""Biblical living was simple living.
It was natural. It was life lived as mankind's Creator meant it to be lived. This is not to say that everybody in biblical times was the picture of sparkling good health. The upper-class Romans in those times, for example, suffered from many of the same degenerative diseases that plague us. But they didn't live their lives in the same simple ways that the people of Israel lived theirs. They ate rich foods, drank far too much wine, and avoided physical exertion whenever possible. The way in which each group lived obviously determined the state of their physical and mental well-being.

A Simple, Natural Existence
One group—the Israelites—lived as their Creator meant them to live: simply, and in accord with nature. The other group, the Romans, lived their lives according to their adage: "Eat drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." And, frequently, they did that. ""

As i explore into why i choose to live the way i do and forse it on David(hehe not really)
i sometimes wonder at why there is so much enviromental illnesses, and illnesses cause by nutritional causes,(even in christain circles) and why do we often contribute into making matters worse??
and i sometimes think how does God fit into this, what is his plan for Chrst-like living???
how valid is my thinking of looking after my body and health avoiding chemicals/substances i Know can damage me, even staying fit.?? How does this fit into the christain life?? my body has been designed and created by God, It's the temple of the holy spirit, he gave me my mind and emotions,
Is it important for me as a christain to care for these things as i do??

Interesting articals i've been reading in relation to researching about possible causes as to my brothers death due to a condition called anencephaly (incomplete bone and brain development in the skull)


our children at risk

Vulnerability of the Fetus and the Infant

i bought my first item of baby clothes yesterday, do you know why?? Because as i was looking at the rack of pastel pinks and blues something jumped out at me, it was red (yes virtually unheard of or rarely sited in the newborn baby fashion industry ) so i bought it out of pure excitement and the thought that this one rare treasure might re-bury itself in the sea of paleness.

special note: i have invested much time in making my own baby fashions (any colour possible) my fabric collection is forever spitting out interesting ideas, and i expect that the majority of thous "gifting" people will be faced with the same baby gift buying delemers as oneself thus we shall have an influx of pastel yellow items.

interesting article on Islam the rod and woman
http://www.tulipgirl.com/mt/archives/000107.html

"The [wife-]beating must never be in exaggerated, blind anger, in order to avoid serious harm [to the woman]." He adds, "It is forbidden to beat her on the sensitive parts of her body, such as the face, breast, abdomen, and head. Instead, she should be beaten on the arms and legs," using a "rod that must not be stiff, but slim and lightweight so that no wounds, scars, or bruises are caused." Similarly, "[the blows] must not be hard."

Update on the little person i carry around with me, now 18 weeks in that warm watery hide out but evidence is beginning to mount up of his/her true being, small movements can now be felt (or big movements depends what way you look at it) not that much change in size can be noted from the outside of the persons dwelling as yet but just you wait!!

i haven't posted any "Whats that dodgy stuff in my shampoo" lately so here goes from the

What Is Really In Your Health & Beauty Products? file


5. Aluminum:
Used as a colour additive in cosmetics, especially eyeshadow. Another form of Aluminum is used in deodorants and anti-perspirants. Listed as carcinogenic, toxic and mutagenic.

Cocomide DEA:
Mostly found in shampoo. Contains nitrosamines that are known carcinogens causing allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. Synthetic nonionic surfactant.

DEA (diethanolamine):
A synthetic solvent, detergent and humectant widely used in brake fluid, industrial degreasers and antifreeze. Mostly used in liquid soap, shampoo & conditioner. Can be harmful for the liver, kidneys and pancreas. May cause cancer in various organs. Irritates skin, eyes, mucous membranes. Found also in hair dye, lotions, cream, bubble bath, liquid dishwashing detergent & laundry soap. Health risk especially to infants and young children. Forms nitrosamines known to be carcinogens. Causes allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. Hazardous & toxic.

Dioform:
Many toothpastes and other tooth whiteners contain it. Damages your teeth enamel weakening their protective shell

Propylene Glycol:
It is the most common moisture carrying vehicle other than water that is used. Found in most shampoo and conditioners, even foodstuffs such as cakes & muffins. Derived from petroleum products. Also used in anti-freeze, de-icer, latex, paint, and laundry detergent. It can cause irritation of nasal and respiratory passages and if ingested, can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is documented to cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. Research also shows it is mutagenic, and a contributor to cardiac arrest. Japanese studies show it damages cell DNA (genetic code). Strongly degreases and dries the skin

Extroverted (E) 70.59% Introverted (I) 29.41% Imaginative (N) 57.89% Realistic (S) 42.11% Emotional (F) 62.86% Intellectual (T) 37.14% Easygoing (P) 71.43% Organized (J) 28.57% Your type is: ENFP You are an Inspirer, possible professions include - conference planner, speech pathologist, HR development trainer, ombudsman, clergy, journalist, newscaster, career counselor, housing director, character actor, marketing consultant, musician/composer, artist, information-graphics designer, human resource manager, merchandise planner, advertising account manager, dietitian/nutritionist, speech pathologist, massage therapist, editor/art director.

Take Free Career Inventory Personality Test.

i read awhile ago that in the muslim teaching it is Right for a man to pysically hit anything of lower "chaste" eg Children, cattle, Woman or just lower class ,

this shocked me at first, then it got me thinking that only about 30 years ago it was seen as Okay in our culture (even biblical) to do just the same, and many believe it still is okay.(for children if not adults)
Only resently has it become out lawed to pysically chaste your wife if she has done something wrong, or to physically beat crimanals if you were a cop. It seem the use of inflicting pain and fear as a form of punishment/chastment was acceptable if you were in authority over a person,

Theology for girls, things I have been thinking about lately,?

and it turns out the more I dwell on the thought of being a mother the more I become aware of how we are the parented by God and how we are examples of God/Jesus' love and grace for our child, (summary; I child learns what God is like by the way it's parents interact with him)
And the more I see this the more I believe in responsive gentle parenting, and in the more I learn about how I am designed to be a mother the more I believe God has designed me with instincts, that can be squished if I take "mans advise over it ,

Quotes by other people

"A mother can be confident that answering her baby's cries and meeting his need for comfort, as well as hunger, thirst, and all other baby needs, is clearly part of Gods plan. The heartfelt desires she has to nurture and protect her baby are God-given. In the Bible we see a mother as someone who is gentle and tender (I Thessalonians 2:7) and who comforts her child. In Isaiah 66:13, the Lord, our perfect example of a loving parent, says, . . . As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you (NIV). " Jeri Carr found in the article Nurturing Your Baby's Trust

"If I am not patient and forgiving and PRESENT to my child how will he understand when I tell him that God always forgives, always loves and is ALWAYS there? He won't understand because he has never felt it before. "
Katie from Gentle Christian mothers forum

"Babies communicate through crying, and their cries deserve a quick, nurturing response. There should be minimal separation between mother and baby, and parents need to be sensitive to their children's need to be close to them and not force separation before their child is ready. Children greatly benefit from lots of physical touch, and babies can not be held too much" this quote was found here To me this makes perfect sense, i know that i'll long/want to hold my baby close and to comfort it, this is what i am designed to do.

"Grace-Based Discipline is about modeling, being kind and firm, teaching (discipline), correcting (verbally admonishing), respecting and being respected in a way that can only come from relationship. The right relationship you create with your child foreshadows the right relationship your child seeks with his creator." for more info on GBD look here
a loverly site by a Grace based disciplining mum


please look here for more information on Grace Based discipline (yes! non-punitive)

arms of love the articals are diffenantly worth a read

specially :
The concept of GBD
Do Unto Others...Expanded
Active Parenting

(please don't get offended if my veiws on smacking differ from yours)

Yep my views would be considered by many as alternative, but when i actually dwell on thinking about how was i designed to to this, biologically, pysically,?!, how does mother/baby interaction come into play?!, what is a baby actually feeling, eg loneliness, afraid, abandoned etc are these valid feelings ?? thinking of a baby as a blessing from God, a Brother/sister of the covernant,

David and my mindset isn't to try get the baby on scedule, or sleeping through the night, learning to be by themselves and to comfort themselves etc etc but to get to know our child, it's temprament, it's personallity, it's faults and it's talents. To help our child feel right We think that if a child feels right it is much easyer for them to act right, this is part of building a strong base of trust with the child. and last but not least to lead our child to christ
We have decided to live in harmony with each other, baby,mother,father, to become sensitive to each other and to "move in-sync" we feel this is according to Gods design. (We don't want it to be us-vs -baby, We don't beleive in training a young infant by means of restraint/detachment parenting. )

So there we have it, And when this little person arrives we plan to To be Aware and to grow in our God given intuitions, to be and grow sensitive to it's communications and needs, to be in harmony, to do all we can to encourage a bond/attachmemt of trust and love,

update on the little person situation:-
the little person is now 16 and a half weeks old, have no belly as yet,(actually my Normal clothes are extra baggy because of the weight i lost during the past few months of morning sickness)
i have felt better the last 2 days (maybe the acupuncture i had in my ears a couple of days ago has made a big difference),
Well today i also got inspired to search out a pregnancy yoga class, which i will hopefully begin soon, yep learn to strengthen, stretch, and relax all the right helpfully "baby bringging forth" muscles as well as help with breathing (something that is very stuffed up (having no option but to breath badly up until a year ago, stupid llfe long blocked nose)I also hope david and i will be able to go for a weekly swim, i would love to get into the routine of swimming regualary, with my DH.

Quote of the day:-
"PURE Organic fruit and vegetables is not just about producing food without chemicals - it is a whole new philosophy involving sustainable growing practises and dedicated stewardship of the environment"