Fluff Piece
I believe this is what they call a fluff piece…
It’s official, I’m a University of New South Wales graduate, and hold post graduate qualifications…
New Haircut. Zooey Deschanel style, sort of… In honour of 5 more weeks till we’re in Europe and there are hundreds of photos of me that I will need/want to keep forever…
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Happy!
Well, you could just about call me the happiest person alive right now. Reasons below:
1. My herbs in the garden are not dead! In fact, they have been alive for two whole weeks!
2. I am using the herbs and other home grown garden goodies in my cooking!
3. I’ve been featured on an etsy treasury!
Row 2, Collum 1
4. This makes two in my short etsy lifetime!
Row 3, Collum 4
5. Our trivia night (complete with buzzers) was a success last Saturday night!
6. My craft room is nice and clean!
7. Luke has been cooking yummy Jamie Oliver dishes, and they have been YUMMY!
8. I have been on craft gawker again!
9. I have nearly made it to 10 reasons!
10. My creative 365 is up to date!
Thyroid Problems
Nearly three years ago I was over at my mother in law’s house and she noticed that my thyroid was enlarged. I was instructed to go to the doctor as soon as possible which of course, I didn’t do. Since then it has come and gone- sometimes very large and even itchy, other times looking completely normal.
I went to the doctors a few months ago, and she sent me for a blood test, which of course, I didn’t get (I HATE needles).
When I was listening to coast FM the other day they had a naturopath, Lisa Mitchell ND, speaking about the thyroid. Naturally I was interested, and on Saturday I went along to a seminar on the tyroid at the Myddfai Wellness Centre.
I really like the idea of a naturopathy- an alternative medicine that focuses on natural remedies and the body’s vital ability to heal and maintain itself. To me, as a christian, it makes a LOT of sense. I know from my work in education that the brain is an amazingly complex part of our bodies. It would make sense that, with the right support, our body would be capable of equally amazing things.
I wrote some notes while I was at the thyroid seminar and through I would share them with you here. 
Thyroid
1 in 5 women have thyroid disease.
Everybody is different and needs individual help.
Thyroid gland- makes hormones (thyroid hormones and calcium hormones) thyroid hormones dictate the rhythm of our entire body. Sometimes illnesses are misdiagnosed and it is really the thyroid that causes the problem.
Thyroid diseases: Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) Hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone)
Low is more common then high.
When your thyroid is low: you might be slow, tired, dry skin, flaky nails, thin hair, sensitive to cold. Sometimes you might be puffy- holding fluid.
How to know if you have a problem: temperature check first thing in the morning. Take temp for a few mins.
36.5->36.9 regular temp. Should be between these.
Take temp on day 2-9 of menstrual cycle.
Tests you can get (from the doctor):
TSH: thyroid stimulating hormone. This hormone is produced by the brain, and makes more to wake up your thyroid. You can test to see if you do/don’t have this.
Free T4: This checks your T4 levels. Thyroxin. This doesn’t have a huge effect on our bodies becuase we have to convert this to T3 in our liver and kidneys.
Free refers to bound (to protein-not active) vs free. Free is active.
Reverse T3- incase of stress/ inflammation get this test. Might be accidentally making this.
Thyroid Antibody: ‘homemade’ antivirus. Immune system check. Immune system is cultivated a lot in our gut.
Vitamin D. Get from sun- you need this to help your tyroid.
Foods and thyroid health.
Thyroid hormones made of Tyrocine which is essentially protein. Eat more protein. Nuts, legumes, meat etc. in REGULAR amounts.
Iodine. Iodine important for brain, ovary function, breast tissue etc. You get this from FISH. Seaweed. Sardines, salmon etc. More ‘fishy’ fish.
Zinc- one of the most important. Helps convert T4 to T3. Eat: eggs, seeds, whole grains.
Affects our tastebuds etc.
Sallenium. Helps with conversion of T3/4. Best way to get it: Brazil nuts. 3-4 each day.
Avoid:
Goitrogens. If you have all the nutrients you needs these aren’t important to cut out. But you do need to cut them out while you’re building up your nutrients.
Brasicas: Cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale etc.
Soy: soy milk (whole soy bean not such an issue). Peanuts. When they’re raw and you’re nutrient levels are low it is bad.
Chemicals: fluoride and bromide. Similar to iodine and therefore compete with it.
Fluoride: Found most comonly in toothpastes. Choose Fluroide free toothpastes.
Fluoride protects our teeth is sweet/acidic environments. Better to avoid sugar/softdrink and not need the fluroide.
Bromide: flame retardants etc. Open the windows/doors so that they don’t build up. Indoor plants help clean the air. Anthuriums are v. good.
Less processed and more organic foods. Grow your own.
