Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner for the Allergy Crowd

I am putting the final touches on my Thanksgiving menu plan.  My fibromyalgia symptoms have been in remission for almost a year now so making sure I have plenty of whole healthy foods for everyone to enjoy is important to me.  I recovered from my severe chronic illness when I eliminated chemicals from my environment, stopped eating toxic processed food, and started eating real, whole foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.  I want to keep right on feeling great during this wonderful food-centered holiday.

Dealing with my personal food needs is not the only obstacle I face in planning our Thanksgiving dinner. I am looking forward to having four generations of my extended family gathered around my table.  There will be laughter, hugs, long talks, games, and plenty of counting our blessings.  But there will also be enough of us in the room that have food allergies and food sensitivities that we could do group Public Service Announcements for the National Allergy Board.  One or more people in my family cannot eat dairy products, gluten, beef, nuts, corn, foods with a lot of roughage, bananas, spicy food, shellfish, pork, citrus fruits, kiwi, avocados, soy, or anything prepared in a facility that also prepares peanuts.  It's a good thing I like creative cooking and relish a challenge.

I want to encourage you that you can make healthy meals even during the holidays.  If I can prepare a delicious Thanksgiving meal for my food allergy bunch, I know that you can come up with some smart choices for you and your family too. You can eat healthy foods every day of your life for the rest of your life if you make eating well a priority. 

Here are a couple of ideas if you are cooking for a crowd that has food limitations.  

***Have one entree that everyone can eat and plenty of side dishes so that everyone can choose at least two additional foods.  If I tried to make every single dish something that every single person could eat, we would mainly spend the day sitting around the dining room table imagining what dinner might look like because it would be pretty much invisible.  

***Enlist some helpers.  My daughter is making two side dishes and a dessert.  And my mother is bringing four loaves of her wonderful homemade Portuguese country bread.

Thanksgiving Menu 2013

Roasted Turkey.  I fill the cavity with apple slices, onion, garlic and spices and baste with olive oil and everyone can eat it.

Crockpot macaroni and cheese.  The lactose intolerant folks have to pass on it but all of my grandchildren adore it.

Portuguese country bread.

Portuguese Country Bread

Baked sweet potatoes.  I serve them plain with a choice of toppings that include butter, soy- free dairy-free butter substitute, brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger.  

Squash casserole without the cheese.

Fruit plate with enough choices that everyone can eat at least one of the fruits.

Salad greens with kale, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, and homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

Apple, pear, cranberry crisp with oatmeal topping but no nuts.

Brownie pie with vanilla ice cream on the side.

Chocolate almond pie that is dairy free, soy free, and gluten free.

Gluten Free Chocolate Almond Pie

And there you have it:  a Thanksgiving feast we can all enjoy.  Oh, and by the way, my family will be here from Wednesday until Sunday so I will be cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the allergy crowd for five days.  And I will love every minute of it.  Because spending time with people you love is a gift.  And Thanksgiving is the perfect day to smile and count your blessings.

3 Great Green Cleaners You Can Make at Home

Green Clean Green

Getting chemicals out of my home environment sounded like a great idea to help me move toward recovery from chronic illness.  Never cleaning my house again sounded like a good way to get my home condemned by the health department.  I figured there was a solution out there somewhere.  I started searching the web for chemical free cleaning options. There are some non-toxic manufactured products that you can buy but they can be expensive, some have added scents which are unhealthy, and these products aren't always easy to find in my little rural corner of the world.

So I started experimenting with cleaning products I could make at home out of cheap readily available non-toxic ingredients. Now my house is sparkly clean and I am sparkling with health.

Here are three of my favorites:

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER

Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.  

Use this mixture to clean countertops, mirrors, appliances, chrome, faucets, and anything else you would normally clean with a commercial all-purpose cleaner.  Spray the solution on the surface you want to clean. Wipe it off with paper towels or a micro fiber cloth.  No rinsing needed.  Be sure to use a micro fiber cloth when cleaning mirrors and chrome. It will leave them clean and shiny without leaving behind paper residue.  You can buy large jugs of inexpensive vinegar at any big box store or supermarket.  

Interesting factoid:  Vinegar contains 5 % acetic acid which kills bacteria and viruses. Vinegar is such an effective germ killer that it is used in many hospital high risk neonatal units to protect vulnerable newborns from exposure to both germs and harsh chemicals.

FLOOR CLEANER

I have beautiful quarry tile floors in my kitchen, den, and sunroom.  I love the natural swirly look of the tile that makes me feel like I'm walking across stones on a creek bed.  I don't love that they need heavy duty cleaning because this area gets a lot of foot traffic. I experimented with various combinations of ingredients and this one keeps my floors cleaner than any commercial product I have ever used.

Mix 1 gallon of warm water with 1/2 Tbs of mild dish detergent, 1/2 c vinegar, 1/2 c baking soda.  Be sure to add the dish detergent to the water before you add the vinegar and baking soda to keep the solution from fizzing over the top of your mixing container.  Stir well.  Store in a plastic 1 gallon pitcher with a lid.  I use a mop that has a pump sprayer, a container to add your own cleaning solution, and a micro fiber cleaning pad that can be tossed in the washing machine after use.  It is easy to fill the mop container with the solution since the pitcher has a pouring spout.  Put the lid on the pitcher when you are done and store any leftover solution for your next mopping task.

Clean kitchen floor. (Until I start cooking and spill something)

WOOD CLEANER 

This mixture is great for cleaning and restoring scratched wooden surfaces.  Use it on tabletops, furniture, door frames, or any wooden object in need of a little TLC.  I have used it to make 30 year old rocking chairs look brand new and erase all the scratches on a dining table I purchased at a huge discount because it had been a floor sample.  I just used some of the wood cleaner today on the inside of a closet door that was covered in scratches.  The scratches disappeared as soon as I put the solution on the door.

To make the wood cleaner:  Mix 3/4 of a cup of canola oil with 1/4 of a cup of white vinegar. Apply to the marred wooden surface with a clean rag, micro fiber cloth, or a paper towel.  The wood will soak up the mixture so there is no need to wipe it off after applying.

Closet door before I applied the wood cleaner

Closet door two minutes after I applied the wood cleaner 

Getting chemicals out of your home environment is just one step in the recovery process for fibromyalgia and other chronic illnesses.  I got rid of chemicals in cleaning products, cosmetics, personal grooming products, and scented products.  I also stopped eating processed food which is full of all kinds of toxic chemicals.  I started eating whole foods that are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.  I have been symptom free for almost eleven months. I learn something new every day about how to help my body stay healthy.  And every single day I am thankful for this blessing.  

While I Wasn't Sleeping

Before fibromyalgia struck, I was an extremely sound sleeper.  I have slept through tornados, blaring car alarms, and a bomb exploding in a house down the street.  So it came as quite a shock to my system when one of my fibromyalgia symptoms was insomnia.  I had difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.  When I managed to catch a few fitful hours at night, I never felt rested in the morning.

I believe sleep disturbances are related to the larger problem of the cellular damage that results from exposure to chemicals in our food and environment. I got rid of chemicals in my life through changing the products I used for cleaning and personal grooming.  I stopped eating processed food and started eating whole foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. 

When I was so sick, I had severe fibromyalgia pain in multiple joints and muscles, debilitating chronic fatigue, and many other symptoms.  I was barely able to function and often was unable to leave my house.  After making the lifestyle changes necessary to limit my exposure to chemicals, it took about six weeks for my body to detoxify.  I woke up one morning and the pain, fatigue, and other symptoms were gone. I was elated!  I felt like I suddenly had my life back.  I was beyond thankful for my restored health.

However, my sleep pattern had been disrupted by this horrible disease for such a long time that I had to do some things to reset my natural sleep cycle clock.  Be sure to check with your doctor before trying any plan that involves medications or supplements.  Here is what I did.


I stopped taking prescription sleep medication.  This type of drug is intended for only short-term use.  It is not designed to be used for longer than a few weeks. Sleep induced by medication does not follow a natural sleep cycle pattern. Besides all that, I knew that drugs for sleep were adding another chemical substance to my body on a daily basis. So I stopped this cold turkey.

I took the over-the-counter supplement Melatonin for eight weeks. Melatonin has been shown to be effective in restoring the natural sleep cycle. It should not be taken for more than six to eight weeks.  That is sufficient for resetting your natural biorhythms. 

During the eight weeks I was on Melatonin, I created a bedtime ritual I could follow every night.  After dinner, I did not do any work related activities.  I watched television, checked my Facebook page, and did other just-for-fun things until 11:00 p.m. I took a hot bath or shower before getting into bed.  This helps with relaxation.  I grabbed a book and read until I felt a little sleepy and then turned off the lights.  In the beginning, I often read until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning.  After a couple of weeks, I was turning out the lights by 12:00 and sleeping until 7:00 or 8:00 the next day.

After eight weeks, I stopped the Melatonin, and continued the bedtime ritual I had established. I was worried the first night about how I would react without taking the Melatonin. But, I started reading at 11:00, turned out the lights at 11:30 and slept all night.  I have been sleeping soundly ever since.

Before you attempt to reset your sleep pattern, it is important to detoxify your body first by eliminating chemicals from your environment and diet.  You need to build up your body’s immune system and ability to take care of itself by eating natural whole healthy foods.  If you are just beginning this process, hold on to hope.  You can recover from fibromyalgia and a multitude of other autoimmune diseases by making lifestyle changes to get rid of chemicals.  You can sleep and dream again.  

The Cure for Chronic Illness: Any Questions?

The road to recovery from chronic illness may be long and winding but it is a goal within reach of anyone willing to take the first step.  I have been amazed at the number of people I have met, articles I have read, researchers I have heard speak that have affirmed that recovery happens when we are willing to make the necessary changes in our lifestyles.  A common thread has been the great havoc that toxic chemicals are having on our immune systems. 

I got rid of chemicals in my environment, quit eating processed food, and started eating whole foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and I have not had any fibromyalgia symptoms in ten months.  Chemicals in food, cosmetics, fragrances, cleaning supplies and other products are making us sick. Getting rid of toxic chemicals has resulted in remission for people with a wide range of chronic illnesses including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and many other autoimmune diseases. 

Several friends and I were discussing this recently after church.  Someone asked, "But isn't that hard?"  A friend who has also improved from chronic illness and I both shouted, "No!" at the same time because we both recognize that these lifestyle changes have led to healing and nothing is as hard as feeling horrible all the time. However, when I got back home, it occurred to me that maybe we answered too quickly. Perhaps all of this may sound quite difficult and overwhelming to someone who has not tried any of the steps yet.

I have been in the process of moving so I have not had time to blog in almost two months. I thought that as I start posting again  this might be a good time to ask you for input and questions.  I appreciate all of you who have posted comments, sent me messages on Facebook and Twitter, and talked to me in person about the recovery process. 

What would you like to know?  Do you have a question about chemicals in cleaning products, cosmetics, and  fragrances?  Do you have questions about the harmful effects of eating processed food?  Do you need more information on which whole foods are the most beneficial?  If you are sick but have not gotten rid of chemicals in your environment and food, would you please share what things are keeping you from trying this plan?  Is there a topic I can address that would help you?  Do you have a symptom or problem that I have not discussed? Do you have observations or comments?

Please post your questions and thoughts in the comment section of the blog,  I will write future posts related to anything you would like to discuss. Thank you for your interest, your time, and your input.

May God bless each and every one of you with His wisdom, hope, grace, and love.  And may you feel a whole lot better really soon.  Thank you!

A Few Corn-y Thoughts

After the Corn Harvest

I am committed to eating whole foods and eliminating processed foods from my diet as part of my fibromyalgia recovery plan. Doing this plus getting chemicals out of my environment has sent my symptoms into remission.  Yay!  Finding out which whole foods are healthy and which may be problematic can be frustrating and confusing. Boo!

Let's take a brief look at corn.  A field of corn ready for harvest is a beautiful sight with ripe ears bending tall green stalks swaying in the summer breeze.  Even after the ears are harvested, the stripped fields look like a Norman Rockwell painting of a wholesome and healthy food source.  But when you discover a few facts, it suddenly feels more like that old horror movie, "Children of the Corn."  

1. Modern varieties of corn contain up to 40% sugar.  While the sugar content has increased over the years, the nutrients have decreased.  Corn that has been planted by American Indians in the southwest the same way for thousands of years has a lot more nutritional value than modern sweet corn.  For instance, "blue corn...has thirty times more antioxidant value than modern white corn." (Eating on the Wild Side by Jo Robinson)

2. The Monsanto corporation, the largest holder of seed patents in the country, produces a majority of the corn found on supermarket shelves.  This corn has been genetically modified (GM) to withstand drought, resist pests,and be impervious to pesticides. Our bodies are not designed to digest genetically modified corn. Several studies show that GM seeds produce tumors and other health problems in lab animals. Monsanto is a chemical company whose history includes producing agent orange and DDT.  I don't think the corporation is inherently evil.  It is just that their primary motivation is profit not health.  And that is scary.

3. Part of the corn harvest is used to produce high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) found in processed food.  Many medical studies show how bad HFCS is for our health. Dr.
Mark Hyman has written an interesting article entitled, "5 Reasons High Fructose Corn Syrup Will Kill You". He says, "We are consuming HFCS and sugar in pharmacologic quantities never before experienced in human history–140 pounds a year versus 20 teaspoons a year 10,000 years ago. High fructose corn syrup is always found in very poor-quality foods that are nutritionally vacuous and filled with all sorts of other disease promoting compounds, fats, salt, chemicals, and even mercury."

Now that all that bad news is out of the way, let's look at a few positive corn facts.  Corn, especially heirloom varieties, that you either grow yourself or purchase from your local farmer's market is quite nutritious.  HFCS won't be a problem if you avoid eating processed foods because whole food does not contain HFCS.  There are varieties of corn and corn seed available that have not been genetically modified by Monsanto or any other corporation. Because consumers are becoming more food savvy, many markets now sell blue corn and other varieties of nutritious corn.

Eliminating processed food from your diet is a healthy step toward recovery from fibromyalgia and many other diseases.  It is helpful to recognize that all whole food is not created equally. It is encouraging that in our country we have choices and access to many options.  I am learning more about choosing wisely every day. 

Exploring Unknown Territory

I recently visited the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.  The soaring sculpture is located on the approximate site where Lewis and Clark begin their westward journey of exploration to map unknown territory for those who would come after them.  

I have been on my own trek of discovery the past few years.  When I started searching for a possible cause for my fibromyalgia symptoms, I was definitely exploring unknown territory.  It is my hope and prayer that all those who are currently suffering from fibromyalgia or other autoimmune diseases will benefit from what I have learned.

I found my first clue doing research online.  I read an article describing the enormous quantity of toxic chemicals that are used in products with fragrances.  These include VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) used to bind fragrances to whatever they are being added to; plus a whole lot of other toxic substances. I had a history of allergic reactions to fragrances so the following sentence immediately captured my attention:

“The National Academy of Sciences reports that 95% of the chemicals used in fragrances today are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum, including known toxins capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions.”  “Chemical Sensitivities and Perfume”. Medical News Today.  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/9682.php

Having fibromyalgia and a history of allergies turned out to be a gift.  Of course I didn’t think that during the time I was sick.  My mindset was more along the lines of, “Oh great.”  “Just what I needed.”  “Something else to deal with.” (Feel free to insert your own favorite phrase dripping with sarcasm here.)

I learned that the chemicals in scents cause all kinds of responses in our bodies.  Since these reactions can occur several days after contact with a fragrance and because some of the damage is caused on a cellular level that is not readily obvious, many people are unaware of how dangerous the chemicals used in scented products are to their overall health and well-being. 

I know a lot or folks who are very sick with a variety of autoimmune diseases who have responded to the idea of a chemical cause for their illness with, “Oh, chemicals and fragrances and those kinds of things don't bother me. That can't be it."  Because I had reacted to scented products previously with symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and headache, I knew that they could cause problems.  So right away I considered the possibility that exposure to chemicals might be one of the culprits in my development of fibromyalgia.

This little nugget of truth nudged me to think about just how many chemicals we are exposed to each day in a wide variety of items including fragrances, cleaning supplies, cosmetics, pesticides, insecticides, and processed food.

Some researchers have developed a theory that exposure to multiple chemicals over a long period of time is one of the primary factors in the development of numerous autoimmune diseases.  The theory is that long term exposure to these chemicals causes the autoimmune system to malfunction.  When we are exposed to a physical, emotional, or mental stressor such as heart disease, surgery, an injury, a nasty divorce, etc., this triggers a response that our chemically poisoned immune system cannot overcome. If we do not get the chemicals out of our environment and food, there is a cascading effect.  We can never get well as long as the exposure to chemicals continues. 

Doctors who have recognized this connection are encouraging their patients to make changes in their lifestyles to get chemicals out of their environment and food and to eat a diet rich in whole foods full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. They have seen dramatic improvement and often complete resolution of the symptoms in people who have suffered for years with chronic autoimmune diseases such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sjogren’s syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome.

If you have no health problems at the moment, making these changes can keep you healthy.  If you are currently sick and want to feel better, take a thorough survey of your home.  How many products that contain fragrance do you use every day?  Read the labels on your cosmetics, cleaning products, laundry detergent, and lotions. What chemicals are you breathing in each day?  How many chemicals are being absorbed through your skin?  Read the labels on boxes, cans, and bottles of processed food. What chemicals are directly entering your body through what you eat and drink each day?  How many years have you been exposed to these multiple sources of toxicity?

I had been using chemically laden products and eating processed food for over five decades without giving a single thought to how this might adversely affect my health. But because I didn’t want to live out the rest of my years with daily excruciating pain and constant debilitating fatigue, I was highly motivated to make lifestyle changes that otherwise I never would have considered.  I am thankful that being so sick with fibromyalgia eventually led me to make healthier choices for the rest of the time I have left here on earth.

My symptoms have been in complete remission for over eight months with the exception of a one-time occurrence when I used sunscreen without thinking. That incident provided additional evidence of the chemical connection. (You can read about this in an earlier post). 

We don’t have to resign ourselves to a life of misery.  The truth is out there for anyone who wants to find it.  Making a few simple lifestyle changes can make a world of difference in your life and your world.   

Stop using products that contain fragrance.

Get rid of cosmetics and cleaning products that contain harmful chemicals.

Stop eating processed food.

Start eating whole foods that are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

It took Lewis and Clark over two years to complete their journey,  With all the information and resources at your disposal, you can  map out your road to recovery in considerably less time. Westward ho!

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Move It! Exercise! What?

During the time my fibromyalgia symptoms were so horrible, I read articles about the importance of exercise in coping with my illness and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  It was quite comical to think I could do any kind of exercise when most days just getting out of bed and taking a shower left me absolutely exhausted.  Tears formed in the corners of my eyes just thinking about trying to move muscles and joints that were screaming with pain when I was simply sitting still.

But you know what?  All those voices encouraging me to get up and get moving were right. It helped me feel better while I was sick.  And it established a pattern that I could continue to follow as my symptoms improved.

I had been working on the other aspects of my recovery plan for several months before I added exercise.  I got rid of chemicals in my home environment, stopped eating processed food, and started eating whole foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. My pain level was already improving from these changes before I started trying to be more physically active. 

To find an exercise routine I could live with I had to:

Be Realistic

I'm not very athletic. But before I got sick, I could walk three miles a day, hike up a steep mountain, swim laps for thirty minutes at a time, chase grandchildren around the park, and shop all day long.  I had to come to terms with the fact that these might not be attainable goals for me now that I felt so bad all the time. But just because I couldn't do the things I used to do before I got sick, didn't mean I had to settle for doing nothing at all.

Start Slow

One doctor said that he asks his patients to start their exercise program by walking only one minute a day at the beginning. That encouraged me so much.  I thought that even in my debilitated state I could manage to walk for one minute.  I worked up to walking five minutes at a time, then ten, and then fifteen.  I was strolling, not race walking, but I was up and going.  It was a start.

Be Grateful

I believe that attitude is everything when you are dealing with a chronic debilitating illness. (And even when you're not.)  I focused on expressing gratitude for what I could do instead of complaining about my limitations.  Some days the gratitude thing was easy.  Other days I spent a considerable amount of time whining and feeling sorry for myself before I was able to start counting my blessings.

The three types of exercise that seem to help me the most are:

Stretching

I know some folks with fibromyalgia that have gotten good relief with yoga or similar programs but I am too uncoordinated to get the hang of bending my body into all those odd positions.  I do a little bit of Tai Chi which has been helpful.  Simple stretches work best for me.  I do a series of arm stretches and then get on the floor and do a series of leg stretches. Since I was being realistic, I started out by doing only two reps of each stretch and gradually worked up to twenty reps.

Swimming

Swimming is a great way to exercise your muscles and joints without putting weight bearing pressure and stress on them.  I started out swimming to one end of the pool. I rested for a while and then swam back to the other end.  That was all I could manage at first,  Gradually I worked up to swimming laps for five minutes before I had to rest.  Now I stay in the pool for thirty to forty-five minutes at a time several times a week.  I swim laps part of the time and do leg lifts and stretches holding on to the side of the pool part of the time.

Getting Outside 

Having a chronic illness that quite frequently made it seem impossible for me to leave the house, lead to feelings of isolation and depression.  It has lifted my spirits to get outside and walk a little even if it is only for a few minutes at a time.  My husband and I love to go camping. When I was sick I didn't have the stamina to hike like we did before I became ill. But there are other ways to enjoy the beauty of nature. The boardwalk I am strolling on in the photograph at the beginning of this post is only about three hundred yards long. It was a great place to get out and enjoy nature without exerting a lot of energy,  I was able to walk through that lovely area when my fibromyalgia symptoms were still quite severe.


I have been symptom free for seven months now.  (Except for one flare up due to chemical exposure that you can read about in my last post).  I have more energy and stamina now but I am still working on returning to the activity level I had before getting sick.  I continue to look for ways to stretch and move my way toward better health.

Flareup: Bad News is Good News

I woke up one morning last month scared senseless.  I rolled out of bed acutely aware that every muscle and joint in my body hurt. I had pain in both legs, both arms, my shoulders, my neck, my back, my hands, my feet. After over six months of absolutely no fibromyalgia symptoms, it was back.  So naturally I toot the most sensible and rational course of action:  panic followed by a headlong tumble into despair.

For five days I sat around enveloped in fibro fog, fatigue and pain; but mostly I passed the hours whining and feeling sorry for myself.  On the fifth day there was hope in the darkness.  I started to think about possible reasons as to why the symptoms had returned. What had I done differently?  Then it occurred to me.  

We had gone swimming in the middle of a hot summer day so I had used sunscreen for the first time since my recovery.  I believe a light bulb may have actually popped up over my head.  I didn't look in the mirror to verify this because I was too busy trying to remember where I had put the bottle of sunscreen I had used the day before I woke up with the horrible return of symptoms.

Aha!  I found it!  This is the list of active and inactive ingredients in the sunscreen. And....(drum roll please) that liquid was full..of..chemicals.

By using the sunscreen, I had unintentionally turned myself into a human science experiment that confirmed my theory that chemical exposure is a contributing factor to fibromyalgia symptoms.  I had been vigilant about getting chemicals out of my environment and food.  I had eliminated chemicals from sources that were not always obvious: fragrances, cleaning supplies, personal grooming products, and processed food.  But the day before I woke up with the return of that awful pain, I had slathered sunscreen all over my skin, the largest organ in my entire body, without even thinking about all the chemicals that were in it.

I couldn't stop smiling (even though smiling made my face muscles hurt more.)  If the chemicals in the sunscreen caused the flareup, then my body should be able to eliminate those toxins and recover from that specific exposure in a week or so.  Eight days later the pain and fatigue were gone. What I thought was really bad news:  the return of symptoms, turned out to be really good news: concrete evidence that exposure to chemicals contributed to my fibromyalgia disease process.

I will continue to avoid chemicals in my environment and food and eat healthy whole foods full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.  But I am going to be a lot more careful about where hidden chemicals might be lurking.  Being well feels too wonderful to take a chance on feeling that horrible again.  

Killing Myself with Food and Chemicals

Research shows that what you eat has a direct effect on your health and well being. Processed food is full of chemicals, dyes, preservatives, and artificial ingredients that our bodies were never designed to consume.  For decades this truth had no impact on my lifestyle at all.  I ate things that came in packages and boxes and cans - Oh my! - without giving it a single thought.  I have been thinking a lot lately about why it didn't occur to me sooner that this type of eating could be harmful.

The only reason I started investigating the relationship between what I eat and how I feel is because I had fibromyalgia complete with just about every symptom associated with this horrible disease: severe pain in multiple muscles and joints, frequent bouts of spiking pain in my knees, elbows, and feet, pain that increased with changes in the weather, pain so severe it woke me up at night, difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, never feeling rested even when I managed sporadic sleep, unremitting fatigue, difficulty completing even the simplest tasks of daily living, loss of focus, an inability to concentrate, and feelings of hopelessness.

The most hopeless feeling of all was that I would have to cope with the consequences of this disease for the rest of my life.  After an entire year of misery and despair, I started looking for a way to feel better.  I got rid of chemicals in my home, cleaning products,and personal grooming products.  I stopped eating processed food that is full of chemicals and started eating whole foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.  I read everything I could find hoping to discover a way to feel at least well enough to function each day.  I was amazed that I not only found a way to feel better but my symptoms completely disappeared.

Is this a cure or is the disease just in remission?  All I can tell you is that when I made these changes in my life I got well.  I have been symptom free and feeling great for over six months.

Researchers are studying the relationship between exposure to chemicals in our environment and chemicals in our food and have found links to a host of illnesses including almost every inflammatory illness such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, lupus, Sjogren's syndrome and other illnesses like heart disease, depression, and cancer.

So why isn't every person with fibromyalgia or another chronic illness getting rid of chemicals in their environment and food and eating whole foods?  I suspect it is for the same five reasons I was slowly killing myself with food and chemicals for over half a century. 

Habit.  When you are used to doing things a certain way, it seems simpler to keep on doing them that way than to change. So we keep using the same cleaning products and personal grooming products.  We keep eating things out of packages and boxes.  We drink soda and stuff our faces with candy, cookies, and chips.  It is what we are used to doing.

Lack of Information.  We don't educate ourselves about the harm processed food and environmental chemicals can cause.  In the past maybe this information was hard to find.  Now it is everywhere.  You can get on the internet, type whatever you want to know in your favorite search engine and have hundreds of scientific articles right in front of you in a matter of minutes. The truth is out there.  

Disbelief.  Even when we have the information and read every article and book about the harm environmental chemicals and processed food cause our bodies, we just don't want to believe this could be true.  We had rather believe there is some other cause, pop a pill, and hope for the best. Even some physicians are still not paying attention.  I am grateful to have met many who are wholeheartedly behind the movement to eat well to live well. Wondering where you are in the process?  Check out this list and see how many of these foods you are currently eating.

8 Foods We Eat In The U.S. That Are Banned In Other Countries
This brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "food poisoning." Original list found in Dr. Jayson Calton and certified nutritionist Mira Calton's new book, Rich Food, Poor Food.

False Sense of Trust.  If it is available on our grocery shelves, we think it must be safe to eat. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Giant food corporations have only one motivation for producing processed food products.  And it is not our well-being.  It is profit.  Read the book
Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss for an eye opening look into the world of manufactured food.

Unwillingness to Change.  Even when we know the truth and believe the truth, sometimes we just don't want to change our lifestyle.  We don't want to give up soda or packaged cookies.  We don't want to switch to safe organic chemical free cleaners.  We just don't want to change our ways.  It took me six months after I started finding out the truth to be willing to make the changes I needed to make.

If I had not made those changes I would still be dragging myself out of bed every morning just hoping for a low pain day, glad if I had the energy to take a shower and make it to the couch. Instead I am traveling, writing, camping, playing with my grandchildren, and living each day with joy and gratitude.  Don't let chemicals and processed food rob you of a life that is full of hope, promise, and possibilities. 

Pinterest-ing Idea

I love these rocking chairs.  We bought them in the 1980s from a local rocking chair maker when we were living in Barranquilla, Colombia.  They represent a common furniture style in that coastal South American city and bring back wonderful memories of the six years we lived there.  We have taken them with us wherever we have lived since then.  These two currently have their own special nook in the apartment where we live part of the time while my husband teaches medical school students in the city.  Two more of the chairs are at our house in the country where we live the rest of the time.

It has been over thirty years since we bought the chairs.  We have repaired the bottoms and replaced the cushions but the wood was scuffed and worn.  Because I am committed to getting as many chemicals as possible out of my environment in order to maintain my remission from fibromyalgia symptoms, I didn't want to use any type of commercial cleaner or varnish that might contain harmful chemicals.

I am always on the lookout for natural options to use in place of chemically laden manufactured products.  So I was delighted when I came across a recipe for furniture restorer on Pinterest that consisted of only two natural ingredients:  canola oil and vinegar.  The pin said to use 3/4 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of vinegar and apply with an old rag.  I didn't need that much for the chairs so I just grabbed a mug, filled it about halfway with oil, dumped in some vinegar, and stirred.  I rubbed this into the wood with paper towels and let it sit until the wood soaked up all the mixture and - Voila!    The chairs look great and I was not exposed to any unnecessary chemicals.

Before

After

If you have access to the internet, you have access to a ton of great ideas for natural products you can use instead of chemicals.  I have come across lots of ideas on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and also by just typing key words for whatever I am looking for into my search engine.

I have found natural cleaning products, ways to get insects out of my home and outdoor spaces, and hundreds of delicious recipes for healthy eating with whole foods.  Getting rid of chemicals in my home, not eating processed food, and eating a lot of whole natural foods have been keys to recovery for me.

When I started on this journey to change my lifestyle, I was just trying to find something that would help my feel a little better so I could cope with a horrible chronic illness that I thought I would have to live with for the rest of my life.  I was amazed when my symptoms disappeared completely.  

If you are suffering from severe fibromyalgia pain and debilitating chronic fatigue, it is my deepest hope that the things I am sharing in this blog will help you feel better.  May God bless each and every one of you.  Rock on!

How Much Will This Cost?

Healthy Living on a Shoestring Budget

I have been sharing my fibromyalgia recovery plan:  find a support system, get the chemicals out of your environment, stop eating processed food, start eating whole foods.  I have been asked a lot of questions about different parts of this plan.  There is one thing that almost everyone wants to know: 

How much will it cost to make the changes required to get better?  

Find a Support System.  

This aspect of the plan will cost you only time and thought.  If you join a formal fibromyalgia support network there may be a small cost for yearly dues. Many of these types of groups do not require dues and joining a formal group is not your only option.  Check out previous posts for specific ideas on how you can find the support you need as you move toward recovery.

Get the Chemicals Out of Your Environment.

My expenses in this area have decreased.   Eliminating all scented products eliminated what I would have been paying to buy scented candles, air fresheners, etc.  Switching from chemically laden cleaning and grooming products to products containing fewer chemicals has cost the same as I was paying before. I was going to buy toothpaste, makeup, soap, laundry detergent, etc. anyway. Simply switching brands did not increase my costs.  

Some brands of organic, natural cleaning products are more expensive than brands that are made with a lot of chemicals. However, you do not have to buy prepackaged products.  There are a lot of things you can make yourself.  You can read about many of these ideas in previous posts on this blog.  You can go online and type  "natural cleaning products" in the search field and find many more.  I have a whole Pinterest board devoted to natural cleaning products.  (http://pinterest.com/KathyKNorman3)    My favorite natural cleaning product is extremely cheap:  vinegar.  I buy the least expensive brand at discount stores in huge containers and get a ton of cleaning power for my money.

Stop Eating Processed Food and Start Eating Whole Foods

Many people think eating natural whole food is going to cost more than the way they are presently eating. This is simply not true.  For one thing, a big chunk of your weekly food bill will disappear when you stop buying soda, cookies, candy, and prepackaged heavily processed food items. I eat out a lot less because cooking at home lets me know exactly what is in the food I eat.  You can use these savings to purchase healthy whole foods.

There are some packaged things that you will need to buy to eat a healthy diet:  rolled oats, raisins, dried fruit, Greek yogurt, etc. These items can often be found at a reduced price at discount food stores and big box stores.  They can sometimes be found on sale or purchased using coupons. 

Whole fruits and vegetables are probably the category of foods that are perceived as being the most expensive.  But even these can be found for a good price at discount stores.  Buy fresh foods when they are in season. They cost less then.  A great source of good food at good prices is local farmers' markets.  Locally raised food is often less expensive because you cut out the big food manufacturing companies and transportation costs.  Food you buy from local growers is usually the most healthy food you can buy.  It often has less chemical exposure and there is no need for preservatives.  Many farmers' markets have whole sections dedicated to truly organic food.

Overall, I spend less now than I did before I started trying to get better.  Even if it cost more, I would find something else in my monthly budget to reduce in order to buy what I need to live a healthier lifestyle.  I started this entire process simply looking for something I could do to feel better, something that would help me cope with my illness and at least be able to function on some level.  I was as surprised as anyone when I completely recovered.  And that's priceless.

Go Nuts!

Since I recovered from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, I have become an avid fan of whole natural foods.  Eating whole foods instead of processed products played a major role in my recovery.  My symptoms completely resolved six months ago.  I continue to eat natural foods to stay healthy.  One of my favorite healthy foods is nuts.  Here are a few nutty facts. 


Almonds
Almonds are full of anti-inflammatory properties.  Eating them helps reduce inflammation and the pain caused by inflammation.  They contain magnesium, calcium, and vitamin E.  They are low in saturated fat.  Almonds have a lot of phytochemical compounds which some research has shown to be helpful in protecting against heart disease and cancer and useful in reducing cholesterol levels.

Pecans
Pecans are rich in antioxidants that keep cells from being damaged and protect against disease.  They are a good source of protein and several of the B-complex vitamins. Studies show that pecans may help lower bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and increase good (HDL) cholesterol levels.

Pine Nuts
Pine nuts contain Vitamins A, C, and D.  They have iron, protein, and magnesium.  Some research suggests they help fight free radicals and promote healing.

Walnuts
Walnuts are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help you stay healthy.  They are a great source of Omega 3. 


When buying nuts, read the labels.  Make sure the nuts you buy do not contain added salt, oil and chemicals.  The only ingredient that should be listed on the package is the name of the nut. Buy certified organic nuts if possible.

Nuts are easy to incorporate into your daily diet.  You can eat them by the handful for a quick energy boosting crunchy snack.  Add them to salads and stir fry recipes.  Sprinkle them over cooked vegetables.  Toss nuts, chopped apples, sliced bananas and grapes with a few spoonfuls of your favorite yogurt to make a quick fruit salad. 

Go nuts!  Your body will thank you.