we decided we should start on the 70 miles trip back to the Q.  Took this going-down-the-street picture as we were leaving.

A couple of views of S.P.I across the Laguna Madre from the Highway 100 bridge:

We learned today that the Laguna Madre is not very deep and thus the water is more salty than the Gulf of Mexico.

We didn’t make it home before the sun set (had to check out a DQ on the way), but we did get back before dark. I entertained myself on the way home taking pictures of the red sunset.

Thank you, God, for the glory of your creation and thank you, Don, for a wonderful “date day.”

Town Hall Meeting, Airport and Veterans’ Day

Meet Donna and Jim Hall, new park managers.

Meet Hector, new head of maintenance.

The town hall meeting was considered a success and hopefully, some good things with come from it.  It is supposed to be a monthly occurrence.

Don and I were going to watch birds, but it was just too windy today, so we went to Penney’s instead.  We found the McAllen airport…. just drove into it.  It’s behind the Plaza Mall.

Tuesday morning, the Q got a bath and so did the truck.

Meet Eileen Mayhew who was the M.C. for the Veteran’s Day program.

All Veterans were recognized as their branch song was played.

Each Veteran received a flag, a flag magnet and a pin.

Don get his flag.

This gentleman touched my heart.

During the program, four patriotic songs were played as we all reflected on our freedom and the price paid for it.

Don prayed the opening and closing prayer.

We are so grateful to all U.S. Veterans everywhere and for those serving presently.  God bless them all.

Day 19 of 30 days of truth

Day 19: What is your opinion of religion?

I don’t think very highly of religion or the religious, but you have to know Jesus’ definition of religion to understand where I’m coming from.  There are many religions in the world, but there’s only one way to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ.  Paul was one of the most religious men in the world, but until he became a follower of Christ…. well, he was lost and completely useless to God.

That’s pretty much how I feel about religion.

Cheri

Dearest praying partners,

Please pray for our friend, Cheri Hulgan, who was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer last week.  We received an email from her today.

Dr's at UCLA have advised Cheri that there is no hope without chemo and radiation for two years.  Surgery is not an option.  The cancer cells are in the brain and even if they remove the tumor, the cells are still there.  Cheri's words were: "Oh well, they are not in charge, Christ is and I will trust him through all of this even parts I don't like."

Christ is, indeed, in charge and let's all trust Him together with Cheri and Tom and their family.  God is going to do amazing things through Cheri.

The Tuesday veggie vendor

On my way to the laundry this morning, I passed a fruit and veggie “wagon” parked just inside the front gate.  I didn’t stop but it looked like the veggie vendor had a really nice variety.  Someone in the laundry said the pineapples were outstanding and that the vendor comes to Tip every Tuesday from 9:30-12:00 noon.  Immediately I called Don and he walked up to check it out. 

When I got back to the Q, Don had hot tortilla soup, chicken salad sandwiches and fruit salad ready for lunch.  Makes me love laundry day.  I already love my man.

Don said the vendor had a pineapple peeler/corer and peeled and cored the pineapple he bought right there.  Just about the best pineapple I’ve ever eaten.  Of course, I’ve never been to Hawaii, but it sure is sweet and juicy.

I think I will start a “score card” for windy and not-so-windy days.  Describing Windy Day as being so windy you don’t want to go outside.

Windy days-5; Not-so-windy days-6

Today is a Windy Day.

Picture of Kris

I finally got the picture of Kris opened.  Laptop will not allow me to unzip a folder, or I’m not smart enough to figure it out, but I did on the desktop.  Something needs to be adjusted on the laptop probably.  A job for someone more computer savvy than me.

>>>Click Here to see picture of Kris!!<<<

Kris update – Good News and Bad News

Dear friends and loved ones,

As the saying goes, I have good news and bad news this week, and I’ll give you the good news first.

As mentioned in our latest update, we took Kris back to Brooke Army Medical Center on Thursday for an ear, nose and throat appointment.  The doctor was very nice and scoped her nasal passages and down her throat.  Wonderful news: her voice box is not paralyzed.  It is working.  She groaned rather loudly having the scope down her throat, which showed us on the monitor that both sides of her voice box are working perfectly.  This means her inability to speak is a neurological thing and she will talk one of these days when that part of her brain kicks in again.  Hooray!  The scope also showed her nasal, sinus and throat passages are clear.  No abrasions, scarring or trauma in her throat that would inhibit her from eating properly.  They have authorized a new swallow study back at Health South RIOSA.

Now for the bad news.  When I knew the appointment with the ENT group was made for Thursday morning (thanks again to that great case manager!), I contacted Dr. Teff (the neurosurgeon who operated on Kris the night of her accident) and explained about the area on the right side of her head.  It has been tissue thin since her cranioplasty in September when the neurosurgeon who operated on her back then had to stretch the skin up over the implant.  It has been sore, red, and basically showed signs of infection for some time and infection is the last thing we need in that area.  I asked Dr. Teff if he would be able to just take a look at it after her ENT appointment on Thursday.  He said he would be happy to see Kris and check it out.  We went up to the neuro clinic after the ENT appointment and this is where the day suddenly took an abrupt turn.

When Dr. Teff looked at the old incision area that was now tissue thin, he was not happy.  And, when he swabbed it a bit, he was admittedly concerned.  Deeply concerned.  The implant actually showed through.  He said this will never heal because it is over the implant and is not thick enough to receive nourishment from the blood.  He reminded me that, should any infection get under the implant and into the brain, it would be disastrous.  He said he wanted to take care of this immediately and, in the very next breath, he said, “I want to admit her today and schedule the surgery.  I’ll remove the area, check under the implant for possible infection, then fix the scalp area so there is blood flow and hair will be able to grow there.”  He explained, however, that the implant would have to come out if there was any signs of infection, and that meant another surgery somewhere down the line to put it back in again.  Dr. Teff said he was on duty this weekend (which was a blessing!) and he would like to do the surgery Saturday morning.  I looked at Kris and explained again what he was talking about.  I could see her apprehension but she seemed to understand and agree with what had to be done.  I called Russell and explained it all to him and, of course, he agreed it should be done, too.

Kris was admitted to Brooke Army Medical Center for the third time.  Friday was a day of preparation and more explanations from Dr. Teff about the procedure and what would happen.  She had a CT-scan and there were lots of forms to fill out, and the surgery was set for Saturday morning.  Please understand the military usually works slowly but, this time, there was nothing slow about it.  A list of medications had been sent over so that everything she was now being given could be continued.  In all the planning, however, there was one medication overlooked somewhere along the way: her anti-seizure medication.  I spent the night with her Friday night so that she wouldn’t be anxious or worry and, at about 5 a.m. Saturday morning, Kris’s body erupted in a full blown seizure that must have lasted well over a minute and a half.  I cradled her in my arms and my heart sank as I pushed the call button for dear life (hers!).  The room suddenly filled with nurses and nursing technicians, and everyone was busy doing something.  Someone asked me when she had had a seizure last and I said never.  When I asked if she had received Kepra as one of her meds, they checked and said she hadn’t.  That meant she had received her last anti-seizure medication early Thursday morning, and none had been administered since then.  48 hours!  She had a dose within minutes and things settled down, all except my nerves. 

Kris went into surgery then at 7:30 a.m.  When it was all over, Dr. Teff came out to explain all that he had done.  The surgery had gone very well and he was pleased with how everything looked inside.  And there was no sign of infection!  The implant was put back into place and he had even fixed a very tiny leak that allowed fluid to seep out under the skin at the temple area.  Praise the Lord, Dr. Teff even fixed the leak site!    But... there was good news and there was bad news.  He wanted to know if Kris had ever had trouble waking up from anesthesia, and I said she had not.  Well, Dr. Teff said it seemed she was having some trouble waking up from it this time.  My heart sank again!  He explained it could be a combination of things, not the least of which had been the seizure, or the need to give her the anti-seizure med right before the surgery, or that it had to been given on an empty stomach in such a large dose, or that she was just tired out and here she was in surgery again!  In any case, it would all bear close watching for the next 24 hours. 

Kris was finally moved into what they call a “step-down” monitoring room.  It was not ICU, but nursing staff would be able to follow her vital signs and give her good care in a room right off from the nurse’s station.  She was hooked up to all sorts of  monitoring systems again, and we waited.  I stayed with her Saturday night again and she spiked a high fever.  Watching her in so much pain yet another time was so very hard, and she was given morphine every two hours.  Lots of prayers and cold water cloths around her face and neck finally helped get the fever down, and Kris is still waking up this evening as I write this update.  It’s very slow and the she’s “in and out” a lot, but she is doing much better.  Of course, her face is beginning to swell again and... oh, yes... she has no hair.  But... it still beats the alternative!!!  I don’t know when she will be discharged back to the rehab center; likely Tuesday or Wednesday.  If more seizures occur, however, she will have to have an EEG at some point.  But, of course, not right away.  Her head must heal again first.

So that was the “bad news” for now.  Prayers?  Yes!!  Please keep her in your prayers.  Just when we think things are going along pretty smoothly, something pops up to set us back a notch.  But it’s just a notch and there’s every hope it will turn out to be a minor one.  There is other good news to also share this time, however.  For those who have asked now and then, son John who had the cancer surgery at the beginning of this year is cancer free!  He had a quarter-sized melanoma removed from the side of his head back in the winter of 2009-2010, and then underwent chemo.  Additional surgery to remove lymph nodes and do some more grafting only added to his illness and discomfort, but that is all behind him now.  He is back at work, still coping with some pain issues, but doing fine nonetheless.  Many, many thanks for your prayers for John.  They worked!

More good news: son Gary is coming to San Antonio to visit Kris.  She doesn’t know he’s coming yet.  We want it to be a surprise!  George will pick him up at the airport tomorrow (Monday) and he’ll stay until Thursday.  I know this will pick up Kris’s spirits, and it certainly will do our spirits good as well. 

So, while this week has certainly had its ups and downs, we’re going into the new week with our hopes high and our faith unshaken.  God is in charge and we like it that way!!  Keep Kris in your thoughts and prayers, as always.  That’s what helps us all get through!

Blessings and love,

Carol and George

[If you have an encouraging word for Kris, Carol and George, please leave a comment under ‘anonymous’ and sign your first name.  Or email me with your thoughts  at lavon7_99 at yahoo dot com and I will forward to Carol.]

ENCOURAGING PREDICTIONS FOR 2011

With all the problems the world is facing, it can be unsettling to the mind.

Top 10 Predictions for 2011

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still honor the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Isn't It Great To Remember Who Is Really In Control , and that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever."  ( 1 Peter 1:25 )

I hope you found this encouraging! I sure did, sometimes we need the reminder of just "WHO" is really in control.

[Thanks to my friend, Phyllis, for sending this to me today.]

Day 18 of 30 days of truth

Day 18: Your views on gay marriage.

This would be an excellent Bible study as there a many scriptures to study and understand on this subject. 

However, to keep it brief, I believe that marriage is reserved by God for a man and a woman. 

I believe that homosexuality is a sin before God.  I also believe that my over-indulgence in food is a sin.  I believe that each person has their own particular weakness.  My weakness helps me understand how powerful someone else’s weakness is.  Sin, even though powerful, can be overcome by choice and by the power of God when we allow God’s power to work in our lives by faith.  I believe that sexual sins are mentioned so much in the Bible because they are such powerful sins of our flesh and our heart.  It takes God’s help and a firm commitment to refuse to partake in the sins of our weaknesses.  Hopefully, our weaknesses and bent toward sin is what will cause us to turn to God because we need His help to

Praise God, He forgives us of our sin when we repent and truly desire to live according to His design for us.  Homosexuality is not a sin that can not be overcome.  We all have victory in Jesus available to us.  It’s a matter of the heart.

Sunday is here!

Don has his first Sunday at Tip O’Texas “under his belt.”  With only about one-third of the residents back, there was 144 in church this morning.  The “curiosity factor” will bring them to check out the new pastor, but that’s good.  It went great.  The message was clear:  John 14:1-7 with the emphasis being on Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 

The gentleman running the sound system was not the regular sound man (he hasn’t arrived yet) so the message wasn’t recorded this morning.  We have a nice MP3 recorder, but didn’t take it to church with us this morning.

We met the cutest gentleman this morning… Fred.  Fred is 94 years young with a twinkle in his eye.  That’s Fred sitting in the front row looking at the camera.  I’m located in the choir section which they had set up on the floor this morning.

On our walk back to the Q after church, another kind gentleman walked with us and gave us oranges, grapefruit and tangerines from his fruit trees.  I’m happy!

The weather is really nice the last two days.  The wind isn’t gusting so bad.

When I checked my emails, I had a couple of reports from Sunscape RV Resort in Arizona where we were last winter.  We sure miss our friends there and are very grateful for the emails from there.  A special thanks to Bob and Linda for being available to Carl and Joy this winter season.

Bonnie from across the street just brought us warm chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven.  (Oh, my, I’m in trouble!)  She just wanted to tell us how much she and Dick enjoyed church this morning.  Wish I could have taken her picture, but I will never forget the look on her face.  Sweet, sweet lady.

 

Psalm 119

¹ Joyful are people of integrity,
      who follow the instructions of the Lord.
² Joyful are those who obey his laws
      and search for him with all their hearts.
³ They do not compromise with evil,
      and they walk only in his paths.
⁴ You have charged us
      to keep your commandments carefully.
⁵ Oh, that my actions would consistently
      reflect your decrees!
⁶ Then I will not be ashamed
      when I compare my life with your commands.
⁷ As I learn your righteous regulations,
      I will thank you by living as I should!
⁸ I will obey your decrees.
      Please don’t give up on me!

Day 17 of 30 days of truth

Day 17: A book you've read that changed your view on something.

The Bible! 

Shocked, aren’t you?

It has changed my view on life and everything aspect of it.

It is alive.

Kris News (with pictures!).. it’s been a while

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

As always, I do apologize for not sending an update lately.  So many have asked “what’s new?”  The truth is... Kris is still remarkable and trying so very hard.  Her cognizant level is just amazing, and her humor and sweet smile are endearing her to everyone.  But I can see the frustration in her face when she tries to do something with her hands and she just can’t get her fingers to cooperate, or she walks with help and grows weary in a short time.  She’s so happy when she accomplishes something, but she gets a little down when arms and legs and hands and feet seem to have a will of their own.  It’s an ongoing struggle every day, but she’s still coming along.   

Kris can read, she can reason, she knows how to plan ahead when she’s trying to figure something out; if her left hand can’t reach, she’ll use her right hand to help it.  But she’s run up against some infections that are prevalent in health care and hospital situations, and that’s knocked her off a peg or two.  Heavy doses of antibiotics are necessary to combat the infections, and that adds to the discomfort and the drowsiness.  But she’s still in there plugging away, every day, giving it her very best. 

Speaking of her sweet smile, I must tell you a little about the two photos that are attached.  One was taken by a co-worker at the hospital where Kris worked as a pediatric intensive care unit nurse.  Russell received it a day or so ago and forwarded it on.  Of course, I cried when I saw it.  How beautiful and intense and hard-working she is. The other photo was taken in the day room at the rehab hospital on Saturday.  A family friend had just given her some photos of his grandchildren dressed for Halloween (they were so cute!), and Kris smiled so sweetly when she saw them.  George snapped the photo with the cell phone; it was a priceless moment for us. And, if you notice the Air Force ball cap she has on, it was a special gift from a retired Air Force veteran.  He was in the audience last February at Traveler’s Rest RV Resort in Dade City, Florida and, after our performance was over, he went home, came back, and asked me to give this hat to our daughter in the Air Force.  I had asked folks to keep her in prayer again as she was set to deploy to Iraq for her third tour of duty sometime in the spring or summer this year.  I gave it to her when she flew to Florida to be with Dad when he had surgery back in December.  I asked Russell recently if he would bring the hat in and now she wears it almost every day.  What was really remarkable, though, is that she was able to put the hat on her head the other day with very little help.  That’s one of those big accomplishments that add to our joy on a daily basis and brings a smile to her face!!!  It’s still the little things that mean so much.

Kris will go to an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist this Thursday.  Her sinuses and a throat condition still plagues her, and I’m hoping he will be able to help.  She will also be seen by an OMFS (occipital, mouth and facial specialist, I think!) to try to help with a very painful jaw problem.  When she yawns, she is in such pain, and we’re concerned that the muscle in the right side of her face is giving her problems.  The neurosurgeon who operated on her the night of the accident wants to see her as well.  We knew she would probably need some plastic surgery and correctional work at the site of her implant, and that seems to be very likely now.  Your continued prayer is ever appreciated.  As always, it is what keeps us all going.

The weather here is just beginning to cool down and I think fall has reached San Antonio at last.  The trees may even turn color soon!  And as a side note, I must tell you about our adventure Sunday a week ago.  It began with a funny sound about 6 a.m. (sort of a “plunk”), but it wasn’t until my feet hit the floor at 6:30 a.m. that I realized what that “plunk” was.  Now, in an RV, water can be a devastating problem.  At 6:30 in the morning, water all over the floor and sopping wet carpeting and rugs is really frightening.  The flush mechanism on the commode had decided to give way (thus the plunk!), and water was gushing out.  George ran out to shut the water off and get the mini-shop wet vac from the side box under the RV.  It was at that moment he realized water had run down into the side boxes, too, but that would have to wait.  By noon, he had managed to get most of the stuff outside that could be moved outside, I had gone to the laundry and washed throw rugs and all the towels we had used to mop up water on the tile floor, and there seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel.  George dropped me off at the rehab hospital and headed for Camping World to buy a new commode, which he then spent the rest of the day installing and finishing the cleanup.  Whew!  That was just too much excitement for one day, and the moral... beware of things that go “plunk!”

I can’t believe this is the first of November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  We have so very much to be thankful for this year, I scarcely know where to begin.  But hearing Kris speak... well, that would be yet another miracle and such an answer to prayer. 

Be thankful this year for all the gifts you have in life and love and happiness.  How quickly life can change, but how wonderful there are gifts even in those changes.  A simple gift of love and caring is something truly for which we can all be thankful!!!

Blessings and hugs,

Carol and George

Children’s Haven Int’l

This morning, we drove over to the Children’s Haven International U.S. office to see Karen and tour the office.  Lo and behold, we were introduced, by Betsy, the director, to a volunteer worker, Darlene Curtsinger.  Immediately, Darlene said, “Y’all look familiar.. have you worked at Amazon.com?”  Well, we haven’t, but we were there the fall of 2008 as the chaplain for the workampers there.  Darlene and Jessie were there for a few weeks, but didn’t stay the whole Christmas-rush season.  We immediately remember them coming to church and visiting with them.  And the world gets smaller.  It was great to see Darlene, as we didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to them back in Coffeyville in 2008.

Karen Gregory volunteers at the office and thrift store two days a week.  Today, she was in charge of the yard sale.  All the profits from the thrift store go to supporting the children at the CHI orphanage in Reynosa.

There are 59 children at the home all have either been abused or abandoned by their parents.  Don and I are sponsoring two beautiful children:  Madely, 6, (isn’t she precious?) and Ricardo, 12.   

We would love to meet “our” kids personally but haven’t decided yet whether we will go into Mexico or not.  We will be writing them, though, and sending pictures and praying for them daily.  Children’s Haven International has a FaceBook page that everyone is welcome to visit.  All you need to do to see the pictures is “like” CHI.

We found the Sun Harvest Natural Foods and Meat Market this morning, also.  Really nice store… reminds me of a Trader Joe’s.  After that, Don found his way to the Kolache Factory.  Shocker.

From there, we went to Loew’s to purchase four concrete blocks to raise the steps to the Q.  These nice steps were waiting for us on our site when we arrived last week.

You know how I love taking going-down-the-road pictures, but in-town pictures don’t do a lot for me, however, pictures of our flag… I love.

 

 

 

 

    This is a bank building in McAllen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This afternoon, we walked around the park a little and visited with a few folks who were out and about.  Had to stop and capture this lovely orange rose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip O’ Texas RV Resort is well lit at night.  I took this picture tonight without using my flash.

I love you, Lord.  Thank You for the many blessings of this day.

Coconut Oil

I did a little more research and learned that there is, of course, a difference between oil and virgin oil.  Upon further research, I learned that virgin oil is a little more expensive, but much more desirable for optimum health benefits.

We found Nutriva brand 100% organic virgin coconut oil at a local health food store.  It’s more expensive than ordering it from Swanson Health Products, including the $4.99 for shipping.  Will order our next supply of VCO.

I will use the LouAna brand for cooking until it’s gone.

In shock…

When I opened my emails, my eyes immediately recognized an email from wonderful friend, Cheri Hulgan.  We met Cheri and Tom our first summer as CRM chaplains in Branson.  Cheri and Tom were workampers at the KOA there.  Our first winter in Arizona we visited Cheri and Tom in Sun City, AZ, when Tom had open heart surgery.  We spent the night at their home and had a great visit with them.  Right now, I’m a little in shock as the news of her emails sets in:

“Hey,
Hope all is well you guys.    I was just diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer  and we are waiting to talk to a team of neurologist at UCLA for the type of treatment we may decided to begin.  Please put me on your prayer chains and I will continue to pray for Don.  Love  you guys and missed seeing you.  We are in Ventura and will remain here until the treatment is decided and completed for now.  I am in God's hands and I am not afraid, I was amazed at myself when the Doctor gave me the diagnosis that I did not fall down on the ground in a fetal position crying.  But I have not had any anxiety, depression, or melt down yet.  Tom is having a difficult time, doing a little to much mothering for my taste.  He's not good with this type of news and illnesses.  Take care and God Bless you guys.
Cheri”

Her faith is very strong.  Thank you so much for your prayers for Cheri and Tom.  Here’s a picture of Cheri… on the left.

Windy Wednesday

Well, it sure has been windy here in south Texas.  Just as we had been told.  Gusting to 40 miles per hour.

We met Dennis and Sally at Jack and Karen Gregory’s over at Alamo Rose RV Resort.  It sure was good to get together for a little fellowship with these fellow-chaplains.

Karen’s flowers.

God is so good.

This Cooking Oil is a Powerful Virus-Destroyer and Antibiotic…

[Please read all the way to the end.]

Posted By Dr. Mercola | October 22 2010 | 346,692 views

You've no doubt noticed that for about the last 60 years the majority of health care officials and the media have been telling you saturated fats are bad for your health and lead to a host of negative consequences, like elevated cholesterol, obesity, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Meanwhile during this same 60 years the American levels of heart disease, obesity, elevated serum cholesterol and Alzheimer's have skyrocketed compared to our ancestors, and even compared to modern-day primitive societies using saturated fat as a dietary staple.

Did you know that multiple studies on Pacific Island populations who get 30-60% of their total caloric intact from fully saturated coconut oil have all shown nearly non-existent rates of cardiovascular disease?^[1]

Clearly, a lot of confusion and contradictory evidence exists on the subject of saturated fats, even among health care professionals.

But I'm going to tell you something that public health officials and the media aren't telling you.

The fact is, all saturated fats are not created equal.

The operative word here is "created", because some saturated fats occur naturally, while other fats are artificially manipulated into a saturated state through the man-made process called hydrogenation.

Hydrogenation manipulates vegetable and seed oils by adding hydrogen atoms while heating the oil, producing a rancid, thickened oil that really only benefits processed food shelf life and corporate profits.

The medical and scientific communities are now fairly united in the opinion that hydrogenated vegetable and seed oils should be avoided.

These unsaturated fats, artificially manipulated into saturated fats, are also called trans fats, and no doubt you've heard about them lately. Some cities and states have now outlawed their use. There is no controversy anymore regarding the health dangers of these artificially saturated fats.

And guess what?

These are the same damaged trans fats that have been touted as "healthy" and "heart-friendly" for the last 60 years by the vegetable and seed oil interests!

But the truth finally came out. Trans fat was rebuked, debunked, and revealed as the true enemy to good health that it has always been, regardless of what the seed- and vegetable oil shills told the American public for the last half century.

Unfortunately, this rightful vilification of hydrogenated saturated fats has created a lot of confusion regarding naturally occurring saturated fats, including coconut oil.

If one form of saturated fat is bad for you, the argument goes, then all saturated fat must be bad.

Right?

Nothing could be further from the truth!

The Truth about Coconut Oil

The truth about coconut oil is obvious to anyone who has studied the health of those who live in traditional tropical cultures, where coconut has been a nutritious diet staple for thousands of years.

Back in the 1930's, a dentist named Dr. Weston Price traveled throughout the South Pacific, examining traditional diets and their effect on dental and overall health. He found that those eating diets high in coconut products were healthy and trim, despite the high fat concentration in their diet, and that heart disease was virtually non-existent.

Similarly, in 1981, researchers studied populations of two Polynesian atolls. Coconut was the chief source of caloric energy in both groups. The results, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,^[2] demonstrated that both populations exhibited positive vascular health.

In fact, no evidence exists that the naturally occurring high saturated fat intake had any kind of harmful effect in these populations!

That's not what you expected, is it? Based on 60 years of negative public policy towards naturally occurring saturated fats, you would expect these cultures to be rife with clogged arteries, obesity and heart disease.

It may be surprising for you to realize that the naturally occurring saturated fat in coconut oil actually has some amazing health benefits, such as:

• Promoting your heart health^[3]

• Promoting weight loss, when needed^[4]

• Supporting your immune system health^[5]

• Supporting a healthy metabolism^[6]

• Providing you with an immediate energy source^[7]

• Keeping your skin healthy and youthful looking

• Supporting the proper functioning of your thyroid gland^[8]

But how is this possible?

Does coconut oil have some secret ingredients not found in other saturated fats?

The answer is a resounding "yes".

Coconut Oil's Secret Ingredient

50 percent of the fat content in coconut oil is a fat rarely found in nature called lauric acid. If you're a frequent reader of my newsletter you already know that I consider lauric acid a "miracle" ingredient because of its unique health promoting properties.

Your body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, which has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-protozoa properties.^[9]

Monolaurin is a monoglyceride which can actually destroy lipid coated viruses such as:

• HIV, herpes

• Measles

• Influenza virus

• Various pathogenic bacteria

• Protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Lauric acid is a powerful virus and gram-negative bacteria destroyer, and coconut oil contains the most lauric acid of any substance on earth!

Capric acid, another coconut fatty acid present in smaller amounts, has also been added to the list of coconut's antimicrobial components.

This is one of the key reasons you should consider consuming coconut oil, because there aren't many sources of monolaurin in our diet. But the health benefits of coconut oil don't stop there.

The Benefits of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids

Coconut oil is about 2/3 medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), also called medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs. These types of fatty acids produce a whole host of health benefits.

Coconut oil is nature's richest source of these healthy MCFAs.

By contrast, most common vegetable or seed oils are comprised of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs), also known as long-chain triglycerides or LCTs.

Let me tell you why these long-chain fatty acids are not as healthy for you as the MCFAs found in coconut oil^[10] :

• LCFAs are difficult for your body to break down -- they require special enzymes for digestion.

• LCFAs put more strain on your pancreas, liver and your entire digestive system.

• LCFAs are predominantly stored in your body as fat.

• LCFAs can be deposited within your arteries in lipid forms such as cholesterol.

• In contrast to LFCAs, the MCFAs found in coconut oil have many health benefits, including the following beneficial qualities:

• MCFAs are smaller. They permeate cell membranes easily, and do not require special enzymes to be utilized effectively by your body.

• MCFAs are easily digested, thus putting less strain on your digestive system.

• MCFAs are sent directly to your liver, where they are immediately converted into energy rather than being stored as fat.

• MCFAs actually help stimulate your body's metabolism, leading to weight loss.

Coconut Oil Helps Fight Diabetes

Your body sends medium-chain fatty acids directly to your liver to use as energy. This makes coconut oil a powerful source of instant energy to your body, a function usually served in the diet by simple carbohydrates.

But although coconut oil and simple carbohydrates share the ability to deliver quick energy to your body, they differ in one crucial respect.

Coconut oil does not produce an insulin spike in your bloodstream. You read that correctly, Coconut oil acts on your body like a carbohydrate, without any of the debilitating insulin-related effects associated with long-term high carbohydrate consumption!

Diabetics and those with pre-diabetes conditions (an exploding health epidemic in America), should immediately realize the benefit of a fast acting energy source that doesn't produce an insulin spike in your body. In fact, coconut oil added to the diets of diabetics and pre-diabetics has actually been shown to help stabilize weight gain, which can dramatically decrease your likelihood of getting adult onset type-2 Diabetes.^[11]

Cococut Oil, the Friend to Athletes and Dieters

If you live in the United States, you have an almost 70 percent chance of being overweight.

And, by now, I'm sure you're well aware that obesity affects your quality of life and is linked to many health concerns.

One of the best benefits of coconut oil lies in its ability to help stimulate your metabolism.

Back in the 1940s, farmers found out about this effect by accident when they tried using inexpensive coconut oil to fatten their livestock.

It didn't work!

Instead, coconut oil made the animals lean, active and hungry.

However, many animal and human research studies have demonstrated that replacing LCFAs with MCFAs results in both decreased body weight and reduced fat deposition.

In fact, the ability of MCFAs to be easily digested, to help stimulate the metabolism and be turned into energy has entered the sports arena. Several studies have now shown that MCFAs can enhance physical or athletic performance.^[12]

Additionally, research has demonstrated that, due to its metabolic effect, coconut oil increases the activity of the thyroid. And you've probably heard that a sluggish thyroid is one reason why some people are unable to lose weight, no matter what they do.

Besides weight loss, there are other advantages to boosting your metabolic rate. Your healing process accelerates. Cell regeneration increases to replace old cells, and your immune system functions better overall.

Coconut Oil on Your Skin

Besides the mounting medical and scientific evidence that coconut oil has powerful positive health benefits when eaten, it has also been used for decades by professional massage therapists to knead away tight stressed muscles.

However, you don't have to be a professional massage therapist to gain the skin and tissue support benefits of coconut oil. Just use coconut oil as you would any lotion.

Coconut oil is actually ideal for skin care. It helps protect your skin from the aging effects of free radicals, and can help improve the appearance of skin with its anti-aging benefits.

In fact, physiologist and biochemist Ray Peat, Ph.D. considers coconut oil an antioxidant[13] , due to its stability and resistance to oxidation and free radical formation. Plus, he believes it reduces our need for the antioxidant protection of vitamin E.

Like Dr. Peat, many experts believe coconut oil may help restore more youthful-looking skin. When coconut oil is absorbed into your skin and connective tissues, it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by helping to keep your connective tissues strong and supple, and aids in exfoliating the outer layer of dead skin cells, making your skin smoother.

Coconut Oil and Your Heart

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. And heart disease is often a silent killer. The first sign of cardiovascular disease is commonly a heart attack, and sadly, over one third of heart attacks are fatal.

And despite the propaganda, the truth is this: it is UNSATURATED fats that are primarily involved in heart disease, not the naturally occurring saturated fats, as you have been led to believe.[14]

Plus, the polyunsaturated fats in vegetable and seed oils encourage the formation of blood clots by increasing platelet stickiness. Coconut oil helps to promote normal platelet function.

Coconut Oil in Your Kitchen

I only use two oils in my food preparation.

The first, extra-virgin olive oil, is a better monounsaturated fat that works great as a salad dressing.

However, it should not be used for cooking. Due to its chemical structure, heat makes it susceptible to oxidative damage.

And polyunsaturated fats, which include common vegetable oils such as corn, soy, safflower, sunflower and canola, are absolutely the worst oils to use in cooking. These omega-6 oils are highly susceptible to heat damage because of their double bonds.

I strongly urge you to throw out those omega-6 vegetable oils in your cabinets.

Why?

Reason # 1: Most people believe that frying creates trans-fat. That is not the major problem, in my opinion. Although some are created, they are relatively minor. There are FAR more toxic chemicals produced by frying omega-6 oils than trans-fat.

Frying destroys the antioxidants in oil and as a result oxidizes the oil. This causes cross-linking, cyclization, double-bond shifts, fragmentation and polymerization of oils that cause far more damage than trans-fat.

Reason # 2: Most of the vegetable oils are GMO. This would include over 90 percent of the soy, corn and canola oils.

Reason # 3: Vegetable oils contribute to the overabundance of damaged omega-6 fats in your diet, which creates an imbalance in the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3. As you know from my extensive writing on this subject, I believe that excessive consumption of damaged omega-6 fats contributes to many health concerns.

They are all highly processed and consumed in amounts that are about 100 times more than our ancestors did a century ago. This causes them to distort the sensitive omega-6/omega-3 ratio which controls many delicate biochemical pathways which results in accelerating many chronic degenerative diseases.

There is only one oil that is stable enough to resist mild heat-induced damage, while it also helps you promote heart health and even supports weight loss and thyroid function -- coconut oil.

So, whenever you need an oil to cook with, use coconut oil instead of butter, olive oil, vegetable oil, margarine, or any other type of oil called for in recipes. Even though I don't fully recommend frying foods, if you must fry, by all means use coconut oil -- it's your smartest choice.

Coconut Oil Safety

The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are considered so nutritious that they are used in baby formulas, in hospitals to feed the critically ill, those on tube feeding, and those with digestive problems. Coconut oil has even been used successfully by doctors in treating aluminum poisoning.^[15]

Coconut oil is exceptionally helpful for pregnant women, nursing moms, the elderly, those concerned about digestive health, athletes (even weekend warriors), and those of you who just want to enhance your overall health.

References:

---

• [1] Kaunitz H, Dayrit CS. Coconut oil consumption and coronary heart disease. Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine, 1992;30:165-171.

• Prior IA, Davidson F, Salmond CE, Czochanska Z. Cholesterol, coconuts, and diet on Polynesian atolls: a natural experiment: the Pukapuka and Tokelau Island studies, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1981;34:1552-1561.

• [2] Prior IA, Davidson F, Salmond CE, Czochanska Z. Cholesterol, coconuts, and diet on Polynesian atolls: a natural experiment: the Pukapuka and Tokelau Island studies, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1981;34:1552-1561.

• [3] Dr. Mary G. Enig, Ph.D., F.A.C.N. Source: Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century, part 2.

• [4] Assunção ML, Ferreira HS, dos Santos AF, Cabral CR Jr, Florêncio TM. Effects of dietary coconut oil on the biochemical and anthropometric profiles of women presenting abdominal obesity, Lipids, 2009 Jul;44(7):593-601. Epub 2009 May 13.

• [5] Dr. Mary G. Enig, Ph.D., F.A.C.N. Source: Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century.

• [6] Baba, N  1982. Enhanced thermogenesis and diminished deposition of fat in response to overfeeding with diet containing medium-chain triglycerides,  Am. J. Clin. Nutr.,  35:379.

• [7] Bruce Fife, ND. Coconut Oil and Medium-Chain Triglycerides.

• [8] Raymond Peat Newsletter, Coconut Oil, reprinted at www.heall.com.

• An Interview With Dr. Raymond Peat, A Renowned Nutritional Counselor Offers His Thoughts About Thyroid Disease,

• [9] Isaacs CE, Litov RE, Marie P, Thormar H. Addition of lipases to infant formulas produces antiviral and antibacterial activity, Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 1992;3:304-308.

• Isaacs CE, Schneidman K. Enveloped Viruses in Human and Bovine Milk are Inactivated by Added Fatty Acids(FAs) and Monoglycerides(MGs), FASEB Journal, 1991;5: Abstract 5325, p.A1288.

• Mitsuto Matsumoto, Takeru Kobayashi, Akio Takenaka and Hisao Itabashi.  Defaunation Effects of Medium Chain Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives on Goat Rumen Protozoa, The Journal of General Applied Microbiology, Vol. 37, No. 5 (1991) pp.439-445.

• Dr. Mary G. Enig, Ph.D., F.A.C.N. Source: Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century.

• Hristov AN, Vander Pol M, Agle M, Zaman S, Schneider C, Ndegwa P, Vaddella VK, Johnson K, Shingfield KJ, Karnati SK.  Effect of lauric acid and coconut oil on ruminal fermentation, digestion, ammonia losses from manure, and milk fatty acid composition in lactating cows, J Dairy Sci., 2009 Nov;92(11):5561-82.

• [10] St-Onge MP, Jones PJ. Greater rise in fat oxidation with medium-chain triglyceride consumption relative to long-chain triglyceride is associated with lower initial body weight and greater loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue, International Journal of Obesity & Related Metabolic Disorders, 2003 Dec;27(12):1565-71.

• [11] Geliebter, A  1980.  Overfeeding with a diet of medium-chain triglycerides impedes accumulation of body fat, Clinical Nutrition, 28:595.

• [12] Fushiki, T and Matsumoto, K Swimming endurance capacity of mice is increased by consumption of medium-chain triglycerides, Journal of Nutrition, 1995;125:531.

• [13] Raymond Peat Newsletter - Unsaturated Vegetable Oils Toxic, 1996 edition, p.2-4. Daneil R. Doerge, Hebron C Chang "Inactivation of thyroid peroxidase by soy isoflavones in vitro and in vivo", Journal of Chromotography B, September 2002; 777(1,2);25:269-79. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/01/26/coconut-oil-part-eight.aspx

• Nevin KG, Rajamohan T. Effect of topical application of virgin coconut oil on skin components and antioxidant status during dermal wound healing in young rats, Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 2010;23(6):290-7. Epub 2010 Jun 3.

• Marina AM, Man YB, Nazimah SA, Amin I.  Antioxidant capacity and phenolic acids of virgin coconut oil, Int J Food Sci Nutr, 2009;60 Suppl 2:114-23. Epub 2008 Dec 27.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19115123

• [14] Barry Groves, PhD.  Second Opinions: Exposing Dietary Misinformation: The Cholesterol Myth, parts 1 and 2.

• Robert H Knopp and Barbara M Retzlaff, Saturated fat prevents coronary artery disease? An American paradox, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 80, No. 5, 1102-1103, November 2004.

• Mozaffarian D, Rimm EB, Herrington DM. Dietary fats, carbohydrate, and progression of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women, Am J Clin Nutr, 2004;80:1175-84.

• [15] K. G. Nevin and T. Rajamohan, "Beneficial effects of virgin coconut oil on lipid parameters and in vitro LDL oxidation", Clinical Biochemistry, September 2004; 37(9): 830-835.

Related Links:

 Coconut Oil Helps You Lose Weight

 Secrets of Virgin Coconut Oil

 Why should you use coconut oil for cooking?

[I didn’t know any of this information, but it made sense to me.  We now only have two oils in the Q: extra-virgin olive oil and coconut oil.  I found LouAna brand pure coconut oil at H.E.B. stores and Wal-mart at $4.98 for 31.5 fl. oz.  It’s great for pan frying, but no oil is suitable for healthy deep frying, so the sensible thing to do is not eat deep fried foods.  Oven frying is not recommended beyond 350 degrees.

Toasted or hot bread spread with coconut oil is delicious.  I’m having fun exploring the ways to use coconut oil instead of butter or margarine (which I haven’t used in years). ]

COCONUT OIL CHEERS TO THE HEALTH OF US ALL!!!

Day 16 of 30 days of truth

Day 16: Something or someone you could definitely live without.

I sure could live without the weight I’ve gained in the last 40 years!!!