Rick Springfield on Californication

That's right. Springfield on tv.

Eating Good for Fibro

One thing that I think helps me with fibromyalgia is staying away from processed foods. No surprise, eating healthy is an important part of fibro.

Another set of steps may be taken to help support energy production in the muscles. These steps center on nutrients involved with processes taking place in specialized parts of our muscle cells called mitochondria. The mitochondria handle most of our oxygen-based energy production, and their function is critical to our muscle movement. Many of the B vitamins, vitamins C and E, Coenzyme Q, and the omega 3 fatty acids are important in this energy-production context. (You can find profiles of these nutrients, plus "best source" foods for each one in our Essential Nutrients A-Z section.

As always, work with your doctor.

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Fibro Flare- Lasting a Long Time

In May I was at a wedding, dancing and having a good time. A few weeks later I got in a fibro flare. I need to out of it!

I started to get depressed as the pain continued. This is the longest that I can remember being in a fibro flare. I didn't realize how good I was before all this.

My chiropractor said something to me- fibromyalgia is all you.

While I know for sure it is not in my mind, and that is not what he meant, I'm going to start having the attitude that I can get through this flare with my actions. I'm not going to wait for some time to go by and wait for the flare to pass.

Starting tomorrow I am making purposefully steps to get out of this!






Photo: AFP

Organic Tshirts

These fortune tees from pie tees are adorable.

And, they're made with organic shirts.

Read up on Organic Cotton.

Food for Your Skin

When I look at all the ingredients in face cleansers and lotions, I wonder why our skin needs all those things we can't pronounce. My guess is that most of them are preservatives. What are the basic things our skin needs to stay hydrated, keep it's collagen and get rid of dead skin cells? Here are some things I'm going to try.

Lemon juice. Added to water, this makes a great facial toner.

Orange slices. Just rub a slice of orange on your face, Irons says. It revives dull skin -- the acid, the vitamin C!

Vegetable shortening. This is great for eczema, Irons says. "Hospitals call it Cream C, for Crisco," she says. Heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds, then slather it on.

Egg whites. For an instant facelift, dab egg whites over your face, sit stock still until it dries, then apply makeup. Sort of a poor woman's Botox!

Avocado. Mash one up, mix in a little lemon juice, and apply to face and neck and let it dry. "A great neck firmer," Irons says.

Rice flour. This is an "old-timey" secret, Irons whispers. Put some in a compact -- it's "the best face powder money can buy."

Pumpkin. Yup, out of the can, hold the sugar and cinnamon. It's a great conditioner for the face or whole body.

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Well...There Isn't Non-Toxic Hair Color

Not really.

There is henna. But it sounds like it slowly washes out.

There is haircolor that is low in some toxins, and there are some that don't have ammonia. I'll be looking into those.

I have to figure out how to merge them with the current color I have now.

Finding Non-Toxic Haircolor

After dying my hair for years, I am on the search for a non-toxic hair color. I don't think I want to add henna to my hair. I heard you can't add other color to henna if you don't like it, and have to let it grow out. Although, I could look into it more than what someone told me.

There is an ingredient in hair color, that allegedly can trigger allergies. I have had sensitivities to chemicals for years. There may be a connection.

If you know of a good way to color my hair without toxins, let me know!

Plunging the Tub

I plunged my tub. Yes, my tub. It's one of those tubs that has the useless stopper that doesn't stop any hair from going down the drain.

I have tried with a chopstick, an hanger, hot water, baking soda and vinegar, to get rid of the clog. I spent almost two hours plunging the tub on Monday.

Tuesday I could barely move my arms. Still feeling the effects of it on Saturday. That's fibromyalgia.

Being neurotic, it was all I could do to see brown fluid in my tub as I was plunging it. But I guess if hair and dirt were sitting in a drain for weeks, they're not going to turn a pretty pink.

I should've known better than to keep plunging, but I really wanted to take a clogged-free shower.

Now I'll go to the building manager and get a snake, hoping that does the trick.

SNAKE- I snaked the drain all by myself. When the big glob of hair came out I felt so accomplished.

Cosmetic Safety Database

Check your products for safety with this Cosmetic Safety Database.

I was surprised how high (and high isn't good) some of my "natural" products rated.





I have no association with the database, make no claim on it's accuracy, and as with anything do your due dilligence.

Oy. I Just Googled Proactiv

I'm in my 30's and the acne on my chin is unstoppable. I told my dermatologist: "my zits have zits!" And she understood. But she didn't have much of a solution. Mine seemed to be a hormonal issue. And I couldn't take the pill as a method for regulating my hormones.

I looked up Proactiv, but it seems to be for controling bacteria. And as I noted- mine could be a hormonal issues. This would explain the increased acne around my period, but I do deal with acne all month long. Does this mean my hormones are all over the place, all month long?

More specifically, acne may be precipitated by androgens, male hormones present in both men and women. The oil surplus created by these hormones may be instrumental in clogging hair follicles where bacteria grows and causes acne pimples and blemishes.

Perhaps I will start a slow regimine of benzoyl peroxide and see if it helps. Last time I used something with that in it I got crunchy chin. Looked like crusted over pepperoni pizza. Not a nice image but hey, I talk bluntly about these things.

Adults with acne shouldn't use anti-acne products made for adolescents. These products may strip too much natural oil from their skin. Products containing salicylic acid, which is milder than the benzoyl peroxide found in most products for teens, is a better choice.

That's a good tip. I'll have to toss out the Clearasil. That was causing me some puberty flashbacks anyways.

Maybe I'm allergic to something I'm eating. That's one of the top reasons people over 25 get acne. Crap. It's probably something I really like.

Apple Cider Vinegar is rumored to be a good natural fix for many things. Dabbing a little on the area to kill the bacteria might be worth a try.

So in summary- it could be caused by hormones, it could be a long list of foods, it could be stress, it could be good ol' fashioned dirt. Whatever it is, I am determined to find out.



Source,source

Judy Blume Character as an Adult

I thought, back when I was just a young lass curled up with a Judy Blume book, that there would be a day when I didn't have the same issues that the character's in the book did- self doubt, blemishes, cramps, boy trouble. I related so much to Blume's characters and their struggles, and their abilities to deal with it. But phew! I knew I would grow up and it would be different.

But even in my 30's, I still feel like the awkward teen in Blume's books. Still with self doubt, blemishes, cramps, boy trouble. It makes me want to dig out Deenie, or Blubber, and read it again. Maybe hoping there was some answere at the end of the books.

I hope kids are still reading her books. Perhaps they've been overshadowed by fantasy, science fiction, or acne-free wizards.

Factoid: Judy Blume's birthday was last week on the 12th. She turned 71.

Did you know books like Deenie, were banned? How cool is that?
Ok, not really since it makes our society seem so uncivilized.
But, it makes me feel like I was an edgy teen.


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Fibromyalgia 101

Food

As much as we like comfort food to help us during our tough fibro times, these comfort foods could be adding to the problem. Most comfort food I think of involves carbs and sugar- just the things that could make fibro worse, in my opinion.

You probably know that eating certain foods leads to a drop in your energy level. For thousands of years, Chinese health experts have studied how different kinds of foods affect the health of your body, organ systems, and muscles. In fact, certain foods actually increase the dampness inside the body. Excess dampness can lead to joint and muscle aches, extreme fatigue, and organs systems that do not work efficiently. Sound like many of the classic symptoms of fibromyalgia? Chinese medicine defines fibromyalgia as a pathological condition of internal dampness. This system of medicine has also defined many foods to avoid that will aggravate the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

It seems like everything is on the list of damp foods. Most of the fun foods, of course.

Eating too many foods that increase internal dampness is like having too much rain that creates a muddy quagmire or dampness inside your body. Eating these damp foods can make your fibromyalgia symptoms worse. Using the principles of Chinese Medicine to make better dietary choices, you stop putting excess dampness in your system. You know about foods that warm you up or eliminate dampness. As a result of making these changes in your diet, you get to strengthen you internal ability to dry out the dampness that can reduce your fatigue and daily chronic pain. This can also help reduce mental unclarity or fibro-fog. You actually can feel the difference in as little as a few weeks to a few days.

Keep a food diary and see how many things you eat in a week are on the damp list. Slowly make some changes, you might notice a difference. And wouldn't that be a great thing.

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Surviving a Layoff

Unfortunately, the end of layoffs probably isn't near. And if it hasn't happened to you yet, it could- adding to the anxiety we already are collectively feeling in this country.

It helps that you are not alone. Companies are announcing layoffs daily.

But there is something you can do if you're laid off, or are having anxiety about being laid off.

How to Handle a Layoff







Photo: AP

Your Motto For the Day

Set aside a block of time to do what you love, cut out other stuff from your life that take up your time, and don’t let anything interfere with that work.








Zen Habits

Recalls

Is it everyday that there are recalls? You can't eat peanut butter, or lick a dish (ya know, cause of lead), or wipe your butt without some kind of recall.

Here's a list of recalls from today. Note how most are Made in China. What's made in the USA anymore?

Equal Pay For Equal Work

President Obama signed a bill today for Equal Pay. Hurrah!

Why Aren't We Pissed Off?

What is going on with the banks and OUR money is disgusting.

President Barack Obama issued a withering critique Thursday of Wall Street corporate behavior, calling it "the height of irresponsibility" for employees to be paid more than $18 billion in bonuses last year while their crumbling financial sector received a bailout from taxpayers.

"It is shameful," Obama said from the Oval Office. "And part of what we're going to need is for the folks on Wall Street who are asking for help to show some restraint, and show some discipline, and show some sense of responsibility."

The president's comments, made with new Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner at his side, came in swift response to a report that employees of the New York financial world garnered an estimated $18.4 billion in bonuses last year. The figure, from the New York state comptroller, drew prominent news coverage.

But what is he going to do about it? Are these CEOs going to be held accountable?

Crap

Jobs are gone. Today, the jobs losses announced were in the thousands.

Home Depot, Caterpillar, Sprint were just some of the companies that are expected to lay off workers.




Photo: AP