There are many names of sugar. There is a lot of added sugar in processed foods. Manufactures often use several kinds of sugar so they can hide the actual amount of sugar in a food item because the rules the FDA requires for food labels require manufacturers to list ingredients by weight. If food makers relied on only a few types of sugar to sweeten and preserve their foods than sugar would appear in the top 3 ingredients and health conscious people and parents would think twice before buying their items. By creating so many names for sugar they can keep the weight of ingredients down so the names of the ingredients can be lower on the label…and make it more difficult for people to recognize how much sugar they are eating when they consume processed foods. (more…)
I live in a body that hurts. Always. Living with Central Sensitization Syndrome, more commonly referred to as Fibromyalgia has changed my world in many ways. For nearly 14 years Karen G Clemenson has been getting me ready for this challenge because she always is trying to find the positive; eking our every bit of goodness in my life is my greatest tool!
Although there is no specific x-ray, labs or physical exam that makes it easy to diagnose, fibromyalgia is very real. When you have fibromyalgia you are used to chronic pain and tenderness all over your body but there are specific spots that doctors use to diagnose fibromyalgia. These tender points are: (more…)
Welcome to part 4 and the final article in our Fat Cells Series. To think I had thought this would be an easy topic! After all we have learned about adipose tissue, Karen G Clemenson thought it would be appropriate to write about Fat Cells Connection to Eating Disorders. Let’s begin with a quick summary of some of the things we have learned in this series:
Our bodies lose and replace about 8% of our fat cells each year. Our fat cells also shrink when we lose weight and use up the stored lipids inside of them. One way of helping our fat cells shrink is to get rid of the toxins that build up in our fat cells. Toxins are easily absorbed into our body, they are found in the air, our water, chemicals we work with, the food we eat and more. We absorb them when there are forest fires or people burn trash or other combustibles, when factories make herbicides or bleach paper pulp and many other situations. In the 1980’s the EPA conducted a program called National Human Adipose Tissue Survey and they found that all human fat samples they took contained traces of industrial solvents, dioxins and chemicals. The goal of this article is teach you about washing fat cells. (more…)
I know a lot about nutrition and exercise. I have always been fat and my family and doctors have always educated me. In the past I was very active, and at one point, I had committed to working out every day for an hour and successfully lost weight. But I had never committed to a lifestyle change. As I have gotten older I have made a lot of changes because I have watched friends and family deal with aging and now I am chronically ill, I have become sensitive to several foods and some medications I have to take require me to do certain things, however I must admit that I have had trouble committing. I have commitment issues…lots of them. You would think that since my wonderful wife, who is the greatest cheerleader I have ever known, helps so many people that she would be the perfect help for me, but when Karen G Clemenson finally comes home, she is drained. This leaves me to myself because I spend a lot to time alone…for several reasons… (more…)
Everyone needs to have some fat cells on their body. Our bodies store energy and vitamins to create hormones that send messages throughout our bodies in our fat cells.
Did you know that no matter what we do our bodies have the same number of fat cells for all of our adult lives?
In 2008, a molecular biologist named Kirsty Spalding discovered this fact and that even if some cells die, our bodies will quickly replace them. Some people just have more fat cells than others. Fat and fatty acids that help nerve development and function make up over half of our brain. Fat develops important hormones in our bodies and also provides shock absorbers for our internal organs and some kinds of fat help to keep us warm. (more…)
The other day Karen G Clemenson tried on a sports bra that wasn’t the right size and we started talking about how important it is to wear a properly fitting bra. In years gone by I was the lingerie manager at a women’s clothing store and I learned a lot about how bras should fit. This was the first time I had considered how important it is to wear the right bra to support my breasts. While Karen was listening, she suggested I write an article about it, since most women do not wear the right size bra. Bras are only as good as their fit. If they don’t fit they are uncomfortable but your bra should make you feel good in your body and excited to wear it, regardless of whether you live in a sports bra or you live for lace and ribbons. (more…)
In this day and age it is not uncommon to hear of people having surgery to replace or repair their back, knees, hips, etc…It is something that has been happening for a long time, but as technology and medical knowledge has become more and more stellar so has the need to learn the best way to manage healing.
The other day Karen G Clemenson walked in the door and asked me to write an article about what to do after surgery, so here it goes!
Rehabilitation is just as important as the surgery. Many patients’ attention is so focused on the actual surgery that they don’t even think about healing time. Healing takes time and patience. (more…)
Believe it or not, it is hard to get Karen G Clemenson to go to the doctor. You would think since she is such a cheerleader for your health that she would take great care with her own but she finds it difficult to get away from regular life, to do anything that doesn’t happen in the gym. Don’t get me wrong, Karen’s wellness journey has increasingly gotten healthier in the last 10 years or so. She has made a lot of good choices, while easing herself into a life of wellness to learn to eat better, get regular exercise, drink more water and take her medications and supplements properly and this has helped her reduce her weight and bring her blood pressure down while giving her more stamina. I have given up bugging her too much but luckily our doctor makes sure to force her to stop and get a check up annually by refusing to refill her medications until she comes in. It isn’t that she doesn’t like our doctor or that she is afraid of what the doctor will say, she just doesn’t want to miss out on anyone who needs her help. (more…)
I asked Jesus for someone to love me like Him
He sent me a soldier
to fight for me
to look past my ugliest and remember who I am
to see the path when I cannot
to remember that He is the one in charge
My head on your chest is my favorite spot
the sound of your heartbeat
is just one more reason to remember the mission
My Father has saved me over and over
He created me for a life
that requires much faith
and more grace
So when I needed someone on earth to hold my hand
He created you
Even sound asleep
you are working hard
and I am glad to lie here until fibromyalgia makes me move
Without you who would He send home
to wake me from a PTSD nightmare
Help me remember all the things I forget
Inspire me to push past my burning skin and screaming joints
when you need help
Make me want to imagine tomorrow
Your smile lights up my heart
makes it easy for me to never leave you behind
Helps me understand why Jesus would choose me
Until you wake and make me laugh
I will agree with Jesus in my prayers for you
I will hug you close until you stop snoring
laugh at the jokes you tell in your sleep
massage the muscles that twitch while you dream
I will revel in all the times I chose not to fight you
You are the love I wanted
You are my favorite blessing
When I thank Jesus for you every other care is silent
except for the tears that fall on your shirt
This poem is dedicated to My Love
The latest topic that Karen has been asking about is Vitamin D. She talks about it during dinner, when she talks about clients and even in her sleep. In order to answer her need for information I asked her specifically what she wanted to know and here are the answers I found.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin produced in our bodies when ultraviolet rays from the sun trigger the creation of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is also present in very few foods. Vitamin D can affect 2,000 genes in your body. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of Calcium in the gut in order to maintain and grow healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D also influences cell growth and immune function, aids in communication between nerves and muscles, and reduces inflammation. (more…)
Often I hear Karen mumbling under her breath that she needs to find out if Subway adds soy in their sandwiches. Apparently she had been told that there is soy in meat at Subway and she wanted to make sure that she wasn’t passing on untruths…last night I heard it for the last time because I finally realized that she would wonder about this until someone told her otherwise…I get it. Some nights she barely finishes her dinner before she starts dozing off.
After googling “Subway Menu,” I ended up on a page on their site…where I was able to download a document called U.S. Allergy and Sensitivity Information that answered her question. On the document I looked at there were 2 types of ways soy can be in an ingredient:
came home for lunch yesterday and asked me to look up some natural detox remedies for a client who wanted some information. When I started my search I thought I would find an easy answer and when I found I was wrong I decided to turn this into an article. Knowing when to detox or not to detox is really important so here is what I learned…
Pollution, food, drinks, medicines and supplements can cause us to accumulate toxins that can make our bodies not work at their optimum level. Not getting enough sleep, exercise, too much worry and poor diet all effect our immune system and inhibit our bodies to release these toxins. If you are feeling sluggish or are tired of getting sick, you may consider detoxing as part of your wellness plan. (more…)
I had to name her because I was tired of feeling controlled by her. By naming her she became a guest I could try to encourage to leave, rather than something that shows up and takes over my life.
Veda is the depression that plagues me. She is seductive and detrimental to my wellness. She steals my mind and body and makes me sleep or not, be mean and feel hopeless.
You might think that the 2 mood stabilizers I take would keep her away, but until God chooses to balance the chemicals inside me differently, those pills I take before bed, help me. They don’t stop the anxiety, depression and obsessive thoughts and feelings, but they help slow my mind down so I can manage them better. Sometimes my reality is too much for me. It doesn’t matter if the sun is shining, the bills are paid and I am on my way to see my best friend; when you have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder…sometimes there is an open invitation to Veda…and sometimes there are triggers that cause her to show up.
I would like to say I hate her, but I have found that by hating her, I made her stronger. So I am accepting her. She is part of my life.
Karen and I have action plans for all types of visits, whether it is a short one, or a long one, if she brought a ton of luggage or just a carry-on. We have learned to be flexible because that is what you do when the goal is to get all team members to the finish line, together.
Sometimes that just means I spend some extra time with God in prayer and worship and then find something constructive to do. Sometimes my action plan includes confession to a team member that Veda wants me to end my life. Violence is NEVER an option.
I am thankful that my mind can handle that rule. Some people don’t have that rule…and they try and try again to end the pain until they succeed, unless God chooses to take this thorn in their side.
I am not scared of Veda anymore. I still get to choose what I do when she is here. The medications, the rules and my helpful and loving relationships with my team make that possible.
If you live with your own Veda please find your team.
My team consists of my kind, smart and beautiful wife, Karen, my companion animal, Xavier, who sometimes acts as my little guardian lion, my sister-friend, Jamie and my counselor Pam. There are several kind people in my life, but these are the people that have offered me support, answers and even a few tears so I wouldn’t have to cry alone…The leader, of course, is God, who gives Jamie dreams about me so she always knows when to call, inspires Karen to casually come home from work, for no reason, when I need a hug, and who leads Xavier to give me looks to remind me to take care of myself and puts himself between me and any perceived danger.
If you know someone who has their own Veda, please try to understand that they are not always in control of their circumstances even if they look fine; they might not have a healthy home, or an action plan, or maybe their Veda is bigger, badder and meaner than mine.
Their sickness takes nothing away from you. If you can’t handle it, just be honest. We will all be better for your truth.
When you live with a Veda you learn to accept that we all have shortcomings and it is better to accept what you can’t change and embrace what you can.
P.S. It took me almost 3 months to write this…
Lord please help me
Thank you for the beautiful blue sky today
The clouds are pretty
The tree out front praises You always
and right now shows the glimmer of new life in the light of the sun
I feel like the nothingness has come again
Like yeast I feel it expand
My thoughts seem to bubble up and away from me
If I could leave here I would
You hold me always and guide me with Your voice
You show me the path when I can walk
But now all I see is me trying to see You
Please give me Your eyes
Your faith in me is the only thing that
stops me from floating away
My body screams where it isn’t numb
I know You know what this feels like
Nevertheless not my will but Yours
Chapter 15: Outward Focused LivesApathy: lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern
A version of Christianity that is safe, isolated and dispassionate has created people who are complacent and comfortable and will not be able to bring justice through change.
A missional church is one that moves by God through His people in order to bring healing and restoration.
Jesus did not come tot only save me from hell, but to put me on a mission to be a blessing to others and minister healing and restoration.
Spiritual formation is a transformation of the soul
Volition: The cognitive act or an instance of making a conscious choice or decision. Primary human psychological function also referred to purposive striving.
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Collective Faith: The Passion for Jesus NotesPassion for justice is key to spiritual growth and a deepening relationship with Jesus.
We can do all the “right religious” things but if we do not seek justice and love with compassion, then we fall short of the glory of God.
Matthew 19:16-26
As Whoopi was passionately letting her beliefs known on The View regarding 4 black teenagers who had live-streamed the kidnapping and abuse of a challenged white student and ABC News interrupted with a Special Report that there had been a shooting at an airport in Florida…and one of my neighbors had chosen to move their fight outside of their home and fill my ears with obscenities…I thought I might want to take a look at the word DISCRIMINATION and share with you what I learned.
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Unintentionally you shot me
with your legal use of force
My heart is full of bullet holes
from the war zone you accidentally created
where sneak attacks tore us apart
The palace you worked hard to provide was sparkly
Because you taught me to run directly into firestorms
for years I fought to defend it
But you didn’t know about the terrorists after my heart and mind
Your Fast Assessment Strike Tool didn’t work in my benefit
My humanity was set aside while you saved yourself
Something like PTSD sucks the life out of me when I see you
The armed conflict is still happening
even though the war crimes were committed years ago
I don’t hate you and I miss you
but I am holding the wrong ammunition for your battle plan
I don’t need judgement or criticism wrapped in a hug
I don’t need people who just want what I have
because I only have love to give
I am unable to engage in euphemisms
and your moral outrage is not my fight
I have made choices you can’t understand
because I have orders you can’t see
In the mire I live in right now light is a precious commodity
I am shaken by the wars outside of me
but the glimmer of hope I depend on will continue to lead me on
I can’t follow your objectives while my old wounds fester
I don’t know how to let them go so I must let them heal
and my treatments take too long for you
As much as I want to choose you
I have made myself my own secret mission
I will contact you when the casualties have been honored
CHAPTER 10: PARTICIPATION PROMOTES AUTHENTICITY
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I feel like my whole life I have been fighting. Fighting to be heard. Fighting to be seen. Fighting with