GMO Foods

Just thought I would share an article I read today and see if anyone else had any thoughts on this issue.  What issue you say?   The issue of genetically modified grains and food sources causing all sorts of medical issues.  I really think my CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia are affected by if not caused by GMO foods.  Where did I come up with that paranoid supposition?  I went to the gastrologist last year after having increasingly painful episodes of nausea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and other associated  problems and he told me he thought I had a gluten intolerance/allergy or an atypical celiac disease.   I had blood work, upper and lower scopes of my gastrointestinal track but nothing showed up proof positive but he told me to quit eating gluten and see if it improved.  I quit eating gluten last October because of that and because I had read a lot of people were having less severe issues with Fibro and CFS/ME when they quit gluten.  I was really surprised that in one week I was still having the allover fibro pain  BUT I didn't feel the burning skin crawling sensations all the time where I wanted to scratch my skin off.  The pain was less intense and my stamina for exercise didn't improve but I quit having the nausea, stomachache, and GI bleed that I had been having for 2 years.

I know Chuck is tired of hearing me rant on this but I believe following big business blindly like sheep to slaughter is really going to do that...kill us all.  Big business cares only for one thing...let me give you a hint cause it has absolutely nothing to do with me and you...Caching, caching, caching...sound like a cash register ringing up a sale?   Yep that is what is driving the big corporations like Monsanto and agribusiness corporations.  They say they are out to make a better food source so no one will be hungry or in need....Bull!   I read an article on www.foodrevolution.org by Thierry Vrain who retired 10 years ago after a long career as a research scientist for Agriculture Canada titled

Former Pro-GMO Scientist Speaks Out On The Real Dangers of Genetically Engineered Food

In the article he cites research being published in Europe and Russia showing that lab animals are dying of horrible things after being fed diets of all GMO foods.   

Go read the article and come back and tell me what you think!   

Fibromyalgia Awareness 5/12/13

Today is a day of awareness.

If you have Fibromyalgia &/or Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue/ME today is dedicated to us and the thousands or millions like us around the world. 

I can't remember the days before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic pain.  I woke up the other day and while laying quietly in bed I had a moment when I almost panicked because I wasn't hurting...then I moved.  I am never without pain.  I have learned to live with the pain to the point I don't think much about it I just deal with it.

I hope that the public becomes more aware that this disorder is real and we may look normal and try to act normal but we are anything but normal.

Encourage friends and family to become more aware by joining with the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association to educate the public as to what they do and what they help fund.

OMG! I have the flu!

Since I wrote the blog post a few days ago my world has been rocked...but not too bad!  I think I have the flu!!  I know I have a snotty nose, sore throat, little bit of a cough, headache, and I go from hot to cold in a nanosecond, I ache all over, and my joints are actually hurting tonight...sound familiar?  I didn't take the flu shot this year because several blogs and medical sources I have read say that people with neurological issues should because it might exacerbate their problems.  I didn't take one last year either and didn't have the flu!
Flu.gov says

Flu symptoms include:

• A 100^oF or higher fever or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever)
• A cough and/or sore throat
• A runny or stuffy nose
• Headaches and/or body aches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children)

I told my daughter that the aches and pains I have right now are no different then any other day in my life except for the snotty nose, sore throat, and cough!  I can handle the aches and pains cause my brain is trained to do so but...this snotty nose is driving me nuts.  I bought some Zyrtec D and have been taking that and I was hoping that a little Ibuprofen would help the joint and leg pains cause I don't normally have those issues.  I don't know about you guys but I have problems with stabilizing my temperature and vital signs.  I have orthostatic hypotension...I get dizzy when I bend over or go from lying to sitting or standing.  I sometimes don't have to do anything and I topple on my face.  my dear daughter shoved my falling butt on a display table at local retail store when I started weaving and trying to fall...I truly love this disorder cause people look at you so strangely when you sit among the Christmas decorations!

Some tips on what to do if you get the flu...or something like it. 

• Drink lots of fluids.  Keep hydrated cause it helps to flush the toxins out and you will feel better for it.  I drink a Wellness tea from Celestial Seasonings Tea Co. that has echinacea in that is suppose to support and help your immune system.  I swear by it as does the rest of my friends and family and quite a few think it has helped them get better faster.
• Watch your urine output.  If it goes from pale yellow (like butter) to a darker yellow you aren't drinking enough.
• Eat lighter meals but stay away from heavy foods.  Chicken soup does have healing properties cause it is protein and water...try crackers, cheese, fruit etc.   I get absolutely nauseous thinking about eating beef or heavier sauced foods when I am sick.
• Get plenty of rest
• I take an Ibuprofen or Tylenol when my temp goes over 101degees...not before.  Don't knock out your bodies defense system.  I take a decongestant for the snotty nose and eat cough drops for the sore throat and cough.
• If my symptoms persist I guarantee you I will go see a doctor.  

Okay I am off to bed again.  I have been up and down for several days but I think I am getting a handle on it.  I was up longer this time!

Another busy month!

I have been having mixed emotions as to when to post on this blog and when not to.  I don't want to come across as a wimp and a whiner and for the past month I have not been feeling well and haven't posted to keep from griping and complaining.   I am sorry.  Got an email from a "fan" who read me a riot act about how we are support for one another and told me I should share the good with the bad.  OKAY!  Here goes...

I started the month with a lot of pain and problems.  I am not sleeping well still so I am up most nights and sleep way into the day.  I feel depressed that my house is all torn up and messed up and I just don't feel like doing anything to straighten it up.  There are literally days I get out of bed, take a shower, go back to bed.  I spend time in front of the computer web surfing and reading emails but that is about it.  I don't have what it takes to do all that I want to do.  If you have FM or CFS you know what I am talking about!  That bone weariness that just won't leave you alone.  I am much better off then a lot of people I know and my heart goes out to them.

I read a post today from Pain Medicine News.  Impaired functioning of the brain’s ability to process pain stimuli may negatively affect how people with fibromyalgia experience pain.  The article titled "Opioid Receptors Impaired in Fibromyalgia Patients, Study Shows."    The study shows that parts of the brain is malfunctioning in FM patients and can prove it with MRI/tomography.  Read the article....its good read!

I plan on being more involved with FM awareness this year.  I figure being a health care professional with the darn disorder it will bring more weight to the claims made regarding pain and pain control.  Pain meds don't work for me for the FM pain so I don't even bother to take them.  Some times when I have arthritic pain or a bad headache a hydrocodone pill works...but not usually.  I don't think I can become addicted or tolerant to something when it has no effect...what do you think?

I went to the doctor last month and saw the nurse practitioner.  I guess it all went well but her words were "you seem to be okay so just keep doing whatever it is you are doing" cause she couldn't offer me anything different!  I guess I should be proud I am doing so good!  I am going to make an appointment with the rheumatologist to get tests updated soon.  I just hate going in to the doctors!

I have quit most sugar, all artificial sweeteners and use stevia and honey only when possible.  Sometimes when you buy prepared you have to take the good with the bad.  My gluten free course continues on track for the most part.  Forgot the other night that I didn't do gluten anymore and ate a couple of regular saltines before my husband noticed.  Fibro Fog is what I blame that on.  It was a foggy head achy day.  Hope those go away as the weather is warmer and I can get out and about more!

I tried the Betty Crocker yellow gluten free cake mix and made funfetti cup cakes the other day.  I couldn't help myself and put purple funfetti frosting on them.  I love purple!!  I also mixed some of the candy bits in the batter.  Did you know that those candy bits are mostly sugar and cornstarch?  

Doesn't this cut open cake look yummy?  Very festive too!

The mix only makes about 15-18 cup cakes but that is enough to share!

Another thing I decided to make this month was gluten free corn dog bites.  I made them up for a Super Bowl party we were going to.  I got a headache and stayed home but Chuck said everyone loved them!

Check the previous post for the recipe.  These are good enough for a soup and sandwich meal.  Watch out for the calories though!

Thats it for today.  PROMISE and cross my heart to post more!

Super Bowl Sunday!

This is Super Bowl Sunday and if you live here in the USA you know that is one of the biggest TV watching, food eating, and booze imbibing days in the states.  Friends and families get together and watch opposing teams battle for the chance to be the Super Bowl Champions of the year!  Me?  Not much of a football fan but I do like to get together to visit with friends that I haven't seen in a while and partake of the awesome foods everyone brings.   

I am really concerned this year about all the food consumption for a multitude of reasons.

1. I am gluten, most dairy, and artificial sweetener intolerant.   
2. I am on Weight Watchers and have to watch what I eat. 
3. I am concerned cause I won't have anything to eat and everyone will be chowing down while I starve...now really can you see my 200#+ body starving for 4 hours...I can!  

So!  I've decided I was going to go prepared and make sure I don't waste away during the game and ruin every ones happy times!  I am taking some Mini Corn Dog Muffins that the recipe giver swears are better then those at the State Fair, some gluten free pretzels, and chocolate gluten free brownies. 

 Mini Corn Dog Muffins

Ingredients (makes 48 mini muffins)

• 1/2 cup melted butter (or 1/4 cup butter + 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk or 2 tbls buttermilk powder and 1 c water
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup gluten free all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8-10 all-beef hot dogs, cut into 1″ bites

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine butter and sugar in a bowl, and whisk to combine. Add eggs and whisk to incorporate. Add buttermilk and whisk to incorporate.
• In a separate bowl, combine baking soda, cornmeal, flour, and salt, and stir to combine. Whisk into wet ingredients in two batches.
• Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick spray, and spoon 1 Tablespoon of batter into each mini muffin cup. Place one hot dog bite into the middle of each cup.
• Bake for 8-12 minutes (oven temperatures vary), or until cornbread is golden brown. Cool in mini muffin tin for 5 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator, and re-heat for 20-30 seconds before serving.

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Update 1/27/12

Last update of January 2013 I think...

I am going through another flare up...when do they stop?  NEVER!  I get to feeling good and go do something and end up wishing I hadn't.  What caused it this time?  I never know exactly what causes my flare ups and I think even if I did it wouldn't help me manage my health much.  I take my pills, vitamins etc like I always do, I try to keep the same sleep schedule, limit exercise (it exacerbates my pain issues), and eat foods good for me and it still flares.

I am really bummed out today cause last week I had a really good weekend and on Monday I went to an outlet mall in OKC with my daughter for a little shopping and looking fun.  I walked the entire circle of the mall...out a 15 minutes walk if you are healthy...in about 2 hours and participated in a little light retail therapy!  We visited the Coach outlet at the mall and I bought a couple handbags that were 50% off and then they gave us a coupon for an additional 30% off when we entered the door! 

Aren't they awesome!  I haven't bought a new purse in about 5 years...I know a long time for me or anyone.  I have a lot in my closet but I ended up tossing 5 in the recycle bag for Goodwill and another couple in the trash so that is my reason for not feeling guilty for spending some money on these purses.  They both cost $298 originally but will all the discounts I only paid $222 for both of them and a Coach zip ID wallet and key chain! 

This is awesome.  Has a key chain, wrist strap, pocket for money and debit cards and then a clear ID pocket for my drivers license and conceal carry card on the front.  I clip it to the front of the purse and if I don't want to carry the whole bag I unclasp it and take it with me.  

We went to see the move MAMA and had dinner out at Golden Corral that night so you can see it wasn't a stressing or taxing day...unless the excitement over getting my new Coach goodies were exciting stressful to me.  Now that would be the pits to have an exciting thing happen and you go into a flare up...

On Tuesday Heather took me to Weight Watchers...did I tell you that I went to the doctor a couple weeks ago and I had lost a whopping 12.6 # from my previous visit till now.  I decided I was doing so well I went and rejoined Weight Watchers.  Don't know why I quit cause I always feel better when I am eating WW and my gluten diet.  Anyway we went to weigh in and I had lost another 3#.  YAY!  WW has a gluten free friendly program now and most of the foods I am eating are in their data base so keeping up with the tracker is easy peasy.

Wednesday was a day of rest cause I knew I had a class to teach on Art Journaling at my LSS so I didn't do much of anything.  The Art Journal class was a not stressful and I actually enjoyed the people in the class a lot.

Friday!  Well Friday was a down day for sure.  I had a headache and nausea all day.  I got up about noon and was back in bed at 3pm trying to get the head better.  Stayed laying flat the rest of the day because if I got up my head and body hurt so bad it wasn't worth moving.  Even Chuck trying to pat my back caused a lot of pain.  I slept as much as I could and woke up Saturday feeling a little better but still having some issues.

Saturday Heather called about going to the crop at the LSS so I went with her about 5 pm and we did some crafting for a few hours, stopped by Ihop on the way home and today I am feeling like dog doo!

If you have fibromyalgia, CFS/ME you know what I am talking about here!  If you don't and you think I am a whiner then I hope you never are diagnosed with this disorder.  It is a constant pain and takes so much out of me on goods days that I dread the bad ones.  I hate feeling bad cause it tends to make me into a bitch and I am normally a reasonable person but...

Guess I will wait another 5-10 years before buying another handbag...takes too much effort!  Enough for me.  Hope you have good days my friends. 

Hmmmm...

Do you love bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches?  I do!!!  I read an article not long ago that the sandwich made at McDonald's is so high in fat and calories it will eat up a big chunk of your daily food allotment if you get the meal deal.   Since I can't go to McDonald's anymore to get my food (they don't have gluten free) I decided to make my own using turkey bacon and Udi's gluten free bread.

didn't I make a pretty sandwich?

 I didn't use any extra oil in preparation of the bacon or the egg so this sandwich my calorie count is a lot less then the ready made.  Looks good too!

Jennie-O offers a gluten free product and it says so on its label.  Be careful when buying any processed meats, sausages, etc cause they have gluten hidden in them.

it is only 90 calories for 3 slices of bacon and I wove a lattice design to make it fit the bread...pinterest is my friend!

two slices of bread equal 140 calories but I think with the higher fiber you will find less counts!

I like Udi bread and sandwich rolls taste yummy but need to be toasted for best flavor.  I also find that sandwiches tend to fall apart when they aren't toasted!

I found some really interesting information regarding eggs on Wikipedia just now about storage of eggs.  DID you know that pickling boiled eggs in pickled beet juice will preserve an egg unrefrigerated for over a year?  Makes a beautiful red egg for you potato or egg salad.  Another piece of trivia was that the age of the egg and the conditions of its storage have a great influence on it's taste the chicken's diet influences it too.  If the bird is fed rapeseed or soy meal it will flavor of the eggs produced and make them taste fishy!!!  I knew I wasn't dreaming that when I complained an egg tasted fishy!  It also said you can flavor eggs by soaking them in cold tea, spices, soy sauce etc to give them flavor.