ABOUT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, AND PROBABLY A WHOLE LOT OF NOTHING, MARINADED IN HUMOR.
May 09, 2008 7:23 AM
Taking In Nature
Being outdoor is always restful and relaxing. Taking the "outdoors" in, is helpful, healthy and can be extremely medicinal. I am talking about all natural herbs and oils. Many of them contain substances and supplements that can either cure all kinds of ailments, or are extremely helpful toward easing the pain.
These supplements are often referred to as Homeopathic. Even though they are all natural, that doesn't mean you can take them whenever and as much as you like. Too much can cause some side-effects you would rather avoid. So, stick to the recommended dose!
"Pine Bark Extract Relieves OA Pain, Improves Function
A new study to be published in the April 2008 edition of the Journal of Phytotherapy Research shows Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, reduced osteoarthritis symptoms by 56 percent.
In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, held at Italy's Chieti-Pescara University, 156 patients with knee OA received 100 mg of Pycnogenol or placebo, daily for three months and were then evaluated using a number of tools. Patients were permitted to continue taking their choice of pain medication provided they recorded every tablet in a diary for later evaluation.
The pycnogenol group also:
- Experienced a 55 percent improvement in joint pain - Reduced pain medication use by 58 percent - Had a 63 percent improvement in gastrointestinal complications - Reduced stiffness by 53 percent - Improved physical function scores by 57 percent - Enhanced overall well-being by 64 percent
"The results of this study are significant as they clearly demonstrate the clinical action of Pycnogenol on OA and management of symptoms," says Gianni Belcaro, MD, PhD, a lead researcher of the study. "The use of Pycnogenol many reduce costs and side effects of anti-inflammatory agents and offer a natural alternative solution to people suffering from OA." ~ Arthritis Foundation, 4/23/08.
Personally, I rather take all natural supplements, medications and vitamins. I know from experience they do an excellent job. Sometimes it is inevitable to have to take pharmaceutical medications, in which case the same warning is in effect: stick to the recommended dose!
We all need guidelines and directions when we don't know what to do, or what would be best. In this case, the general and homeopathic physicians and pharmacies have the knowledge and clearly give recommendations. We would do well to follow their guidelines.
Not too long ago I made you aware of the promotion and contest, to win a $20,000 home makeover with Tayna Memme. I sure hope you entered the contest and ended as one of the semi finalists.
All the submissions competing for the home makeover can be seen in the semi-finalist gallery. Go have a look and vote for the best video. You can vote for your favorite video once a day per day, through June 7. It is definitely worth it, to visit the semi-finalist gallery, because all the entries are excellent and very resourceful.
I liked this entry the best. This large family sure did their best to come up with something good and it shows. I do think they deserve to win. At least they got my vote.
I would have entered myself, were it not for the fact that I am no good at making such high quality videos. I just don't have the ideas how to make it visual. These semi-finalists sure did. I think each one would deserve to win the $20,000 prize. Unfortunately there can only be one winner and you can have a say in who that is going to be!
Sometimes one thing seems to be resolved when the next comes along. Sometimes I feel like "the gates of hell" have opened and all comes at the same time, overwhelming me. It is draining and stressful and it "seems" like there is no time to stop and smell the roses. No rest for the weary.
Why it seems that way is often due to one of the reasons below, or a combination of them.
a false sense of obligation: I feel forced to do something right now.
lack or weakness of faith: I have to solve this or it won't get done.
pride: I can solve this.
impatience: I want this to be resolved asap.
taking on responsibilities that aren't mine: Someone will or is about to hurt themselves by their own actions or words.
I am sure at times there are some other/more feelings or emotions that can be added to the list. And I am doing all to myself. There is time to rest and enjoy, if I only allow myself to let go and let God.
The house next door from us is up for sale. It's a nice little house and our oldest was very interested in buying it. We crunched some numbers to see how much of a home loan she would be able to get, based on her income. She could have afforded it, but it would have been tight. She would have to pinch money wherever she could, so she decided to let it go for now.
We may want to reconsider though. There are so many lenders who offer home loans and we may come across one who's rates are low enough for her to be able to both afford the house and still have a little financial breathing room.
It would only take a few minutes to fill out a form and be matched up instantly with 5 competing lenders for home loans. That saves a lot of time searching the Internet and having to call around.
Since there are over 200 top lenders nationwide in the network, we can take it for granted to be matched up with the best and cheapest quotes and interest rates available for our daughter.
Who knows, we may have just have found our new neighbor. What a nice thought! :-)
I may have some creative skills when it comes to drawing and some home-made arts and crafts, but I don't think they stand out, compared to anyone else's. I can come up with some good ideas and execute them, but that is about it. In other words: I am no Martha Stewart.
In my humble opinion, I consider her to be, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the greatest and most well known designers of our time is. Whatever Martha Stewart comes up with and designs, is all very exclusive, classy and affordable. The variety of her products are geared towards complementing any style of interior.
I found out, it is often the basic materials I work with, that can make or break a project. I can try to arrange a beautiful bouquet of flowers in a vase, but somehow the end product doesn't turn out the way I envisioned it. Upon examining the results and figuring out what's wrong with it, I discover I used a totally unsuitable vase or pot for it.
Every floral design needs it's own unique vase to make it pop and stand out. I am not going to try anymore to do it myself. I will let Martha Stewart do it!
My previous post covered the past few months of happenings and developement of our little critters. This one is about what and how at present. They grow so fast! :-)
Hey you guys!!! It's been a while since I have been talking to y'all, but I finally got around to it, as you can see. I stole Opa's chair while he wasn't looking. Yup, I got in it myself, since I climb up and down chairs and couches these days. Even coffee tables, but they won't let me do that. Why not? Beats me! Oma already got everything off of it when I am around. I like to investigate, hehe.
I am walking and running around for quit a while now. That can get me in trouble, but since they "baby-proof" and close all the doors, there is not much mischief I can get into. Besides, it doesn't bother me when the doors are closed. I lay in front of them and peek through the slits under the doors. Sometimes even try to stick my hands through and even talk through it. They ain't fooling me, hehe. Oma thinks that's both clever and funny.
Oma is dancing with me. She picks me up, holds her hand up, I put mine in hers and then we swirl around. I love it! She says I am always in such a good disposition, hehe. I like to make people laugh. Sometimes I just go like "hehe", watch how they react, go like "hehehe" again and they all start laughing.
Look how many teeth I already got and they are still coming in by the truckload. My hair has grown too and I have all those curls. No use brushing them, they stick out any way the can. Opa calls me "Cotton top, curly mop", haha.
Oma calls me "Squirmy boy", since I can't (or rather won't) sit still, haha. Too much to see and do. Except when I need to nap. No fooling around when Oma lays me down. No matter how hard I try. Make her laugh, share my pacifier with her ( just yank it in her mouth when she least expects it, grin), or try and explore her face and hair. Nope, "night-night" is "night-night"! That's okay, when she lays her hand on my forehead, I am usually off to dream land.
I like sharing, you wanna play with my toys? :-D
What I like most is eating!! Each time Oma goes to the kitchen, I run after her and go like: "Mmmmm"! No problem when it's time to eat and a snack in between is easy to get as well. But boy, that woman is hard to convince, after my tummy is full. Yeah, I would eat all the time if they would let me, sigh.
There are some comprehensive words coming out of my mouth, I still babble along a lot. I'll get the hang of it, hehe. The other day, Mom came to get me after I got up in the morning and I said: "Hi Momma". I could wrap her around my little fingers for the rest of the day, grin.
I wanted to talk about my brother Leo, but Oma says he needs to have his own space. Duh, like he can hit these keys. Not! Those little hands go anyway but where he wants him to. I love him though. I try to share my toys with him but Mom says he is still too little, so I give him kisses instead.
Me and Leo have been dedicated in church last Sunday. I am not sure yet what that means, but I have faith Mom and Dad will do a good job. Actually, both bro and me can rest assured the entire family will. :-D
I hope y'all are doing well. Gotta go now folks. I will try to get back sooner next time. At least y'all are completely updated now.
I know you can't see it, but I am waving bye-bye! :-D
Guess what is number one on the list of complaints of the Federal Trade Commission? It is identity theft! It is good for 36% of all the complaints received. Isn't that horrible?
It is frightening to me as well. I wouldn't know what to do if my identity got stolen. Suppose someone would run up our credit card, that would mean I would have to do without medication, because we charge our co-pay on it. I would suffer twice, financially and physically.
The service of lifelock can help prevent your identity being taken from you and should it happen anyway, which is highly unlikely while using this service, Lifelock has a one million service guarantee!
My peace of mind is a worth a whole lot more than the small amount the charge per month!
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Look how many teeth I already got and they are still coming in by the truckload. My hair has grown too and I have all those curls. No use brushing them, they stick out any way the can. Opa calls me "Cotton top, curly mop", haha. 