Living la Vida Lupus

Hey ya’ll,

It’s been a while…longer than I realized. Well, I moved into my new home last month…been busy, end of excuses.

Okay, now I have to share my Reflexology experience with you. Susie Kruse, CRP, RN, Certified Reflexology Practitioner and a member of my “Zumba in the Circuit” class at the Curve’s Club on Louetta was offering 10 minute intro sessions yesterday. Of course being an advocate for alternative treatments I had to give it a try.

You’re not familiar with Reflexology? Well, Susie’s brochure tells us that Reflexology is an ancient science and healing technique based on the theory that the 7200+ reflex endings in our hands and feet directly correspond to all our organs, glands, and body parts. By stimulating these reflexes with thumb and finger pressure, any physical and neurological blockages may be cleared, thus helping to restore health and equilibrium to the corresponding body part.

“How cool is that?”

It is amazing that someone touching your feet can affect your entire body. Really, 10 minutes was equivalent to a full body massage, and less expensive.

After my session yesterday I drank lots of water and soaked in an Epsom Salt bath as recommended. I taught two “Zumba in the Circuit” classes prior to my session so after my soak in the tub I had a short nap, zzzzzzzz. This morning I feel great.

I visit my chiropractor regularly and utilize massage therapy, including lymphatic drainage massage to aid in my health challenges. Reflexology is definitely being added to my arsenal.

If you want to know more about Curves, www.curves.com, Zumba in the Circuit, www.zumba.com, Reflexology, email Susie at SUSIEDRUSE@ATT.NET.

Thanks for following along as I face life with lupus.

Please take a minute to “like” my Living la Vida Lupus FB page.

Peace, love, lupus…

Hola,

Your “Nutritionista” here. How’s it going? Are you swim suit ready yet?

No?

What’s holding you back?

Want to feel better about your body and health?

Then you are in the right place…

Today I want to discuss “kale” (again) and all it’s nutritional glory. I would love for you to participate (that means leave a comment), but just sharing in my thoughts is good too…no pressure.

I only discovered kale a couple of years ago and I really can’t get enough of it. I was dining at Olive Garden with my husband recently and as our waitress recited the soup choices I asked the ingredients of the “Tuscano”…when she said kale I was sold. I make a lot of soups and never thought about throwing in a hand full of chopped kale!

I usually steam or saute my kale, but I recently read a suggestion to toss kale in your salad greens. I have really been missing some primo opportunities.

I opt for an anti-inflammatory diet because of my autoimmune disease so that is one reason I love kale. Other reasons include:

Kale is rich in Vitamins A and C, high in potassium, calcium and iron, and is a good source of fiber.

Kale has powerful antioxidant properties and is considered to be anti-inflammatory.

Ornamental and edible what more could you ask for?

If kale isn’t one of your favorite veggies I encourage you to try it. Already love kale? Share the love by commenting below.

I am convinced that kale everyday helps keep the doctor away, along with my apple <smile>

Thanks for following along as I live life with lupus.

Hey ya’ll, are you ready to discuss tuning into your energy cycle? I say let’s go for it.

If you are just joining us you will need to read the previous post “Thrive After Lupus” to get up to speed. Go ahead; read it, Carol and I will both appreciate you for it.

Lupus peeps, you have probably forgotten what your true energy cycle is. Medications can really screw up your energy cycle…some meds keep you awake…then you need other meds to help you sleep…there are so many side effects…then you need meds for those.

Fortunately I am not on any meds for my Lupus, but my energy cycle is still a train wreck. Let’s see, four adults on different work schedules, stress, pets, etc. There are so many things to disrupt my “feeling of being in flow”. How about you? Are you a morning person? Night owl? How’s your vitality?

Here in Texas our weather isn’t as seasonal as most places and I don’t have school age children to aid in any rhythm of my energy cycle.

So how can I get back my “feeling of flow”? I start by eating healthy, nutrition filled meals. Eat within an hour of getting up in the morning to set the tone for the day, stop eating three hours before bedtime. Add some activity (that means exercise), crank up some tunes, sing along, and dance a jig, okay, maybe not a jig. Get seven to eight hours of sleep a night. You can do it! And you will be soooo happy that you did.

Am I 100% with all of the suggestions in the previous paragraph? No, but I chisel away at it every day. I am closer to 100% than to 60% and I am good with a consistent 90% goal.

Thanks for following along as I face life with lupus.

Ruby

Your cells produce more protein while you are asleep, these protein molecules form the building blocks for cells that allow them to repair damage. 

I have a question for you. Do you have “soap box” issues? Me too. Probably at the top of my list is dental hygiene, much to my husband’s chagrin. Second on my list is probably sleep.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZs, Baby!

Now for a conversation near and dear to my heart…sleep. This topic could go on indefinately. Don’t worry we will take baby steps as I am sure many of you are resistant to the value of a good nights sleep.

I am going to start with my sleep history. When my son, James, was born…he was not a good sleeper. The two of us slept on the sofa almost every night until he was four years old. I should also interject that it was around this time that I was diagnosed with Hashimotos, yes, an autoimmune disease. Once James started sleeping through the night I did the same. I was pretty consistant wilh getting seven to eight hours of sleep nightly for about ten years. I firmly believe sleep kept the lupus flares at bay during those years. I had mild flares during that time, but nothing totally debilatating. I did have total paralysis in my left hand for about six months (during a very stressful period), I had some digestive issues, some skin issues, joint issues (was diagnosed with carpal tunnel, wore wrist splints for three years) all these conditions appeared suddenly, ran their course and disappeared. The paralysis was attributed to a “virus” since the neurologist couldn’t find any other reason for it!

So, of special note, when I had the flare that put me in the hospital at which time I was diagnosed with lupus, what major change in my lifestyle preceded this event? I was not getting my usual seven to eight hours of sleep. In fact I was probably getting around five or six, consistantly. This change in my sleep pattern weakened my immune system leaving me totally vulnerable for a major flare. Oh, and if you’re wondering why I wasn’t getting my usual sleep…new relationship…that’s right, cupid’s arrow can make you forget, your diet, exercise, and yes, your zzzzzzzzzzzzzs!

 Sleep helps boost the immune system.

Sleep deprivation can increase inflammation…can you say heart disease, stroke, diabetes, autoimmune disease, obesity, depression, and more.

Sleep deprivation can effect hormones that regulate appetite.

Lets elaborate on this a little, it only takes one night, that’s right, one single night of sleep deprivation to increase levels of ghrelin (the hormone that triggers hunger) and decrease leptin (the hormone that suppresses hunger). Wow, for years I have wondered why the day following a poor nights sleep I craved high-fat, high-calorie foods!

Poor sleep effects your concentration the following day.

Quality sleep will help you remember and process things better.

Sleep also seems important for the formation of memories.

While your body is resting, your brain is busy processing your day, making connections between events, sensory input, feelings and memories.

To be continued….

The good news, I had a negative response to almonds, aspergillus (what?), cashews, corn, egg (whole), garlic (garlic is real filling), lobster (ka-ching), mustard, orange, pinto beans, rice, salmon, soybean, strawberries, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, tuna, and walnuts.

Please note that I am sharing my actual test results with you as well as my actual efforts to resolve these issues. Hmmmmmmmmm, this may be more than 2 parts! And I have to factor in autoimmune disease considerations as well.                                                                        

Let’s start with addressing the autoimmune disease considerations. First foods to eliminate: dairy and wheat/gluten, why? These two groups contribute to “inflammation” and we need a non-inflammatory diet. So, I have given up my beloved skim milk, Cheddar cheese on a triscuit, and ice cream. The good news just a few days of elimination and I don’t really miss these foods. My cravings for a cold glass of milk have diminished.

The rest of the foods in the mild sensitivities group…shrimp is totally out due to actual allergy. I eat peanuts once a week when I dine at Texas Roadhouse. Mild sensitivity foods should be eaten every fourth day. Once a week is good. I was a big oatmeal advocate, high cholesterol you know, but oatmeal had been out since I started replacing a meal a day with a smoothie. My first rule of achievement…replace one meal a day with a protein smoothie. So rotate beef, cantaloupe, pork, and turkey every four days. Whatever!

On to the negative response foods, I don’t eat corn as it is genetically modified (another conversation), I don’t care for eggs, but it looks like I may have to give them serious consideration, soybeans…another genetically modified food, my food list is shrinking. Hmmmmmmmm, fish, nuts and berries, beans and rice (lucky I am Mexican).

All I can tell you at this point is that if I had relied on trial and error I would never have discovered my true food sensitivities. Thanks to “testing” I know the culprit of many symptoms that have plagued me forever. Women, listen up, we are notorious for being constipated, yes, I said constipated. The sad news is we have convinced ourselves that is “normal” for us. It is not “normal”. Every digestive issue I have ever had has been resolved by making some simple food additions and eliminations. Want to know more? All you have to do is ask <smile>, I love to share my good fortune.

Thanks for reading,

Ruby

Facing life with lupus