We are the 300,000+ -- Lyme Disease Campaign

There are more than 300,000 new Lyme Disease infections annually, and the CDC and medical community is just now acknowledging this astonishing number, MUCH higher than their previous rates of "30,000 annual cases."

If you are one of the annual 300,000 diagnosed with Lyme Disease stand up and represent. The Lyme community is launching a photo campaign to get more media attention for Lyme Disease. They are asking for your photos.

It's simple and powerful, be a part of it here:

http://lyme300000.wordpress.com/

Lyme Disease and the CDC

And we wonder why we can't make any progress with Lyme Disease??

This is sad and sickening. And yet another reason I skew towards the all-natural alternatives and way from the medical community. Are the ever really our for our best interests, or just our to line their own pockets with more money??

Lyme Disease Community Blows the Whistle on Corruption Within the CDC http://www.prohealth.com/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18502&B1=EG112713

Lyme Disease and Fibromyalgia?

I've always held the theory that my fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue has been hereditary and lying dormant, and was kicked into full gear when I was bit by tick and faced Lyme Disease attack (stressor) on my body in 2009. Looking back now, I don't think I had the traditional "bullseye" rash but just a big pink blot. Thus I delayed treatment, even diagnosis for the Lyme Disease. It took 4 months to get a diagnosis of Lyme Disease, then fibro and chronic fatigue.

Long story short, I still keep one eye out on Lyme Disease research, studies and community involvement.

When I was diagnosed in South Florida with Lyme Disease it was very hard to find treatment, get any straight answers. I was told Lyme Disease is not common in Florida, in fact many doctors didn't even believe I had it.

I recently came across some articles on a brave young woman, also a Lyme Disease sufferer, who is working to promote better research and education on Lyme Disease, especially in Florida:

http://hhp.ufl.edu/index.php/2013/07/biting-back/

An upcoming symposium on Lyme Disease at The University of Florida:

http://www.epi.ufl.edu/?q=tick-borne-disease-symposium

Has anyone else had experience with Lyme and Fibro / Chronic Fatigue?

My All Natural Solution for Seborrheic Dermatitis

One of the conditions that came along with my fibromylagia was this sudden seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp. It was incredibly itchy and scaly on my scalp. The itchiness drove me NUTS!! I finally have stumbled upon an all natural solution (my doctor just wanted to give me a prescription.)

Dead sea salt! I bought a container in the beauty section of Whole Foods, and made sure it was JUST the dead sea salt, no fragrances or ANY other ingredients besides the salt. ($15) For the first few nights I'd get in the shower and run warm water over my scalp, mix some of of the sea salt to dissolve in a cup of warm water (about 8oz size) and then I'd pour the warm sea salt mixture over the back of my scalp (where the dermatitis was the worse). I have long hair, so I rubbed in the salt mixture and piled on my hair. Then I either stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my head for about 10 minutes, or I'd busy myself wit something like shaving my legs :) The main points to take away are the initial warm water opens up the pores in your scalp, then allow the sea salt to set on your scalp for a few minutes to soak in (5-10 min). Then rinse off. I did this for 3-4 nights initially, and then the remainder of the week I switched to the sea salt mixture (water and the sea salt) in a spray bottle - when I came home from work I'd spray the sea salt water mixture on my scalp, rub it in, wrap with a towel for @ 10 minutes, then step in shower and rinse. I was amazed, after the 1st two days I def noticed less itching and a difference! And, after the first week of treatments, no more itching! So now 1-2 times a week I'll use the spray bottle of salt water treatment just to maintain the clarity of the dermatitis.

Of course if you live near the ocean, just go hang out in the ocean on the weekends! Even more fun!

Also good to note, I had bought some lavender oil to help sooth the itchiness, this did help soothe that - temporarily. While it did not treat/cure the dermatitis, it did help get me through until the sea salt kicked in! (It took me a while to find out the sea salt cure, so the lavender oil was def helpful.)

I hope this helps!

Considering Vegetarianism?

Thinking about going vegetarian? Not sure how or where to start? Here is a great starters guide to download:

http://www.pcrm.org/pdfs/health/vsk.pdf


Also look for vegetarian/vegan meetup groups in your local area! They will be able to share tips and tricks, restaurants ideas and more!

Housekeeping and Fibromyalgia

Yes! Household "chores" drive me nuts, I live by myself and trying to maintain it all and my sanity it a chore in itself! I struggled for the longest time in trying to find the right balance, as I would not have the energy and would let things go, then the clutter would get to me... So now I've learned that little efforts can add up and make a difference, if I can try and tackle one or two things that is better than nothing. I've learned to pace myself. Most people probably do not schedule time in their day to do dishes or fold laundry the way I do, I look at it as a big, daunting, energy draining chore. But I do it. One or two a day, and things seem to work out. And sometimes something as simple as "resting" and getting up during commercials to do something during that time seems to help. (Take out the trash) Simple tasks. I used to come home and try to do everything at once and then sit down and rest for the evening. Now I treat myself right first - come home and rest, then tackle one chore. Rest, then another if able. Etc. The key to my day is rest as much as I need, when I need, even for 10 minutes, sit and chill for a few, put my feet up, take a breather, pace myself. I have tried to find as many things to help me out around the house - a laundry bag cart on wheels with 4 removable bags - this way I presort laundry as I fill them! And I can grab and go each load as needed. I treated myself to the neat-o (its like a roomba) floor cleaner. This is a HUGE deal in my life! I can schedule it to clean when I am out of the house! I pick up a few chairs, rugs, shoes and things it bumps around and away it goes sweeping and cleaning my floors! Once or twice a week away he goes (yes I even gave it a name, he, "Freddy") and it is amazing the dirt and dust he picks up. SO glad to have invested in that! I always have an ongoing grocery list on my smartphone. Sometimes I stop at the store randomly, if I do I can check see what I need ad can quickly grab exactly what all I need. Whenever I run out of anything  (Shampoo, saran wrap, mayo, bread etc!) I add it quickly to the list on my phone. This really helps me stay organized, and FEEL organized and not forget anything!  This is a great article about pacing yourself, baby steps to organization and handling it all, even a move to a new place! You go girl!

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18388&B1=EM102313F

Do you have any helpful household tips for fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue sufferers?

Eat Your Greens for Fibro!

Yes - Sue Ingebretson, she has it right - eat your greens for health!

I do believe that the better I eat - the better I feel - and the healthier I am, despite the fibromyalgia! I notice a distinct difference in how I feel when I eat healthy (fruits, veggies) and not so healthy (skittles, cookies). Yes, I allow myself cheats, cake, sugar, come on a Florida girl needs her Key Lime pie! But each time I veer from the healthy eats I know what I am in for and I feel the veer and know that eating back on track will again make me feel just that much healthier and better :) It has been a long process, but slowly and surely I have made strides over time (5 years+) to a better lifestyle and diet. In the long run yes it does make a difference, in how I feel, how I look and how I am able to tackle my fibro everyday. Read Sue's 6 Reason's To Eat Your Leafy Greens:


http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18416&B1=EM102313F


Like Sue's article? You should check out her awesome book, FibroWHYalgia! One of the best and my favorites that I've read on fibromyalgia:

Aqua Therapy for Fibromyalgia

Ahhhhh warm water......Yes, sign me up! When in a great deal of pain I do resort to a nice warm shower to help. That's as close as I am able to get so far to an aqua therapy plan for my fibromyalgia. I cannot find a good facility in my area at times that work for me (grrrr) but I do have on my wish list to try someday if possible, as I do believe in the benefits.

Sue writes of the great benefits, why it works and other recommendations here:

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18426&B1=EM102313F

Have you tried aqua therapy?

Celebrity With Fibromyalgia: Morgan Freeman

I have found several articles and mentionings of various celebrities having fibromyalgia. It would be nice to have a well known celebrity as a spokesperson, who could give us a voice and speak out that this fibro IS REAL.

I understand the fears in speaking out, we all face it, and as a celebrity I can see that even more so your future job opportunities may be in jeopardy if it is known that you have a strange, bizarre debilitating condition.

It begs the question this author spoke to, should they speak out, speak up, step up and be the voice, the face, the force that we need to get fibromyalgia to the forefront to be better recognized, understood, accepted?

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18432&B1=EM102313F

What do you think?

Fibromyalgia and Vegan and Vegetarian Diets - Are There Links and Benefits?

Interesting: Beginnings of data towards the benefits of a whole foods plant diet for fibromyalgia (worth the watch, the video is @ 5 minutes, though they should have had someone else do the voice over as the doctor is a bit monotone.)

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/fibromyalgia-vs-vegetarian-raw-vegan-diets/

I have to admit since I have cut out meats (red meat, chicken, pork) and dairy (cows milk, yogurt) I truly do feel better! I don't even miss those items!

Thoughts? 

The Benefits of Melatonin

I've touted the benefits of using alternative and natural supplements vs prescription drugs for a while now. And I came across this article on melatonin and I found it extremely informative. It is quite long, and I had no idea all this about melatonin! Two of the things I found most interesting is that they 1. are starting to see links between using melatonin to help decrease Parkinson's (my father in 70 and has been diagnosed with) 2. some common prescription drugs - Xanax, Valium, Ativan - actually suppress melatonin levels in the body.

Worth the read:

http://www.prohealth.com/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18342&B1=EG100213

A Whole Foods Plant Based Diet for Health

So a friend invited me to a "vegan" luncheon this past weekend to try vegan dishes and also watch the movie, "Forks Over Knives." I'll be honest, I had always kind of avoided this movie because I thought it was going to show animals being harmed, in crates etc. (Horrible) And yes, I think that is horrible, but I did not want that to be what made me change the way I eat. No, this movie is not like that at all! It is an EXCELLENT movie - VERY scientific and clinical and fact based, not an in-your-face kind of movie at all. They follow 2 guys throughout a 13 week diet change from eating animal protein to eating a whole foods plant based diet (very similar to vegan.) Let me just say - extraordinary results! And that's just a small part of the movie.

And can I say that I was amazed at the variety of dishes we came up with at our luncheon! Appetizers, entrees and desserts! Mac n cheese, quinoa patties, chocolate "mousse", fudge brownies, spiced carrot cake.

Now back to the movie. So it really got me thinking. Yes, its a healthier way to eat and to live - a whole foods plant based diet. It will help my fibro and CFS even more for sure and help me feel even better. Now for the game plan. The big thing - cut out meat. Well, to tell you the truth I had not cooked meat at home for years, only ate it out, so that's easy (just stop eating meat at restaurants), milk - again I already replaced cows milk with almond milk. At home I cook and eat a lot with chickpeas, brown rice and veggies already, I am already on the game plan and I didn't know it! I did logon to my Pinterest account and deleted all recipes with meat :) Seems temptations outside of the home will be the biggest challenge. I looked up local vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurants. Even local burger joints have some super yummy looking mushroom and falafel burgers! Friends BBQ? No problem, I'll bring my own patties, and a few extra patties in case others are curious ;) Chicken salad? Um, can they substitute with black beans?!  Sounds like I have an attempt a game plan! Now do I have the discipline.... Though my friend said that the more she ate on the plant based diet the better she felt and less she was tempted to go back to her old way of eating!

Here are a few super helpful links I found for creating veggie patties - really, the sky is the limit here! Who needs meat??

http://engine2diet.com/recipe/plant-strong-burgers/
http://www.veganlunchbox.com/loaf_studio.html
http://rmcrayne.hubpages.com/hub/Vegetarian-Burgers-Vegetarian-Burger-Recipes

If you want to watch the movie I believe you can watch it online here at their website, and their website itself is such a  wealth of information! Also check with your local library, they may have a copy of the movie too:

http://www.forksoverknives.com/

This is also related, and an excellent resource and starting point:

http://engine2diet.com


I'd love to know anyone else's thoughts, experiences?

Fibro Comes in Cycles?

Lately I seem to have discovered a trend. It seems no matter what I do, eating healthy, exercising as I can, taking supplements, getting plenty of sleep, avoiding stress, I still have bouts and episodes with fibro that seems to get worse. It seems cyclic - seems to come and go in cycles, so I guess I have to not despair and just keep plodding through with my best practices. Has anyone else noticed this trend in their fibro/cfs?

Food Shopping & Saving at Vitacost!

I learned early on in the fibro diagnosis that I did not want to go the prescription route and wanted to stay as all natural as I could, and started down the path of vitamins and supplements. I found an excellent online resource - vitacost.com - and they have started to also offer excellent food products that fit into my healthy eating (gluten free) and my budget! I am so glad specialized food products are becoming more mainstream and affordable. Here are some of my favorites to order and keep on hand:

TULSI TUMMY - Tea for soothing digestive support -- all the Tulsi teas are excellent tasting and healing, this one is a great alternative to coffee in the morning

ANNIE'S HOMEGROWN MICROWAVABLE GLUTEN FREE MAC N CHEESE -- whats not to love, gluten free mac n cheese!!

MARY'S GONE CRACKERS -- Organic gluten free crackers

NATURE'S EARTHLY CHOICE FALAFEL WITH QUINOA -- Original Recipe (I gotta try the garlic flavor next!), cooks in minutes, lots of protein

PERKY'S CRUNCHY FLAX -- free of the 8 common allergens, great as cereal or on top of yogurt, gotta love the fiber :)

LUNDBERGS CINNAMON RICE CAKES -- I love cinnamon!


At these prices you can load up your cart and try a variety of different foods. Free shipping over $50, and unlike Whole Foods, sometimes I find it hard to get to that $50 mark, and when I do I have SO many items for my money! And how great, shopping from my couch, shipped right to my door :)

Even More Celebrities Battling Fibromyalgia

Wow! I had no idea these celebrities also battle fibro!

Morgan Freeman
Janeane Garofalo

http://www.inspiredlivingwithfibromyalgia.com/2012/07/faces-of-famous-people-with-fibromyalgia.html

Eating a Healthy, Affordable Fibromyalgia Diet

Struggling with dealing with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and what to eat to feel better? and how to afford healthy eating? Sue Ingebretson provides some great advice in her articles here via ProHealth's website:

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18298&B1=EM082813F&utm_source=EM082813F&utm_medium=em


http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18299&B1=EM082813F

I know that making small changes like these over time have definitely helped me in feeling better and simply living a more nutritional life! Love the tips on healthy eating on a budget. The more changes I make in my diet towards healthier eating, the less I find myself in those middle aisles of the grocery (boxes of processed foods).

Prescription Drugs and Fibromyalgia

I don't like taking prescription drugs for my fibro. With the crumbling state the healthcare system these days I don't want to find myself heavily dependent on it for my fibro treatment. One day insurance covers a treatment, the next day they don't, or the price skyrockets, etc. Who knows what the future of the US healthcare system holds. If I can find a holistic, alternative medicine I will go that route as those treatments are generally more readily available, and usually more cost effective as well.

I do however follow the studies and recommendation of prescription drugs for fibro, as it gives us some insight into the research and developments on what causes fibro and how they are treating it.

Its crazy confusing for me (thanks fibro fog) to read some of the super scientific writings but I feel like they are onto something, I feel like we are so close to answers! It give me hope that they keep researching and trying to find better solutions for treatments.

If it turns our one day that I do need to take a prescription medicine to best treat my fibro then I will go that route, but for now I will sit back and wait for more conclusive evidence. I will continue to cheer on the doctors and scientists in their continuing efforts towards finding a cause and better treatments!


http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18225&B1=EM073113F

A Doctors Letter to the Chronically Ill

For anyone suffering from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or any other chronic illness, this is a very good read, a letter written from the perspective of a doctor treating chronicaly ill patients.

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18247&B1=EM073113F

Dr. Rob at Doctor-Rob.org.


Its helpful for me to understand it from the other side - from the view of the doctor! It also really helps me feel better that I have been so meticulous in trying to find the right doctor.

Dr. Oz and Fibromylagia

Has anyone else seen these Dr. Oz videos about fibromyalgia? I don't think they are new, maybe from 2012, but they seem to be making their rounds on the net lately:

Here are links to the clips:

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/fibromyalgia-real-illness-pt-1
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/fibromyalgia-real-illness-pt-2

Is it me or did he really explain nothing? He really just touches just too briefly on treatments, especially holistic treatments. And he calls it a disease, its not. Its an illness, a disorder, but not a disease. I felt the brain image thing was very confusing. Did that make sense to anyone else? I think an ENTIRE EPISODE should be focused on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, not just a few minutes, he really addressed nothing, and explained nothing.

I think this, from an article he wrote in 2009 for Opraph's O Magazinge, is a little more informative, but still he could devote a lot more to fibro:

http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Oz-Treatments-for-Fibromyalgia

What does everyone else think of Dr. Oz's coverage of fibromylagia?

Veggie Burger Recipes!

This is a great resource for creating all natural healthy burger/meat alternatives. Often on Sundays I like to make a handful and keep them in the fridge all week to grab as a quick reheat meal. Often I will change the toppings I use to make it seem more like a different meal each night, simply using the burger as the basis.

My favorites are the black bean and mexican burgers, with a sour cream/jalepeño/lime topping, as well as the garbanzo bean burgers with mustard and jalepeños on top; and of course mashed up avocado on anything!!

http://rmcrayne.hubpages.com/hub/Vegetarian-Burgers-Vegetarian-Burger-Recipes

Follow Up: Even More Celebrities with Fibromyalgia

In another follow up to my posts about celebrities coming forward with their struggles and successes with fibro, I found this slideshow highlighting the following celebrities as fellow fibromites:

• Susan Flannery
• Rosie Hamlin
• Sinead O'Conner
• MichaelJames Hastings

(The headline of this slideshow is a bit misleading as it says "5" celebrities but only sows 4....)

http://www.thirdage.com/fibromyalgia/celebrities-with-fibromyalgia?shuffle=1

Yoga and Fibromylagia

Yoga has been a HUGE helper for me with keeping my fibro pains under control. I don;t think it was a coincidence that the same year I was diagnosed with fibro (Oct) I also had a New Year's resolution to try yoga (Jan) -- and I loved it from the start, so it was natural to keep in going once diagnosed. Here is a slideshow on WHY yoga helps with the pains:

http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/cf/slideshows/why-yoga-may-soothe-many-types-of-chronic-pain/strengthen-your-breathing-pattern?ic=8831

South Florida
Fibromyalgia Support Group

Next Meeting: Thursday, August 1, 2013

 6:30pm – 7:30pm

info@fibromeetup.com

Location:

Pine Ridge Square

Inline Chiropractic Wellness Center

4621 N. University Drive

Coral Springs, FL 33067

Guest Speaker:

Bonnie Petty

Round Table Discussion

Founder of Fibro Meet Up

www.fibromeetup.com

If your life has been touched by fibromyalgia directly or indirectly join in on the discussion. This is a support group of patients, family members and friends dedicated to learn about Fibromyalgia. Share your challenges, triumphs and tribulations with others in the fibromyalgia community

Lifestyle Changes for Fibromylagia

I often talk about lifestyle changes and adjustments for helping manage fibro symptoms. I found this great link on about.com detailing the top 10 lifestyle changes. I've highlighted the list below, but it really is worthwhile to read though the article with details and more links for each.

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingwithfmscfs/ss/lifestylechanges.htm

1. Pace Yourself
I have learned to do this, I am/was a type A personality pre-fibro, so was always on the go go go, but have learned now to balance activity (work, errands, dinner out with friends etc.) with periods of rest. This keeps me from fibro flares. Sometimes going out to dinner on a Friday night means not scheduling plans on the following Saturday for anything. Or dinner out on a Tuesday means not going out on Wednesday as well.

2. Holding a Job / Disability
This has been a struggle, but I have noticed having a job to go to helps keep my mind off the fibro for a few hours, and helps give me more purpose for the day.

3. Change Your Diet
Big proponent of this, less chemicals and processed foods, more fresh fruits and vegetables!

4. Exercise
I have settled on yoga for this, it really, really helps! It gently stretches my muscles and keeps them active, but its not too strenuous, and I can pace myself. I think the meditative part of yoga helps too, calm my mind, and even helps me sleep easier.

5. Focus on Better Sleep
I think my natural inclination has always been to be a night owl, but I've learned that maintaining proper sleep habits is an ESSENTIAL part of managing fibro. I try to start settling down by 9:00pm and start heading to bed @ 10pm, aiming to fall asleep no later than 11pm.

6. Learn Coping Skills
I've learned to accept my fibro, learn what I can do, and can't do, how to balance my social life with the fibro.

7. Little Things/Changes Can Have  a Big Impact
Foods, clothes, drinking lots of water. I've learned changing my diet helps, paying attention to how my clothes feel on and changing those if it makes me feel better, and drinking lots of water daily, all help me manage my fibro. IT really is amazing how different I feel on days that I drink a lot of water vs days I do not.

8. Surviving the Holidays
I order online for gifts (the amazon wish list is an AMAZING tool that everyone in my family now uses!) I always bring a dish/foods to get togethers that I know I can eat, and I usually try to eat a bit before I go to a get together just in case there are a lot of foods and dishes there that are on my no-no list.

9. Manage Stress
I've learned to realize what in life is worth worry about and getting upset over (not much is worth the effort and accompanying stress I've found!) and the meditation and deep breathing exercises from yoga helps calm my mind and eases stresses a lot too. I'll even listen to some calming music during times of stress, which helps refocus my energies.I'm a sucker for the Tibetan Bells music from yoga :)

10. Find Support
I have found a local support group as well as a few online that are amazing. To speak with others with the same struggles, and share stories and successes makes me feel less alone with my struggles. I highly recommend http://www.chronicbabe.com

Follow up: Celebrities with Fibromyalgia - Captain Michael Hastings

As a followup to my post from 5-29-13

I have discovered another celebrity that struggles with fibromyalgia.

You may know him as the Navy “Captain Mike” from the popular series “The West Wing,” but Michael James Hastings creates more popularity by being a spokesman for fibromyalgia. He follows Dr. Teitelbaum's protocol with supplements and coupled with lifestyle changes and adjustments has found success in managing his fibro symptoms.

Here is the article I found highlighting Captain Mike

http://www.homecuresthatwork.com/columns/celebrity-health-watch/michael-james-hastings-fibromyalgia-activist/#.Udl9nlOHQZw

And here is a link to his website with extensive links and information:

http://www.captainhastings.com/

This is an inspiration, and another step in the right direction seeing celebrities come forward with their fibro struggles, and supporting the focus on fibromyalgia and treatments.

Coconut Quinoa Pancakes

I also recently tried a recipe that I saw in Prevention magazine for Coconut Pancakes. I substituted quinoa flour for the whole wheat flour. It did give them a bit of the nutty quinoa flavor, but paired with the toasted coconut it was pretty tasty. I noticed I have some other gluten free flours in my pantry, I'll give one of those a whirl next time. I also substituted almond milk for the coconut milk since I had almond on hand. These were easy to make and I made a bunch to keep on hand in the fridge for a few days of easy grab and go breakfasts.

From Prevention Magazine, July 2013, page 77

TOASTED COCONUT PANCAKES

Makes 10-12 pancakes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1 cup flour (I used quinoa)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup coconut milk (I used almond milk)
1/2 c. warm water
1.5 tsp honey
2 tsp vanilla extract

1.5 tsp oil

• Toast the shredded coconut in medium skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda in a bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, water, honey and vanilla extract. Stir into dry ingredients along with the toasted coconut to form a thin batter.
• Heat skillet with oil (or used a griddle.) For each pancake pout 1/4 cup of the batter and spread with the back of a spoon until 4" in diameter. Cook until bubbles form, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, cook 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with fruit.

Enjoy!

Dough-Less Pizza Recipe (Gluten-Free!)

I recently tried a new recipe I found online, for a dough-less pizza. Now I looooove pizza and its one of my downfalls. I do ocassionaly order from Dominoes, as they DO offer a gluten-free crust option! Its good, like a thin-crust pizza. Anyhoo, so I came home one night and whipped up this dough-less pizza. I didn't have any spaghetti sauce, marinara or pizza sauce so I mixed together a can of diced tomatoes and a can of tomato paste for the sauce. I will say the pizza was DE-lish! But if you have any lactose intolerance, beware! The cheese-crust is vicious. I am thinking the cream cheese is the culprit, so I may try Neufechatel cheese next time instead of cream cheese.

http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/italian/no-dough-pizza.html

Fibro-Friendly Kitchen and Pantry

I think I've finally reached the point of having a semi-decent healthy kitchen that I can work with. When first diagnosed with fibromyalgia and I started looking into how eating better would help with the fibro symptoms I was overwhelmed by all the changes needed. I understood the changes, they made sense, but to wake up one day and have such a sudden change in lifestyle was a hard change to adjust to, and hard to accomplish. But little by little, over the years, I've learned to make the changes, I now eat gluten free bread, and keep an extra loaf frozen in the freezer. I've found affordable, gluten free cracker alternatives to keep on hand. I've found fruits and vegetables to keep on hand that I know I snack on. I have a good stash of canned items just in case (diced tomatoes, beans, tuna - some good basics with few ingredients/additives) all my flours for baking are gluten free, as are my bread crumbs. My milk is almond milk (try it! I was skeptical at first, but  really like it, and it lasts much longer than regular milk!)

I have learned to shop more on the outer perimeters of the grocery store (fresh foods: produce, dairy, meats) and less on the inner aisles - processed boxed foods. So I finally feel I have a good basis in my kitchen for whipping up some healthy fibro friendly meals and snacks. It helps to have this basis as I often forget (thanks fibro fog!) what I have in the pantry, so to be able to open it and see healthy choices to work with is great.

I've also learned some quick and easy recipes to whip up, quick and easy go to recipes. When I get home from work I am hungry and tired so I need quick, easy and healthy!

I am not perfect, fatigue often gets the best of me, I do have some processed boxed foods, but I have found ones that work better for me (than say driving through Wendy's or McDonald's!) - the Near East Quinoa/Brown Rice is always an excellent go to and I have plenty of leftovers for future meals. I often toss in some shrimp for protein and extra flavor.

Here are some great resources for working towards your fibro friendly kitchen and pantry:
http://www.thepracticalfibromite.com/kitchen-pantry/recipes/

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingwithfmscfs/ss/cooking.htm

http://www.thirdage.com/fibromyalgia/7-tips-for-cooking-with-fibromyalgia

Captain Mike's Fibro Kitchen Blog:
http://kitchenblog.captainhastings.com/

Travel Tips from Sue Ingebretson

Sue's book - Fibrowhyalgia - is a great one. I follow her on facebook and her blog. I received an email today with travelling tips, which is perfect as I am getting ready for a trip in 2 days :) I thought I'd pass along her tips:

http://www.rebuildingwellness.com/10-fibro-travel-tips/?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=blogtobox&utm_content=Top+10+Fibro+Travel+Tips

The Cause of Fibromyalgia Found??

Hmmmm..... sounds interesting... thoughts?

http://guardianlv.com/2013/06/fibromyalgia-mystery-finally-solved/

Celebrity Battling Fibromyalgia

Its unfortunate that the stigma of fibromyalgia (and misunderstanding) means that celebrities are much less likely to come forward and speak about their experiences with the illness. For a celebrity announcing that you suffer from fibromyalgia can be a career killer, so many keep quiet and suffer through. I've always thought and even wished a celebrity would come out and speak in support, I feel that would shine more light on the illness and even more understanding and support.

I did come across this interesting article today about a celebrity battling fibro:

http://www.lifescript.com/health/centers/fibromyalgia/articles/actress_aj_langer_how_fibromyalgia_affects_her_life.aspx

Meditation for Fibro Pains

The yoga classes that I enjoy the most are heavy in meditation, no wonder I am addicted to them, read this article about how meditation can help ease pain:

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/meditation/a/meditation_pain.htm?nl=1

How to Read Basic Lab Tests / Results

This is good info on reading the results from basic lab results and what they may mean:

http://www.amarillomed.com/howto

CFS Unravelled - a Book Review

Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia as often treated and talked about as one in the same. I feel that yes I do suffer from both, and whereas pain seems to be dominant in Fibro the fatigue is dominant in CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.) I feel I have been pretty good in managing the pains, and now suffer mostly from  such extreme fatigue (well of course and all the lovely other bodily functions that are disrupted by CFS/Fibro.)

This book was shared in a forum I am part of (chronicbabe.com) and so I looked into it a little bit, and even ended up purchasing it (downloading from Amazon to my smartphone Kindle App) $9 or so purchase (or FREE if an Amazon Prime Member!). And I can say the investment and read is WELL worth it if you are afflicted by CFS/Fibro!! I think even doctors trying to treat CFS/Fibro should also read.

http://www.amazon.com/CFS-Unravelled-Fibromyalgia-Discovery-ebook/dp/B00B3OCVGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363455517&sr=8-1&keywords=cfs+unravelled

I did a little research first, and started listening to this fibro talk radio show interviewing the author, Dan Neuffer. (Skip to about minute 10, thats when they actually introduce him and get into the book and his CFS/Fibro info)

http://ec2-184-72-220-142.compute-1.amazonaws.com/thefibroshow/2013/03/08/the-fibro-show-interview-with-author-dan-neuffer

Also here is part of the theory behind its cause explained:

http://www.prohealth.com/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=14508&site=articles

Yes, the author, Dan Neuffer, was afflicted with CFS/Fibro for years, but through his own research was able to overcome his CFS/Fibro. He is/was a physicist, so the first half of the book is a but heavy in the science behind his theory of the cause of CFS, but it is still worth the read. I didn't understand it ALL but I got the gist of it, and a LOT of it did relate to info I have already heard and read about over the years, so it did give me the confidence that I am on the right track and to keep reading the book. And I agree with the author, though its not easy to understand ALL the science, do NOT skip that part of the book, it helps to even semi-understand the science part before you start treating.

The author does emphasize throughout the book that it is up to YOU to help YOURSELF, and I think some people get offended by that. But it is true, when you are ready to tackle it, only you can help yourself, find the right resources, listen to your body, and help heal yourself. Yes, you employ the help of doctors and naturopaths, supplements, food, diet, exercise, meditation, life balancing techniques, but it IS up to YOU to take control and define your healing destiny. His book is an excellent guide as to what you are treating, and the overall key elements to hit -- again let me emphasize it is an overall program managing stress, diet, sleep, exercise (gentle yoga is especially highlighted YAY!), maintaining a positive attitude and outlook and creating a healthy life balance to move forward with.

It all may sound very simple, and yes, it is simple and logical, but again it really helped me to understand WHY the supplements that I take - like Magnesium, Malic Acid, B vitamins -- help with the CFS/Fibro. And again it gave me confidence that I am on the right track with my yoga, supplements, all natural diet and meditating etc.

I highly recommend this read. I would love to know if anyone else has also read and your thoughts on the book, the theory and the treatments discussed.

Dr. Oz & Fibromyalgia

Interesting, thought I'd share:

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/fibromyalgia-real-illness-pt-1

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/fibromyalgia-real-illness-pt-2

Comments?

Low FODMAP Marinara & Taco Meat Recipes

I just found two more FODMAP recipes I am enjoying, as they help with foods I eat a lot but usually have garlic :/

For simple Marinara sauce here is a recipe: http://tummylovin.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/no-garlic-no-problem/
Good to also freeze some for later.

And here is a recipe for easy taco meat: http://motivatedbyfood.com/blog/2012/8/15/august-14-2012-low-fodmap-taco-beef