Arsenic and Brown Rice?

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"Scooter" my nutty kitty
There have been stories in the news about brown rice and brown rice products containing arsenic.

First, some doctors say brown rice has "gluten", albeit a different type...and you may heal faster without any gluten types at all. I try to limit brown rice and other grains in my diet these days...

Second when I went to macrobiotics cooking classes and learned about macrobiotic cooking, we were taught to THOROUGHLY rinse the rice before soaking/sprouting (just like you would soak beans overnight, you should also soak your grains) and then cooking. Many macrobiotic teachers would have elaboate rice washing techniques. Stir a certain direction, use your hand to stir/rinse the rice, and always rinse til the water runs clear....sounds like someone already knew about the arsenic and  any other contaminants as well.

Watch for processed food products that contain brown rice because you don't know if the companies rinse their rice before using, or if in cases like brown rice syrup if there was arsenic in the rice it would be naturally concentrated in the product as the syrup is cooked down.

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-rinse-and-cook-brown-rice-236301/ Rinsing rice

http://www.livestrong.com/article/324467-how-to-germinate-rice-for-increased-nutrition/ Sprouting rice

http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/44007 Arsenic and brown rice

Corn Safe to Eat for those with Gluten Sensitivity?

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Here is an article from the Gluten Free Society Blog. I really encourage you to join their mailing list. They are doing so much research in the field of gluten sensitivity and Celiac Disease, and educating doctors, patients and lay people as well.

I limit my own corn consumption and it is always organic, but this article makes me rethink corn. When I was in Rome Italy (a gift from my brother) I brought diet cards in Italian to give to the waiters and other food servers so they would know that I am gluten free, dairy free, and egg free,. The waiters would sometimes also ask is corn OK? They are ahead of us with that too. In Italy there is much higher rates of Celiac Disease and all children (in larger towns) are tested for Celiac Disease before they start kindergarten! In Italy they are much more aware of food sensitivities and health issues stemming from them. I actually found a food sensitivity blood test that you could order by yourself through local pharmacies. (called a "farmacia" in Italy)

If you are Italian, or Irish, or a combination thereof, it is worth testing for Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance as those populations have much greater Celiac Disease risk, especially if you have health problems as well!

http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/is-corn-gluten-really-safe-for-those-with-gluten-sensitivity/

You Are Almost Definitely Low in B12 (Time Sensitive)

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Any problems with Lupus means problems with digestion, any problems with digestion and you are not going to be absorbing key nutrients well, among them will be B12. Please read the following from Mike Adams at Natural News.

Dear NaturalNews readers,

I believe our modern world suffers from an epidemic of nutritional deficiencies, and one of the most common (and dangerous) is vitamin B-12 deficiency. A lack of vitamin B-12 can cause a long list of symptoms. Do you suffer from any of these?

• Low energy or weakness
• "Brain fog" or lack of focus
• Poor memory
• Light-headedness
• Pale skin
• Sore tongue
• Bleeding gums
• Mood changes or depression

Vitamin B-12 deficiency can also cause neural tube defects in pregnant women (http://www.naturalnews.com/026000_vitamin_B12_women_health.html), chronic coughing (http://www.naturalnews.com/027819_vitamin_B12_coughing.html), and it can actually appear to be Alzheimer's disease (http://www.naturalnews.com/027456_deficiency_vitamin_B12_disease.html).

This last point is crucial: Many people who are being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease right now may, in fact, only be lacking vitamin B-12.

RESEARCH EXPERT REVEALS VITAMIN B-12 HEALTH SECRETS:

My friend David Rainoshek is an amazing researcher who has spent years investigating the relationships between nutrients and optimum health. He studied under Dr. Gabriel Cousens and helped author a book on reversing diabetes. He's also the co-author of the "Juice Feasting" audio program that he and I put together several years ago which has helped thousands of people experience the benefits of daily juicing.

David is hosting a series of online webinars that reveal the most important information you need to know about vitamin B-12.

Reserve your spot by registering at:www.naturalnews.com/B12_webinar.html

In this webinar, you'll learn:

• The 3 ways to determine if you are B-12 deficient or not (most people have no idea).

• The Gold Standard for testing B-12 levels.

• 3 Little-known methods to properly raise your B-12 levels and keep them there.

• Which B-12 supplements are a complete waste of time (and money) and might actually harm your health.

• Why your doctor probably doesn't know anything about vitamin B-12.

• The most common symptoms of B-12 deficiency (including many you may not be aware of)

• Why vitamin B-12 deficiency is routinely misdiagnosed.

• Which type of vitamin B-12 you should AVOID (hint: it's the most common form, used in may "cheap" multivitamins).

This webinar gives you valuable information on why you may need vitamin B-12 and where to get a "human-active" form of vitamin B-12. It's extremely informative even if you already take vitamin B-12!

Watch David Rain's video trailer of this webinar at:www.naturalnews.com/B12_webinar.html

By the way, the place he's filming this is where I used to live in Ecuador! That's my garden in the background (the garden I started), and those kale plants are from seeds I brought from the USA.

As you know, I don't endorse a lot of webinars, and I'm very picky about who I trust and what they teach or promote. David Rain is someone whose knowledge I genuinely trust, and his research on the relationships between B-12 and optimum human health is superb.

In fact, I don't think you'll find a more knowledgeable teacher on this subject anywhere.

Don't miss this! Sign up to attend the online webinar right now at:www.naturalnews.com/B12_webinar.html

Time slots are available both today and tomorrow.

- Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com

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An Interview with Dr. O'Bryan on Gluten, Migraine Headaches and Nerve Damage

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Photo by Carly K.
From The Gluten Free Society, more great information. Please listen to the interview, click the first link below.  Celiac Disease blood testing can be wrong and give false negatives (test can say you don't have Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity when you do!)
http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/dr-osborne-and-dr-obryan-discuss-gluten-migraine-headaches-nerve-damage/

http://www.thedr.com/ More info on Dr. OBryan

http://towncenterwellness.com/about-2/media/fox-news-features/ more info on Dr. Osborne

Have Lupus? Things You Can Do to Feel Better!

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Photo by Carly K.
I find that going back through these lists every now and then helps remind me of things I should be doing or things I should be changing or things that may have slipped my mind....click on the link below. Also feel free to comment below or email me at lonedoggy@netzero.com if you'd like to add anything that has helped you feel better!
http://lupushope.blogspot.com/2011/11/you-or-someone-you-love-has-lupus-what.html

What Do You Need to Change in Your Life to be Happier?

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Me petting some goat friends at Yaphank farm - photo by Carly K.
This is something I struggle with from time to time...I feel I am not living to my true potential or up to my true and complete happiness. I have relationship issues, can't seem to find a job that is a "fit" for me, sometimes am still overly tired (I am still anemic, and I still have a few other deficiencies as well) and sometimes still don't feel as good as I believe I should.

I definitely feel if  my life would just fall into place or I could put it all into place my immune system and my health would soar even higher.

While looking on the internet I found the following blog, if you need help "tweaking" your life click below.

http://www.theonequestion.com/blog/

Ever Feel Like You're Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall?

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To beat one's head against the wall and To bang one's head against a brick wall
Fig. to waste one's time trying hard to accomplish something that is completely hopeless. You're wasting your time trying to figure this puzzle out. You're just beating your head against the wall. You're banging your head against a brick wall trying to get that dog to behave properly.See also: against, beat, head, wallMcGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
If you try to talk about anything to a person that has a closed mind it will be like you are beating your head against a brick wall.

A person should aim to be an "open minded skeptic" in the words of Andrew Weil MD. In other words you DO NOT have to believe everything you read or hear. But if something intrigues you, research it for yourself from a variety of sources, and then come to your own conclusion.

In religion or lack thereof, if you are trying to convince an Atheist that there is a God or a priest that there is no God...you will feel like you are banging your head against a brick wall.

When I have a client for Dog Training that hires me for my wisdom and doesn't want to listen to my advice even though their way of solving a dog training dilemma is just NOT working...

When teaching that what you eat (including finding out and avoiding your food allergies) can make or break your health. to someone who just wants to eat what they want for example a diabetic who eats lots of cake, cookies and bread because they deserve it...and of course it is killing them slowly...or sometimes quickly  ( it is especially frustrating if it is a relative that has serious health issues and won't listen...)

When I went to my conventional doctor (my rheumy) and I told her I had found a holistic doctor and was going to alter my diet...and she said "Changing your diet will not solve anything, eat what you want" Again, so glad I didn't listen to her! Taking the foods I was allergic intolerant to made a WORLD of difference in how I felt. I feel so much better.

I am tired of banging my head against a brick wall...if someone doesn't want the advice sometimes you need to just walk away and say a prayer or just wish them the best...if they are meant to know information they WILL find it.

Life's a Little Busy Again...

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Bike shopping over the weekend - my old bike finally broke  :( 

Hi and Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a great weekend and St Patty's Day!

Just a quick note to say we've been trying to sell our house and deciding where to move. Life altering things. I have to keep on top of my son's school work...he was slipping a little and not doing homework which was bringing his grades down needlessly...

My daughter was getting frustrated about some "chicken skin" (tiny raised pimples on her arms and legs) and decided to try to add more raw foods in her diet and less boxed treats from the stores (even though we buy organic and gluten free/ vegan, they are still processed foods). I've been pulling out some recipes and trying to make more raw yummies...this takes time as well...

Well, I will be posting soon as I get interesting and helpful health info and have the time. Just letting you all know what's up, since you're used to my regular posts. So I have been a busy bee lately!

Nerve Damage, Facial Palsy and Gluten Connection Found

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My daughter's GF Vegan blueberry pecan muffins - used a Babycakes base recipe
Please subscribe to this newsletter. I have received so much information from this doctor and his research contacts. Having this information really is a gift. It also gives you the knowledge to help others that are struggling with their health! Please pass it on!

http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/facial-palsy-and-gluten-sensitivity-a-connection-is-found/

Natural Air Freshening Ideas

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Someone had asked why chemicals in air fresheners are so bad. The short answer is if you are knowingly breathing chemicals "on purpose" it is a BAD idea! There are so many chemicals in life that we can't avoid. Your liver already has enough to do we don't need to knowingly give it more hard work.

Here are some ideas to keep your home smelling fresh and clean and "delicious" naturally...Always pick your own favorite scents...

1) Open your windows as much as possible, in the colder weather turn your heat down and open windows for 1 hour for fresh air to come in then close and turn heat back up to desired temperature. A great thing to do before bed for clean, fresh sleeping air.

2) Cook your favorite smelling foods(skip the bread unless it's gluten free of course) cookies, cake, soup, spaghetti sauce, pot roast, apple pie, apple butter, chili. Whatever you love the smell of.

3) Your favorite smelling dehydrator recipe, dehydrate spicy/cheesy kale chips, strawberries, etc.

4) Your favorite essential oils, (make sure the essential oils are pure oil and not synthetic or have artificial additives) on lamp rings, on the inside of toilet paper rolls, a couple of drops mixed with water in a spray bottle and spray like air freshener,

5) Simmer any of the following on the stove (make sure you watch the water level or put the cooking timer on)
cinnamon sticks/bark
vanilla
herbs
citrus peels
cloves

6) Sandalwood blocks place in closets drawers etc. (Cedar is a nice smell too but I heard it aggravates breathing/lungs in people and animals)

7) Natural candles, beeswax smells great, soy candles, (don't do paraffin candles- they're more toxic!) Watch candles or get the flameless variety.

8) Cut flowers, flowering plants, or even air cleaning leafy plants

9) Fresh Eucalyptus

A Trial of Diet Change...

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 GF Vegan Chocolate Chip Waffles (from the book Babycakes Covers the Classics)
Thinking of a diet change but don't know where to start...it is too hard...too inconvenient you say?

What if you could have a free trial of eating an allergen free diet? And as you eat it you feel much better. No brainer. Even if inconvenient at times. Would you go back to eating the foods that made you feel bad? I know I wouldn't. Sometimes I feel that if I could just get people to try changing their diet and they felt better they'd NEVER go back to eating poorly again!

What would you be most likely to try or most happy with? Kind of like a poll...

Meal delivery to your door? Going to a healthy/health food retreat? Following a book  like
Mark Hyman MD's book "The UltraSimple Diet" or "The UltraWellness Diet" A holistic nutrition class that meets onch a week or so? Cooking or uncooking(raw food) classes? What would you need or find easiest to make the leap/change to a new diet?

Eating out or eating on the run is the hardest for most people When I am really hungry and there's not a health food store in sight...many times I try to find nuts or fruits or veggies or a store bought plain salad somewhere. One of my go to meals when I'm hungry and need a more filling meal is a can of sardines in water drained and tossed with a plain salad and if I am lucky I will find a plain olive oil and vinegar salad dresssing to add.

I loved California for all the health food stores, Whole Foods and raw foods and macrobiotic and vegan restaurants. Anytime I wanted I could get a great raw food pie or cake too from Cafe Grattitude. Oh was I spoiled in California!

Please add your comments below! Did you change your diet, do you feel better, any tips to help others make the change easier? If you haven't changed your diet or know someone that won't, what would help them? Any tips for those who haven't changed their diet? Have a great day!

Looking for Gluten Free Vegan Recipes for Easter or Passover?

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Click on the links below for my recipe blogs. I know my daughter is going to ask for some yummy homemade chocolates for her Easter basket!

www.lupushopecookbook.blogspot.com  Gluten free/ vegan (no gluten,no eggs, no dairy) super healthy and healing recipes.

www.myfamilysfavoritegfcfrecipes.blogspot.com Gluten Free/ mostly vegan (no gluten, no dairy, a few recipes include eggs, some recipes include meat, but usually meat can be swapped out for beans, tempeh or your favorite vegan meat/protein substitute) foods that cure cravings or special occasions, not as healthy choices, but still gluten free, dairy free and almost all egg free.

Johns Hopkins Cancer Update - Please read and pass along!

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Johns Hopkins Update This is an extremely good article.Everyone should read it. AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY', BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY . Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins: 1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size. 2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime. 3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors. 4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, but also to environmental, food and lifestyle factors. 5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet to eat more adequately and healthy, 4-5 times/day and by including supplements will strengthen the immune system. 6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc. 7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs. 8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction. 9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation, the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications. 10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites. 11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. *CANCER CELLS FEED ON: a. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitutewould be Manuka honey or molasses, but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt. b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved. c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little other meat, like chicken. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer. d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try to drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).. e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which are high in caffeine Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water: -best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it. 12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup. 13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from, or eating less, meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells. 14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells.. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death,the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells. 15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life. 16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment.Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level.Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells. 1. No plastic containers in microwave. 2. No water bottles in freezer. 3. No plastic wrap in microwave.. Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don 't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper The dioxin problem is one of the reasons. Please share this with your whole email list......................... Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead. This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life...

A Look Into the Changes in My Health by Changing my Diet - A repost

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October 25, 2011

My Old Lupus Symptoms - See How much better I feel/am!

A repost from my www.lupushopehealingplan.blogspot.com Click here to visit My Lupus Hope Healing Plan Blog and read on below too.

Old Lupus Symptoms... Problems of the Past

I started my new diet plan in January 2008, most symptoms were already gone by May 2009 but I have felt better day after day. Here are the changes as of October 2011.

I like to let people see how I have helped myself and also to let my doctors know my story

Red Face(gone) extremely rare get a red face if I am in contact with certain allergic foods)
Acid Reflux (gone)
Numbness in my arms/hands (gone)
Double Vision/blurry vision (gone)
"unexplained" Grand Mal Seizure (2 years on Tegretol, then was weaned off) (gone)
Migraines(plus felt like a knife in my neck too with the migraine pain/eye aura too)(gone)
Sinus pain and pressure(but no dripping,discharge) (gone)
Dark spots in my field of vision(couldn't see there, like when someone takes a flash photo of you)(gone)
Dizziness( to the point I had to lay down and not move) (gone)
Bloody Noses with heavy clots at the end (gone)
Sores in my nose and mouth(occasionally still get them, sometimes usually before a cold)
Colds are VERY RARE one/two a year if that
Restless Leg Syndrome(gone)
"Panic attacks" may have been allergy related (read Theron Randolph book(s)) (gone)
Sometimes feel like I'm off balance "lean to the right"(still can walk, don't fall) (gone)
Lose my balance a lot(I stumble, but don't fall) (still sometimes/but happened all my life)
When driving if I looked down,to change radio station, and back up at the road felt dizzy, disoriented like my eyes would not focus quickly (gone)
Cervical pre-cancer cells(had a cervical conization to remove them)(gone and hope it stays that way)
Mass in breast(after many health changes and stepped up (every 4-6 months) mammos the doctor said the mass "resolved itself". ie: it went away (gone)

A doctor scared me in TX and said that he thought I had MS(Multiple Sclerosis) I was tested and found not to have that.

I have had many EEG's to check for seizure activity all were normal since the one seizure that I had. I had MRI's to check for weakened blood vessels all were normal (my mom had a blood vessel burst in her brain and she died from it, the doctor said it is worth checking me as it can be hereditary- GET YOUR B12 levels CHECKED!!! low B12 can cause your blood vessels to thin and eventually break- any doctor can check for B12 levels but you usually need to ask them to.)

Also had MRI's to check for MS, all normal

Discoid Lupus(sores on scalp and face from sun exposure)(during the summer I had an occasional pink skin on my nose that was sensitive but it would heal itself without becoming an open sore- now 2010-11 extremely rare to even get a pink spot!)

Joint pain all over my body(only if I eat something I am allergic to I don't do this on purpose sometimes companies have cross contamination or are labelled Gluten Free and they are not really...)

A new symptom is heart palpitations (2009/10) I had everything checked and can't find a reason for these but they are not very often. (Found out through a blood test in 2009 that I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis this could cause heart palpitations as well as mercury toxicity which I have also, found that out from a provocation urine test with DMSA not a regular blood test) Heart palpitations have gone! (Heart palpitations are on and off but mostly off...Oct 2011)

As of June 2009 blood tests I still have Antiphospholipid Antibodies, Cardiolipin Antibodies, Double-stranded DNA, Positive ANA . I will get another blood test run in December to check and hopefully those Lupus markers will be gone... (In December 2009 my blood tests still show the same Lupus markers... : ( Just went for a blood test Oct 2011 - Same Lupus markers again... :( I am also presently anemic also...My main Lupus issues are I feel tired, could be from the anemia, and I have a few joint pains every now and then when I eat things that are "not the best" for me.

Most of my nasty symptoms are long gone and I attribute it to taking care of myself and finding out my allergies and avoiding those foods and lessening stress(as much as possible) and my "Power Eating"(eating almost everyday for nutrition...OK I still eat my chocolate, and an occasional goody here or there) Also see below...October 2011- I need to cut out the sugar, noticed it creeping in again more and more and the baked goods (pizza and cakes and cookies even though there GFVegan and mostly homemade still not good), and store bought meals (even though organic and gluten free vegan) and cookies and soy ice cream (I don't eat them a ton but I have been eating more things that I shouldn't....) Need to reboot....
Written by Toni Kaste NC at 3:53 AM

Whole Living Recipes

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Some of these recipes have milk/cheese/eggs/gluten...just mix and match and swap out. I do this all the time. For whole wheat bread I will use my gf vegan pizza crusts (recipe on my recipe blog)...or my favorite gf vegan bread. For cheese we use Follow Your Heart soy cheese or sometimes guacamole can be a nice swap for dairy cheeses... you still get  that creamy, fatty, salty texture and taste your looking for.

http://www.wholeliving.com/135918/25-fast-healthy-recipes/@center/144791/healthy-every-age?xsc=eml_nat_2012_04_13&om_rid=NsiYBU&om_mid=_BPiCWqB8hvX3PV#/26135

Tahini Recipes

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Photo by my daughter Carly K.
Tahini is sesame seed paste/butter. Like peanut butter made from sesame seeds. It is packed with calcium! One of the world's highest calcium content in a food! Check out these recipes. If you need swap outs for ingredients just email me or comment below.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/tantalizing-tahini-recipes.html

More nutrition info on sesame seeds

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3071/1

Steve Nenninger ND Lecture and Food Allergy Testing in Sayville NY!

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gluten free vegan chocolate covered strawberries

From Steve Nenninger ND Naturopathic Doctor and a Holistic Nutritionist:

I will be at Cornucopia in Sayville on Saturday, May 5th at 5:30.
I will be speaking about hidden food allergens and will bring test kits. The only other time I do this is at my "Breakthroughs" talk in January.
I will also include updates since the recent talk.
I love the work that Jon and Lynne do at Cornucopia and I am happy to be speaking there.
I will bring the new edition of my food allergy booklet... free the the first 100 people. :)
See you on the 5th in Sayville for your private screening. Call the store to let them know you are coming. They have so many great things in the store that I can't wait to go!
Cornucopia
39 North Main Street Sayville, NY 11782
Cornucopia Phone. (631) 589-9579

Sunscreen or Not?- It's that time of the year again!

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Went to a festival at an organic farm this past weekend and the sun "surprised" me I asked my husband to get my umbrella from the car even though I had a hat, my arms were bare...

Today it is 58 degrees in NY...chilly and cloudy....
This is the time we should all be careful about the sun, springtime. Most people with Lupus have sun sensitivity. I, myself, can feel achey and feverish and extremely tired after sun exposure. I can even end up getting Discoid Lupus sores.(haven't had them in a long time now)

Even though the weather is not quite hot the spring sun is still VERY strong! Don't be fooled. Now when I say I protect myself, I would rather use clothing, hats, umbrellas and good old tree shade. Most times I go out in the early morning or the early evening. The sun is the hottest/strongest between 10:00am -3:00 pm so stay in at those times or protect yourself very well!

There are so many toxic chemicals in sunscreens be VERY cautious of what you put on your skin!
Please read my past posts, linked below, there are also some great articles from others as well.


http://lupushope.blogspot.com/2011/06/read-labels-on-sunscreen.html

http://lupushope.blogspot.com/2010/06/lupus-and-sunscreen.html

http://lupushope.blogspot.com/2010/03/gardening-and-sun.html

More sunscreen info...

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Photo by Carly K.
Heard about these protective products...need to research more but my first thought is what harmful chemicals are in them????? I know about the chemicals in the "wrinkle free" fabrics, see the last link on the bottom. You wear your clothes against your skin all day...too much possibility for contamination. Too many pores in the skin to absorb all those terrible chemicals....I would't use these until I find out what is in them and that it's non toxic.


Sun Guard Wash in Sun Protection for fabrics

https://sunguardsunprotection.com/?ccUser=75260e2d55864c7026463a918f19b348

Mott 50 Sun protective fashion

http://www.mott50.com/

Wrinkle free http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/andrewkantor/2004-12-31-kantor_x.htm

http://www.sun-protection-and-products-guide.com/sun-protection-fabric.html

What an amazing day....

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Where do I begin? How should I start this entry? I really dont know...there were so many great, amazing things that happened on Friday.

I woke up at around nine to a phone call from a woman name Lisa. She told that she's from Fox News and that she would like to do a news segment on me and the Fishing Tournament. She has asked to meet with me at the Cancer Care at eleven to do the story. So I dressed myself up in my favorite pink blouse and my favorite white scarf and out the door I go! I walked into the treatment and there were a camera in my face and everyone was smiling at me too. It was strange, I felt weird in my own body, talk about being a professional. I felt like a cheeseball who acted like she never saw a camera before. Lisa, the reporter and her cameraman were very friendly people they helped me to get the jitters out and told me that I dont need to be nervous. I like them! They recorded while I get my PICC flushed and hooked to the IV by Linda (one of the many lovable CC nurses!) and she also gave me some lemon drops to help me with my cough so im not just coughing the whole interview. Lisa asked me alot of questions, I tried to answer them the best of my ability. The interview went smoothly and they asked me to keep them updated with any new news before they left. I felt like a star! (or THAT GIRL who would wave awkwardly at the camera on tv shows shouting out "hi mom! dad! im on tv!" over and over in between giggling fits)

Then the main attraction began when the camera was off. I was given a big bag of fluids to prepare my kidney for the big gun. An hour later, I was finally given my yellow bag of Methotrexate. I asked the nurse, "why do they make the colors of chemo look like koolaid? EPOCH looked like orange koolaid and now Metho-goodness looked like pinneaple." Then I would begin to imagine the koolaid man bust through the walls of the cancer care treatment room shouting out "oooh yeah!" like he does in the commercials. That would be sweet. Rhonda (the nurse) laughed at my comment and said "I dont know, to make them cheery...but we both know the truth though, don't we?" Oh yes, I know the truth all too well. After an hour or so of that I had another fluid bag and the whole process was over. I went to little girls room alot throughout the treatment which the nurses sees it as a good sign while my bladder was crying for some rest. But best of all my cough was kept to a minimum and my breathing went to normal! No more ragged or ratty loud breathing. I went home happy cause I got to go home without a coughing fit and also knowing that I would be able to the benefit concert that night.

I got dressed up for the concert although it wasnt necessary. Being sick often doesnt really give you a chance to be out and about, so you stay home and sweats would turn into your best friend. Plus when you feel like crap picking out an outfit is the last thing that you want to worry about. I'm sure many cancer patients can relate to this. So tonight, im going to a concert and I feel well and gosh darn it! im going to get dolled up for it.

The benefit concert was nothing short of being amazing. Louise did such a fine job of putting all of it together.I was floored with the performers, the choir were wonderful, the orchestra was beautiful and the culture performances they were just spectacular. I cant believe that all of these people did this just to raise money for my transplant. I was floored and speechless, felt like my heart got so big that it took up my whole entire body. The auction items from all over the world was just so beautiful and intricate. People were just stunned at how beautiful the items were and bidding wars began. I estimated that there were about 175 audience members for a concert that was only put together probably about two weeks ago. Stunning concert, beautiful performances, 100% of all the concert tix revenue and auction sales will go toward my BMT. I was just teary eyed and felt like the luckiest girl in the world! I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many kind and caring people.

I cant sleep right now, but I really should go back to bed. Today is the fishing tournament and I really want to go, except Methotrexate aka "pinneaple" will make me be sensitive to the sun. So I might not be able to stay the whole entire time. *sadness* But I want to visit.

Oh yeah, before I forget......guess whose shoulder doesn't hurt anymore.......ME, ME, ME. After a week of pain and numbness, I no longer suffer from it and I was able to feel my left collar bone for the very first time in weeks. Its wonderful and it wouldnt have been possible without the prayers of many. So thank you and do wish me luck that the cancer will stay that way. :D


xoxo from the happiest girl in the world,
rina

That came out of nowhere....

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I knew that it was too good to be true for me to be feeling that well. Sunday the nasty side effects started to kick in. I got a bacterial infection and a fungal infection which resulted in nasty painful sores in my mouth and down my throat. I finally got over the fever and the nausea but I havent been able to eat since Saturday, just the occasional Ensure. Because of my extremely low blood counts the infections and the sores have not healed quick enough. Had a blood transfusion today (that was a mess with its own story later) and im hoping that it will help me feel better quickly within the next few days.

I miss eating. :(

TGIF?

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So I may have pushed myself a little too much with all the activities today. There was another TV interview, a visit to the Cancer Care, and some work for the charity sale tomorrow. It doesnt seem much but its enough to wear me out. I feel dead beat tired and my whole entire back is aching.

This morning I did an interview for KWTV Channel 9 News. It was a little more relaxed because I wasnt hooked up to an IV nor was it done at the Cancer Center. They came over to my house to ask me about my conditions, the charity garage sale, and how cancer impacted my life. I was still as bad in front of the camera as the first time, but I think this one went alot smoother. Im glad that they came today, any earlier during the week they would have gotten a mumbling Rina that would give incoherent answers because of the drugs and the sores. Good timing Channel 9 and awesome segment, I feel very priveleged and lucky that they are willing to run my story.

Then I went to the Cancer Center to do bloodwork to see how my body is doing. My result was mediocre. I am doing better but still not good. I was running a temperature (again!) and my WBC is still low, my RBC has improved as expected because of the transfusion yesterday, and my platelets are still low. A little dissapointed with the results because I might/might not receive more chemo on Monday. If I do, I cant imagine how angry my body will be towards me, I am dreading the days following the treatment. "Uggggh....." Hope my body will suck it up and last through it. But more than likely it will be delayed if things dont look up this weekend with my blood counts and overall condition. I hate delays because I don't want to give the cancer a breather, which means a chance for it to start growing again. I can't let that happen. I have been fortunate that I have never had a treatment delayed and I really would hate to start now.

I am nervous for Monday. I hope Dr P will have something positive to tell me. He is a wonderful doctor, he is tough with the treatment because he knows that I can handle it. Though I hope that this tough treatment wouldnt last too long, I have to get to transplant soon. I have never wanted something so bad. I pray everyday that the bone marrow transplant will be the end of the chapter for this phase in my life. I believe that Dr P and Dr H will try their darndest to get me there.

Now my mini mission will begin. I must take care of my self this weekend and hopefully with the help of God I can continue to improve my overall condition. Whether or not Dr P will give me chemo on Monday, I need to show him that I can handle anything that he throws at me. I really dont want him to be hesitant about any treatment options simply because he is concerned whether or not I am physically fit for it.

Wow! I am more nervous about Monday than I realized. I will know the future treatment plans from Dr P on Monday. I guess I have the right to be nervous. But I shouldnt be nervous. I dont know, stressing isn't going to help im sure.

Not bad, but not good...

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I just got back from my visit with Dr P. The Methotrexate seems to be working on the tumor because the swelling is hardly noticeable these days. He wants to continue on with the Methotrexate by having the treatment tomorrow. He actually wanted to do it today but I would need to pick up the Lecouvorin first. So instead we will start the treatment tomorrow. Then the next week we will do another Methotrexate. After the two weeks of treatment, Dr P will re-evaluate my condition and see whether or not its time for transplant.

Weekly Methotrexate?? Yikes! Im concerned. It took me ten full days of no chemotherapy to regain my health back. I dont know how im going to be able to handle weekly Methotrexate. But I trust my body and Dr P. I know that he wouldnt recommend this chemo regimen if he doesnt think it will work on my cancer.

I wish my cancer wasnt so aggressive. They seem to grow pretty fast, I just want a little break from it. From all this chemo side effects and tumor pains. Where I can have more than a week that I can be like myself again and not feel any sort of discomfort from either the chemo or the tumors. Who would have thought that the road to get to transplant is filled with bumps and alot of detours. It feels like forever before I can finally reach transplant.

Well wish me luck with the Methotrexate. Hope the next two weeks will be filled with minimal side effects and bye-bye tumors.

Holding up just fine...

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My updates are getting a little harder to do. Please forgive me. I have been more and more tired that all I really want to do is sleep and rest. I will probably let someone else do the updating for me probably my mom, I feel bad dumping this on her, but I dont know how well I can do this.

I went to the Cancer Center to receive some more Methotrexate. I sucked on ice while getting the drug. Sucking on ice helps cut the circulation to my tongue and the general mouth area with the hopes that the drug will not affect my mouth and avoid the possibility of mouth sores. My mom also bought special mouthwash and toothpaste that I have diligently use everytime I wake up, eat, and go to bed. I would rather overwash my mouth this week rather than contracting sores. I guess cleanliness is key to avoid crazy side effects.

My back is feeling much better. Whenever I overwork myself the pain comes back and so I try not to overdo anything and make sure that I get plenty of rest throughout the day. Slept the day away after my chemo yesterday. Today I am also struggling with the fatigue, I do hope that my energy comes back soon but at the same time I am very grateful that its the only major side effect that I have to deal with.

Please forgive me if I havent returned your phone calls or emails at the moment. I am having difficulty finding the strength to talk or be on the computer for a period of time. I will open all the emails and listen to my voicemail whenever I start feeling better. Visits are also difficult right now as much as I enjoy seeing everyone's lovely faces I just cant focus.

I hate this situation. I hate taking my meds. I hate feeling lousy and in pain. I hate that I cant be out and enjoy the summertime. I hate seeing my mom so busy and overwhelmed.

But as much as I hate all of this I know that life doesnt stop just because im upset. I am old enough to know that I have to face life's challenges head on. No matter how much I hate it.

New strategy....

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Well, the Methotrexate didnt work. After Tuesday the swelling on my shoulder wasnt getting any smaller and in fact I noticed it was beginning to grow. The growth was not much but it was enough for me to notice. Yesterday I met with Dr P to let him know about the situation before I would receive another dose of Methotrexate next week. He seemed a little concern and especially if the tumors really are growing it really doesnt give him much time to think of another treatment plan for me. But he tried to assure me that there are still options for me. So on Monday I will receive Cytoxin. Although I have received this drug before this time it will be a much bigger dose. It wont be transplant dose but it will be pretty high.

I wont lie and say it was easy to hear that another treatment plan has failed again. I am also a little concerned with the whole trial and error method that Dr P has picked for me. The side effects are not easy to handle and all these failures is taking a toll on me psychologically. The pain killers have kept the shoulder pain at bay but besides the shoulder pain I am feeling just fine. I am happy to say that I am eating a normal amount and sleeping just fine at night.

The cough is a little annoying, as usual. I am beginning to forget the last time that I wasn't coughing. After my meeting with Dr P, I went to the hospital to get a chest xray to see how my lungs are doing. I will not receive the result until Monday but im pretty positive that its because of the mass on top of my lungs. I dont think that my cough will dissapear completely until the cancer in my chest area is taken care of.

I am trying really hard to not lose strength or my will to fight. Dr P and I realize that my case is unusual and that getting to transplant has been a difficult one. Please pray for me that this Cytoxin will provide a much needed relief and a better success.

By the way, thank you all for your love. I know all of this would have been ten times harder if it werent for your prayers and support. :)

I'm pumping again...

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Today's visit to the Cancer Center didn't start out well. We showed up bright and early as I was eager to start my chemo treatment. It was something I was looking forward to the whole entire weekend. Ever since Wednesday the amount of painkillers that I took kept increasing and by Sunday I was so drugged up that all I did was sleep.

Unfortunately, there was a mix up at the CC. Apparently, Dr P forgot to mention to his staff about the change of treatments. To everyone, they thought I shouldnt be there until Tuesday to receive the Methotrexate. I told them that I met with Dr P on Friday and he had changed it to Cytoxin. It took about an hour and a half to clear the misunderstanding and it was a painful wait for me in the lobby as the painkillers started to wear off and my shoulder was throbbing a little bit. Anyways, I was very happy when they finally let me in the treatment room, although they wouldn't start my treatment for another hour after that at least I was allowed to sit in those comfy lazyboy chairs and have a pillow and a blanket that really did the trick for my achy body.

Then I found out that I wouldn't be receiving the Cytoxin, but instead I got Cisplatin......on a pump. :( I thought that I wouldn't have to see one of those again. But oh well, its only for 24 hours so it shouldn't be too bad. I would take the pump any day over this silly pain. Dr P has been consulting with another oncologist in Tulsa, he told me "Two brains are better than one" I think that made my mom happy. She's been really concerned with all the treatment failures.

The Cisplatin wont be the only chemo I will be receiving this week. Tomorrow and Wednesday I will be getting a completely new drug that I have never tried before. So new that I totally forgot the name of it. hah!

Anyways, its been 8 hours since I took my last painkillers. That makes me really happy, I really hope that I will no longer need it soon. Though tonight I will probably take some just to make sure that I sleep tonight and not be a pain in the butt to my mom at 4:30 in the morning! Dr P also gave me some morphine for the pain, but I probably wont take those. Simply because my stomach cannot handle it and I usually end up losing whatever I ate that day. Not a pretty sight! So I think I will avoid all of that.

Everything is looking good. My pump is...well pumping, the shoulder pain is under control without the help of painkillers, and no evident side effects so far. I do hope that this will be the one! :)