A Great Experience at BHHEC!
"This is just to say Thank you to a great group of people that make the experience at the Black Hill's Health and Education Center, a truly memorable event. The staff, the massage students, the Volunteers and all the spouses, friends that are there to offer support and a kind word make this a very great place that is truly Blessed by God. It is there waiting for all to take advantage off.

"I came there to loose some weight and just get my priorities straightened out and I found so much more. I was asked to give an evaluation of the program and as my only experience is in running companies; I could only give the following advise: I would be happy to have a group of people with this dedication running any project that I had under my supervision. If it isn't broke don't try and fix it.

"I also would like to thank the group of people that I had the privilege of attending this program with; a great group of very positive people that did all they could to help and support everyone in the group.

"If anyone that has not been to this program is looking for something to change their lives with positive effects; this is the right place to be. The other guest that I was with felt the same way. The program is great and the people are fantastic

"To all my fellow guests, I'm off to Asia and will think of you often, I will have a 15 course Wild Mushroom dinner in Kunming (I hope Elizabeth would approve) at the end of June (their rainy season)

"Good Luck and God Bless All." ~John

MS Patient Benefits From Health Retreat Program
"In May, 2008 we were helped by kind neighbors and friends to come to BHHEC. At the time I was not able to lift my right arm more than about elbow high. The right hand was also hard to open and close all the way, the right leg was pretty well helpless, left leg I could lift a little, and my back on the right side was also very weak. Here at Black Hills Health and Education Center they helped us with diet, massages, and fomentations, exercise and prayer. Also they helped us to a hyperbaric oxygen chamber in town. Now I am able to open and close both hands quite well and I can get both of them up behind my head. My right leg is still very weak but I can feel strength coming back. Also strength is returning to my back. We got more help here than in any other place that we have been to and we have been to quite a few of them over the years. We just thank God for giving the knowledge and wisdom to the staff and whoever has made this place available to us."
~Mrs. Martha

Lost Girth, Pounds & Triglycerides
"I am pleased and amazed. I lost 10 pounds, some off my girth, and my high triglycerides went down two-thirds...all the while I still ate like a horse. Because the caffeine went away, so did arrhythmia symptoms... so stopped taking the meds. Thank you team for the clear demonstration of what to do and lessons on what to avoid. You all are great." ~Jack

Hello To My Special Friends at BHHEC!
"I've meant to post MUCH earlier than this - but time just slips away it seems. I can't let any more time go by without letting you know how much my two months stay meant to me. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made! I was not in a very good place when I came - severely depressed, despondent, feeling I was at the end of my rope. I was on 4 psychotropic drugs (for 5 years) and hardly able to make a good decision for myself. I had gained 30 pounds and had a severe eating disorder. I really didn't think there was any hope for me to get off the drugs (and remain sane that is! I felt completely alone - not even connecting with God. But how that changed while I was there. Your compassion, attention, love, support, great nutritious food, wonderful exercise program, informative lectures and close medical supervision...have helped me get off and STAY off 3 of the drugs since November (I'm working on the last one as we speak)...and more than that - I'm practicing all of the lifestyle changes I learned there at the Center. Just have to say it was an unexpected bonus to drop 15 pounds, lose 8 inches, drop 68 points in my cholesterol and be able to work out on the nautilus equipment to boot! NEVER thought I would be able to do that with my fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate all of you and thank God my husband found out about Black Hills when he did. I will be praying that God richly blesses each of you as you minister to others with your very special talents. I'll also be praying that others will be encouraged by reading this to consider Black Hills for their health (Body, Soul and Spirit) needs. God Bless!" ~ Linda

New Lease On Life - Part I
"I want to start by saying thank you to the Oct 08 group and the entire staff at BHHEC. I attended BHHEC for the 3 week program. I was very nervous when I showed up, within 2 days I knew I was at the right place. The staff was wonderful. They were there to support me all the way. I had not been to the doctor in over 3 years, as the last time i was at the doctor I was belittled to the point where I didn't want to go back. At BHHEC I learned the 3 points of a well balanced lifestyle. Mental, Physical, and Spiritual. Within 3 days I had lost 10 lbs, and by the end of the 3 weeks I lost a total of 35 lbs and 8 inches. I have been home for only a few days and have lost another 7 lbs as of this writing. My Glucose drop 20 points, cholesterol dropped over 60 points, my blood pressure and pulse dropped significantly, amongst all the other changes that happened. Words can't explain how thankful I am for my new lease on life. I was not judged at BHHEC, I was loved at BHHEC. If you are in need of help for weight loss, depression, smoking, alcohol, etc. BHHEC is the place!!!! I fully recommend BHHEC. I will also be going back for another session! thank you and God bless." ~Pat F

"Hello everyone!!! It is December first. As I continue with my new lifestyle. I wanted everyone to know that I have lost another 15 lbs. This makes it a total of 50 lbs lost since October when I did a 3 week session at BHHEC!!!!!!!!! Even though the weather here in Minnesota isn't very good for walking outside, I am still working out every other day and walking on the treadmill as much as I can. I feel great and want to thank the entire staff at BHHEC once again for everything they have helped me with.
I am planning on going back to BHHEC for another session in Feb 09. If anyone is looking for a new lifestyle or wants to change their lifestyle this is the place to go. ~Pat F

New Lease On Life - Part II
"Hello everybody. This is Pat F reporting about the wonderful experience I had at BHHEC again. I spent the 3 weeks of Feb in the black hills going thru the program for the second time. I wasn't sure what would happen this time, as far as weight loss, inches lost, blood results, etc. I had no idea that I would lose another 32 lbs,
11 1/2 inches lost on my body and blood results that were just fantastic. my blood pressure is way down, heart rate is great, cholesterol is where it should be. I feel fantastic. As of this righting I have lost between 85 and 90 lbs in less than 5 months, without starving myself. I ate the proper diet. starving yourself is the worst thing you can do. I have lost 20 inches on my body. Needless to say I am in need of new clothes. This is very exciting. I walked 166 miles during the program. You can only get out of the program what you want to put into the program. Having the right attitude, the desire to work for it, and be willing to change your lifestyle. That is what it takes if you want the program to work for you. As I continue on my new journey, I have the tools that I need to succeed. Just remember 'Don't give up. Don't ever give up.' In closing I want to tell everyone if you need help, this is the place to go. I want to thank all of my group members and the entire staff at BHHEC for all of the support and encouragement, and especially to my employer for everything he has done for me. God bless you all." ~Pat F

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
"If someone had told me I would one day walk over 250 miles in a period of less than 40 days I would never have believed it. Before arriving at the health center my energy level had deteriorated to the point my greatest physical activity was moving from one chair to another while I worked at my laptop computer. Although I have struggled with low energy levels and chronic pain since childhood, it was only in recent years that I was officially diagnosed with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

"I'm a determined, strong-willed individual. I have been familiar with the eight health doctors of nature: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunshine, Temperance, Fresh Air, Rest and Trust in God. For years I have convinced myself that I could handle things. I can do this!! I knew what to do, I just wasn't doing it. It was extremely difficult for me to come to the realization that I couldn't do it by myself, I needed help. I hoped by attending a lifestyle session at BHHEC to get a kick start a NEW START in taking charge of my health. I did, and so much more.

"When I entered my first session at BHHEC I was struggling with:

Chronic Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Obesity
Low Thyroid Function
Low hormones
Allergies
Vitamin D deficiency
High C-Reactive Protein

"Because someone else was doing the cooking and cleaning, I had time to devote to exercise. I put 100% into following the program and taking every advantage of what was available to me. I walked outside as much as possible breathing deeply of the fresh ionized mountain air. Initially, I had a lot of trouble with plantar fasciitis but learned how to do contrast footbaths to alleviate the pain. I enjoyed the indoor elliptical and recumbent bike when it was too cold or icy to walk outside or when my feet hurt too much to walk another step. Every day I had some kind of hydro-therapy treatment or massage to help flush my body of the build up of toxins. I rested on my bed lying in the sunshine streaming through the window. Twice a week I was able to consult with an attending physician regarding health issues, take immediate action, and then follow up with results. This in itself was a huge blessing.

"I didn't think I could survive on two meals a day so I ate each meal like it was my last. And actually, I did fine. It's true, you can eat more and weigh less! At the end of the first session, I was still extremely fatigued and felt I needed more time, so decided to come back for a second session. I am so glad I did. During my second session I took a toxic metal test and discovered I had elevated levels of lead and 3 times the upper limit for uranium in my system--most likely the culprits for the continuing excessive fatigue.

"By the end of the two sessions I had:

Lost 14 pounds and 10 inches- 5 inches off my waist alone.
(I'm still losing weight and have lost 20 lbs so far).
Increased my good cholesterol 7 pts
Lowered my bad cholesterol 26 pts
Lowered overall cholesterol 28 pts
Lowered triglycerides.

"My initial blood test indicated I had a high C-Reactive Protein level. This protein measures inflammation in the system and is an indicator for cardiac risk. Ideally, this protein level should be near zero. Anything over 3.0 is considered high risk for heart attack. My level was 7.94 when I began the program but was lowered to 2.74 (average risk).

"When I first started the weight training I could barely lift my arms with no weight for 10 reps. Now I can lift 13 lbs for 20 reps, I can pull down 70 lbs and leg press 160 lbs.

"I'm stronger, my skin is softer and my overall pain on a scale of 1-10 has decreased from a level of 7-8 to a level of 3-4!

"For the first time in my life, I have had a massage where I could feel the pressure of the therapists hands but without pain. This is miraculous!

"I had expected a bunch of old people, icky food, and boring lectures. What I found was a cloud of angels, dedicated people who gathered around me to support me, pray for me and help me achieve better health and a better lifestyle. I discovered healthy food can be easy to prepare and delicious as well. I witnessed guests of all ages find victory and relief to their health issues. It was the best investment of time and money I have ever made! I wish I hadn't waited so long to attend a Lifestyle program. What I received at BHHEC I could never have done on my own. Sometimes you just need a little help. My heart is filled with gratitude to the staff and volunteers at BHHEC who helped to bring healing to my life." ~Renee