Sunscreen for the rest of us: Recipe worth worshipping!

   I love being in the sun and I always have. Commercial sunscreen was called "tanning butter" when I was a kid. The people I idolized often used vegetable oil or baby oil to attract the sun's warmth, put themselves in generated light machines and were considered beauty....fast forward a few decades and we finally accept how harmful this is to our largest vital organ, our skin. More and more people are falling victim to Melanoma every year. And if you've been lucky enough to be diagnosed with an autoimmune condition like I have, just simply using deodorant or body lotion can wreak havoc on your endocrine system.

Faeryboop Friendly Sun Blocker
Available here....

   I've always been a huge proponent of max SPF sunscreen. Working as a lifeguard/instructor for an outdoor aquatic facility for over a decade, I always made darn sure my vital organ was covered. If not, the possibility of heat stroke, or exhaustion was a certainty. I wanted to use the sunscreen with the safest ingredients, but it just wasn't economically feasible.....until now!

I made my own SPF 45 WATERPROOF sunscreen with a few ingredients and about 30 minutes of my time. 

I'll tell you how to do it!

You can alter this recipe to your liking but here's what I did;

Gather up your ingredients
like beeswax, coconut oil and Shea butter

1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup aloe or almond oil or carrot seed oil
2 Tbsp.-1/4 cup beeswax
1-2Tbsp. Shea butter
1 tsp. vitamin E oil
2 Tbsp. zinc oxide powder*
15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil(s)

* You MUST buy Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Powder for the recipe to be considered endocrine system healthy. Besides, you get to look like this when you are brewing it up!

Take caution when using powered zinc oxide!
Breathing the dust is very harmful!

Step one: Combine the coconut oil, aloe, beeswax, vitamin E oil and Shea butter in a double boiler. No worries if you don't have one! I improved with a saucepan and a big stock pot of boiling water. Making sure the surrounding water doesn't get into your saucepan mix by holding it just within the water.

Homemade double boiler

Step two: when the mix is well combined, remove from heat. Add essential oils and put on your mask!

Step three: While wearing your mask and brewing in a well ventilated area, add the zinc. Stir very well.

Step four: Pour in desired containers! Enjoy!

*****This sun block is amazing! It is long lasting, silky smooth and we love how we can customize it with our favorite ingredients.

Anti-Anxiety: Five things that gotta give for happiness

   Hey everybody! I'm still here :) I've had quite a bit going on from school events, art passions, to a work situation to doing the impossible....throwing a birthday party for our daughter for over 25 people to attend...in our home! And we all survived, including me! AND the best part was the exciting activities didn't evoke a flare from the outer reaches of hell.

The beginning of a

cocoa nib GF birthday cake

   I am going on month 6 of a complete dietary change of removing gluten, cutting down on soy because of my thyroid medication and incorporating a rash of supplements to help my body function "normally"....well like everybody else anyways. The changes I've noticed Hashimoto's has most likely plagued me my entire life, so this new me takes some getting used to! Every day I've decided is an adventure!

Summer's favorite-Cocoa Nibs and Lavender

in my own inner workings haven't been my kind of normal ever! We've come to learn that my
   Which brings me to the topic of the day---just what brings happiness? Is it a person, is it a place or is it maybe a something? Being on a Hashimoto's journey puts things in perspective for a person and for their whole family. Hashimoto's is a mostly invisible disease that can be seen through blood work. A Hashi person can explain all day to healthy folks what it is like. At best, the usual outcome is sympathy rather than empathy and then there are those  that simply won't believe because of their ignorance and lack of an empathetic soul. It can make for a frustrating, uncomfortable and humble existence until you decide on just being happy.

My book I wrote, illustrated, edited and compiled

arrived! And it's Chica approved!

    5 Things That You Need To Give Up to Be Happy

I know! I'm telling you that you need to give up a few other things on your Hashimoto's journey that you haven't already.

1) Dwelling on the past.
We can all sit around a lament that we can't eat that big fat cinnamon roll, or maybe all we really want is a nice cold malt beer with the crew after work. Yeah I'd love to be able to sit down at a restaurant and not spend the entire time worrying and watching for the signs to begin that I've been "glutened" (and for me that means I'll be spending the next 12-20 hours swollen everywhere, in excruciating joint pain and sleeping in a pool of my own sweat). I like to center on how fulfilled my life has become and I've accepted that I am a person with a chronic illness. Does this mean my life ended as I know it? On the contrary! My life began because I learned how to be me and know my own code---I'm not as sick as I used to be!

2) Negative Self Talk
It's easy to get in the habit of getting annoyed with the little tweaks and pains associated with this or any autoimmune condition. Nobody enjoys fluctuating internal temperatures, body inflammation, skin so dry it cracks and bleeds, hair loss, never ending waves of nausea, ringing ears, I could go on, but you get the idea.

This is how I measure my hair loss

every week.

Giving yourself negative talk puts negativity in motion. "I suck!" or "Ugh look at that fat roll!" or "I'm such an idiot!" All of these comments do nothing to forge you forward and only hold you captive in a negative space.

3)Complaining

   This condition puts me in yet another higher category for heart disease, among several others.  I was feeling disgusted and was talking that over with my husband as I huddled in our bed under  a cozy, luxurious blanket. "You have always been active and made health a priority, right," said my husband. A muffled "yeah" came from my blanket fort we've knick-named 'Kick-Ass'. "Did you ever think that maybe, just maybe, you are still here on this earth with me because you are one of those people.  The ones that took such good care of your health through diet and exercise before you were diagnosed that you are one of the ones that actually made it and not one of those you hear of that died on the treadmill underaged  and were the epitome of health...maybe those folks had

Hashimoto's and just didn't get diagnosed in time." I was quiet and then sincerely gave my thanks.  I didn't take the time to think of it like that because I was too disgusted to keep being informed of all health diseases that are linked to this condition. Since that realization, I marvel at myself! I always thought I was pretty amazing but now - WOW! I kick some booty :)  I'm still here and that is something to celebrate! Everything else people complain about are really small and quite frankly, most of the small stuff you can change.

"A New Life"

by Cris Ness

4) The Need To Impress Others
   When my husband and I first met, we were talking about good deeds. The discussion went on about if there is really such a thing as a good deed without strings attached...can a good deed be done without the need to feel superior about doing said deed. Something that we continue to ponder and banter about :) Thinking about that got us thinking about how good deeds might be done to impress people and therefore it is not a good deed. The need to impress friends, family, neighbors, school mates and coworkers...
    Anyhow, most likely it took several things to happen to you  to FINALLY get diagnosed with Hashimoto's. In Western medicine, it takes the failing of some organ to see it has been under siege  being attacked by you for quite some time even though several symptoms were probably there and now your own body has  nearly killed part of  itself.

Or maybe you've had some trouble conceiving or you've gotten pregnant a few times only to go through the devastating scene of losing a child due to your condition. In these cases, it's really easy  to not care after events like these. You really aren't in a position to care who has the newest car on the block, who is wearing designer clothes, or if the fact that someone didn't "like" one of your pictures or posts means that you should worry the person may or may not be upset with you. You have no time to worry about these things because you are learning about the new rules for you. That and you are battling fatigue that encompasses all your days and nights until you get on top of your Hashimoto's and all the components of it.

5) The Need For Other's Approval
   I've said it before and I'll scream it from the highest Alp, I'm the luckiest woman in the world. My family is the most compassionate and caring people for me. I'm blessed to have everything in my life. We love each other, we celebrate our differences, we try to be empathetic and in most cases we are fairly successful. Is our family perfect? Nope, but it certainly is perfect for us. With autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's, unless folks are practically living with you, they won't 'see' your disease. They won't experience an anxiety attack, they won't see the 18 hours you sleep when you 'aren't feeling well' and they won't notice the brain fog associated with it. This separates the friends from the acquaintances. This disease has shown me who my real people are and who are the ones that can't see beyond their own glass lives. I can thank my condition for that-it's a glorious thing to be alive and not striving for other's approval.

Pictured left to right, daughter Summer, daughter Sydnie,

Me, daughter Keira, and my parents Daryl and Meri Jo.

There you have five. You have five ideas to churn over and see if you can find your happiness. Look at yourself and see if changing any of these five things can make an impact in your life. It really has in mine and has been a big pull in my recovering with my Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism. I hope it helps you - even if you don't have a chronic illness, these five things can help you find your happiness!

Interested in my newest book? It's adorable!
Click here


Blessings Lovlies :)

Art in motion: My Art Legacy Experience #RCArtLove

   The past few weeks, I've been preparing for an art event called The Art Legacy Project, where stories and art come together. It's about connecting, working together and inspiring others, it's highlighting someone's passion and after it was over, I know I was meant to be chosen for this event. A huge thanks first off to the sponsors The Elks Theatre, Simpsons Printing, The OWN, The Rapid City Arts Council and the Suzie Cappa Art Center.....and all the wonderful people in the audience who were hopefully impacted by this event in some way.

My display area featuring artwork,

my travel coffee table book, photography

Copyrighted by Sydnie Ness

Along came Judy.....I was first approached by a member of the Art Legacy Committee in January/February if I would be interested and wow was this in my realm....a storyteller is weaving a tale while I'm illustrating live with 20 minutes to start and finish a painting?! Yeah, this project could be amazing!
As many of you know, my recent diagnosis of Hashimoto's has been a big breakthrough and I'm still learning how to handle all those situations that life throws at you. Your endocrine system is critical in handling social situations, body temperature, heart rhythms, metabolism, controls your growth, critical thinking... it has a huge impact on your body and your life. I have been striving to operate at full capacity and sometimes my body still  questions me. I kept focus on my day to day and for a change, I thoroughly enjoyed this moment. My anxiety was low and with the help of my family, my Hashimoto's didn't stand in the way of  my day.
During a quick meet and greet at the offices of the Dahl Fine Arts Center, Rapid City, South Dakota, a month before the schedule event, I met my storyteller. He was late for the initial meeting and when he entered the room, there is no way a guy of that height can enter undetected!

Fred and I looking at my creation after his story was told

Copyrighted by Sydnie Ness

He started talking about this woman he admired,  his coworker and it struck me because he wasn't her brother, husband, father....he was a man admiring this woman  who impacted his life with her quick wit, can do spirit and drive to succeed. This sounded like my kind of woman! There was a big connection.....There has never been a challenge I shirked away from and especially with my Hashimoto's, I quickly became my own advocate and began learning all I could, when I wasn't sleeping, that is. My husband would attempt to keep up with my research and watch with supportive tones. I want to paint Judy's story!
Judy Bialka was her name and over the course of two meetings with Fred, I learned they were in the sanitation business together, she built her own company, she had a successful 'pink cart' campaign and that she commented how she would "kick cancers ass!" . A woman in that kind of business is a strong one. And she built bridges with her mouth to get things done. For 10 years., I was an aquatic director and head of the maintenance of the pool (that my friends is overwhelmingly dominated by men). Another similarity. He talked about the great lengths she would go to help people. She was diagnosed with melanoma cancer and fought for six years! My father-in-law whom I've grown to love and admire is on the war with melanoma...another sign for me that this match-up was destined.

"United against cancer"

By Cris Ness 2016

I spent my free time painting almost daily when I wasn't serving tables or serving beers.  My husband would ask in the mornings, "so, what are you going to paint today?" He quietly sits in the same room and occasionally looks, and when I'm done, he always get a giant grin on his face and hugs me...I love this kind of artistry reward system! Lots of great things came out onto the canvas....but I still didn't know how I could bring to life this woman who Fred so admired for being a trailblazer, a whirlwind, a colorful woman to admire. Days ticked by and a week before the event, I still just had a blank canvas going on in my brain with fleeting images of pink garbage cans, a colorful whirlwind, and a pig and a chicken putting on a breakfast together.
Fred, Anne who was our Black Hills Storyteller liaison, and I again had a coffee meet. A week earlier, I had shown the duo my style of work. In  the winter months, I started this random candle light series...and it made my family go hmmm, made my dog bark and growl at the painting, of which I exclaimed, "Honey!!! I pulled  emotion out of  the dog!!!!" They looked at the woman and stared.

My very own bookmarks "Into The Night" :)

I JUST LOVE HER!!!

At this last meeting, Fred had been thinking about my candle series and how that might just be a good focal point for the painting. I had gone to that meeting with that very thought in mind. Earlier in the day, I had been talking to my husband about Judy (I didn't mention much about what this story was going to be about before then.) and he quickly uttered,"that candle stuff you were doing a few months ago would be perfect".
I decided to work on the background some more. I looked up her obituary online late one evening  and Fred had described her perfectly and this other background information filled in gaps as far as her achievements throughout her short life. Judy was a mere 47-year-old youngster when her fight was over. She was vivacious, victorious, tenacious, winning....how do you put that on canvas???

"She would come into a room like a whirlwind...and that's the feeling of how it is now that's she's gone..."---Fred Folsom

This quote from one of our meetings continually clicked in my mind. I painted a storyboard filled with all the images jumbling around in my mind. The next morning, I popped out of bed and began painting vibrant colors on the black...and then thought of tears washing and dimming that spirit away. My dirty dish sponge was the first tool and boy did it work brilliantly! The "tears" streamed down the colorful spirit, dulling the shine....and then a single candle appeared. This fit perfectly....and I could easily complete the entire art piece in that timeframe blowing away the viewing audience with the creation forming before their eyes. I knew what I was doing and I had four days to spare! Life was GOOD!
My husband was my stage hand and handled all my artwork and setting up---we woke up the morning of the show and made table easels out of sticks from our backyard, giggling and chatting about "my big day". He is so awesome!
Before I knew it, the display was up and people were taking their seats, the show began and after I took in the two pairs ahead of us, it was GO TIME! I've performed musically for several audiences, been in large orchestras, had the honor of being first chair in orchestra and have had the honor of being passed the conductor's baton...OH THE POWER!!! But I speak through my music, through the written word and if I get a microphone in front of me I lose my mind really...it's just blank LOL. Fred on the other hand is a chatty booming man who has a story for any occasion.

The process began...the colors came out, Fred's words rang in the darkness, I can hear people reacting behind me as the water trickled down the wet canvas and the colors ran down. I pulled the
lines through. Then Fred's voice cracks and I tune in for just a second and I can hear him taking a gasping breath and a slight pause to regain his composure. I tune him out and sink down in my chair...this man whom I just met and shared coffee with, has shared his soul with me and I him through my art and I'm going to get emotional. The candle begins to appear and before I know it, we are headed to the center of the stage and he gives me a big Fred Bear hug!

"Judy's Light", Cris Ness and Fred Folsom

Photo by Sydnie Ness

WE DID IT! And I think everyone in attendance will remember Judy, or in the very least remember
someone they love like that. We created a wonderful remembrance in honor of Judy, and Fred challenged everyone to be a Judy,-be that colorful person who never backs down.

Rocks: The importance of a few rocks and other things in your life

Bouldering in the Black Hills, South Dakota

Big week my fellow blog enthusiasts, Hashimoto's and Autoimmune warriors and loved ones also in the battle...I started a new hobby this week....BOULDERING! This can be a strenuous and extreme, fulfilling and challenging sport and it had me in it's grips from the moment I put on those uncomfortable climbers shoes.

My rock climbing rocks with me. Happy anniversary to us this week!

I love you, my Clayton!

I know starting anything new can be a daunting thought

when you are battling.

I'm no different. Bouldering is something I've been wanting to pick up and do and five month ago, I would've told you this probably wasn't looking like it could happen for me...EVER. I've always been active and my drive to succeed far outweighs almost anything...except when I was having my last Hashimoto's flare and my need to sleep won over everything. So just how do I get from barely being able to get out of bed to conquering a boulder with my physique and wits? Lots of research and understanding about how Hashimoto's people might not be able to utilize the nutrients you are fueling your body with. I started with an open mind about what the experts know and don't know about this autoimmune condition and the reality is that there are LOTS of contradicting evidence out there. If you are new to the journey, my advice is to realize that this condition is so personalized that it can take people decades to get a diagnosis...and I'm one of those people! With this in mind, remember to be open to try different things, think scientifically about yourself as a machine and fuel up as you should.

I'll save the HEY YOU NEED TO GO GLUTEN FREE for another time, Hashimoto's warrior. Today, we are talking about the importance of healing from the inside out and supplementing your diet with vitamins and minerals to benefit your immune system, assist your body in metabolism (now that something that we always battle) and vitamins to help your nervous system, including your brain, to function better.

Here's my personal arsenal ... seems daunting but after I researched

each and every one of the beauties I was sold on

popping pills or mixing cocktails up for my well being to make 

my day to day living easier.

• Selenium: This element can be found in a variety of food including fish and Brazil nuts. People with thyroid problems, weakened immune systems and depression patients have all been found to be low in selenium. If you battle allergies or endocrine system problems, look into having your selenium levels tested.
• Tyrosine: This amino acid is critical to the nervous system and helps clear up any anxiety issues or brain fog that might be putting a veil over your world. Tyrosine is essential for helping you with how you perceive and interact with your environment. Addition of this amino acid has been helped to reduce chronic fatigue, depression and other symptoms.
• Zinc: If you are in a high risk category, like having Crohn's disease or other digestive or immune conditions, you need to take a look at this often overlooked mineral. Zinc aids in fighting infections, cell division and cell turnover to heal wounds.
• Vitamin E: This vitamin plays a vital role in a healthy immune system. It aids the body in regulating vitamin A. Vitamin E is an antioxidant which means it protects your good cells from harmful and damaging free radicals while you are healing. It's also fantastic for hair and nails...both of those are problem areas for Thyroid people.
• Vitamin C: Otherwise also known as L-ascorbic acid, this wonderful stuff boosts your immune system, supports good gut bacteria, combats stress and lowers high cholesterol among other benefits.
• Tumeric: Part of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Tumeric aids in inflammation and adrenal gland stimulator. Personally, this stuff has made all the difference in the world with my chronic pain and inflammation and allowed me to perform my exercise routine pain free, a feat I hadn't been able to enjoy for nearly a decade.
• Thytrophin PMG: As with many medical routes, there is the inevitable controversy...welcome to Thytrophin PMG. I researched, talked to pharmacists and my personal healthcare team about the possibility of taking this hormone. I've got to say, I'm on month two of this supplement and I've had no side effects that I've noticed and I've got two week to blood work to see how this affected my system. Basically, this is being used as a decoy for my body to attack this instead of my thyroid. The medical field has actually recently documented the Thyroid gland repairing itself and regenerating just as the liver can. It just needs a little help to stop the onslaught of my amazing body kicking its' own butt. We needed a decoy until this vicious cycle can simmer down!
• Probiotics: Gut health means making sure you carry around the thousands of little bacteria that are essential to healthy digestions. Not having the right balance means sleeplessness, depression, metabolism issues, anxiety issues, and many other problems that are easily solved by getting the right bugs into your system. Look into the many forms of probiotics.
• Coconut Oil: It's not shown in the picture, but I enjoy the heck out of the this oil. It really has aided in healing my gut. I drink it in my coffee, my tea, I cook with it and I even use it as a skin moisturizer.

Ask your healthcare team to check any of these levels or look into the symptoms of deficiency yourself! Be proactive!

Staring up at those rocks, I was quietly nervous. I really have had many more days of good than bad and I know it can take upwards of two years to completely heal your insides from the damage your magnificent body can do to itself. I've been researching and adding elements to my health plan for five months. I've had to back off of my workouts because it became detrimental for me to do them. It was doing more harm than good at the time. I'm only up to two to three times a week in my workouts. Can I conquer these rocks? Will my brain be on point? How about my grip? There are times in life when you just breath, smile and begin to believe in your body again.

On my first day of bouldering, I took on some V4s and had a brilliant time enjoying the company of my life companion and best friend as we celebrated another year together.

Cheers!