Guess who's back... back again... Mel is back, tell a friend...

Guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back... Sorry, couldn't help channeling my inner slim shady there.

So here's what's up! 
Those of you who were kind enough to come along for my 1st journey of 15K, the 10 mile race I ran up in Chicago... and then my second goal of 15K of the financial kind, once eliminating 40k in credit card debt...  Well here's another goal, because if we're not growing then what's it all for? 
Hopefully this one will be more of a victory then the last one which sort of felt like winning by default.  Like sure I leaped off that high dive, that took guts... just wish I could have landed the dive head first instead of a big fat belly flop!  OUCH!

For those who have stumbled upon this randomness and are wondering what in the heck I'm talking about, allow me to fill you in.  So, after the 10 mile race I ran in Chicago we moved down to Dallas Texas.  This was a major move with three kids, especially since my then husband was already in Dallas working, so most of the packing fell on me.  Needless to say, those healthy eating habits... ya, not so much.  Pizza was a staple during that phase.  Then, once relocated I injured my right hand.  Long story.  Let's just say, Golf and I are no longer on speaking terms.
I quickly learned that one injury leads to another, when shopping for a sheet of plywood (something I would have easily picked up on my own prior)... was no longer an option with a bum hand.  So down that plywood came on my left, big piggy!  :(  I lost the nail, and had to have surgery.  That was 2 years ago and I still have issues with both my hand and my foot. 
All this to say that running... ya, wasn't happen'n! 

As if that weren't enough, my then husband filed for divorce.  SURPRISE! :)  Which led to the bankruptcy, i.e. belly flop I mentioned above... and all of these things left me broke, broken... and back where I started!
Seriously.  I gained all the weight back.  And all my nasty little vices and bad eating habits came back to comfort me like good old friends do!

But alas, I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.  Again.
My glucose is dangerously high, I'm having diabetic fits... and this time even neurological side effects!  It's freaking scary... like slurred speech, blurry vision, dizzy, nausea... ya. 
I'm too young for this.  My thyroid is not functioning right.  I'm in Menopause at 36. 
I have dangerously low Vitamin D and Calcium.  Dangerously high cholesterol.  You get the picture, basically... I'm a mess!
And I have 3 little ones, albeit not so little anymore... all of them are in school now, but...
I have got to get my shit together!  They need their Mama!

Enough is enough!  I need to make serious lifestyle changes and they need to stick... or honestly,  I'm not sure how much longer I'll be around... or if life would be much worth living.

So I'm doing this the only way I know how.  The way that worked for me last time... which is setting a goal, telling the world... and getting to work. 
And when I say work,
I. mean. work. 

Because it's NOT going to be easy!

So here it is, my new goal... this time, no time frame... I will do it when I'm ready no matter how long it takes to get there, but I will do that half marathon!  And hopefully, in the process of training for said marathon I will finally lose all the extra baby weight I never lost (my baby is 6).  And become a much healthier more energetic version of myself... for good!

So join me... if you'd like.  Or lend an ear, a hand, or a mouthful of wisdom... I can use all the support I can get... On My Way... to 22K! 

Thanks, Y'all!  Love ya!

Not How We Plan It...

Much like an earlier post on this blog... When my goal was to run 15k and life threw me curveballs and crossroads, well here we go again.

The odd thing is... It's also reminding me that things beyond our control, things we judge as bad could be molding us and shaping our lives into what it's meant to be.

It reminds me of that movie, Under The Tuscan Sun.

In the beginning of the movie, the lost and distraught women left her life as usual when she discovered her husband was having an affair.  She finds an old house in Tuscany that needs a lot of work and repair, but buys the house regardless.  She hires these three men to help her renovate.  Near the beginning of it all, she tells a new friend she's made that she imagines a life for herself there.  A wedding in the backyard, a baby in the spare room... surrounded by love, friends and family is how she envisions her future.

Fast forward to the end of the movie... and there you find her, with that same friend in the backyard of her finished house.  Hosting a wedding to a couple of young friends while another friend who came to stay with her bounces her baby in the distance.  Her friend then points out to her that she got everything she wished for.  A wedding in the backyard, a baby in the spare room... and she was surrounded by love, family and friends.  The movie leaves us with hope for a new love interest thank God, because it was kind of an unsatisfying discovery, albeit very true.

In life, we don't always get what we want.  Things don't always go as we plan.
Or sometimes we get everything we want, but not in the way we had hoped for... just like the leading lady in Under the Tuscan Sun.

All that to say, that while I had planned on paying off all of our credit card debt and saving 15 grand in only 18 months... it has happened, I have accomplished such goal.  Only it's a bit less satisfying because it did not happen as I had planned.

My husband filed for divorce before we could pay off our debt and the cost of such divorce only put us into further debt forcing us to claim bankruptcy.  So while the debt is gone, and I am free of it... it was not how I imagined or had hoped to achieve it.  It is what it is.
I suppose when we get what we want, even if it isn't as we had planned... there is still some joy to be had in it.

Life, afterall... is what happens when we are making plans... so I've learned to let go, be flexible and dance through life with the grace of a woman and not the fear of a child.

It's amazing how beautiful life can be when we embrace it with the idea that things don't just happen to us... they also happen for us!

I still have good days and bad, and I struggle sometimes with the stresses that come from severing ties... but for the most part I feel relieved, free and happier than I've been in a long time.

So sometimes life doesn't happen as we plan it... And Sometimes, it's better that it doesn't!

Postive Financial Chi

A Bagua Map, used in Feng Shui to determine what sectors of your home are affecting which areas of your life.

I love Feng Shui!  Truly, I feel there is something to be said for stagnant energy, moving energy, positive energy, negative energy... what are we afterall... as souls, if not energy!?
I know, deep... but stay with me!

You ever notice how rearranging your furniture, or clearing a pile of clutter... emptying your inbox, whatever it is... it shifts your mood, your perspective and often times the energy in a space and/or a person! 
Well, that is the very idea of Feng Shui. 
Creating a positive space with free flowing energy.

I am very much aware of this concept and yet I struggle to keep up on all forms of clutter in my life, be it physical, emotional, psychological, financial... it all gets cluttered!  I dread clearing it, even though I know I'll feel better once I do.  Kind of like working out... feel good when I do it, but dread it when it's been too long since I last worked out!

All this to say that sometimes you can take the same "stuff" and move it around, you haven't gotten rid of it at all, but just that simple task of moving it creates available resources, space and energy.

Case in point.  Our Credit Card Debt.

If we had continued to live in our home in Illinois, paying more on our home than it was worth... literally we were losing per month 3X what our payment was... where else in life would you voluntarily throw money away?  And so why were we here?  It's not like it was our dream home, it was a starter home!  So you can't keep doing what you've always done and expect a different result!  And with as much debt as we have, we couldn't make small moves and expect to get anywhere quickly!  So, our first major move was Jeff, my husband finding a better job!  The next major move, was literally moving... down here to Texas... where we were able to get the same quality of life, a single family home with the same square footage... and by the skin of our nose qualify on it as a second home!  Because the cost of living is so much lower here and the economy strong... we were able to cut our mortgage to nearly half of what it was freeing an additional $800 per month!  Now the $800 in free money quickly turned into $400... since my husband had to buy a new car with a higher monthly payment... and insurance is twice here what we paid in IL.... but still, an extra $400 for sacrificing nothing.... (other than my sanity temporarily while moving across country) is pretty good!
I called my credit card company to see what they could do about lowering my interest rate. 
It's 14% and I thought that if I could get it lower than I could pay more towards the principal of my balance.  Well, they offered me 12% but I would have to close my card and it would only save me $8/month. 

Ummm, not really worth it.  They justified their 14% rate, saying it's actually a really good rate. 
Maybe it is, I don't know... but my goal is always to pay less in interest.  She suggested that I make an appointment with a Debt Specialist at a company they work with that can actually negotiate a lower rate for me... all of which was free of charge to me, so I figured... why not?

I came to my appointment prepared with paperwork and a list of questions.  It quickly became clear to me that this man (respectfully) knew very little beyond credit card debt and negotiating rates.  I believe that is all they do?! 
But I wanted to discuss our home in Illinois and whether we should be short selling, doing a Deed in Lieu, or just claiming Bankruptcy and wiping all our debt out in one full swoop?!  He couldn't answer any of my questions about real estate and in fact, it appeared that through my interactions with my parents who are knowledgeable in real estate that I was able to educate him on a few things.

For example, he suggested we just rent out our home in Illinois.  I pointed out that it would cost us an additional $300/ month to rent it since we can't rent it for what we owe on it per month.  And also, we would no longer be eligable to walk away with out paying out of pocket or paying taxes on the write off of the short sell, if we received a form of income on the home.  Also, the bank wouldn't even discuss short sell or otherwise with us until we were 3 months past due on our loan.

In the end, he said he couldn't negotiate much better than I could on the rate and that it wouldn't be worth their $50 fee to do it.  So I got pretty much no where and learned nothing from the meeting.
BUT, I did get him to do a soft pull on my credit where I was able to see that our new home we purchased here in Texas, hasn't hit my credit report yet... therefore, my credit rating was much higher than I was expecting it to be!

Armed with this nugget of information... I began applying for 0% Interest rate cards for 18 months on balance transfers and was approved for one with Chase and one with Citi Cards, transfering $10,000 off of a 14% Interest rate card to 0% Interest until July of next year. 

SO, these two big moves... one across country freeing up $400/month and transfering balances to free up $204/month... it didn't get rid of any of our debt (financial clutter)... but just that simple task of moving this stagnant, costly, financial energy around.... changed the energy to positive and freed up $604 a month that we were paying in interest that we can now apply towards our principal!  Tadaaaa! 

Positive Financial Chi!

I also hung 3 Chinese coins at equal distance apart on red ribbon on the back of the door in the financial sector of our home according to my Bagua... and in turn, Jeff received a promotion and a raise!  Coincidence?  I think not! ;)

So taxes are due here in a few days and we still haven't filed our return, tomorrow for sure! 
Eight grand of our tax return will go to paying back my Mom for the loan she gave us to buy this house here in Texas.  I'm not expecting much left over beyond 8 grand.

Then we'll be paying between $800 minimum and $1100 / month towards our debt, depending on what we can afford each month.  In addition, my husbands quarterly bonuses.... with the exception of $500 of it will go entirely towards our debt. 

With these calculations... as long as he makes all of his bonus's for the next year.
As long as we don't grow weak and purchase a Golf Club Membership, expensive watches or an I Phone S5 etc... (ehemmm, Jeff) :) 
And as long as we have no major unforeseen job losses or medical emergency's (please Lord, NO!)

THEN, we should be completely rid of the $39,000 in remaining debt we have currently by around this time next year!   Then we can take all that extra money we were putting towards our debt and begin building our nest egg again... and maybe even purchase that Golf Club memebership, I-Phone S5... whatever... it just wont be on CREDIT, ever, never again!

Determination \Di-,tər-mə-nā-shən\

I'm baaaaaaaack! :)

Remember me?  Your former (well still kinda) overweight, former unhappy, former unhealthy wife and Mama of 3 that was living in the suburbs of Chicago and trained to run her tired arse a 15K Run?! 

Yes, well.... that was last year!

This year, I'm back... with another 15K goal, of the financial kind!

But before we jump into that... "can we talk, listen... can we talk?!"  (in my best Joan Rivers...)

Let's get real for a minute here... kids, are awesome.  Don't get me wrong.  If I had it to do all over again, I would choose to have them and stay home with them, all over again! 

What I would do differently however, is I would have a completely different expectation of myself, my life and my role as a Mother.  My expectations of myself, prior to having children.... were and continued to be completely unrealistic and served no purpose other than to make me feel like I am not good enough and can never measure up!

Here's the thing I've realized about Motherhood, and the expectations we place upon ourselves as mothers... maybe it's not enough to pardon ourselves for ourselves... but maybe we should pardon ourselves for our children.  After all, we're teaching them by example, how to manage the pressures and stresses of life, and how and what to expect from ourselves and others! 

If we can lighten up, if we can accept that failing is sometimes inevitable and necessary to learn and grow... if we can accept that we and others will do just that... how much easier would life be!? 
I can tell you from experience... a LOT!

Just recently, I had a meeting with my oldest sons teacher.  She was extremely concerned about his unreasonable expectations of himself and his high anxiety level.  Hmmmm... sound familiar? 
Wonder where he gets that from?  (looking up and whistles).

So I had a talk with him about worst case scenarios, what's the worst that can happen?  About conquering "the Fear Monster" as we've named his anxiety.  And about reasonable expectations of our self. 
Our catch phrase now is:  "Do your best and screw the rest!"  Ya, I know... maybe not the best word to teach your kid, but it did empower him so SCREW IT! ;)  HA! 

And of course, the advice we give others is usually the advice we need to give ourselves, so I too am doing my best and saying screw the rest... and conquering my inner 'fear monster!'

That being said, fear, anxiety, guilt, depression, crazy hormones... all a big nasty storm and perfect recipe for disaster!  My marriage... in the crapper.  My relationships... all suffering.  My health... deteriorating.  Finances... racked with debt!  My will to live or my ability to care, completely evaporated!  I was a hollow, empty, lifeless creature... who thank God, somehow found the will to live.  Baby steps.  One foot in front of the other and small simple tasks slowly got me out of this hole. 

But what I realized from this experience is how our happiness, our perceptions of our realities that affect our ability to be happy... affect EVERY area of your life!  Your mind, body, spirit, heart, your finances, your health, your relationships, your work... all are connected and affected by each other!  That's why it's SO important to get it under control!

Believe it or not, the first big step for me in getting my life back, was running that 15k... eating healthier and losing some weight!  When we are not working with a healthy body and mind, nothing we do will work!

First and foremost is your health!

Now that I finally feel like I have control of that, I'm moving on to Finances! 

We, like many Americans are in credit card debt.  A lot... of credit card debt.

We used to have a pretty good handle on things.  We had credit cards we'd use through out the year, but we never charged more than we could pay off entirely with our tax returns.  The problems started to arise when we decided one year that we would only pay off half and keep the other half of our tax return to cushion our checking account. 

I had just watched an episode of Suze Orman where she said that "Cash is King" and that you shouldn't pay your cards off in full because creditors will close your account or lower your limit.  So it was just the justification I wanted to use in order to keep some of the money we owed. 

Well, the debt continued to accrue until we were in completely over our heads.  My husbands company, like
many other companies in this recession began cutting benefits.  Our medical insurance doubled and tripled.  We could no longer afford to insure me, only my husband and children.  Then they started cutting pay, a little at a time... 10%, 20%....40%!  Finally, his company claimed bankruptcy. 

We struggled to make ends meet, going further and further in debt.  He looked for 3 years for better employment to no avail.  I started childcare out of our home and couponing!  Selling whatever we could to get by.  Times were tough!  Thank God, we bought below our means when times were better so we were able to get by... there are definitely so many that have it worse than we do!

Finally, my husband landed this great job that moved us down to Texas where the price of real estate and cost of living are much lower!  By the skin of our nose and a $10,000 loan from my Mom, we were able to qualify for a 2nd home here in Texas where we live now.  We are now going through the short sell process in Illinois.  My husband is making more money then he did before, we are all medically insured (thank you God!)... our Mortgage is half what it was prior with the same square footage... and life is getting much better!  But we are haunted by this dang credit card debt that follows us from darker times!

My goal for that debt, is to kick it's @$$! 
A good 15k this year should do it... along with next years tax return.  This years tax return is going to pay back my Mom for helping us get into this house.  So how do we plan on coming up with the $? 

Couponing, selling, bartering, rehabbing, cutting back, being creative and resourceful.  Maybe I'll nanny from home again?  Whatever it takes... with the exception of me paying child care, because that is one thing I wont sacrifice is being with my kids!  Not that I think everyone should, that is just my personal choice and commitment.  Besides, with my work history... I'd probably be working JUST to pay childcare!  

Most importantly, we will succeed by changing our perception when it comes to life and it's challenges!

Challenges are not roadblocks, but rather opportunities to learn and grow! 

I am committed and determined to getting out of debt in 18 months or less... hopefully less... and I'm talking about debt in the amount of $41,000!  Think it can't be done?
 I wonder too... I mean...Watch me! ;)

Just like running that 15k... I know there is nothing you can't do when you put your mind to it! 

Don't ever let anyone tell you, you can't do something!

Case in point, watch this video.... here's a man, Arthur is his name... who was told he'd never walk again with out assistance...but the human spirit knows no bounds!  When there is a WILL there is a WAY! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

Beg, Barter & Steal

I'm back.  It's been a month, to the day since my race.

I haven't been out for a run since.  My blisters have finally healed... but really,
I didn't have the time or space to run as Jeff moved to Texas right after the race,
and the kids were still on summer break. 

So now that they're back in school we're getting back into our routines. 
Including eating right again, juicing, and running!  Today I put in 3.5 miles in 28 minutes.
Not too bad... considering it's been a month since my last run.  I felt great out there,
a lot better then I was expecting to feel taking so much time off!

In addition, I took my iodine that I mentioned in an earlier post!
It's kind of gross and chemically tasting going down, but WOW!
What a difference in my energy level and overall health!  I feel SO much better!

I've got a 15 year old girl that contacted me requesting vocal lessons and so I'm
BARTERing a swap for childcare for my youngest on Tuesday and Thursday mornings,
while the boys are in school.
This way I can run solo, and/or work without interruption on packing and cleaning!

In addition, we have new neighbors across the street now and one of them just happens
to be a fabulous gay man, who has many talents! 
Including (but not limited to) housecleaning, laundry, doing make-up,
making me laugh until I pee... and sorting out life! 
We've become fast friends, Alex and I!

The universe always provides just who and or what you need when you need it, don't you think so!?
So while I didn't BEG Alex for help cleaning my kitchen today... as the title might suggest... I did accept
his offer to help!  If you know me, you know how bad I am at asking for or even accepting help!
But like he said "Girl, you need the help, I'm offering the help... accept it!" 

So I did. 
And I'm so glad I did... because it turned out to be just what I needed in more ways than one!
I haven't laughed until I cried in I don't know how long!?

Other than that, I've been STEALing my moments to myself whenever I can gettem!
I'm technically a single Mom here now with absolutely NO family near by.... so I need to get creative with this! 

But what I have learned from the last month off, is that I can't possibly accomplish this great feat before me
if I am not, first and foremost continuing to take care of myself!! 
A common sense lesson, but really something I need to constantly remind myself of!

I thought I might put this post out there today in case you too, needed the reminder? ;)
Now get offline and go baby youself a bit! 
Me?  I've got a bubble bath with my name on it! ;)
There isn't much in life that can't be eased with the 3 B's I always say...
Bath, Bubbles and a Beer!

DOIN' IT!

I saw a shirt by Nike of course that said "Doin' It!" and I had to get it for race day!
No matter what, today,... I was DOIN' IT!

15K Baby!

I just did it!  :)  (Sighhhhhh)  relief.  It's been a long 18 weeks of ups and downs,
while trying to train for this race!

I can barely walk, I pulled my hamstring... and I have blisters on my feet.

BUT I DID IT!  :)

I wasn't the fastest, not even close!!  BUT I DID IT!
I had 60 year olds passing me (they were ripped and in excellent shape... but still) I DID IT!
My walkman, got NO reception forcing me to run with out music, which I have no doubt added at least 30 minutes to my overall time... BUT I DID IT!
It was hot, humid, long and painful... BUT I DID IT!

I did it!
And I still can't believe it!

I averaged a 15 minute mile... not very good at all... BUT I DID IT!

Here's how it went...

As we lined up on the starting line the race director said
"raise your hand if you're running this race for the 1st time!"
I and many others raised their hands... people clapped.  Then she said...
"Raise your hand if this is your first race?"

I kid you not, I was the only one to raise my hand.
I received a round of applause at which I promptly bowed while the race director said,
"oh, you're brave!"  I said... "or stupid!?"  we all laughed and got on our marks!  GO!

I was off and running!
The first 2 miles, fine... easy peasy pudding pie!
at 2 1/2, BIG BERTHA... the big, quarter mile of hill was under foot and she brought me to a walk a few times...
Mile 3 through 5... pretty smooth, can't complain....
Mile 6... Holy Jolly Ranchers, WTF?!
Mile 6 for some reason was the hardest mile!!  I think I walked most of mile 6.
This was about where I pulled my hamstring on the left side!  I gimped along letting people pass me....
Mile 7... I decided Mile 7 should be lucky and I should pick it up!  Started with some short intervals.
8 counts of power walk, 8 counts of run, back and forth for the next 2 miles.
Mile 9, homestretch.... I could hear the cheering, I could hear the cow bells, I could hear the music...
I am almost home!
I run... as if I have no injuries, I run as if I have no pain... I run, as if I have a steak on my back and a bear is chasing me!  I RUN!
Mile 9.75.... I see my babies!!  I see my husband!  YAY!!  I made it!  I wanted to fall down right there in their arms and cry.
Nope, still another quarter mile to go.... the longest part of the entire race and in the grass no less!
I hate you grass.  I hate you, you last quarter mile.

But as I'm cursing the ground... next to me appears my oldest son, running along side of me!

"You did it Mom!  You did it!  I'm so proud of you!  Look, I found you a 4 leaf clover, take it for good luck!"
On the other side of me comes my middle son... "Mom, can we run with you?!"
YES!!  Let's finish this race!

And that's just what we did!

The race officials were kind enough to put medals around my kids necks as they crossed the finish line with their ol' Ma and you should have seen their faces!
They won!  I won!  We all won, in their little hearts... and no doubt we did!
Together!  I wouldn't have had it any other way!

This was more than a race for me.
It was a challenge.  It was a reminder, that I'm alive and that I am still an individual...
with race number 232 to be exact.
Today, I wasn't just a Momma, or a wife, a daughter or a friend....
I was a badass runner... as my friend Lacey would say!  ;)

And even though I wasn't the best, or the fastest... I finished.
I did what I set out to do!
And in my kids eyes, I am a winner, and they are winners... and that means the world to me!

Thank you all for following along on this long, painful, educational and motivational journey!
I've learned so much from my friends and readers and this has honestly been one of the greatest experiences I have ever had!  I'm really glad I put myself out there!

My goal, as soon as the dust settles here... and we arrive in Texas... is to finish losing the next 20 to 30 pounds and to get on my way to making and saving 15k  $$$ .... same title, new adventure!

Stay tuned! ;)

Ready to Run!

And I'm off, me and the other 600+ crazy people! ;)

That last quarter mile... ^

My boys... finishing the race with their Mama!

Their 1st Medals!

The Finish Line!

Holistic Healing

~ Today I want to talk about something that I feel is important as it pertains to our overall health but before I do I need to make it clear that I am in no way advising nor am I fit to advise anyone on their particular health concerns.  I am simply sharing my own experience along with the research I've found.

I am aware that my view points are on the holistic side of the spectrum.  

I feel modern medicine has it's place, but for me personally it will always be my last resort.

I am interested in treating problems not the symptoms... that being said, please read the following with that in mind.  Thank you!

In my early 20's I was diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease and high cholesterol.

In my late 20's (during my 2nd pregnancy) I was diagnosed with a benign solid mass that was growing in my thyroid.  I am supposed to be having a biopsy done on it every 6 months, however I have not been back since my initial biopsy.  If you've ever experienced one, you'd understand.  I prefer to act as if I have cancer instead and treat my body holistically.

Just this last year I was diagnosed with chronic dry eye, ovarian cysts and depression.

All of these things are fairly common and not necessarily life threatening... so I've given them very little thought and have lived with it.  Also, you wouldn't think that they could be related at all, but in fact, it would seem they may be the result of one single problem.

My step Dad was just diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer... and my husbands uncle is a thyroid cancer survivor.  In addition, I know many friends who have been diagnosed with goiters, hypo or hyperthyroidism.  Statistics are showing that many people are experiencing hormonal imbalances and issues with their thyroid.  But why the sudden spike?

I decided after my step Dad's recent diagnosis that I needed to do some research.

This is what I found:

Iodine Deficiency.  

Iodine?  But isn't it bad?  

Ummm, according to modern medicine, yes... but according to clinical data and history.  NO!

95% of the population is actually Iodine Deficient... and the symptoms include all of the ailments I listed above and then some!

Dr. David Brownstein of Minnesota specializes in Holistic Family Medicine and he has published some very interesting information regarding the Thyroid and Iodine!  

http://drbrownstein.com

But before you reach for your Iodized Salt... hold up!  

Did you know that salt actually inhibits the absorption of Iodine?!  

Seems sort of counterproductive huh?  

And according to Dr. Brownstein the amount of iodine needed per day is actually much higher then the FDA suggests.  Shocker huh?!

Back in the 60's there used to be enough iodine in one slice of bread to get your daily dose of Iodine.
But they stopped adding Iodine, which we need and started adding Bromine.    Bromine is toxic.
But that shouldn't be surprising, so is Aspartame, Nitrates, High Fructose Corn Syrup and so many other 'additives' they put in our food.

From the CDC website on Bromine:


http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/bromine/basics/facts.asp


Immediate signs and symptoms of exposure to bromine

• Breathing bromine gas could cause you to cough, have trouble breathing, get a headache, have irritation of your mucous membranes (inside your mouth, nose, etc.), be dizzy, or have watery eyes.
• Getting bromine liquid or gas on your skin could cause skin irritation and burns. Liquid bromine that touches your skin may first cause a cooling sensation that is closely followed by a burning feeling.
• Swallowing bromine-containing compounds (combinations of bromine with other chemicals) would cause different effects depending on the compound. Swallowing a large amount of bromine in a short period of time would be likely to cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting (gastrointestinal symptoms).
• Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to bromine.

So anyhoooo....

I just got on Amazon this morning and started researching Iodine supplements and ordered one for my family and my Mom and Step Dad.... this is the one I purchased:

http://www.amazon.com/LLs-Magnetic-Clay-Nascent-Iodine/dp/B004UHR85O/ref=sr_1_6?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1342729874&sr=1-6&keywords=iodine

And while we're on the subject of holistic healing, I've discovered via Youtube (I love the Internet)... a video about curing cancer with baking soda and maple syrup or molasses.

In a pot, dissolve 2 tbsp. of baking soda in 8 oz. of water, then stir in a tbsp. of molasses and drink it, once a day. You can also drink this cold too... but the baking soda will be a bit gritty.
The healing properties have to do with PH Balancing.  

I figure that's safe, cheap and easy enough to try... I did this for just under a year and it shrunk my tumor from the size of a baseball to the size a small bouncy ball.

This has allowed me to breath easier and speak easier... with out my thyroid nodule pressing against my voice box and airway. 

For those of you that know me you know I am a singer.

This diagnosis was rough on me as removing the thyroid in addition to putting me on lifelong medication and synthetic hormones would also risk damage to my vocal chords.
Neither of which I was interested in doing unless it was absolutely necessary to survive.  

So as it is, I will continue with my baking soda, molasses concoction and I'm excited to introduce the additional Iodine I am so obviously lacking, and see how it affects me!  

I'll give you all an update as soon as I do!

Just thought you might like to know that Iodine, even though it has gotten a bad rap... 

isn't that bad afterall!  Who knew?!