Christ is Risen!

I’m excited to share a couple things with you that happened during Lent. On one hand it was a difficult time, on another it was blessed.  Isn’t that always the way?  I had some health complications come up, and I now know firsthand what it feels like to be hyperthyroid. My heart goes out to all of you who are experiencing hair loss, unwanted weight loss, heart palpitations, body temperature dysregulation, and all out panic attacks. These past few months have been quite an experience,  I am thanking God that my doctor immediately knew what to check for, and it has now been rectified.  It’s easy to read about symptoms, hear someone who has them, and say “yes I understand.”  It’s quite another to know first hand and not just sympathize but empathize.  It’s been a tough few months, but I am a better health coach for it. Thanks be to God! 

Interestingly, two decades ago, I had similar issues, and my doctor back then suggested a hormone cream (without testing), put me on an anti-anxiety med, and told me to seek counseling.  Never checked my thyroid.  This is why I share everything I can with you.  If you have issues with Hashimoto’s, one of my go to doctors in this area is Dr. Izabella Wentz.  I use her protocols in my practice with my own clients, and highly recommend her books and free resources.

On another note, as many of you in the U.S. are going through, we did our taxes. It became abundantly clear that the expenses associated with the website, programs, podcast, and publications are more than I can handle.  On a good note though, I have a solution that I think will help keep us going.

For the past several years, I’ve had this feeling in the back of my mind that I’m doing you a disservice. 

• I’ve been telling you all about supplements, without giving you solid resources with easy links.
• I’ve been telling you all about lab tests that you may want to have done, knowing full well that a conventional doctor probably has no idea what we’re talking about, or even how to read the results if you brought them in. 
• I’ve been telling you about all of the disease causing, hormone disrupting, dangers of skin care products, make up, and other grooming products, without giving you solid resources and easy links.

In the back of my mind I wanted to teach you to fish rather than give you a fish.  I still want you to read labels, but I know many just don’t have the time, or the eyes to see the tiny print they put on bottles!  What I’ve decided to do is become, when possible, and affiliate, consultant, or supplier of products that I know and use personally. These are things that I recommend to my best friends, but now I’m formalizing everything so that I can help all of you by just clicking a link on my website.

This benefit is twofold.  Not only will you have resources, but when you do click on my links, I will be receiving a few cents to a few dollars from the companies. This in no way raises the price that you would normally pay for these things, but it will help me keep the website, podcast, and programs going, along with all of the upcoming things that I’m working on for you. I think it’s a win-win for everyone, and much better than all of those irritating ads that some websites have popping up all over the place.  So you are going to be hearing me talk about certain products that I know and love, not because I want to sell you something, but because I want to be of service and defray expenses.

Holistic Christian Life recently had the honor of being chosen as one of the top 20 Christian Life Coach Blogs on the web!

We came in at number 16! After looking at all 20 on Feedspot, I noted that we are number one in the Orthodox sub-category (not that there is one, ha!) So, despite the fact that I’m not a life coach, by default there is a certain lifestyle that I am coaching people on from an Orthodox Christian  health and wellness standpoint.  This is even more incentive to keep doing what I’m doing, despite the tax situation.

I’d like to kick off my newest resource, which is www.beautycounter.com/cynthiadamaskos.  This company has been on my “need to check this out list” for a long time, and I have loved every single thing that I’ve used.  This shocked me, as I am used to the performance of healthier products being not quite what the harmful ones are. Beautycounter changed my mind. You can sign up as a consultant for discounts yourself, or even to build a business if you’re looking for a business opportunity. You can also sign up as a member, or just purchase. My goal is not to “build the team“ or “make director” as obviously I have my hands full as it is.  However, if you do choose to become a consultant yourself, I will make sure that you are well taken care of! 

Here are the things I like about them. Number one – they’re honest. Years ago, pre-health coach certification, I became a consultant for another skin care line that positioned themselves as being healthy.  Now that I know more, I see that this was not true. Beautycounter is upfront about everything they put in their products even when the organic ingredient option was not the best one, or a synthetic option in one of their products made it perform better without being dangerous.  I love the honesty, and the numbers on EWG.org come in at an excellent rating. Number two – they’re on a mission. They are lobbying in Washington DC for tighter regulations on skin care, and are making a difference in the future of our health in this regard. Number three – they will allow me to just offer these products to you as a service, without pressure to build a team, do house parties, etc.  So it’s more about you, and my concern for your health, not climbing a direct sales ladder.

If you’re a purist, keep using coconut oil as I always have. For deodorant, conditioner, make up removal, moisturizer, and even for sunscreen. You definitely know it’s Cynthia approved!  But if you feel you just need something that’s a little different, or need more performance, I think you’ll love Beautycounter products. If I ever feel as though the products are being compromised as with the last company I linked myself to, you can be assured that I will let you know!  There are over 1500 toxins that are on the “Never List”, which you will probably find in what you are already using. 

Next up, I am under an agreement for labwork orders, and am getting trained soon.  I will be able to offer them at a great discount too…bonus!  One of the main training points will be on how to be of service to you without going out of my scope as a health coach.

And, you will see opportunities to buy supplements that I recommend by brands I trust on this site.  Yes, I’ve already read the fine print under “other ingredients” for you!

I know you will find these new resources helpful, as it answers many of the questions I get on a regular basis.  My website designer is creating a special resource page, and I hope to meet with him this week. 

And last, I’d like to talk to you about Vitamin D.  It can be at the root of many issues, and even general malaise. 

TESTING FOR VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

According to Dr. Wentz, Vitamin D levels should be between 60 and 80 ng/L for optimal thyroid receptor and immune system function. These levels should be checked at regular intervals, especially during the winter seasons.  She recommends the 25-hydroxyvitamin D test, also known as the 25(OH)D test for short.  If you would like this test, and your doctor is unable to run it for you, I can point you in the right direction. 

I pray that your Pascha was blessed, and am excited as we go forth saying, Christ is Risen!