Tips for a Low-Sugar Halloween :)

I like these links to a low-carb blog I follow:

Carbs and Calories in Halloween Candies:
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/carbcounts/a/candycalories.htm?nl=1

Low-Carb/Sugar Free Halloween/Thanksgiving
Scroll down this page, some of the homemade treats sound good!
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbholidaymenus/a/locarbhalloween.htm?nl=1

Oprah Advice

From Oprah Winfrey, good:

- What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what.
- You define your own life. Don't let other people write your script.
- Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.
- When people show you who they are, believe them the first time (A lesson from Maya Angelou)
- Worrying is wasted time. Use the same energy for doing something about what worries you.
- What you believe has more power than what you dream, wish or hope for. You become what you believe.
- Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction.
- If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart.
- The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.
- If the only prayer you ever say is "thank you" that will be enough. (From the German theologian and humanist Meister Eckhart.)

BOOK: Alternative Cures That Really Work

Compare therapies at a glance

I just finished this book. I only read through the chapters that pertained to my ailments, but I found it VERY worthwhile! I got it from the library, but went out and bought my own copy to have :) It takes 110 common alternative therapies and looks at scientific research on them for 21 different ailments. It rates them on a scale of 1-5 stars on how successful they were in scientific studies. It then will tell you also about possible side effects, where to find/what kind/guidances in locating.

The book was written as a collaboration between two doctors, Ronald Hoffman, MD - who is medical director of the Hoffman Center, one of New York City's preeminent complementary care facilities. And Barry Fox, PhD - author of "The Arthritis Cure" and editor-in-chief of the Nutraceutical Report.

What I found very interesting on a personal level was that for most of my ailments (fibromyalgia, insomnia, migraines) acupuncture rated very high on the list of successful therapies. I now have this on my radar to look into for 2011 :) Anyone else tried acupuncture for fibro?!?

But Your Don't Look Sick

This is a good website, humorous and helpful hints :)

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com

Christine's passion is helping those with Lupus through her writing, speaking, volunteering, and work as a patient advocate. Very inspirational - Kudos Christine!

I love this list of 7 Things Not to Do When Depressed, I can really relate to the "Depression Googling" - I so do that! Like all of a sudden a cure for fibro ailments will just pop up in my search ;)

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/sick-humor/sick-humor-7-things-not-to-do-when-you-are-depressed/

Ginger Studied as a Muscle Pain Reliever

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Ginger-effective-for-muscle-pain-relief/articleshow/6565261.cms

 (The study has been reported in The Journal of Pain)

Read more: Ginger effective for muscle pain relief - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Ginger-effective-for-muscle-pain-relief/articleshow/6565261.cms#ixzz12NgfL8cg

I have been taking ginger supplements and definitely notice it helps with my pain. Nothing like a strong prescription pain reliever, but yes it helps me, and without side effects! So for $8/month? Can't beat that :)

Something to note, I read that it can affect sleep, so take it early in the day and not too close to bedtime.

Fibro Support

I hope that one day there will be as much support and focus on overcoming Fibromyalgia as there is now on Breast Cancer.

WebMD's Best Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia

For the full article, click here:

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/features/alternative-treatments-for-fibromyalgia?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Excerpts:

Supplements including:
- Sam-e (I am taking and yes it improves my mood, and probably contributes to helping with pain and sleep too)
- Melatonin (I have tried. eh.)
- Magnesium (yes, I am taking and it makes me feel better, Ultra-Mag)
- 5-HTP (next on my list to try)
- Acupuncture (also next on my list to try, I have read several articles on how this has helped with fibro, migraines, sleep, arthritis etc. I am very intrigued)
- Massage (yes, once or twice a month, soft massages, good for my overall well being :)

“It would be great if we could just give people a pill to fix their fibromyalgia,” says Mark J. Pellegrino, MD, of Ohio Pain and Rehabilitation Specialists and author of 13 books on fibromyalgia. “But there’s no magic pill. A balanced approach is important.”

For some people with fibromyalgia, that balanced approach includes trying complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in addition to medication, exercise, and physical therapy.
There hasn’t been a lot of formal research on the effectiveness of alternative treatments for fibromyalgia. But many people with fibromyalgia and some doctors believe some alternative treatments can help ease pain, fatigue, and other symptoms, especially when combined with conventional approaches.

Pellegrino, who has fibromyalgia and is a physician speaker for pharmaceutical companies that make medications used to treat fibromyalgia, considers the “three pillars of treatment” to be medicine, physical therapy, and supplements. He says that some supplements, along with other treatments and lifestyle changes, have helped his patients experience less pain, more energy, and better sleep.

“When it comes to supplements, we’re learning more and more,” he tells WebMD. “But unlike drugs, we don’t have rigorous research. It’s important for a person with fibromyalgia to work with a doctor who is knowledgeable about supplements.”

Get More Fruit in Your Diet!

Fresh pineapples are the only known source of bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties.

Nutrition News from Dole

:)

FREE Yoga in South Florida!

@ a Yoga Conference in Hollywood,

Thursday, Saturday and Sunday in November:

http://www.yjevents.com/florida/free.php

CAM Therapies

90% of fibro sufferers use some kind of complementary and alternative treatments.

For more info and resource check out this link:
http://www.painfoundation.org/learn/library/pain-topics/complementary-medicine/

- Massage Therapy and Oriental Medicine
- Acupuncture
- Prayer and Meditation
- Yoga and Tai Chi
- Water Exercise
- Physical Therapy
- Biofeedback
- Chiropractic Care
- Herbal Remedies
- Natural Dietary Supplements
- Hypnosis
- Magnet Therpay
- Pet Ownership
- Music and Art Therapy

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

http://www.nccam.nih.gov

Ahhhh.... so now I learn, seems my approach with treating my fibro and cfs is properly called "Complementary and Alternative Medicine." :)

Alternative medicine is defined as any healing practice that is outside the boundaries of conventional Western medicine. Alternative treatments are used instead of conventional medicine (like acupuncture to replace pain meds.)

Some common examples include dietary supplements, meditation, herbals, naturopathy, hypnosis and yoga. 

Complementary medicine is alternative medicine that is used in combination with conventional medicine. Also can be referred to as integrative medicine.

For example, massage therapy used along with pain meds.