All 4 of my kids have struggled with eczema at some point, and my 6 month old is currently dealing with it.  I have tried every cream, lotion, ointment, probiotics out there and nothing was working.  I'd heard about Vanicream and saw it on Amazon for only around $13, so thought why not? It has been a night and day difference! I had to share it in case there's anyone else out there looking to help manage the flare ups without constantly having to turn to topical steroids.

When you put it on it's very creamy and thick, and almost sticky, but it very quickly absorbs into your skin.  My sons eczema was about 90% better in 2 days.  If you know anyone out there struggling with eczema please share this with them! I wish I had known about it 11 years ago with my first.

It's free of all the things most lotions have that can be irritating like dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens, botanical extracts, etc.  It's recommended by a lot of dermatologists for atopic dermatitis (eczema) and other skin conditions.

Check it out here, and read the reviews as well.  It has helped so many, and hopefully can help you too. 

Ok my low carb friends - if you want a good chocolate substitute- look no further!  This Choc Zero Keto Bark that I've just discovered tastes AMAZING, and it has no sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners!  It is only 2-3g net carb per ounce, so you can have the whole bar as a treat, feel like your cheating, but still be on target for your  day!  Plus it melts nicely, so I like to add a bar to my morning bullet proof coffee for a nice mocha taste. It comes in Dark Chocolate Almond with Sea Salt and Milk Chocolate Hazelnut.

Has anyone else tried this delicious chocolate?  See below for a breakdown of the ingredients/nutrition facts.

Right now on Amazon you can get this HUGE box of Tall Kitchen Glad Febreze Freshness Trash Bags for just $12.56 shipped (regularly $19.06)!

• 5 DAY ODOR CONTROL: OdorShield technology guarantees protection against the strongest trash odor, refreshing your kitchen with Fresh Clean scent
• TALL GARBAGE BAG: Prevent rips and tears with Glad's unique design allowing bag to stretch at top while reinforced bands through middle contain bulk
• DRAWSTRING TRASH BAG: The drawstring ensures a tight grip on trash cans and makes for a simple removal with a quick cinch of the durable drawstring
• CLEANING MADE EASY: Glad OdorShield supports an active kitchen and provides a versatile plastic bag to tackle any household or office chore
• 110 count pack of 13 gallon kitchen trash bags in Fresh Clean Scent
• OdorShield technology with Febreze Freshness neutralizes trash odor so your home smells fresher
• Reinforcing bands add strength while reducing plastic waste

Hurry to Amazon where you can get a 60 count bottle of these L'il Critters Minion Gummy Vitmains for just $2.14 shipped after you clip the $3 off coupon!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

I have decided to blog about my journey with Lyme disease, first of all for my own record, but also so that maybe I can help someone else out there.  Help them to not feel alone, and hopefully to one day give hope- because I plan to fight until I'm better, and when I am, I will have given you all the steps you need to get there too.  And maybe some steps to NOT take, as I find what works and what doesn't.  And I know what works for one may not work for all - it's all about starting with SOMETHING, and then go from there, adding things that may help and stopping things that clearly don't.  Your body will tell you and guide you to what it needs.  And ultimately, God designed our bodies to heal.  We just need to rebuild our immune systems and provide it with what it needs to become strong again and fight the Lyme bacteria and co-infections.

After months of random symptoms, 4 specialists and no answers, I finally found out it was lyme disease causing my symptoms (which I had suspected from the beginning).  Because of finances, the antibiotic route isn't an option, but from the research I've done sometimes using natural remedies are best anyway as Lyme can be very resistant to antibiotics.  I will update this post as I go, so keep checking back, and I'd love your feedback and advice on things you may have found that have helped you on your journey to healing from Lyme Disease.  Also, I've linked to the specific products I'm taking since some have asked, so if you're interested you can find them easily.

The symptoms that I have include muscle spasms, muscle twitching, ocular migraines, trouble sleeping, anxiety, knuckles locking/clicking at night (more mild during the day), joint pain especially in hip and hands, tendon pain, swollen lymph nodes, back gets numb/tingly, tremors, dizzy and low blood pressure. 

The first supplements I started using were Monolaurin (from coconuts) and Biofibrin (enzymes).  After reading a lot and researching, Monolaurin has a lot of antiviral, antimicrobial benefits, and specifically can kill lyme bacteria.  The thing about Lyme though, is it likes to hide out in Biofilm where supplements you take cannot penetrate it to kill the lyme.  That's where the Biofibrin comes in that has enzymes that will break up the biofilm so the Monolaurin can do it's job.  I have worked my way up to 2 scoops a day of the Monolaurin, and am taking 1 a day of the Biofibrin right now.  Even at 2 scoops of the little pellets, this container is lasting a LONG time.  It sells for $49, but when you divide that out by how many months it lasts, it's definitely worth it.  I do feel like these products are helping.  I started out slow so did not have any herx reactions.  The Mololaurin also helps with viruses including the flu, so it's nice to know this flu season I'm well protected!

Then I read about the amazing antimicrobial properties of raw garlic.  So at least twice a day, I mince a garlic clove or two, let it sit for at least 10 minutes (this allows it time to produce allicin which is the beneficial compound), and then swallow it down with some almond milk.  (It is VERY strong, I can't chew it).   The first day I did this, I had a herx reaction, so I do think it will work for me with killing lyme.  I backed off for a few days, and then started back slowly with just 1 clove a day.  I have seen it in supplement form here, but am not sure if it would be as potent as eating the raw garlic or do as good of a job.  I need to research this more, because a pill would be much easier than crushing garlic twice a day.

I also take Tumeric twice a day for the inflammation in my knuckles.  I take Magnesium for the muscle spasms as well as calcium.  I take Zinc for immune system boosting properties.   At night, I take probiotics with Vitamin C and Echinacea.  The link is to the brand I'm currently taking, but usually when I run out I will switch brands to try to get different strains.

I have just started using Oska Pulse (PEMF therapy)- look for a review coming soon!

Beyond supplements, there is much more I'm doing.  I have drastically changed my diet and have completely eliminated gluten, dairy and as much sugar as possible.  I'm trying to eat a lot more vegetables as well as lean meats and healthy fats.

I'm not able to exercise much right now because of the pain and joint issues but hoping as I start improving I can add that in.  I do try to go for walks when I have the energy and pain levels are down.

Detox is a huge component of all this, because as you kill the bad bacteria, they release toxins that you must eliminate.  Right now I try every day to get a detox bath with epsom salt after using a dry brush all over my body to stimulate lymphatic drainage.  This also really helps with my muscle spasms and pain.  I also take activated charcoal 2 hours away from vitamins, supplements and herbs because if you take it too close to them, it will absorb them as well as toxins and you will not get the benefits of what you're taking.  

Parasites are a big issue for lots of people with Lyme and co-infections.  I've recently discovered it is advised to treat this FIRST before trying to combat Lyme because it can hinder treatment.  I found a parasite cleanse called Paraguard, and it is made from herbs that can be used alongside whatever other treatment you are using.  Let me just say without getting too graphic- this stuff WORKS!  I read that over 90% of people have parasites, so it's pretty much guaranteed you have them, but people with Lyme tend to have a higher parasitic load.  The parasites can actually contain the Lyme bacteria, so that's why if you don't get rid of them, the Lyme may keep hanging on.  I chose to use Paraguard because first of all it had some pretty impressive reviews, but also when researching the best herbs for a parasite cleanse, this one contains them all.  It will also kill parasites at all the different life cycles, which is what you want.  If you kill just the eggs, the adults will lay more.  If you kill just the adults, the eggs will eventually hatch, etc.  When you combine Fresh Green Black Walnut Hull, Fennel Seed, Quassia Wood, Pumpkin Seed, Wormwood Herb, Garlic Bulb, Clove Bud, Bayberry Root Bark, Fresh Garrya Herb, Peppermint Oil and Oregano Oil, you're coming at them from every possible angle to wipe them out.

I have just started adding in herbs from the Buhner Protocol and am excited to report I'm already noticing a decrease in symptoms.  So far, I'm taking Cat's Claw and Japanese Knotweed.   For information on the Buhner Protocol herbs, I've been referencing this site for amounts.  I'm starting slow and just adding in 1 herb at a time to make sure I don't have any weird reactions, and if I do, I'll know exactly what's causing it.  It's been encouraging, because I have actually not had any herx reactions but my symptoms are lessening somewhat.  The spasms are not constant and the joint pain is not as severe.  I am praying these herbs will be able to cure this nasty disease, because I have read a lot of people having success with them.  

​More to come soon, and I hope to pave the way for others coming behind me, this is an awful disease to have and I pray for all you other Lyme Disease sufferers - stay strong, we will beat this!

This is an awesome way to save if you do any online shopping.  

• Wikibuy uses realtime data from more than a million Wikibuyers and automatically checks Amazon and the rest of the internet for the best price.
• During checkout Wikibuy checks for coupon codes that other Wikibuyer used at checkout and applies the best code automatically.
• It's EASY and It's FREE - check it out here

Right now on Amazon you can get this Anjou Essential Oil Sampler Set for just $11.99 when you use promo code RGWZTDNJ at checkout!  That is an awesome price considering it's normally sold for $39.99.  The oils included are 10ml of Lavender, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, and Sweet Orange. These oils are 100% pure and therapeutic grade oils and are great for diffusers and humidifiers!  They are very highly rated.  Great gift idea for anyone into oils or natural products.

Right now on Amazon you can get over 50% off these highly rated Advent Calendars for kids!!  These are so much fun and give them something to look forward to opening/doing each day of December!  My kids love these each year.  Check out these 2 deals I spotted:

Enter this month's giveaway to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!  Just in time for holiday shopping! :)  Thanks as always for following Mommy of 2 Embracing Life, and don't forget to share this blog with your friends so I can keep offering these giveaways!

Also, you can checkout this giveaway here on Blog Giveaway Directory plus find lots of other giveaways to enter!

Right now on Amazon you can get 30% off Britax Strollers and Car Seats which makes for some great deals!