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CBD

Here’s the truth about CBD, from a cannabis researcher

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IDEAS.TED.COM Sep 23, 2019 / Jeffrey Chen, MD Is CBD a cure-all — or snake oil? Jeffrey Chen, executive director of the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, explains the science behind the cannabis product. CBD gummies. CBD shots in your latte. CBD dog biscuits. From spas to drug stores, supermarkets to cafes, wherever you go in the US today, you’re likely to see products infused with CBD. There are cosmetics, vape pens, pills and, of course, the extract itself; there are even CBD-containing sexual lubricants for women which aim to reduce pelvic pain or enhance sensation. CBD has been hailed by some users as having cured their pain, anxiety, insomnia, depression or seizures, and it’s been touted by advertisers as a supplement that can treat all of the above and combat aging and chronic disease. As Executive Director of the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, I’m dedicated to unearthing the scientific truth — the good and the bad — behind cannabis and CBD. My interest was sparked in 2014 when I was a medical student at UCLA, and I discovered a parent successfully treating her child’s severe epilepsy with CBD. I was surprised and intrigued. Despite California legalizing medical cannabis in 1996, we weren’t taught anything about cannabis or CBD in med school. I did research and found other families and children like Charlotte Figi reporting success with CBD, and I knew it was something that needed to be investigated. I established Cannabis Research Initiative in the fall of 2017, and today we […]

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America

How does impeachment work? A quick TED explainer

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IDEAS.TED.COM Sep 27, 2019 / Alex Gendler Confused about the process? Join the rest of us. Read this explainer, adapted from a TED-Ed lesson, and get up to speed on “articles of impeachment,” “supermajorities” and “managers” in a flash. For almost every job in the world, it’s understood that a person can be fired — whether for crime, incompetence or poor performance. But what if your job happens to be one of the most powerful positions in the country? Like president of the United States? Or vice president? Or justice of the Supreme Court? That’s where impeachment comes in. So, how does the process work? Despite how most people use the term, impeachment does not mean removing a person from office. Instead, impeachment refers to the formal accusation that launches a trial. When the US Constitution was written in 1787, impeachment was enshrined in Article 1 as a power of Congress that applied to any civil officers — up to and including the president. Although demands for impeachment can come from any member of the public, only the House of Representatives has the power to initiate the process. The House begins by referring the matter to a committee, usually the Committee on Rules and the Committee on the Judiciary. These committees review the accusations, examine the evidence, and issue a recommendation. If they find sufficient grounds to proceed, the House holds a separate vote on each of the specific charges, otherwise known as Articles of Impeachment. If one or more of […]

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Abuse

Why PTSD Is a Mental Injury, Not a Mental Illness

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Psychology Today Posted Sep 23, 2019 Tracy S. Hutchinson, Ph.D. New research suggests that PTSD is a normal response to common life events.   According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 7.7 million adults suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Along with a surge of awareness regarding PTSD, there are also many misconceptions. For example, some believe it is only associated with war veterans, events such as 9/11, or natural disasters. Although this diagnosis has historically been associated with military veterans who undergo multiple deployments, there are many other events that can trigger symptoms of PTSD. For example, prolonged exposure to emotional and psychological abuse (e.g., verbally abusive relationships, alcoholism, or stressful childhoods) are risk factors for developing symptoms. Some of these lingering misconceptions may be due to the fact that development and recognition of the disorder is relatively recent and has really only blossomed in the last three decades. History In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) formally recognized PTSD as an actual mental health diagnosis. Historically, it had been formally recognized as “shell shock” and was thought only to occur in military war veterans. Further, PTSD had historically been thought of as something that someone “gets over” over time. This may be true for some, but it isn’t for others. Researchers continue to discover risk factors that can cause PTSD symptoms. This includes emerging research on the study of what happens in childhood and how it affects adults in their lifetime (van Der Kolk, 2014). For example, some of my clients […]

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Today in History

Today in History

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  1845 Seven professors will teach 50 midshipmen in Annapolis, Maryland, as the Naval School, later known as the United States Naval Academy, begins its first term. Commodore Matthew Perry has helped plan the five-year curriculum, with the first and last year taught on land, and the middle three at sea. 1911 The building of railways by foreign powers in China stokes nationalistic […]

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Abuse

Entrepreneur, Activist, Survivor: Why Janet Jensen Supports RAINN

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Each month, RAINN features a member of its National Leadership Council (NLC). The NLC is a group of dedicated individuals who have shown their commitment to RAINN’s mission of supporting survivors and ending sexual violence. This month we checked in with Janet Jensen, founder and CEO of the Human Investment Foundation, The Jensen Project, and Enjen. Why are you passionate about ending sexual violence and why should everyone be?  As a survivor of a violent rape, I know first-hand the havoc that sexual violence has on an individual and those closest to them. After my attack, many of my daily habits changed due to my internal heightened alerts. It took me over 10 years to park in a parking garage, even though that wasn’t the location of my attack. I was afraid of putting myself in a vulnerable position where I could be attacked again. Sexual violence is an issue of safety and human rights. Everyone deserves the right to go through life without unjust fear. How can we all be better supporters and advocates for survivors in our lives?  It is on all of us to create an environment of empathy and compassion. Be willing to listen. Be less judgmental. Be willing to help direct survivors to resources that are available. What is your message to survivors?  It takes tremendous courage to come forward. The best words that need to come out of our mouths is “I believe you.” In […]

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Employment

You Left Your Job Because of Sexual Harassment. What Now?

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OCT 04, 2019 Some victims of workplace sexual harassment are reluctant to report what happened because they fear the effect on their career. For those who leave their job after experiencing harassment or assault, it can be hard to know how to approach a new job search, application, or interview process. “It’s a challenging issue. It’s a difficult scenario that more and more people are being placed in. The main thing is to remember you’re not to blame and this situation doesn’t define you,” says Pete Church, a member of RAINN’s National Leadership Council and Chief Human Resources Officer at Avangrid, a leading sustainable energy company that operates in 24 states. What to do during your search  “If your goal is to assess how a potential employer understands and addresses harassment in the work environment, then there’s a lot of helpful research you can do before you’re in an interview,” Church suggests. He also recommends going on Glassdoor and reading reviews of the company. Even if you don’t see specific mentions of sexual harassment in the reviews, you can learn about the company culture. It can also be helpful to find past employees of a company you’re interested in on LinkedIn. You can reach out for a networking phone call to ask about what their experience was like, about the company culture, and if you feel comfortable doing so, why they left the organization. Approach the situation optimistically and know […]

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Food

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

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From Jules Dowler Shepard   Ingredients 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) butter or nondairy alternative (Earth Balance Buttery Sticks) 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) shortening (or Earth Balance Shortening Stick) 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated cane sugar 3/4 teaspoon sea salt 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract (Neilson Massey Madagasgar Bourbon Vanilla) 2 large eggs (or reconstituted Ener-G […]

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Moving Forward

Fighting Fibro Fatigue with Food: Easy, Healthy Grain Bowls — Guest Blogger Reclaiming HOPE

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I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen again. In our family we laugh about my experiments, because I get in the kitchen and just start putting things together. I had a mission with this last one though – to figure out how to make healthy lunches that were quick and easy to put together. One of […] Fighting Fibro Fatigue with Food: Easy, Healthy Grain Bowls — Reclaiming HOPE

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Moving Forward

New Daily Persistent Headache — Guest Blogger Chicago Headache Center & Research Institute

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One of the more challenging headache conditions to treat is New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH). NDPH is characterized by a new headache that occurs daily for more than three months. NDPH is most common in young females, although males certainly can and do suffer from NDPH. There are often associated symptoms that can be bothersome […] New Daily Persistent Headache — Chicago Headache Center & Research Institute

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#SoSc

“#SoSC” Prompt for Week is *tast-

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Have a great weekend and thanks for reading, I appreciate all your comments. M Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “-tast-.” Find a word that contains “tast” and use it in your post. Enjoy! The one thing you never know when you are chronically ill is when you will feel “normal” again, do much needed activities and much needed self-care. I struggle with several chronic illnesses and I’ve hit a good run for the past month and it feels FANTASTIC! I work hard not to over do things but work diligently to take advantage of the time I have for quality time with my loved ones, including my four legged babies. Thanks for reading and stopping by my blog today. I appreciate all your comments. Melinda Join us for the fun and sharing good media stories.  For more on the Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit Linda Hill’s blog. Here’s the link:https://lindaghill.com Here are the rules for SoCS: Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on […]

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Today in History

Today in History

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52 BCE The Gallic Wars have raged for eight years, with Julius Caesar leading much of the Roman Republic’s charge against the tribes of Gaul in Western Europe. An inability to band together against their common enemy dooms the Gallic tribes, and the struggle ends at the Battle of Alesia. 1895 Stephen Crane’s novel ‘The Red Badge of Courage‘ is released in book form for the […]

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Moving Forward

Here’s how neem oil can do double duty for organic gardeners — Guest Blogger Farmstand Culture

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Neem oil. It’s a thick, tan-colored oil extracted from the mechanically-pressed (or chemically-processed) seed of the neem tree. Neem is one of those plants that is almost certainly under-utilized across most of the world. It’s all-natural and vegan. You can use neem oil for organic pest control but wait, there’s more… Don’t eat the neem […] Here’s how neem oil can do double duty for organic gardeners — farmstand culture

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Essential Oils

Citrus Salt Scrub

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Willow and Sage by Stampington By Sarah Hauser You will need: YIELDS 12 oz. 1 cup fine sea salt 1/2 cup grapeseed oil Bowl 15-20 drops citrus essential oils Jar To Make: Mix together the sea salt and the grapeseed oil in a bowl or jar. Add essential oils, and mix well. Transfer to a jar for storing or gifting. […]

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Bullying

Where Do You Turn When Teacher is Bullying

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This is a repost from 2014, the point is schools have gone from sending notes about children being overweight to lunch shaming. I look back at my childhood, kids were bullied by other kids if they had a lunch coupon. I didn’t understand the problem then and certainly find it unacceptable this is happening by school staff today.   Melinda     Monday, May 26, 2014 Mom Upset That 9-Year-Old Girl Brought “Overweight” Notice Home From School Great video, please see the kids reaction to letter. The mother of a third-grade girl says she’s upset that the city Department of Education sent home a health assessment in her daughter’s book bag that categorizes the 9-year-old as “overweight.” Roseanne Colletti reports. Each year, 870,000 New York City public school students in kindergarten through grade 12 are handed their Fitnessgram assessments and told to bring them home without peeking inside. Laura Bruij Williams says her daughter, Gwendolyn Williams, looked at hers, and asked her about it one night while getting ready for bed at their Staten Island home. Gwendolyn is 4 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 66 pounds. The analysis said her Body Mass Index is “overweight.” “She said ‘Mom, school told me that I’m overweight,'” Williams told NBC 4 New York. “I was very angry and upset because I don’t want this to be the kind of thing that sticks with her.” The Department of Education says the assessments are “based on […]

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Chronic Illness

7 Conditions That Can Mimic Fibromyalgia (And Getting The Right Diagnosis) — Guest Blogger There Is Always Hope

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Fibromyalgia is a condition that consists of widespread muscle pain, cognitive failures and fatigue. Because there is no standard blood test or other medical test to identify Fibro, doctors rely on Patient stories and history to make a determination, along with using the “tender point” test. When you have Fibromyalgia, there are particular tender points […] 7 Conditions That Can Mimic Fibromyalgia (And Getting The Right Diagnosis) — There Is Always Hope

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Health and Wellbeing

The bias of mental illness — Guest Blogger Shedding Light on Mental Health

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When I ask a group of participants to think of all the words associated with someone who has mental illness here’s what I get: crazy, looney, nuts, attention seeking, dangerous, violent, etc. Then I ask the question what are words you hear about a cancer survivor. Those words are: hero, warrior, brave, strong, etc. Then […] The bias of mental illness — Shedding Light on Mental Health

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Advocacy

Keep Speaking Out About Pain

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Keep speaking out.My personal path into patient advocacy began with speaking at conferences about my struggle with complex regional pain syndrome, and, then, writing a book about it. But I know first-hand that speaking up isn’t easy–it can leave you feeling vulnerable and exposed, and it requires your already-limited energy and time. That’s why I’m so grateful to each pain warrior […]

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Advocacy

Today is World Gorilla Day

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  Hi, Tomorrow is World Gorilla Day! You are part of a special few to get a sneak peek at Portia’s messagefor tomorrow, World Gorilla Day! Share, post and talk about gorillas as much as possible. The more we get the word out there, the more people we can get behind saving our closest relative (there are still only 1,000 mountain gorillas left in […]

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Chronic Illness

Chronic Pain Awareness Month : September 2019 — Guest Blogger Invisibly Me

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Chronic pain – A complex issue that affects everyone differently. The one thing we all have in common? Chronic pain is a chronic pain in the ass to deal with! Chronic Pain : A Chronic Problem Pain can affect you physically, socially and psychologically, impacting everything from sleep and mental wellbeing, to work and relationships. […] Chronic Pain Awareness Month : September 2019 — Invisibly Me

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Health and Wellbeing

Lyme Treatment Stuck? Try These Steps at Six Months and Beyond

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 Dear Subscriber, There are a number of things that can block your recovery from Lyme disease. If you have been on antibiotics for six to nine months and you are not getting better, there are additional steps to take. In Treatment Stuck? Try These Steps at Six Months and Beyond I describe how to move your treatment forward. In my Seattle practice, I discovered ways to move the treatments forward of my patients. In Treatment Stuck? Try These Steps at Six Months and Beyond I describe my formula. Read and watch this article to see if effective treatments are right for you. In Health, Marty Ross MD Read or Watch NowSpread the Word!  ShareTweetForwardQuality Matters. You can find the various supplements I use effectively in my Seattle practice at Marty Ross MD Supplements. Look Now

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Gluten-Free

Lyme Disease Journal #Five *Scoreboard Lyme-One, Me-Still Standing*

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This is a repost from 2014 discussing a Gluten-Free diet. The information is an overview and may help if you’ve been told to start your Gluten-Free journey.  I hope this answers some of your questions and starts you on your way to less inflammation in your life.  Have a great day and always thank you for reading, I appreciate you. I love reading your comments so keep them coming. Melinda  This week I want to give a brief overview on Gluten Free Diet and Epstein Barr Virus. Both where the top searches in last weeks post. I hope the information is helpful. The CDC is a great place to get up to date information. Have a great weekend. 🙂   M Gluten Free What does it mean? My doctor follows The Mayo Clinic, Gluten-free diet: What’s allowed, what’s not. All information taken from The Mayo Clinic outline. A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye). Gluten causes inflammation in the small intestines. Switching to a gluten-free diet is a big change at first, it takes some getting used to. Many specialty grocery stores sell gluten-free foods. We shop at Whole Foods and have found a large selection of gluten-free products, including brownies. Here are some surprises I discovered. My husband eats many gluten-free products but not exclusively. The Mayo Clinic strongly warns […]

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Health and Wellbeing

What are Glutens and how to start a Gluten-Free Lifestyle

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It’s important to understand what glutens are and where to look for in order to establish a gluten-free lifestyle. As more people are diagnosed gluten intolerant more pre-made products will become available making choices much easier. I plan to write a number of post on the Gluten-Free lifestyle in the coming months. Below is a short list of items and ingredients you can eat. The Information is taken from Gluten Freedom by Alessio Fasano, MD. Founder and Director of the Center for Celiac Research at Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School.  Melinda Gluten is found in common foods such as breads, cereals, baked goods, and pasta. Because it’s used in processed foods as an additive or preservative, gluten is also found in a wide variety of foods and nonfood items from prescription medications to Play-Doh. If you are the food shopper in the family, you must learn to read labels very carefully to comply with gluten-free diet. Things you can eat on the Gluten-Free Diet Gluten-Free Grains, Flours, Seeds and Starches Amaranth Arrowroot Buckwheat Cassava Corn Flaxseed Nut Flours Millet Montina Gluten-Free Oats Quinoa Rice Sago Sorghum Tapioca Teff Wild rice Safe Ingredients List  Vinegar except malt vinegar  Distilled alcohol Carmel color Citric acid Spices Monosodium glutamate Maltodextrin Mono- and diglycerides Artificial flavor and color Natural flavor and color 

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#SoSc

“#SoSC” Prompt for Week is *Wrap/Rap

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The word Wrap, the first thing that came to mind is this great song. When I think of Rap songs there is one that stands out above all, you can’t get it out of your head. Have a great weekend and thanks for reading, I appreciate all your comments. M Join us for the fun and sharing good media stories.  For more on the Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit Linda Hill’s blog. Here’s the link:https://lindaghill.com Here are the rules for SoCS: Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your […]

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Caregiver

Remembering Mom Part 3 – How to Help Your Dementia Loved One — Guest Blogger Hindsight: My Journey

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Realizing your parent or any loved one may have dementia is a tough one. I live with the regretful feeling that I should have recognized it sooner. At the time I was absorbed with my own life drama, but that’s no excuse. My hope is that what I learned as a daughter, observer and eventual […] Remembering Mom Part 3 – How to Help Your Dementia Loved One — Hindsight: My Journey

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Depression

Billie Eilish opens up about mental health: ‘I didn’t think that I would even make it’ to 17

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Charles Trepany, USA TODAYPublished 10:22 a.m. ET Sept. 5, 2019 Billie Eilish is getting real on her mental health. The “Bury a Friend” songstress confessed in her cover story for Elle magazine that, despite early career success, she hasn’t always been happy.  “Two years ago, I felt like nothing mattered; every single thing was pointless,” she said in the article published Thursday. “Not just in my life, but everything in the whole world. I was fully clinically depressed. It’s insane to look back and not be anymore.” Eilish has been accused by trolls of faking her depression, which she admitted have been painful to read. “It hurt me to see that,” she said. “I was a 16-year-old girl who was really unstable. I’m in the happiest place of my life, and I didn’t think that I would even make it to this age.” More: Billie Eilish, 17, rips Nylon Germany for topless cover: I ‘did not consent in any way’ The 17-year-old said her mental health has since improved, calling happiness a “crazy” feeling. “I haven’t been happy for years,” she said. “I didn’t think I would be happy again. And here I am—I’ve gotten to a point where I’m finally okay. It’s not because I’m famous. It’s not because I have a little more money. It’s so many different things: growing up, people coming into your life, certain people leaving your life.” More: Believe the hype: Billie Eilish proves she’s a once-in-a-generation talent at NYC concert The singer added […]

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Depression

We Don’t Talk Much About Debt and Depression. This Blogger Is Changing That

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Melanie Lockert remembers checking the traffic for her blog, Dear Debt, and feeling shocked at the results. Someone had found her site by searching, “I want to kill myself because of debt.” Lockert started Dear Debt in January 2013 after spending the previous year feeling depressed about her student loans. She posted monthly updates about her efforts to pay off […]

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Bipolar Disorder

Did Daddy know he was “Crazy”

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My father committed suicide in 1992, put a shot-gun in his mouth. I was 28 years old, we were estranged since I was a teen. A trigger hit me like a hurricane this week. I’m having memories, not the worst. You put the the pressure on my shoulders to arrange everything, who to call. I had to face the chore of the house, a man living out of touch for many years. Worst was going to morgue, hand me original note and his bloody shotgun. Could you not see your friends were different? They were thieves but not in the same universe. They all took advantage of you, move in move out and steal what they want. One roommate committed suicide with your gun in your house. Down on their luck, will make payments on car, he was lucky to get three payments. He would have to track down and repo the car. They would come back begging and he would do it again. His friends were people at the bar he parked cars at. All the ladies got special attention, my father walked the lot to make sure the cars were secure. They all flirted with him, fake flirting, trashy bar, easy women going to bar in the hood looking for love. One night feeling the black dog, I went to the bar where my father parked cars. We played a game of pool, sitting at the bar he […]

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Environment

Reusable Dryer Sheets

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Willow and Sage by Stampington You will need 2 1/2 cups water 2 1/2 cups white vinegar 3-4 TB. vegetable glycerin Jar with sealed lid: large wide mouth 12 drops orange essential oil 12 drops lemon essential oil 7 drops lavender essential oil 7 drops peppermint essential oil Cotton quilting squares/washcloths To Make Add water, white vinegar and vegetable glycerin […]

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BODY IMAGE

Men’s Eating Disorders Often Not Recognized

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WEBMD HEALTH NEWS By Jennifer Clopton Sept. 5, 2019 — Nevada mom Ashley says she became worried when her 10-year-old son, Jordon, started to restrict his snacks and excessively work out. But even as he lost weight, she and her husband didn’t realize the extent or true cause of the problem. Like all the parents quoted in this story, she asked that her last name not be used to protect her son’s privacy. Ashley wasn’t the only one who failed to identify what was happening. Her husband thought their son was having a growth spurt. A nutritionist called it “a phase.” The emergency room doctor she sought out when she didn’t know where else to turn attributed his weight loss to being active and involved in sports. The ER doctor also said they needed to follow up with a pediatric oncologist to make sure Jordan didn’t have cancer. “He basically told my son to add smoothies to his diet, and he jumped to cancer as a possibility,” Ashley says. Ashley had to wait 3 weeks before a pediatric oncologist could see her son. But thankfully, he knew exactly what was going on. “He pulled my husband and I aside and said, ‘Your son doesn’t have cancer. He has an eating disorder.’” “I look back at pictures now and think, how did we miss it? But we were around him all the time, and we saw him eating. We didn’t realize how much he was exercising though, and we […]

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#SoSc

“#SoSC” Prompt for Week is *Blue

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  The first thing I see and also comes to mind is the pool outside my living room. It’s beautiful and inviting, refreshing and even great fun at times. It’s been so hot in Texas that swimming is out of the question unless you’re out at 4:00 A.M. which I am not. Join us for the fun and sharing good media stories.  For more on the Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit Linda Hill’s blog. Here’s the link:https://lindaghill.com Here are the rules for SoCS: Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, […]

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Health and Wellbeing

Camila Cabello just shared the simple self-help technique she uses to overcome her anxiety

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People Posted byChristobel Hastings Published16 days ago Camila Cabello is no stranger to speaking out about her mental healthstruggles, and in a bid to raise awareness of the effects of anxiety, the singer shared the self-help technique she turns to when she’s feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of everyday life. In an age when our perception of the world is so often viewed through a heavily filtered lens, it can be tough to keep a cultivate a positive self-image. But despite the heavily-filtered images and aspirational messages we consume on our social media feeds, more and more celebrities are taking steps to break through the illusion of perfection and present a more nuanced reality. One star leading the way when it comes to disrupting the narrative is Camila Cabello. The singer is no stranger to speaking out about her struggles with mental health, and in a candid note to her followers last month, she opened up about her experiences with anxiety, and the ways she’s learned to cope with being “incredibly nervous” and “socially anxious.” This time around the Señorita singer is continuing her mental health conversation by sharing the coping mechanism she turns to when she’s feeling overwhelmed: breathing exercises. Taking to Instagram, the singer posted a long note to her followers acknowledging that she has the power to influence positive change in people’s lives through her social media platform, even if in “small ways.” “To anyone on here who is struggling, which we all do […]

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Chronic Illness

Knowledge Is Power but Experience Tells the Real Story

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  National Pain Report Posted on August 26, 2019 by Denise Hedley There is something about being chronically ill that makes us need to know everything there is to know about what is wrong with our bodies. This, of course, gets us in trouble on occasion when the doctors take our knowledge of medical terminology and turn it around as proof that we are faking it. I guess they didn’t get the memo. Chronic pain does not mean chronic stupidity. We actually care. We are actively participating in our own care teams. We have gained a frightening amount of medical knowledge over the years just trying to understand our conditions. We know our bodies better than most. We deal with more in a short period of time, say during a flare, than many people deal within their lifetime. That is in addition to what we deal with when we’re not in a flare. For us, the pain never really goes away. Our experience adds to the knowledge we have accumulated. It enables us to cope with what is going on. It enables us to forge ahead through the abyss of opioid lies and laws that do little more than minimize our very existence. Denise Hedley I think we need to stand up and loudly use that knowledge because it is backed by our experience. Those who have been responsible for the faux crisis have limited knowledge. They only know the scientific […]

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23 & Me

Same-Sex Sexual Behavior Partially Influenced by Genetics

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August 29, 2019 By 23andMe under 23andMe Research A new genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving more than 490,000 individuals, including 75,000 23andMe customers who consented to research, offers an intriguing glimpse into the complexity of sexual behavior. While the study found thousands of genetic variants with very, very small affects on same-sex sexual behavior, it did not find any “gay gene,” nor did the researchers expect to.  The study, “Large-scale GWAS reveals insights into the genetic architecture of same-sex sexual behavior,” reveals some differences in the genetics of same-sex sexual behavior between men and women, for instance. It also shows that human sexuality is more nuanced than many believe. Rather, like personality and other complex human traits, a mix of genetic and environmental factors influences sexual behavior.  The researchers — in the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Australia, —  did not find any patterns among genetic variants that could be used to meaningfully predict or identify a person’s sexual orientation or behavior.  “[M]any loci with individually small effects…additively contribute to individual differences in predisposition to same-sex sexual behavior,” they write, describing genetic patterns consistent with many personality, behavioral, and physical traits.  23andMe is just one of the many institutions involved in this international collaboration, which includes scientists of different disciplines and areas of expertise from some of the world’s top academic and research bodies. Because it’s a controversial topic, funding has historically been limited and recruitment of participants was difficult — many of the studies that […]

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Fun

#WATWB ‘Defeated’ Mom Gets Support From United Airlines Crew And Passengers During Child Meltdown

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‘Defeated’ Mom Gets Support From United Airlines Crew And Passengers During Child Meltdown August 28, 2019 A mother is praising a United Airlines crew and the passengers who supported her while her four-year-old son with autism was having a meltdown on their flight home from a family vacation. Credit: Lori Gabriel This is what Lori Gabriel wrote on Facebook. “So my little flyer (he’s autistic but normally loves to fly) didn’t have such a good flight home. Trying to get him to stay seated was impossible he wanted to sit on the floor in the hall and in first class. Huge thank you to united airlines they accommodated his needs, made sure we were all ok, worked around where he choose to sit. To the lady that wrote me this note in seat 7D thank you, you may not know how much that means to us when we feel defeated. Thank you for helping and being kind just so happens she also works for United. To the man in first class seat 6C you rock thanks for playing with Braysen and not minding him kicking your seat or messing with you! He loved your high fives! Hopefully they will see this you never know with social media how fast word can spread but y’all made our flight less stressful being so understanding! Shout out to the flight attendants Joseph Nation, Heather Bursid, and Rhonda they couldn’t have done a better job. […]

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Chronic Illness

Let’s Talk About Pain

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Dear pain warriors, At U.S. Pain Foundation, we deeply believe in the power of sharing patient stories. Talking about our experiences with pain helps us to educate others, to create change, and to offer hope. That’s why our theme for Pain Awareness Month 2019, which begins Sunday, is #LetsTalkAboutPain.I first got involved in patient advocacy by writing a book about my experiences with complex regional pain syndrome. It enabled me to process my personal journey, take control of my story, and help create awareness for those like me. I hope speaking up about pain this September can do the same for you. This year, we have dozens of opportunities for you to help bring pain to the forefront of public conversations, ranging from our daily storyathon to social media giveaways to weekly events.All of these activities are presented in collaboration with our generous sponsor, Thrive Tape, the creator of an innovative, far-infrared kinesiology tape for all types of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. (We encourage you to check them out! Use the code USPAIN for a discount.)How you can participateWe have something for everyone! Most activities are online, which means you can take part from the comfort of your home. Storyathon. Each day in September, U.S. Pain will be sharing a video story of a real person living with pain. These individuals–from all walks of life–bravely submitted their personal stories in August to help create awareness. To watch the videos, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Missed the video storyathon deadline? Share […]

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Today in History

Today in History

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1786 Protesting high taxes and political corruption, American farmers begin a military standoff that closes the federal court in Springfield. Shays’ Rebellionwill eventually be defeated by a private militia, but it will sufficiently rattle national leaders to call for a stronger national government to suppress future uprisings. 1831 English chemist and autodidact Michael Faraday publically demonstrates his discovery of electromagnetism, or as he calls […]

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Health and Wellbeing

The Simple Guide to Value Triggers

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Psychology Today   How to live by your highest ideals. Posted Aug 11, 2019 Steven C. Hayes Ph.D. Get Out of Your Mind Source: Pixabay/CC Being in touch with your values is essential to living a rich and meaningful life. By knowing what you care about most, you become inspired to live by your highest ideals, bringing out the best in yourself. In short, values help you find direction, meaning, and inspiration in life. Unfortunately, however, it’s more complicated than this. Because too often enough, we get sidetracked. Too often, the demands of the day pull our attention away from what really matters, to serve our immediate emotional needs. We then lose touch of our ideals, and revert back to old – often destructive – habits. If you wish to stop this from happening, break the cycle of bad habits, and bring forth the best of yourself, you have to reconnect with your values whenever you lose touch. And the easiest way to accomplish this, are value triggers. What Are Value Triggers? A value trigger is a physical reminder of your core values. By merely looking at it, you refocus back on what matters most, making you act more in line with your highest ideals. The trigger can be almost anything, as long as it makes you remember your values. Here are a few ideas: Card in Wallet. Write down a few core values on an index card, and put it in your […]

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Chronic Illness

My Lyme Data Chart Book

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How many participants in the MyLymeData patient registry ever had a Lyme-related rash? (34%) How many initially presented with flu-like symptoms? (64%) How many were misdiagnosed with a psychiatric illness? (54%) These are some of the details you can learn in the MyLymeData 2019 Chart Book. This report is a compilation of our research results based on more than 2.5 […]

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23 & Me

23andMe Explores Dietary Habit and Health Outcomes

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August 6, 2019 By 23andMe under 23andMe Research By Rafaela Bagur Quetglas, PhD You are what you eat, is the old adage, but what does your diet actually say about you?  23andMe has a unique opportunity to explore that question, as we investigate how dietary habits, along with genetics, demographics, lifestyle and other data can influence overall health outcomes. Looking at diet specifically, our scientists analyzed the data of more than 850,000 people who consented to participate in research and who shared details about their own eating habits.  Using machine learning techniques* we were able to see that dietary choices clustered into four distinct types of eaters, which were mainly characterized by two dietary behaviors. The first one represents the spectrum of foods’ nutrient content from high nutrient-dense foods (i.e. low caloric foods with high nutrient content like vegetables, leafy greens, fruit, beans or whole-grains) to low nutrient-dense foods (i.e. high caloric foods with low nutrient content like. processed foods, sweets, sodas, pastries, saturated fats or  fast food). The second main behavior differentiating diet groups is the meat intake, in particular, red and processed meat (e.g., sausages, hot dogs, ham, or cured bacon).   Dietary Types Using these two behaviors as axes, we can plot the four main diet groups:  On one end, we find people who eat high nutrient-dense (HND) foods like  vegetables, leafy greens and fruits and tend to avoid high caloric foods with low nutrient content like refined carbs, processed foods, saturated […]

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Health and Wellbeing

Natural Seasonal Allergy Relief

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Willow & Sage by Stampington By Kaetlyn Kennedy   Nettle Leaf Tea Made from stinging nettle plants, organic nettle tea can help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms with it’s natural antihistamine. You reap all the benefits of antihistamine symptom relief without having to take conventional medicines. You can drink the daily as a preventative or as needed.   Spirulina & Other […]

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#SoSc

“#SoSC” Prompt for Week is *Start Your Post with Preposition

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Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is start your post with a preposition. The heat is oppressive outside, I open the door to let Griffy in and a wave of heat knocks me backwards. In Texas it’s been at or over 100 for weeks now and it’s wearing on me, that says a lot because I’m a native Texan. I count the days until September when cooler days will replace the heat. M   Join us for the fun and sharing good media stories.  For more on the Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit Linda Hill’s blog. Here’s the link:https://lindaghill.com Here are the rules for SoCS: Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a […]

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Today in History

Today in History

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1851 The ‘Auld Mug’ trophy is awarded for the first time to the winners of a sailing race around England’s Isle of Wight. The schooner ‘America’ sails into first place with an ample lead, and so the competition between the world’s best racing yachts will be known as the ‘America’s Cup.’ 1902 Named for the man who founded Detroit in […]

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Chronic Illness

Chronic Pain Thoughts

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  The sheet touches the underside of my arm and it burns. My sandals touch a spot on my foot that shoots pain up my leg. Sleeping is restless since shoulder and hip joints have painful arthritis. Motivation for anything is non existent. Sleeping requires narcotics, I hate the way they make me feel the next day. Walking the day […]

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Depression

Kristen Bell Gets Candid About Mental Health On Instagram

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By David Konow 08/06/19 Bell revealed on Instagram that lately she’s been “feeling very off,” but she is utilizing resources and her support system to help her through it. Kristen Bell, star of Veronica Mars, is one of many celebrities who has been open about her mental health. She recently posted on her Instagram story, “Lately I’ve been feeling very off.” Bell added, “I’m checking in with my support systems and my resources and I hope you are too because we can handle whatever life throws at us if we ask for hope.” Several days earlier, Bell posted a picture of herself in a split image. In one image, she looked happy, in another image, she looked depressed. “Ever feel like this?” she wrote. “Me too. Often. It’s okay to not feel ok. We’ll get through it together.” On Instagram, Bell also suggested ways to battle back against tough mental health days, like going on Google and looking up “workouts near me, mental health resources near me, therapists near me, support groups near me.” In previous interviews, Bell has been very open about her mental health struggles. She learned about her family’s difficulties with mental health when she was 18. Her mother told her that there was “a serotonin imbalance in our family line, and it can often be passed from female to female.” Her grandmother had endured electroshock therapy, and Bell learned how to take care of her own mental health through her mother. When Bell decided to […]

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Food

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

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From Jules Dowler Shepard   Ingredients 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) butter or nondairy alternative (Earth Balance Buttery Sticks) 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) shortening (or Earth Balance Shortening Stick) 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated cane sugar 3/4 teaspoon sea salt 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract (Neilson Massey Madagasgar Bourbon Vanilla) 2 large eggs (or reconstituted Ener-G […]

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Today in History

Today in History

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Have a great Woodstock kind of day! I can’t believe I was only seven years old. Stay hydrated. M 1483 Pope Sixtus IV consecrates a chapel in Rome after painters, including Botticelli, have finished their frescos. The ceiling, however, still needs a little work, and 25 years later a new pope will hire Michelangelo to paint what will be considered one of the greatest artworks of all […]

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Health and Wellbeing

Bring Change to Mind Partners with Mental Health for US

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 Bring Change to Mind is excited to announce that we have partnered with Mental Health for US, a nonpartisan educational initiative focused on elevating mental health and addiction in policy conversations by empowering grassroots advocates and improving candidate and policymaker health literacy. The initiative is powered by a coalition of stakeholder groups from around the country dedicated to uniting the American people to make systemic, long-term change with civic engagement tools and resources.  The movement launched at The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s 10th Annual Advocacy Forum by former U.S. Representative and co-chair of the Mental Health for US initiative Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.). Former U.S. Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-OR), a long-time mental health advocate, will also serve as co-chair. “The suicide rate has skyrocketed over the past 20 years because mental health and substance use disorders often go undetected and undertreated,” said Sen. Smith. “Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in America. Now more than ever, we need our government leaders to stand up and champion systemic change. We have to make our voices heard.”  Join us in building this movement of change!   Learn More About Mental Health for Us 

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Health and Wellbeing

What is Endometriosis?

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Originally posted on Dr. Lori Gore-Green:
Reproductive health must be taken very seriously, which is why women should understand what endometriosis is. It is often a painful disorder inside of the uterus and involves the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and tissue lining the pelvis. and can go undiagnosed for years. Unfortunately, it can lead to infertility. Defining Endometriosis Endometriosis is when tissue that makes up the uterine lining is present on other organs inside your body. It usually appears to happen within the pelvis and lower abdomen, but it can happen anywhere in the body. Although men can be affected by the disorder, it is extremely rare and most common in women.  The Symptoms Women can experience pain during intercourse, painful periods, lower abdomen pain, and infertility. Over time, unfortunately, pain can increase and become more intense. Some may also experience painful bowel movements and heavy menstruation. Other symptoms can range from bloating, nausea, constipation, fatigue, and diarrhea, especially during their periods. The more severe the pain usually indicates how severe the disorder is. Pain can be the most painful symptom, but some women do not experience any symptoms.  Due to these symptoms, endometriosis can be often misdiagnosed. It can often be diagnosed as a pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or ovarian cysts. Endometriosis also shares the same symptoms as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can complicate the diagnosis. Causes Unfortunately, the exact causes of endometriosis are unknown, but there are possible…

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Health and Wellbeing

What are Glutens and how to start a Gluten-Free Lifestyle

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It’s important to understand what glutens are and where to look for in order to establish a gluten-free lifestyle. As more people are diagnosed gluten intolerant more pre-made products will become available making choices much easier. I plan to write a number of post on the Gluten-Free lifestyle in the coming months. Below is a short list of items and ingredients you can eat. The Information is taken from Gluten Freedom by Alessio Fasano, MD. Founder and Director of the Center for Celiac Research at Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School.  Melinda Gluten is found in common foods such as breads, cereals, baked goods, and pasta. Because it’s used in processed foods as an additive or preservative, gluten is also found in a wide variety of foods and nonfood items from prescription medications to Play-Doh. If you are the food shopper in the family, you must learn to read labels very carefully to comply with gluten-free diet. Things you can eat on the Gluten-Free Diet Gluten-Free Grains, Flours, Seeds and Starches Amaranth Arrowroot Buckwheat Cassava Corn Flaxseed Nut Flours Millet Montina Gluten-Free Oats Quinoa Rice Sago Sorghum Tapioca Teff Wild rice Safe Ingredients List  Vinegar except malt vinegar  Distilled alcohol Carmel color Citric acid Spices Monosodium glutamate Maltodextrin Mono- and diglycerides Artificial flavor and color Natural flavor and color 

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#SoSc

#SoSC Weekly Prompt *Start with Where

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Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “where.” Start your post with the word “where” and write whatever comes to you. Bonus points if you end your post with “where” too. Enjoy! Where is this post going? I don’t know yet but have read some good ones this morning starting with “where”. Where does my dog get the idea I’m a snack machine, every action he makes he thinks is worthy of a snack. We don’t have children so we do spoil both of our dogs rotten, and they know it. I have to wipe my older dogs chin off after eating and clean his face, he thinks it deserves a snack. Where is my snack, well my treat came this early a.m. in the form of a Starbucks Grande Latte and a blueberry muffin delivered right to my beside. Maybe I’m a little spoiled too. That’s our weekend ritual, my husband gets breakfast and me a coffee, we eat and then take a nap. What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday and Sunday morning. This post was going where? Join us for the fun and sharing good media stories.  For more on the Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit Linda Hill’s blog. Here’s the link:https://lindaghill.com Here are the rules for SoCS: Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write. Your post can […]

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Health and Wellbeing

Find Delight in Different Forms of Stillness

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“Stillness” can sound sentimental but it’s what most of us long for. Psychology Today Posted Jul 29, 2019  Rick Hanson Ph.D. Your Wise Brain What is your sense of stillness? “Stillness or peace” may sound merely sentimental (“visualize whirled peas”). But deep down, it’s what most of us long for. Consider the proverb: The highest happiness is stillness. Not a stillness or […]

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Lyme

How to Handle Lyme Disease Relapse by Marty Ross MD

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I don’t endorse Marty, actually I think he mostly peddles his supplements but he does provide some good information. M  Dear Subscriber, Unfortunately, Lyme disease relapses occur. When they do there are specific steps you should take to figure out what needs to be treated and how to treat the problem. In How to Handle Lyme Disease Relapse included on my newYouTube Channel, I describe the steps to take to handle this problem.  Did you know relapses can be prevented? After you get a relapse under control, there are steps to take to prevent future relapses. In How to Handle Lyme Disease Relapse, I also describe these steps so you can maintain your health. In Health, Marty Ross MD Watch NowSpread the Word!  ShareTweetForwardQuality Matters. See which products I found useful in my Seattle Lyme practice to prevent relapse.Look Now

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Lyme

Lyme Webinars by Marty Ross MD

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Good Day,      The August series of my Lyme Q&A Webinar begins this Thursday. I have three webinars planned on Thursdays. Did you sign up?      Join my Lyme Q&A Webinar, Conversations with Marty Ross MD, to get answers. If you read this before Thursday 6 PM CST, it is not too late.       Each week is NEW. No two Lyme Q&A Webinars are the same because you create each one with your questions. What do you want to know about Lyme? I have an answer for that!      Find ways to improve your Lyme disease treatment. I am ready to help your recovery. Join me for the next Conversations with Marty Ross MD.      Sign up now to reserve your space for this Thursday.      Ask your Lyme disease questions in my live webinar called Conversations with Marty Ross MD. In this webinar you willlearn fresh ideas to take back your health and life. No two webinars are alike because they are designed by your questions.       Join me in my mission to improve lives. Please forward this email to anyone you know who has Lyme disease who will benefit from one of my Lyme Q&A Webinars.      So what are you waiting for? Sign up now to reserve your space for Thursday at 6 PM CST. I look forward to helping you. In Health, Marty Ross MD, LLMD Sign Up!

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Moving Forward

Today in History

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  I’m having a rough day so the history is short but quite interesting this week. Have a great day. M   This Day In History: 08/08/1974 – Nixon Resigns On this day in 1974, on an evening televised address, President Richard M. Nixon announces his intention to become the first president in American history to resign. With impeachment proceedings […]

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Chronic Pain

DON’T BE SILENT: SPEAK UP ABOUT PAIN THIS SEPTEMBER

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July 23, 2019/ U.S. Pain Foundation Too often, due to broad misconceptions and a lack of understanding about pain, pain warriors are afraid or ashamed to speak up about their stories. But the only way we can create change is if we start talking–to loved ones, coworkers, neighbors, clinicians, and even policymakers. That’s why our theme for Pain Awareness Month 2019, which begins September 1, is “Let’s Talk about Pain.” We’ll be hosting numerous events, campaigns, and activities that center around this idea. In order to truly get the word out, though, we need your help. HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE Below, please find a short list of ways you can participate right now in Pain Awareness Month. Many of these campaigns require involvement before September, so don’t wait! Submit your video story! Share a 3-5 minute video about your pain journey with us by August 9. All participants will receive a limited-edition Pain Awareness Month bracelet and our new Living with Pain educational booklet–AND be entered to win a prize pack. A handful of individuals will be selected to have their videos featured online throughout September! Get started here. Questions? Email us. Request a proclamation. Ceremonial proclamations from state and local representatives help bring awareness to pain at the government level. To get started, fill out this form by August 9. We have easy-to-use templates and tips to make the process easy and fun. Please note that proclamations can take time, so put in your request now! For questions, email us. […]

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Health and Wellbeing

Prevent unnecessary medical care — by asking your doctor these 4 questions first

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TED TALKS Jul 22, 2019 / Daryl Chen Justin Tran By raising questions and taking on a more active role in decision making, patients can do their part to avoid needless medications, tests, treatments or procedures, says neurosurgeon Christer Mjåset. This post is part of TED’s “How to Be a Better Human” series, each of which contains a piece of helpful advice […]

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